Best Movies & TV Shows About Vikings
Vikings have captured our imagination for a long time. Their stories of exploration, raiding, and mythology are exciting. This has made them a popular subject for filmmakers and television producers. They are shown as fierce warriors, clever traders, and adventurous explorers. The Viking Age offers many dramatic stories, from personal family sagas to large-scale conflicts that shaped history.
Movies and TV shows bring the world of the Norsemen to life. They show us the harsh landscapes of Scandinavia and the detailed designs of their longships. These stories often mix historical facts with Norse legends about gods like Odin and Thor. This blend of reality and myth allows for a wide range of tales, from gritty historical dramas to fun fantasy adventures. Here are 30 of the best movies and TV shows that explore the rich world of the Vikings.
The Northman (2022)
This film is known for its historical accuracy and detailed world. Director Robert Eggers worked with historians to show Viking life correctly. The movie presents the brutal and spiritual world of the Norse people. It uses Old Norse language at times and is based on the same legend that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
The story follows a young Viking prince named Amleth. After his uncle murders his father and marries his mother, Amleth escapes his homeland. He grows up to be a fierce warrior, vowing to return one day. His quest is to avenge his father, save his mother, and kill his uncle.
Vikings (2013)
This historical drama television series was a huge success. It brought the Viking Age to a modern audience over six seasons. The show is praised for its character development and big battle scenes. It follows the life of a legendary Norse hero and his family.
The series begins with Ragnar Lothbrok, a farmer who becomes a famous warrior. He challenges his local chieftain by sailing west to raid new lands. The show follows Ragnar’s rise to power and the adventures of his sons. They travel to England, France, and other parts of the world, changing history as they go.
The Last Kingdom (2015)
This TV show is based on a series of novels called “The Saxon Stories” by Bernard Cornwell. It tells the story of the birth of England from the perspective of both Saxons and Danes. The series ran for five seasons and was followed by a feature film. It is known for its strong characters and focus on political intrigue.
The main character is Uhtred of Bebbanburg. He is a Saxon nobleman who is captured by Danes as a child and raised as a Viking. His loyalties are torn between the people who raised him and the people he was born to. He becomes a great warrior and gets involved in the wars between the Viking invaders and the English kingdom of Wessex.
Vinland Saga (2019)
This Japanese anime series is based on a popular manga. It is famous for its beautiful animation, emotional depth, and historical setting. The show’s first season focuses on themes of revenge, while the second season explores peace and redemption. It offers a different and more thoughtful look at the Viking world.
The story follows a young Icelandic boy named Thorfinn. His life is changed forever when a band of mercenaries kills his father, a legendary ex-warrior. Thorfinn joins the same mercenary group to get his revenge on their leader, Askeladd. The series follows his difficult journey and his dream of reaching a peaceful land called Vinland.
The Vikings (1958)
This classic Hollywood film is a big-budget adventure. It stars famous actors like Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis. The movie was filmed on location in Norway and is known for its beautiful scenery and exciting action sequences. It helped create the popular image of Vikings in cinema for decades.
The film tells the story of two Viking half-brothers who do not know they are related. One is a powerful and ruthless warrior prince, while the other is a former slave. They become rivals for the throne of Northumbria and the love of a Christian princess. Their conflict leads to a massive Viking invasion of England.
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
This animated film from DreamWorks Animation is a family-friendly take on the Viking world. It became a huge success and led to two sequels and a television series. The movie is loved for its heart, humor, and stunning animation, especially the flying scenes. It offers a story about friendship and understanding.
The story is set on the island of Berk, a village of Vikings who are constantly at war with dragons. The main character is Hiccup, the awkward son of the village chieftain. He is not a natural dragon-slayer. Instead, he befriends a rare and dangerous dragon named Toothless, and together they try to bring peace between their two worlds.
Valhalla Rising (2009)
This is an artistic and challenging film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. It is known for its slow pace, minimal dialogue, and strong visual style. The movie is a dark and brutal journey into the Viking mindset. It is a unique film that is more of a spiritual experience than a simple story.
