58 Films About History and Historical Events

In early 20th century England, a close friendship forms between John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) and three classmates. Bound by a shared love of literature and art, their fellowship deepens throughout their youth. However, the start of World War I…

Colorado Springs, late 1970s. African American police officer Ron Stallworth and his Jewish colleague Flip Zimmerman undertake an undercover mission to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan.

This film chronicles the life of Howard Hughes from 1927 to 1947. It follows his rise to prominence as a successful film producer and aviation innovator, alongside the increasing effects of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder on his mental state.

This is the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his central role in the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II.

In 1818, spirited Fanny Brawne becomes increasingly fascinated by John Keats, a handsome but reserved poet who lives near her family's friends, the Dilkes. After reading his poetry, she is even more captivated by his quiet nature. He agrees to…

This film offers an intimate look at the revolutionary musical that captivated audiences worldwide, featuring the creator of *Hamilton*, the show's director, and original Broadway cast members. A Harvard historian provides perspective on the production's historical accuracy and significance.

In 19th century Victorian England, Mrs. Isabella Beeton created a cookbook that became essential for housewives. She married Sam Beeton, a publisher, and began working in his business, starting as an editor before writing columns herself. This led to her…

This is the story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior unit who defended the Kingdom of Dahomey in 1800s Africa with unparalleled skill and ferocity. General Nanisca trains a new generation of recruits, preparing them for war against a relentless…

Teenage Victoria, the sole heir to the English throne, finds herself navigating complex family politics. Her mother pressures her to sign a document granting regency powers, while her Belgian uncle plots a marriage between Victoria and Prince Albert, a union…

*Testament of Youth* is a powerful story of love, war, and memory, adapted from Vera Brittain's influential memoir, a classic account of World War I from a woman's perspective. The film follows a young woman's journey from hopeful beginnings to…

In 1843, a setback for the successful author Charles Dickens leads him to a creative turning point. Battling for inspiration and drawing on his own childhood experiences, he conceives of a new character: an elderly, isolated, and bitter man. This…

This is a lush story of secrets, love, and deceit, unfolding during a pivotal period in European history. Two stunning sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, are caught in a rivalry for the affection of King Henry VIII, a man known…

In Victorian England, two physicians discover that manually stimulating a woman's genitals can alleviate a variety of ailments in their patients. This practice ultimately leads to the invention of the electric vibrator.

This film tells the true story of Alan Turing, a brilliant cryptanalyst, and his team at Bletchley Park. During World War II, they raced against time to break the enemy's codes.

Just before his thirtieth birthday, a talented composer for the theater struggles with relationships, friendships, and the mounting expectation to produce a masterpiece before it's too late.

This film adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an American founding father. It presents a modern American perspective on the nation's origins.

This film explores the life of Emily Brontë as she discovers her literary voice and creates the iconic novel *Wuthering Heights*. It examines the relationships that shaped her work: her intense bond with her sisters Charlotte and Anne, her early…

This is the story of Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and became a pivotal figure in American history. Through remarkable courage, clever planning, and unwavering determination, she guided hundreds of enslaved people to freedom.

Facing financial hardship, young Jane Austen is expected by her parents to marry Lady Gresham's wealthy nephew. However, Jane realizes this marriage would stifle her spirit and artistic identity. She develops a connection with Tom Lefroy, an engaging but impoverished…

Dido Elizabeth Bell, born out of wedlock to a Royal Navy admiral and of mixed race, becomes a key figure in the movement to end slavery in England.

In Littlehampton, residents – including the prim Edith – are baffled by a series of letters filled with outrageous language. The prime suspect is Rose, a boisterous Irish immigrant. However, the town's women become convinced that something more complicated is…

As Queen Elizabeth faces threats from treacherous family members and a Spanish invasion, she and her perceptive advisor must work together to protect her kingdom.

This historical drama follows Queen Elizabeth I as she comes into power, showing her growth from a young ruler dealing with political schemes to a confident leader. The film highlights the constant pressure from her advisors to marry for political…

Approaching her fortieth birthday, Jane Austen remains unmarried. When her niece Fanny asks for her help in choosing a suitable husband for the young woman, the aging spinster begins to reflect on her own life and the reasons behind her…

A sharp marketing expert, Kelly Jones, is hired to improve NASA's image, complicating the already challenging work of Apollo 11 launch director Cole Davis. With the White House determined to ensure the mission's success, Jones is tasked with planning a…

Car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles team up with Ford to create a groundbreaking race car. They face challenges from corporate obstacles, the limits of engineering, and their own struggles as they compete against Ferrari at the 24…

Following immense hardship and loss, a Chickasaw man builds a powerful ranching empire along the well-known cattle trails of the American West.

In 1561, Mary Stuart, the widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland and becomes its queen. This threatens Queen Elizabeth I of England, who also has a claim to the English throne. Both queens face betrayals, rebellions, and…

Based on a true story, a diverse group including police officers, criminals, tourists, and teenagers find themselves in a Georgia forest. Their gathering is disrupted when a 500-pound black bear, after accidentally consuming cocaine, begins a violent series of attacks.

During World War I, Rudyard Kipling and his wife embark on a desperate search for their 17-year-old son who has gone missing.

