Danish movies on my to-watch list

This weekend, my husband–who never wants to watch movies–randomly suggested we watch Blinkende Lygter (Flickering Lights) which he described as a “Danish cult classic.” I was skeptical at first, but sold by the synopsis that came up on Google: “Four gangsters steal a fortune from their boss and hide out in a small farmhouse, where each comes to the realization they would like to stay there and open a small restaurant.” I mean, that is a great premise. And the movie did not disappoint! I laughed the whole way through. (And for the non-Danish speakers out there, we actually watched it with English subtitles–Danish ones weren’t available, for some reason–and the humor definitely translated.)

That made me realize I have been sleeping on Danish films since I arrived here, so I asked y’all on Instagram for more recommendations. Here are the movies you suggested, which I’m now considering my to-watch list!

A star * next to the title indicates that I’ve watched the movie, and I added “my two cents” if I’ve seen it. Synopses are via Google (whatever came up on the sidebar) unless otherwise indicated.

Adams Æbler / Adam’s Apples

Genre: Dark comedy

Year: 2005

Synopsis: “Following a stint in jail, Adam (Ulrich Thomsen), a former neo-Nazi, is temporarily assigned to live in a religious enclave. The community is led by Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen), an eternally optimistic priest who immediately gets under the skin of the gruff Adam. In order to move forward with his rehabilitation, Adam must select a task, so he decides to bake an apple pie. However, his simple choice is complicated by Ivan’s insistence that Adam use apples from a tree that is plagued by problems.”

Where to watch: Blockbuster.dk (I have never used this site, but couldn’t find this movie anywhere else – anyone have experience with it??)

Afdeling Q / Department Q (series)

Genre: Crime/thriller

Year: 2013 –

Synopsis (Kvinden i Buret/The Keeper of Lost Causes): “Carl Morck, a troubled detective, is assigned to the newly created `Department Q’, a basement-bound job filing cold cases. He is allocated an assistant, Assad, and between them they review the case files to determine which ones can be closed.”

Where to watch: Netflix (Nordic)

All Inclusive

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2014

Synopsis: “After finding out that her husband is cheating on her, Lise and her two daughters, Ditte and Sigrid, decide to go on a holiday to Malta. The two sisters are very different from each other so they try to cheer up their mother in very different ways.”

Where to watch: Viaplay

Alle for En, To, og Tre / All for One, Two, and Three (trilogy)

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2011

Synopsis (Alle for En): “Four childhood friends, who have ended up on different sides of the law, are forced to work together against a common enemy when they all find themselves in serious trouble, with no clear way out.”

Where to watch: Viaplay

Blinkende Lygter / Flickering Lights*

Genre: Dark comedy

Year: 2000

Synopsis: “Four gangsters steal a fortune from their boss and hide out in a small farmhouse, where each comes to the realization they would like to stay there and open a small restaurant.”

Where to watch: Viaplay

My two cents: Absolutely hilarious. Honestly, the funniest movie I’ve seen in a while. Watch this if you haven’t already!! Definitely recommend.

Blå Mænd / Take the Trash

“Blå Mænd” literally translates to “Blue Men” so I’m not sure where the English title came from!

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2008

Synopsis (via IMDb): “Jesper, top salesman at an IT company, is a bastard. Jesper gets in an accident DUI. He loses his job, his girlfriend and does community service at a recycling center and must adjust to his new surroundings and colleagues.”

Where to watch: TV2

Brødre / Brothers

Genre: Drama

Year: 2004

Synopsis: “When Danish army officer Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) is sent to Afghanistan, his mission quickly goes awry, leading to his imprisonment. When news of Michael’s disappearance and presumed death reaches home, his errant, drifter brother, Jannik (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), mends his ways to provide support for Michael’s family and wife, Sarah (Connie Nielsen). Eventually, Jannik and Sarah develop deep feelings for one another. However, when Michael is rescued and returned home, things take a dark turn.”

Where to watch: Blockbuster.dk

Den Eneste Ene / The One and Only

Genre: Rom-com

Year: 1999

Synopsis: “A married woman (Sidse Babett Knudsen) falls for someone else’s husband (Niels Olsen), while her husband begins to stray.”

Where to watch: Blockbuster.dk

Druk / Another Round*

Genre: Drama

Year: 2020

Synopsis: Four high school teachers consume alcohol on a daily basis to see how it affects their social and professional lives.

Where to watch: Viaplay

My two cents: I only watched this after it won an Oscar, despite hearing great things about it since it came out. I can just say that the award was well deserved!! I think the first time I saw the trailer, I thought it was just going to be like a “drinking buddy” kind of bro-comedy film, which is why I wasn’t so interested in watching it, but it was very much not that. It was poignant and insightful, and had me gripped the whole time. There were plenty of funny moments, but you also really feel for the characters and the pain that they’re going through (and yup, I cried towards the end). Definitely recommend this one.

