Top 5 Must-Watch Viking Movies

Over the years, countless movies have been made to capture the stories and legacy of the Vikings. Some stick close to historical accounts, while others lean into fantasy, drawing inspiration from myths, legends, and folklore. 

However, whether rooted in real events or just myths spiced up with a little bit of history and modern incorporations, these movies always deliver a captivating mix of action, adventure, and drama that keeps us hooked. They transport us straight into the Norse world, showcasing the epic and legendary lives of the Vikings. They also deeply explore the Viking culture, which thrives on risk, chance, warfare, and gods, from their daring voyages to their games of luck and gambling rituals. Speaking of gambling, you can visit this website to play your favorite casino games in your free time.

That said, this article covers some of the top must-watch Viking movies ever made. We’ll dive into their storyline, casts, popularity, and overall success. 

The Vikings (1958)

Released in 1958, “The Vikings” was one of the first Viking movies to achieve international prominence and acclaim at the level it did. Shortly after its release, it became the third most popular film at the British box office. Also, it saw major success in the United States, earning $6.2 million out of a gross of $15 million. Its reach even extended overseas, where it brought in an impressive $7 million.

The movie is an American epic historical fiction film based on Edison Marshall’s 1951 novel “The Viking.” It follows the story of Eric (Tony Curtis), the secret son of King Ragnar Lodbrok (Ernest Borgnine), who was raised as a slave and unaware of his royal lineage. However, Eric’s true identity eventually comes to light, and that leads to fierce conflict with his half-brother, Einar (Kirk Douglas). What then unfolds is a gripping story of betrayal, love, and the relentless pursuit of power.

Till today, “The Vikings” is still considered one of the greatest Viking movies to be made. While some critics have argued that it leaned more towards the Western style than a true Norse epic, there’s no denying that the movie’s commercial triumph cemented its legacy as a standout in historical cinema. Its success even led to the creation of the television series “Tales of the Vikings.”

Thor (2011)

With the release of Thor in 2011, Marvel Studios took on the challenge of blending Norse mythology with superhero action, and it’s safe to say their gamble paid off. The film was an instant hit, pulling in $25.5 million on its opening day in the United States and Canada and eventually raking in over $181 million domestically. Its global success was even more impressive, with a total box office haul of $449 million.

The movie tells the story of Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the mighty God of Thunder, who is banished from Asgard to Earth as punishment for his reckless behavior that reignites an ancient conflict. Stripped of his powers, Thor must come to terms with his newfound status and learn what it truly means to be a hero as he goes through life among humans.

Thor is a movie that balances epic fantasy, humor, and action in a fresh and exciting way. This gave audiences a unique superhero experience that firmly established Thor as a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and set the stage for sequels like Thor: The Dark World and the fan-favorite Thor: Ragnarok.

The Northman (2022)

Released in 2022, “The Northman” is the most recent Vikings movie on this list. It’s an epic historical action film inspired by the “Legend of Amleth,” written by Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus. It was also the basis for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 

The Northman tells the story of Prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), who, after witnessing his uncle Fjölnir’s (Claes Bang) betrayal and the murder of his father, King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke), narrowly escapes and swears vengeance. Years later, as a hardened Viking warrior, he encounters a Seeress (Björk) who reminds him of his destiny, prompting him to disguise himself as a slave and infiltrate Fjölnir’s farm in Iceland. What follows is a story of revenge, loyalty, destiny, and a fierce battle that tests the boundaries and essence of justice and fate.

The movie enjoyed a relatively warm reception when it was released. Specifically, it earned $34.2 million in the US and Canada, with an additional $35.4 million from international markets, bringing its worldwide total to $69.6 million gross.

Beowulf (2007)

Beowulf is an animated action film based on the popular and old English epic poem, “Beowulf.” The movie brings to life the legendary hero of the poem, Beowulf (Ray Winstone) and his exploits as he battles formidable foes. 

It kicks off with Beowulf’s arrival in Denmark, where King Hrothgar’s (Anthony Hopkins) kingdom is terrorized by the monstrous Grendel (Crispin Glover). Beowulf manages to defeat Grendel, but this victory comes with a twist: Grendel’s mother (Angelina Jolie) seeks vengeance. This encounter leads to a fateful bargain that impacts Beowulf’s legacy as a king and warrior.

One of the most impressive things about this movie was its mixture of traditional storytelling and modern technological twist that enhances its visual and dramatic appeal. The movie especially received widespread praise for its visual effects and action sequences. It was also pretty decent at the box office, grossing around $196 million worldwide. 

Valhalla Rising (2009)

“Valhalla Rising” is a 2009 adventure film set in the twelfth century. The movie plays out a tale of violence, survival, and mysticism. It follows the story of One-Eye (Mads Mikkelsen), a mysterious mute Norse warrior who gains his freedom by killing his captors in Norway and then embarks on a harrowing journey with a young boy (Maarten Stevenson) and a band of Christian Crusaders. Their goal is to reach the Holy Land, but instead, an endless fog at sea leads them astray. 

One of the outstanding aspects of the movie was Mikkelsen’s intense performance and the film’s daring, atmospheric storytelling. It specifically received quite a number of positive reviews and acclaim because of this. However, despite the positive reviews, the film struggled at the box office, bringing in just $731,613 against a budget of $5.7 million. Nonetheless, its stark portrayal of Norse exploration, haunting narrative, and bold approach have kept it memorable in the history of Viking cinema.

Conclusion 

Whether you’re looking for serious, historical epics or films with a fantasy twist, these Viking movies bring the myths, legends, and raw power of Norse culture to life. There are quite a number of other exciting titles not covered on this list. The Last King, Outlander, The Last Duel, and Thor: Ragnarok are a few that you could also check out.