Best British History Movies
This page is updated regularly. Subscribe, so you don't miss new recommendations. The list of "Best British History Movies" contains films with the following parameters. Style: serious, period drama, historical drama, captivating, period piece and thought provoking. Plot: politics, betrayal, violence, murder, death, brutality, dialogue, runaway, british and mentor. Genre: Drama, History and Biography. Country: UK, USA and Hungary.
Best British History Movies
TOP Movies: The Young Victoria (2009), Henry V (1989), The King's Speech (2010), King Lear (2018), The Viking War (2019), Robin Hood (2010), Ophelia (2018), 12 Years a Slave (2013), The King (2019), Oppenheimer (2023), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Belfast (2021), Once Upon a Time in London (2019), The Devils (1971), Scandal (1989), The Favourite (2018), All Is True (2018), Elizabeth (1998), Anne of the Thousand Days (1969), Battle for Haditha (2007).
List of Best Movies
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 105 min.
Story:
From Academy Award® winners Graham King and Martin Scorsese, along with the makers of Gosford Park and The Departed, comes the story of Queen Victoria’s early rise to power. From an object of a royal power-struggle to her romantic courtship and ...
Style:
period piece, costume drama, romantic, touching, historical drama ...
Audience:
chick flick, girls' night
Plot:
royal family, queen of england, marriage, royalty, queen, politics, queen victoria, royal court, aristocracy, love and romance, princess, love story ...
Time:
19th century, victorian era, middle ages, ancient times, 1800s ...
Place:
london, buckingham palace, england, britain, europe ...
Is relevant?
33K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 137 min.
Story:
Gritty adaption of William Shakespeare's play about the English King's bloody conquest of France.
Style:
exciting, costume drama, breathtaking, realistic, atmospheric ...
Audience:
date night
Plot:
medieval, shakespeare, battles, politics, royalty, royal family, tragedy, king, honor, king of england, war, love and romance ...
Time:
15th century, middle ages, year 1989, medieval times, ancient times
Place:
england, france, europe, britain, london ...
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
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 115 min.
Story:
An aging King invites disaster, when he abdicates to his corrupt, toadying daughters, and rejects his loving and honest one.
Style:
thought provoking, bleak, psychological, rough, independent film ...
Plot:
medieval, monarch, shakespeare, father daughter relationship, sister sister relationship, greed, betrayal, rivalry, parents and children, family relations, life & death, life philosophy ...
Place:
england
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
Genre: History
Country: UK
Duration: 103 min.
Story:
Ingrid and her siblings are on the run from the Beserkers who have begun invading the villages, taking over, savagely using the residents on a game where they vs a Beserker, and if they win, they get to survive - only, no one ever wins. The siblings ...
Style:
tense, captivating, exciting, suspenseful, bloody ...
Audience:
boys' night
Plot:
viking, medieval, danger, culture clash, battles, struggle for survival, fight, society, survival, death, murder, storytelling ...
Is relevant?
295K
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 140 min.
Story:
When soldier Robin happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley, he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances his widow, Marion; and draws the ire of the town's sheriff ...
Style:
exciting, epic, period piece, entertaining, costume drama ...
Audience:
boys' night, manly
Plot:
medieval, robin hood, knight, archer, folk hero, love and romance, sword fight, fighting the system, bow and arrow, hopes, throne, sword and shield ...
Time:
middle ages, medieval times, ancient times, year 2010, 12th century ...
Place:
england, britain, france, europe, london
Is relevant?
15K
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 106 min.
Story:
Ophelia comes of age as lady-in-waiting for Queen Gertrude, and her singular spirit captures Hamlet's affections. As lust and betrayal threaten the kingdom, Ophelia finds herself trapped between true love and controlling her own destiny.
Style:
scenic, inspirational, exciting, period piece, costume drama ...
Audience:
date night, adult
Plot:
castle, medieval, imaginary kingdom, murder, crown prince, adaptation, secret relationship, shakespeare, throne, palace intrigue, heir, royal court ...
Time:
middle ages, ancient times, medieval times
Place:
denmark
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?
Related movie lists
175K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, Hungary, USA, Australia
Duration: 140 min.
Story:
In 15th-century England, Prince Hal transforms from wayward wastrel to powerful king after he reluctantly inherits the throne and its many conflicts.
Style:
period piece, costume drama, disturbing, bleak, captivating ...
Audience:
date night, adult
Plot:
medieval, british history, king, king of england, father son relationship, kingdom, combat, boy, royal court, crown, battlefield, lie ...
Time:
15th century, middle ages, medieval times, 2010s, year 2019
Place:
england, britain, france
Is relevant?
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?
Genre: Crime, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 102 min.
Story:
It's Yorkshire in 1974, and fear, mistrust and institutionalised police corruption are running riot. Rookie journalist Eddie Dunford is determined to search for the truth in an increasingly complex maze of lies and deceit surrounding the police ...
Style:
neo noir, suspenseful, detective, suspense, serious ...
Plot:
serial killer, murder mystery, violence, investigation, journalism, police brutality, strangulation, conspiracy, justice, journalist, uncover truth, law enforcement ...
