Historical Drama movies

Vibe

Playful Realistic Tense Witty Charged

Overview

The re-imagining of VE Day in 1945, when Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Margaret were allowed out from Buckingham Palace for the night to join in the celebrations, and encounter romance and danger.

Themes

Romance under scrutiny, Duty vs freedom, Class expectations, Public persona vs private desire, Gendered public spectacle, Youth confronting tradition

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Realistic Tense Intimate Bleak Restrained

Overview

In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a hardworking young sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor.

Themes

Class inequality, Romantic deception, Independence vs social expectation, Landownership and marriage markets, Gambling debt and leverage, Violence in love rivalries

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Realistic Claustrophobic Bleak Deliberate Clinical

Overview

The breathtaking story of a man who nearly would have changed the world. In 1939, when Hitler tricked millions of people at the height of his power, radical Georg Elser — disparaged as an assassin — is one of the greatest resistance fighters.

Themes

Secrecy and suspicion, State coercion and torture, Resistance under oppression, Risk in solitary action, Legacy of resistance, Opposition to tyranny

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Tense Atmospheric Restrained Deliberate Stylish

Overview

A landscape gardener is hired by famous architect Le Nôtre to construct the grand gardens at the palace of Versailles. As the two work on the palace, they find themselves drawn to each other and are thrown into rivalries within the court of King Louis XIV.

Themes

Gender and professional independence, Romantic tension in court, Art versus tradition in design, Fidelity and betrayal in aristocracy, Power dynamics in aristocratic court, Resilience through crisis and repair

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Realistic Tense Bleak Deliberate Minimalist

Overview

Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover a world famous painting of her aunt plundered by the Nazis during World War II, she believes rightfully belongs to her family. She did so not just to regain what was rightfully hers, but also to obtain some measure of justice for the death, destruction, and massive art theft perpetrated by the Nazis.

Themes

Postwar restitution pressures, Familial ownership claim, Nazi-era restitution, Transnational court proceedings

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Realistic Tense Intimate Claustrophobic Atmospheric

Overview

France, 1940. In the first days of occupation, beautiful Lucile Angellier is trapped in a stifled existence with her controlling mother-in-law as they both await news of her husband: a prisoner of war. Parisian refugees start to pour into their small town, soon followed by a regiment of German soldiers who take up residence in the villagers' own homes. Lucile initially tries to ignore Bruno von Falk, the handsome and refined German officer staying with them. But soon, a powerful love draws them together and leads them into the tragedy of war.

Themes

Loyalty versus survival, Forbidden love under occupation, Occupation and romance, Power dynamics under war, Resistance and collaboration, Family duty under occupation

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Realistic Claustrophobic Restrained Deliberate Relentless

Overview

A chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II.

Themes

Interrogation under pressure, Brutal discipline and resilience, Captivity and endurance, Survival through punishment, Homecoming and reintegration

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Realistic Tense Bleak Restrained Deliberate

Overview

In 1919, Australian farmer Joshua Connor travels to Turkey to discover the fate of his three sons, reported missing in action. Holding on to hope, Joshua must travel across the war-torn landscape to find the truth and his own peace.

Themes

Duty under danger, Loss and endurance, Search for missing, Grief and family ties, Burned records hurdle, War's impact on civilians

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Claustrophobic Relentless Fast-paced Fantastical Intense

Overview

The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 400,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.

Themes

Ancient egypt oppression, Old testament influence, Biblical epic scale, Bible as catalyst, Slaves resistance, Ancient egypt resilience

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vibe

Realistic Tense Intimate Claustrophobic Restrained

Overview

Eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner lives his last 25 years with gusto and secretly becomes involved with a seaside landlady, while his faithful housekeeper bears an unrequited love for him.

Themes

Class tension via aristocracy, Seaside landlady relationship through secrecy, Public acclaim via exhibition, Unrequited affection by housekeeper, Brothel visit through taboo, Aging artist under public scrutiny

Available on

Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.