Best Danish Movies: 25 Films That Define Denmark’s Cinema

25. A Hijacking (2012)

• Runtime: 103 min
• Starring: Pilou Asbæk, Søren Malling
• Director: Tobias Lindholm
• Genre: Drama/Thriller
• IMDb Rating: 7.2

Tobias Lindholm’s A Hijacking strips away Hollywood glamour and delivers a gripping, slow-burn thriller rooted in realism. The film follows the hijacking of a Danish cargo ship by Somali pirates and the tense negotiations that unfold between the shipowner in Copenhagen and the pirates in the Indian Ocean. Instead of showcasing large action sequences, the narrative focuses on the psychological toll — the claustrophobic fear among the crew and the emotional strain back home. Pilou Asbæk gives a career-defining performance as a cook trapped in limbo, while Søren Malling embodies corporate pressure with chilling precision. The sound design enhances every pause, making silence as unsettling as violence. By highlighting bureaucracy, ethics, and human frailty, A Hijacking reminds viewers that real tragedies unfold in negotiations, not explosions. It is a perfect example of why movies from Denmark are praised for depth and nuance.

24. Pelle the Conqueror (1987)

• Runtime: 150 min
• Starring: Max von Sydow, Pelle Hvenegaard
• Director: Bille August
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 7.7

Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Pelle the Conqueror is a cornerstone of Danish cinema. The film tells the moving story of Pelle, a young Swedish boy, and his father Lasse, played by Max von Sydow, as they emigrate to Denmark in search of a better life. Instead of finding opportunity, they encounter exploitation and hardship on a farm. Bille August crafts a sweeping narrative about resilience, dignity, and the immigrant struggle, capturing both the harsh beauty of the Danish countryside and the brutal realities of poverty. The father-son relationship anchors the emotional depth, showing how hope endures even in despair. Von Sydow delivers one of his most heartbreaking roles, grounding the epic in intimate humanity. Pelle the Conqueror exemplifies how the best Danish movies combine social history with deeply personal storytelling.

23. Riders of Justice (2020)

• Runtime: 116 min
• Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas
• Director: Anders Thomas Jensen
• Genre: Action/Comedy/Drama
• IMDb Rating: 7.5

A revenge thriller on the surface, Riders of Justice evolves into a meditation on grief, coincidence, and the search for meaning. Mads Mikkelsen plays Markus, a soldier returning home after his wife’s death in a tragic train accident. When an eccentric mathematician and his oddball companions suggest the crash was no accident, Markus is drawn into an unconventional quest for justice. Anders Thomas Jensen balances violence and absurdity with profound philosophical questions about causality and fate. The result is a film that is darkly funny yet deeply moving, offering both catharsis and introspection. Mikkelsen’s restrained performance captures the fragile rage of a man broken by loss, while the ensemble adds humor and humanity. Beneath its violent surface, Riders of Justice becomes a story about healing and unlikely connections, proving why movies from Denmark resonate so powerfully worldwide.

22. The Celebration (Festen) (1998)

• Runtime: 105 min
• Starring: Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen
• Director: Thomas Vinterberg
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 8.0

Thomas Vinterberg’s The Celebration is the film that officially launched the Dogme 95 movement, redefining cinema in the late 1990s. Shot with handheld cameras, natural light, and no artificial sound, the film immerses viewers in a disturbing family reunion where dark secrets erupt. At a patriarch’s 60th birthday party, his son delivers a shocking revelation that shatters the façade of family respectability. What follows is a raw and unsettling dissection of denial, abuse, and generational silence. The stripped-down aesthetic intensifies the unease, while the improvised energy of the performances brings authenticity to every moment. Beyond scandal, the film examines truth’s destructive power when unleashed. The Celebration remains one of the most influential best Danish movies, inspiring filmmakers around the globe with its daring honesty and fearless form.

21. A Royal Affair (2012)

• Runtime: 137 min
• Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Alicia Vikander
• Director: Nikolaj Arcel
• Genre: Historical Drama
• IMDb Rating: 7.5

A Royal Affair combines romance, politics, and history into one of the most visually stunning movies from Denmark. Set in the 18th century, it recounts the forbidden love between Queen Caroline Mathilde and royal physician Johann Struensee, who sought to reform Denmark’s rigid monarchy. The film captures not only their passionate relationship but also the risks of enlightenment ideals colliding with entrenched power. Mads Mikkelsen delivers quiet intensity as Struensee, while Alicia Vikander shines as a queen torn between duty and desire. Director Nikolaj Arcel stages the drama with sweeping visuals of palaces and candlelit chambers, balancing intimacy with grandeur. More than a costume romance, the story exposes the fragility of progress in the face of political backlash. This is Danish cinema at its finest: bold, emotional, and historically rich.

