The Best TV Shows & Movies About Norse Mythology

In latest days, quite a lot of movies and TV reveals are rising which were influenced by Norse mythology. From Norse gods to Vikings, there was a re-emergence of Nordic folklore in modern-day media. Much like with most different mythology, like Greek and Roman, the creators have taken a inventive license to the myths. However, this doesn’t imply that the portrayal of Nordic folklore is totally inaccurate or that there isn’t any fact to what’s seen on display screen. In truth, many of those TV collection and movies have reasonable and gritty designs that give off a extra reasonable feeling. Let’s take a better have a look at among the greatest TV reveals and films about Norse mythology:

9/9 The thirteenth Warrior (1999)

Based on Michael Crichton’s 1976 novel Eaters of the Dead, The thirteenth Warrior is a 1999 American historic fiction-action movie. The film follows a Muslim ambassador, portrayed by Antonio Banderas, as he joins forces with a gaggle of Vikings to assist them defend their homeland from flesh-eating monsters. While The thirteenth Warrior won’t be essentially the most traditionally correct movie, it does give the viewers a small glimpse into Viking tradition. In addition, the movie is filled with fairly a number of thrilling motion sequences, which isn’t very shocking contemplating that Die Hard director John McTiernan dealt with the mission.

8/9 Ragnarok (2020-present)

Netflix’s Norwegian fantasy drama collection, Ragnarok, is ready within the modern-day fictional city of Edda in western Norway. Ragnarok follows a teenage boy, Magne, who discovers that he’s a reincarnation of Thor, the God of Thunder, who tries to make use of his powers to stop the tip of the world. Interestingly, the narrative of the present merges modern-day issues with mythology, which on this case is industrial air pollution and local weather change, which ends up in a struggle between gods and different legendary creatures. Thor isn’t the one one from Norse mythology who’s talked about within the present. One of the principle antagonists, the Jutul household, whose factories are the reason for industrial air pollution within the city, are literally 4 Jotunn, giants in Norse mythology which have supernatural power.

7/9 Vikings (2013-2020)

It can be unfair to speak about Norse mythology and never point out Vikings. The present first aired in 2013 on History, a Canadian community. The collection resulted in 2020 when the ultimate season was launched on Amazon Prime. A sequel collection titled Vikings: Valhalla premiered on Netflix in February 2022. The present follows the legend of Ragnar Lodbrok, a legendary Norse hero, as he slowly climbs his manner up, beginning off as a farmer and finally being topped as a Scandinavian king. The later seasons of the present comply with the adventures of his sons. The creators of the present do take a inventive license to some historic occasions, however by way of portraying Viking tradition precisely, it does a reasonably respectable job. It highlights the significance of a very good demise, talks about what a blood eagle is, and different facets of Viking tradition.

Related: Thor: Ragnarok: 5 Differences Between the Marvel Comics Storyline and the MCU Movie

6/9 American Gods (2017-2021)

Contrary to the “American” within the title, American Gods does a superb job of overlaying a big selection of mythology. The collection follows Shadow Moon, who finds himself in the course of a large-scale battle between the Old Gods and the New Gods after he meets a person named Mr. Wednesday. The Old Gods embody these from Nordic, Slavic, Egyptian, Ghanaian, Hebrew, Irish, and Roman mythology, whereas the New Gods embody Technology, Media, and Globalization. The collection is customized from Neil Gaiman’s novel of the identical title, American Gods. Fans of the creator will likely be happy to know that the TV present does an incredible job of decoding Gaiman’s characters. Interestingly, the collection pays extra consideration to the portrayal of characters than it does of portraying the bigger narrative, which is a novel strategy, to say the least.

5/9 Vinland Saga (2019-Present)

Adapted from Makoto Yukimura’s manga, Vinland Saga is an anime collection that follows a younger man from Iceland, Thorfinn, who is ready on a journey to avenge the homicide of his father, Thors, a Jomsvikings warrior. However, Vinland is way from the everyday revenge story. What makes Vinland Saga distinctive is that from the get-go not one of the primary characters are good individuals, every of them being morally gray. Interestingly, the characters are primarily based on actual individuals from Norse historical past. Askeladd, Canute, and Thorkel are all examples of this. In addition, the present provides the viewers a glimpse of Viking tradition, together with the raiding and murdering that latest media has related to them. Currently, Vinland Saga has just one season, with season 2 anticipated to air in January 2023 on Netflix.

Related: How Netflix’s Ragnarok Became an International Hit

4/9 How to Train a Dragon Franchise (2010, 2014, 2019)

DreamWorks’ animated action-fantasy franchise, How to Train Your Dragon is crammed to the brim with Norse gods and Vikings. The movie facilities round Hiccup, an undersized Viking who desires to turn out to be a dragon slayer however fails to take action and finally ends up befriending a uncommon dragon. Given that the movie is directed in direction of a youthful viewers, it’s extra light-hearted, however it’s loosely primarily based on precise historic occasions. The franchise has had three films, 5 brief movies, and in addition has a tv collection which has eight seasons.

3/9 The Northman (2022)

Directed by Robert Eggers, The Northman is an epic historic action-thriller movie that’s primarily based on the legend of Amleth and is closely influenced by Norse mythology. It follows Amleth, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, a Viking prince who seeks to avenge his father’s homicide. From the grim imagery to the tragedy surrounding Amleth’s life, the movie has every little thing that’s wanted for a very good Viking movie. Unlike many different movies, which lack by way of correct historic portrayal, Eggers devoted various effort and time to make sure that every little thing from the outfits to the weapons replicate authenticity. With The Northman, not solely does one get a compelling narrative, however the viewers additionally will get to be taught lots about Viking tradition.

2/9 Thor (2011)

Any point out of Norse mythology can be incomplete with out mentioning MCU’s Norse Gods brother duo, Thor, the God of Thunder, and Loki, the God of Mischief. Both Thor and Loki had been first launched within the MCU within the 2011 film Thor. Within the context of the movie, Thor is banished from Asgard to Earth, after triggering a struggle. He’s stripped of his energy and his hammer, wandering Earth as his brother Loki plots to take over the Asgardian throne. Since the 2011 film, Thor has made many reappearances within the MCU, together with three sequel movies, Thor: The Dark World (2013), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). He’s been one of many primary characters in all of the Avengers movies and has additionally made a cameo in Doctor Strange (2016). In phrases of historic accuracy, the MCU won’t be one of the best, however one can’t argue that Marvel’s Thor earns various credit score on the subject of the popularization of Norse mythology in fashionable occasions.

1/9 Loki (2021-Present)

MCU’s God of Mischief gained a lot reputation with the viewers that Marvel launched a complete collection devoted to the Norse god as a part of its fourth section. Released on Disney+, Loki takes place after the occasions of Avengers: Endgame (2019) and follows a time-variant model of the God of Mischief. The collection provides the viewers a greater glimpse of Loki as he explores his powers of shapeshifting and telekinesis. Interestingly, what units Loki other than the remainder of the MCU is that it heads into sci-fi territory. Fans of sci-fi work reminiscent of Brazil and HitchHiker’s Guide to the Galaxy would actually benefit from the world-building within the collection. Loki is heartfelt and playful on the similar time, making for fairly an pleasurable watch. In addition, there are moments when the present makes one neglect about the remainder of the MCU. Overall, the collection is kind of charming with its wonderful solid and the retro-futurism aesthetic that encapsulates the world of the present.