The film follows a silent, one-eyed warrior who is held captive by a Norse chieftain. After escaping, he joins a group of Christian Vikings on a longship. They set out for the Holy Land on a crusade but get lost in a thick fog. They land in a strange and hostile new world that they believe to be hell.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
This action movie is based on the novel “Eaters of the Dead” by Michael Crichton. The book itself was inspired by the real-life travels of an Arab diplomat named Ahmad ibn Fadlan. The film mixes historical adventure with elements of the epic poem Beowulf. It shows a meeting of different cultures.
An Arab court poet is sent on a diplomatic mission but ends up traveling with a group of Vikings. The Norsemen are on their way to help a kingdom in the north that is being attacked by mysterious, beast-like enemies. The poet must join twelve Viking warriors to fight this ancient evil.
Norsemen (2016)
This Norwegian comedy series offers a very different look at Viking life. It presents everyday situations in a 9th-century Viking village with modern humor and problems. The show makes fun of the brutal and serious image of Vikings seen in other dramas. It was filmed in both Norwegian and English at the same time.
The series follows the daily lives of the people of Norheim. They deal with things like power struggles, relationship issues, and social pressure. The humor comes from the contrast between the violent Viking setting and the characters’ petty, modern-day concerns. It shows that even fierce warriors had to deal with boring daily life.
Ragnarok (2020)
This modern Norwegian fantasy series is set in the small town of Edda. It connects ancient Norse mythology with present-day issues like climate change and industrial pollution. The show is a coming-of-age story mixed with a superhero origin tale. It reimagines the old gods and giants in a new way.
A teenage boy named Magne and his family move back to their hometown. He soon discovers that he has strange new powers similar to Thor, the god of thunder. Magne learns that he must face off against a family of powerful giants from Norse myth. These giants are disguised as the rich owners of a local factory that is polluting the town.
Outlander (2008)
This science fiction action film combines the Viking Age with an alien monster story. It is a unique mix of genres, blending historical settings with futuristic technology. The movie features spaceships, strange creatures, and classic Viking warriors.
A soldier from another world named Kainan crash-lands his ship in Norway during the Viking Age. He was not the only survivor of the crash; an alien creature called a Moorwen was also on board. The monster begins to attack local villages, and Kainan must team up with a group of Viking warriors to hunt it down and kill it.
Beowulf (2007)
This animated film uses performance capture technology to create its fantasy world. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, it is an adaptation of the famous Old English epic poem. The film is a visually stylized action-adventure. It tells the ancient story with modern special effects.
A great hero named Beowulf travels to Denmark to help a king whose mead hall is under attack by a monster named Grendel. After Beowulf defeats the creature, he must then face its angry and seductive mother. His victory brings him fame and power, but his pride leads to a final battle against a powerful dragon years later.
Erik the Viking (1989)
This British comedy film was written and directed by Terry Jones, a member of the Monty Python comedy group. It is a funny and satirical take on Norse mythology and the Viking world. The film pokes fun at the violence and superstition of the era.
Erik is a Viking who does not enjoy the usual activities of raiding and killing. After a woman he likes is accidentally killed, he learns that a great winter called Ragnarok is coming to end the world. Erik gathers a crew of warriors to travel to Asgard, the home of the gods, to ask them to stop the end of the world.
Black Death (2010)
This historical horror film is set in medieval England during the time of the bubonic plague. While not strictly about Vikings, it features a band of tough, knightly warriors on a dark mission. The movie explores themes of faith, fear, and fanaticism in a world filled with death and despair.
A young monk is tasked with guiding a group of knights to a remote village. The village is rumored to be untouched by the Black Death because a necromancer is protecting it. The knights’ mission is to find this person and bring them to justice. Their journey takes them through a dangerous and plague-ridden landscape.
Beforeigners (2019)
This Norwegian science fiction series has a unique and original premise. It is a crime drama mixed with social commentary. The show explores what happens when people from different historical eras suddenly appear in the present day. One of these groups of people comes from the Viking Age.
