A big, propulsive historical saga with strong early-season momentum, memorable battles, and a compelling rise-and-fall arc for Ragnar. It’s at its best when it balances family drama, belief, and conquest; later seasons shift focus but still offer enough spectacle and intrigue for fans of epic TV.
76% ★★★★☆ (647,258)
Vikings
Where to watch: Netflix
TV Show · Action & Adventure · Drama
2013 · ★ 76% (647K)
Starring: Alex Høgh Andersen, Jordan Patrick Smith, Marco Ilsø
Overview
The adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok, the greatest hero of his age. The series tells the sagas of Ragnar's band of Viking brothers and his family, as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes. As well as being a fearless warrior, Ragnar embodies the Norse traditions of devotion to the gods. Legend has it that he was a direct descendant of Odin, the god of war and warriors.
Production
Shaw Media, World 2000 Entertainment, Take 5 Productions
Cast
Alex Høgh Andersen, Jordan Patrick Smith, Marco Ilsø, Peter Franzén, Georgia Hirst, Danila Kozlovsky
Where to watch
Netflix
Curator Review
Verdict
A big, propulsive historical saga with strong early-season momentum, memorable battles, and a compelling rise-and-fall arc for Ragnar. It’s at its best when it balances family drama, belief, and conquest; later seasons shift focus but still offer enough spectacle and intrigue for fans of epic TV.
Best for
Viewers who like muscular historical epics
Fans of warrior politics and succession drama
Binge-watchers who enjoy long-form rise-and-fall storytelling
People who want action with mythic, pagan atmosphere
Skip if
You want strict historical accuracy
You prefer tightly contained seasons with no quality dip
You dislike violence, raids, and grim family conflict
You want a fantasy series with clear magic systems
Overview
Vikings is one of the defining prestige-adjacent adventure dramas of the 2010s: rough, atmospheric, and built around the charisma of Ragnar Lothbrok. The early seasons are the strongest, turning raids and power struggles into a surprisingly intimate story about ambition, faith, and family. Michael Hirst gives the series a strong sense of ritual and cultural texture, which helps it feel bigger than a standard action show.
Worth noting
Its appeal is not just the battles, but the way it treats leadership as a spiritual and political burden. The show also benefits from a rotating ensemble that keeps the world feeling alive as the saga expands beyond Ragnar. When it’s focused, it’s addictive; when it sprawls, it can feel uneven, especially after the central arc shifts away from Ragnar.
Bottom line
Still, the series remains highly watchable through its run, especially for viewers who enjoy long historical epics with a harsh, fatalistic edge. If you’re in the mood for a show that mixes blood, belief, and dynasty-building, Vikings delivers a lot of entertainment value and a distinctive tone that helped define the modern TV barbarian epic.