Historical Event backdrop

Historical Event movies

Stories centered on a specific real-world event or crisis, tracking cause, consequence, and human cost.

Nuremberg

1. Nuremberg

History Drama Historical Event Legal Drama
7.4
20252h 28min

Overview

In postwar Germany, an American psychiatrist must determine whether Nazi prisoners are fit to go on trial for war crimes, and finds himself in a complex battle of intellect and ethics with Hermann Göring, Hitler's right-hand man.

Themes

Based on novel or book, Military justice under pressure, Post world war ii consequences, Ethics under interrogation, 1940s courtroom tension, Historical drama framing

Available on

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

The Alto Knights

2. The Alto Knights

Crime Drama History Organized Crime Historical Drama
5.9
20252h 2min

Overview

Two of New York's most notorious organized crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, vie for control of the city's streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that will reshape the Mafia (and America) forever.

Themes

Betrayal and loyalty, Retirement under threat, Public scrutiny and accountability, Organized crime power dynamics, Ambition and paranoia, Legacy and family safety, Law enforcement pressure and exposure

Available on

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

The Six Triple Eight

3. The Six Triple Eight

Drama War History Historical Drama World War II
6.7
20242h 10min

Overview

During World War II, the US Army's only all-Black, all-women battalion takes on an impossible mission: sorting through a three-year backlog of 17 million pieces of mail that hadn't been delivered to American soldiers and finish within six months.

Themes

Moral duty and perseverance, Women in military service, Racial discrimination in military, Logistics vs supply priorities, Collective resilience under strain

Available on

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

The Return

4. The Return

History Drama Adventure Historical Event Historical Drama
6.3
20241h 56min

Overview

After twenty years away, Odysseus washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The king has finally returned home, but much has changed in his kingdom since he left to fight in the Trojan war.

Themes

Loyalty under siege, Succession pressure, Deception and recognition, Duty and marriage, Kingdom decline

Available on

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

Overview

During the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American sports broadcasting crew finds itself thrust into covering the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes.

Themes

Journalism ethics, Olympic games pressure, Terrorism consequences, Hostage situation dynamics, Palestinian-israeli conflict framing, Television broadcast visibility

Available on

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

Blitz

6. Blitz

War Drama History World War II Historical Drama
6.2
20242h

Overview

In World War II London, nine-year-old George is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita, to escape the bombings. Defiant and determined to return to his family, George embarks on an epic, perilous journey back home as Rita searches for him.

Themes

Race and belonging, Family endurance under siege, Multiethnic shelter solidarity, Labor and protest, Prejudice and resilience, Evacuation and return

Available on

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

Number 24

7. Number 24

War History Drama World War II Historical Event
7.5
20241h 52min

Overview

On the brink of the Second World War, a young Norwegian man's drive to resist the Nazis sets a new course for his future – and the future of his country.

Themes

Resistance under pressure, National duty and identity, Collective memory and legacy, Wartime sacrifice and impact, Quiet courage in crisis, Civilian contribution to war

Available on

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

The Boys in the Boat

8. The Boys in the Boat

Drama History Historical Drama Historical Event
7.0
20232h 3min

Overview

The triumphant underdog story of the University of Washington men's rowing team, who stunned the world by competing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Themes

Teamwork under pressure, Underdog perseverance, Funding and community support, Boat-centered focus, Coach versus seniority dynamics, Rivalry-driven performance

Available on

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

One Life

9. One Life

History Drama Historical Event Historical Drama
7.5
20231h 49min

Overview

British stockbroker Nicholas Winton visits Czechoslovakia in the 1930s and forms plans to assist in the rescue of Jewish children before the onset of World War II, in an operation that came to be known as the Kindertransport.

Themes

Moral duty to rescue, Bureaucratic obstacles vs compassion, Public memory and accountability, Transnational empathy, Historical memory catalyzing action, Refugee protection ethics

Available on

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

Society of the Snow

10. Society of the Snow

Drama History Historical Drama Historical Event
7.8
20232h 23min

Overview

Stranded on a frozen Andean glacier with no rescue in sight, a shattered rugby team watches food, warmth, and hope disappear. As the ice closes in and death counts rise, they push their bodies, their faith, and their humanity to the edge in a brutal fight to claw their way out.

Themes

Faith guiding endurance, Brotherhood under crisis, Team identity under pressure, Survival ethics and duty, Cooperation from sport background, Mutual aid in isolation

Available on

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