Efter Bryllupet / After the Wedding

Genre: Drama

Year: 2006

Synopsis: “Jacob Petersen (Mads Mikkelsen) dedicates his life to helping street children in India, and when the orphanage he leads may be closed, he receives an interesting offer. A businessman will give him $4 million — with conditions. Jacob must return to Denmark and take part in the wedding of the man’s daughter; the event is a crucial meeting of past and future, throwing Jacob into the most-intense dilemma of his life.”

Where to watch: Viaplay

Frøken Nitouche

Genre: Comedy, musical, romance

Year: 1963

Synopsis (via IMDb): “A convent girl school’s music teacher has composed an operetta. He has to escort his best student to an arranged marriage, but they head for his theater premiere instead.”

Where to watch: Google Play

De Grønne Slagtere / The Green Butchers

Genre: Dark comedy

Year: 2003

Synopsis: “Two butchers, Svend Sweat and Bjarne, start their own shop to get away from their arrogant boss. Possible cannibalism quickly complicates their plans, as well as the reappearance of Bjarne’s twin brother, Eigil.”

Where to watch: Viaplay

Hævnen / In a Better World

Another non-literal translation; “hævnen” means “revenge.”

Genre: Drama/thriller

Year: 2010

Synopsis: “Anton (Mikael Persbrandt) is a doctor who travels frequently between his home in Denmark and a refugee camp in Africa. His domestic life is complicated by the fact that he and his wife, Marianne (Trine Dyrholm), are experiencing marital strife and his son, Elias (Markus Rygaard), is a victim of school bullying. When a new boy, whose mother recently died, moves to town and befriends Elias, it provides solace for both father and son. After a reckless act, however, things turn tragic.”

Where to watch: Google Play

Jagten / The Hunt *

Genre: Drama

Year: 2012

Synopsis: “A kindergarten teacher’s (Mads Mikkelsen) world collapses around him after one of his students (Annika Wedderkopp), who has a crush on him, implies that he committed a lewd act in front of her.”

Where to watch: Viaplay

My two cents: I watched this on a plane and had no idea what I was in for. This movie is dark and really freaking sad (I cried on the plane) but truly excellent. Definitely recommend.

Jagtsæson / Hunting Season

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2019

Synopsis (via IMDb): “Eva, a recently divorced, single mom, goes away for a weekend at a spa with her childhood friend Marlene to help her get through her midlife crisis. Isabella, the new girlfriend of Eva’s ex-husband, has also joined the trip and is trying hard to become Marlene’s new best friend. Eva’s friendship with Marlene is at risk, as the women reveal their worst sides during an unfortunate Brazilian wax, a failed pheasant hunt and other trials. The question is: Can Eva fix things between her and Marlene, build a healthy relationship with Isabella and still save her son’s birthday?”

Where to watch: Viaplay

En Kongelig Affære / A Royal Affair*

Genre: Romance/drama

Year: 2012

Synopsis: “Caroline Matilda, the youngest sister of George III, is betrothed to her cousin Christian VII, King of Denmark. Almost immediately aware of her young husband’s mental illness, she falls under the charismatic spell of Christian’s new doctor.”

Where to watch: Netflix (Nordic)

My two cents: This is just a really good drama, and I think you can go ahead an call it educational since it’s based on true historical events 😉 . Would recommend!

Krummerne / The Crumbs (series)

Genre: Family comedy

Year: 1991 –

Synopsis: “Without actually doing it on purpose, Krumme drives everyone around him insane with his daily mishaps. Luckily for him, he has a sweet and indulgent family who take life as it comes.”

Where to watch: Netflix (Nordic)

Olsen-banden / Olsen Gang (series)

Genre: Crime/comedy

Year: 1968 –

Synopsis: “Petty criminal Egon Olsen considers himself a genius and dreams of carrying out a big heist. Together with his two gang members, the fresh-faced Benny and the young Kjeld, he tries to steal a heavily guarded art object.”

Where to watch: Netflix (Nordic) and Viaplay

Retfærdighedens Ryttere / Riders of Justice

Genre: Action

Year: 2020

Synopsis: “Markus returns home to care for his daughter when his wife dies in a tragic train accident. However, when a survivor of the wreck surfaces and claims foul play, Markus suspects his wife was murdered and embarks on a mission to find those responsible.”

Where to watch: Blockbuster.dk

Den Skyldige / The Guilty

Genre: Crime/thriller

Year: 2018

Synopsis: “Alarm dispatcher and former police officer Asger Holm answers an emergency call from a kidnapped woman. When the call is suddenly disconnected, the search for the woman and her kidnapper begins.”

Where to watch: Viaplay

So, that should be enough to get me started!! What are your favorite Danish films? Are there any missing from this list?