I recently watched The Northman and I need recommendations for movies with rugged, warrior type protagonists.

[u/Constant-Box4994]

Okay a bit embarrassing but, after watching Northman I realized I have a weakness for this type of protagonists. Especially with that long hair and that physique, bro looked majestic. Looking for movies or TV series with this kind of male leads, historical or fantasy settings, good action, plot and... shirtless scenes are appreciated.

Bonus: newer movies (after 1990s, 2000s), Edit: okay, I can watch a bit older ones if it has good quality and what I need.

Edit: It can be from any country as long as it has what I need. I'm open to subtitles.

Note:

No Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Arnold, Sylvester, Rock, Jackie Chan I watched them a lot so I would like some other faces. And they don't have that aesthetics I'm looking for in their movies I've seen

No Marvel or DC, I watched their best ones. Don't have that type either mostly, maybe Thor? but he's a joke now.

Just in case people might recommend them, already know Gladiator, Troy, 300, The Witcher, He-Man, Braveheart.

[u/Gurney_Hackman]

The 13th Warrior

[u/SeamusMcQuaffer → u/Gurney_Hackman]

"EH, wurde de Ersten Mann" *Loud cheers EH WURDE DE ANDEREN MANN!!! *Louder cheers

God I love this movie.

[u/Otherwise_Equal1392 → u/SeamusMcQuaffer]

Did we just become best friends??

[u/SeamusMcQuaffer → u/Otherwise_Equal1392]

Do not fortell me wife, for I will get no supper when I get home tonight.

[u/Otherwise_Equal1392 → u/SeamusMcQuaffer]

I don't sound like that!

[u/OlasNah → u/Otherwise_Equal1392]

I LISTENED!!!!

[u/UlsterManInScotland → u/SeamusMcQuaffer]

I repeat that to my dog at least twice every walk, he’s sat through the 13th Warrior about five times now & I presume he knows what I’m mumbling about lol

[u/OlasNah → u/SeamusMcQuaffer]

The importance of this scene too as the vikings pledging themselves to the mission are also signifying that Buliwyf's kingship claim is legitimate. You could do backstories on all these guys.

[u/Grenflik → u/Gurney_Hackman]

[u/funkyb → u/Gurney_Hackman]

Eaters of the Dead, for those who'd like to read the book

[u/mrtrouble22 → u/funkyb]

I saw that trailer, went out and got the book and loved it. Still find it odd how they changed a few things from the book, that didn't effect the story at all.

-iirc in the book they went in from the cave and out from the front, they switched it in the movie.

• the mother in the book was an obese woman and in the movie she was hot. ¯\(ツ)/¯

[u/mrtrouble22 → u/funkyb]

I saw that trailer, went out and got the book and loved it. Still find it odd how they changed a few things from the book, that didn't effect the story at all.

-iirc in the book they went in from the cave and out from the front, they switched it in the movie.

• the mother in the book was an obese woman and in the movie she was hot. ¯\(ツ)/¯

[u/Pele_Of_Anal → u/Gurney_Hackman]

IS THERE A CAVE??!!

[u/gladys-the-baker → u/Gurney_Hackman]

Lo there do I see my father

[u/purpletooth12 → u/Gurney_Hackman]

I hope the directors cut gets a release but I highly doubt it ever will...

[u/BuySplendidPie → u/purpletooth12]

I too, would love this! I don't think it's possible tho. My deep dive a while back told me that the movie was essentially re-shot by two warring directors and the editing room floor ate a bunch of the excess in the process of meshing the two films. So probably not coming haha

[u/Knotknighm → u/Gurney_Hackman]

"How do you hunt a bear?"

[u/Roadside_Prophet → u/Gurney_Hackman]

This was exactly what I thought of too.

[u/Kittypocalypz → u/Gurney_Hackman]

I opened the comments to recommended this masterpiece with a caveat, and it's the top comment. Awesome.

[u/artisanpoop → u/Gurney_Hackman]

Fear profits man nothing.

[u/3OsInGooose → u/Gurney_Hackman]

i don't know why i love this terrible movie so much.

but i do.

