The mysticism surrounding the Viking lifestyle is just as alive now as it was nearly a thousand years ago. Nordic legends of bravery and epic tales of love, duty, and betrayal are at the centre of the best Viking movies – and the best part is that there’s a wide selection to choose from. In this list, we’ll take a look at ten of the best Viking movies ever made. Every entry includes its Rotten Tomatoes score and where to stream it in the US.
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10. How to Train Your Dragon (2010): The Animated Viking Classic
Let’s start things off with a true modern animated classic. 2010’s How to Train Your Dragon (99% on Rotten Tomatoes) came out of nowhere and took audiences by storm with its charming tale of friendship and amazing Nordic setting.
While not a movie about pillaging and raiding, How to Train Your Dragon uses a ton of Viking aesthetics in its designs and world-building. Both of its sequels are also equally great, with How to Train Your Dragon 2 probably taking the cake as the best out of the three. The only reason why we picked the first one to represent the whole franchise is because this was the one that started the whole franchise in the first place. A live-action remake arrived in June 2025, and a live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 is set for June 11, 2027.
Where to watch: The animated original streams on Peacock and is free with ads on The Roku Channel in the US.
9. Thor: Ragnarok (2017): Marvel’s Norse Mythology Blockbuster
For how simple the character seems to be at first glance, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had a hard time defining what the Thor movies should be like. They began as just any other Marvel movie, with a protagonist that seemed like it was “Iron Man if he was from Asgard.”
On the other hand, Thor: Ragnarok, the third film in the series (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), finally manages to give Thor the proper tone for its franchise. Much more comical than the rest of the movies in the trilogy, Ragnarok serves as the preamble to Avengers: Infinity War, making it one of the most pivotal films in the history of the MCU. Chris Hemsworth’s Thor returns in Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives on December 18, 2026.
However, the less we talk about Thor: Love and Thunder, the better.
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+ in the US.
8. The Long Ships (1964): The Viking Epic With a Golden Bell Quest
Now we’re getting into proper Viking territory, and there’s no better movie for that than 1964’s The Long Ships (54% on Rotten Tomatoes). Loosely based on Frans G. Bengtsson’s novel by the same name, the film chronicles the journeys of Moorish ruler El Mansuh and Viking explorer Rolfe as they try to locate a legendary bell made of pure gold.
A curious bit of trivia is that its director, Jack Cardiff, had been the cinematographer on The Vikings (1958), the hit that inspired this film.
Where to watch: Not currently on a US subscription service; it can be rented or bought on Prime Video and Apple TV.
7. Outlander (2008): The Viking Movie With an Alien Monster
2008’s Outlander (37% on Rotten Tomatoes) is a bit of an odd one when it comes to Viking films. Sure, it has the classic Viking themes we’re used to seeing in these period dramas, but it also has aliens, so there’s that. (It has no connection to the Outlander TV series.)
Starring Jim Caviezel, the film follows a man from a distant world who crash-lands on Earth during the Viking era. However, he’s not alone, as a fearsome alien predator known as the Moorwen is close in pursuit. Now, the Outlander will have to combine his advanced alien technology with the bravery of the Vikings to best the beast.
Where to watch: Free with ads on Fandango at Home Free and Plex in the US.
6. Erik the Conqueror (1961): Mario Bava’s Underrated Viking Epic
Loosely based on the 1958 classic The Vikings (don’t worry, that movie is also on our list), Erik the Conqueror, directed by Mario Bava (no critics’ score yet on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score under 30%), is an Italian-French co-production that chronicles the epic story of two brothers who were separated as young children. After this traumatic event, one of them is taken to England, while the other ends up in Scandinavia.
Not to be confused with the 1989 comedy Erik the Viking, Erik the Conqueror features some incredibly well-crafted costume designs and ambitious set pieces. If you’re in the mood for a Viking movie that doesn’t get nearly enough love, then definitely give this one a go.
Where to watch: Free with ads on Tubi in the US; it can also be rented or bought on Prime Video and Apple TV.
