The top three films and TV shows inspired by Norse mythology

Norse mythology, deriving from the myths and legends of pre-Christian Scandinavia, has permeated into popular culture in an impressively large manner. From the world of comic books, with Marvel’s Thor, to Norse’s reoccurring aesthetics in heavy metal music, it is clear that despite its pagan origins dying out over a millennium ago, Norse mythology retains a special place in many people’s hearts.

This is of course most prevalent in cinema and TV, but games developers have also capitalised on the Norse trend. Mega-hits like Skyrim and God of War will of course be familiar to most gamers. Most of gaming platforms have capitalised on the demand for Norse-themed offerings over recent years, particularly as classic games have become more immersive owing to advancements in graphics and technology.

The game Thunderstruck borrows its themes from the story of hammer-happy Norse god Thor. This version features all the storms, thunder and lightning you would expect when dealing with the temperamental Nordic legend.

Although Norse-themed games are becoming increasingly popular, equally the widespread appeal of Norse-related TV shows and films shows no sign of abating. From eerie dramas to Viking-filled hits, here are three Norse-inspired classics you can watch right now.

The Ritual

The 2017 British supernatural horror looks on the surface like a Blair Witch Project rip-off with better camera work, but to describe it as so would do the film a huge disservice. After four lads begin a trek through northern Sweden in memory of a friend, an injured knee and some dodgy map-reading ensure things go south pretty quick. Unfortunately, a Jötunn, an evil entity and illegitimate son of Loki from Norse mythology, is also thrown into the mix, making it a weekend to forget for the boys. Rafe Spall stars.

Beowulf

The 2007 adaptation of the epic poem featured 3-D animation that was revolutionary for its time. Whilst the story is actually Old English in origin, the themes are pure Norse. The titular dark-ages warrior travels to Scandinavia to vanquish a gruesome creature terrorising a kingdom. Expect magical duels in various mead halls. Starring Ray Winstone and Anthony Hopkins.

Vikings

Inspired by the sagas of the legendary Viking Ragnar Lothbrok, a Norse hero feared across Northern Europe, this historical TV drama premiered in 2013. The character-driven show also delivers more than its fair share of blood and guts action, appealing to Game of Thrones fans. Whilst the sixth series saw the show’s finale, a sequel series, Vikings: Valhalla, will debut on Netflix in the near future. Travis Fimmel stars.

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