The long read · Icelandic cinema
The Resilience of Icelandic Cinema and Its Global Stars
A nation of fewer than half a million people makes some of the most original films in Europe, and its glaciers, waterfalls and black beaches have played other planets for Hollywood. Here is the story of Icelandic cinema, and where to watch in Reykjavík.
Updated October 2026
From Children of Nature to Lamb
Icelandic feature films were rare until the late 1970s, when public funding helped a new generation get started. Friðrik Þór Friðriksson’s Children of Nature (1991), about an old couple’s last journey, was nominated for the Oscar, and Baltasar Kormákur’s 101 Reykjavík (2000) showed the capital’s nightlife to the world.
Since then Icelandic films have won prizes everywhere. Grímur Hákonarson’s Rams and Valdimar Jóhannsson’s Lamb won awards in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, and Benedikt Erlingsson’s Woman at War won the European Parliament’s LUX Prize. Iceland’s composers have conquered Hollywood too.
Must-watch films
To understand Icelandic cinema, start with these.
- Children of Nature (1991): Friðrik Þór Friðriksson’s gentle road movie, nominated for the Oscar.
- 101 Reykjavík (2000): Baltasar Kormákur’s comedy of life in the capital.
- Rams (2015): Grímur Hákonarson’s story of two estranged brothers and their sheep.
- Woman at War (2018): Benedikt Erlingsson’s comedy about a choir leader with a secret mission.
- Lamb (2021): Valdimar Jóhannsson’s strange and beautiful farm fable, with Noomi Rapace.
The stars
For a small nation, Iceland has an astonishing share of screen talent.
- Björk: best actress at Cannes for Dancer in the Dark (2000).
- Baltasar Kormákur: actor and director, from Jar City to Everest.
- Ingvar E. Sigurðsson and Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir: two of Iceland’s finest screen actors.
- Hildur Guðnadóttir: Oscar winner for her score for Joker.
- Jóhann Jóhannsson (1969–2018): Golden Globe winner for the score of The Theory of Everything.
Where to watch in Reykjavík
In Reykjavík, Bíó Paradís on Hverfisgata is the city’s much-loved art-house cinema, showing Icelandic films with English subtitles. Every autumn RIFF, the Reykjavík International Film Festival, brings new world cinema to the city.
Our advice: see an Icelandic film at Bíó Paradís, then have a drink in its bar.
Bíó Paradís RIFF: Reykjavík International Film Festival
Hidden on the silver screen: international productions filmed in Iceland
Iceland’s glaciers, waterfalls and empty roads have played other worlds for Hollywood.
- Die Another Day (2002), Jökulsárlón: James Bond’s car chase on the frozen glacier lagoon.
- Prometheus (2012), Dettifoss: Ridley Scott opened his film at Europe’s most powerful waterfall.
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013), Seyðisfjörður and Stykkishólmur: Ben Stiller’s adventure through Iceland.
- Interstellar (2014), Svínafellsjökull: Christopher Nolan’s frozen planet.
Icelanders in Hollywood
Baltasar Kormákur has directed Hollywood films such as Everest and Adrift, and Hlynur Pálmason’s Godland (2022), set in Iceland’s wild south-east, was admired around the world.
Questions and answers
Which Icelandic film was nominated for the Oscar?
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson’s Children of Nature (1991).
Where can you watch Icelandic films with English subtitles?
Bíó Paradís in Reykjavík shows Icelandic films with English subtitles.
Join the conversation
Which Icelandic film or star do you love most? Share your favourite scenes and the films we should add.
- Loading the conversation…
Sources: the Icelandic Film Centre, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Festival de Cannes and the European Parliament’s LUX Prize, checked on 6 November 2026. The trailers are from A24’s and Janus Films’ official channels.