People from the Stone Age, the Viking Age, and the 19th century begin to appear in the water around Oslo. A few years later, these “beforeigners” are trying to live in modern society. A police officer is paired with the first officer with a “Viking background” to solve the murder of a Stone Age woman.
Viking Wolf (2022)
This Norwegian horror film, also known as “Vikingulven,” combines Viking legend with a classic werewolf story. It moves the ancient myth into a modern setting. The film builds suspense and uses elements of a thriller. It connects a monster from the past to the present day.
A teenage girl moves to a new town with her family. After witnessing a gruesome murder at a party, she begins to have strange visions and physical changes. She soon discovers that she was bitten by a werewolf, a creature whose origins trace back to a curse brought to the area by Vikings long ago.
Hammer of the Gods (2013)
This British action film is a violent and gritty story set in Viking Britain. It follows a small group of warriors on a desperate quest. The movie is known for its intense and brutal fight scenes. It presents a harsh and unforgiving version of the Viking world.
A young Viking prince is sent on a mission by his dying father, the king. He must travel into hostile territory to find his older brother, who was banished years before. The king believes his older son is the only one strong enough to lead their people against an approaching enemy army.
The Last Journey of Olaf the Viking (2020)
This short film stands out because it uses the Old Norse language. It was made by a group of filmmakers who wanted to create a more authentic Viking story. The film focuses on the emotional and spiritual side of its characters. It provides a brief but powerful look into the past.
The story follows an old Viking named Olaf. He is on his last journey, reflecting on his life as a warrior. The film shows his memories of battles and family as he prepares to enter the afterlife. It is a quiet and thoughtful piece about aging and memory.
Vicky the Viking (2009)
This German live-action family film is based on a famous 1970s animated series. That series was itself based on a Swedish children’s book. The movie is a lighthearted adventure for all ages. It shows that cleverness can be more powerful than physical strength.
Vicky is a young Viking boy who is small and not very strong. Unlike the other villagers, he relies on his intelligence and clever ideas to solve problems. When the children of his village are kidnapped by a rival chieftain, Vicky must use his wits to lead the adult Vikings on a rescue mission.
Thor (2011)
This superhero film from Marvel Studios brought Norse mythology into the world of comic book movies. It combines epic fantasy with science fiction and action. The movie presents Asgard as an advanced alien civilization and its gods as powerful beings. It was a major box office success and launched a popular series of films.
Thor, the powerful but arrogant god of thunder, is banished from his home world of Asgard by his father, Odin. He is sent to Earth to live among humans as a punishment. While on Earth, he learns humility and falls in love. He must prove himself worthy to reclaim his hammer, Mjolnir, and stop his evil brother, Loki, from taking over the throne of Asgard.
Vikings: Valhalla (2022)
This series is a sequel to the popular show Vikings. It is set about 100 years after the events of the original series, during a time of great change for the Viking world. The show focuses on a new generation of legendary heroes and the growing conflict between pagan Vikings and their Christian counterparts, as well as with the English.
The story follows the adventures of famous Vikings like the explorer Leif Erikson, his fiery sister Freydís Eiríksdóttir, and the ambitious Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson. Their lives become intertwined as they fight for survival and glory. The show features major historical events like the St. Brice’s Day massacre and the Viking invasions of England.
The Long Ships (1964)
This is a grand adventure film from the 1960s, starring Richard Widmark and Sidney Poitier. It is a classic tale of treasure hunting, betrayal, and large-scale action. The movie is loosely based on a Swedish novel and captures the epic, swashbuckling spirit of old Hollywood movies.
A Viking adventurer named Rolfe learns of a legendary golden bell known as the “Mother of Voices.” He sets off to find it but is captured by a powerful Moorish ruler who also wants the treasure. The two men form a difficult alliance to search for the bell, leading them on a dangerous journey filled with conflict and spectacle.
