American history movies and TV shows
The list contains the best, new and most relevant american history movies ordered by relevance. The recommendation service has sorted out realistic, serious, period drama, captivating, historical drama and epic films and TV shows about / with american history, battles, violence, brutality, military, storytelling, usa history, gun, murder and battlefield plots mostly in Drama, History and War genres shot in USA, UK, Australia and other countries.
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TOP 10 movies tagged as american history: John Adams (2008), Lincoln (2012), TURN: Washington's Spies (2014), Into the West (2005), How the West Was Won (1962), Gods and Generals (2003), Billy the Kid (2022), The Crossing (2000), The Patriot (2000), Dances with Wolves (1990).
Best films
List of american history movies
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story:
The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.
Style:
period piece, costume drama, political, realistic, serious ...
Plot:
american history, president, politics, american revolution, true love, lawyer, u.s. president, independence, colonial america, politician, leader, historical character ...
Time:
18th century, 19th century, ancient times, 2000s, year 2008 ...
Place:
usa, boston, massachusetts, america, paris france ...
Is relevant?
283K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA, India
Duration: 150 min.
Story:
A revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President's tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish ...
Style:
political, period piece, thought provoking, costume drama, factual ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
president, politics, civil war, american civil war, american history, idealism, historical character, slavery, politician, racism, head of state, abraham lincoln ...
Time:
19th century, 1860s, ancient times, 1800s, victorian era ...
Place:
washington d.c., usa, america, california
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story:
The story of New York farmer, Abe Woodhull, who bands together with a group of childhood friends to form The Culper Ring, an unlikely group of spies who turn the tide in America’s fight for independence.
Style:
period piece, captivating, serious, suspenseful, realistic ...
Audience:
boys' night
Plot:
american revolution, spy, colonial america, american history, george washington, espionage, political unrest, treason, rebelliousness, ambition, undercover, rivalry ...
Time:
18th century, 1780s, 1770s, georgian era
Place:
usa, new jersey, america, new york, connecticut
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Romance, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min.
TV show
Story:
Steven Spielberg executive produced this TNT miniseries about American Westward expansion during the 19th century. Told from both the perspective of the white Wheeler family and the Native American Lakota tribe, the 12-hour epic follows the clans as ...
Style:
epic, realistic, sincere, serious, atmospheric ...
Plot:
native american, american indian, wild west, old west, indian war, native american attack, wagon train, tribe, native american white relationships, gold rush, interracial romance, injustice ...
Time:
19th century, 1800s
Place:
south dakota, north america
Is relevant?
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Genre: Action, Adventure, War, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 164 min.
Story:
The epic tale of the development of the American West from the 1830s through the Civil War to the end of the century, as seen through the eyes of one pioneer family.
Style:
exciting, epic, intense, realistic, serious ...
Plot:
old west, native american, wilderness, american civil war, civil war, usa history, small town, gold, marriage proposal, native american attack, train, outlaw ...
Time:
19th century, 1830s, 1880s, 1840s, 1870s ...
Place:
california, missouri, arizona, ohio, usa ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 219 min.
Story:
The film centers mostly around the personal and professional life of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, a brilliant if eccentric Confederate general, from the outbreak of the American Civil War until its halfway point when Jackson is killed ...
Style:
serious, sincere, rough, costume drama, period piece ...
Audience:
family friendly
Plot:
american civil war, military, confederate soldier, american history, civil war, epic battle, confederate army, battlefield, war hero, military life, u.s. civil war, social relations ...
Time:
19th century, 1860s
Place:
virginia, west virginia, maine, north america, america ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Romance, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 49 min.
TV show
Story:
An epic romantic adventure series based on the life of famous American outlaw Billy the Kid — from his humble Irish roots, to his early days as a cowboy and gunslinger in the American frontier, to his pivotal role in the Lincoln County War and ...
Style:
disturbing, captivating, tense, romantic drama, bilingual
Plot:
american history, gunfighter, gunslinger, female nudity, outlaw gang, fast draw, lifestyle, criminal, cowboy, criminal gang, gang, bandit ...