20. Breaking the Waves (1996)

• Runtime: 159 min
• Starring: Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård
• Director: Lars von Trier
• Genre: Drama/Romance
• IMDb Rating: 7.8

Lars von Trier’s Breaking the Waves is a haunting love story that questions faith, sacrifice, and human suffering. Emily Watson gives a remarkable performance as Bess, a deeply religious young woman whose husband becomes paralyzed after an accident. Driven by a belief that her sacrifices will save him, she embarks on a path that challenges both morality and sanity. The raw camerawork and intimate close-ups amplify the emotional intensity, while von Trier’s stylistic chapter structure gives the film a hymn-like quality. At once heartbreaking and transcendent, the story forces viewers to grapple with the thin line between devotion and destruction. Its blend of spiritual inquiry and brutal realism made it one of the most unforgettable best Danish movies, cementing von Trier’s reputation as a provocative storyteller.

19. The Hunt (2012)

• Runtime: 115 min
• Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Annika Wedderkopp
• Director: Thomas Vinterberg
• Genre: Drama/Thriller
• IMDb Rating: 8.3

The Hunt is a chilling examination of suspicion, hysteria, and the fragility of reputation in small communities. Mads Mikkelsen delivers one of his most powerful performances as Lucas, a kindergarten teacher falsely accused of child abuse. What begins as an innocent misunderstanding snowballs into a full-blown witch hunt, leaving Lucas isolated and under siege by those he once trusted. Vinterberg’s direction captures the claustrophobic tension of small-town judgment, while the film raises universal questions about truth, fear, and mob mentality. The cinematography contrasts the serenity of Danish landscapes with the ugliness of social paranoia. With a heartbreaking yet restrained ending, The Hunt became a modern masterpiece and stands tall as one of the defining movies from Denmark, showing how cinema can hold a mirror to collective injustice.

18. Another Round (2020)

• Runtime: 117 min
• Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen
• Director: Thomas Vinterberg
• Genre: Comedy/Drama
• IMDb Rating: 7.7

Winner of the Academy Award for Best International Feature, Another Round blends existential philosophy with a bittersweet comedy about alcohol, aging, and renewal. The story follows four weary high-school teachers who test a theory that humans function better with a constant low level of alcohol in their blood. What begins as liberating experimentation soon spirals into crisis, testing their friendships and their families. Vinterberg balances humor with poignant melancholy, exploring midlife disillusionment while celebrating fleeting joy. Mads Mikkelsen’s extraordinary closing dance scene became instantly iconic, symbolizing both despair and resilience. Beyond its premise, the film asks profound questions about risk, vitality, and the pursuit of meaning. Another Round showcases why the best Danish movies captivate international audiences with their mix of boldness and emotional honesty.

17. The Idiots (Idioterne) (1998)

• Runtime: 117 min
• Starring: Bodil Jørgensen, Jens Albinus
• Director: Lars von Trier
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 6.8

The second official Dogme 95 film, The Idiots is one of Lars von Trier’s most controversial works, deliberately provocative and challenging. The film follows a group of adults who gather to explore their “inner idiot,” deliberately behaving as if intellectually disabled to reject societal norms. Through handheld camerawork, stripped production, and raw improvisation, von Trier pushes viewers to confront discomfort, hypocrisy, and rebellion. Critics were sharply divided, with some calling it exploitative and others praising its daring social critique. Yet the film’s commitment to Dogme’s purity remains undeniable, stripping cinema down to uncomfortable truth. The Idiots exemplifies how movies from Denmark often break conventions to spark debate. Love it or hate it, the film is a bold statement on conformity, alienation, and the limits of art itself.

16. Europa (1991)

• Runtime: 112 min
• Starring: Jean-Marc Barr, Barbara Sukowa
• Director: Lars von Trier
• Genre: Drama/War
• IMDb Rating: 7.5

Europa (released as Zentropa in some countries) is a visually striking film that fuses expressionism with hypnotic storytelling. Set in post–World War II Germany, it follows an American idealist who becomes a train conductor, only to be entangled in political and moral chaos. Von Trier employs surreal visuals, including rear projection and stark black-and-white imagery with bursts of color, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The narrative voiceover guides viewers like a hypnotist, pulling them deeper into disorientation. Europa is not just a story but an experience, blurring history and nightmare. The film won multiple awards at Cannes and solidified von Trier’s reputation for visual audacity. For those exploring the best Danish movies, Europa remains a cinematic puzzle box that lingers long after viewing.

