Best History Movies

This page is updated regularly. Subscribe, so you don't miss new recommendations. The list of "Best History Movies" contains films with the following parameters. Style: inspirational, historical drama, captivating, realistic, epic and serious. Plot: death, historical event, biopic, world history, bare chested male, military, friendship, conflict, costume and violence. Genre: Drama, History and Biography. Country: USA, UK and China.
Best History Movies
Best History Movies
TOP Movies: Schindler's List (1993), Hacksaw Ridge (2016), 12 Years a Slave (2013), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Braveheart (1995), The Last Duel (2021), The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), The Revenant (2015), Troy (2004), The King's Speech (2010), JFK (1991), A Man for All Seasons (1966), The Duchess (2008), Hidden Figures (2016), Darkest Hour (2017), Glory (1989), The Thin Red Line (1998), Barry Lyndon (1975), The Illusionist (2006), The Last King of Scotland (2006).

List of Best Movies

Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
Schindler's List (1993)
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, war, wartime, storytelling, concentration camp, brutality, nazism, against humanity, survival ...
Time: 1940s, 20th century, year 1993, 90s, ancient times ...
Place: poland, germany, persia, iran, europe ...
Is relevant ?
 8.1
 588K
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Australia, USA, UK, China
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, harsh, motivational ...
Audience: manly
Plot: world war two, war, soldier, conscientious objector, combat, religion, survival, american soldier, military, us military, bible, u.s. army ...
Time: 1940s, year 2016, 2010s, 20th century, year 1945 ...
Place: okinawa, okinawa japan, japan, tennessee, usa
Is relevant ?
12 Years a Slave (2013)
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: motivational, heartbreaking, disturbing, harsh, bleak ...
Audience: teens
Plot: slavery, racism, survival, civil rights, torture, african american, freedom, american history, life is a bitch, black history, interracial relations, kidnapping ...
Time: 19th century, year 2013, 2010s, victorian era, ancient times ...
Place: louisiana, new orleans, america, africa, usa ...
Is relevant ?
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama, War
Country: UK
Duration: 218 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, captivating, breathtaking, visually appealing, visually stunning ...
Audience: date night, teens, family outing, kids
Plot: desert, world war one, military, british empire, camel, imperialism, historical character, battles, islam, politics, great war, train ...
Time: 1910s, 20th century, 1920s, year 1962, victorian era ...
Place: middle east, saudi arabia, ottoman empire, arabia, africa ...
Is relevant ?
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 8.3
 1.1M
Braveheart (1995)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, 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, breathtaking, scenic, inspirational ...
Audience: boys' night, manly, chick flick, adult
Plot: freedom, courage, sword fight, war, vengeance, medieval, battles, tragic hero, military, love story, beautiful scenery, warrior ...
Time: middle ages, medieval times, 14th century, ancient times, 20th century ...
Place: scotland, england, britain, europe, scottish highlands ...
Is relevant ?
 7.4
 180K
The Last Duel (2021)
Genre: Action, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 152 min.
Story: King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel.
Style: historical drama, suspense, costume drama, cerebral, epic ...
Audience: date night, toddlers, chick flick, boys' night, adult
Plot: duel, medieval, rape, knight, husband wife relationship, showdown, revenge, sword duel, murder, battles, violence, jousting ...
Time: middle ages, 14th century, medieval times, 2020s
Place: france, normandy, scotland, paris france
Is relevant ?
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)
Genre: Drama, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 94 min.
Story: When his family moves from their home in Berlin to a strange new house in Poland, young Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy who lives on the other side of the fence where everyone seems to be wearing striped pajamas. Unaware of Shmuel's fate as a ...
Style: emotional, touching, sad, heartbreaking, tear jerker ...
Audience: kids, teens, family outing, family friendly, teen drama ...
Plot: world war two, holocaust, concentration camp, war, children, childhood, nazi, friendship, nazism, gas chamber, boy, morality ...
Time: 1940s, 20th century, ancient times, year 2008
Place: germany, poland, europe, berlin germany, switzerland
Is relevant ?
 8.0
 867K
The Revenant (2015)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Western
Country: Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA
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: atmospheric, breathtaking, scenic, suspenseful, harsh ...
