What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Northman
Film · 2022
If you loved The Northman, start with Hamlet (Kenneth Branagh, 1996) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Northman across media.
If The Northman consumed you, it is because you crave stories where the crushing weight of vengeance dictates every character's destiny.
Start with the source
The source
Hamlet
Kenneth Branagh · Film · 1996
Adaptation
Ophelia
Claire McCarthy · Film · 2019
Adaptation
Mufasa: The Lion King
Barry Jenkins · Film · 2024
Books on the same thread
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, Vol. 1
Koyoharu Gotouge · Book
Explores: revenge, sibling bond, tragic loss.
Just like the relentless pursuit of Amleth in The Northman, this story centers on a young man driven by the singular, violent necessity of avenging a slaughtered family.
With a Vengeance
Riley Sager · Book
Explores: Revenge, Deception, Class conflict.
The Northman captures the cold calculation of retribution, a feeling mirrored here as the protagonist navigates a high-stakes environment to secure justice for her own family's tragic downfall.
The Reckoning: A gritty Nordic Noir detective thriller
Michael Katz Krefeld · Book · 2026
Explores: Grief, Missing Persons, Serial Killers.
Much like the bleak, unforgiving atmosphere of The Northman, this thriller explores how deep personal loss and the shadow of past violence can hollow out a man's soul.
The Red Winter
Cameron Sullivan · Book
Explores: Revenge, Supernatural folklore, Legacy of violence.
This narrative echoes the historical dread found in The Northman, where a man is forced to confront a decades-old burden of violence that demands a final, bloody resolution.
Series on the same thread
Vinland Saga
Series · 2019
Explores: Revenge, War, Vikings.
If you were drawn to the brutal coming-of-age journey in The Northman, this series offers a parallel descent into the harsh realities of Viking warfare and uncompromising revenge.
Vikings
Michael Hirst · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with The Northman: Viking Saga.
While The Northman focuses on a singular path of vengeance, this epic expands the scope of Viking culture, exploring the same themes of power, loyalty, and tribal legacy.
The Sandman
Neil Gaiman · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with The Northman: Dark Fantasy.
The Northman blends historical grit with mythological stakes, a balance mirrored here as a powerful entity traverses realms to reclaim what was stolen and restore his rightful place.
The North Water
Andrew Haigh · Series · 2021
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Man vs. Nature, Redemption.
This story shares the uncompromising brutality of The Northman, examining how moral ambiguity and the harshness of the physical world shape men capable of extreme, violent acts.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
The Northman portrays the cyclical nature of historical violence, a concept explored here through deep analysis of how power and human nature dictate the collapse of civilizations.
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
While far removed from the violence of The Northman, this series provides a deep look at the complex, multigenerational bonds and legacy struggles that define a family's existence.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Northman based on the same story as Hamlet?
Yes, The Northman is based on the same Scandinavian legend that inspired Shakespeare's Hamlet. Both narratives center on a prince seeking to avenge his father's murder at the hands of his uncle after his family is betrayed.
What order should I watch The Northman and Hamlet?
There is no required viewing order for these films. You can watch The Northman to experience the gritty Viking-era roots of the legend, or view the 1996 Hamlet adaptation to see the classic stage interpretation of the same foundational plot.
Are there other movies like The Northman that explore the same betrayal themes?
Yes, you can watch Ophelia, which offers a different perspective on the Hamlet story, or Mufasa: The Lion King, which also draws thematic inspiration from the core narrative of a prince avenging his father against a treacherous uncle.
How long has Amleth been planning his revenge in The Northman?
In The Northman, Amleth spends two decades preparing for his mission. After his father is murdered and his mother is kidnapped during his transition into manhood, he lives as a Viking for twenty years before returning to fulfill his vow of vengeance.