The 25 Best Viking Movies of All Time, Ranked

The best Viking movies Transport audiences to the world of the 9th to 11th centuries for bloodless battle-filled adventures featuring some of the most notorious warriors in history. The movies tell the story of Vikings, the polytheistic Norse warriors who sailed the seas, pillaging and conquering. In the world of streaming services, the stories of Viking warriors have become much more popular. With TV shows like Vikings And last kingdomThere is a distinct lack of Viking movies compared to other subgenres of historical drama.

Viking stories go back thousands of years, with the brave and violent warriors blazing a trail through history, creating an exciting backdrop for any movie or TV show. Possibly thanks to the success of shows like Vikings and their tension, Vikings: Valhalla, This unique time and place in history has become popular again – Although the best Viking movies show that there was always an interest in the longboat-sailing warriors.

25

Beowulf & Grendel (2005)

An Icelandic Viking movie with Gerard Butler

Released in 2005, Beowulf & Grendel brings the classic epic song to the big screen two years before the better known Rebert Zemeckis mo-cap version. Gerard Butler takes the lead in this Viking movie as Beowulf, surrounded by a quality supporting cast that includes names like Stellan Skarsgård, Sarah Polley, Eddie Marsan and Tony Curran. It also features Icelandic star Ingvar E. Sigurðsson as Grendel. Filming the movie in Iceland helped with the authentic nature of Beowulf & Grendel.

The movie received mixed reviews, with a 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. When looking at what the film was back to become a bigger Viking movie release, Variety Critic Todd McCarthy wrote it, “Lacks the wild bite that might have given the sixth-century-set tale real impact.” However, critics also praised its naturalistic approach and the direction of the film, making it at least an authentic-looking Viking film release.

24

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

The best Thor sequel in the MCU

The first Thor Movie was the most faithful to the idea of ​​Norse mythology thanks to its early focus on Asgard and the Shakespearean story. However, the second movie is often considered one of the worst MCU movies ever made and is easily the most forgettable. Then, Taika Waititi joined the MCU and turned everything around with the third movie, Thor: Ragnarok. Not only was the movie great Thor movie, but it was also one of the best MCU moviesAlthough many fans rely on humor.

The film also has much more when it comes to the Vikings Norse mythology by introducing the idea of ​​Ragnarok, which is the end of time history for the religion. Bringing in the goddess of death, Hela, and the ancient fantastic to bring Ragnarok, Surtur, allowed the movie to bring the classic Viking tale to the MCU in a very entertaining spectacle. Adding in Hulk and parts of his Planet Hulk Storyline only made things better for the third film in the Thor Series.

23

The Last Duel (2021)

Ridley Scott’s Medieval Historical Tale

Ridley Scott entered the realm of Viking movies and medieval dramas with the 2021 movie, The Last Duel. This movie is more than just a Viking movie, like It follows two men who set themselves up for a judicial duel After a knight named Jean (Matt Damon) challenges his former friend, Squire Jack (Adam Driver), after Jean’s wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer) says he raped her. The film is based on the 2004 book The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jaeger.

The movie was a box office failure, but it was released during the pandemic, which affected it greatly. On the other hand, critics praised the film, awarding it an 85% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Jodie Comer won the Critics’ Choice Super Award for Best Actress in an Action Movie. asher luberta of The rap wrote, “Scott spins a medieval yarn that is by turns cruel, grotesque, gorgeous and inconsistent..”

22

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

The sequel to the DreamWorks Viking hit

How to train your dragon Proved that DreamWorks could make an original animated movie without worrying about pop culture references and slapstick gags. While the first movie was mostly about Hiccup finding out who he was supposed to be and developing his relationship with his dragon, Toothless, the second movie focused much more on the lives of the fictional “Vikings”. The story picks up five years after the first film and has Hiccup helping to run his village In training and living with the dragons.

Because How to train your dragon 2 Takes a much closer look at Viking culture, and the action includes invading Vikings coming to the island on ships, this sequel actually has a lot more to do with the Viking genre than even the first movie. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Film and six Annie Awards. The film also proved that the story could be a successful franchise, resulting in another movie and several streaming shows continuing Hiccup’s adventures.

