Where was The Force Awakens filmed? Chase Rey, Finn, and Luke from Ireland’s cliffs to Jakku’s desert across Star Wars: The Force Awakens filming locations.
Have you ever paused Star Wars: The Force Awakens to Google where Luke’s island is IRL? This guide explores the real-world spots behind Rey’s desert runs, Kylo Ren’s epic tantrums, and the Irish cliffs where Luke perfected ghosting the galaxy.
Some fans loved the nostalgia. Others argued it copied A New Hope. The debates still roar louder than a caffeinated cantina band. But whether you cheered, nitpicked, or live-tweeted your frustrations, one thing’s undeniable: the filming locations are stunning.
And the best part? You can visit many of them yourself. No lightsaber required. No Resistance clearance needed.
Table of Contents
🌌 Where Was The Force Awakens Filmed?
From scorching deserts to windswept Irish cliffs and massive studio sets, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was shot across real-world locations that turned Earth into a galaxy far, far away.
🏜️ Rub’ al Khali Desert – Jakku
📍 Near Liwa Oasis, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Where was The Force Awakens filmed in Jakku? This brand new desert planet was filmed in the vast Rub’ al Khali desert, a perfect barren backdrop for Rey’s lonely scavenger life. The production even buried massive practical wreckage pieces, including parts of a crashed Star Destroyer, directly in the dunes.
Actors endured extreme heat, often above 45°C, adding a very real sense of hardship to the scenes. With no skyline, no buildings, and sand stretching endlessly in every direction, Jakku truly felt abandoned.
Fans joked it was Tatooine 2.0, but the scale, authenticity, and practical effects gave Star Wars: The Force Awakens a grounded realism that CGI alone could never achieve.
What was filmed here:
- Rey scavenging Star Destroyer wreckage
- Niima Outpost marketplace
- Finn’s crash landing scenes
- Rey’s speeder travel sequences
- BB-8’s desert journey shots
👉 Crew members said the heat was so intense that even BB-8 probably wanted air-conditioning.
🏝️ Skellig Michael – Ahch-To
📍 Off Portmagee, County Kerry, Ireland
Luke Skywalker’s island retreat was filmed on Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichíl), a UNESCO World Heritage Site located off the coast of Portmagee in County Kerry. The island’s ancient 6th-century monastic stone huts became Luke’s remote Jedi hideout.
Filming here required helicopters to transport equipment and strict environmental oversight to protect wildlife and historic structures. The remote, rugged terrain made Rey’s climb feel authentic and visually striking.
Fans may debate Luke’s decision to disappear, but nobody debates the breathtaking visuals this Irish island delivered. It remains one of the most iconic filming locations in the sequel trilogy.
What was filmed here:
- Rey climbing the monastery steps
- Luke’s stone hut exterior
- Final lightsaber handoff scene
- Cliffside establishing shots
- Wide Atlantic coastal views
👉 The cast climbed 600+ stone steps to reach Luke’s hut – Jedi training started early.
🌲 Puzzlewood – Maz Kanata’s Castle Forest
📍 Coleford, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
The forest surrounding Maz Kanata’s castle was filmed in Puzzlewood near Coleford in the Forest of Dean. This ancient woodland features twisted tree roots and moss-covered pathways that already resemble a fantasy setting.
Minimal visual enhancement was needed, as the forest naturally delivered the mystical atmosphere required for Rey’s Force vision sequence and the First Order assault. Its dense canopy and winding trails created tension and intimacy during key action scenes.
The location continues to attract visitors who recognize its distinctive shapes from the film.
What was filmed here:
- First Order attack on Maz’s castle
- Rey’s Force vision forest scenes
- Escape sequences through woodland
- Exterior castle surroundings
- Pre-duel forest buildup
👉 Locals said the woods already looked magical – Star Wars just added blasters.