15. In a Better World (2010)

• Runtime: 119 min
• Starring: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm
• Director: Susanne Bier
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 7.6

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, In a Better World interweaves stories of violence, forgiveness, and moral dilemmas. It follows two families whose lives intersect after their sons become friends, set against backdrops of both Danish suburbia and African refugee camps. Susanne Bier masterfully explores how cycles of anger and revenge ripple across cultures and generations. The film balances intimate family drama with global themes, raising questions about justice and compassion in a fractured world. Performances from Trine Dyrholm and Mikael Persbrandt are deeply moving, bringing raw humanity to complex roles. Bier’s direction refuses easy answers, instead leaving audiences with haunting ambiguity. In a Better World demonstrates why movies from Denmark often achieve both critical and emotional impact on a global scale.

14. Ordet (The Word) (1955)

• Runtime: 126 min
• Starring: Henrik Malberg, Emil Hass Christensen
• Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 8.2

Carl Theodor Dreyer’s Ordet is a spiritual masterpiece, a meditation on faith, miracles, and human doubt. The story unfolds in a rural Danish family divided by religious conflict and personal tragedy, culminating in one of the most astonishing climaxes in cinema history. Dreyer’s deliberate pacing and stark visual style transform every gesture into sacred ritual, while the quiet intensity of the performances creates profound emotional resonance. The film explores themes of fanaticism, skepticism, and love with timeless depth. Though slow by modern standards, its meditative beauty rewards patience with transcendence. Few films achieve the level of spiritual gravity found here. For decades, Ordet has stood as one of the best Danish movies ever made, a benchmark for art cinema around the world.

13. The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

• Runtime: 110 min
• Starring: Maria Falconetti, Antonin Artaud
• Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
• Genre: Historical/Drama
• IMDb Rating: 8.1

Though a French story, The Passion of Joan of Arc is one of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s defining contributions to world cinema, cementing Denmark’s reputation in silent film history. Maria Falconetti delivers what many consider the greatest film performance ever, portraying Joan’s suffering during her trial with heartbreaking vulnerability. Dreyer’s innovative use of close-ups and stark set design strip the narrative to its rawest emotions, creating a film that feels timeless and immediate even today. The camera lingers on trembling faces and tear-streaked cheeks, making silence speak louder than words. Long lost and later rediscovered, the restored version reclaims its power. This landmark work is not just among the movies from Denmark but one of the most influential films in cinema history.

12. The House That Jack Built (2018)

• Runtime: 152 min
• Starring: Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz
• Director: Lars von Trier
• Genre: Horror/Drama
• IMDb Rating: 6.8

Lars von Trier’s The House That Jack Built is a disturbing exploration of art, morality, and obsession through the eyes of a serial killer. Matt Dillon delivers a chilling performance as Jack, who recounts his murders as though they were artistic creations, while conversing with a mysterious figure played by Bruno Ganz. Told in episodic chapters, the film forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about violence and artistic responsibility. Von Trier’s direction walks a fine line between grotesque humor and philosophical provocation, making the audience complicit in Jack’s descent. While controversial for its brutality, the film is also strangely meditative, filled with references to art, architecture, and Dante’s Inferno. It’s not an easy watch, but it exemplifies how movies from Denmark often push boundaries to challenge conventional cinema.

11. Babette’s Feast (1987)

• Runtime: 103 min
• Starring: Stéphane Audran, Bodil Kjer
• Director: Gabriel Axel
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 7.8

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Babette’s Feast is a quiet yet profound meditation on generosity, art, and gratitude. The story unfolds in a small 19th-century Danish village, where a French refugee named Babette offers to prepare a lavish meal for the austere community that took her in. What begins as an act of service becomes a transcendent celebration of beauty and grace through food. Gabriel Axel directs with restraint, allowing the feast itself to emerge as a metaphor for spiritual and artistic expression. Stéphane Audran’s performance is luminous, embodying sacrifice and passion without words. The film demonstrates how kindness can transform even the most rigid hearts. Babette’s Feast remains one of the most beloved best Danish movies, praised for its delicate balance of sensual pleasure and moral depth.

10. Melancholia (2011)

• Runtime: 135 min
• Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg
• Director: Lars von Trier
• Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi
• IMDb Rating: 7.1

Melancholia blends intimate psychological drama with apocalyptic spectacle, creating a film that is both deeply personal and cosmically vast. Kirsten Dunst plays Justine, a bride sinking into depression during her wedding, while her sister Claire, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg, struggles to maintain control as a rogue planet threatens to collide with Earth. Von Trier’s haunting visuals — especially the operatic slow-motion prologue — set the tone for an exploration of despair and acceptance in the face of annihilation. The film’s structure, divided into two acts, contrasts the sisters’ responses to crisis, offering a meditation on mental illness and mortality. Dunst delivers a career-best performance, winning Best Actress at Cannes. Melancholia is among the most unforgettable movies from Denmark, uniting raw emotion with grand, existential imagery.

