12 Best Viking Movies That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Best Viking Movies

These are the best Viking movies ever made, ranging from cartoons with dragon-riding Vikings to more realistic depictions of the Vikings.

If you look at the history of cinema, you’ll see that there have been eras where a certain form of entertainment has surged and then faded away. During the 1930s and 1940s, gangster movies gave way to Westerns, which dominated the cinema for over three decades before they lowered their cowboy hats to spy thrillers and action flicks of the 1970s and 1980s.

Those Norse warriors who worshiped many gods and traveled the seas plundering and conquering have gotten far less recognition than the Vikings in the world of literature. In recent years, historical dramas likeVikingon the History Channel and The Last Kingdomon Netflix have sparked renewed interest in the Vikings. Isn’t there a plethora of great Viking films available? A new one is launched every few years, with varied degrees of authenticity and aesthetics, but there will always be several that best capture the genre.

Kristen Palamara’s latest update was on June 28th, 2021. Every year, new films in the Viking subgenre are released, such as Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon series. The Vikings, a 1958 epic film, is a classic example of the genre, although there are also comic films like Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, in which Vikings are sent on a mission to Asgard. In other words, there are many different types of Viking movies to choose from. There is something for everyone to enjoy, whether they are young or old, and many vintage films are now available to stream online.

12. Erik The Conqueror (1961)

Erik The Conqueror (1961)

The Italian-French epic Viking narrative Erik the Conqueror is loosely inspired on the American 1958 film The Vikings. The story revolved around a pair of brothers who were born in different countries, one in England and the other in Norway.

When the English and the Vikings go to battle, the two brothers are compelled to fight against each other. To be fair, this is still a good Viking movie, even if it’s not as endearing as the source material.

11. Erik The Viking (1989)

In this Monty Python-inspired action-adventure, Terry Jones takes a satirical look at Norse mythology. Erik (Tim Robbins) is a Viking who no longer wants to loot communities, so he sets out to preserve Asgard, the Norse gods’ abode, from a fabled wolf.

For those who are fans of Monty Python or the Viking genre, the tale centres around Erik and his friends as they attempt to reach Asgard in a British comedy film.

10. The Last King (2016)

The Last King (2016)

They are two of the few remaining heirs to the throne of Norway, and they have been tasked with protecting the only kid. In the 13th century, a civil war is raging, making the trio’s journey a tense one across the snow.

As long as you’re a lover of the viking genre, you should definitely check out this movie, which is based on genuine events in Norwegian history.

9. Outlander (2008)

It’s a story about what would happen if Kainan, a man from another world, crashed landed in Norway in Iron Age times. When it comes to the Moorwen, Kainan isn’t alone. When Kainan is sworn to kill his opponent, he joins forces with Viking weaponry to do so.

Outlander’s concept is a lot like Cowboys & Aliens, which isn’t as horrible as people say. When it works, it works beautifully. In spite of the film’s premise, it provides a more accurate depiction of the Vikings and their conflicts with Kainan, his friends, and the Moorwen. Furthermore, both Kainan and the Moorwen have perpetrated crimes against one another, leaving this to be a conflicted family feud.

8. The Long Ships (1964)

The Long Ships (1964)

The Long Ships, a mid-’60s Viking epic film, centers on the “Mother of Voices,” a highly valued gold bell, and the two great men who attempt to capture it. Moorish lord El Mansuh (Sidney Poitier) and Viking chieftain Rolfe (Richard Jenkins) are both interested in the fabled wealth, which is as large as a truck (Richard Widmark).

In Africa, Rolfe and his men set sail from Scandinavia, unwillingly bringing along El Mansuh and his cronies. They put all of their efforts into a fictional item, which may or may not be real, to see how far they can go with their spiritual and physical fortitude. It’s a visually stunning picture, even if its focus on Viking culture is somewhat skewed.

7. How To Train Your Dragon (2010)

DreamWorks Animation’s film, “The Vikings,” effectively conveys both the danger and the magic of the Viking Age. One of the most fearsome dragons, the Night Fury, is trained to be Hiccup’s constant friend and ally in defense of his village.

Two sequels to the inspirational tale of a young boy and his dragon have been released, with each one rising in popularity and garnering more traction in the box office. As Hiccup, Astrid, and their Night Fury Toothless guard it against all manner of terrible enemies that would wish to destroy it, the story ends with a wonderful dragon utopia for the Viking people.

6. How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

The saga of Viking Hiccup and his pet dragon Toothless continues in How to Train Your Dragon 2. Because of their newfound harmony, they are now able to work together to explore and map previously unexplored territory. They soon discover a fascinating cavern filled with wild dragons, where Hiccup is surprised to discover his long-lost mother, who is also living among the dragons.

It’s easy to see why fans of the Viking genre will enjoy this sequel, which incorporates Norse mythology and geography in a way that’s both entertaining and educational.

5. The 13th Warrior (1999)

Similarly, The 13th Warrior tells the story of a Muslim diplomat in exile who unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of a Viking caravan. After initially being surprised, bewildered, and outraged by the rebellious Norsemen’s actions, Ahmad ibn Fadlan grows to respect and love their tenacity as their journey continues.

Vikings and Fadlan unite against an old evil that poses a threat to both cultures, and Fadlan realizes that a warrior is dormant inside him as well as the Vikings. Featuring an all-star cast lead by Antonio Banderas, the performance is excellent and the tale is both uplifting and exciting.

4. Beowulf (2007)

Beowulf (2007)

Beowulf was not well-received when it was first released, mostly because of the filmmaking approach (CGI rendered over live actors for a strange not-quite-animated look). Despite this, it was a grandiose retelling of the ancient myth, with a stellar cast to match.

Hrothgar summons Beowulf, a strong warrior, to protect his people from a demon known as Grendel. The killing of Grendel brings the wrath of Grendel’s mother, a wicked creature that seduces and challenges even the bravest of heroes. If you enjoy Greek and Viking mythology, you’ll enjoy this flick.

3. Thor (2011)

When Thor, the Mighty God of Thunder, inherits the throne from his father Odin, he is banished to Tartarus. Frost Giants, who themselves broke an old treaty by entering Asgard on the day of his coronation, banished him from the realm of his ancestors.

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A group of scientists (one of whom Thor becomes romantically linked to) discovers him on Earth and introduce him to Earth’s alien cultures. Odin’s nemesis Loki, the God of Mischief, schemes to overthrow him in the absence of Thor and Mjolnir.

2. Valhalla Rising (2009)

Valhalla Rising (2009)

A slave named “One Eye” due to the horrific wound across his face, the charismatic, highly tattooed Mads Mikkelsen smolders in this Viking epic set in 11th-century Scandinavia. Eirik and other religious fanatics join him in a rebellion against the men who imprisoned him, and he joins forces with them to promote the Lord’s word.

Things don’t get any easier for One Eye once he’s free of his captors. They face famine, infighting, and attacks off the coast as they make their way to the Holy Land and Jerusalem. One Eye is in for a bloodbath in this melancholy and stunningly shot epic. That said, it’s a gradual burn with a lot to chew on.

1. The Vikings (1958)

The Vikings are the focus of this picture, as implied by the title. As a result of Einar’s kidnapping of the princess Morgana (formerly engaged to King Aella), the two men are now embroiled in an ever-expanding war of words. Three spiteful men have their sights set on Morgana, and they are determined to make her their wife.

All of the actors, including Janet Leigh (Morgana) and Ernest Borgnine (King Ragnar), are seasoned sword and sandal actors. The acting is a little stiff, but it’s strong enough to stand up to today’s CGI-filled portrayals of Viking civilization and wars.