Discover TV Shows and Movies Filmed in Iceland
From epic battlefields to alien planets, Iceland’s sweeping landscapes have played a leading role in some of the world’s most memorable TV shows and movies. With stark volcanic plains, towering glaciers, and otherworldly black sand beaches, it’s easy to see why filmmakers and location scouts land on Iceland.
From sci-fi thrillers to fantasy worlds and everything in between, let’s explore some of the most famous movies and TV shows filmed in Iceland.
Why is Iceland So Appealing as a Filming Location?
When it comes to choosing stunning backdrops, few places in the world can compete with Iceland. The island’s raw and untouched beauty provides filmmakers with a ready-made set for everything from distant galaxies to expansive and dramatic chase scenes.
Beyond the scenery, Iceland also offers practical benefits. Generous tax incentives and a supportive Icelandic film industry have all contributed towards attracting major international projects. The long summer daylight hours, thanks to the midnight sun, and remote locations also make it easier to film in natural light, without constant disruptions.
Famous Movies Filmed in Iceland
Iceland’s cinematic appeal has drawn a wide range of major motion pictures. From heart-pounding action scenes to startlingly beautiful landscapes, the films shot in Iceland all display the beauty of the island. Here are some of the most recognisable movies filmed in Iceland.
Interstellar (2014)
Location: Svínafellsjökull Glacier
With the blockbuster Interstellar, director Christopher Nolan transported audiences to a distant planet, but the otherworldly location was actually an Icelandic glacier. The vast and icy expanses created the ideal setting for the alien world that is a key location in the film.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Locations: Stykkishólmur, Seyðisfjörður, Vatnajökull National Park
Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty leads movie-watchers on a journey across Iceland and its unforgettable landscapes. Filming locations include the picturesque coastal town of Stykkishólmur, the charming village of Seyðisfjörður, and the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier, which all serve as the backdrops for some of the film's most amazing shots, portraying not only Iceland itself, but also other locations like Greenland and the Himalayas.
Batman Begins (2005)
Location: Vatnajökull Glacier
In Batman Begins, Iceland’s Vatnajökull Glacier doubles as the Himalayas, where Bruce Wayne undergoes his transformation, directed by his mentor at the time, Liam Neeson’s Henri Ducard. The towering fields of ice and rugged terrain provide the perfect backdrop for Bruce Wayne’s journey from Gotham’s golden boy to becoming the Dark Knight.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Location: Mýrdalssandur, Reynisfjara Beach
Iceland’s never-ending black sand deserts were featured in Rogue One as the planet of Jedha. The location set the stage for the movie’s high-stakes action and legendary franchise visual effects. Mýrdalssandur’s eerie and expansive landscapes lend the film an unmistakable feeling of isolation and danger, perfect for the plotline. The spectral black sands of Reynisfjara Beach also push this narrative.
Prometheus (2012)
Locations: Hekla, Dettifoss
Ridley Scott’s Prometheus brings Alien franchise fans to the truth of human origin. The dramatic and fiery area near Hekla, and the thundering waterfall, Dettifoss (featured in the haunting opening scene), provided the film with dynamic and dramatic backdrops for life-changing explorations of space.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Location: Skógafoss and South Iceland
The mighty Norse god, Thor, comes to life in the mythological adventures in Thor: The Dark World. And it only makes sense that a film about the Norse god should be filmed in the land of fire and ice, right? The powerful Skógafoss Waterfall and the expansive, rugged terrain of Iceland’s South Coast were used as the setting for the film’s battle scenes, all working together to capture the power and mystery of the universe Thor inhabits.
James Bond: Die Another Day (2002)
Location: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
In Die Another Day, Piers Brosnan’s James Bond takes us on yet another thrilling adventure, set within Iceland’s dramatic landscapes. The beautiful Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, with icebergs floating on serene waters, plays a key part in a dramatic chase scene.
Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Location: Seyðisfjörður, Húsavík
This Netflix comedy starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams captured the collective heart of the world. The film brings to life the wild world of the Eurovision Song Contest and follows two unlikely contestants as they go after their dreams to compete in and actually win the contest. As luck would have it, the duo hails from the charming northern Icelandic town of Húsavík, and so the movie was filmed in some of Iceland’s most enchanting locations.
TV Series Filmed in Iceland
Iceland’s cinematic appeal isn’t just limited to the big screen. In fact, Iceland’s landscape has also played an essential part in some of the most popular TV series of all time. From gripping crime dramas to epic book-to-screen adaptations, the shows filmed in Iceland have used stunning scenery to create unimaginable worlds.
Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
Locations: Þingvellir National Park, Lake Mývatn, Grjótagjá Cave, Kirkjufell Mountain
Game of Thrones brought Iceland’s beauty to the living rooms of people all across the globe. The country’s wild terrain served as the backdrop for multiple locations, including the land of the Wildlings, Beyond the Wall. Some of the most noted filming locations include Kirkjufell Mountain, Þingvellir National Park, and the intimate Grjótagjá Cave, which featured in memorable scenes between hero Jon Snow and his Wildling lover, Ygritte.
Fortitude (2015–2018)
Location: Reyðarfjörður
This psychological horror series was filmed in the small town in East Iceland called Reyðarfjörður, but is set in Arctic Norway. The beautiful but isolated location was ideal for the show's intense atmosphere, where the desolate wilderness mirrors the dark and twisted events that unfold throughout the series.
Black Mirror: Crocodile (2017)
Location: Reykjavík, Hvalfjörður
Set in Scotland but actually filmed in Iceland, the Black Mirror episode, Crocodile, showcases the country’s windswept and stark landscapes. This combination creates the perfect tone for the unsettling story about the consequences of technology and its uses. Scenes were filmed around Reykjavík and the rugged Hvalfjörður.
Iceland’s Filming Locations Road Trip Map and Agenda
If you’re keen to get out and visit these iconic filming locations on your trip to Iceland, we can help! Our fleet of rental cars offers versatility and reliability to get you all over Iceland. We’ve put together a road trip route that takes you to some of the most popular locations mentioned above!
Stops on Your Iceland TV and Film Location Road Trip
- Reykjavík (Black Mirror: Crocodile)
- Hvalfjörður (Black Mirror: Crocodile)
- Thingvellir National Park (Game of Thrones)
- Mývatn (Game of Thrones, Prometheus [Hekla])
- Dettifoss (Prometheus)
- Húsavík (Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga)
- Seyðisfjörður (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga)
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (Die Another Day)
- Reynisfjara Beach (Rogue One)
- Return to Reykjavík
Your Iceland Movie and TV Filming Locations Road Trip Map
Now you have everything you need to hit the road and explore Iceland’s impressive call sheet in the TV and movie filming industry. Make the memories of a lifetime seeing some of the most iconic locations you’ll recognize from the silver screen and the small screen.