Historical Drama backdrop

Historical Drama movies

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

Little Women

1. Little Women

Drama Romance History Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.8
20192h 15min

Overview

Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.

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.

Richard Jewell

2. Richard Jewell

Drama History Biographical History Historical Drama
7.5
20192h 11min

Overview

Richard Jewell thinks quick, works fast, and saves hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives after a domestic terrorist plants several pipe bombs and they explode during a concert, only to be falsely suspected of the crime by sloppy FBI work and sensational media coverage.

Themes

Media bias shaping perception, Authority accountability under spotlight, Public memory shaped by reporting, Glory seeking and media manipulation, Institutional scrutiny under pressure, False accusations under procedural pressure

Available on

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

The Two Popes

3. The Two Popes

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
7.6
20192h 5min

Overview

Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict. Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church.

Themes

Papal conclave pressure, Cardinal duty under doubt, Sistine chapel authority, Pope succession politics, Public scrutiny within church, Confessional accountability

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Dreamland

4. Dreamland

Drama Thriller Historical Drama Investigation Suspense
5.9
20191h 38min

Overview

Amid the dust storms and economic depression of Dust Bowl Era Oklahoma, Eugene Evans finds his family farm on the brink of foreclosure. Discovering fugitive bank robber Allison Wells hiding in his small town, he is torn between claiming the bounty on her head and his growing attraction to the seductive criminal.

Themes

"movie: dreamland. genres: drama, Thriller, Drama, Thriller main themes: bounty hunter, Shower, Sandstorm, Bounty hunter, Shower, Sandstorm full keywords list: bounty hunter, Shower, Sandstorm, Bank robber, Barn, Murder, Fugitive, Bullet wound, Drought. concept analysis: the film explores the complexities of love and loyalty against a backdrop of desperation and moral ambiguity. it examines how personal choices can lead to profound consequences, Shaping one's identity and legacy in a harsh world."

Available on

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

True History of the Kelly Gang

5. True History of the Kelly Gang

Crime Drama Western Thriller Organized Crime
6.0
20192h 5min

Overview

Set against the badlands of Australia where the English rule with a bloody fist and the Irish endure, Ned Kelly discovers he comes from a line of Irish rebels — an uncompromising army of cross dressing bandits immortalised for terrorising their oppressors back in Ireland. Fuelled by the unfair arrest of his mother, Kelly recruits a wild bunch of warriors to plot one of the most audacious attacks of anarchy and rebellion the country has ever seen.

Themes

Colonial oppression, Bushranger identity, Cross dressing resistance, Irish rebels solidarity, Enduring loyalty under pressure, Australian bush setting

Available on

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

The Aeronauts

6. The Aeronauts

Adventure Drama Romance Adventure Epic Historical Drama
6.6
20191h 40min

Overview

In 1862, daredevil balloon pilot Amelia Wren teams up with pioneering meteorologist James Glaisher to advance human knowledge of the weather and fly higher than anyone in history. While breaking records and advancing scientific discovery, their voyage to the very edge of existence helps the unlikely pair find their place in the world they have left far below them. But they face physical and emotional challenges in the thin air, as the ascent becomes a fight for survival.

Themes

Risk versus reward, Ambition under scrutiny, Pursuit of knowledge, Skepticism and perseverance, Collaboration under danger, Foundations of weather forecasting

Available on

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

The Irishman

7. The Irishman

Crime Drama History Organized Crime Historical Drama
7.8
20193h 29min

Overview

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
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Harriet

8. Harriet

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
6.7
20192h 5min

Overview

The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

Themes

Family separation and reunion, Slavery oppression, Escape and pursuit, Forged identity resilience, Resistance against law, Collective rescue efforts

Available on

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

The Endless Trench

9. The Endless Trench

Drama History Thriller Historical Drama Historical Event
7.2
20192h 28min

Overview

A small village in Huelva, Andalusia, Spain, 1936. Higinio and Rosa have been married only for a few months when the Civil War breaks out. Higinio, being afraid of possible reprisals from the rebel faction, decides to use a hole dug in his own house as a temporary hideout.

Themes

Political repression, Family resilience, Isolation in hiding, Wartime uncertainty, Neighbor betrayal, Confinement spaces

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The King

10. The King

Drama History War Historical Drama Historical Event
7.3
20192h 20min

Overview

England, 15th century. Hal, a capricious prince who lives among the populace far from court, is forced by circumstances to reluctantly accept the throne and become Henry V.

Themes

Father son relationship, Medieval france, Mentor protégé relationship, Medieval england, 15th century, British monarchy

Available on

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