Prince Valiant (1954)
This colorful adventure film is based on a long-running American comic strip. While the main character is not a Viking by birth, he is a Norse prince living in exile. The movie is a classic romance and action story set in the time of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It blends Viking origins with Camelot’s chivalry.
Valiant, a young Viking prince, travels to Camelot to become a knight under King Arthur. He must prove his worth to the legendary king and win the love of a princess. He uncovers a plot by a treacherous Black Knight to overthrow Arthur and must use both his Viking strength and knightly training to save the kingdom.
When the Raven Flies (1984)
This Icelandic film is highly regarded for its realistic and grim portrayal of the Viking Age. Known in Icelandic as “Hrafninn flýgur,” it is a simple revenge story told with little dialogue and a focus on visual storytelling. The film’s stark and beautiful Icelandic landscapes add to its authentic feel.
An Irish boy sees his parents killed by Viking raiders. Years later, he travels to Iceland to hunt down the men responsible for their deaths. He plays the different members of the Viking group against each other, using his cunning to get his revenge. The story is a harsh and brutal look at the cycle of violence.
Severed Ways: The Norse Discovery of America (2007)
This is a low-budget, independent film known for its raw and minimalist style. It was filmed with a very small crew and has a documentary-like quality. The movie attempts to imagine what it might have really been like for the first Norsemen who landed in North America, focusing on their struggle to survive.
The story follows two Viking men who are stranded in a strange new land after their expedition is attacked by Native Americans. They must journey through the harsh wilderness, battling starvation, loneliness, and the fear of the unknown. The film also includes a soundtrack featuring black metal music, adding to its unique atmosphere.
Valhalla (2019)
This Danish fantasy film is a modern retelling of Norse myths. It is based on a classic Danish comic book and a popular animated film from the 1980s. The movie brings the gods Thor and Loki to life in a live-action adventure aimed at a family audience. It combines humor, action, and mythology.
Two Viking children, a boy and a girl, are taken from their village to Asgard by the gods Thor and Loki. They discover that the realm of the gods is threatened by a giant wolf named Fenrir. The children must team up with the gods on a journey to save Asgard from Ragnarok, the prophesied end of the world.
The White Viking (1991)
This epic Icelandic film tells the story of the difficult and violent Christianization of the Norse people. It is a historical drama that focuses on the political and personal conflicts of the time. The movie was a major production in Iceland and was also released as a television miniseries.
The film follows a young Viking who is caught between the old pagan faith and the new Christian religion. He is sent on a dangerous mission by the King of Norway to convert Iceland to Christianity. He faces resistance from his own people and must navigate a world of political intrigue and religious war.
Escape (2012)
This Norwegian action-thriller is set in the 14th century, a decade after the Black Death has ravaged the land. While taking place after the main Viking Age, it captures the brutal and lawless spirit of a land still shaped by Norse traditions. It is a tense and fast-paced survival story.
A poor family is traveling through the mountains, searching for a better life. They are attacked by a band of ruthless killers led by a female warrior. A young girl named Signe is the only one left alive and is taken captive. She manages to escape and must run for her life through the unforgiving wilderness.
Alfred the Great (1969)
This historical drama focuses on the English side of the Viking invasions. It tells the story of Alfred, the king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. The film shows his struggle to defend his land from the invading Danish Vikings, led by the warlord Guthrum. It is a movie about leadership, faith, and war.
The film portrays Alfred as a man who would rather be a priest than a king. However, he is forced to become a warrior and leader to save his people from destruction. The story follows his early defeats, his time hiding in the marshes, and his eventual campaign to unite the English and push back the Viking invaders.
Northmen: A Viking Saga (2014)
This is an action-adventure film that focuses on a small group of Vikings fighting for survival. It features a straightforward story with lots of action sequences. The film is a co-production between Switzerland, Germany, and South Africa, and it was filmed in South Africa.
A group of Viking raiders is shipwrecked on the coast of Scotland in enemy territory. The local king sends a group of mercenaries to hunt them down. The Vikings must travel through a dangerous and unknown land to reach the safety of a distant Viking settlement, all while being chased by their ruthless enemies.
