Iceland’s dramatic landscapes have become a popular choice for filmmakers seeking otherworldly locations. From glaciers and waterfalls to volcanic deserts and black sand beaches, Iceland has provided a stunning backdrop for everything from action films to sci-fi adventures.
This guide will explore 12 famous movies filmed in Iceland, including the filming locations, how to get there, and the best rental car to use for your adventure. We’ll also provide recommendations for 3 additional films that showcase the beauty of Iceland.
1. Fast and Furious 8 (2017)
The action-packed film Fast and Furious 8 features a memorable car chase sequence filmed in Iceland. The sequence showcases Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) behind the wheel in a high-speed chase across a frozen lake.
The car chase scene was filmed on the frozen surface of Lake Mývatn, a volcanic lake situated in northern Iceland. Lake Mývatn is located approximately 280 km (174 miles) northeast of Reykjavik, and the drive takes between 4-5 hours. To reach Lake Mývatn, take the Route 1 Ring Road north until you reach Akureyri and then continue east for about 95 kilometers until you arrive at Lake Mývatn.
The spectacular chase scene from “Fast and Furious 8” might inspire you to hit the road in a similar fashion, but remember that off-road driving is illegal in Iceland. These scenes were filmed under the careful supervision of Icelandic officials. The country has strict regulations to protect its delicate landscapes, so please adhere to the marked roads and respect the natural environment. DO NOT attempt off-road driving yourself.
A standard two-wheel drive car is sufficient for this route in the summer months. However, if you intend to venture off the main roads or you are visiting during the winter months, a 4X4 rental vehicle is the recommended option.
2. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
In “Captain America: Civil War,” Iceland’s stunning landscapes were used to represent the remote and icy terrain of Siberia, specifically in scenes involving the Winter Soldier. One notable sequence filmed in Iceland is the opening scene, which showcases the dramatic and desolate landscape as the Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes) hides out in a secret base. The rugged beauty and stark, snow-covered mountains of Iceland provided the perfect backdrop for these intense and atmospheric scenes.
The specific locations used for filming include the area around Vík, particularly the Reynisfjara black sand beach and the surrounding cliffs and mountains. Reynisfjara Beach is renowned for its unique black sand, basalt sea stacks, and powerful Atlantic waves, all of which contribute to the scene’s otherworldly and isolated feel.
To visit the filming locations:
- Reynisfjara Beach: From Reykjavik, drive southeast along Route 1 (Ring Road) for approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles). The journey takes about 2.5 hours. During the summer months, a standard two-wheel-drive car is sufficient for the trip. However, in winter, it is advisable to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate the potentially icy and snowy roads safely.
- Vík: The nearby village of Vík also serves as a great base for exploring the surrounding filming locations. It is situated just a short drive from Reynisfjara Beach and offers amenities and accommodations for travelers.
The drive from Reykjavik to Vík along Route 1 offers stunning views of Iceland’s diverse landscapes, including waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic fields, making the journey itself a memorable part of the experience.
3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
In “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” some of the film’s unique volcanic sands and stark, rugged landscapes were filmed in Iceland. The planet Lah’mu, where Galen Erso lives in hiding, features the black sand beaches of Iceland’s South Coast in the Mýrdalssandur area near Vík. One of the most notable scenes is when the movie opens with Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) scavenging for parts among the wreckage of a crashed starship partially buried in the black sand of Reynisfjara beach.
Reynisfjara is situated approximately 185 km (115 miles) southeast of Reykjavik. This drive along the Ring Road takes roughly 2.5 hours. The turnoff for the main beach is just before entering the town of Vik Iceland, which is the perfect base to explore the surrounding area with many other Iceland attractions nearby. A reminder is that the powerful waves and unpredictable currents at Reynisfjara can be dangerous. Always stay a safe distance from the water’s edge.
