The Best Historical TV Shows and Movies to Watch Now

Take a time trip with these 15 stunning dramas that make you feel smarter, and more entertained

Tracey Minkin,

AARP

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Published May 13, 2025

Oliva Coleman as Queen Elizabeth II, in The Crown.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Who says TV makes you dumb? Or that movies are escapist fluff? Not when it comes to historical dramas, which seem never to go out of style. Ready to revisit some of your favorite chapters in world history, while being deeply entertained? Or discover new stories you never knew existed? Grab the remote and settle in. With these 15 top-tier historical TV shows and films streaming now, class is in session. Pass the popcorn!

The Crown (2016–2023)

The history: The AARP set's beloved series covers the tumultuous reign of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II from 1947-2005, including her relationship with her sister, Princess Margaret, her son Prince Charles’ tumultuous marriage to Princess Diana, and their sons William and Harry coming of age in the royal spotlight.

The stars: Over six seasons, three actresses portray Elizabeth: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, 51, and Imelda Staunton, 69. Later seasons added Gillian Anderson, 56, as Margaret Thatcher and Emma Corrin and then Elizabeth Debicki as Diana.

Accuracy: Moderate. While based on real events, the series faced criticism for dramatization and fictionalized elements.

Why you’ll love it: Acclaimed by critics (and snagging 24 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2021), the series infuses the royal family, and its monarch in particular, with humanity, even though some thought it lost steam at the end.

Watch it: The Crown on Netflix

Wolf Hall (2015, 2024)

The history: Based on Hilary Mantel’s acclaimed historical novels, the two seasons concerning events separated by nearly a decade chart low-born Thomas Cromwell’s astounding rise in Tudor England and his relationship with King Henry VIII. The second season, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, picks up after the execution of Anne Boleyn and covers the dissolution of England’s monasteries, new wives for Henry VIII and in the end, charges of treason against Cromwell.

The stars: In both seasons, Mark Rylance, 65, stars as Thomas Cromwell and Damian Lewis, 54, as Henry VIII.

Accuracy: High, especially when it comes to timelines, costumes, lighting (look for many candles), and court politics.

Why you’ll love it: It’s a thrill to see two great actors engage with two great roles with a decade in between (critics agreed – Wolf Hall enjoys a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes). And nothing is juicier than Tudor drama!

Watch it: Wolf Hall and Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light on Prime Video

Elizabeth R (1971)

The history: In six 90-minute plays set from 1533 to 1604, we watch Britain’s Queen Elizabeth I, known as the Virgin Queen, as she ascends the throne, feuds with her Catholic sister and battles the Spanish Armada.

The stars: The inimitable Glenda Jackson commanded this series, winning an Emmy for her portrayal (it was also named Best Dramatic Series).

Accuracy: High, despite some lower-budget sets. But for the time, the series was praised for its Elizabethan costumes and hair, as well as hewing to chronologies and events.

Why you’ll love it: While the production value will remind grownups of their beloved BBC/Masterpiece Theatre favorites of the early 1970s, the quality of the writing, the high personal drama of Elizabeth’s life, and the superb performance of Jackson make this classic worth a rewatch.

Watch it: Elizabeth R on Britbox

Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)

The history: Set in post-World War I Birmingham, England, the series follows the exploits of the real-life Peaky Blinders crime family, kicking off in 1919.

The stars: Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy helms the series as crime boss Tommy Shelby, but you’ll spot talents including Sam Neill, 77, Tom Hardy, Paddy Considine, 51, Anya Taylor-Joy and Adrien Brody, 52.

Accuracy: Moderate. Though the Peaky Blinders gang was real and they operated in post-WWI Birmingham, and the series does document some real events, elements overall do get a highly dramatic treatment.

Why you’ll love it: With the grit of a crime drama and the costumed flair of historic drama, this BAFTA-winning show is stylish streaming with a historic core.

Watch it: Peaky Blinders on Netflix

Call the Midwife (2012–present)

The history: Based on the bestselling memoirs of Jennifer Worth, this heartwarming series whisks us to London’s East End in the years following World War II, following the lives and travails of nurses, midwives, and nuns at Nonnatus House, a fictionalized version of the nursing convent St Frideswide's Mission House. Each season moves the action one year forward (beginning in 1957) with accurate medical and social realities, from immigration and poverty to a tuberculosis outbreak, the use of thalidomide, the advent of birth control and of course, abortion.

The stars: While the ensemble cast of excellent British actors may not ring any bells on first viewing, you’ll be able to spot theater stars like Judy Parfitt, 89, and recognize the unmistakable voice of Vanessa Redgrave, 88, as the series’ narrator.

Accuracy: Moderate. The series uses fictionalized situations, but it's based on real memoirs, and the social and medical issues in post-WWII London are spot-on.

Why you’ll love it: It’s a medical show with the biggest heart, and a deep dive into a fascinating time in a city emerging from the terrors of World War II. And babies, babies, babies! At least give the first season a go, which commanded a 100 percent critics' approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Watch it: Call the Midwife on Netflix

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (2020)

The history: It's the under-told story of Black beauty entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, who rose from life as a washerwoman to become the nation’s first self-made female millionaire, at the turn of the 20th century.