Time:
20th century, 70s, year 2009, year 1974, 80s
Place:
england, britain, northern england, europe, yorkshire ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 227 min.
Story:
The story of British officer T.E. Lawrence's mission to aid the Arab tribes in their revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Lawrence becomes a flamboyant, messianic figure in the cause of Arab unity but his psychological ...
Style:
epic, breathtaking, visually appealing, visually stunning, historical drama ...
Audience:
teens, family outing, date night, kids
Plot:
world war one, desert, military, british empire, camel, islam, great war, imperialism, politics, historical character, battles, quicksand ...
Time:
1910s, 20th century, 1930s, 1920s, year 1962 ...
Place:
middle east, saudi arabia, arabia, ottoman empire, jordan ...
Is relevant?
117K
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 98 min.
Story:
Buddy is a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, whose life is filled with familial love, childhood hijinks, and a blossoming romance. Yet, with his beloved hometown caught up in increasing turmoil, his family faces a momentous choice: hope the ...
Style:
black and white, period piece, psychological, disturbing, captivating ...
Audience:
date night, teens
Plot:
working class, bigotry, british politics, intolerance, riot, child, poverty, child protagonist, family relations, european, boy, social problems ...
Time:
year 1969, year 1970, 60s
Place:
ireland, northern ireland, europe
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, History
Country: UK
Duration: 111 min.
Story:
Billy Hill and Jack 'Spot' Comer were among the most notorious criminals in London up until the 1950s. Dramatising the violent reign of two of London's most notorious gangsters, Billy Hill (Leo Gregory) and Jack 'Spot' Comer ...
Style:
suspenseful, serious, realistic, rough, powerful ...
Audience:
boys' night
Plot:
criminal, gangster, crime boss, rivalry, vengeance, gang, violent, family relations, blackmail, racketeer, organized crime, mistress ...
Time:
year 1939, 1940s, 1930s
Place:
london
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 111 min.
Story:
A dramatised historical account of the rise and fall of Urbain Grandier, a 17th-century Roman Catholic priest accused of witchcraft following alleged demonic possessions of sexually repressed nuns.
Style:
psychological, disturbing, controversial, cult classic, surreal ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
inquisition, religion, priest, surrealism, politics, nun, nunsploitation, witch, torture, clergy, violent, folk horror ...
Time:
17th century, medieval times, year 2016, middle ages, year 1971 ...
Place:
france, london, europe, england
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 106 min.
Story:
An English bon-vivant osteopath is enchanted with a young exotic dancer and invites her to live with him. He serves as friend and mentor, and through his contacts and parties she and her friend meet and date members of the Conservative Party. ...
Style:
sexy, erotic, political, sexual, intense ...
Plot:
sex scandal, politics, lust, member of parliament, trial, defamation, swimming pool, miscarriage of justice, seduction, infatuation, marijuana, scapegoat ...
Time:
60s, year 1989, year 1963, year 1961, year 1962 ...
Place:
england, scotland yard, europe, london, california
Is relevant?
256K
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History
Country: Ireland, UK, USA
Duration: 119 min.
Story:
In early 18th century England, a frail Queen Anne occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead. When a new servant Abigail arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.
Style:
period piece, factual, costume drama, historical drama, visually stunning ...
Audience:
chick flick
Plot:
lesbian, queen, lgbt, aristocracy, british history, power struggle, queen of england, fight for supremacy, female rivalry, violence, british aristocracy, politics ...
Time:
18th century, 2010s, victorian era, 19th century
Place:
britain, england
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 101 min.
Story:
A look at the final days in the life of playwright William Shakespeare.
Style:
frightening, captivating, psychological, tense, touching ...
Audience:
date night, adult
Plot:
playwright, british history, shakespeare, historical figure, death of son, father daughter relationship, family secret, retirement, church, writers, biopic, society ...
Time:
ancient times, 17th century, medieval times
Place:
united kingdom
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
110K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 124 min.
Story:
The story of the ascension to the throne and the early reign of Queen Elizabeth the First, the endless attempts by her council to marry her off, the Catholic hatred of her and her romance with Lord Robert Dudley.
Style:
factual, costume drama, period piece, historical drama, visually stunning ...
Audience:
chick flick, girls' night
Plot:
queen, british history, queen elizabeth i, tudors, royalty, historical character, politics, head of state, british royal family, royal court, monarchy, throne ...
Time:
16th century, middle ages, ancient times, medieval times, victorian era ...
Place:
england, london, britain, scotland, europe ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 145 min.
Story:
Henry VIII of England discards one wife, Katharine of Aragon, who has failed to produce a male heir, in favor of the young and beautiful Anne Boleyn.
Style:
period piece, costume drama, historical drama, talky, fairy tale ...
Plot:
royalty, tudors, king, british history, monarch, medieval, british monarchy, royal family, british royal family, adultery, biopic, politics ...
Time:
16th century, medieval times, ancient times, year 1969, middle ages ...
Place:
england, europe, britain, london, scotland
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 97 min.