Audience: manly, date night, boys' night, adult
Plot: survival, wilderness, revenge, vengeance, native american, snow, bear attack, life & death, nature, winter, obsessive quest, hunter ...
Time: year 2015, 2010s, 19th century, 90s, distant future ...
Place: los angeles, usa
Is relevant ?
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 7.3
 567K
Troy (2004)
Genre: Drama
Country: USA, Malta, UK
Duration: 163 min.
Story: In year 1250 B.C. during the late Bronze age, two emerging nations begin to clash. Paris, the Trojan prince, convinces Helen, Queen of Sparta, to leave her husband Menelaus, and sail with him back to Troy. After Menelaus finds out that his wife was ...
Style: epic, exciting, heroic, realistic, period piece ...
Audience: boys' night, date night, manly, teens, adult
Plot: sword fight, mythology, ancient, ancient history, ancient world, vengeance, battlefield, war, greek mythology, warrior, courage, betrayal ...
Time: ancient times, year 2004, 2000s, middle ages
Place: greece, ancient greece, britain, rome italy, hellas ...
Is relevant ?
The King's Speech (2010)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, USA
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, uplifting, dramatic ...
Audience: chick flick, teens, adult
Plot: british royal family, british history, world war two, stuttering, royal family, disability, queen, politics, unlikely friendships, british monarchy, king of england, historical character ...
Time: 1930s, year 2010, 2010s, pre world war two, 50s ...
Place: england, britain, london, united kingdom, scotland ...
Is relevant ?
 8.0
 169K
JFK (1991)
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA, France
Duration: 189 min.
Story: New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison discovers there's more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story.
Style: controversial, suspense, political, captivating, disturbing ...
Plot: investigation, president, kennedy assassination, political conspiracy, conspiracy theory, assassination, cia, legal, politics, courtroom, lawyer, corruption ...
Time: 60s, 20th century, year 1991, 90s, year 1963
Place: new orleans, washington d.c., austin texas, midwest, chile ...
Is relevant ?
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 120 min.
Story: A Man for All Seasons is the filmed version of the life of Thomas More. An English man comes to Sir Thomas More to ask if he can divorce his wife since King Henry VIII has made it illegal. Sir Thomas More stands up in opposition to the King even ...
Style: period piece, political, inspirational, costume drama, spiritual ...
Audience: family outing
Plot: historical event, politics, lawyer, courtroom drama, catholic, courtroom, royalty, british history, renaissance, idealism, justice, betrayal ...
Time: 16th century, middle ages, year 1966, ancient times, medieval times
Place: england, britain, persia, europe, london
Is relevant ?
 6.9
 87K
The Duchess (2008)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance, Thriller
Country: UK, Italy, France, USA
Duration: 110 min.
Story: A chronicle of the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life.
Style: romantic, costume drama, sexy, emotional, dramatic ...
Audience: chick flick, teens
Plot: royalty, love story, duchess, love triangle, love affair, aristocracy, duke, infidelity, adultery, high society, marriage, nobility ...
Time: 18th century, georgian era, 19th century, middle ages, ancient times ...
Place: england, britain, europe, london
Is relevant ?
 7.8
 253K
Hidden Figures (2016)
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, sincere, motivational, touching, factual ...
Audience: girls' night, family friendly, chick flick, date night, teens ...
Plot: racism, mathematics, nasa, space program, african american, stereotypes, prejudice, sexism, strong female character, scientist, genius, racial segregation ...
Time: 60s, year 1961, year 2016, 20th century, 2010s ...
Place: persia, indiana, virginia, usa, langley virginia
Is relevant ?
 7.4
 219K
Darkest Hour (2017)
Genre: Drama, War
Country: UK, USA, China
Duration: 125 min.
Story: A thrilling and inspiring true story begins on the eve of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with ...
Style: period piece, political, inspirational, serious, suspense ...
Audience: date night, teens
Plot: world war two, british history, prime minister, politics, winston churchill, british politics, british prime minister, choice, decision, biopic, wartime, leader ...
Time: year 1940, 1940s, 2010s, year 2017
Place: england, britain, united kingdom, dunkirk, london ...