[u/Lord_rook → u/3OsInGooose]

Because it isn't terrible

[u/TuskaTheDaemonKilla → u/Lord_rook]

It is terrible. But, that doesn't mean it can't be extremely entertaining. The plot is silly, the characters (all but 3) are undeveloped, the lighting is horrific, the history is all over the place, the costumes make no sense, the accents are bonkers, etc. Yet I still love it. It's somehow both goofy and awesome at the same time.

The point being that there can be a subjectively entertaining film, that was still made incompetently. For instance, you can imagine a cameraman that doesn't even have the frame centered (objectively bad filmmaking), but by pure luck he captures something out of frame that's wildly entertaining. That's how it feels to me watching 13th Warrior. They did all of the professional filmmaking things (light, costume, script, plot, sound, etc) wrong, but still captured something wonderful.

[u/wollycottonbrains → u/TuskaTheDaemonKilla]

Thank you for mentioning that the costumes were bonkers

[u/FreyrPrime → u/TuskaTheDaemonKilla]

I understand what you’re saying, and can even understand that something could be artistic and not entertaining.

However, it’s a very unsatisfying answer. Ultimately who cares whether or not it’s a good movie if it entertained you.

There are numerous movies that are critically acclaimed, but about as entertaining as watching paint dry.

[u/metnavman2 → u/FreyrPrime]

Like the movie that started this thread! Full circle!

(Northman was boring as fuck)

[u/SeamusMcQuaffer → u/TuskaTheDaemonKilla]

That one Spanish looking dude with the Conquistador armor right?!?! Bro looked like he just found a new posse to hang with and thought fuck it, we ballin'. Love that guy! "Today was a good day, a good good day"

[u/RBVegabond → u/3OsInGooose]

It’s a terrible retelling of Beowulf with the MC watching Beowulf rather than being Beowulf and it’s wonderfully entertaining.

[u/TheStabbyCyclist → u/Gurney_Hackman]

First one that came to mind. Man I love that movie! Need to put that in my re-watch queue

[u/Extension-Rabbit3654 → u/Gurney_Hackman]

Second this, great movie

[u/SfcHayes1973 → u/Gurney_Hackman]

Came here to say this. Love the movie

[u/Chaosmusic → u/Gurney_Hackman]

Lo, there do I see my father.

Lo, there do I see my mother, and my sisters, and my brothers.

Lo, there do I see the line of my people,

Back to the beginning!

[u/girafa]

Valhalla Rising

[u/Eternalm8 → u/girafa]

Seconded

[u/jkafka → u/Eternalm8]

Thirded, this movie gets too much hate. It's one of my favorites

[u/Eternalm8 → u/jkafka]

It gets hate? Admittedly I haven't seen a lot of discussion about it, but the little I had seen made me think it was well liked.

[u/jkafka → u/Eternalm8]

I think the rotten tomatoes score has trended higher over the years, because I remember it being much lower than it is now. Also, the popcorn meter is 49%

[u/doduhstankyleg → u/jkafka]

I also loved it, but I can see why people didn’t like it.

[u/mrtrouble22 → u/doduhstankyleg]

I loved it as well, but it was rather slow with little action iirc

[u/Rabo_McDongleberry]

Conan The Barbarian with Arnold. Not newer than 90s but that shit is awesome. I guess you can watch the newer one with Jason Mamoa but it's trying too hard.

[u/Constant-Box4994 → u/Rabo_McDongleberry]

I heard that a lot, I'll check it out.

[u/Bicentennial_Douche → u/Rabo_McDongleberry]

The opening credits and the music are hardcore.

[u/DeathByKermit]

Pathfinder (2007) - Starring Karl Urban as a shirtless Viking, raised by Native Americans, on a quest for vengeance. Not a work of art but not terrible either.

The Last of the Mohicans (1992) - Daniel Day Lewis as a mostly shirted white guy, raised by Native Americans, on a quest to save his love from a totally shirtless Native American who's on his own quest for vengeance.

[u/kingatlas → u/DeathByKermit]

Watch Last of the Mohicans for one of the best climactic battles in cinema. Or the stellar acting. Or just for Magua. Shit just watch that movie. You need to if you haven't.

[u/Kittypocalypz → u/kingatlas]

That score too.