❄️ Lake Mývatn & Eyjafjallajökull – Starkiller Base
📍 Lake Mývatn & Krafla Volcano Area, Norðurland eystra, Iceland
📍 Eyjafjallajökull Glacier Region, South Iceland
To make Starkiller Base feel brutally cold and massive, production filmed in Iceland. Exterior shots were taken around Lake Mývatn and the Krafla volcanic area, where snow-dusted lava fields, geothermal vents, and rugged highlands created an otherworldly environment with minimal CGI.
Additional icy plates came from Eyjafjallajökull glacier in the south, with towering ice caps and frozen vistas. The mix of volcanic rock and sweeping glacier landscapes gave Starkiller Base raw, elemental power.
The icy whites and steel blues contrasted sharply with Jakku’s desert tones. Real wind, snow, and Icelandic winter conditions added texture and scale, making the First Order’s superweapon feel truly chilling.
What was filmed here:
- Starkiller Base exterior landscape plates
- Snow-covered volcanic terrain shots
- Mountain and glacier establishing shots
- Environmental backdrops during the final act
- Wide terrain plates for First Order base exteriors
👉 Iceland’s cold was so real that the evil Starkiller Base gave you the chills.
✈️ RAF Greenham Common – Resistance Base
📍 Near Newbury, Berkshire, England
Resistance base exterior scenes were filmed at RAF Greenham Common near Newbury in Berkshire. The former Royal Air Force airbase provided expansive runways and hangars suitable for staging X-Wing fighters.
The practical setting gave authenticity to the Resistance’s military presence. Rows of starfighters positioned on real tarmac reinforced the grounded visual tone the production aimed to achieve throughout filming.
The location’s open scale allowed for large crowd scenes and dynamic launch sequences.
What was filmed here:
- X-Wing staging and lineup shots
- Resistance base exterior scenes
- Ground crew preparations
- Outdoor pilot briefings
- Fighter launch sequences
👉 British rain delayed filming – even the Resistance can’t defeat UK weather.
🎬 Pinewood Studios – Interior Sets
📍 Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England
The majority of interior filming for Star Wars: The Force Awakens took place at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. Large soundstages housed meticulously constructed practical sets that brought the galaxy to life.
The Millennium Falcon cockpit was rebuilt in extraordinary detail, along with Starkiller Base corridors, the Resistance command center, Maz Kanata’s castle interiors, and First Order starship sets.
The heavy use of practical builds marked a deliberate return to the tactile style of the original trilogy. The Foodles Production Facility in Hayes, London, England, handled large-scale set construction and additional stage filming.
What was filmed here:
- Millennium Falcon cockpit interior
- Starkiller Base control rooms
- Resistance base command center
- Maz Kanata’s castle interior
- First Order starship interiors
- Large set construction at Foodles
👉 The Millennium Falcon cockpit was so detailed, actors kept pressing buttons hoping it might actually start.
❓ The Force Awakens FAQ
⭐ Who were the Star Wars: The Force Awakens cast?
The main cast included Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Mark Hamill.
⭐ Why do fans debate The Force Awakens so much?
Some fans loved the nostalgic return to practical effects and classic storytelling, while others debated similarities to A New Hope, Starkiller Base logic, and character arcs.
⭐ Can you visit The Force Awakens filming locations?
Yes – Skellig Michael (seasonal access), Puzzlewood, Greenham Common, Rub’ al Khali desert tours, and all Iceland filming locations are open to visitors.
⭐ Is there a Star Wars: The Force Awakens game?
Yes – LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens recreated the movie with LEGO humor, bonus missions, and extra story content tied to the film’s events.
⭐ Where is Star Wars: The Force Awakens streaming?
The movie is available to watch on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
Disclaimer: This is a fan-created article made for commentary and informational purposes only. Star Wars, its characters, names, images, and related trademarks are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. and The Walt Disney Company, and no copyright infringement is intended.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Filming Locations Guide - February 17, 2026
- Where Was Solo: A Star Wars Story Filmed? - February 16, 2026
- Where Was The Mandalorian Filmed? Real Locations Guide - February 14, 2026
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