Top 10 Movies Filmed in Iceland & Their Locations

Why did the producer decide to make a movie in Iceland?

The stunning landscapes are one of the keys to creating incredible production. That’s the main reason film producers decide to make movies in Iceland. This island is a perfect place to show a lot of contrasting and dramatic scenery, including massive mountains, volcanic rocks, glaciers, geysers, and many others. Indeed, these make Iceland an ideal place to create a post-apocalyptic world or even distant planets. On the other hand, we can find many waterfalls, highlands, Northern lights and animals. These are perfect for creating mystical places or romantic movies like “Love on Iceland”. Moreover, the landscape depends mainly on the summer or the winter seasons. All the above features make Iceland one of the most unique places in the world! Here you can find the list of foreign movies filmed in Iceland.

1. Game of Thrones

During the making of the Games of Thrones, many scenes were shot in Iceland. You can even follow the Game of Thrones path. Most of them you can remember from scenes Beyond the Wall. Below you may find the most known places  in Iceland from GoT:

Svínafellsjökull

It is one of the glacier tongues of the Vatnajökull glacier. It’s easily accessible from Ring Road. Svínafellsjökull is also part of Diamond Circle – a sightseeing route in the Northeast of Iceland. You can also find there a gorgeous waterfall. You may find this place in seasons 2 and 3 during scenes Beyond the Wall.

Grjótagjá

Grjótagjá Cave is famous for one of the most romantic scenes in Game of Thrones. It’s located near Lake Mývatn, created by a volcano eruption. Grjótagjá was closed many times due to bad tourist behavior. If you find this cave,  keep it clean and remember that bathing there is forbidden! 

Kirkjufell

It is probably the most photographed mountain in Iceland. In the Game of Thrones, it is called Arrowhead Mountain. Near the Kirkjufell, the Children of the Forest created the Night King. You can see the mountain in seasons 6 and 7.

Did you know that one Icelandic actor appeared in a film? Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson is a professional strongman and actor who plays The Mountain. It is hard not to remember this very distinctive figure if you have watched The Game of Thrones.

2. Lara Croft Tomb Raider & James Bond Series: A View to a Kill (1985) & Die Another Day (2002)

The exact location of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is in Southeast Iceland, as shown in both movies. In Lara Croft’s Tomb Raider, Jökulsárlón, the lagoon, pretends to be a village in Siberia. In this movie, Iceland is seen only in one scene, which lasts three minutes.

On the other hand, in the James Bond series, you can see Iceland many times. One of the most spectacular scenes is a car chase across Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. James Bond is driving his Aston Martin Vanquish, and his opponent is Zao, who is in the Jaguar XKR. We are absolutely sure you remember this scene.

3. Star Wars Series: The Force Awakens & Rogue One

The Star Wars film crew visited Iceland many times to shoot movies. Even in the Star Wars Rogue One trailer, you can see the Black sand beach in Mýrdalssandur. It is one of the most recognized tourist places in Iceland. At the beginning of the movie, you can see green mountains – Hjörleifshöfði and Hafursey located in the east of Vík.

Iceland is a perfect place to create winter scenery. As a result, Iceland was chosen to shoot Starkiller Base’s background.

4. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Let’s move on to more recent times. The Secret  Life of Walter Mitty is a comedy-drama with fantasy elements, starring Ben Stiller as Walter Mitty. It was mainly filmed in Iceland and the USA. Icelandic landscapes imitate Greenland and the Himalayas. The most epic scene is definitely longboard riding in the Seyðisfjörður (east fjords). You can also find scenes from Vatnajökull National Park, which pretends to be Afghanistan. The place where Walter meets photojournalist Sean O’Connell is The Falljökull glacier.

5. The Fate Of The Furious 8

The Fate Of The Furious 8 is another movie with an incredible car chase on ice. The scene was filmed on the frozen Lake Mývatn in Northern Iceland. Without a doubt, these areas are one of the most popular places in Iceland to shoot movies.

If you like racing as they do in The Fate Of The Furious 8 characters, we have an exciting activity for you. Buggy Tour Ride on off-roads will provide you with the adrenaline rush.

6. Prometheus 

The movie was directed by Ridley Scot, who is famous for directing Alien. In the movie’s opening, we are going back to the beginnings of the Earth. The first scenes show Dettifoss, the second most powerful waterfall in Europe, and the area around the most active volcano on the island – Hekla.

7. Journey To The Center Of The Earth

This classic sci-fi movie was filmed in Iceland. It is an adaptation of Jules Verne’s novel, first published in 1864. The main character, the professor, believes that in the depths of the volcano, you can find tubes leading to the center of the Earth. The scene was filmed in Snæfellsjökull National Park.

Are you interested in any adventures like the characters from Journey To The Center Of The Earth? Check out caving activities. 

8. Noah

Noah was filmed in a few locations in Iceland. The Icelandic landscapes show the world before it was flooded. While watching a movie, you may find Lake Mývatn, Reynisfjara beautiful and dangerous black sand beach, Reykjanes peninsula.

9. Oblivion

Tom Cruise plays the main character in this post-apocalyptic science fiction film. Most of the landscapes of the devastated earth are shot in Iceland.  The cast and crew visited Iceland for ten days and filmed during summertime. The Hrossaborg – a huge crater in the North of Iceland, imitated a devastated baseball stadium. The other locations you can see are Jokulheimar, Drekavatn, and Jarlhettur. The last place was the most difficult to shoot. During the scene, Tom Cruise was sitting next to the 240-meter edge of the top of Jarlhettur. This location required special permission from the Icelandic government. Unfortunately, the only way to get to the top of Jarlhettur is by helicopter.

 10. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

It’s hard not to mention Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.  The main character’s hometown is Húsavík – a small fishing town located on the north coast of Iceland. The movie presents a story about Icelandic singers who get a chance to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest. Apart from Húsavík, you can also see Icelandic landscapes, including Waterfalls Skógafoss and Goðafoss.

It must be very exciting to be in the same place where your favorite characters are. You can even follow the paths of your favorite movies filmed in Iceland. You can admire landscapes and feel like you’re in the movie! Do you want to experience such an adventure? We have an easy way to organize your trip! Find all movie locations with Easy Guide.

Bonus Location!

The Viking Village in Stokksnes, located near the iconic Vestrahorn mountain, is a unique replica of a traditional Viking settlement. Initially constructed in 2010 as a film set for a Viking-era movie, the project was unfortunately never completed. Despite this, the site has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors with its authentic design and historical charm.

The wooden buildings, styled to resemble an ancient Norse village, sit against the dramatic backdrop of Vestrahorn and black sand beaches, creating a truly cinematic scene. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a photographer, this location offers an unforgettable glimpse into the past while showcasing the raw beauty of Iceland’s landscape.