Is relevant ?
 7.8
 144K
Glory (1989)
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, suspense, realistic, rough ...
Plot: american civil war, civil war, battles, slavery, freedom, military, racism, prejudice, war, black history, army, human spirit ...
Time: 19th century, 1800s, 20th century, year 1989, victorian era ...
Place: massachusetts, america, south carolina, georgia, africa ...
Is relevant ?
The Thin Red Line (1998)
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: epic, visually stunning, visual, philosophical, visually appealing ...
Plot: war, sergeant, jungle, soldier, world war two, infantry, anti war, pacific war, pacific island, existentialism, survival, world war ...
Time: 20th century, 1940s, 90s, year 1998
Place: asia, america, japan, pacific ocean
Is relevant ?
 8.1
 182K
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 185 min.
Story: In the Eighteenth Century, in a small village in Ireland, Redmond Barry is a young farm boy in love with his cousin Nora Brady. When Nora engages to the British Captain John Quin, Barry challenges him for a duel of pistols. He wins and escapes to ...
Style: epic, visually stunning, period piece, realistic, visual ...
Plot: nobility, rise and fall, aristocracy, opportunist, tragedy, literary, british army, gambling, funeral, sword fight, soldier, amputation ...
Time: 18th century, georgian era, 20th century, victorian era, 19th century ...
Place: ireland, prussia, england, britain, berlin germany ...
Is relevant ?
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 7.5
 388K
The Illusionist (2006)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA, Czech Republic
Duration: 110 min.
Story: With his eye on a lovely aristocrat, a gifted illusionist named Eisenheim uses his powers to win her away from her betrothed, a crowned prince. But Eisenheim's scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of a dogged ...
Style: surprise ending, atmospheric, period piece, enigmatic, twist ending ...
Audience: chick flick, date night, teens
Plot: magic, twists and turns, forbidden love, wizards and magicians, investigation, murder, love triangle, magic trick, death, duchess, nobility, rivals ...
Time: victorian era, 19th century, year 2006, 2000s, edwardian era ...
Place: austria, vienna, america, london, england ...
Is relevant ?
The Last King of Scotland (2006)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: UK, Germany
Duration: 123 min.
Story: Young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan decides it's time for an adventure after he finishes his formal education, so he decides to try his luck in Uganda, and arrives during the downfall of President Obote. General Idi Amin comes to power and ...
Style: political, factual, suspense, harsh, psychological ...
Plot: dictatorship, dictator, doctor, politics, polygamy, genocide, atrocity, corruption, biopic, medical, attempted murder, against humanity ...
Time: 70s, 20th century, year 2006
Place: africa, uganda, scotland, united kingdom, south africa
Is relevant ?
 7.1
 155K
Defiance (2008)
Genre: Action, Drama, History, Thriller, War
Country: USA
Duration: 137 min.
Story: Based on a true story, during World War II, four Jewish brothers escape their Nazi-occupied homeland of West Belarus in Poland and join the Soviet partisans to combat the Nazis. The brothers begin the rescue of roughly 1,200 Jews still trapped in ...
Style: sincere, epic, period piece, dramatic, realistic ...
Audience: manly, adult
Plot: world war two, holocaust, war, nazi, judaism, genocide, partisan, world war, survival, rebellion, red army, military ...
Time: year 2008, 20th century, 1940s, year 1941, year 1942
Place: poland, germany, indiana, europe
Is relevant ?
 7.4
 252K
The Lighthouse (2019)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 109 min.
Story: The story of two lighthouse keepers on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.
Style: suspense, minimal cast, psychological, mysterious, lovecraft ...
Audience: date night, adult
Plot: isolation, hallucination, lighthouse, lighthouse keeper, drunkenness, symbolism, island, nightmare, fight, storm, madness, violence ...
Time: 19th century, 1890s, victorian era, 2010s, year 2019 ...
Place: nova scotia, new england
Is relevant ?
War of the Arrows (2011)
Genre: Action, Adventure
Country: South Korea
Duration: 122 min.
