Robert Langdon Films: A Movie Lover’s Guide to Locations, Ratings & Secrets

Do you love puzzles, art, history, or exciting mysteries? Then the Robert Langdon movie series is for you. You might be familiar with the Robert Langdon books or just one of the movies (The Da Vinci Code was *really* popular), but there are actually six books, three movies, and one TV show (as of 2025).

The Robert Langdon films and TV series have brought Dan Brown’s bestelling novels (and all of the beautiful real-world locations) to life. Whether you’ve read the Robert Langdon books or are discovering the stories for the first time on screen, the adventures of Harvard professor Robert Langdon are packed with puzzles, conspiracies, and a romance or two.

I’m a big fan of the series and have read all the Robert Langdon books twice (well, except The Secret of Secrets, but it just came out so give me some time) and seen all of the movies at least twice—I find them all interesting, engaging, and exciting. I’ve also visited many of the locations used in the movies and, as usual, I love seeing them “in real life.”

If you’re curious where to start—or want to revisit these thrillers before the next one comes out—this guide breaks down the films and the television series in order of release, including ratings, filming locations, and a bit of background on how the franchise came together.

Who is Robert Langdon?

We first met Robert Langdon in the book Angels & Demons published in 2000. He’s a Harvard University professor specializing in religious iconology and symbology (a fictional field that combines art history, religion, and semiotics—the study of signs). He’s brilliant, curious, and a bit of a reluctant action hero (have you heard of an action hero with claustrophobia?). There’s usually a murder or mysterious event that pulls him into a race against time to stop global catastrophe—all while decoding cryptic messages, art, and architecture.

The Robert Langdon books

As of 2025, there are six books in the series:

• Angels & Demons (2000)
• The Da Vinci Code (2003)
• The Lost Symbol (2009)
• Inferno (2013)
• Origin (2017)
• The Secret of Secrets (2025)

With its action and adventure, fun puzzles, real-world history, and exploration of places around the world, the books have been a big hit…though they are a bit controversial (which makes them great for book club discussions, though).

Since it might be a lot to read all the books (each one is around 400-600 pages), my overview of the Robert Langdon Book Series will give you a quick summary of each (with no spoilers, though, as the thrill is in the discovery!)

The Robert Langdon Films

It was those themes and controversy that drew Sony Pictures in to purchase the book rights and encouraged Ron Howard to sign on for the Dan Brown film series (and cast Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon):

“”I’m very interested in the range of themes,” says former Happy Days star Howard, 52. “It’s intriguing on a lot of levels. It’s the kind of fiction that provokes thought, conversation and debate, and it did that for me when I read it.

“It’s quite unusual for a story to have that many ideas working in the same plot line, and I chose to make the film because I was intrigued by those ideas.”” (Excerpted from The Mirror: How Ron Howard brough The Da Vinci Code to the big screen)

Ron Howard and Tom Hanks worked together on three of the Robert Langdon films (The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and Inferno) while The Lost Symbol was produced as a TV series. No word on a movie for Origin, but rumor is that Netflix has already purchased rights to The Secret of Secrets.

The Da Vinci Code

• Release year: 2006
• Genre: Thriller/Mystery with a look at Religion, Science, Art, and Art History
• Rating: PG-13
• Main locations: Paris (Louvre, Saint-Sulpice, Château de Villette), London (Temple Church, Westminster Abbey), and Scotland (Rosslyn Chapel)

The first film in the Robert Langdon film series introduced audiences to Tom Hanks in the role of Langdon. Based on the global bestseller, the story begins in Paris when Louvre curator Jacques Saunière is murdered, leaving cryptic clues that draw pair Langdon with cryptologist Sophie Neveu. Their search takes them across France and England, where they unravel a conspiracy tied to the Holy Grail and secret societies.

As a movie, The Da Vinci Code balances religious controversy with a fast-paced mystery, while showcasing some of Europe’s most iconic landmarks. Critics were mixed on the movie, but audiences turned out in droves, making the film a box office hit and Ron Howard’s highest-grossing film.

Note from Jen: It was a highly controversial film with a lot of people citing historical inaccuracies, a misrepresentation of the church, and other offensive representations, but I can’t help but think that it’s a fictional film meant to be exciting…and it succeeded.

