Best American History Movies
This page is updated regularly. Subscribe, so you don't miss new recommendations. The list of "Best American History Movies" contains films with the following parameters. Style: inspirational, interesting, period drama, dramatic, realistic and suspense. Plot: biopic, dialogue, storytelling, mentor, death, justice, corruption, husband wife relationship, friendship and world history. Genre: Drama, History and Biography. Country: USA, UK and India.
Best American History Movies
TOP Movies: Schindler's List (1993), Babylon (2022), Milk (2008), Hidden Figures (2016), The Big Short (2015), Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), 12 Years a Slave (2013), Hamilton (2020), Being the Ricardos (2021), The King's Speech (2010), All the President's Men (1976), Empire of the Sun (1987), Glory (1989), The Thin Red Line (1998), Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), Les Misérables (2012), Cinderella Man (2005), Recount (2008), The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), The Master (2012).
List of Best Movies
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 195 min.
Story:
The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.
Style:
touching, emotional, heartbreaking, realistic, thought provoking ...
Audience:
date night, chick flick, adult
Plot:
holocaust, world war two, genocide, nazi, wartime, war, concentration camp, storytelling, holocaust survivor, anti semitism, nazism, against humanity ...
Time:
1940s, 20th century, 90s, ancient times, year 1943 ...
Place:
poland, germany, iran, persia, europe ...
Is relevant?
204K
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 189 min.
Story:
A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, tracing the rise and fall of multiple characters in an era of unbridled decadence and depravity during Hollywood's transition from silent films and to sound films in the late 1920s.
Style:
costume drama, visual, thrilling, atmospheric, stylized ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
film history, filmmaking, hedonism, orgy, party, hollywood, movie star, film industry, gambling, profanity, sex scene, graphic violence ...
Time:
1920s, 20th century, 2020s, 1930s, year 1932 ...
Place:
los angeles, california, new york
Is relevant?
185K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 128 min.
Story:
The story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, who became an outspoken agent for change, seeking equal rights and opportunities for all. His great love for the city and its people brought him backing from young and ...
Style:
thought provoking, sincere, sad, inspirational, political ...
Plot:
gay, politics, homosexuality, murder, homosexual, protest, gays and lesbians, male homosexuality, glbt, discrimination, gender, lgbtqi ...
Time:
70s, 2000s, year 2008, 20th century, year 1973 ...
Place:
california, san francisco, new york, north america, idaho ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 127 min.
Story:
The untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA and serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into ...
Style:
inspirational, exciting, touching, feel good, historical drama ...
Audience:
girls' night, family friendly, date night, chick flick, kids ...
Plot:
racism, mathematics, nasa, space program, stereotypes, african american, prejudice, sexism, genius, scientist, strong female character, racial segregation ...
Time:
60s, year 1961, 20th century, year 2016, 2010s ...
Place:
indiana, persia, usa, virginia, langley virginia
Is relevant?
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533K
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min.
Story:
The men who made millions from a global economic meltdown.
Style:
intellectual, realistic, tense, inspirational, intelligent ...
Audience:
chick flick, family friendly, girls' night, date night, teen drama ...
Plot:
finance, wall street, business, stock market, financial crisis, money, greed, banking, economic crisis, bank, loan, analysis ...
Time:
year 2007, 2000s, year 2015, future, year 2016 ...
Place:
new york, manhattan new york city, las vegas, california
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 126 min.
Story:
Bill O'Neal infiltrates the Black Panthers per FBI Agent Mitchell and J. Edgar Hoover. As Black Panther Chairman Fred Hampton ascends, falling for a fellow revolutionary en route, a battle wages for O’Neal’s soul.
Style:
political, philosophical, suspenseful, disturbing, social ...
Audience:
date night, adult
Plot:
violence, politics, civil rights, betrayal, prison, murder, black history, racism, black, justice, african american, betrayal by friend ...
Time:
2020s, year 1968, 60s
Place:
chicago, nebraska, columbus ohio, hawaii, new haven connecticut
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?
137K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 160 min.
Story:
Presenting the tale of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, this filmed version of the original Broadway smash hit is the story of America then, told by America now.
Style:
costume drama, epic, feel good, period drama, comfort
Audience:
chick flick
Plot:
friendship, hip hop, father son relationship, death, revolutionary war, american revolution, american history, stage musical, murder, george washington, dancing, violence ...
Time:
19th century, 18th century, 2020s, 1780s, 1790s ...
Is relevant?
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, War
Country: USA
Duration: 138 min.
Story:
After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a captain of the British Royal Navy begins a chase over two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy, though he must weigh his commitment to duty and ...
Style:
exciting, tense, period piece, epic, costume drama ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
ship, napoleonic wars, navy, naval battle, sea battle, battles, sailing, warship, heroic mission, royal navy, british navy, sea ...
Time:
18th century, 19th century, 1800s, year 2003, ancient times ...
Place:
britain, england, america, brazil, europe ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 131 min.
Story:
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.
Style:
historical drama, satirical, independent film, period drama
Plot:
marriage, biopic, hollywood, infidelity, adultery, communist, singing, redheaded woman, comedian, writers, trailblazer, urban ...