Story:
An investigation of the massacre of 24 men, women and children in Haditha, Iraq allegedly shot by 4 U.S. Marines in retaliation for the death of a U.S. Marine killed by a roadside bomb. The movie follows the story of the Marines of Kilo Company, an ...
Style:
disturbing, tense, sexy, serious, realistic ...
Plot:
soldier, iraq war, military, marine, war, culture clash, desert, military life, marines, society, vengeance, occupation ...
Time:
year 2005, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
iraq, middle east, united kingdom
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 100 min.
Story:
Nine years on, another Morley child has gone missing on her way home from school. Detective Chief Superintendent Maurice Jobson is forced to remember the very similar disappearance of Clare Kemplay, who was found dead in 1974, and the subsequent ...
Style:
gloomy, detective, atmospheric, brutal, suspenseful ...
Plot:
serial killer, murder mystery, british police, police investigation, wrongful conviction, justice, interrogation, uncover truth, clergy, dishonesty, confined, life is a bitch ...
Time:
80s, year 2009, 20th century, year 1972, 70s
Place:
europe, england, yorkshire
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 143 min.
Story:
During WWII, the death camp at Treblinka had an escape, causing the Commandant at a similar camp in Sobibor to vow (actually threaten) that his camp would never experience the same thing. But those who were its captives, the Jewish laborers that had ...
Style:
tense, realistic, thought provoking, suspenseful, rough ...
Plot:
concentration camp, world war two, pow, holocaust, escape, shoah, against humanity, genocide, military, captivity, nazi, hopes ...
Time:
20th century, 1940s
Place:
poland, europe
Is relevant?
15K
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, History, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 129 min.
Story:
Tom loves Sophie and Sophie loves Tom. But Tom and Sophie are of differering classes. Can they find a way through the mayhem to be true to love?
Style:
costume drama, witty, depressing, picaresque, historical drama ...
Plot:
arranged marriage, rags to riches, true love, womanizer, class conflict, illegitimate son, literary, farce, squire, tutor, food, kitchen sink realism ...
Time:
18th century, year 1963, 1930s, 60s
Place:
england, britain, europe, london, new york
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Horror
Country: UK
Duration: 86 min.
Story:
England is torn in civil strife as the Royalists battle the Parliamentary Party for control. This conflict distracts people from rational thought and allows unscrupulous men to gain local power by exploiting village superstitions. One of these men ...
Style:
suspenseful, disturbing, bleak, creepy, gothic ...
Plot:
inquisition, witch, folk horror, torture, witch hunt, nudity, murder, vengeance, violence, exploitation, priest, sadism ...
Time:
17th century, year 1968, 60s
Place:
england, europe, latin america
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 96 min.
Story:
During World War I, a group of British miners are recruited to tunnel underneath no man's land and set bombs from below the German front in hopes of breaking the deadly stalemate of the Battle of Messines.
Style:
thought provoking, tense, captivating, suspense, powerful
Plot:
world war one, military, miner, wartime, patriot, patriotism, mining, battles, heroic mission, showdown, fight, fight for supremacy ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 93 min.
Story:
After 6 years of brutal murders the West Yorkshire Police fear that they may have already interviewed The Ripper and let him back into the world to continue his reign of terror upon the citizens of Yorkshire, but things become more difficult for the ...
Style:
tense, gloomy, suspenseful, cerebral, detective ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
serial killer, murder mystery, police corruption, murder, police investigation, who done it, conspiracy, dead prostitute, uncover truth, police detective, dishonesty, riddles and clues ...
Time:
80s, year 2009, year 1980, 20th century, 70s
Place:
europe, england, yorkshire, london
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min.
Story:
Guy is an experienced British fighter pilot who is in command of Britain's first manned mission to space. He has trained for this for three years at the height of the Cold War and now he is alone in space with a malfunctioning capsule. He has ...
Style:
captivating, suspenseful, suspense, disturbing
Plot:
spy, deception, space, outer space, astronaut, space exploration, human in outer space, spaceship crash, trapped, trapped in space, struggle for survival, space station ...
Time:
1950s
Is relevant?
761K
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 119 min.
Story:
At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield and Blake are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds ...
Style:
period piece, visually stunning, tense, entertaining, sad ...
Audience:
boys' night, teens, date night, adult
Plot:
world war one, trench warfare, race against time, soldier, british soldier, british army, death, battlefield, military, british military, dangerous mission, german soldier ...
Time:
year 1917, 1910s, 20th century, year 2019, 2010s
Place:
persia, los angeles, britain, europe, france
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, History, Horror, Mystery
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min.
Story:
During the Civil War in 17th-Century England, a small group of deserters flee from a raging battle through an overgrown field. They are captured by an alchemist, who forces the group to aid him in his search to find a hidden treasure that he ...
Style:
surreal, stylized, tense, atmospheric, psychedelic ...
Audience:
date night, family friendly
Plot:
folk horror, psychedelia, wilderness, group of strangers, surrealism, hallucination, captivity, danger, chaos, trippy, on the run, poisoning ...
Time:
year 2016, 2010s, 17th century
Place:
england
Is relevant?
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