The 10 Best Viking Movies Of All Time, Ranked
There are stretches of time where there is an explosion of a certain form of entertainment, and then it ebbs away again, much as in every other genre of filmmaking. Oversaturation of a genre can often result in its abrupt disappearance. The gangster films of the 1930s and 1940s gave way to Westerns in the 1950s, which controlled the box office for nearly three decades before giving way to espionage thrillers and action films of the 1970s and 1980s.
The tale of Vikings, those Norse warriors who worshipped numerous gods and sailed the seas pillaging and conquering, is one genre that hasn't gotten nearly as much attention. Due to well-executed historical dramas like Vikings on the History Channel and The Last Kingdom on Netflix, we've seen a healthy interest in Vikings recently. But what about all of the fantastic Viking movies? Every few years, one will be published, with varying degrees of authenticity and aesthetic, but those that best capture the genre will always stand out. Here is a list of the top ten Viking movies of all time, ranked.
VIKING
Viking is a mid-budget grunge spectacle directed by Russian filmmaker Andrei Kravchuk, with almost no US distribution and weak subtitles. Despite its flaws (historically inaccurate costumes, some bad CGI), it succeeds in accurately portraying some aspects of Viking culture at the time.
Its main character is Vladimir of Novgorod, a 10th-century Viking prince who is exiled by his half-brother Yaropolk, who has already assassinated one of their other brothers and intends to inherit the throne when their father dies. Vladimir is persuaded by Sveneld, an ancient Viking warrior, to assemble an armada and return to conquest.
OUTLANDER
Outlander imagines what would happen if Kainan, a man from another planet, arrived in Norway during the Iron Age Vikings' rule. However, Kainan isn't alone; he's brought along a predator known as the Moorwen. Kainan, sworn as a soldier to kill his foe, combines his advanced technology with Viking weapons to fight it.
Outlander's premise is similar to Cowboys vs. Aliens, and when it works, it works well. It gives a more realistic depiction of Vikings than its premise implies, and the fights between Kainan, his Viking allies, and the Moorwen are well-done. It's also worth remembering that both Kainan and the Moorwen have committed crimes against one another, creating an ambiguous rivalry.
THE LONG SHIPS
The Long Ships is a mid-‘60s Viking epic film about a highly coveted gold bell known as the "Mother of Voices" and the two strong men who strive to acquire it. Moorish ruler El Mansuh (Sidney Poitier) and Viking chief Rolfe have both been drawn to the legendary treasure, which is larger than a tank (Richard Widmark).
Rolfe sets out from Scandinavia with his men in search of the bell in Africa, reluctantly bringing El Mansuh and his companions along. They concentrate all of their energy on an entity that may or may not be pure imagination, putting their moral fortitude and physical strength to the test. It's a stunning film with intricate costumes and huge sets, even though it only focuses on Viking culture half of the time.
PATHFINDER
Despite the fact that Pathfinder was initially mocked when it was published, it now has a cult following. After surviving a shipwreck, a Viking boy named Ghost is adopted by the Wampanoag tribe and grows up to be an Indian brave rather than a Norse warrior. As a young man, he eventually comes up against his own Norsemen, who ravage his people and their land.
Despite a prophecy that he will be a harbinger of nothing but death, he falls in love with a young woman of the Wampanoag tribe, defends her against his native countrymen, and thus becomes a savior to his citizens.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
DreamWorks Studios' animated film perfectly captures both the true adventure and the magic of the Viking Age. It revolves around Hiccup, a young Viking boy who successfully trains a Night Fury dragon, one of the most dangerous of all dragons, to be his constant companion and warrior against attacks on his village.
The brave film about a boy and his dragon spawned two sequels, both of which grew in popularity and momentum. As Hiccup, his partner Astrid, and his Night Fury Toothless shield it from all sorts of dark threats that would threaten to ruin it, the series results in a glorious dragon utopia for the Viking people.
THE 13TH WARRIOR
The 13th Warrior is another film that explores the blending of cultural attitudes and norms. It follows a Muslim diplomat in exile who unexpectedly joins a Viking caravan. The unruly Norsemen's actions initially confuses, befuddles, and offends Ahmad ibn Fadlan, but as they face more adversity on their journey, he comes to respect their courage.
As the Vikings and Fadlan learn to battle together in the face of an ancient evil that threatens both of their forms of life, Fadlan learns that he, too, has a warrior inside him. The acting is top-notch, and the plot is both uplifting and thrilling, thanks to an all-star cast led by Antonio Banderas.
BEOWULF
Beowulf was not well received upon its initial release, with audiences having problems with the filmmaking style (CGI rendered over live actors for a strange not-quite-animated look). Despite this, it was an ambitious and epic retelling of the ancient legend, with an all-star cast.
Beowulf, a brave warrior, is called before King Hrothgar to defend the people of his kingdom from Grendel, a deadly demon. Grendel is no match for Beowulf, but his death provokes the wrath of Grendel's mother, a fearsome creature who seduces and threatens even the bravest of heroes. You'll enjoy this film if you enjoy a little Greek mythology mixed in with your Viking legends.
THOR
On the day he is to inherit the throne from his father Odin, Thor, the Mighty God of Thunder, is exiled from Asgard. He is banished from his people's lands because he dared to challenge the Frost Giants, who had defied an ancient pact by joining Asgard on the day of his coronation.
Thor is exiled to Earth, where he is discovered by a group of scientists (one of whom he falls in love with) who teach him about Earth's strange customs. Meanwhile, in the absence of Thor and his mighty hammer Mjolnir, his brother Loki, God of Mischief, plots to conquer Odin.
VALHALLA RISING
In this Viking epic set in 11th century Scandinavia, the magnetic, heavily tattooed Mads Mikkelsen smolders as a slave nicknamed "One Eye" due to a deep wound across his chest. He leads a rebellion against the men who imprisoned him, uniting with Eirik and a group of religious zealots who preach the Lord's word.
One Eye's condition does not change until he is free of his captors. As he and his crew make their way to the Holy Land and Jerusalem, they face hunger, infighting, and attacks off the coast. In this amazingly moody and visually breathtaking epic, One Eye can only face greater aggression and devastation. It's a slow burn, but it's an intriguing one with a lot of knowledge to digest.
THE VIKINGS
This film is about Vikings, as the title indicates. It stars Kirk Douglas as the Viking prince Einar and Tony Curtis as Eric the Slave, two men who are entangled in a feud that escalates when Einar kidnaps Princess Morgana (previously engaged to King Aella), who is only in love with Eric. Morgana becomes the target of three vengeful men who are all determined to claim her as their bride.
Every member of the cast, including Janet Leigh as Morgana and Ernest Borgnine as Einar's father, King Ragnar, is a veteran of the sword and sandal epic. The acting is stiff but strong, and it holds its own against today's CGI-filled versions of Viking culture and battles in terms of sheer scope and size.
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