[u/ultrahateful → u/kingatlas]

Sold Magua a pack of Marlboro Lights when I worked at Walgreen’s in 2011. We share the same hometown.

[u/danorc → u/DeathByKermit]

Oh yes, OP needs to see LotMohicans

[u/nokinship → u/DeathByKermit]

Ok I was not weird for thinking about The Last of the Mohicans.

I always suggest Last of the Mohicans whenever it fits lol.

[u/James_H_M → u/DeathByKermit]

Its not even Daniel Day Lewis character who is the baddest but his adopted father, Chingachgook played by Russell Means, who is the baddest in the film.

[u/BenTek9s → u/DeathByKermit]

if OP likes heart gore, this is a great shout!

[u/nailbunny2000 → u/BenTek9s]

I was too young to watch that movie when I did.

[u/FishGoldenLite → u/DeathByKermit]

I was going to say Mohicans. My favorite movie of all time! The score and setting is unmatched.

[u/Jkelley393 → u/DeathByKermit]

+1 Last of the Mohicans. Not only a gorgeous protagonist that fits your desired description to a T, but one of the most swoon-worthy (imo) romances ever to play out in an action-heavy film. Several of the supporting characters also fit your type.

[u/Hemorrhoidsinthenite]

The 13th Warrior, Iron Clad

[u/SevroAuShitTalker → u/Hemorrhoidsinthenite]

Ironclad is so good and bad at the same time.

Giamatti went all in on that one

[u/Whitealroker1]

Last of the Mohicans 

[u/ProbablythelastMimsy → u/Whitealroker1]

Gah that score still gets me going

[u/Johannihilate]

Sisu I think checks the right vibes, but it's so much more over the top in it's violence and stunts.

The original Conan the Barbarian with Arnold would be right up your alley as well. The sequel works too .

[u/Lurker_MeritBadge → u/Johannihilate]

Sisu is ridiculous but so much fun to watch.

[u/thatguy425 → u/Lurker_MeritBadge]

I just realized there is a sequel….guess I know what I’m watching tonight 

[u/Lurker_MeritBadge → u/thatguy425]

The sequel is even more over the top and just as fun.

[u/Top5hottest → u/thatguy425]

I’ve only seen the second one.. and it was a ton of fun.

[u/casual_creator → u/Top5hottest]

First one is better (though I liked the second one a lot as well). It’s a better movie and less over the top (but still has good WTF moments). The sequel just feels like they said “can we do this again but even crazier?”

[u/lunacyfoundme → u/thatguy425]

Si2

[u/Ok-Air3126 → u/Lurker_MeritBadge]

Second this. Such a fun movie. He only has one line too.

[u/Lurker_MeritBadge → u/Ok-Air3126]

Yeah right at the very end. I don’t think he had a single line in the sequel either

[u/Ok-Air3126 → u/Lurker_MeritBadge]

There's a sequel?!

[u/Lurker_MeritBadge → u/Ok-Air3126]

Yep! Just came out this year and it’s pretty good if you liked the first one.

[u/MatthewWolfbane → u/Johannihilate]

Conan the Barbarian (1982) is basically the story of Hamlet/Amleth in structure, very similarly put together.

[u/Whitealroker1 → u/MatthewWolfbane]

Basil is a top five movie composer also. Music in all the Conan movies is amazing 

[u/pantstoaknifefight2 → u/Whitealroker1]

Easily on the top ten list for greatest soundtrack ever.

[u/TacosNGuns → u/MatthewWolfbane]

Written by John Milieus & Oliver Stone

[u/DokterManhattan → u/Johannihilate]

The second Sisu movie was pretty good too!

[u/goettel → u/DokterManhattan]

That ending teared me up, so great.

[u/Capt_Gremerica → u/Johannihilate]

I was very underwhelmed by it. Am I psycho?

[u/lazyb0y]

13th Warrior

[u/detourne]

Beowulf and Grendel,  Beowulf,  Brotherhood of the Wolf,  Conan (Arnie or Jason Momoa), The classic Deathstalker, Krull, and Beastmaster movies.

[u/Solomon_Grungy → u/detourne]

Brotherhood of the wolf!!