During the summer months, a two-wheel-drive car, such as an economy or compact car, is appropriate for this route. However, during winter, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for better handling on potentially snowy or icy roads.
4. Interstellar (2014)
In “Interstellar,” some of the film’s most memorable scenes were shot in Iceland. The ice planet Miller, characterized by its endless water and massive waves, and the icy planet Mann were both filmed in the country. The scenes featuring Miller’s water planet were filmed at Máfabót, an area on the south coast. The icy, desolate landscape of Mann’s planet was filmed on the Svínafellsjökull glacier in the Vatnajökull National Park.
To reach Máfabót Beach from Reykjavik, take Route 1 (the Ring Road) east. Travel approximately 250 kilometers along the south coast to reach the vicinity of Máfabót. You won’t be able to access the exact place of filming though, as the film crew had to create their own access point for it. The closest point is the village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, and the drive typically takes around 3.5 hours.
To continue to Svínafellsjökull Glacier, follow Route 1 past Máfabót Beach for another 120 kilometers, entering the Vatnajökull National Park. The total distance from Reykjavik to Svínafellsjökull is about 370 kilometers, and the drive usually takes around 5 to 6 hours in total.
For traveling to these locations, particularly during winter, it is advisable to rent a vehicle that can handle potentially challenging road conditions. SUVs and 4x4s are recommended for their capability to navigate snowy and icy roads. However, if you plan to stick to the main routes and are visiting in the summer, a compact or mid-size vehicle may also be suitable.
5. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
In “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2013), Iceland served as a versatile backdrop, representing various global locations throughout the film. Notably. the scene with Walter Mitty skateboarding down a picturesque mountain road was filmed in Seyðisfjörður. Additionally, scenes depicting Greenland, the Himalayas, and Afghanistan were also filmed in the country.
Here is a breakdown of the scenes and their filming locations:
- Greenland Port (filmed in Grundarfjörður): While the scene depicts a bustling Greenland port, it was filmed in the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, situated on the west coast of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This village is approximately 130 km (80 miles) west of Reykjavik. The drive should take around 2 hours, and a standard 2WD car is sufficient for this route in the summer, but a 4X4 is recommended in the winter.
- Longboarding Sequence (filmed near Seyðisfjörður): The now-iconic scene featuring Walter Mitty longboarding down a scenic mountain road was filmed near the eastern town of Seyðisfjörður, near to Egilsstaðir. Located in the remote eastern fjords, the location is about 630 km (391 miles) from Reykjavik, and the journey can take 8 to 10 hours, so you’ll ideally want to combine this with a more extended 1 week Iceland itinerary. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended, especially during winter months.
- Himalayas and Afghanistan (filmed in Vatnajökull National Park): The vast, otherworldly landscapes of Vatnajökull National Park in Southeast Iceland cleverly served as stand-ins for the film’s portrayal of the majestic Himalayas and the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. Access points to the park vary depending on which specific area you want to visit. The park itself spans from approximately 180 to 300 km (112 to 186 miles) southeast of Reykjavik. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended for exploring the park’s interior, regardless of what season you visit.
Further locations in the film include the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the town of Höfn (which portrayed Greenland Airport) and Gardur on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
6. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
While Asgard may be the realm of the Norse gods, Thor’s adventures in Thor: The Dark World took him to some very real locations in Iceland. Iceland’s landscapes made the perfect setting for the homeworld of the Dark Elves and Skógafoss Waterfall in South Iceland was also notably featured.
Skógafoss is approximately 156 km (97 miles) southeast of Reykjavik. This scenic drive along the Ring Road takes roughly 2 hours. A compact or mid-size two-wheel drive car will be fine during summer months, but a four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended during winter.
Scenes set in Svartalfheim, the desolate homeworld of the Dark Elves, were filmed at Skeiðarársandur, a glacial outwash plain located near the Vatnajökull glacier in southern Iceland. This is located very near Skaftafell, around 322km (200 miles) from Reykavjik. It’s a straightforward drive from Skógafoss, about 2 hours further east on the Ring Road, and the rental vehicle requirements are the same.
