Norwegian movies for children and teenagers

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• The grading scale ranges from 1 to 6 where dice roll 6 is best.
• An icon with an A means that the movie is suitable for everyone, there are no scenes that are too intimidating or inappropriate for children.
• An icon with 6 means that the film is best suited from the age of 6 years and up.

For the whole family

Pinchcliffe Movies (Flåklypa-filmene)

«The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix» from 1975 is the most widely seen Norwegian film of all time. It is still popular in Norway and is based on characters from a series of books by Norwegian cartoonist and author Kjell Aukrust. The movie was directed by Ivo Caprino from Italy. Even though the film is old, Norwegians still use some quotes from the movie. Here are three of them:

• «Det blåser nordavind fra alle kanter.» (North wind blows from all directions.)
• «Dra meg baklengs inn i fuglekassa.» (Drag me back into the bird box.)
• «Jasså, dykk sitt og glor.» (Oh, dive and stare.)

(Feel free to ask a Norwegian to pronounce the quotes in Norwegian.)

The story is about an inventor who lives in the countryside and makes a car that joins a car race.

After the original 1975 film, several sequels have been made. If you want to know Norwegian culture, you should include one of the adventures about Solan (bird), Ludvig (hedgehog), and Reodor Felgen (inventor and bicycle mechanic).

Norwegian family movies, 2013/2015/2018
Recommended for the whole family
In Louis & Luca and the Snow Machine 2013 (Norwegian title: Solan og Ludvig – Jul i Flåklypa), there is snow, or lack thereof, that is the problem. At first, Reodor will not make a snow machine. «I tamper with nature,» as he puts it. But curiosity and pride ultimately win, and the consequences don’t wait.
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In Louis & Luca – The Big Cheese Race 2015 (Norwegian title: Solan og Ludvig – Herfra til Flåklypa, there is again a race in question. The dispute with the neighbouring village of Slidre over which village is the best has been going on for years, and what better way than a good old-fashioned race to settle the dispute?
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In Louis & Luca – Mission to the Moon 2018 (Norwegian title: Månelyst i Flåklypa), Solan and Ludvig traveled all the way to the moon. The story is crazy, cozy, and funny. However, it is probably the weakest feature film about Pinchcliffe so far.
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The Animals of Hakkebakkeskogen (Dyrene i Hakkebakkeskogen)

Thorbjørn Egner was a Norwegian playwright, songwriter, and illustrator. Some of his books are still popular to read together with children:

• Karius og Baktus (1949)
• When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town (1955).

Norwegian children’s movie, 2016
Recommended for the whole family

In this well-made animated film, Thorbjørn Egner’s classic is conveyed in a great way with singing, humor, and some excitement. The film has a great and distinctive style and balances nicely between drama, musical, and comedy. It is very nice to see the gingerbread song and all the other classic songs. And Mikkel Rev has a just-right mix between being naughty and kind.
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For small children

Kutoppen

Norwegian children’s movie, 2018
Recommended for small children
It is a nice movie for small children, where we meet the famous characters from the farm in Kristiansand Zoo in the south of Norway. It is a short and straightforward story with a good message for children. Throughout the film, Klara learns that she does not have to stand on a stage to be a star. There is also a lot of nice messages about friendship, having faith in oneself and others, and the value of being helpful, to name a few. The film conveys the story in a nice way to the youngest, where the different characters offer different perspectives on the theme, and together we get a nice mix of humor, a little excitement, and nice music.
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For 6 years and above

Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder (Doktor Proktors prompepulver)

Norwegian children’s film, 2014
Recommended for 6 years and above

This crazy adventure is based on Jo Nesbø’s children’s book of the same name, and it is clear that there is a skilled author behind the story. Here we are presented with a fully-fledged universe, where with the help of a crazy premise, charming and funny characters, and just the right amount of absurd mischief, you create a captivating and very entertaining adventure.
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Gilbert’s Grim Revenge (Gilberts grusomme hevn)

Norwegian comedy, 2016
Recommended for 6 years and above

It’s not easy being Gilbert. He’s super allergic to eggs and vomits if he gets a little bit in him. It has made him a bullying victim, and for that reason Gilbert is happy when the family moves. It gets even better when he meets the neighboring girl, who invites him to play on the ice hockey team. But Gilbert’s about to screw it up for himself, and it gets even worse when Gilbert’s self-absorbed Aunt Doris shows up. This film tells a crazy story to show what problems you can get into if you hide important things and don’t dare to be yourself. At the same time, we understand that the bullying victim Gilbert is not honest because he is afraid of being harassed. The message is thus that it is better to make one’s way a little vulnerable and take the chance that you will be accepted as you are – with both your good and bad sides. Aunt Doris is also a great character that illuminates the theme from another side. It’s easy to understand how stupid it is to bully others when, as an adult, she starts bullying Gilbert. For kids of the mentioned age range, this is super and educational entertainment that strikes a great balance between humor, seriousness, and excitement.
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The Liverpool Goalie (Keeper’n til Liverpool)

Norwegian comedy, 2010
Recommended for 7 years and above

In this funny and charming comedy, 13-year-old Jo gets to experience how complicated adolescence can be. The fantasy sequences, which show Jo’s notions of the terrible consequences of completely mundane events, are very funny. Jo makes a lot of mistakes, but in the end he learns that honesty is the only thing that works to deal with the past and change for the better.
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Yohan: The Child Wanderer (Youhan – Barnevandrer)

