Historical Drama backdrop

Historical Drama movies

Period-driven drama where the era’s rules and realities shape the conflict, choices, and consequences.

The Taste of Things

21. The Taste of Things

Romance Drama Passionate Romance Historical Drama
7.4

20232h 15min

Belgium, France

Director: Trần Anh Hùng

Set in 1889 France, Dodin Bouffant is a chef living with his personal cook and lover Eugénie. They share a long history of gastronomy and love but Eugénie refuses to marry Dodin, so the food lover decides to do something he has never done before: cook for her.

Themes

Grief and renewal, Unconventional romance, Creative tension under scrutiny, Intimate partnership under pressure, Culinary artistry as identity, Prestige through cuisine

Available on

Apple TV
Hulu
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Penguin Lessons

22. The Penguin Lessons

Drama Historical Drama
7.1

20251h 51min

Spain, United Kingdom

Director: Peter Cattaneo

In 1976, as Argentina descends into violence and chaos, a world-weary English teacher regains his compassion for others thanks to an unlikely friendship with a penguin.

Themes

Class inequality, Penguin as catalyst, Based on memoir or autobiography, American football coach authority, School teacher mentorship, Animal human friendship

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Irishman

23. The Irishman

Crime Drama History Organized Crime Historical Drama
7.8

20193h 29min

United States

Director: Martin Scorsese

Pennsylvania, 1956. Frank Sheeran, a war veteran of Irish origin who works as a truck driver, accidentally meets mobster Russell Bufalino. Once Frank becomes his trusted man, Bufalino sends him to Chicago with the task of helping Jimmy Hoffa, a powerful union leader related to organized crime, with whom Frank will maintain a close friendship for nearly twenty years.

Themes

Violence and consequence, Memory and aging, Family ties under pressure, Aging and loyalty tension, Power within organized crime, Government scrutiny and influence

Available on

Netflix
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Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Little Women

24. Little Women

Drama Romance History Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.8

20192h 15min

United States

Director: Greta Gerwig

Four young sisters live with their mother during the Civil War, while their father is away serving in it. As time passes, the girls grow up, fall in love, and face choices that will shape their entire future.

Themes

Sibling bonds under pressure, Female authorship and ambition, Coming of age under constraint, Class and social expectations, Romance and autonomy, Family duty and sacrifice

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Zone of Interest

25. The Zone of Interest

Drama History War Historical Event Historical Drama
7.3

20231h 45min

Poland, United Kingdom

Director: Jonathan Glazer

The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.

Themes

Moral complicity, Domestic life near atrocity, Material status vs ethics, Bureaucracy and mass violence, Technocratic killing efficiency, Deception and withholding

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

BlackBerry

26. BlackBerry

Comedy Drama History Historical Drama Satire
7.3

20232h

Canada, United States

Director: Matt Johnson

Two mismatched entrepreneurs – egghead innovator Mike Lazaridis and cut-throat businessman Jim Balsillie – joined forces in an endeavour that was to become a worldwide hit in little more than a decade. The story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world's first smartphone.

Themes

Ambition and collaboration, Workplace culture under pressure, Tech startup dynamics, Market disruption risk, Leadership and governance, Legacy of innovation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

A Million Miles Away

27. A Million Miles Away

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
7.3

20232h 2min

Mexico, United States

Director: Alejandra Márquez Abella

The life of engineer and former NASA astronaut José M. Hernández, the first migrant farmworker to go to space.

Themes

Resilience under pressure, Migrant origins to achievement, Work to space program, Merit over background, Family responsibility and ambition, Mentorship and perseverance

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
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Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

La Chimera

28. La Chimera

Drama Fantasy Comedy Historical Drama Parody
7.3

20232h 11min

Italy, France

Director: Alice Rohrwacher

Just out of jail, rumpled English archaeologist Arthur reconnects with his wayward crew of tombaroli accomplices – a happy-go-lucky collective of itinerant grave-robbers who survive by looting Etruscan tombs and fencing the ancient treasures they dig up.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Moral ambiguity in crime, Illicit artifact trade, Tomb raiding, Compassion amid conflict, Englishman abroad

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Downton Abbey: A New Era

29. Downton Abbey: A New Era

Drama Romance Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.4

20222h 4min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Simon Curtis

The Crawley family goes on a grand journey to the south of France to uncover the mystery of the dowager countess's newly inherited villa. Meanwhile, a Hollywood director seeks to film his latest production at Downton.

Themes

Villa reputation vs money, Villa power dynamics, Testament obligations, Testament legacy vs duty, Southern france setting, Southern france intrigue

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Handmaiden

30. The Handmaiden

Thriller Drama Romance Erotic Thriller Historical Drama
8.1

20162h 25min

South Korea

Director: Park Chan-wook

A con man vows to steal a heiress’s fortune, and the pickpocket posing as her handmaiden is his key. But as Sookee shares her bed and wins her heart, betrayal turns into desire. To claim the money, she must ruin the only person who trusts her—so whose side does she destroy?

Themes

Deception through seduction, Romantic coercion, Forgery and manipulation, Inheritance as leverage, Reading as control, Power dynamics in intimate ties

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.