9. The Five Obstructions (2003)

• Runtime: 90 min
• Starring: Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier
• Director: Lars von Trier, Jørgen Leth
• Genre: Documentary
• IMDb Rating: 7.3

In The Five Obstructions, Lars von Trier challenges his mentor Jørgen Leth to remake Leth’s 1967 short film The Perfect Human five times, each under restrictive “obstructions” imposed by von Trier. The result is a playful yet profound exploration of creativity, artistic freedom, and the meaning of cinema itself. The documentary reveals not only the process of filmmaking but also the complex relationship between student and teacher, provoker and artist. Each remake forces Leth to confront new limitations, producing wildly different interpretations of the same idea. The film becomes a dialogue about art’s capacity to thrive under constraint, echoing Denmark’s Dogme 95 philosophy. For cinephiles, The Five Obstructions is a fascinating entry among the best Danish movies, offering a rare window into the artistic mind at work.

8. Flame and Citron (2008)

• Runtime: 130 min
• Starring: Thure Lindhardt, Mads Mikkelsen
• Director: Ole Christian Madsen
• Genre: War/Drama
• IMDb Rating: 7.2

Flame and Citron is Denmark’s most ambitious World War II film, dramatizing the true story of two resistance fighters who battled Nazi occupation. Thure Lindhardt plays “Flame,” the passionate idealist, while Mads Mikkelsen portrays “Citron,” the weary pragmatist caught in moral compromise. Their bond is tested by betrayal, love, and the brutal realities of war. The film avoids heroic clichés, instead presenting resistance as a messy and morally complex struggle. Stylish period details and tense action sequences are matched by philosophical questions about loyalty and sacrifice. Ole Christian Madsen directs with a noir-like sensibility, framing wartime Copenhagen in shadow and doubt. Flame and Citron is not just a war movie but a meditation on the cost of freedom, making it a standout among movies from Denmark.

7. The Green Butchers (2003)

• Runtime: 100 min
• Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas
• Director: Anders Thomas Jensen
• Genre: Dark Comedy
• IMDb Rating: 7.2

This macabre dark comedy follows two eccentric butchers who accidentally discover a gruesome path to success after serving human flesh to unsuspecting customers. Blending grotesque humor with social satire, The Green Butchers walks a fine line between absurdity and morality. Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas create a bizarre yet endearing duo, embodying both desperation and charm. Anders Thomas Jensen crafts a story that is as shocking as it is funny, questioning the lengths people will go to escape failure. Beneath the outrageous premise lies a surprisingly poignant look at ambition, friendship, and loneliness. The film’s offbeat tone and daring subject matter reflect Denmark’s taste for fearless storytelling. The Green Butchers stands out among the best Danish movies for its originality and wicked wit.

6. The Commune (2016)

• Runtime: 111 min
• Starring: Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen
• Director: Thomas Vinterberg
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 6.9

Set in 1970s Copenhagen, The Commune tells the story of a group of adults experimenting with collective living, where ideals of freedom and equality clash with jealousy and personal desire. When a couple opens their home to friends and strangers alike, the dream of utopia unravels under the weight of human emotion. Thomas Vinterberg captures both the allure and fragility of communal life, blending nostalgia with psychological realism. Trine Dyrholm’s extraordinary performance earned her the Silver Bear at Berlin, portraying a woman torn between love, betrayal, and identity. The film reflects on how even the noblest ideals can collapse when tested by everyday challenges. With its intimate conflicts against a cultural backdrop, The Commune exemplifies how movies from Denmark merge personal and social narratives into powerful drama.

5. Antichrist (2009)

• Runtime: 108 min
• Starring: Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg
• Director: Lars von Trier
• Genre: Horror/Drama
• IMDb Rating: 6.6

Perhaps the most controversial of Lars von Trier’s works, Antichrist is an unsettling psychological horror that confronts grief, gender, and human nature at its darkest. After the death of their child, a couple retreats to a remote cabin in the woods, where their relationship descends into violence and madness. With its shocking imagery and graphic scenes, the film sparked outrage at Cannes while also earning praise for its fearless artistry. Charlotte Gainsbourg’s performance is raw and unflinching, matched by Willem Dafoe’s restrained intensity. Von Trier uses symbolism and surreal sequences to explore primal fear and guilt, creating a work that is both horrifying and mesmerizing. Though polarizing, Antichrist exemplifies the extremes of movies from Denmark, proving that Danish cinema can be as daring as it is disturbing.

