15 best films and cartoons about Vikings: from historical classics to fantasy.

Both kids and adults will find something interesting on this list.

The best films about Vikings

1. Vikings

The Vikings

• USA, Germany, 1958.
• Adventure, action, historical.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.1.

Brothers Einar and Erik were separated as children. They met many years later. One of them is the heir of King Ragnar, and the second is a slave, unaware of his origin. But soon the brothers fall in love with the same woman.

A bright representative of the “golden age” of Hollywood attracts primarily its leading actors. The great Kirk Douglas starred here with Tony Curtis. Such an on-screen duet ensured the film’s popularity both at home and in other countries. In particular, the Vikings were a great success in the USSR.

2. And trees grow on the stones

• USSR, Norway, 1985.
• Adventure, drama.
• Duration: 136 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.1.

During a raid on the village of the Ilmen Slovenes, the Norwegian Vikings capture the young man Kuksha. He turns out to be a very smart warrior, and he is adopted by one of the leaders of the attackers. Soon, a girl who was promised as a wife to the best Viking berserker falls in love with Kuksha.

This film was directed by Soviet director Stanislav Rostotsky (“We’ll Live Until Monday”) together with Knut Andersen. For greater verisimilitude, the cast was chosen internationally: Kuksha is played by Belarusian Alexander Timoshkin, and the Vikings, accordingly, are played by Norwegian actors. In addition, the authors sought advice from the famous historian Aron Yakovlevich Gurevich, who helped convey the events close to reality. And the action scenes were staged with the support of sambo athletes.

3. Flight of the Raven

Hrafninn flýgur

• Iceland, Sweden, 1984.
• Action, drama.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

During their next raid on Ireland, the Vikings killed all the men in the settlement and took the women captive. Only one boy survived. Years later, he sails to Iceland to take revenge. The guest pits two clans against each other, forcing their former comrades to kill each other.

The film partially copies the plot of Akira Kurosawa's Bodyguard and its remake A Fistful of Dollars. But here the familiar story was transferred to the time of the Vikings, who indeed often attacked Irish settlements. Later, the same director directed the films “Shadow of the Raven” and “White Viking.” Their plots are not directly related, but the similar timing, dark atmosphere and twisted plot allowed fans to combine them into an unofficial trilogy.

4. The Saga of the Salmon Valley People

The Viking Sagas

• Great Britain, 2011.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 59 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

Hundreds of years ago in Iceland, the Vikings wrote down dozens of stories, calling them sagas. These were fictional narratives based on real events. Yanina Ramirez from the University of Oxford understands ancient tales. She believes that the sagas are not just works of art, but real documents that bring the Viking world to life. Ramirez travels to Iceland to learn more about one of its most important stories, the Saga of the Salmon Valley Men.

The BBC channel is famous for its documentaries and TV series . Therefore, those who are tired of fiction can watch this picture. Stunningly beautiful filming here frames a scientific analysis of historical events.

5. 13th warrior

The 13th Warrior

• USA, 1999.
• Adventure, action.
• Duration: 102 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

The poet Ahmed ibn Fahdlan, expelled from the court of the caliph, goes to the North to join the Vikings. There he joins the warriors who are preparing to fight the mysterious tribe of Wendol savages. At first, the order of the Vikings seems strange to the foreigner, but over time he gains respect for his new comrades.

The author of the book " Jurassic Park " and the director of the original "Westworld" Michael Crichton directed this film based on his own book "Eaters of the Dead". There is no need to look for historical authenticity in the picture. The Arab official Ahmad ibn Fadlan turned poet, and the plot, which takes place in the 10th century, is partly taken from the epic Beowulf, published a couple of centuries earlier. So “The 13th Warrior” is just an action adventure film in a historical setting.

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6. Eric Viking

Erik the Viking

• Great Britain, Sweden, 1989.
• Adventure, comedy, fantasy.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.3.

The world is waiting for the onset of Ragnarok, and therefore cruelty and chaos reign all around. But the young Viking Eric, having accidentally killed a girl, decides to stop the violence and stop the end of the world. The blacksmith Loki and the cruel king Halfdan the Black want to stop him, because the war is beneficial to them.

Former Monty Python cast member Terry Jones made this film based on his own children's book. The legacy of famous comedians is easy to notice: there is a lot of black humor and other provocations in the film. And Halfdan the Black was played by another member of Monty Python, John Cleese.

7. Alfred the Great

Alfred the Great

• Great Britain, 1969.
• Drama, historical, war.
• Duration: 122 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.3.

In the 9th century, England was fragmented into many independent kingdoms. After mid-century, the Vikings destroyed much of the settlement in the east. And then the young king Alfred decided to unite the country to repel the enemy.

This picture is no longer about the Vikings, but about those who became victims of their raids. Alfred the Great is an important figure in history, because it was he who first began to call himself King of England. In the film he was played by the magnificent David Hemmings, and he was accompanied by such legends as Michael York, Ian McKellen and many others.

8. Vikings vs. Aliens

Outlander

• USA, Germany, France, 2008.
• Science fiction, action, adventure.
• Duration: 115 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.2.

