Essential Icelandic films
The top 3 according to 430 votes from people: When the Raven Flies (1984) · Land and Sons (1980) · The Juniper Tree (1990). (Updated Feb 16, 2025.)
From Land and Sons and Children of Nature to Rams, Woman at War and Godland: a chronological tour of the Icelandic films High On Films calls essential, from the 1980 "Icelandic spring" to today.
Top 24
-
1
When the Raven Flies (1984)
Hrafn Gunnlaugsson.
-
2
Land and Sons (1980)
Ágúst Guðmundsson.
-
3
The Juniper Tree (1990)
Nietzchka Keene.
-
4
Children of Nature (1991)
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson; Oscar nominee.
-
5
Devil's Island (1996)
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson.
-
6
101 Reykjavík (2000)
Baltasar Kormákur.
-
7
Virgin Mountain (2015)
Dagur Kári.
-
8
Cold Fever (1995)
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson.
-
9
Jar City (2006)
Baltasar Kormákur.
-
10
Volcano (2011)
Rúnar Rúnarsson.
-
11
Woman at War (2018)
Benedikt Erlingsson.
-
12
Sparrows (2015)
Rúnar Rúnarsson.
-
13
Metalhead (2013)
Ragnar Bragason.
-
14
The Sea (2002)
Baltasar Kormákur.
-
15
The Deep (2012)
Baltasar Kormákur.
-
16
Rams (2015)
Grímur Hákonarson.
-
17
Angels of the Universe (2000)
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson.
-
18
Nói the Albino (2003)
Dagur Kári.
-
19
Heartstone (2016)
Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson.
-
20
Of Horses and Men (2013)
Benedikt Erlingsson.
-
21
Godland (2022)
Hlynur Pálmason.
-
22
A White, White Day (2019)
Hlynur Pálmason.
-
23
Last and First Men (2020)
Jóhann Jóhannsson.
-
24
Beautiful Beings (2022)
Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (4)
Jar City is great if you like Nordic noir, the sheep head dinner scene stays with you lol
Woman at War deserved way more attention. The band following her around on screen is genius.
Rams is one of the best films I've seen about brothers. Two old guys who don't speak for 40 years and a flock of sheep, and somehow it destroys you.
Nói the Albino!! Nobody I know has seen it, glad it's here.