Overview
A royal family's fate hangs in the balance as they confront an invading force and the weight of their decisions.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- solemn
- patriotic
- historical film night
- world war ii viewing
What critics said
Critics generally praised the film as a compelling, well-acted historical war drama with strong political and emotional stakes.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
King Haakon must decide whether Norway will submit to German demands while the country is being invaded.
The Norwegian government and royal family debate the country's future as German forces occupy Oslo and demand compliance.
The royal family and government evacuate into the interior while air raids and military pursuit endanger them.
The film contrasts royal and diplomatic conversations with evacuation routes, air raids, and German military advance.
Films like The King's Choice, and why
Darkest Hour
Shared historical war drama, national resistance, moral leadership, and emphasis on political decision-making under occupation.
The King's Speech
Shared World War II setting, biographical historical drama, threatened democracy, and a leader facing overwhelming military pressure.
Dunkirk
Shared wartime political tension, civilian danger, and a grounded depiction of national crisis under German aggression.
A Hidden Life
Shared occupied-Europe setting, resistance to Nazi power, and intimate human stakes within a large historical conflict.
Movie Details
- Director
- Erik Poppe
- Release Date
- 2016-09-29
- Runtime
- 136 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (179)
Cast
- Jesper Christensen
- Anders Baasmo Christiansen
- Karl Markovics
- Tuva Novotny
- Arthur Hakalahti
- Svein Tindberg
- Andreas Lust
- Katharina Schüttler
- Ketil Høegh
- Gerald Pettersen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Viaplay Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The King's Choice about?
- During Germany's 1940 invasion of Norway, King Haakon VII must choose whether to yield to an ultimatum or defend his country's independence and democracy.
- What is The King's Choice like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The King's Choice as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The King's Choice violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The King's Choice as moderate.
- What did critics think of The King's Choice?
- Critics generally praised the film as a compelling, well-acted historical war drama with strong political and emotional stakes.
- Which films are like The King's Choice?
- Films with a similar feel include Darkest Hour, The King's Speech, Dunkirk, and A Hidden Life.
- How long is The King's Choice?
- The King's Choice runs 136 minutes.
- Where can I watch The King's Choice?
- In United States, The King's Choice streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Viaplay Amazon Channel.
