Best Swedish history movies
Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch history films from Sweden, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
General von Döbeln (1942)
General von Döbeln (1942)
1813. The Swedish army is fighting in the War of the Sixth Coalition. The popular general Von Döbeln is arrested for sending the army against the French in breach of orders by the crown prince. At the court martial he is sentenced to death but is pardoned by the king and sent to prison instead. A group of conspirators are planning to set him free and make him their leader in a coup d'etat.
An Enemy to Die For (2012)
An Enemy to Die For (2012)
Despite the threat of war in the fall of 1939, the Germans decide to launch a sea expedition in search of evidence for Pangaea. Although the multi national geologists embark enthusiastically on their research mission, the growing political tension between their countries soon affects their work. With Britain and France declaring war on Germany, the civilian scientists now find themselves mere pawns in a global power struggle.
Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg (1990)
Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg (1990)
Swedish account of Raoul Wallenberg, the man responsible for the largest rescue of Jews during World War II.
The War to End All Wars - The Movie (2023)
The War to End All Wars - The Movie (2023)
"The War To End All Wars - The Movie" is an animated musical and historical journey that brings to life stories from World War 1. It features music from Sabaton's 10th studio album, "The War To End All Wars".
The Emigrants (2021)
The Emigrants (2021)
Sweden, 1849. A poverty-stricken family decides to move to America in the hope of finding a better and more prosperous life. Although they know the journey will be dangerous and the pressure of facing a new life in a strange and wild land is great, they are determined to succeed.
Sir Arne's Treasure (1919)
Sir Arne's Treasure (1919)
Three Scottish officers, including Sir Archi, murder Sir Arne and his household for a coffin filled with gold. The only survivor is Elsalill, who moves to relatives in Marstrand. There she meets a charming young officer- Sir Archi- and she soon understands that he was one of the murderers.
Hilma (2022)
Hilma (2022)
Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) is an important part of art history and one of the first ever painters of abstract art. However, unlike the work of many of her peers at the time hers was misunderstood and neglected until long after her death. This is a story about Hilma and the circumstances which made her paintings possible. The film picks up during her early life and ends today; when her art connects with people of all religions and cultures. Just as she intended.
The Swedish Connection (0)
The Swedish Connection (0)
This is a Swedish story of an unknown hero, Gösta Engzell, a down-prioritised bureaucrat at the Swedish Foreign Ministry during the 2nd World War who saved thousands of lives and turned the so-called neutral Sweden into a moral superpower along the way.
Beyond the Front Line (2004)
Beyond the Front Line (2004)
A movie based on real wartime diaries tells the story of the Swedish speaking Finns' infantry regiment 61. The story follows the regiment during the Continuation War from 1942 to 1944 and from Syväri to the Karelian Isthmus where they faced some of the most grueling battles against the Soviet Union.
Karl XII (1974)
Karl XII (1974)
August Strindberg's historical play about the king he called Sweden's traitor.
Burn All My Letters (2022)
Burn All My Letters (2022)
The film’s story revolves around Karin Stolpe’s complex relationship with her husband Sven Stolpe and her passionate love affair with Olof Lagercrantz which starts in the 1930s. It shows the impact of passion, jealousy and anger across 70 years, involving different generations.
Be My Voice (2021)
Be My Voice (2021)
Journalist and activist Masih Alinejad has 4.5 million followers on Instagram after urging Iranian women to rebel against the forced hijab on social media. Her call to action has grown into one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in today’s Iran. Something that has made the regime desperately tighten its grip to regain control over the people.
Kochuu (2003)
Kochuu (2003)
A film about modern Japanese architecture, its roots in the Japanese tradition and its impact on the Nordic building-tradition. Winding its way through visions of the future, traditions, nature, concrete, gardens and high-tech, KOCHUU tells us how contemporary Japanese architects strive to unite the ways of modern man with the old philosophies in astounding constructions. Interviews with, and works by, Japanese architects Tadad Ando, Kisho Kurokawa, Toyo Ito and Kazuo Shinohara and Scandinavian architects Sverre Fehn, Kristian Gullichsen and Juhani Pallasmaa.
The Black Pimpernel (2007)
The Black Pimpernel (2007)
The story about Swedish ambassador in Chile - Harald Edelstam - and his heroic actions to protect the innocent people from the execution during and after the military coup on September 11th 1973.
As White as in Snow (2001)
As White as in Snow (2001)
Inspired by real-life Elsa Andersson, this mostly fictional movie tells the story of her upbringing as a farmer's daughter, in the early 1900s, who dreams of getting away from the farm and becoming an aviatrix.
Selma (2008)
Selma (2008)
Selma is a 2 parts drama series based on Swedish world renowned novelist Selma Lagerlöf’s life. In the first part, Selma is in Sicily with her lover Sophie Elkan. The second part is years later, when Selma receives the Nobel Price.
The Last Sentence (2012)
The Last Sentence (2012)
Renowned journalist Torgny Segerstedt declares war against Hitler as he criticizes Swedish politicians who tried to look away from the tyranny of the Nazis with the good excuse of “neutralism”. His only weapon is his pen and his life is full of gossip such as an affair with his boss’ wife, a love scandal with a secretary younger than his daughter, and the suicide of his wife. However, he continues to fight a one man battle against Hitler and the Nazi regime until his death, throwing the question “Can one person really change history?” to the audience.
