Famous Movie Locations in Iceland and Where to Find Them
Iceland has become one of the world’s most spectacular filming locations. Long before tourism exploded, Hollywood filmmakers were already travelling to Iceland to capture its glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes and vast open landscapes.
The country’s dramatic scenery and small population make it ideal for film production. Crews can shoot in remote locations without interruption while capturing landscapes that look truly otherworldly.
If you are a film fan visiting Iceland, you might recognise many of the landscapes you pass along the way. Below are some of the most famous movie locations in Iceland and where you can find them.
- Die Another Day – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – GPS: 64°02’34.94"N 16°10’25.70"W
- Interstellar – Svínafellsjökull Glacier – GPS: 64°00’29.22"N 16°52’52.86"W
- Fate of the Furious – Lake Mývatn – GPS: 65°38’30.20"N 16°54’41.20"W
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – Borgarfjörður Eystri – GPS: 65°32'19.79"N 13°46'31.79"W
- Prometheus – Dettifoss Waterfall – GPS: 65°49’8.19"N 16°22’45.43"W
- Thor: The Dark World – Skógafoss Waterfall – GPS: 63°31’39.67"N 19°30’44.86"W
- Batman Begins – Vatnajökull Glacier – GPS: 64°23'59.99"N 16°47'59.99"W
- Rogue One – Mýrdalssandur – GPS: 63.4550°N 18.6553°W
Die Another Day (2002)
Location: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – GPS: 64°02’34.94"N 16°10’25.70"W
One of the most recognisable film scenes shot in Iceland appears in the James Bond film Die Another Day. The famous ice car chase takes place on the frozen surface of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
During filming the lagoon was frozen solid, allowing cars to drive across the ice. Today the lagoon rarely freezes the same way, but it remains one of Iceland’s most breathtaking natural landmarks.
Interstellar (2014)
Location: Svínafellsjökull Glacier – GPS: 64°00’29.22"N 16°52’52.86"W
The science fiction blockbuster Interstellar used Iceland’s dramatic landscapes to represent distant alien worlds. Scenes were filmed at Svínafellsjökull glacier, part of the Vatnajökull ice cap.
The glacier was used to portray the frozen planet seen in the film.
Fate of the Furious (2017)
Location: Lake Mývatn – GPS: 65°38’30.20"N 16°54’41.20"W
The eighth Fast & Furious film brought high-speed action to North Iceland. Scenes were filmed on the frozen surface of Lake Mývatn during winter.
If you are travelling the Ring Road, this geothermal region is an excellent stop.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Location: Borgarfjörður Eystri – GPS: 65°32'19.79"N 13°46'31.79"W
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty features Iceland more heavily than almost any other Hollywood film. One of the most memorable scenes shows Walter skateboarding down a winding road in East Iceland.
Another famous scene was filmed at Skógafoss waterfall.
Prometheus (2012)
Location: Dettifoss Waterfall – GPS: 65°49’8.19"N 16°22’45.43"W
The opening sequence of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus was filmed at Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Location: Skógafoss Waterfall – GPS: 63°31’39.67"N 19°30’44.86"W
Scenes from the Thor films were shot in Iceland due to the country’s connection with Norse mythology. Skógafoss provided the dramatic backdrop.
Batman Begins (2005)
Location: Vatnajökull Glacier – GPS: 64°23'59.99"N 16°47'59.99"W
The snowy mountains of Nepal seen in Batman Begins were actually filmed on Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland.
Rogue One (2016)
Location: Mýrdalssandur – GPS: 63.4550°N 18.6553°W
The volcanic plains and black sand terrain of Mýrdalssandur were used to portray the Star Wars planet Eadu.
If you would like to visit these incredible filming locations yourself, travelling by car is the easiest way to explore Iceland.
Browse guides in the Explore Iceland section and start planning your road trip. When you are ready, you can rent a car in Iceland and discover these famous movie locations at your own pace.