Where was Arctic filmed? Discover Iceland’s icy filming locations, behind the scenes secrets, and how Mads Mikkelsen survived this gripping thriller.
Imagine surviving a plane crash in the middle of nowhere, with freezing temperatures, dwindling supplies, and absolutely nobody around to complain to. Now imagine having to rescue someone else, too.
Welcome to Arctic (2018), the survival thriller that makes a cancelled flight look like a minor inconvenience. Directed by Joe Penna and co-written with Ryan Morrison, the film stars Mads Mikkelsen as Overgård, a pilot stranded in the frozen wilderness after an aircraft crash.
He survives by following a strict routine until a rescue helicopter crashes nearby, leaving a severely injured young woman as the sole survivor. Overgård must decide whether to remain at his makeshift camp or risk everything by setting out to find help.
María Thelma Smáradóttir plays the unnamed young woman, while Tintrinai Thikhasuk appears as the helicopter pilot. With minimal dialogue, a tiny cast, and a story driven by physical endurance rather than lengthy speeches, Arctic (2018) makes every movement count.
The film builds a fictional tale around a frighteningly believable question: how far would you go to keep a stranger alive? Iceland supplied the frozen wilderness, formidable mountains, and unpredictable weather that make the film feel brutally real.
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❄️ Arctic Movie Filming Locations
The production of Arctic (2018) filmed entirely on location in Iceland, using its natural landscapes to create the illusion of an isolated polar wilderness.
The filming locations were chosen for their snowy terrain and relative accessibility from Reykjavík. Wreckage constructed on location created the stranded pilot’s desperate surroundings.
Let’s look at the locations that helped turn this survival story into such a convincing ordeal.
🎣 Lake Fellsendavatn, Iceland
Lake Fellsendavatn, a small lake in the remote Central Highlands of Iceland, was one of the principal filming locations for the Arctic movie.
Roughly 100 miles from Reykjavík, its remote, snow-covered surroundings provided the vast, empty, bleak terrain needed to make Overgård appear genuinely cut off from civilization.
For Mads Mikkelsen, walking across frozen terrain and working in punishing weather demanded real physical effort, helping give Overgård’s exhaustion a convincing edge.
What was filmed here:
- Lake Fellsendavatn, Iceland: Snowbound wilderness & survival sequences.
What to see & do here:
- Þjórsárdalur Valley, Iceland: Discover volcanic landscapes & waterfalls.
- Landmannalaugar, Iceland: Hike colourful mountains & geothermal trails.
Travel tips:
- 🚗 4×4 Required: F-roads are open only in summer and require a high-clearance 4×4. They’re closed in winter.
- ⛽ No Services: The area is remote and uninhabited. Refuel and stock up on supplies in Hrauneyjar before setting off.
Book a tour:
Book a guided tour to explore the remote Icelandic Highlands.
- Reykjavík: Landmannalaugar & Icelandic Highlands Super Jeep Tour
- Hrauneyjar: 7-Hour Landmannalaugar & Fjallabak Buggy Tour
- Landmannalaugar & Valley of Tears 4×4 Highlands Tour
- Landmannalaugar Hiking, Haifoss Waterfall & Hot Springs Tour
🌋 Nesjavellir, Iceland
Located closer to Reykjavík, Nesjavellir, a geothermal area in southwestern Iceland, was another important filming location.
Its mountainous terrain and stark, open landscapes helped create the impression of an endless frozen wilderness. Iceland‘s shifting weather and unpredictability suited the story perfectly.
Overgård has no control over the conditions around him, and neither did the crew have complete control over the weather. Sometimes, the best production assistant is Mother Nature.
What was filmed here:
- Nesjavellir, Southwestern Iceland: Exposed wilderness & snowy travel scenes.
What to see & do here:
- Þingvellir National Park, Iceland: Walk between tectonic plates.
- Öxarárfoss, Þingvellir, Iceland: Visit a striking park waterfall.
- Laugarvatn, Iceland: Enjoy lakeside scenery & geothermal bathing.
- Geysir Geothermal Area, Iceland: Watch Strokkur erupt regularly.
- Gullfoss, Iceland: See a powerful glacial river waterfall.
Travel tips:
- Include Nesjavellir on your Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavík.