5. The Last King (2016): Kristofer Hivju’s Norwegian Medieval Epic
This Norwegian historical drama (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) has many things going for it: a great cast, superb production values, and an epic story. However, this is also one of the most popular Norwegian medieval movies, largely because one of its two leads is played by none other than Kristofer Hivju of Game of Thrones fame.
Set during the Norwegian Civil War of the 13th Century (well after the Viking Age ended), The Last King is based on real historical events involving the infant Haakon Haakonsson, Inge Jarl and Haakon III of Norway. Despite its attention to period detail, a historian at the University of Oslo criticized the movie for its anachronisms.
Where to watch: Free with ads on The Roku Channel and Fandango at Home Free in the US.
4. The 13th Warrior (1999): The Box Office Bomb That Became a Viking Cult Classic
Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Dennis Storhoi, Vladimir Kulich, Omar Sharif. Although it has been called one of the most spectacular box-office bombs in cinematic history, The 13th Warrior (34% on Rotten Tomatoes) is also one of the most exciting Viking epics ever made. Its unique combination of cultures, coupled with the shocking script written by William Wisher Jr. – not to mention Antonio Banderas in the lead role – make this one of the more fascinating films on our list. Based on Michael Crichton’s novel Eaters of the Dead, it grossed about $61.7 million against a budget reported as high as $160 million.
In terms of historical accuracy, The 13th Warrior makes a real effort to represent Viking culture as it occurred, even though the story is a loose retelling of Beowulf. One aspect that the producers paid close attention to was the armour – which was usually made from a mix and match of the Vikings’ vanquished foes. That aspect of Viking society was reportedly accurately portrayed in this film, with the Viking warriors wearing armour that included design elements from all over Europe and northern Africa.
Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home in the US.
3. The Northman (2022): Robert Eggers’ Brutal Viking Revenge Epic
The most recent entry in our list arrived in theatres in April 2022 – and it has all the makings of a true Viking classic. Directed by Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse, The Witch, and Nosferatu) The Northman (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) is an epic tale of revenge set in Viking times. Featuring the acting talents of Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, and an amazing cast of stellar supporting actors, this might still be one of the most ambitious action epics of the decade.
Based on the Legend of Amleth, Eggers once again proves that he is one of the most talented and visionary filmmakers of our time, with powerful visuals on display every second of The Northman. Eggers returns on December 25, 2026, with Werwulf, a 13th-century werewolf horror film.
Where to watch: Streaming on Peacock in the US; it can also be rented or bought on Prime Video and Apple TV.
2. The Vikings (1958): The Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis Classic
A true classic of the Viking genre, The Vikings (77% on Rotten Tomatoes) serves as the role model for most Viking films that came after it. Made in the height of the heyday of the swashbuckling film, The Vikings is loosely based on Edison Marshall’s novel The Viking, itself drawn from the Nordic saga of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons – yes, the same Ragnar that starred in the ever so popular Vikings show.
Starring Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis, the story explores the conflict and political intrigue left in the wake of one of King Ragnar’s raids.
Where to watch: Streaming on MGM+ in the US; it can also be rented or bought on Apple TV and Prime Video.
1. Valhalla Rising (2009): Mads Mikkelsen’s Silent Viking Masterpiece
Directed by none other than Nicolas Winding Refn and featuring a superb lead role by Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal), Valhalla Rising (70% on Rotten Tomatoes) is everything a Viking film should aspire to be. Equal parts action film and artsy drama piece, the movie is a visually striking masterpiece that, sadly, turned out to be a box-office bomb, earning well under $1 million against a budget of roughly $5.7 million. It seems like the Vikings rarely perform all that well at the box office.
One of the crowning achievements of Valhalla Rising is its minimal dialogue and exposition. With a runtime of an hour and a half, the movie reportedly only has about 120 lines of dialogue, and Mikkelsen’s One-Eye doesn’t speak at all. Definitely check this one out if you’re in the mood for an artsy Viking saga or if you loved The Northman and are looking for something similar.
Where to watch: Streaming on AMC+ and Shudder in the US, and free with ads on Plex.
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Tell us, what do you think are the best Viking movies?
really? how to train your dragon ? the long ships? thosr? HOW are these the best VIKINGS movies? BS
The Last Kingdom.
Love The Last Kingdom. Better than Game of Thrones.