Suspense, intrigue, atmospheric locations and carefully crafted plots: there’s a reason Nordic Noir remains so popular on dark winter evenings. From bleak Icelandic thrillers to gripping Swedish crime dramas, Scandinavian TV series and films continue to attract viewers around the world.
Whether you’re looking for a psychological thriller from Sweden, a tense Norwegian detective series or a chilling Danish crime drama, there’s no shortage of excellent Nordic Noir to stream right now.
Netflix still has some of the best-known Scandinavian crime series, but platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 also offer plenty of excellent Nordic Noir shows and films. Availability varies by country, and some series may appear on different streaming services depending on your location.
Most of these series are best watched in their original language, but don’t worry — English subtitles are widely available across the major streaming platforms.
So if you fancy settling in with a dark and addictive Scandi crime thriller, here are some of the best Nordic Noir series and films to stream now — plus where to watch them. Many of these Nordic Noir series are based on bestselling Scandinavian novels. If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our guide to the best books about Scandinavia.
Best Nordic Noir series on Netflix
Netflix is probably your first port-of-call for a wide range of gripping Nordic Noir and political thrillers. If you already subscribe, you’ll have access to a huge back catalogue of Scandi crime series and films, such as Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Danish political thriller Borgen.
Here are some of our favourite Nordic Noir series that are currently on Netflix.
The Chestnut Man
Set in and around the Danish capital Copenhagen, The Chestnut Man is a chilling Nordic Noir thriller in which the killer leaves small figures made from chestnuts beside each victim.
Now returning with a second season in 2026, the series continues to blend dark murders, political intrigue and slow-burn suspense with the moody atmosphere that Scandinavian crime dramas do so well. With gloomy forests, unsettling discoveries and strong performances from its detective duo, it remains one of Netflix’s standout Danish thrillers.
For more on Copenhagen, check out our guide to the city.
The Valhalla Murders
Iceland offers rich pickings for Nordic Noir lovers, with the brooding, bleak, Icelandic landscape making an atmospheric backdrop for a gory crime drama.
The Valhalla Murders is a gripping crime thriller set in and around the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. It features a series of gruesome murders which are investigated by a detective from Oslo who returns to his native Iceland to help solve the case of Iceland’s first ever serial killer. And of course, this being Nordic Noir, the detective who returns to his homeland uncovers some uncomfortable secrets from the past that make him reassess his own life and family.
For a more upbeat view of Reykjavik, check out our posts on boat tours and cruises from Reykjavik and things to do in Reykjavik on a budget.
Bordertown
All three series of the Finnish crime mystery Bordertown are available on Netflix – and there are 10 episodes in each series plus a film Bordertown Mural Murders, so once you get gripped you’re in it for the long haul!
Set in the small Finnish lakeside town of Lappeenranta, close to the Russian border, Bordertown is a gritty police series, that combines very gruesome crime scenes with the emotional drama of life in a remote small town.
Suspense, the claustrophobia of small town life and great cinematography make this a must-watch Nordic Noir in our view.
The Åre Murders
Set in the snowy mountain town of Åre, this Swedish crime drama combines murder investigations with classic Nordic Noir atmosphere: dark forests, isolated cabins and plenty of winter tension. The series follows a Stockholm detective who heads north after a personal setback, only to become drawn into a series of unsettling local cases.
Beyond the mystery itself, Åre is very much part of the appeal. Located in the Swedish mountains near the Norwegian border, it’s one of the country’s top winter destinations and a favourite for skiing holidays. If the setting catches your eye, take a look at our guide to the best places to ski in Sweden.
The Breakthrough
Inspired by real events, The Breakthrough follows investigators attempting to solve a double murder case that has remained unsolved for years. Rather than relying on fast-paced action, the series builds tension slowly through detailed police work, personal conflicts and the emotional impact of the investigation.