Angels & Demons

• Release year: 2009
• Genre: Thriller/Mystery with a look at Religion, Science, Art, and Art History
• Rating: PG-13
• Main locations: Vatican City, Rome (Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’Angelo), and a brief visit to CERN in Switzerland

Although Angels & Demons is technically set before The Da Vinci Code in the book series, the film was made as a sequel. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Langdon, this time drawn into Vatican intrigue after the death of the Pope. He partners with scientist Vittoria Vetra, and together they follow a trail of clues left by the Illuminati through Rome’s churches and piazzas in a race against time.

The Vatican did not allow filming inside its walls, so many of the interiors were recreated in studios, but the Roman setting still shines. The blend of science, religion, and history gives this story a slightly different flavor from The Da Vinci Code—more action-thriller than puzzle-solving mystery.

Note from Jen: I watched this movie (and read the book) right before a trip to Rome and it really was fun to recognize certain locations. (My travel mates were probably a little annoyed with my continuous references.) I will say I was a bit disappointed in this movie and just how many differences there are between the book and the movie.

Inferno

• Release year: 2016
• Genre: Thriller/Mystery with a look at Religion, Science, Art, and Art History
• Rating: PG-13
• Main locations: Florence (Palazzo Vecchio, Boboli Gardens, Baptistry of St. John), Venice (St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace), and Istanbul (Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern)

Inferno brought Langdon back to the screen after a seven-year break. The film opens with Robert Langdon waking up in a Florence hospital, suffering from amnesia. With the help of Dr. Sienna Brooks, he races across Italy and into Turkey to solve a puzzle inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy—and stop a bioterrorist plot that threatens the world’s population.

Visually, Inferno is stunning. Florence and Venice are just beautiful settings and the finale in Istanbul adds a dramatic finish. While the film condensed and altered parts of the book, it still delivered the fast-paced thrills fans expect, even though many do

Note from Jen: Inferno has the worst reviews of the three, but, again, if you go into it looking for a life-changing beautiful movie, you’ll be severely disappointed.  If you’re looking for a fun adventure that will keep your attention with some random insights into art and history, you’ll have a great time. I actually probably liked this one the best as it had the most action and the “biggest” ethical dilemma.

The Lost Symbol

• Release year: 2021
• Rating: TV-MA
• Main locations: Washington, D.C. (Capitol, Library of Congress, Washington Monument), with additional sets filmed in Toronto, Canada

After plans for a film adaptation stalled, The Lost Symbol was reimagined as a 10-episode TV series. Instead of Tom Hanks, a younger Langdon is played by Ashley Zuckerman. The series acts as a prequel, following Langdon as he is drawn into a mystery in Washington, D.C. involving the Freemasons, ancient secrets, and high-stakes puzzles.

While the series didn’t gain the same popularity as the films and was canceled after one season, it’s still worth watching for fans who want more of Langdon’s story (or want to learn more about Washington, D.C. and iconic locations in the U.S.). The D.C. setting also adds a unique backdrop compared to the European-focused films, with landmarks like the Capitol and the Library of Congress featured prominently.

Note from Jen: I found it fascinating to see another actor take on Langdon. Ashley Zuckerman gave the character a fresh spin, and, as someone who lived in the D.C. area for 8+ years, I really enjoyed the D.C. setting and focus on American history…though I wish it had more.

Final Thoughts on the Robert Langdon Film Series

Although they’re marked as mysteries and thrillers, the Robert Langdon films and series are more than that—they’re cinematic tours of some of the world’s most fascinating cities, filled with art, architecture, and history.

For me, part of the fun is seeing real-world landmarks tied to fictional mysteries. Visiting the Louvre or wandering Florence after seeing them in these stories makes me feel a special connection to the locations and to the characters.

Whether you’re in it for Tom Hanks’s portrayal of the symbologist Robert Langdon, curious about Ashley Zuckerman’s take in The Lost Symbol, or simply love fast-paced thrillers, the franchise offers something for fans of mystery, travel, and adventure.

If you love the stories as much as I did and want to discuss those books and movies with friends, you’ll love my Robert Langdon Series Discussion Guide for some fun ideas and discussion questions on how to create a fun themed party.

Note from Jen: And, if you enjoy the movies or really want to know more about the art/religious parts of the stories, I would definitely recommend reading the Robert Langdon books as you’ll get a deeper insight and learn a lot more fun facts than can be captured in a two and a half hour movie (though those are really enjoyable, too).