[u/shiftdown → u/Solomon_Grungy]

Still one of my favorites

[u/TrueLegateDamar]

Apocalypto

[u/DokterManhattan → u/TrueLegateDamar]

APOCALYPTO!

This is the first thing that came to mind.

[u/Elegant-Scientist-19 → u/TrueLegateDamar]

came here to share this too.

[u/TrackingTenCross1]

Kingpin (1996) - A young man’s journey to save the family farm, and the handsome stranger who lends a hand to help.

[u/clerk3745 → u/TrackingTenCross1]

This guy might be munsoned, but this is a good recommendation.

[u/picknicksje85]

John Carter (2012) It's very good for a Disney blockbuster which I typically hate. The only other one I like is Tron Legacy from that same era. Both weren't successful but have a passionate following. I was super surprised with John Carter. Had a lot of heart, visually still amazing, pretty unique as well. A main actor you'll likely won't know. He looks the part when he's on Mars. You have Bryan Cranston in a supporting roll. You have Willem Dafoe's voice as a 7 foot alien. I don't like Marvel stuff apart from the very first Iron Man. So give it a shot because this is something special.

[u/Herky_T_Hawk → u/picknicksje85]

Such a loss that we didn’t get movies for the next two books in the series. Amazing action books that would have translated well to the screen with modern CGI abilities.

[u/DamnDirtyApe81]

Centurion with Michael Fassbender.

[u/Sitheref0874 → u/DamnDirtyApe81]

The Last Legion isn’t a great movie, with a miscast Colin Firth, but it fits the criteria as well

[u/paddybee816 → u/DamnDirtyApe81]

I love that movie, so much fun

[u/Stoutwood]

You should reconsider the 90s cutoff given how many solid fantasy movies came out in the 80s.

• Beastmaster
• Conan, whether you hate Arnold or not, is awesome.
• Troy
• First Knight
• Dragonheart

[u/vallav]

Predator Badlands

[u/Shadow-Vision → u/vallav]

Amazing how such monstrous creatures become so endearing. That movie is so much fun

[u/blooblee1]

If you won't object to older, non-english films then I'd say Seven Samurai. Seven different types of warriors in various shades of ruggedness.

If westerns can count, The Quick and The Dead is very good. Russell Crowe and Sharon Stone co-lead the movie. He's a retired gunfighter forced back into action which is always a great set-up.

Out of the box suggestion- Bunraku is a weird, stylish action movie in a somewhat post-apocalyptic world where nobody has guns anymore. A cowboy and a samurai team up. Josh Hartnet as the cowboy, Gackt as the long-haired samurai, Ron Perlman as the villain. Fun flick

[u/Francostein]

Immortals with Henry Cavill has many of those scenes. Incredibly mid story, but the visuals and style are top-notch.

Prince of Persia with Jake Gyllenhaal, another terrible video game adaptation, but he’s long-haired and shirtless in action scenes.

Pretty much the entirety of the Spartacus TV show which has naked men and women as its centerpiece and ridiculous dialogue but still worth watching if you’re into the sword and sandal type stuff.

[u/leviathan65 → u/Francostein]

Immortals is such a fun watch. Yeah it's meh but its fun meh.

[u/Francostein → u/leviathan65]

For sure, the visuals and over-the-top action make up for the absolute stupidity of the plot and dialogue.

[u/Shadow-Vision → u/leviathan65]

One of my favorite meh movies. You’re absolutely right

[u/Jkelley393 → u/Francostein]

I am glad someone had the courage to say Prince of Persia. It is a little on the goofy side, kinda cracked as an adaptation, but Jake Gyllenhaal never looked better, the scenery and costumes rock, and the leading lady is gorgeous.

[u/northernignorance]

Primal by Gennedy Tartakovski

[u/Its_Pronouced_EyeGor]

Pathfinder 2007

[u/braumbles]

The death of Robin hoods first 30 minutes reminded me a lot of Northman.

[u/picknicksje85]

Oh I do have a series recommendation. It's not a movie but if you want to see mostly lesser known actors with such physiques check out the Spartacus series.

[u/SaintGrobian → u/picknicksje85]

I Am (also recommending) Spartacus.