Set in Sweden, the show has the restrained, realistic style that Nordic Noir fans will instantly recognise, with bleak winter landscapes and a quietly unsettling atmosphere throughout. It’s a strong pick if you prefer thoughtful Scandinavian crime dramas over more sensational thrillers.
The best Nordic Noir shows on Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Video has a strong catalogue of Nordic Noir series, including Scandinavian crime classics such as The Killing, The Bridge and the Swedish thriller Modus. It’s a good option if you’re looking beyond Netflix for darker, slower-burn Scandinavian dramas.
These are some of our favourite Amazon Prime Scandinavian crime dramas and box sets.
The Bridge
One of the original Nordic Noir dramas, and still one of the best, The Bridge is the series that kickstarted the Scandi Noir TV genre. All four series can be seen on Amazon Prime.
Series one starts with a body found exactly in the middle of the Öresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden, setting up a classic Nordic Noir scenario of Danish and Swedish police forces working together. Saga, a Swedish female detective with autism, has very different methods of crime-solving to the male Danish detective Martin. And, of course, throughout the solving of the grisly case their differences are highlighted and resolved, to a background of plenty of driving back and forth across the atmospheric brooding bridge. Series 2 cleverly continues the theme with a dead body found on an old tanker on the Öresund waterway – yes, you’ve guessed it, half-way between Denmark and Sweden!
For more on crossing the iconic Öresund Bridge, see our guide on Getting from Copenhagen to Malmö.
Wallander
Amazon Prime has all series of both the original Swedish version and the UK remake of the crime series Wallander, based on Henning Mankell’s tortured detective Kurt Wallander.
A rare example of the English-language remake, starring Kenneth Branagh, being as good as the original, both versions are set in and around the town of Ystad in the south of Sweden. The wide-open brooding landscapes of the district of Skane add to the atmosphere and play almost as big a role in the drama as its thoughtful but ultimately flawed antihero. We love the slow-burn and the gradual unravelling of the mysteries, but can sometimes lose a bit of patience with Wallander’s obsessive introspection.
From Ystad, fans of the books can join a self-guided audio walking tour through Kurt Wallander’s hometown, following clues through the streets while solving a murder mystery inspired by Henning Mankell’s stories. Or stay in the building that was used as the location of Wallander’s police station, a former train station and now a B&B.
Trapped
Series one and two of the popular Icelandic crime drama have everything we love about a Nordic Noir drama. We love the quirky Icelandic characters: the unsmiling, warm-hearted Hinrika who is rarely seen without her trademark parka; her hippie husband; and the huge bear-like Andri, with his complicated personal life.
The contrast of the vast open scenery with the claustrophobic feel of the small communities on the island add to the menacing atmosphere. If you only ever watch one Nordic Noir series, we suggest you pick Trapped season one.
And if looking at all the snowy scenery, fabulous fjords and majestic mountains on screen makes you want to visit, you can stay in a building that featured heavily in the series. Although it looked foreboding in the series, in reality it’s the comfortable Siglo Hotel in Siglufjörður, with an outdoor hot tub on the jetty and a sea-view sauna.
Midnight Sun
Set in around Kiruna in northern Sweden, Midnight Sun (Midnattssol) is a police drama featuring a French detective who flies in to help the Swedish police investigate the murder of a French citizen in the Arctic Circle.
A familiar feature of Nordic Noir is a clash of cultures, with detectives from different countries attempting to solve crimes together, but with very different ways of working. In Midnight Sun, further murders take place amid a culture clash of French, Swedish and indigenous Sami backgrounds.
For more on the Lapland mining town of Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town, click here.
Deadwind
Set in Helsinki, Deadwind follows detective Sofia Karppi as she investigates a series of dark and complex murder cases while dealing with personal grief. The series combines moody Nordic Noir storytelling with atmospheric scenes from the Finnish capital, from modern waterfront districts to snow-covered city streets.
Like many of the best Scandinavian crime dramas, Deadwind moves at a steady pace, building tension through strong characters and unsettling twists rather than constant action. If the Helsinki setting catches your attention, it’s well worth exploring the city beyond the screen too.