Time:
1950s, 2020s, year 1960, year 1952, 50s
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 118 min.
Story:
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit ...
Style:
inspirational, period piece, sincere, sentimental, uplifting ...
Audience:
chick flick, teens, adult
Plot:
british history, stuttering, world war two, british royal family, royal family, politics, queen, friendship, british monarchy, monarchy, historical character, king ...
Time:
1930s, year 2010, pre world war two, 50s, 2000s ...
Place:
england, britain, london, united kingdom, scotland ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 138 min.
Story:
In the run-up to the 1972 elections, Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward covers what seems to be a minor break-in at the Democratic Party National headquarters. He is surprised to find top lawyers already on the defense case, and the discovery of ...
Style:
political thriller, political, cerebral, realistic, serious ...
Audience:
family outing
Plot:
journalism, newspaper, political conspiracy, politics, conspiracy, political corruption, investigation, american politics, white house, investigative journalism, whistleblower, president ...
Time:
70s, 20th century, year 1973, year 1972, year 1976
Place:
washington d.c., usa, north america, miami, florida
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, War
Country: USA
Duration: 153 min.
Story:
Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor named Basie, who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even ...
Style:
epic, sad, period piece, crying, emotional ...
Audience:
family friendly, family outing, teens, teen drama
Plot:
world war two, coming of age, child protagonist, childhood, survival, pow, boy, japanese army, prisoner, young heroes, captivity, starvation ...
Time:
1940s, 20th century, year 1945, year 1987
Place:
china, hong kong, japan, asia, indochina ...
Is relevant?
153K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min.
Story:
Robert Gould Shaw leads the US Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.
Style:
epic, inspirational, period piece, suspense, emotional ...
Plot:
american civil war, battles, civil war, military, slavery, prejudice, racism, war, black history, u.s. civil war, human spirit, african american ...
Time:
19th century, year 1989, 1800s, 1860s, 20th century ...
Place:
massachusetts, america, south carolina, georgia, africa ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 170 min.
Story:
Based on the graphic novel by James Jones, The Thin Red Line tells the story of a group of men, an Army Rifle company called C-for-Charlie, who change, suffer, and ultimately make essential discoveries about themselves during the fierce World War II ...
Style:
philosophical, visually stunning, visually appealing, visual, epic ...
Plot:
war, world war two, sergeant, jungle, infantry, soldier, pacific war, anti war, u.s. army, pacific island, survival, existentialism ...
Time:
20th century, 1940s, 90s, year 1998, year 1940 ...
Place:
asia, japan, america, germany, pacific ocean ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 141 min.
Story:
The story of the battle of Iwo Jima between the United States and Imperial Japan during World War II, as told from the perspective of the Japanese who fought it.
Style:
realistic, epic, contemplative, disturbing, touching ...
Audience:
family outing, adult
Plot:
world war two, war, military, japanese history, battles, anti war, survival, japanese military, japanese army, imperial japan, violence, stallion ...
Time:
1940s, 20th century, year 2006, ancient times, 2000s ...
Place:
japan, asia, nebraska, tokyo, germany
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 158 min.
Story:
An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption.
Style:
inspirational, historical drama, epic, emotional, period piece ...
Audience:
chick flick, teens, date night, adult
Plot:
redemption, rebellion, arrest, parole, historical character, broadway, dying man, historical event, prostitute, orphan, father daughter relationship, revolution ...
Time:
19th century, 2010s, year 2012, 1800s, 18th century ...
Place:
france, paris france, seattle, europe, london
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 144 min.
Story:
The true story of boxer, Jim Braddock who, in the 1920’s after his retirement, has a surprise comeback in order to get him and his family out of a socially poor state.
Style:
touching, inspirational, sentimental, motivational, uplifting ...
Audience:
boys' night, teens, manly
Plot:
boxing, underdog, human spirit, great depression, boxer, biopic, athlete's life, roman empire, poverty, fight scenes, depression, protective male ...
Time:
1930s, year 2005, 2000s, year 2006, 1920s ...
Place:
netherlands, usa, new jersey, new york, madison square garden manhattan new york city ...
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
14K
Genre: Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 116 min.
Story:
A chronicle of the weeks after the 2000 U.S. presidential election and the subsequent recounts in Florida.
Style:
political, factual, intense, talky, captivating ...
Plot:
political conspiracy, politics, president, election, campaign, presidential election, democrat, political corruption, justice, republican, state affairs, dishonesty ...
Time:
year 2000, year 2008, 21st century
Place:
usa, florida, texas, north america, washington d.c. ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min.
Story:
Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.
Style:
black and white, costume drama, suspense, captivating, suspenseful ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
medieval, shakespeare, murder, treason, rise to power, knight, king, blacks and whites, betrayal, royal family, intrigue, macbeth ...
Time:
middle ages, future, medieval times
Place:
scotland
Is relevant?
199K
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 138 min.
Story:
Freddie, a volatile, heavy-drinking veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, finds some semblance of a family when he stumbles onto the ship of Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a new "religion" he forms after World ...