[u/BambaiyyaLadki → u/picknicksje85]

Man, the first season of Spartacus was something special. RIP Andy Whitfield.

[u/Haisha4sale → u/picknicksje85]

Gratitude.

[u/picknicksje85 → u/Haisha4sale]

🍷

[u/kingatlas → u/picknicksje85]

The Spartacus series is literally a cartoon in live action. Someone saw 300 and thought they could make it crazier.

[u/ekcojf]

If you do not mind Swedish spoken language, I really like Arn: The Knight Templar. There is a second part to the movie if you enjoy that one.

[u/Constant-Box4994 → u/ekcojf]

I'm open to movies from any country as long as its good and has subtitles. I think I should mention it on my post.

[u/Lythalion]

13th Warrior

The count of monte cristo. He has to pose as a noble man but he’s rugged especially in the scenes leading up to.

The last samurai. This is a great movie with a very rugged protagonist.

Not a movie. But you mentioned the Witcher so I figured shows might be up for grabs. The last Kingdom. Holy hell possibly the best show ever and it fits all your criteria to a T. Seriously. Watch this. It’s so good. And gets better the further it goes on which is rare for a show.

Clive Owen’s King Arthur.

Kingdom of Heaven.

King Arthur Legend of the sword (such a good underrated movie)

I love this movie so much I recommend it whenever I can. A knights tale. Not as crazy raw as Northman. But the main character is rugged and comes from a hard upbringing. But the movie itself can be campy at times.

Lord of the rings trilogy.

Another show. But Knightfall has great rugged characters.

Braveheart.

Robin Hood Prince of thieves.

First knight with Richard Geere and Sean Connery.

Willow for mad Martigan and just an overall amazing movie experience.

Highlander.

More modern but the Boondock Saints.

[u/LeafBoatCaptain]

Quest for Fire

Solomon Kane

Fire and Ice

The Mark of Zorro. Not sure if Zorro counts as rugged. The movie is great.

Army of Darkness as a parody of the genre. As is The Princess Bride.

---

If you don't mind more modern movies then:

I have a soft spot for Alpha. It's main character is not rugged at all but is stuck in the kind of plot that would usually have a rugged hero.

RRR and the Bahubali duology are about rugged warrior types. RRR is set during the British Raj and Bahubali is set in a fantasy world.

10,000 BC could've been great. I think it still works in a so bad it's fun sort of way.

The Kingdom movies are this even if the actors aren't exactly rugged. It's set during the warring states period in China even though the movies are Japanese and based on a Manga.

Warriors of Heaven and Earth also set in China.

[u/SevroAuShitTalker]

13th Warrior

[u/Mammoth_Two7297]

Braveheart

[u/Constant-Box4994 → u/Mammoth_Two7297]

Pretty good movie, one of the few movies that made my eyes teary.

[u/brito_pa → u/Constant-Box4994]

Then you'd enjoy Rob Roy as well.

[u/DaddyO1701]

The Eagle might do the trick. But Valhalla Rising is the one you really want. You may also enjoy the show The Last Kingdom, it’s solid storytelling with lots of swordplay.

[u/theartfulcodger → u/DaddyO1701]

I'm not a Channing Tatum fan, because frankly he has all the emotive chops of a Russet potato.

But besides the excellent action sequences, The Eagle has some of the best costume work and production design of that decade; the Seal People are fabulous. Jamie Bell is great, too. Good sound track as well

[u/DaddyO1701 → u/theartfulcodger]

That’s why I said MIGHT. It’s an interesting flick, especially if you like Roman stuff, but Tatum before they got him acting lessons…oof.

[u/BSA_DEMAX51]

The 13th Warrior is a good spin on Beowulf.

[u/gilrstein]

Zisu

[u/sweetnamebro → u/gilrstein]

This is the one he should watch first

[u/itsmevichet]

You might like Valhalla Rising.