Norwegian drama, 2010
Recommended for 7 years and above

The film is based on Askeladden’s story about a ten-year-old talented boy named Yohan. He lives on a poor farm with his parents and four siblings. Yohan is forced out on to migrate to the richer farms in the east of southern Norway. He becomes a shepherd and guards the cattle from wolves, bears, and threatening people. The film is true to historical facts about the child migrations in Southern Norway at the end of the 19th century.
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From 9 years and above

Coold kids don’t cry; or Kick It! (Kule kidz gråter ikke)

Norwegian drama, 2013
Recommended for 9 years and above. Age recommendation for everyone

This is a strong, very sad, but at the same time encouraging Norwegian children’s movie about a football girl named Anja, who gets cancer. The film addresses a serious topic in a very good way and is recommended for children from the age of nine. It is brave and important to dedicate an entire evening’s feature film to such a tough topic as children with cancer. The film balances all the sadness in a great way with warmth, love, and joys of life. It facilitates good conversations, raises concern, and provides increased insight into the difficult aspects of life. Cool Kids Don’t Cry is not a dramatic movie and has an age limit allowed for everyone. But this is not a movie for the youngest. For middle and middle school students, this is an exceptionally good film that can provide valuable insight into serious illness, the strength of love, and what it means to be human.
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Kon-Tiki

Norwegian drama, 2012
Recommended for 9 years and above

The story of Thor Heyerdahl’s amazing voyage across the Pacific Ocean has become a magnificent, exciting, and visually impressive adventure film. The images are wonderfully beautiful, and the sea appears as a mighty, infinitely beautiful, and at times relentless force of nature. Children and young people can learn a lot of valuable things about Heyerdahl’s achievement. However, note that the filmmakers have taken liberties in relation to what really happened.
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From 11 years and above

The Orheim Company (Kompani Orheim)

Norwegian drama, 2012
Recommended for 11 years and above

The third Jarle Klepp film [after «The Man Who Loved Yngve» (Mannen som elsket Yngve 2008) and «I Travel Alone» (Jeg reiser alene 2011)], is about the upbringing of Jarle in Stavanger in the 1980s. It has become a solid Norwegian family drama with a brilliant Kristoffer Joner in one of the main roles. «The Orheim Company» provides a very good insight into a difficult family situation and human psychology. The film has a lot of distress, but also warm humor and optimism. The contrast between the dark main theme and the happier side stories is well balanced and has resulted in a film that is serious, humorous, and thought-provoking. The style is simple and, every day the symbolic scenes work well, and the 80s are reproduced in a contemporary and funny way. In short, «The Orheim Company» is a great film experience and is highly recommended. Note that there are some strong scenes, but the film is well suited for young people and can lay the foundation for good discussions and reflections on family, upbringing, politics, and society in general.
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Amundsen

Norwegian drama, 2019
Recommended for 12 years and above

This is a cold movie. The scenes from the ice-covered wilderness are crackling with cold, and the portrayal of the protagonist is also as cold as the nature, a picture of a strong, stubborn and at times merciless man. The story is told from the brother’s perspective, which allows us to reflect and make our own reasoning about Amundsen as a person. The film is about an important and proud part of Norway’s history and is excellent for young people.
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Through A Glass, Darkly (I et speil, i en gåte)

Norwegian drama, 2008
Recommend for 12 years and above

This strong Norwegian film is about 13-year-old Cecilie, who is very ill and as usual lies in bed while the rest of the family prepares for Christmas. But one night, Cecilie is visited by Ariel, a little angelic figure who starts talking to her about the secrets of life and the mysteries of the universe. This is a touching story about a young girl who learns to accept death and understands how wonderful life really is. Based on a book by Jostein Gaarder.

Psychobitch

Norwegian drama, 2019
Recommended from 14 years

Marius is the ‘good guy’ in the class. Frida is the outsider. When they are having group work together, they argue and fight, but at the same time they discover things about themselves and each other that send them into a turbulent personal transformation. This is a magnificent Norwegian youth film with a strong and moving message. The story is great for adolescents – it’s relevant, engaging, insightful, and challenging. The film grabs us and shows its strength; it becomes so very clear that life is governed by personal performances, social constructions, and the expectations of the surroundings. But what does it take to be able to see both yourself and others for the person you really are, and to be free in a real and healthy identity?
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From 15 years

The Wave (Bølgen)

Norwegian drama, 2015
Recommended from 15 years

Especially the first part of The Wave is to get goosebumps. At a leisurely pace, history builds up to the catastrophe that we know is coming. This is done superbly, and the filmmakers have not fallen for the temptation to introduce a ‘villain’ or unnecessary action. Instead, it is Kristian’s relationship with his family and his knowledgeable closeness to the mountain that is focused on. It works excellently and gives the story a meaningful and personal perspective. And then this wave comes, and suddenly it’s ten minutes until the 80-meter-high wall of water thunders into the village.
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The Quake (Skjelvet)

Norwegian thriller, 2018
Recommended from 15 years

The Quake is an original, well-written, and at times brilliant thriller movie with amazing special effects. The last part of the film impresses greatly and is at times better than the mega-budget movies from Hollywood. Not all threads in the story are connected equally well, but for the entertainment part, this means little.
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