Time:
victorian era, 1870s, 19th century
Place:
new mexico
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min.
Story:
A made-for-TV dramatization of George Washington's perilous gamble of crossing the Delaware River and attacking the British forces at Trenton.
Style:
tense, realistic, exciting, serious, political ...
Plot:
american revolution, george washington, war, american history, battles, heroes, last stand, battlefield, rebellion, against the odds, military life, heroic mission ...
Time:
18th century, 1770s, georgian era
Place:
philadelphia, america, usa, delaware, pennsylvania ...
Is relevant?
311K
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 165 min.
Story:
After proving himself on the field of battle in the French and Indian War, Benjamin Martin wants nothing more to do with such things, preferring the simple life of a farmer. But when his son Gabriel enlists in the army to defend their new nation, ...
Style:
period piece, dramatic, sincere, rough, inspirational ...
Audience:
family friendly, kids, manly, boys' night, girls' night ...
Plot:
american revolution, war, military, revolution, battles, vengeance, lone hero, violence, freedom, rebellion, revenge, wartime ...
Time:
18th century, year 2000, y2k, georgian era, 1780s ...
Place:
boston, southern usa, america, virginia, britain ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 181 min.
Story:
Wounded Civil War soldier, John Dunbar tries to commit suicide – and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.
Style:
scenic, touching, sentimental, visually stunning, inspirational ...
Plot:
american civil war, native american, self discovery, culture clash, friendship, native, courage, tribe, native american white relationships, pride and honor, wolf, prairie ...
Time:
19th century, 90s, ancient times, 1860s, year 1990 ...
Place:
south dakota, nebraska, america, usa, kansas ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 158 min.
Story:
Ruthless silver miner, turned oil prospector, Daniel Plainview moves to oil-rich California. Using his adopted son to project a trustworthy, family-man image, Plainview cons local landowners into selling him their valuable properties for a pittance. ...
Style:
serious, cerebral, epic, visually stunning, gloomy ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
oil, character study, greed, money, capitalism, rise to the top, ambition, rivalry, father son relationship, abusive father, impostor, mission ...
Time:
1900s, 20th century, turn of the century, middle ages, 19th century ...
Place:
california, texas, pacific ocean, los angeles, america ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 135 min.
Story:
A drama about explorer John Smith and the clash between Native Americans and English settlers in the 17th century.
Style:
emotional, epic, period piece, visually stunning, cerebral ...
Plot:
power of love, historical character, culture clash, american history, new world, native american, american indian, tudors, adventurer, indians, communication problem, fort ...
Time:
17th century, ancient times, middle ages, year 2005, 16th century ...
Place:
virginia, north america, america, usa, england
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, War
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min.
Story:
As the English and French soldiers battle for control of the American colonies in the 18th century, the settlers and native Americans are forced to take sides. Cora and her sister Alice unwittingly walk into trouble but are reluctantly saved by ...
Style:
epic, sexy, period piece, costume drama, visually stunning ...
Audience:
chick flick, family friendly
Plot:
native american, american indian, war, freedom, colonial america, indians, wilderness, revenge, forest, historical epic, medieval, american history ...
Time:
18th century, middle ages, ancient times, georgian era, 20th century ...
Place:
persia, usa, england
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min.
TV show
Story:
In 1898 the US government decided to intervene on the side of the Cuban rebels in their struggle against Spanish rule. Assistant Navy Secretary Theodore Roosevelt decides to experience the war first hand by promoting and joining a volunteer cavalry ...
Style:
realistic, sincere, serious, captivating, tense ...
Audience:
boys' night
Plot:
american history, civil war, u.s. president, spanish american war, battles, president, soldier, state affairs, heroic mission, political unrest, military life, male friendship ...
Time:
19th century, turn of the century, 1890s
Place:
latin america, san antonio texas, new mexico, cuba
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: USA, Italy
Duration: 167 min.