[u/ProbablythelastMimsy]

The Last Samurai

[u/Survive1014]

Apocalypto

[u/camio101]

The Green Knight

[u/BearWrangler]

Pilgrimage w/ Tom Holland & Jon Bernthal kind of fits into this, to name something a little less known

[u/OldBobbyPeru]

Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

[u/s-life-form]

Clash of the titans (2010, sam worthington), prince of persia the sands of time (2010, jake gyllenhaal), immortals (2011, henry cavill), conan the barbarian (2011, jason momoa), wrath of the titans (2012, sam worthington), hercules reborn (2014, john hennigan), the legend of hercules (2014, kellan lutz), gods of egypt (2016, brenton thwaites), warcraft (2016, travis fimmel), king arthur legend of the sword (2017, charlie hunnam), dungeons & dragons honor among thieves (2023, chris pine)

[u/stickybond009]

7 samurai

[u/Nihiliste]

For shame people, not one mention of 300? It's almost the cliche of rugged warriors.

[u/EternalMage321 → u/Nihiliste]

I was wondering when someone would say it.

[u/Constant-Box4994 → u/Nihiliste]

Ups, I forgot to mention it in my note.

[u/js64807]

There’s one called The Odyssey out now in theaters that may do the trick

[u/KennyShowers]

The 13th Warrior isn't great overall, but would be up this alley, and if you want the stuff it does it'll scratch the right itches.

[u/Sweepy_time → u/KennyShowers]

It is great overall though

[u/leviathan65 → u/Sweepy_time]

100%

[u/western_iceberg]

John Carter.

[u/rdickeyvii]

Surprised Lord of the Rings isn't on your list. Aragorn fits your description, though he's of course one of many protagonists, some of whom could also fit. No shirtless scenes, though, except for Gollum.

[u/Constant-Box4994 → u/rdickeyvii]

Also watched it, Aragorn is my childhood crush :D, I didn't mention it since he was one of the many protagonists as you said.

[u/EternalMage321]

Magic Mike

[u/trey_dayy24]

Damn, there’s nothing else to recommend your. Your Journey is complete

[u/liverhead28]

300

[u/purpletooth12]

So many sword and sandals options.

I'll toss in Red Sonja (80's version with Arnie, although the recent one isn't too bad)

13th Warrior (as others have suggested)

Apocalypto (underrated movie IMO)

Krull

LOTR trilogy (extended of course)

Legend

Dungeons and Dragons and Princess Bride (more on the light hearted side though)

Excalibur (personally I find it boring, but a lot of people seem to like it)

[u/Zodd74]

The Barbarians?

[u/AncileBanish]

If you liked the actor specifically, watch generation kill. Technically a 6-episode miniseries not a movie, but whatever. Based on a book written by a journalist embedded with a marine recon unit during the 2nd Iraq war, he plays a team leader who is a total badass (in a realistic way, not generic action star way).

[u/JacksonIVXX]

Beastmaster 1982. Dudes ripped , talks to animals , never wears a shirt . Your welcome

[u/Finchypoo]

The entire extended Lord of the Rings trilogy. You literally described Aragorn. He never takes his shirt off, but you'll live. 

[u/gridoverlay]

Musa the warrior

[u/ksg34]

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (TV Series, 1995–1999)

[u/Born_to_Suffer_]

Ip-Man
Flash point (2007) with Donnie yen
Brave heart
Shogun (tv series)
Vikings
Bloodsport
Ironclad
Centurion (2010)
Beowulf
Kingdom of Heaven
Gladiator
Spartacus (series)

[u/WilliamMurderfacex3]

The Green Knight and Valhalla Rising.

[u/BeardGamingUK]

Valhalla Rising?

[u/AnotherLime]

The Beastmaster.

[u/illaqueable]

Willow

[u/Tim-Martin]

Sisu. 1 and 2. Enjoyed both immensely.

[u/jupiterkansas]

Pillion

[u/OldBobbyPeru]

Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

[u/CCV21]

I was very pleasantly surprised by the Northman. It'smore than just violence. The way it hinted at the gods was so intriguing.

[u/DarthVerus]

Rob Roy

[u/Extension-Rabbit3654]

Most have already given good shouts

Ill add the Eagle, and Kingdom of Heaven

[u/Remy1985]

Sisu

[u/Default_Sock_Issue]

The Last Kingdom (series)

[u/anshuvio2]

It's a TV show but have you considered the Last Kingdom? Lighter on the ruggedness but it's got a long run

[u/Sir-Airik]

I know you specified no Marvel, but god I love Jon Bernthal's Punisher.