21

Útlaginn (1981)

An Icelandic Viking film based on the Gisla saga

Layouts (aka Wrong: The Saga of Gisli) is A 1981 Icelandic film based on the Gisla saga. The story involves a blood pact between Gísli, Thorgrim, Thorkel and Vestein to protect one another. When one of them is killed, and Gísli finds the dead body, he must seek revenge only to learn that the killer may be one of the other members of the Blood Pact. When he avenges the murder, he then becomes a target of one of the others, and the alliance leads to the death of the whole family.

The Gisla Saga is one of the Sagas of Icelanders, which is a list of writings based on historical events of the ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries. This specific saga took place between 860 and 980. The main theme is the separation of brothers and families in Iceland in that era and how loyalty to family eclipses even the emotional ties with family members. The Viking movie was submitted for Oscar consideration but was not chosen as a nominee at the 54th Academy Awards.

20

The Viking (1928)

Silent Era Viking Movie

Tales of Viking warriors and their exploits go back centuries, so it’s no surprise that it’s a very early Viking movie from Hollywood’s silent era. This is The Viking and is a fictional story around the real-life character of Leif Erikson. The first European to come to North America, the movie details his journey to the country along with a love triangle between Leif, Alwin of Northumbria, and Leif’s protégé Helga.

It is the first movie to contain a soundtrack with sound effects for the movie, although there is still no dialogue.

Although the story and the action are not impressive, The Viking is a surprisingly ground-breaking movie in a number of ways. It is the first movie to contain a soundtrack with sound effects for the movie, although there is still no dialogue. It is also one of the earliest colored movies which makes it an important piece of cinema history on top of a great Viking movie.

19

The White Viking (1991)

The finale of Hrafn Gunnlaughsson’s epic Viking trilogy

Over the course of nearly a decade, Director Hrafn Gunnlaughsson made a series of Viking movies, And the last of his Viking Trilogy Arrived in 1991 with The White Viking. The story is loosely based on real-life Viking history. The movie takes place during the reign of Olaf I of Norway. King Olaf defeats Earl Godbrandur and captures his daughter Embla, whom he holds captive. The only way her husband, Askur, can save her is by driving to his home and getting her people.

This movie has a complicated release history that can make it difficult to decide which version of the movie to watch. The movie Received a re-release in 2007 with a director’s cut that focuses more on Embla. However, a five-hour cut was also released as a miniseries. Although not a well-known trilogy, Gunnlaughsso’s Viking movies have a strong following The White Viking Seen as a worthy entry.

18

Valhalla (1986)

Dutch animated Viking movie

Released in 1986, Valhalla is an animated Dutch movie based on the Danish comic book series of the same name. The original comics were based on Norse mythology and the movie re-tells three of the volumes of the comic book series. The movie sees Thor and Loki constantly at odds, with Loki continuously using his trickster skills to get people (mostly kids but also a goblin) to ruin Thor’s life, all while claiming to not know what’s going on.

It’s fun to see the Viking genre get an animated adventure and it shows that the medium actually suits these kinds of stories. Valhalla Received a live-action adaptation in 2019 that was more serious, also made in Denmark.

17

As the Raven Flies (1984)

The first movie in the classic Viking trilogy

Released in 1984, When the raven flies is an Icelandic Viking movie that is often compared to Akira Kurosawa movies like Yojimbo, How it features a man whose parents died in a Viking raid when he was a child and returns for revenge 20 years later. He then pits two rival Viking gangs against each other, in the same basic plot of the Kurosawa classic.

This was the first movie in Hrafn Gunnlaughsson’s Viking TrilogyAnd Iceland nominated it for the Oscars, although it was not chosen in that category. When the raven flies Was nominated for the 1986 International Fantasy Film Award for Best Film. The Kurosawa story elements remain timeless while it’s a thrill to see them implanted in the Viking world. The movie has also been cited as an inspiration for the graphic novel De Balling By Dutch comic book writer Erik Kriek.

16

Gabbard and Signe (1967)

A Viking movie in the style of Yojimbo

Gabbard and Signe is also known as The red coat And is a romantic Viking adventure movie. The plot of the movie centers on an alliance between two formerly warring clans that is ruined thanks to jealousy. Oleg Widov and Gite Henning portray Gabbard and Signe in an almost Romeo & Juliet Story about two lovers who attempt to continue their relationship even as their clans’ war tears them apart.

