Film sites in Norway
It’s no secret that Norway is a beautiful, scenic country with some fantastic natural attractions. In fact, the dramatic scenery in some parts of Norway makes it the perfect backdrop for filming, and several Hollywood films have been shot in Norway. Keep reading for an overview of some of the most exciting movies that were filmed on location in Norway!
Ragnarok
Ragnarok is a Netflix series that came out in 2020, and has recently been renewed for a third season. The show is set in the fictional town of Edda, surrounded by the stunning natural scenery Norway is known for – deep blue fjords, spectacular mountains, and impressive waterfalls. Though Edda isn’t a real place, the show was shot in the charming town of Odda in the Hardanger region.
Though most of the show is filmed in Odda, Trolltunga was also a key filming location for Ragnarok. The magnificent natural rock formation Trolltunga, situated in Western Norway, has been an important landmark and tourist destination for over a hundred years. It’s no wonder that this dramatic mountain peak with its flat plateau at the top and awe-inspiring views of the fjord below has been chosen to be part of the exciting show Ragnarok.
If you want to experience the spectacular Trolltunga, check out one of the several ways to get to the top here.
Photo: Odda Sveinung Klyve - Wwwfjordnorwaycom
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
The hugely popular Mission: Impossible franchise filmed one of the most dramatic scenes of its most recent installment on one of Norway’s most well-known locations. The Pulpit Rock, known locally as Preikestolen, is a spectacular site that was used during the filming of the Hollywood movie Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The blockbuster production saw Tom Cruise dangling off the Pulpit Rock cliff, surrounded by stunning natural scenery and the deep blue water below.
Whether you’re a movie fan or not, Pulpit Rock is a very popular hiking spot that can easily be visited if you’d like to check out this fantastic location!
Photo: Outdoorlife Norway
Thor: Ragnarok
The blockbuster movie Thor: Ragnarok is of course inspired by Norse mythology, and Norway was the perfect place to shoot the movie due to the stunning natural surroundings. The beautiful, remote Lofoten Islands provided the perfect backdrop for certain dramatic scenes in this huge Hollywood production.
A calm meadow nestled on top of a cliff in the Lofoten Islands became known as the final resting place of Odin, Thor’s father, and it was also the site of a dramatic showdown between Thor, Loki and Hela. The stunning Lofoten Islands are well worth a visit, no matter if you’re a film buff or not!
Photo: CH/VisitNorway
No Time to Die
For the 2021 James Bond movie No Time to Die, several key scenes were shot in Norway. The filming locations included lake Langvann, located in the Nittedal hills north of Oslo, as well as lake Lutvann in the Østmarka forest in Oslo. The production also filmed an action-packed car chase on the Atlanterhavsveien bridge. Atlanterhavsveien is a scenic highway located along the Norwegian Sea, south of Kristiansund. The breathtaking coastal route is one of Norway’s National Tourist Roads, attracting plenty of tourists as well as film crews!
Photo: Steinar Melby
Dune
The hugely anticipated 2021 blockbuster Dune took advantage of some interesting filming locations around the world. The production was filmed in Jordan, Abu Dabhi, and Hungary, as well as in the stunning peninsula of Stadlandet in Norway. The first part of Dune is set on the fictional planet Caladan and was filmed in rural Stadlandet, which is located between the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea. The unspoiled natural scenery in this part of Norway made for some visually stunning shots in this ambitious movie.
Photo: Torbjørn Sandbakk
Star Wars
The Star Wars-movies have remained very popular since the first film came out in 1977, but many don’t realize that the Star Wars franchise relied on a Norwegian filming location during filming. Several scenes from the second Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, were shot in the stunning region of Finse in Norway. Finse is a beautiful mountain village, and it’s a fantastic spot for visitors looking to experience the stunning natural scenery and to see this dramatic filming location for themselves. Our popular Norway in a Nutshell tour® is the perfect way to experience Finse and other key parts of the country. If you want to experience these locations during winter (like in the film), check out our winter version of the tour!
Whether you’re a movie buff or just interested in Norway’s spectacular scenery, watching these movies will give you a fantastic look at some of the most beautiful natural surroundings the country has to offer. If you’d like to see more, why not check out some key Norwegian films?
Seeing Norway on the big screen is a great introduction to the stunning scenery and dramatic nature, but there’s nothing quite like seeing it for yourself in person – so come visit, and experience the breathtaking beauty of Norway!