There are also scenes filmed in Domadalur Valley near Vik and within the towering cliffs of the 2 million-year-old Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.
7. Prometheus (2012)
Director Ridley Scott utilized Iceland’s unique landscapes to create the desolate alien moon LV-223 in the sci-fi film Prometheus. The film portrays the crew of the spaceship Prometheus landing on a barren moon, and two primary locations in Iceland were used for this.
The first notable location was during the opening scene, which featured one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, Dettifoss. Dettifoss is in a remote location, approximately 500 km (311 miles) northeast of Reykjavik.
The drive can take 7-8 hours, so we recommend combining it with other attractions in North Iceland. Given the potential for rough roads and changing weather conditions, you’ll want a four-wheel drive vehicle all year round.
The other main location is Hekla Volcano, in South Iceland, which provides the rugged volcanic terrain as a backdrop for the alien moon. The route from Reykjavik is 155km (96 miles) and takes about 2.5 hours to drive, heading south on the Ring Road and taking the turnoff for Selfoss. The road is mostly gravel, so a 4X4 is essential.
8. Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)
The Snæfellsjökull Glacier, located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland, is a key filming location for Journey to the Center of the Earth. In both the film and Jules Verne’s novel, the entrance to the subterranean world is found at this glacier.
Snæfellsjökull National Park is approximately 130 km (80 miles) west of Reykjavik. The drive takes only about 2 hours, and the area can be accessed with a compact or mid-size car during the summer, or a full-size car during the winter. Keep in mind that it’s a protected area, so always stay on designated paths.
9 Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
Clint Eastwood’s “Flags of Our Fathers” used Iceland’s stark landscapes to replicate the volcanic island of Iwo Jima. Filming locations included the desolate terrains around Reykjanes Peninsula and other remote volcanic areas. These sites provided the rugged and unforgiving backdrop required for the intense battle scenes.
To explore the Reykjanes Peninsula, drive southwest from Reykjavik along Route 41, a journey of about 50 kilometers (31 miles) that takes around 45 minutes. The peninsula is known for its volcanic craters, geothermal fields, and rugged coastline. Renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended, especially if you plan to venture off the main roads or visit during the winter months, to ensure safe travel through Iceland’s challenging terrain
10. Batman Begins (2005)
Directed by christopher nolan, Batman Begins also have a lot of scenes filmed in Iceland. Early in the film Batman Begins, a disgraced Bruce Wayne seeks out the League of Shadows, a mysterious ninja clan led by Ra’s al Ghul. He travels to a remote location for his training. The scenes depicting Bruce Wayne’s training were filmed at the Svínafellsjökull glacier on Iceland’s south coast, with the massive outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull glacier provided a stunning backdrop of ice and snow-covered mountains.
Svínafellsjökull glacier is located approximately 330 km (205 miles) southeast of Reykjavik, and it takes around 5 to 6 hours to get there, depending on the road conditions. The route is predominantly paved, as it’s part of Iceland’s Ring Road, so a 2WD vehicle would be an adequate option in the summer months, but a 4X4 vehicle is essential during the winter.
11. James Bond: Die Another Day (2002)
In the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, Pierce Brosnan’s 007 found himself amidst icy landscapes and hidden ice palaces. The most recognizable scene featuring Iceland showcases a high-speed car chase and a daring rescue mission on a frozen lake. This was filmed at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, situated on Iceland’s southeast coast.
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is approximately 380 km (236 miles) southeast of Reykjavik, and the drive takes about 5 hours. Exploring the glacier lagoon is best done with a guided tour that can take you closer to the icebergs and ensure you give yourself lots of time to explore the Diamond Beach that borders the lagoon. A standard two-wheel drive car is sufficient during summer months, but a four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended during winter.
12. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Early in the film Tomb Raider, Lara Croft embarks on a mission to Siberia to acquire a mythical artifact. Although the film portrays Siberia, the scene depicting Lara Croft entering the camp, riding in a boat across an icy lake, and dogsledding across a snowy landscape was actually filmed at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on Iceland’s southeast coast.
It takes around 5 hours to reach Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon by car from Reykjavik and it’s a distance of roughly 380 kilometers (236 miles) driving southeast on the Ring Road. A guided tour will take you out onto the lake, or you can admire it from the sidelines on the black sand beach. During the summer in Iceland, a regular two-wheel drive car will suffice, but in the winter, it is highly advisable to use a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Bonus: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
“Game of Thrones” extensively used Iceland’s diverse and dramatic landscapes to depict the rugged and mystical lands beyond the Wall. Key filming sites included Thingvellir National Park, Reynisfjara Beach, and Skógafoss waterfall. Thingvellir National Park represented the lands beyond the Wall, while Reynisfjara Beach, with its black sands and basalt sea stacks, served as Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. Skógafoss waterfall provided the stunning backdrop for a romantic scene between Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen in Season 8.
For a comprehensive guide to all “Game of Thrones” filming locations in Iceland, visit our full blog post Game of Thrones Iceland: where are the Shooting Locations & how to get there
Top 3 Icelandic Movies (produced by Icelandic directors) That You Need To Watch
To really tap into true Icelandic film culture, here are 3 movies you need to watch.
Rams (2015)
Rams is an Icelandic drama film that dives into the lives of two estranged brothers, Gummi and Gísli. For four decades, they haven’t spoken a word to each other, despite living side-by-side on isolated Icelandic sheep farms in a remote valley. This prolonged silence highlights the depth of their estrangement, set against the stark, beautiful backdrop of the Icelandic landscape.
Their fierce competition centers on their prize-winning rams, a detail that showcases the deep importance of sheep to Icelandic people. These rams are not just livestock but a source of pride and tradition, reflecting the cultural and historical significance of sheep farming in Iceland. The film beautifully captures how this shared passion for their rams both connects and divides them, illustrating the complex nature of familial bonds.
Through its portrayal of Gummi and Gísli’s lives, Rams offers a poignant look at themes of isolation, rivalry, and the potential for reconciliation. The film underscores the resilience and tenacity of the human spirit, set against the rugged and unforgiving Icelandic terrain. This tale of silent conflict and unspoken emotions is a testament to the powerful ties that bind us, even in the face of long-standing grudges.
Of Horses and Men (2013)
Set in a remote Icelandic valley, “Of Horses and Men” is a quirky drama by Benedikt Erlingsson. It follows the intertwined lives of the valley’s residents and their beloved horses.
The film explores how people’s relationships with horses reflect their own lives—mixing humor and sadness. It’s praised for its beautiful shots of Iceland’s landscapes and its unique way of showing village life.
Horses in Iceland have been a vital part of life for centuries. Due to the harsh landscape, they were the primary mode of transportation and essential for herding sheep.
Heartstone (2016)
Heartstone, directed by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson, is a 2016 Icelandic drama.
It dives into the emotional turmoil of adolescence against the backdrop of a remote Icelandic fishing village.
The story centers on two teenage boys, Thor and Christian, whose strong friendship takes an unexpected turn as they grapple with self-discovery and emerging desires.
Iceland has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights activism for decades, and this film is a reflection of the accepting social climate in Icelandic culture.
Explore Famous Movie Locations in Iceland
So, are you intrigued by Iceland’s cinematic appeal? From the volcanic landscapes of Mývatn to the icy glaciers of Vatnajökull, you’ll need a rental car to access the filming locations. Whether you’re inspired by the high-speed chases on frozen lakes or otherworldly sci-fi planets, booking a rental car with Hertz Iceland will help you get there. Book your rental car online and get ready to embark on your own cinematic journey.