The movie isn’t as fast-paced, and it’s more about a tragic romance, but it’s still violent and the doom that rests in the story makes this a truly tragic Viking movie. Gabbard and Signe Won the technical prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s a reminder that while Viking movies may have a reputation for brutal action movies about ruthless warriors, they can also be sweeping romances.

15

Eric the Conqueror (1961)

The classic Italian-French remake of an American Viking movie

Eric the Conqueror is an Italian-French epic Viking story Which is loosely based on one of the best Viking movies, the 1958 American release, The Vikings. The saga follows two brothers who were separated at birth, one raised in England, and the other in Scandinavia. The two brothers reunite when they are forced to fight against each other in a war between the English and the Vikings.

Director Mario Bava is seen as one of the greatest contributors to the Italian horror film movement.

While not as beloved as the source material it’s based on, it’s still a decent Viking movie for fans to check out. Director Mario Bava is seen as one of the greatest contributors to the Italian horror movie movement with a number of iconic projects to his name. While this is a bit of a departure from his most famous movies, it is his confident and assured direction that elevates this movie to a great genre piece of entertainment.

14

Knives of the Avenger (1966)

The best Viking movie from Italian genre legend Mario Bava

This is another Viking movie from Mario Bava albeit one that had more thrust on him as the production fell into chaos. The movie feels like a Viking version of the Great Western movie as it follows a mysterious Viking warrior who takes up the cause of a young peasant woman and her child, defending them from a vicious villain trying to take her as his queen. .

Knives of the Avenger Comes across as a bit silly today, but it hides more merit than the face value discloses. Made on a low budget, Knives of the Avenger was a victim of a rushed re-shoot schedule. Still, the capstone of Bava’s best Viking movies, it’s an effort that dedicated film buffs shouldn’t ignore, and it provides enough charm and interest to be worthwhile to those who love the typical Viking tale as well.

13

Eric the Viking (1989)

A Viking movie by Terry Jones from Monty Python

This comic action-adventure Viking movie by Monty Python’s Terry Jones Looks at Norse mythology through a humorous lens. It follows the Viking Erik who does not want to bind villages anymore, so he decides to travel to Asgard to try to save the home of the Norse gods from a mythical wolf. The story then involves Erik and his allies on their misadventures trying to reach Asgard in a British comedy that is hilarious and brings much of the humor of Monty Python to the Viking genre.

The movie is based on a children’s book authored by Jones, but it has a different storyline. Those looking for the same level of comedic brilliance as Mony Python and the Holy Grail will certainly be disappointed with this lesser effort. However, that’s not to say that there isn’t a lot of fun to be had in the story of ​​a Viking looking for a more peaceful life with Tim Robbins giving a solid comic performance in the lead role.

12

Prince Valiant (1954)

A classic mix of Scandinavian folklore with Arthurian legend

Based on an American comic strip that began in the mid-30s, Prince Valiant Tells the story of its titular character, a refugee taken by King Arthur after his native Scandia is invaded by a rival clan. He receives training under Sir Gawain, a member of the Knights of the Round Table, but the plot thickens when Prince Valiant is drawn into the center of political disputes in Camelot.

An interesting mix of Scandinavian legend and folklore, Price Valiant May make for a bit of a slow watch today due to its age, but stands out as an epic from the earliest decades of color cinema. The movie features a star-studded cast from this era of Hollywood with the likes of James Mason, Robert Wagner, Sterling Hayden and Psycho icon Janet Leigh.

11

The Last King (2016)

A Viking movie set in the Civil War era in Norway

The last king Follows two Vikings (Jacob Oftebro and Christopher Hivju) who are tasked with protecting a child, the last heir to the throne, in Norway. A civil war is raging in the 13th-century setting, creating a tense and snowy adventure for the trio. It’s based on real events in Norwegian Viking history, even if it’s not the most historically accurate re-telling, making it essential viewing for any fan of the genre.

