8 Best Scandinavian Movies to Watch After 'Sentimental Value', Ranked by IMDb
These films explore family secrets, existential quests, and complex relationships.
If you're looking for a deeper dive into the harsh and melancholic universe of Scandinavian cinema after watching the touching Norwegian hit Sentimental Value, you've come to the right place.
Northern European cinema is renowned for its unique style and ability to blend chilling, austere aesthetics with poignant human stories where even the darkest plots make room for quiet hope.
8. 'Troll Hunter', 2010
IMDb Score: 6.9/10
The story centers on three university students who decide to make a video about Hans, a renowned hermit and troll hunter.
Eager to get sensational footage of these fantastical creatures, the young men, along with a videographer, set out to find Hans. However, they didn't expect to encounter the trolls face-to-face.
7. 'Virgin Mountain', 2015
IMDb Score: 7.4/10
Fúsi is a 43-year-old man who still lives with his overprotective mother. He barely communicates with anyone and endures the bullying of his colleagues at work. He eats the same food every day at the same restaurant and table.
His life changes when two new people enter it. Hera, a friendless 10-year-old who recently moved into the apartment next door, is drawn to him. The man and the girl share a love of toys, but those around them don't understand this connection.
The other person is a lively woman from the country dance club. When it becomes clear that she also has a dark side, Fúsi begins to care for her and gradually emerges from his shell.
6. 'Headhunters', 2011
IMDb Score: 7.5/10
The twisted and action-packed Headhunters tells the story of Roger Brown. Either bored at the top of his career as a headhunter or short on money, Roger steals expensive paintings in his spare time.
His secret business flourished, providing him with a luxurious lifestyle, until he stole a painting from the wrong person.
Headhunters became the first Norwegian movie to be nominated for a BAFTA Award, breaking box office records with its release in over 50 countries.
5. 'The Girl with the Needle', 2024
IMDb Score: 7.5/10
Copenhagen, 1918. Young seamstress Karoline struggles to make ends meet after her husband disappears in the war. A brief affair with the factory manager, Jørgen, leads to pregnancy, but her hopes for a bright future are shattered.
First, her husband returns home crippled from the war. Second, Jørgen's mother categorically rejects her as a commoner.
Desperate, Karoline considers having an abortion, but fate brings her together with the mysterious Dagmar, who promises to help her with the child.
4. 'A Man Called Ove', 2015
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Ove is a widower who visits his recently deceased wife's grave daily, promising to join her in the afterlife. Having worked on the railroad his entire life, he loves only one thing: order.
Everything must be orderly, even a suicide attempt. The man planned his death down to the last detail. However, it was precisely his intolerance for disorder that prevented him from stepping off his stool with the noose already around his neck.
Ove is distracted by a young family moving into the house next door. While parking their car, they knock over his mailbox, and the noise of their children greatly irritates the childless old man.
3. 'Another Round', 2020
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Martin is a high school history teacher who leads a boring life. One day, while chatting with three colleagues at a bar, the topic of conversation turns to a paper by Norwegian psychologist and philosopher Finn Skårderud.
Skårderud argues that everyone has an insufficient blood alcohol level and should strive to maintain a level of at least 0.5%.
The next day, Martin brings a flask and a breathalyzer to work. He discovers that life is more fun when he's drunk. His friends decide to join the experiment.
2. 'The Worst Person in the World', 2021
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
This realistic portrayal of a young woman's life encompasses all the hallmarks of a self-discovery movie, including changing careers, goals, and boyfriends.
Julie's turmoil is familiar to many: everyone around her seems to have found themselves, while she alone doesn't know who she'll be when she grows up.
This Norwegian dramedy by Joachim Trier, who also directed Sentimental Value, subtly depicts the inner conflict of someone who repeatedly tries to change the course of their life.
1. 'The Hunt', 2012
IMDb Score: 8.3/10
The life of kindergarten teacher Lucas falls apart after a five-year-old girl accuses him of sexual assault. The masterfully written script keeps viewers guessing about who is lying and who is telling the truth.
Lucas' interactions with society reveal how terrifying and contagious herd mentality can be, escalating into paranoid madness.
This thoughtful psychological drama has everything viewers expect from Scandinavian cinema, including a chilly atmosphere, rustic charm, and a measured pace.