Book a tour:
- Nesjavellir: Adventure Park Entry with Rope Course & Zip Line
- Reykjavík: Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, & Northern Lights Tour
- 3-Day Golden Circle, Ice Cave, & Glacier Lagoon Small-Group Tour
🏔️ Bláfjöll Mountains, Iceland
The Bláfjöll Mountains, a volcanic mountain range southeast of Reykjavík, supplied more of the snowbound terrain used in the Arctic movie.
Their open slopes and rugged contours offered a convincing setting for a man battling the elements with little more than basic survival equipment. There are no convenient towns, cosy cafés, or friendly neighbours waiting just over the next hill – and that’s the point.
For visitors, the Bláfjöll Mountains are a popular outdoor destination when conditions permit, and the surrounding region has plenty to offer beyond the snowy slopes.
What was filmed here:
- Bláfjöll Mountains, Southwest Iceland: Snowbound mountain & endurance sequences.
What to see & do here:
- Bláfjöll Ski Resort, Iceland: Ski & snowboard when conditions allow.
- Reykjavík, Iceland: Visit museums, cafés, & Hallgrímskirkja.
- Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland: Explore volcanic scenery & coastal cliffs.
- Kleifarvatn, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland: Admire a dramatic volcanic lake.
Travel tips:
- Book guided tours for remote areas.
- Check road conditions and weather forecasts in advance.
Book a tour:
❄️ Arctic Movie FAQs
Here are the answers to the biggest questions about the 2018 survival thriller, from its filming locations to that nerve-racking final scene.
Is the Arctic movie based on a true story?
No. Arctic (2018) is a fictional survival drama, not a direct retelling of a documented plane-crash survival story, although its practical survival challenges feel plausible.
Is Arctic a Mads Mikkelsen snow survival movie?
Absolutely. Mikkelsen plays a stranded pilot who must survive freezing conditions before risking a dangerous journey to save another crash survivor. The film relies on physical performance and tension rather than constant dialogue.
What happens in the Arctic 2018 plane crash snow story?
After surviving an aircraft crash, Overgård establishes a routine at his wreckage camp. When a rescue helicopter crashes and leaves a young woman severely injured, he sets off across the wilderness to seek help for her.
Arctic movie ending explained?
Spoilers ahead! Believing the woman is dead, Overgård crawls away but returns out of guilt. A rescue helicopter initially leaves, then returns and lands beside them, suggesting they may survive.
Was Arctic filmed in real snow?
Yes, the production made extensive use of Iceland‘s natural snowy landscapes and weather. Practical sets and on-location filming helped create the harsh conditions seen on screen.
How long did it take to film Arctic?
The production completed approximately 19 days of actual filming in Iceland, although the overall production period was longer. The short, demanding shoot required the crew to adapt to rapidly changing weather.
Was the polar bear in Arctic real?
A trained polar bear named Aggie was used during production, with controlled filming setups and editing helping create the encounter.
Who’s in the Arctic movie cast?
- Mads Mikkelsen: Overgård
- María Thelma Smáradóttir: The Young Woman
- Tintrinai Thikhasuk: Helicopter Pilot
What are some movies like Arctic?
If you enjoy isolated settings, desperate survival decisions, and stories where nature refuses to cooperate, try these films:
- The Perfect Storm (2000): Fishermen battle a deadly ocean storm.
- The Impossible (2004): Family fights to survive a tsunami.
- Eight Below (2006): Sled dogs try to survive Antarctica.
- The Grey (2011): Plane crash survivors face wolves.
- All Is Lost (2013): A sailor battles the ocean.
- The Revenant (2015): Brutal wilderness survival and revenge.
- Everest (2015): Climbers battle a deadly storm.
- Arctic Apocalypse (2019): Disaster strikes as glaciers collapse.
- 2012 (2019): Global cataclysm threatens humanity’s survival.
- Greenland (2020/26): Family races to survive a global catastrophe.
📺 Where to Watch Arctic (2018)
Where is the Arctic (2018) movie streaming? Here’s where to look for this gripping survival thriller starring Mads Mikkelsen.
From Iceland‘s windswept Highlands to its volcanic mountains, the Arctic movie filming locations provide the perfect setting for Mads Mikkelsen‘s unforgettable struggle to survive, proving that sometimes the most terrifying movie monster is simply the great outdoors.
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy of its information or recommend relying on it for important decisions. All referenced titles, names, and intellectual property belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
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