Gaza Ghetto: Portrait of a Palestinian Family (1985)
Gaza Ghetto: Portrait of a Palestinian Family (1985)
The first documentary feature film produced in Gaza highlights the historical precedents of war, dispossession and military control that influence a family’s daily life in Jabalia Palestinian refugee camp. Intimate scenes — a child is born, a grandmother dies — are intercut with visits to the architects of the Israeli military occupation. Ariel Sharon, Benyamin Beneliezar, and soldiers on patrol candidly discuss their responsibilities.
Året var 1973 (2023)
Året var 1973 (2023)
At the end of August 1973, a robber takes hostages at the Kreditbanken at Norrmalmstorg. A week or so later, on September 15, King Gustaf VI Adolf dies in Helsingborg's hospital and Sweden gets a new king: Carl XVI Gustaf. In Chile, the military takes power and the popularly elected president Salvador Allende is overthrown. That and much more in this column about the year 1973.
Året var 1974 (2023)
Året var 1974 (2023)
The year begins with an energy crisis and petrol rationing. And there will be parental insurance so that even fathers can stay at home with their children. Cleaners around Sweden are on strike for better conditions. Worry grows for the Swedish tourists in the holiday paradise of Cyprus. That and much more in this column about the year 1974.
Året var 1975 (2024)
Året var 1975 (2024)
This is the year when the Vietnam War ends and terrorists take over the West German embassy in Stockholm. On TV, Staffan Westerberg's "Vilse i Pannkakan" coincides with Ingmar Bergman's "The Magic Flute". Despite the cold war, the USA and the Soviet Union take the opportunity to meet - in space! And Davis Cup tennis is played in Båstad. Sweden meets Chile and the police fear riots. This and much more in "The year was 1975" by Jonas Fohlin and Eva Tillberg.
Karin Månsdotter (1954)
Karin Månsdotter (1954)
Karin does not belong to the nobility but nevertheless marries the mentally ill king Erik XIV and becomes queen of Sweden. The king's skilled counsellor Göran Persson wants a royal policy supporting the people and supported by it. But in relation to the nobility the king oscillates between provocative strength and unpredictable weakness. Göran arranges that some very powerful noblemen are killed. Subsequently the king tries to have them convicted of high treason by the parliament. He forgets the manuscript, mixes up all facts, and the noblemen are acquitted. But Göran speedily gathers another parliament and has them convicted. Meanwhile Erik apologises because of the unjust murders. Hence Erik is dethroned and imprisoned. Göran is executed. Karin is restricted to a castle in Finland. In the prison Erik believes that he is still the king and gives the guards presents such as all fishes in the Baltic Sea.
Gustav III:s Äktenskap (2001)
Gustav III:s Äktenskap (2001)
At 30 years old King Gustav III has a number of great projects behind him already, but his most demanding in front of him - to consummate his marriage and put an heir on the throne. With both determination and anxiety the king begins his amorous battle to secure succession.
The Reception of King Haakon in Kristiania (1905)
The Reception of King Haakon in Kristiania (1905)
Prince Charles of Denmark, who was recently elected by a plebiscite of the Norwegian people as King of Norway, and whose election has been confirmed by the Storthing, has decided to assume the title of King Haakon the Seventh.
Jeanne d'Arc på bålet (2001)
Jeanne d'Arc på bålet (2001)
Joan of Arc reflects on her life via flashbacks during the final moments of her life.
Året var 1951 (2001)
Året var 1951 (2001)
1951 - the year when Snoddas plays bandy and the naval spy is exposed. Stålfarfar rides a bike, Pär Lagerkvist receives a Nobel Prize and Tage Erlander and Karl Gerhard are getting older. Out in the world there's a cold war and in Sweden there's the big Västgöta maneuver. There's a plastic fashion and new hairstyles for a new age.
Ivar Kreuger (1998)
Ivar Kreuger (1998)
Ivar Kreuger was a businessman who influenced a whole world and whose fate is still shrouded in mystery.
Sverige åt svenskarna (1980)
Sverige åt svenskarna (1980)
This farce cocerns Sweden's King Gustav (Per Oscarsson who plays all the lead roles). The royal monarchs of three major European countries are patiently or not-so-patiently hovering on the sidelines while watching the future King Gustav closely. No single king appears to possess the brains he was born with, so history seems to be made by default, as it were. Gustav does blunder around, but not enough to miss being crowned king. As a result, France, England, and Germany invade Sweden hoping to take by force what they could not gain by incompetence.
The Freethinker (1994)
The Freethinker (1994)
The film portrays the Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist and painter August Strindberg's life 1849-1912. Through his extensive correspondence and literary production, from the supposed first work, the drama "The Free Thinker" (1869), to the posthumously published "The Occult Diary" (published 1977 ). But also his three wives, Siri von Essen, Frida Uhl and Harriet Bosse, and the children Karin, Greta and Hans are given space in the film. The unpublished first drama "The Free Thinker", depicts a young man forced to break with family and tradition to follow his conscience and ideals, becomes a prophecy about the author's own life.