25 Best Movies Based on Mythology and Folklore

Given the ubiquity of TV shows like Vikings , films like The Norseman , and the upcoming Thor: Lover and Thunder (which features a bonus Thor), Norse mythology has been very relevant lately.

Aside from the uncomfortable associations with white supremacy (which is by no means a fault of the ancient Scandinavians), there is much to be fascinated about in ancient tales: a drama-loving squirrel responsible for many major conflicts, a boat made entirely of fingernails, and the moment when Thor almost did not marry Loki. All this is rather alien to a mind steeped in Greek mythology, which is itself full of glorious oddities. The bottom line is that the further you go into the realm of myths and folklore, the more interesting it becomes.

Many films based on legends can be called revisionist, but they miss a key element of mythology and folklore: in any cultural context, stories change and shape with the storyteller and listeners. Those that are less malleable do not have the lifespan of these tales, many of which have survived for centuries or millennia.

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