Story:
It's 1863. America was born in the streets. Amsterdam Vallon returns to the Five Points of America to seek vengeance against the psychotic gangland kingpin, Bill the Butcher, who murdered his father years earlier. With an eager pickpocket by ...
Style:
tense, rough, bloody, epic, atmospheric ...
Audience:
boys' night, adult
Plot:
revenge, gang, vengeance, gangster, organized crime, street gang, violence, betrayal, racism, courage, violent, gang war ...
Time:
19th century, victorian era, 1800s, 1860s, 50s ...
Place:
new york, usa, manhattan new york city
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story:
Boardwalk Empire is a period drama focusing on Enoch "Nucky" Thompson (based on the historical Enoch L. Johnson), a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition period of the ...
Style:
costume drama, serious, period piece, erotic, captivating ...
Audience:
boys' night
Plot:
mafia, smuggling, mob boss, businessman, prohibition, criminal heroes, organized crime, gangster, federal agent, female nudity, corruption, crime boss ...
Time:
1920s, 20th century, 2000s, 2010s, year 2010 ...
Place:
new jersey, atlantic city new jersey, cuba, atlantic city, chicago ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 134 min.
Story:
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In ...
Style:
heartbreaking, harsh, atmospheric, inspirational, motivational ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
slavery, racism, survival, civil rights, african american, black history, torture, slave trade, american history, freedom, racial discrimination, rape ...
Time:
19th century, 1850s, year 2013, victorian era, 2010s ...
Place:
louisiana, new orleans, america, africa, southern usa ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, History
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story:
Based on a true story, "Harley and the Davidsons" charts the birth of this iconic bike during a time of great social and technological change beginning at the turn of the 20th century. Walter, Arthur and Bill risked their entire fortune ...
Style:
factual, colorful, semi documentary, educational
Plot:
inventions and discoveries, motorcycle, american history, fame, inventor, engineer, historical event, historical character, desire for fame, civil engineer, biker, best friend ...
Time:
20th century, 1930s, 1900s, 1910s
Place:
usa
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
Genre: History
Country: USA
Duration: 180 min.
Story:
So much more than simply the story of the Thanksgiving meal, the epic saga of the Pilgrims is one of the fundamental narratives of our nation. This ambitious documentary presents the definitive history of the Pilgrims and their journey to and ...
Style:
educational, serious, captivating, exciting, suspenseful ...
Plot:
american history, colonial america, colonialism, tomb raider, thanksgiving, water, castaway, shipwreck, sea, ship, colonization, new world ...
Time:
17th century
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, War
Country: USA
Duration: 169 min.
Story:
As U.S. troops storm the beaches of Normandy, three brothers lie dead on the battlefield, with a fourth trapped behind enemy lines. Ranger captain John Miller and seven men are tasked with penetrating German-held territory and bringing the boy home.
Style:
breathtaking, realistic, captivating, tense, inspirational ...
Audience:
manly, date night, chick flick, kids, adult
Plot:
war, world war two, military, courage, battles, self sacrifice, sniper, friendship, nazi, combat, army, machine gun ...
Time:
1940s, year 1944, year 1998, 90s, year 2013 ...
Place:
normandy, france, germany, poland, europe ...
Is relevant?
142K
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
Country: USA, Australia
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story:
A 10-part mini-series from the creators of "Band of Brothers" telling the intertwined stories of three Marines during America's battle with the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II.
Style:
serious, disturbing, emotional, suspenseful, epic ...
Audience:
boys' night
Plot:
world war two, military, battlefield, war, squad, combat, battles, soldier, marines, american soldier, japanese soldier, imperial japan ...
Time:
1940s, 2010s, 20th century, year 1945
Place:
pacific ocean, japan, alabama, okinawa japan, asia ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Mystery, War
Country: USA
Duration: 147 min.
Story:
At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter ...
Style:
bleak, psychological, cult classic, surreal, sexy ...
Audience:
date night, adult
Plot:
vietnam war, jungle, insanity, anti war, military, army, secret mission, violence, mission, soldier, violent, river ...
