Between the base game and the DLC packs, Skyrim offers an adventure that can last for hundreds of hours. Throw in some challenge runs and a few of the many excellent mods that are available for the game and it can run into the thousands. Ultimately though, there’ll come a point where every player has had their fill of Tamriel and is ready for a new adventure.
Their first instinct may be to look for another RPG, but, although there are plenty of games that are similar to Skyrim, few are as expansive or as enjoyable. With that in mind, the silver screen may provide a better alternative. There are movies that share many of the same themes as Skyrim and others that have an incredibly similar feel. They can be a great way to delve deeper into Norse mythology or simply a way of reinvigorating oneself for yet another playthrough.
10 Outlander (2008)
It can sometimes feel like the sci-fi elements found throughout Outlander are at odds with the movie’s Nordic roots. When the two ideologies aren’t clashing, however, they combine for some interesting moments. Jim Caviezel’s portrayal of the intergalactic warrior Kainan is solid, as are the movie’s practical and visual effects.
At its heart, it is a loose reimagining of the old English poem, Beowulf. One could be forgiven for thinking that it is a B movie, but it actually had a budget of nearly $50 million. It rarely shows, but it does have its moments, many of which come courtesy of the late Sir John Hurt. This isn’t a movie that everybody will enjoy, but, for those with an interest in Norse mythology and a tolerance for the bizarre, there are far worse ways to spend two hours.
9 Conan The Barbarian (1982)
They can remake the movies as many times as they like, but there will only ever be one true Conan. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of the character is not always perfect, but it is incredibly memorable. It’s iconic of the era and the kind of performance that only Arnie could give.
When it comes to inspirations, the movie is all over the place. This matters little though given how heavily it leans on its action scenes. In many ways, Conan The Barbarian is terrible and yet it remains enjoyable in spite of its many flaws. Anybody who loves Skyrim for its combat will likely enjoy what the Conan movies have to offer.
8 Pathfinder (2007)
Pathfinder tells the story of a young Viking named Ghost who is taken in by a Native American tribe after his raiding party is slaughtered. Although he is accepted by the tribe, it is not until a second group of raiders arrives on the continent fifteen years later that he’s able to truly earn his place.
It’s a coming of age story that’s full of brutal action and over the top moments that doesn’t take itself too seriously. For those hoping for a movie that’s rooted in fact, this probably isn’t it. Anybody with a taste for fantasy and egregious violence should enjoy it for what it is though.
7 How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
The thought of training a dragon rather than slaying it may seem like heresy to Skyrim players. While How to Train Your Dragon may be lacking in bloodshed though, it does contain many of the other elements that make Skyrim‘s such a wonderful world to explore.
The movie is set in a mythical Viking world in which the inhabitants grow up to be dragon slayers. After finally catching his first dragon, however, the young protagonist has a change of heart and instead decides to befriend it. If Bethesda were to ever make an Elder Scrolls game for children, one imagines that it would be much like this. That may be off-putting for some Skyrim fans, but those who give it a chance will likely come away with a smile on their faces.
6 Beowulf (2007)
Neil Gaiman’s interpretation of the old English poem may differ somewhat when compared with some of the other Beowulf adaptations, but his screenplay never strays too far from the poem. He clearly has a lot of respect for the source material and his passion for mythology in general is obvious for all to see.
The movie features a star-studded cast with the likes of Anthony Hopkins and John Malkovich blending masterfully into a well-crafted Norse setting. The same can’t always be said of some of the other cast members, although this is often a consequence of the animation techniques used rather than poor performances. This aside, it has its fair share of dark moments and some fantastically choreographed action scenes.
5 Valhalla Rising (2009)
Mads Mikkelsen plays the lead in Nicolas Winding Refn’s Nordic-themed period drama Valhalla Rising. It tells the story of a mute Viking warrior named One-Eye and his young companion as they travel across the world in search of the Holy Land. Unfortunately, they end up in America instead.
It’s a modest and measured movie that’s punctuated by moments of erratic and extreme violence. Its slow pacing and beautiful scenery can at times lull viewers into a false sense of security, only for a brutal skull-bashing to draw them right back to the edge of their seats. Much like One-Eye, the movie doesn’t have an awful lot to say, yet it is no less entertaining as a result.
4 The 13th Warrior (1999)
The 13th Warrior is based on Michael Crichton’s novel Eaters of the Dead, which itself borrows many elements from Beowulf. The cast features some recognizable names like Antonio Banderas and Omar Sharif and one recognizable voice. Vladimir Kulich, who plays Buliwyf in the movie also provides the voice for Ulfric Stormcloak in Skyrim.
The movie’s world-building is top-notch and provides a wonderful setting for the story to take place. Sadly, it is here that the movie can sometimes fall a little flat. Too often the plot takes a back seat to accommodate the numerous high-octane moments and there are times when it goes missing entirely. Whether or not the movie’s redeeming qualities are enough to make up for this will depend entirely on the viewer.
3 The Lord Of The Rings (2001)
When it comes to fantasy worlds, none are as fleshed out as the one found in the works of Tolkien. Middle Earth provides the perfect setting for adventure and the one that Frodo and his companions embark upon is an epic one indeed. Chronologically speaking, The Hobbit movies might make for a better starting point, but they come up a little short when compared to Jackson’s original trilogy.
For those interested in lore and world-building, the books may provide a stronger alternative as there are events and characters that the movies choose to skip over. Even without these elements though, The Lord of the Rings trilogy has plenty to offer and is a requisite for fans of the fantasy genre.
2 Excalibur (1981)
Excalibur offers viewers a window through which a medieval world that is teeming with wonder and charm can be seen. It’s an incredibly accurate retelling of the story of King Arthur although is sometimes let down a little by some lifeless and lackluster dialogue. It’s undoubtedly the weakest part of what is otherwise an incredibly interesting and well put together movie.
Visually, Excalibur is a feast for the eyes and while the plot can at times lose focus, the general themes remain consistent throughout. There’s a little bit of everything and a satisfying climax for those who make it to the end.
1 Dragonslayer (1981)
There are some wonderful movies that focus on slaying dragons, but none emulate the intensity of Skyrim better than the 1981 cult classic Dragonslayer. It’s a dark-fantasy movie set in a fictional medieval kingdom and features some of the best special effects of the era.
Although the similarities between Urland and Tamriel may be stark, there’s something about Dragonslayer that will feel oddly familiar to Skyrim fans. Its characters are larger than life and the adventure that they embark upon is full of danger and peril. Some may prefer Dragonheart, but those looking for a grittier movie should look no further than Dragonslayer.
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