The best movies about Vikings: top fascinating films and TV series

The topic of Vikings intrigues both professional historians and ordinary people. That's why their conquests and way of life have been widely reflected in popular culture, including in TV shows and movies.

And while historians argue about the accuracy of the reflection of the realities and historical events of the time (spoiler alert: usually not very accurate), new projects about brave warriors from the north continue to be released. OBOZ.UA tells you about the best and most exciting of them. You won't be able to stop watching until the final credits roll.

Vikings

The Irish-Canadian show was created for the History channel, whose projects are mostly niche. However, Vikings has become a huge success with viewers around the world. The adventures of Ragnar Lotbrok have lasted for 6 seasons and won many awards, including 13 nominations for the prestigious Primetime Emmy and one win in the Best Visual Effects category.

Pathfinder

The 2006 film tells the story of a group of Normans who cross the Atlantic Ocean and land on an unfamiliar shore in North America. It's not even about Leif Eriksson, who was 5 centuries ahead of Christopher Columbus, but about those who were ahead of him by about 100 years. The aliens intend to kill the local Indians and occupy their lands. However, a powerful warrior nicknamed Ghost stands in their way, standing up for those who raised him. Ironically, he is also a Viking by birth. His father once abandoned him because he considered his son weak, and the boy was adopted by Indians who found him near a wrecked ship. And he will take revenge for the death of his adoptive parents ruthlessly.

Viking Blood

The film by Danish director Uri L. Schwartz was never released in theaters, but it gained popularity on streaming services. The film tells the story of the events of the tenth century, when the Vikings regularly raided England. One day, a stranger arrives in a small village in Denmark with no memory of his past. Soon he finds himself in the center of a bloody conflict between two warring factions - Christians and pagans. Joining forces with a young Christian woman and a warrior from the north, he discovers that he has a mysterious connection to both sides. However, he is repulsed by the corruption of greed, violence, and fanaticism on both sides. The hero has to choose his own path between the two.

Beowulf

The film adaptation of the ancient English epic featured many top stars, including Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright, and John Malkovich. Nevertheless, this is an animated film made using the motion capture technique. In the story, the outstanding warrior Beowulf comes to the aid of King Grotgar, who asks him to help kill a monster named Grendel. Beowulf receives a huge reward for defeating the monster. However, he does not have time to enjoy it, as Grendel's angry mother is after him. In order not to lose his fame as an outstanding defender, the warrior agrees not to engage in battle, but to make a pact with the demoness. However, agreements with monsters always have a double bottom.

Viking: The Berserkers

The main characters of the movie are a group of young Saxons led by a guy named Wade, who are desperately trying to protect their homeland from the constant raids of warlike Vikings. However, they are captured by their enemies. And now they have to become the object of a ritual hunt, after which no one has ever survived. Wade decides not only to become the first winner and free his brother, but also to avenge his murdered relatives.

The 13th Warrior

The court poet of the Baghdad Caliph Ahmed ibn Fahdlan is caught committing adultery with the ruler's wife. As punishment, he is sent into exile to the harsh northern regions. One day, he is saved from great trouble by the Vikings, who agree to take the foreigners with them. Ahmed has an opportunity to repay the favor when a fortune-teller recommends that the Vikings take him on their next campaign. A group of 12 Normans and one stranger who does not have the necessary combat experience will have to confront mysterious bear-men and a "fire serpent".

Vikings: Valhalla

When History TV channel canceled the Vikings series in 2018, there was no end to the fans' outrage. So in February 2022, Netflix launched its spinoff. The events take place 100 years later than in the original show. After the death of King Edward the Confessor of England, the Duke of Normandy and the King of Norway claim the vacant throne and begin to prepare an invasion. In these circumstances, fate brings together Leif Eriksson, Freydis Eriksson, Harald III the Cruel and William I the Conqueror. Against the backdrop of their adventures, the viewer observes how the legendary historical era is approaching decline.

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