The roots of Popeye Village trace back to the late 1970s, when Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions were on the hunt for a stunning and versatile filming location for their upcoming live-action musical, Popeye (1980). Directed by the acclaimed Robert Altman and starring Robin Williams as Popeye, the film required an elaborate and whimsical set to bring the fictional town of Sweethaven to life. Malta’s Anchor Bay emerged as the ideal location, offering both breathtaking natural beauty and the versatility needed for such an ambitious project.

Over seven months, an international crew, along with the local Maltese community, worked tirelessly to construct a full-scale replica of Sweethaven. Using over 8 tons of nails, 2,000 gallons of paint, and authentic wooden materials, the set became a charming ramshackle village complete with cobbled streets, taverns, and colorful buildings. Designed to appear like an old-world seafaring town, Sweethaven seamlessly blended into the rugged cliffs and shimmering waters of Anchor Bay.

Although Popeye received mixed reviews upon its release, the magic of the set remained. Unlike most movie sets, which are dismantled after filming, Sweethaven was left intact. Over time, this quirky film set transformed into what we now know as Popeye Village – a family-friendly amusement park and a tribute to the movie’s legacy.