More Nordic Noir series worth watching
Netflix and Prime Video may dominate the streaming charts, but there are plenty of other excellent Scandinavian crime dramas worth seeking out too. From dark Icelandic thrillers to slow-burn Danish detective series, these are some of the best Nordic Noir shows to add to your watchlist.
- Before We Die: This tense Swedish thriller follows a detective investigating a dangerous criminal gang while facing growing pressure from her own family connections to the case. Set largely in Stockholm, the series combines gritty crime drama with moody scenes from the Swedish capital’s waterfront neighbourhoods and suburbs.
- Those Who Kill: This dark Danish crime drama follows investigator Katrine Ries Jensen as she works on disturbing murder cases alongside a forensic psychologist. Set in and around Copenhagen, the series captures the Danish capital’s colder, quieter side far away from the usual tourist hotspots.
- The Killing: Widely regarded as one of the shows that helped popularise Nordic Noir internationally, The Killing follows detective Sarah Lund as she investigates a series of complex murder cases. Set in Copenhagen, the series makes excellent use of the Danish capital’s rainy streets, modern architecture and dark winter atmosphere.
- Trom: Set in the Faroe Islands, this atmospheric crime drama follows a journalist returning home to investigate the death of an animal rights activist. The rugged landscapes, steep cliffs and remote villages give the series a striking Nordic Noir backdrop.
- Wisting: This Norwegian detective series follows investigator William Wisting as he tackles complex criminal cases and international manhunts. Filmed around the coastal region of Larvik in southern Norway, the show mixes classic Nordic Noir tension with quieter Scandinavian scenery.
- The Darkness: Based on the bestselling novels by Ragnar Jónasson, this Icelandic thriller centres on a detective investigating a mysterious death linked to Iceland’s asylum system. The bleak Reykjavik setting and dramatic coastal landscapes give the series a classic Nordic Noir atmosphere.
- Copenhagen Cowboy: This dark and visually striking Danish thriller follows a young woman navigating Copenhagen’s criminal underworld, blending Nordic Noir with supernatural and surreal elements. Set across the Danish capital’s grittier neighbourhoods, the series offers a very different side of Copenhagen from the usual colourful canals and tourist attractions.
- Detective Hole: Based on Jo Nesbø’s bestselling novels, Detective Hole follows troubled Oslo detective Harry Hole as he investigates a series of disturbing crimes linked to the city’s darker side. Filmed in and around the Norwegian capital, the series combines snowy streets, tense psychological drama and classic Nordic Noir atmosphere.
What makes a Nordic Noir TV drama?
Gory murders, suspense, clash of cultures, hidden histories, dysfunctional families, complex plot lines and flawed but ultimately likeable characters are all features of a classic Nordic Noir crime drama. Often, family secrets, the dark underbelly of small-town life and some Machiavellian politics are thrown into the mix too. And the thing that ties all these together is a strong sense of place and great cinematography. The scenery and backdrop to the drama is key.
Whether it’s the majestic mountains of Iceland, the wide flat landscapes of southern Sweden or brooding post-industrial docklands of a large Scandinavian city, long lingering shots and a strong sense of place all add to the atmosphere of a classic Nordic noir TV series.
What are your favourite Nordic Noir series?
From dark Icelandic thrillers to slow-burn Swedish crime dramas, there’s no shortage of brilliant Nordic Noir to stream right now. With new Scandinavian series appearing every year, it’s a great time to dive into the genre — or discover a new favourite.
Have we missed one of your top Nordic Noir shows? Let us know in the comments below. We’re always looking for new Scandinavian crime dramas to add to our watchlist!
See also:
Scandinavia’s best film locations
Best Swedish movies to stream right now
Film locations from The Snowman in Oslo
I love the Nordic Noit programs… keep us guessing.
let us know if you have other suggestions for Nordic drama, Marie! 🤗