Style:
art house, atmospheric, philosophical, cerebral, surreal ...
Audience:
date night, adult
Plot:
psychiatry, scientology, right hand man, drifter, sex, female pubic hair, mentor, religion, bare breasts, religions or cults, brainwashing, writers ...
Time:
1950s, 50s, 20th century, 1940s, year 1950 ...
Place:
usa, phoenix arizona, san francisco, alabama, pennsylvania ...
Is relevant?
120K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 126 min.
Story:
A corporate defense attorney takes on an environmental lawsuit against the DuPont chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution.
Style:
realistic, factual, serious, thought provoking, sexy ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
lawyer, contamination, lawsuit, environmental, corruption, legal investigation, corporate crime, courtroom drama, investigation, environment, price of justice, uncover truth ...
Time:
2010s, 2000s, 90s, year 2019, year 1999 ...
Place:
columbus ohio, cincinnati ohio, west virginia, ohio, usa
Is relevant?
1.2M
Genre: Biography, Drama, War
Country: USA
Duration: 178 min.
Story:
Enraged at the slaughter of Murron, his new bride and childhood love, Scottish warrior William Wallace slays a platoon of the local English lord's soldiers. This leads the village to revolt and, eventually, the entire country to rise up against ...
Style:
epic, factual, bloody, scenic, breathtaking ...
Audience:
boys' night, manly, chick flick, adult
Plot:
sword fight, war, courage, freedom, medieval, vengeance, tragic hero, battles, military, love story, warrior, beautiful scenery ...
Time:
middle ages, medieval times, 14th century, ancient times, 20th century ...
Place:
scotland, england, europe, scottish highlands, britain ...
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
1.0M
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 180 min.
Story:
The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.
Style:
period piece, epic, exciting, captivating, dramatic ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
nuclear, scientist, world war two, atomic bomb, american politics, physics, laboratory, arizona desert, top secret, husband wife relationship, moral dilemma, desert ...
Time:
1940s, year 1945, 1950s, year 1954, year 1943 ...
Place:
new mexico, england, zurich switzerland, north america, soviet union ...
Is relevant?
671K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 139 min.
Story:
WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Style:
inspirational, touching, sentimental, christian film, harsh ...
Audience:
manly, girls' night
Plot:
world war two, war, soldier, conscientious objector, survival, us military, combat, american soldier, religion, bible, military, pacifist ...
Time:
1940s, year 2016, 20th century, middle ages, year 1945 ...
Place:
okinawa japan, japan, tennessee, usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA, India, Jordan
Duration: 157 min.
Story:
A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May, 2011.
Style:
tense, political, talky, historical drama, controversial ...
Audience:
chick flick, family friendly, boys' night, adult
Plot:
terrorism, espionage, cia, 9/11, military, manhunt, islamic terrorism, combat, terrorist plot, cia agent, al qaeda, propaganda ...
Time:
september 11 2001, year 2003, year 2005, year 2011, 2000s ...
Place:
middle east, pakistan, iraq, baghdad iraq, afghanistan ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Music, Musical
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 147 min.
Story:
In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, ...
Style:
realistic, hood, intense, clever, inspirational ...
Audience:
manly
Plot:
hip hop, racism, music, ghetto, gangster, redemption, rap, rags to riches, profanity, rapper, african american, gang ...
Time:
90s, year 2015, 2010s, year 1990, year 1995 ...
Place:
los angeles, california, milwaukee wisconsin, usa, detroit ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, History, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 206 min.
Story:
When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one—until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.
Style:
suspenseful, captivating, thrilling, detective, psychological ...
Plot:
murder, native american, courtroom, genocide, fbi, interracial marriage, greed, true crime, serial murder, american indian, oil, oil field ...
Time:
1920s, 20th century
Place:
oklahoma, oklahoma city, washington d.c.
Is relevant?
334K
Genre: Adventure, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 140 min.
Story:
The true story of technical troubles that scuttle the Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1971, risking the lives of astronaut Jim Lovell and his crew, with the failed journey turning into a thrilling saga of heroism. Drifting more than 200,000 miles from ...
Style:
factual, realistic, inspirational, suspense, breathtaking ...
Audience:
teens, family outing, kids, boys' night
Plot:
astronaut, nasa, survival, space travel, moon, disaster, rescue, space program, space exploration, race against time, trapped in space, against the odds ...
Time:
70s, year 1970, 20th century, year 1969, 60s ...
Place:
houston texas, usa, north america, texas, pacific ocean ...
Is relevant?
468K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 209 min.
Story:
A mob hit man recalls his possible involvement with the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa.
Style:
captivating, inspirational, tense, exciting, crime drama ...
Audience:
chick flick, adult
Plot:
mafia, organized crime, labor union, italian mafia, gangster, killer as protagonist, high society, old man, mob hit, arrest, prison, hitman ...
Time:
year 2019, 20th century, 1940s, year 1960, 70s ...
Place:
philadelphia, pennsylvania, chicago, ireland, washington d.c. ...
Is relevant?
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