Time:
20th century, year 1979, 60s, year 1969
Place:
vietnam, cambodia, southeast asia, asia, the philippines ...
Is relevant?
51K
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History
Country: USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, China
Duration: 129 min.
Story:
Whether you love him or hate him, there is no question that George W. Bush is one of the most controversial public figures in recent memory. W takes viewers through Bush’s eventful life -- his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and ...
Style:
political, sincere, factual, cynical, cult classic ...
Audience:
family friendly
Plot:
politics, president, election, head of state, propaganda, oil, patriotism, biopic, rise to the top, u.s. president, parents and children, american history ...
Time:
80s, 20th century, 90s, 60s, 70s ...
Place:
iraq, middle east, texas, washington d.c., yale university ...
Is relevant?
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Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 139 min.
Story:
Jack Crabb, looking back from extreme old age, tells of his life being raised by Indians and fighting with General Custer.
Style:
epic, humorous, sentimental, captivating, disturbing ...
Plot:
native american, cowboy, racism, revenge, culture clash, voice over narration, massacre, interview, orphan, old west, american history, bigotry ...
Time:
19th century, 1870s, 1860s, year 1970, 70s ...
Place:
montana, south dakota, usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 179 min.
Story:
The retelling of June 6, 1944, from the perspectives of the Germans, US, British, Canadians, and the Free French. Marshall Erwin Rommel, touring the defenses being established as part of the Reich's Atlantic Wall, notes to his officers that ...
Style:
epic, black and white, factual, tense, suspense ...
Audience:
manly
Plot:
world war two, military, french resistance, machine gun, nazi, courage, war, combat, beach, world war, brutality, allies ...
Time:
year 1962, 20th century, year 1944, 1940s
Place:
normandy, english channel, america, europe, france ...
Is relevant?
940K
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western
Country: USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Argentina
Duration: 156 min.
Story:
In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.
Style:
realistic, atmospheric, harsh, scenic, suspenseful ...
Audience:
date night, manly, boys' night, adult
Plot:
survival, wilderness, revenge, vengeance, native american, snow, violent, bear attack, wilderness survival, winter, hunter, wild west ...
Time:
year 2015, 2010s, year 2016, distant future, 90s ...
Place:
los angeles, north america, usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min.
Story:
Fifteen-year-old Heidi Schreck earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human show, Heidi resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the profound ...
Style:
political, thought provoking, captivating, thrilling, heartfelt ...
Plot:
american history, feminism, civil rights movement, equality, storytelling, autobiography, stage play, female protagonist, politics, social issues, social problems, political activism ...
Time:
20th century, 21st century
Place:
usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
A look back at the 1000 days of the John F. Kennedy presidency.
Style:
political, informative, captivating, period piece, thought provoking ...
Plot:
john f. kennedy, american politics, american history, usa president, usa history, u.s. president, cuban missile crisis, cold war, president, political leader, politician, leader ...
Time:
60s
Place:
washington d.c.
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 122 min.
Story:
Based on Henry James's novel of the same name. This bittersweet tragicomedy centers on an odd triangle of characters: Basil Ransom, a political conservative from Mississippi; Olive Chancellor, Ransom's cousin and a Boston feminist; and ...
Style:
serious, stylized, realistic, talky, romantic drama ...
Plot:
lesbian, post civil war, lawyer, feminist, american history, couple relations, couples, love affair, infidelity, love triangle, fall in love, battle of the sexes ...
Time:
19th century, victorian era, 1870s
Place:
boston, massachusetts
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, War
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 100 min.
Story:
A teenager grows up during the onset of the American revolution.
Style:
serious, realistic, bleak, disturbing, emotional ...
Plot:
american revolution, american history, revolutionary war, coming of age, war for independence, freedom, struggle, soldier, independence, tragic hero, death of father, father son relationship ...
Time:
18th century, 1770s
Place:
america, massachusetts, usa, north america, new england
Is relevant?
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