A spaceship crashes on Earth in the early 8th century. The Vikings capture its pilot. But it soon becomes clear that they are all in great danger: a terrible creature was hiding in the aircraft, which is now destroying everything in its path. The warriors and the alien have to join forces to fight the monster.

Another interpretation of the Beowulf saga, only this time with a fantastic basis. Initially, the film was conceived as a high-budget blockbuster . But due to many difficulties, the film lost a lot in quality. However, the plot is still captivating.

9. Valhalla: The Viking Saga

Valhalla Rising

• Denmark, UK, 2009.
• Fantasy, drama.
• Duration: 93 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.1.

A one-eyed man escapes slavery by brutally killing his masters. He meets Scandinavian warriors and goes with them on a crusade. But soon the ship falls into complete calm, and then finds itself in unknown lands.

Nicolas Winding Refn is known for his allegorical works with a very leisurely pace of storytelling. His "Valhalla" is filled with religious references, and the one-eyed warrior played by Mads Mikkelsen clearly alludes to the god Odin. There is also almost no talking in the film: only about 120 phrases are spoken throughout the entire action.

10. Viking ships

The Long Ships

• Great Britain, Yugoslavia, 1964.
• Drama, adventure, historical.
• Duration: 126 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.1.

The Moorish prince Ali Mansukh heard the legend of a huge golden bell and now dreams of getting it for himself. He is ready to pay any price. Then the Viking Rolf and his brother set out in search of the treasure.

This picture is often called a sequel to the 1958 Vikings. The thing is that director Jack Cardiff worked there as a cameraman, and therefore the visual style and presentation are largely the same. But still, this is an independent story that can be watched separately.

The best cartoons about Vikings

1. How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon

• USA, 2010.
• Adventure, fantasy.
• Duration: 98 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.1.

The Viking tribe has been at war with dragons of various types for many years , the most dangerous of which is the elusive Night Fury. But one day young Hiccup meets the charming Toothless. The young man and the dragon quickly become friends.

A very kind and cheerful film adaptation of Cressida Cowell's books from the DreamWorks studio quickly fell in love with viewers of all ages. Here you will be pleased with the well-written characters of the heroes and the incredible variety of dragons. Therefore, the cartoon soon grew into a large franchise: two full-length sequels, several short films and the series “Dragons” were released.

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2. The Secret of Kells

The Secret of Kells

• France, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, 2008.
• Adventure, fantasy.
• Duration: 71 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.6.

9th century, young Brendan lives in the depths of Ireland in Kells Abbey. The abbot is very concerned about Viking raids, so the monks build a high wall for protection. But one day Aidan arrives to them, who managed to save an incredibly beautiful unfinished book from a plundered monastery. It will be up to Brendan to complete the illustrations .

This cartoon is only indirectly connected with the Vikings: they appear as cruel villains attacking Ireland, which is close to the historical truth. The plot is based on the legends about the creation of the Book of Kells (also known as the Book of Columba). But more importantly, the authors took part of the visuals directly from this work. And in general, “The Secret of Kells” pleases with an unusual and very beautiful picture.

3. Valhalla

Valhalla

• Denmark, 1986.
• Adventure, fantasy.
• Duration: 76 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.3.

One day, Thor and Loki dropped in to visit an ordinary family, in which brother and sister Tjalvi and Röskva live. The boy did something wrong to the god of thunder, and he decided to take him with him as a slave. And young Röskva tagged along with them. This is how the fantastic adventures of earthly children begin.

The plot is based on a series of comics by Danish artist Peter Madsen. He himself directed the cartoon. And this is a very unusual combination of the ancient myth “Thor's Journey to Utgard” and a simple children's fairy tale.

4. Ronald the Barbarian

Ronal Barbaren

• Denmark, 2011.
• Fantasy, comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

The evil prince Volkazar captured an entire tribe of brave and warlike barbarians. Only Ronal remained free. But he is not at all like his relatives: frail, shy and does not want to fight at all. But it is Ronal, together with a restless bard, a strong warrior girl and a metrosexual elf who must liberate an entire people.

“Ronal the Barbarian” is a real gift for all fans of adult animation . There are no historical references here, but there are a huge number of obscene jokes. Just look at the catchy song with the words “I bought a codpiece made of leather, it fits my face.”

5. Beowulf

Beowulf

• USA, 2007.
• Fantasy, action, adventure.
• Duration: 113 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.2.

King Hrothgar celebrates the completion of his mead hall. Right during the feast, the monster Grendel attacks the guests, killing everyone in his path. The experienced warrior Beowulf is called upon to defeat the monster and his mother, the water demon. But it turns out that Grendel's story is not so simple.

The famous Anglo-Saxon poem has been repeatedly transferred to the screens in different forms. Director Robert Zemeckis did an unusual thing: he filmed his version using motion capture of live actors, and then turned everything into a computer cartoon, which allowed him to add fantastic effects. But the author treated the plot strangely: even Beowulf himself here turns from the greatest warrior into one of the causes of all troubles.

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Which of the following films have you watched and what did you like the most? And if you didn’t find your favorite movie on the list, recommend it to other readers in the comments.