This lesser known Viking movie has a high 89% fresh rating on it Rotten tomatoesMaking it a must-watch for fans of the genre. It’s an interesting take on the genre with it feeling like a snowbound version of a Mad Max Movie at times. The modest production still pulls off impressive action sequences with the movie being an extended chase scene to some extent. Scenes of Vikings pursuing each other on skis down a mountain show the kind of fun the movie offers.

10

Pathfinder (2007)

A Viking teams with Native Americans to fight invaders

Pathfinder is another Anderson action movie entry in the Viking movie genre with a fun historical twist. The film begins with a clash between Viking and Native American tribes, which in the end leaves only one member of the Vikings standing. Then he is taken in by the Native American tribe and raised among their people. Years later, he was accepted into their society, but he must now face off against another group of encroaching Viking belligerents.

Karl Urban makes a stoic and intimidating lead as the warrior who finds himself caught between two societies.

Released in 2007, Pathfinder was relatively overshadowed by its opening-week competition in the form of Zack Snyder’s epic Ancient Greece movie 300. yet, This 00s Vikings movie is worth watching, especially for those interested in the Vikings settlement of North America. Karl Urban makes a stoic and intimidating lead as the warrior who finds himself caught between two societies.

9

Outlander (2008)

A surprisingly accurate sci-fi alien movie set in the Viking era

Although it may seem like a rather constricting movie genre, Viking Stories can take all kinds of approaches while remaining true to the genre. Abroad Explore what would happen if Cainan, a man from another world, crash-landed in Norway during the reign of the Iron Age Vikings. However, Cainan is not alone; He brought a predator called the Moorven. Sworn as a soldier to kill his enemy, Kainan combines his advanced tech with the Viking weapon to defeat it.

The idea around Abroad is reminiscent of the Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig-led cowboys and aliens, And when it works, it works well. It offers a more authentic look at Vikings than its premise might suggest, And the battles involving Cainan, his Viking allies, and the Moorven are impressively done for a low-budget movie like this.

8

The Long Ships (1964)

Based on the Swedish novel of the same name

loosely Based on the Swedish novel The long ships By Frans G. BengtssonThis is an epic Viking film made in the mid-60s which focuses on a highly-priced bell made of gold called the “Mother of Voices” and the two powerful men who seek to obtain it. The mythical treasure larger than a truck caught the attention of the Moorish ruler Al Mansuh and Viking leader Rolf.

Rolfe sails with his men from Scandinavia to search for the bell in Africa, reluctantly taking El Mansuh and his cohort along for the ride. They focus all their energies on an object that may be pure imagination, testing the depths of their spiritual determination and physical strength. With elaborate costumes and grand sets, it is one of the best classic Viking movies, even though it only half focuses on Viking culture.

7

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

The movie that started the animated Viking franchise

This animated feature from DreamWorks Studios Perfectly captures the spirit of the Viking age, while adding a fantasy twist. It centers around a young Viking boy named Hiccup who manages to train a night fury dragon, one of the most dangerous of the species, to be his constant friend and fellow fighter against attacks on his village. The flashy film about a boy and his dragon spawned two sequels, each gaining momentum and popularity.

The series results in a glorious dragon utopia for the Viking people with Hiccup, his partner Astrid and his night fury Toothless. The legacy of this movie lives on as it is a live action How to train your dragon The movie is currently in development, but it remains to be seen if it will be able to capture the same magic and fun of the original animated movie.

6

The 13th Warrior (1999)

Antonio Banderas directs this Viking movie about clashing ancient cultures

With iconic action movie director John McTieran (Die hard, Predator) making a Viking movie based on a novel by Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park) is an exciting point of entry. A Viking movie that focuses on the blending of culture, The 13th warrior Chronicles a Muslim ambassador in exile who becomes part of a Viking caravan. Ahmad Ibn Fadlan was originally confused, confused and offended by the behavior of the unruly Norseman.

As they encounter more adversity during their travels, he comes to admire their strength. As the Vikings and Fadlan receive word of an ancient evil threatening both of their ways of life, they learn to fight together. With an all-star cast led by Antonio Banderas, the acting in this 1990 movie is particularly noteworthy.And the story is uplifting and exciting. Although it was a box office bomb and dismissed by critics, the film has enjoyed a resurgence over the years, viewing it as an underrated gem.