Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The stunning landscapes are practically wild and look almost unreal. Hollywood and other centers of the film and TV industry have taken note of the many parts of the country that look like something from another world. In 2017 Iceland’s spouting geysers, crackling lava fields, soothing geothermal baths, bubbling hot springs, breathtaking waterfalls, majestic fjords, and midnight-black beaches won an award for the most beautiful filming location. Mother nature’s most unique creations are the reason are so many movies and TV shows filmed in Iceland. The small island nation’s combination of many different landscapes makes it the perfect backdrop for filming scenes from various places on earth and beyond.

Games of Thrones (2011-2019)

This popular series is known for its sweeping landscapes and many wonder exactly where Game of Thrones is filmed. The series uses Icelandic scenery as a location quite frequently. In fact, all of the scenes that take place north of the Wall used Iceland as their filming location. There are even Game of Thrones tours in Iceland. Watch out for those wildlings! Many of the scenes with Arya Stark and the Hound wandering took place here in Iceland.

Justice League (2017)

Justice League is one of many movies that chose Iceland as their set. Scenes of this film were shot on western fjords near the Djupavik village. If you decide to travel to Iceland, maybe you’ll run into the band of heroes helmed by Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman while on your jeep tour!

Interstellar (2014)

The Mafabot and Svinafellsjokull glaciers were used as filming locations in Christopher Nolan’s science fiction masterpiece Interstellar. In the movie, they served as two different planets that Cooper, the main character portrayed by Matthew McConaughey, reached on his interplanetary expeditions. Mafabot served for filming scenes on the Miller planet and Svinafellsjokull glacier was the ice planet Manna. Both locations are located in the south of Iceland.

Die Another Day – James Bond 007 (2002)

If you thought that having a car chase scene on a frozen lake was impossible, you clearly haven’t seen James Bond or Iceland. In Die Another Day, Iceland’s Jökulsárlón frozen lake was used as a background. Lara Croft, Tomb Raider has a scene filmed here as well.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

The main character, Walter Mitty, experiences a crazy adventure of a lifetime and the film captivates with picturesque landscapes of Iceland. Apart from being set in Iceland, the Nordic nation also serves double duty as both Greenland and the Himalayas. Who knew Icelandic landscapes were so versatile! Walter traveled through Iceland from the city of Stykkishólmur on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, through Reykjavík and the Vatnajökull glacier to Seyðisfjörður. They chose the East Fjord Borgarfjörður Eystri to film the scene with Walter riding a skateboard. After watching that scene I bet no one is in a hurry to buy a longboard!

Noah (2014)

This film is more a creation of fantasy creators and doesn’t have much to do with the biblical story. In the last few minutes of the movie, we can see the black beaches of Reynisfjara, where Noah lived after living his ark.

Prometheus (2012)

The opening sequence of this movie used Iceland’s Dettifoss waterfall as filming location. It has a symbolic significance as it shows the beginning of humanity. Dettifoss is the largest waterfall in Europe in terms of the amount water flowing and the power and gravity of its flows are extremely impressive and fit perfectly with this scene.

Famous Movies and TV Shows Filmed in Iceland

Beowulf & Grendel (2005)

This movie is highly recommendable due to a great performance by Gerard Butler. You can also take in beautiful landscapes as Iceland was its filming location.

So what’s your favorite movie or TV show filmed in Iceland? Did any of them surprise you?