The Fight for Pusher Street on HBO Max: The Story Behind the Three Executions
Documentary series about the violence in Pusher Street and the historical closure of Christiania's hash market
What is the series about?
The Fight for Pusher Street (HBO Max, 2025) is a documentary portrayal of the escalating violence and the subsequent political consequences in the heart of the Free Town of Christiania. Particularly, the sixth episode, 'Three Executions', focuses on the critical three-year period during which the organized drug trade in the street transformed from a local issue to a violent battleground for organized gangs. The series explores how the three specific murders in and around the street became the catalyst for a historic decision: that Pusher Street would be permanently closed by the residents themselves in collaboration with the state.
The real case
The real case behind the documentary traces back to the violent events that took place in the early 2020s. Over a period of just three years, Christiania witnessed three targeted executions, all directly connected to the control of the lucrative hash market. These murders marked a shift in the nature of crime; where violence had previously often been internal, it was now carried out by external groups with firearms in broad daylight among tourists and residents. Copenhagen Police intensified their efforts, but it was only when the Christianites officially requested help to clear the street in August 2023 that a lasting solution was established.
Timeline of the case
The escalation of violence can be traced through the specific events that the series covers. It started with the first murder in 2021, which created a deep divide in the community. After the third murder in August 2023, where a man with ties to the biker environment lost his life, frustration reached a boiling point. The Christiania murders led the residents at a community meeting to decide that hash sales could no longer be tolerated. This resulted in the coordinated action on April 6, 2024, where the Minister of Justice and the Mayor participated in the excavation of the street.
Watch the series
The Fight for Pusher Street can be streamed on HBO Max starting November 14, 2025. The series provides a unique insight into the otherwise closed decision-making processes in Christiania and includes interviews with both police officers, politicians, and anonymous residents who have lived side by side with the violence.