Story: 13 years after the King Injo Revolt, the Chosun Dynasty is attacked by the Chung Dynasty of China. A young man named Na-mi leaves his demolished village to find his young sister, Ja-in, and her finance Su-koon, who were to wed on the very day of the ...
Style: exciting, realistic, serious, captivating, stylized ...
Plot: archery, archer, master warrior, bow and arrow, joseon dynasty, medieval, kidnapping, battles, military, daring rescue, danger, invasion ...
Time: 17th century, year 2011, medieval times
Place: korea, ancient china, asia
Is relevant ?
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 7.2
 292K
The Patriot (2000)
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: USA, Germany
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, rough, uplifting, factual ...
Audience: manly, family friendly, kids, boys' night, adult
Plot: american revolution, war, freedom, revolution, military, battles, vengeance, rebellion, human spirit, heroic mission, wartime, combat ...
Time: 18th century, year 2000, georgian era, y2k, 1780s ...
Place: south carolina, america, southern usa, virginia, britain ...
Is relevant ?
 7.7
 314K
Apollo 13 (1995)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, History
Country: USA, UK, Canada, Japan
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, epic ...
Audience: teens, family outing, kids, boys' night
Plot: astronaut, survival, nasa, space travel, moon, disaster, rescue, space program, outer space, race against time, space, space exploration ...
Time: 70s, 20th century, 60s, year 1970, year 1969 ...
Place: houston texas, usa, pacific ocean, texas, florida ...
Is relevant ?
 7.3
 112K
Patriots Day (2016)
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, USA
Duration: 133 min.
Story: An account of Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis's actions in the events leading up to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the aftermath, which includes the city-wide manhunt to find the terrorists behind it.
Style: intense, suspense, emotional, tense, factual ...
Plot: terrorism, terrorist, police, tragedy, fbi, courage, surveillance, manhunt, violence, investigation, chase, brutality ...
Time: year 2016, 2010s, year 2013, 21st century
Place: massachusetts, boston, america, usa
Is relevant ?
The First King (2019)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: Italy, Belgium
Duration: 123 min.
Story: Two brothers, Romulus and Remus, will have to rely on each other to survive in a hostile world. The city of Rome, one of the greatest empires in history, will be born from their deeds and bloody battles.
Style: suspense, psychological, exciting, captivating, tense ...
Plot: ancient rome, king, roman, religion, mythology, journey, violence, medieval, ancient, historical event, friendship, society ...
Time: ancient times
Place: rome italy, italy
Is relevant ?
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, France, USA, Germany
Duration: 114 min.
Story: When Queen Elizabeth's reign is threatened by ruthless familial betrayal and Spain's invading army, she and her shrewd adviser must act to safeguard to the lives of her people.
Style: period piece, costume drama, breathtaking, colorful, historical drama ...
Plot: british history, queen, queen elizabeth i, throne, royal family, royalty, tudors, politics, monarchy, medieval, political intrigue, biopic ...
Time: 16th century, middle ages, 19th century, victorian era, ancient times ...
Place: england, london, britain, scotland, spain ...
Is relevant ?
 7.3
 201K
First Man (2018)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA, Japan, China
Duration: 141 min.
Story: A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Style: factual, inspirational, disturbing, exciting, historical drama ...
Audience: family friendly, teens, date night, adult
Plot: astronaut, space travel, nasa, space exploration, moon, moon landing, loss of child, grief, outer space, apollo program, male camaraderie, rocket ...
Time: 60s, 2010s, year 1963, 20th century, year 1965 ...
Place: usa, california, mojave desert, florida, houston texas
Is relevant ?
 7.9
 55K
Togo (2019)
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama, Family, History
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min.
Story: The untold true story set in the winter of 1925 that takes you across the treacherous terrain of the Alaskan tundra for an exhilarating and uplifting adventure that will test the strength, courage and determination of one man, Leonhard Seppala, and ...
Style: suspense, exciting, captivating, atmospheric, tense ...
Audience: family outing, family friendly, kids, adult
Plot: dog, snow, dog sled, escapades, delivery, save the day, friendship, puppy, plague, blizzard, winter, storm ...
Time: 1920s, future, 1910s, year 2019
Place: alaska, usa
Is relevant ?
Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
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