Biggest franchise
Game of Thrones
Filmed across Þingvellir, Skógafoss, Svínafellsjökull, and more.
Movies and TV Shows Filmed in Iceland
Hollywood's favorite location: glaciers, volcanoes, and lava fields that double as alien planets, fantasy realms, and remote wilderness.
Topic
Film & Television
Visit the real locations from your favorite films.
Quick Answer
Iceland has become one of the world's most sought-after filming destinations. Its landscapes have appeared in blockbusters like Interstellar (filmed at Svínafellsjökull glacier), Game of Thrones (shot across dozens of Icelandic locations), The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Prometheus, Star Wars: Rogue One, Batman Begins, Oblivion, and the Will Ferrell Eurovision movie. The country's glaciers, black sand beaches, and volcanic terrain have convincingly doubled as alien planets, medieval fantasy kingdoms, and apocalyptic wastelands. Filming permissions and present-day visitor access are separate questions.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Filming locations are on public and private land. Always respect barriers, stay on marked paths, and check access conditions before visiting remote glacier locations.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Sci-fi favorite
Alien planet stand-in
Interstellar, Prometheus, Star Wars, and Oblivion all used Iceland.
Visitor tip
Self-drive film tour
The Ring Road passes many famous filming locations.
Major Productions Filmed in Iceland
- Game of Thrones (2012–2019) — Þingvellir as 'The Bloody Gate', Skógafoss and Svínafellsjökull as 'Beyond the Wall', Grjótagjá cave as Jon/Ygritte scene, Mývatn as wildling territory
- Interstellar (2014) — Svínafellsjökull glacier doubled as ice planet 'Mann'. Filmed on the glacier tongue itself. Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Prometheus (2012) — Opening sequence filmed at Dettifoss waterfall and the Hekla volcanic area. Ridley Scott chose Iceland for its 'primordial Earth' look
- Star Wars: Rogue One (2016) — Iceland represented Lah’mu and Eadu; see the scene-by-scene distinction below
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) — Ben Stiller skateboarded down a road near Seyðisfjörður. Scenes at Stykkishólmur, Grundarfjörður, and Vík
- Batman Begins (2005) — Svínafellsjökull glacier featured as the ice-training location for Bruce Wayne
- Oblivion (2013) — Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Earl's Peak at Hrossaborg crater. Tom Cruise on-location
- Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020) — Set in Húsavík. The song 'Húsavík' was Oscar-nominated. The town erected a Jaja Ding Dong sign
Filming Locations You Can Visit
Use the location names to research a stop, then check the relevant park or operator before choosing a route. A filming credit does not confirm a public trail, a parking fee, or an available glacier tour. The production’s access arrangements may differ from a visitor’s.
For the south-coast locations, start with our Reynisfjara guide and SafeTravel’s current conditions. Confirm road access and on-site restrictions separately from the film itinerary.
Rogue One: match the landscape to the scene
The opening on Lah’mu used Reynisfjara, Mýrdalssandur and the areas around Hjörleifshöfði and Hafursey. The two mountains also contributed to Eadu, the stormy world with the Imperial laboratory. That means the same Icelandic landscape can appear in the story as more than one planet.
The final battle on Scarif used the Maldives, Elstree Studios and RAF Bovingdon Airfield in England. It is easy to mistake an overall Iceland filming credit for a claim about every scene. The Walt Disney Archives’ production account separates those locations. If the black-sand opening is the scene you want to recognize, focus your research on the south-coast names above.
Planning help
Movies in Iceland FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Where was Game of Thrones filmed in Iceland?
Game of Thrones used numerous Icelandic locations including Þingvellir National Park (the Bloody Gate), Grjótagjá cave (Jon and Ygritte's cave), Svínafellsjökull glacier (beyond the Wall), Skógafoss, and the Dimmuborgir lava formations. Check each location’s current visitor access before traveling.
Which glacier was used in Interstellar?
Christopher Nolan filmed Interstellar's ice planet scenes at Svínafellsjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull in Southeast Iceland. The glacier's ice formations and desolate landscape stood in for an alien world.
Can visitors access the filming locations?
A film credit establishes where a production worked; it does not establish public access today. Check the land manager’s current routes, parking rules and closures. For an ice excursion, confirm the glacier and meeting point with the operator rather than treating a film location as a hiking route.
Why do filmmakers choose Iceland as a location?
Iceland's landscapes (glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and lava fields) convincingly double as alien planets, fantasy realms, and remote wilderness. The country also has long summer daylight hours, a film-friendly government, and well-developed production infrastructure.
Which Rogue One planets were filmed in Iceland?
Iceland represented Lah’mu and Eadu in Rogue One (2016). The Walt Disney Archives identifies Reynisfjara, Mýrdalssandur, Hjörleifshöfði and Hafursey for the opening scenes, with the two mountains also used for Eadu. The Scarif battle used locations outside Iceland.
For more context on Iceland’s people and rural life, explore our Iceland statistics.