A father and son, both medical examiners, are presented with a puzzling case: an unidentified woman with no obvious cause of death. While investigating the "Jane Doe," they uncover strange clues that hint at a dark and disturbing truth about…

Billie Holiday was a beloved performer throughout her career. During the 1940s, the U.S. Government began targeting her as part of a broader campaign to link drug use with racial groups. The ultimate goal was to prevent her from performing…

This is the story of the remarkable rescue of Allied soldiers trapped in Dunkirk, France, between May 26th and June 4th, 1940, during World War II. Cut off from the beaches and harbor by the German army, soldiers from Belgium,…

Against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth I's reign and the Essex Rebellion, the story explores the theory that Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford, was the true author of Shakespeare's plays.

In World War II, the U.S. Army assigns its only all-Black, all-female battalion a daunting task: process a three-year backlog of 17 million undelivered letters to American soldiers – all within six months.

To Walk Invisible explores the lives of the Brontë sisters, highlighting their journey from a modest background to becoming celebrated novelists. The film recounts how these exceptional women overcame societal limitations to create some of the most important works in…

A young queen develops feelings for her royal physician, and together they ignite a revolution that fundamentally alters their country.

Molly Bloom, a talented skier who once dreamed of competing in the Olympics, finds success as an entrepreneur hosting a high-stakes poker game with players from around the world. This new life puts her in the sights of the FBI.

In Shakespearean England, a young poet named Orlando makes a surprising deal with Queen Elizabeth I. She offers him a wealthy estate if he completes a challenging task. The film explores courtly politics and poetic skill as Orlando navigates the…

After being crowned King of Scotland, legendary warrior Robert the Bruce is forced into exile by the English and fights to reclaim his throne.

The King's Speech is the story of Prince Albert, who becomes King George VI, father to Queen Elizabeth II. When his brother steps down, Albert ('Bertie') unexpectedly inherits the throne. Struggling with a severe stutter and deemed unready to rule,…

This 18th-century drama tells the scandalous story of Lady Seymour Worsley, who defied societal expectations by leaving her husband to run away with his close friend, Captain George Bisset. Seeking freedom from a difficult marriage, Lady Seymour finds herself embroiled…

England, early 1700s. Queen Anne's close bond with Sarah Churchill is challenged by the arrival of Abigail Hill, Sarah's cousin. This sparks a sharp rivalry between the two women as they both compete for the Queen's favor.

Following Emperor Marcus Aurelius's death, his ambitious son seizes control and undermines Maximus, a highly respected general favored by the late emperor. Ultimately, Maximus is compelled into gladiatorial combat, forced to fight for his life in public spectacles.

This is the story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson – exceptional African-American women who worked at NASA and were essential to the success of the historic John Glenn orbital flight. These pioneering women broke barriers and…

This is the story of Kristina, the gifted and flamboyant queen of Sweden, who ascended to the throne at just six years old. She champions modernizing Sweden, but faces opposition from conservative factions who disapprove of her evolving personal life.

In 1988, American video game salesman Henk Rogers discovers Tetris. Determined to release the game globally, he becomes entangled in a perilous world of deceit and corruption hidden behind the Iron Curtain.

"The Theory of Everything" tells the remarkable story of Stephen Hawking, one of the most celebrated scientists of our time. It follows his passionate romance with Jane Wilde, a fellow student at Cambridge University.

Following King Edward's death, Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his allies journey through a divided England, striving to finally bring the country together.

This drama-documentary explores the life of Jane Austen. Anna Chancellor, a distant relative of the author, uncovers the woman behind the novels through readings and reconstructions. The film includes location footage of Austen's homes in Steventon and Chawton, as well…

San Jose, California, 1906. Deep within her sprawling, maze-like mansion, Sarah Winchester, an unusual heiress to a firearms fortune, is convinced she's haunted by the spirits of people killed by her company's weapons.

FBI Agent Mitchell and J. Edgar Hoover task Bill O'Neal with infiltrating the Black Panthers. As Fred Hampton rises to prominence and develops a relationship with a fellow revolutionary, O'Neal struggles with his loyalty.

This is the story of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, an 18th-century aristocrat who faced public scorn for her lavish lifestyle and involvement in politics.

Lucius is compelled to compete in the Colosseum after the tyrannical Emperors conquer his home following the death of Maximus, a hero he witnessed. Driven by rage and concerned for Rome's future, Lucius must draw upon his past to regain…

In the 1920s, the discovery of oil on Osage Nation land in Oklahoma brings wealth, but also a wave of murders targeting Osage people. The FBI is called in to investigate and expose the truth behind the killings.

"300," based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, is loosely inspired by the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae. In this battle, the King of Sparta led his army against the Persian forces. The battle is said to have motivated Greece to…

Renowned historian and author Deborah E. Lipstadt finds herself defending the historical reality of the Holocaust when she is sued for libel by David Irving, a prominent Holocaust denier. Lipstadt must fight to prove the truth of history in a…

This is the true story of the behind-the-scenes negotiations between bitter enemies that resulted in the 1993 Oslo Accords. It follows the secret back-channel talks, unexpected friendships, and quiet bravery of a small group – Israelis, Palestinians, and a Norwegian…