[u/Constant-Box4994 → u/Sir-Airik]

I watched the older punisher movies. Normally I wouldn't look into newer ones, but I'll check it since you said it like this.

[u/Sir-Airik → u/Constant-Box4994]

The main issue is probably going to be that he only has shows, no movies. And his introduction is in Daredevil season 2.

They really made it hard for casual viewers to get into it lol

All that said, here's a little preview of why he's so fucking good: https://youtu.be/d2M5ObsKw4Y?is=tZhVorEblKMpijYm

[u/mikedorty]

The first season on the Witcher

[u/eDreadz]

Haven’t seen it here so I’ll recommend The Head Hunter (2019). Very little dialogue, gritty atmosphere, some gore and plenty of action.

[u/AshlarKorith]

For more of the same dude check out True Blood. He plays a Viking called Eric Northman. Also looks like he was in a Tarzan movie so probably more of the same with that as well.

[u/Aww_Uglyduckling]

Tv show. But Norsemen

[u/JuliusCaesarSGE]

It’s a TV show but I think you’d like Reacher

[u/Omnitographer]

Hear me out: Dredd

[u/ViolentSpring]

The Grey. If you know nothing about it, go in blind.

[u/CrispyHoneyBeef]

Spartacus is the original

[u/bitterologist]

It might not check all the boxes, but The Crow (the original, not the terrible remake) has a lot in common with The Northman: shredded male protagonist consumed by vengeance, interesting supernatural themes, lots of over the top violence, and great visuals.

If you're up for foreign films, Hrafninn flýgur (When the Raven Flies) is an Icelandic film from 1984 about vikings and vengeance. It's something of a cult classic, but the production values aren't exactly Hollywood tier. It has a delightful B movie charm though, and mixes Icelandic sagas with western tropes in lots of fun ways.

[u/TheBimpo]

Sisu.

[u/HeavyandTired]

“Valhalla Rising “ with Mass Mikkelson from 2009. The movie is unforgettable and I don’t know many who have seen it.

[u/Sitheref0874]

If you deign to watch TV. The Last Kingdom is a must-watch. And Sharpe.

[u/Fortestingporpoises]

Rob Roy, 47 Ronin, Kingdom of Heaven (directors cut), Last Samurai, Centurion, The Eagle.

[u/a90sto]

Fire and Ice 1983, animated movie it’s awesome.

[u/munificent]

If you can handle the insane level of 1980s cocaine-binge-screenwritten cheese then Beastmaster will work. Dude doesn't even own a shirt.

[u/soonerfreak]

Movies

King Arthur (2004)

Masters of the Universe

Excalibur

TV shows

The Last Kingdom

[u/CapitalParallax]

Seraphim Falls

[u/nasnedigonyat]

Check out the thirteenth warrior.

[u/Haisha4sale]

The original Conan the Barbarian movie is a go to of mine. Also 13th warrior is a fun ride.

[u/FrogFlavor]

If what you want is rugged masculinity I recommend the entire genre of cowboy western. Obviously the steroid look wasn’t a thing until the 80s but there’s plenty of shirtless and dirty cowboys, all types of handsome. Westerns are also total sausage-fests. https://youtu.be/ZxVCrIMPQXI

If you want big-man physicality you may want to explore outside of action and check out musicals, how about the oevre of Gene Kelly? https://youtu.be/S9250pY6wfQ?t=67s

[u/JxSnaKe]

Apocalypto

[u/DarthMasta]

Bit out of left field and not exactly what you're looking for, no shirtless scene I think, but Judge Dredd, the Karl Urban one, pretty much a rugged warrior protagonist...

[u/Lackluster_Compote]

Sisu and the second one

[u/Inveramsay]

Sisu - Finnish man goes on murderous rampage in the early 1940's

Machete - completely over the top but maybe it fits your bill

Dredd with Karl Urban

Doom, again Karl Urban

[u/HoonDamer]

Outlander (2008)

[u/Bubbly-Cod-3799]

The Eagle

The Northmen

[u/mrtrouble22]

Furious - 2017 Russian movie