As a huge film buff, I was really excited for Robert Eggers‘ 2022 Viking epic – it was a departure for him, moving away from the folk horror he’s known for. It’s a powerfully made action film with Alexander Skarsgård absolutely nailing the lead role. Honestly, I was shocked it didn’t do better in theaters. It seemed like a combination of the post-pandemic movie landscape and people not expecting this kind of film from Eggers held it back. Thankfully, it eventually found its audience and made its money back through streaming and on-demand platforms, which was a relief!
If you enjoyed the work of Robert Eggers or Alexander Skarsgård, or were a fan of the TV show Vikings, you won’t want to miss The Northman, now streaming on Netflix. This intense and brutal film follows Amleth, a Viking prince driven by revenge for his father’s murder. It’s Eggers’ most visually impressive movie yet, and deserves the widespread praise it’s been receiving from viewers.
‘The Northman’ Underperformed Despite Near-Universal Acclaim
Robert Eggers’ latest film, The Northman, is his most expansive and daring project yet. Inspired by the legend of Amleth – a Scandinavian prince who later became the basis for Shakespeare’s Hamlet – the movie is deeply rooted in Viking history and mythology. After witnessing his uncle, Fjölnir (Claes Bang), murder his father, King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke), Amleth embarks on a brutal and relentless quest for revenge, determined to see it through no matter the cost.
If you enjoy the intense, violent style of Robert Eggers’ films, you’ll likely be captivated by The Northman. It’s a visually stunning movie packed with brutal action, though the story itself is fairly simple. Strong performances from a talented cast – including Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, and Anya Taylor-Joy – help to elevate the narrative between the film’s epic fight sequences.
Despite receiving almost universal praise from critics (with a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), The Northman didn’t perform well in theaters, earning only about $69.6 million worldwide on a $70 million production budget (according to Box Office Mojo). While it found some success through video-on-demand services and became a quiet hit, adding it to Netflix should finally give the film the wider audience it deserves.
Four Years Later, ‘The Northman’ is Finally Receiving the Love it Deserves
Focus Features
I was really glad to hear that The Northman actually started making money, even though it didn’t do great in theaters when they first reopened after the pandemic. Forbes reported that it started turning a profit because of people renting or buying it through streaming services like Vudu. Apparently, according to industry news,
Even a movie like Robert Eggers’ The Northman managed to become profitable. Although it only earned $69.5 million worldwide against a $70 million production budget ($35 million from Focus Features), revenue from sources like video-on-demand and other post-theater releases helped it succeed.
Four years after its release, The Northman is now gaining a lot of popularity on Netflix. During the week of August 31, 2025, it ranked as a top 10 film globally on the streaming service, performing particularly well in Brazil, Mexico, and the UK (according to Tudum). When it became available on Netflix in the U.S. in December 2025, it reached an even broader audience, somewhat making up for its disappointing performance in theaters.
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According to JustWatch, The Northman has become a major hit on streaming services, reaching the #1 spot and staying in the Top 10 for over three months (101 days). The film has quietly gained popularity since its release, and is now being praised for its impressive visuals, dedicated acting, and raw, realistic depiction of Viking life and violence.
Despite venturing outside of horror for his film The Northman, Eggers has returned to the genre he’s known for. Following the success of Nosferatu, which earned $182 million worldwide, he’s now set to direct Werewulf.
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2026-03-13 18:37