The Legend of Zelda Movie Filming Locations: Everything We Know So Far

Where It All Started: Wellington

Production officially kicked off on November 4, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand, with filming set to wrap in April 2026. Wellington has long served as a production hub for fantasy films in New Zealand, home to Weta Workshop and the infrastructure that made The Lord of the Rings possible. It's a natural starting point for a film of this scale.

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto officially announced the start of filming and even shared first-look photos of Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link standing in a lush green field. It looked like a frame from the games, which is exactly what fans needed to see.

Glenorchy and Paradise: Hyrule's Most Recognizable Backdrop

This is the one that's sending the internet into a frenzy, Pirates. Filming for the Zelda movie has taken place in Paradise, near Glenorchy, a location that is deeply familiar to Hollywood. It's thought to be among the final shooting locations before the film moves into post-production.

Why does that matter? Because Paradise is where many iconic scenes from Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies were filmed, including depictions of Lothlorien, Isengard, and Amon Hen. Walking that same ground as Frodo and Gandalf is a surreal experience for any traveler, and now you'll be able to add "where Zelda and Link were filmed" to the list. A local source noted the Zelda film is being shot predominantly on location rather than on sound stages, which is a very good sign for what this movie will look and feel like.

A source told the NZ Herald that the film crew hired close to 300 rooms around Queenstown. This is not a small production sneaking through the back country. This is a major Hollywood operation.

Central Otago and Poolburn Dam: Where Rohan Becomes Hyrule

The other major confirmed location is further inland. Film crews were spotted in the Poolburn Dam area in Central Otago, with rows of trucks, multiple cranes, and a full production team setting up what appeared to be a large-scale shoot.

Poolburn Dam's distinctive rock formations and yellowed grasslands are where Peter Jackson filmed Lord of the Rings scenes set in Rohan's battlefields. Think of the sweeping plains where cavalry charged, and armies clashed. For Zelda, that kind of wide-open cinematic space could easily become the fields surrounding Hyrule Castle or a massive battle sequence. Nothing has been officially confirmed for the specific scenes, but the visual potential here is undeniable.

Resource consents for filming around Glenorchy were also lodged with the Queenstown Lakes District Council, which formally ties the production to that region.

Can You Actually Visit These Places?

Yes, and you should. New Zealand has built a legitimate film tourism industry around exactly these kinds of productions. Queenstown is the closest major city to both Glenorchy and Central Otago, and it's an outstanding base for exploring the region.

A few things worth knowing for American travelers planning a trip:

• Queenstown is the main hub, well-connected with international flights (often via Auckland or Sydney).

• Glenorchy is about 45 minutes north of Queenstown by car, a stunning drive along Lake Wakatipu.

• Paradise requires a short off-road drive from Glenorchy; many tour operators run LOTR-specific excursions to this exact area.

• Poolburn Dam is roughly 2.5 hours from Queenstown near the town of Ophir in Central Otago, best reached by rental car.

• The famous Hobbiton movie set in Matamata (about 4 hours from Queenstown) remains open to visitors year-round and is worth adding to any New Zealand itinerary.

New Zealand is a long-haul flight from the US (typically 12 to 15+ hours from the West Coast), but the country delivers on every single promise its landscapes make from the screen.

FAQ: The Legend of Zelda Filming Locations

Where is the Legend of Zelda movie being filmed?

The live-action Zelda movie is filming in New Zealand, with confirmed locations including Wellington, Glenorchy (near Queenstown), the Paradise area, and the Central Otago region near Poolburn Dam. Production began in November 2025 and is expected to wrap in April 2026.

Is the Zelda movie filming in the same place as Lord of the Rings?

Yes. The production has confirmed shoots in Glenorchy and Poolburn Dam, which are the same regions used extensively by Peter Jackson for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Glenorchy stood in for Lothlorien and Isengard; Poolburn Dam was used for Rohan's plains.

Who plays Link and Zelda in the live-action movie?

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth plays Link and Bo Bragason plays Princess Zelda. Both are newcomers to major motion pictures. Ainsworth is known for The Haunting of Bly Manor and Bragason for Renegade Nell.

When does the Zelda movie come out?

The Legend of Zelda is scheduled for release on May 7, 2027, distributed by Sony Pictures. The original target was March 2027 but it was pushed to May.

Who is directing the Zelda movie?

Wes Ball is directing, best known for the Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The screenplay was written by Derek Connolly and T.S. Nowlin.

Will the Zelda movie be on Netflix?

Yes, eventually. Sony Pictures has an agreement with Netflix, and the Zelda film is included in that deal. Based on standard theatrical windows, expect it to arrive on Netflix roughly 30 to 45 days after its theatrical run ends.

Can you visit the Zelda filming locations in New Zealand?

Absolutely. Glenorchy and the Paradise area are accessible from Queenstown, and several tour operators already run Lord of the Rings location tours to these exact spots. Poolburn Dam in Central Otago is reachable by car. No official Zelda-branded tours exist yet, but they almost certainly will by 2027.

Is most of the movie filmed on location or on set?

A local source close to the production noted that the film is being shot predominantly on location rather than on sound stages, which suggests a heavy emphasis on New Zealand's real landscapes over CGI backgrounds.