4. The Act of Killing (2012)

• Runtime: 159 min
• Starring: Anwar Congo, Herman Koto
• Director: Joshua Oppenheimer
• Genre: Documentary
• IMDb Rating: 8.2

Though directed by an American, The Act of Killing was co-produced by Denmark and became one of the most acclaimed documentaries of the 21st century. The film confronts the perpetrators of the 1965 Indonesian mass killings, asking them to reenact their crimes in the style of the Hollywood genres they love. What emerges is a surreal and chilling journey into the psychology of killers, blurring the lines between performance and confession. The documentary’s innovative approach exposes not only political violence but also the banality of evil, leaving viewers shaken. With Danish producers at its core, the film represents how movies from Denmark extend beyond borders to impact global cinema. The Act of Killing is both harrowing and groundbreaking, redefining what documentary filmmaking can achieve.

3. Dogville (2003)

• Runtime: 178 min
• Starring: Nicole Kidman, Paul Bettany
• Director: Lars von Trier
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 8.0

Dogville is a radical theatrical experiment, stripping cinema down to chalk outlines on a bare stage. Nicole Kidman stars as Grace, a mysterious woman seeking refuge in a small town that gradually exploits and abuses her generosity. The minimalist set design emphasizes the cruelty of human behavior, leaving nothing to hide behind. Von Trier crafts a parable about power, hypocrisy, and moral corruption, turning a simple allegory into a devastating critique of society. The performances are extraordinary, with Kidman delivering vulnerability and strength in equal measure. Though divisive, the film’s stark vision forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about community and violence. Dogville stands as one of the best Danish movies for its audacity and its unforgettable fusion of cinema and theater.

2. Dancer in the Dark (2000)

• Runtime: 140 min
• Starring: Björk, Catherine Deneuve
• Director: Lars von Trier
• Genre: Musical/Drama
• IMDb Rating: 7.9

Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, Dancer in the Dark is a tragic musical that combines bleak realism with dreamlike fantasy. Björk stars as Selma, a Czech immigrant in America who is slowly going blind but escapes her harsh reality through elaborate musical daydreams. Her performance, raw and heartbreaking, earned universal acclaim, despite her public clashes with von Trier. The film’s grainy visuals and handheld camerawork contrast with the vibrant, stylized musical sequences, creating a jarring but powerful rhythm. Dancer in the Dark is both a celebration of imagination and a devastating tragedy about sacrifice and injustice. Few films manage to be so emotionally overwhelming. Among movies from Denmark, it stands as one of the most ambitious and unforgettable works ever produced.

1. The Celebration (Festen) (1998)

• Runtime: 105 min
• Starring: Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen
• Director: Thomas Vinterberg
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb Rating: 8.0

Topping the list, The Celebration remains the most influential and groundbreaking Danish film, both culturally and cinematically. As the first official Dogme 95 film, it shook the world with its stripped-down style, handheld camerawork, and commitment to raw authenticity. The story centers on a family gathering for the patriarch’s 60th birthday, where a son reveals disturbing truths about past abuse, unleashing chaos and denial. The film’s power lies in its realism — the laughter, silence, and confrontations feel painfully authentic. Vinterberg’s fearless direction changed the landscape of modern cinema, proving that truth can be more shocking than spectacle. The Celebration continues to inspire filmmakers worldwide, and for many, it is the pinnacle of the best Danish movies, encapsulating the honesty and boldness of Denmark’s cinematic tradition.

🎬 A Last Word on the Best Danish Movies

Danish cinema has carved out a unique place in world film history, balancing raw realism with bold artistic experimentation. From Carl Theodor Dreyer’s spiritual masterpieces to Lars von Trier’s provocative Dogme 95 experiments, and from Bille August’s sweeping dramas to Thomas Vinterberg’s modern Oscar-winning works, the best Danish movies reveal a wide spectrum of storytelling. What unites them is a fearless commitment to emotional truth and an ability to resonate far beyond Scandinavia.

For anyone discovering movies from Denmark, this list offers not just entertainment but also a journey through cultural identity, moral complexity, and cinematic innovation. Danish filmmakers have shown that small nations can tell stories with global impact, influencing generations of directors across Europe, America, and beyond. Whether you’re new to Nordic cinema or a seasoned cinephile, these films showcase why Denmark remains one of the most dynamic forces in international filmmaking.

❓ FAQ About the Best Danish Movies