In 2013, the History Channel debuted Vikings, a massive scripted drama series that was based around high adventure and the history of Vikings. It’s centered around Ragnar Lothbrok, a figure of Norse legend who has ties to Scandinavia and western Europe.
It’s an extremely niche series, but when those drawn to the subject matter find it, they’re positively enamored with it. As such, there are plenty of other media they’d love to see. Many television shows will scratch the Vikings itch, but there are also ten solid movies Vikings fans would love. Some are just more fantastical than others.
Pathfinder (2007)
Pathfinder, the 2007 film starring Karl Urban, received less than favorable reviews. But the fans of Vikings would surely find plenty of merit in its commitment to the genre and the style of viking culture.
It’s centered around one character’s coming of age in the tribe of vikings that invaded the Americas back in the olden days. It’s extremely action heavy, but pays homage to many viking tropes.
Beowulf (2007)
Another film from 2007 would be appealing to Vikings fans. Beowulf, based on the epic poem, tracks the 507 journey of Beowulf to Denmark. It has plenty of Old World Scandinavian adventures.
It is more rooted in fantasy than in terms of actual history, but Beowulf also has a stronger pedigree behind it, including Robert Zemeckis, Neil Gaiman, and John Malkovich. It’s more culture-blending than Vikings, but the aesthetics are still supremely appealing.
The Sword In The Stone (1963)
Over the years, there have been plenty of King Arthur/Merlin/Excalibur stories adapted for the big screen. None are as perfectly told as Disney’s adaptation from 1963, The Sword in the Stone.
It doesn’t deal with Norwegian culture or vikings at all, but it does emphasize medieval folktales and fantasy. Considering the legends behind Vikings, one of the classic legends of Europe would surely appeal to fans.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
If it’s Norse legend and mythology that fans of Vikings are after, then the entire Thor trilogy should obviously be sought out by them. Namely, Thor: Ragnarok is the way to go, partly because it’s deemed the best of the three.
However, the MCU film is also not afraid to explore Norse mythology. Characters like Surtur and Hela are present. And besides, Thor is practically a viking character himself; his look in Endgame emphasized this.
Outlaw King (2018)
Outlaw King is mostly concerned with the history of Scottish royalty, but it still shares a great deal in common with the costume and production design of Vikings. Chainmail outfits and innovatively-designed ships are present in Outlaw King.
It also deals with a historical period that precedes the Renaissance. Stories from this era will always resonate with Vikings fans because they are concerned with the heroes and cultures largely lost to time.
Henry V (1989)
Kenneth Branagh is a filmmaker many fans of Vikings should look towards. After all, he is incredibly reverent to the great traditions of old European storytelling and cultures.
While Shakespeare rarely dabbled in Scandinavia, he did produce a great many historical plays that grappled with figures who’d be considered at least partially contemporary to the vikings. That’s the appeal of Henry V to those who watch Vikings. On top of the historical elements, it has also some exquisitely shot battle sequences.
Troy (2004)
Speaking of excellent battle sequences, Troy is another well-done action film that is rooted around historical figures and mythological legends.
Granted, not every Vikings fan will be keen to explore mythology outside of the Norse realm. But there’s actually a lot in common across Norse, Greek, and Roman folklore. Troy is one of the preeminent examples of these genres. Plus, it has a scorching hot performance from Brad Pitt.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
Fans of Vikings are largely drawn to the historical and action sequences. But there is always room for some fantasy elements to find their way into the DNA of some mythological films.
Enter How to Train Your Dragon, another animated film! Granted, there are many Scottish elements in this film (and trilogy), but they’re blended with vikings, as well. Hiccup is a viking, after all. Dragons may not have existed, but they help elevate the film to something special.
The King (2019)
The King is one of the most recent films on this list, coming courtesy of David Michod and Timothee Chalamet. It debuted on Netflix last October and received mixed reviews from critics.
However, there’s no denying that fans of Vikings would give the film extremely positive reviews. It once again deals with the character of Henry V, but from a slightly different perspective. The production went all in on the devotion to a much older setting and it feels as immersive as any episode of Vikings.
The Vikings (1958)
What has a stronger connection to Vikings than The Vikings itself? The 1958 epic film is one of the medium’s defining adaptations of viking culture.
Starring Kirk Douglas, it also grapples with the story of Ragnar. It’s basically Vikings before massive CGI budgets existed on television. The story is as arresting as Epcot’s old Maelstrom ride and as gripping as any episode of Vikings. For any fan of the series, it’s a must-see.
