Discover the best of Swedish cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from Sweden. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of Sweden
Sweden's cinema landscape is dominated by one towering figure: Ingmar Bergman, whose profound philosophical explorations revolutionised world cinema. Works like "The Seventh Seal" (1957), "Wild Strawberries" (1957), "Persona" (1966) and "Fanny and Alexander" (1982) were included in Sight & Sound's Greatest Films of All Time. Bergman's over 60 films as director made him one of the most prolific artists in cinema history, creating a distinctive cinematic universe that examined mortality, faith, and human relationships with uncompromising intensity. What made Bergman extraordinary wasn't just his artistry but his collaborative approach. He developed a legendary repertory company including cinematographer Sven Nykvist and actors Max von Sydow, Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson, creating an intimate filmmaking family that produced consistently brilliant work. Swedish television has been equally influential globally. The 1969 "Pippi Longstocking" series became a worldwide phenomenon, with three million viewers watching during its thirteen-week run, introducing Astrid Lindgren's beloved character to international audiences and establishing Sweden as a powerhouse in children's programming. Contemporary Swedish cinema continues this legacy of excellence, though modern Sweden is perhaps better known for pioneering Nordic noir on television. Series like "Wallander" have captivated global audiences, proving that Swedish storytelling transcends language barriers. What makes Swedish cinema special is its fearless examination of the human condition, whether through Bergman's existential masterpieces or contemporary crime dramas. This small Nordic nation consistently produces content that resonates worldwide, maintaining its reputation for thoughtful, beautifully crafted storytelling.
Best Swedish series
The Bridge 2011
When a body is found on the bridge between Denmark and Sweden, right on the border, Danish inspector Martin Rohde and Swedish Saga Norén have to share jurisdiction and work together to find the killer.
85
Young Royals 2021
Prince Wilhelm adjusts to life at his prestigious new boarding school, Hillerska, but following his heart proves more challenging than anticipated.
82
Quicksand 2019
After a tragedy at a school sends shock waves through a wealthy Stockholm suburb, a seemingly well-adjusted teen finds herself on trial for murder.
72
The Åre Murders 2025
A Stockholm detective under internal investigation heads to a ski resort to unwind, until a young girl's disappearance compels her back to work.
70
The Playlist 2022
How Swedish tech entrepreneur Daniel Ek and business partner Martin Lorentzon revolutionized the music industry through free and legal music streaming when they launched Spotify.
72
Real Humans 2012
Set in a parallel universe, Real Humans imagines a world where robots have become so human that they're barely distinguishable from real humans and follows the resulting emotional effects on two families as well as the trials of a group of robots who have attained free will and want their freedom from human ownership.
77
Best Swedish movies
Triangle of Sadness 2022
A celebrity model couple are invited on a luxury cruise for the uber-rich, helmed by an unhinged, alcoholic captain. What first appears Instagrammable ends catastrophically, leaving the survivors stranded on a desert island in a struggle of hierarchy.
69
Let the Right One In 2008
When Oskar, a sensitive, bullied 12-year-old boy, meets his new neighbor, the mysterious and moody Eli, they strike up a friendship. Initially reserved with each other, Oskar and Eli slowly form a close bond, but it soon becomes apparent that she is no ordinary young girl.
77
Kung Fury 2015
During an unfortunate series of events, a friend of Kung Fury is assassinated by the most dangerous kung fu master criminal of all time, Adolf Hitler, a.k.a Kung Führer. Kung Fury decides to travel back in time to Nazi Germany in order to kill Hitler and end the Nazi empire once and for all.
77
The Seventh Seal 1957
When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof and his wife, Mia, and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.
78
A Man Called Ove 2015
Despite being deposed as president of his condominium association, grumpy 59-year-old Ove continues to watch over his neighbourhood with an iron fist. When pregnant Parvaneh and her family move into the terraced house opposite Ove and she accidentally back into Ove’s mailbox, it sets off a series of unexpected changes in his life.
79
Persona 1966
A young nurse, Alma, is put in charge of Elisabeth Vogler: an actress who is seemingly healthy in all respects, but will not talk. As they spend time together, Alma speaks to Elisabeth constantly, never receiving any answer.
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