Welcome to my latest post of Scandinavian films and TV series to stream now while you’re staying safer at home. Here I feature films and TV shows from Sweden. Previously, I shared Films & TV Series to Stream Now: Norway. Stay tuned for Denmark.
Over the years, Sweden has won three Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film – The Virgin Spring (1960), Through the Glass Darkly (1961), and Fanny & Alexander (1983) – all of them directed by Ingmar Bergman and which can all be streamed now. See below for details.
In the case of Sweden, I found it interesting that I had not seen many of the movies and TV shows listed, but I had read many of the books upon which they were based. I enjoyed the books (I even consider them among my favorite Scandinavian reads) but I am often hesitant to see movies that are based on books I’ve read and enjoyed. But maybe that will change during this coronavirus self-quarantine time.
As I mentioned in my previous post, for streaming options, you have, of course, the usual suspects – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more – but don’t forget that you may have free streaming options available from your public library through hoopla and kanopy as well. These two services offer plenty of free foreign and domestic films and TV shows at no charge.
Please note that availability of films and TV shows on these streaming platforms may change at any time.
* Movies/TV series with one asterisk are ones I’ve watched but don’t necessarily recommend unless you’re up for something a bit out of the ordinary.
** Movies/TV series with double asterisks are ones I’ve enjoyed and recommend, assuming you’re in the mood for that genre.
Films from Sweden
A Man Called Ove
- Director: Hannes Holm (2016)
- Based on book by Fredrik Backman, A Man Called Ove
- Genre: Drama, Comedy
- Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, 2016
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (Sundance Now)
As It Is in Heaven
- Director: Kay Pollak (2004)
- Genre: Drama
- Starring: Michael Nyqvist
- Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, 2004
- Where to Watch: hoopla
Becoming Astrid
- Director: Pernille Fischer Christensen (2018)
- Genre: Drama
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (included with Prime)
* Border
- Director: Ali Abbasi (2018)
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Britt-Marie Was Here
- Director: Tuva Novotny (2019)
- Based on book by Fredrik Backman, Britt-Marie Was Here
- Genre: Drama, Comedy
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (included with Prime)
Fanny & Alexander
- Director: Ingmar Bergman (1982)
- Genre: Drama
- Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language Film, 1983
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Force Majeure
- Director: Ruben Ostlund (2014)
- Genre: Drama
- Where to Watch: hoopla, kanopy, Amazon Prime Video (Magnolia Selects)
** The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Trilogy #1)
- Director: Niels Arden Oplev (2009)
- Based on book of same title by Stieg Larsson
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist
- Where to Watch: hoopla, Amazon Prime Video (included with Prime)
** The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium Trilogy #2)
- Director: Daniel Alfredson (2009)
- Based on book of same title by Stieg Larsson
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist
- Where to Watch: hoopla, Amazon Prime Video (included with Prime)
** The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (Millennium Trilogy #3)
- Director: Daniel Alfredson (2009)
- Based on book of same title by Stieg Larsson
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist
- Where to Watch: hoopla, Amazon Prime Video (included with Prime)
Sami Blood
- Director: Amanda Kernell (2017)
- Genre: Drama
- Where to Watch: hoopla
Simon and the Oaks
- Director: Lisa Ohlin (2011)
- Based on novel by Marianne Fredriksson, Simon’s Family
- Genre: Drama, Historical
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
- Director: Felix Herngren (2015)
- Based on novel of same title by Jonas Jonasson
- Genre: Comedy
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared
- Director: Felix Herngren & Måns Herngren (2016)
- Genre: Comedy
- Where to Watch: Netflix
* The Square
- Director: Ruben Ostlund (2018)
- Genre: Drama
- Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, 2018
- Where to Watch: hoopla, Amazon Prime Video
The Virgin Spring
- Director: Ingmar Bergman (1960)
- Genre: Drama
- Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language Film, 1960
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Through a Glass Darkly
- Director: Ingmar Bergman (1961)
- Genre: Drama
- Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language Film, 1962
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
TV Series
Quicksand
- Based on novel of same title by Malin Persson Giolito
- Genre: Drama
- 6 episodes of 45 minutes each
- Where to Watch: Netflix
Wallander: The Original Episodes
- Based on books by Henning Mankell
- Genre: Crime
- Starring: Rolf Lassgård (2003)
- 4 episodes
- Where to Watch: hoopla
Wallander: Season 2
- Based on books by Henning Mankell
- Genre: Crime
- Starring: Krister Henriksson (2012)
- 13 episodes
- Where to Watch: hoopla
Wallander: Season 3
- Based on books by Henning Mankell
- Genre: Crime
- Starring: Krister Henriksson (2013)
- 6 episodes
- Where to Watch: hoopla
Which films and TV shows have you seen and recommend? Do you have others to add to the list? Share in the comments or email me. I’d love to hear.
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SE: Liked, A Man Called Ove, Becoming Astrid and Fanny and Alexander. Liked Simon and the Oaks. As It Is In Heaven was OK as was 101 Year Old Man Who Crawled Out the Window. And really liked the Millenium trilogy..preferred the Swedish version to the American version.
I did not care for Force Majeure or The Square (Ostlund not a favorite of mine.)
Quicksand good. Not crazy about the original Wallander series.