The stars: Oscar- BAFTA, and Golden Globe winner Octavia Spencer, 54, was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Walker. You’ll also spot Roger Guenveur Smith, 69, as educator Booker T. Washington.

Accuracy: Moderate. Drawing from A’Lelia Bundles’ 2002 best-selling biography On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, it certainly has the seeds of historical authenticity. Yet the series takes liberties, adding a fictionalized rival, and may have inflated slightly the admittedly outsized financial achievements of Walker. Emphasis on the “inspired by” in the title.

Why you’ll love it: Despite some fictional stretching, it's well worth the watch to discover an inspiring American Dream success story you likely never heard of. Octavia Spencer makes it a must-watch.

Watch it: Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker on Netflix

Schindler's List (1993)

The history: It captures the inspiring, deeply emotional story of the transformation of Oskar Schindler, a shallow, womanizing German industrialist and member of the Nazi Party who saved the lives of more than 1,000 Jewish workers by hiring them to work in his factory, protecting them from the horrors of Auschwitz at immense personal peril.

The stars: Among director Steven Spielberg’s commanding cast: Liam Neeson, 72, as Schindler, Ralph Fiennes, 62, as a terrifyingly cruel S.S. officer, and Ben Kingsley, 81, as Schindler's Jewish accountant and moral conscience.

Accuracy: Very high. Based on Thomas Keneally's 1982 nonfiction novel Schindler's Ark, the film hews reverently to real events and is often used as a tool in teaching history. Many consider it the greatest historical film of all time.

Why you’ll love it: Because it’s a masterpiece of filmmaking and morality, honored by critics and winning, among other awards, seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Watch it: Schindler’s List on Prime Video

The Pianist (2002)

The history: This account of the Holocaust traces the life of Polish-Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman during the war in Germany-occupied Poland, particularly the Nazis' death trap and site of an uprising, the Warsaw Ghetto.

The stars: Adrien Brody, 52, won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Szpillman, and Roman Polanski, 91, who himself escaped the Kraków Ghetto as a child after the death of his mother, won Best Director.

Accuracy: High. The film is closely based on Szpilman’s 1946 autobiography.

Why you’ll love it: While harrowing, the film is beautifully directed and acted, and a must-not-be-forgotten historical document.

Watch it: The Pianist on Prime Video

Apollo 13 (1995)

The history: It dramatizes the 1970 NASA lunar mission that went perilously awry after a post-launch explosion, spawning the famous line, “Houston, we have a problem."

The stars: A perfect cast: Tom Hanks, 68, as Commander Jim Lovell, Bill Paxton as Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise, Kevin Bacon, 66, as backup Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert, Gary Sinise, 70, as prime Command Module Pilot Ken Mattingly, who was grounded shortly before the mission, and Ed Harris, 74, as White Team Flight Director Gene Kranz.

Accuracy: Very high. NASA consulted on the film with director Ron Howard, 71, who filmed zero-gravity scenes on NASA's reduced-gravity aircraft. No wonder it was ranked No. 5 on History Hits’ best historical films of the past 50 years.

Why you’ll love it: Even though you know the guys are going to make it (unless you don’t know your history!) Apollo 13 is a helluva suspenseful ride that’s earned a near-perfect 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Watch it: Apollo 13 on Netflix

Hidden Figures (2016)

The history: It's the true story of three female African-American mathematicians in the 1960s – Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – who worked at NASA during the Space Race to launch John Glenn into orbit.

The stars: Playing the historic power trio: Taraji P. Henson, 54, as Johnson, Octavia Spencer, 54, as Vaughan and Janelle Monáe as Jackson. Kevin Costner, 70, plays the director of the Space Task Group.

Accuracy: Moderate. The film is loosely based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 nonfiction book of the same name, and while the women and their achievements are 100 percent real, storytelling details are fudged to serve the dramatic arc. Despite these inconsistencies, Hidden Figures is credited with nailing the racism and sexism in the 1960s.

Why you’ll love it: Three compelling performances introduce three remarkable women you wish everyone knew more about. And there are good old-fashioned math lessons, besides!

Watch it: Hidden Figures on Prime Video

The King's Speech (2010)

The history: In the 1930s, Britain’s future King George VI worked with unconventional Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue to overcome his stammer enough to give a vital radio address about England entering World War II in 1939.

The stars: Colin Firth, 64, as Prince Albert "Bertie", Duke of York, won his first Best Actor Oscar for the role. The great Geoffrey Rush, 73, stars as Logue, and the dazzling cast includes Helena Bonham Carter, 58, as Queen Elizabeth, Guy Pearce, 57, as King Edward VIII and Timothy Spall, 68, as Winston Churchill. Rush was philosophical about not being the one who won an Oscar (even though he's just as good), saying, "It's called The King's Speech, not The King's Speech Therapist."

Accuracy: Pretty high. The details about George’s stammer, the politics of palace succession, and even the radio technical details, are correct. Events are compressed for dramatic effect, however, and Churchill’s support of George VI in the abdication crisis is considered by historians to be overstated by the film.

Why you’ll love it: This historic royal story has a real beating heart, evidenced by the humanity of overcoming a stammer and having to step so suddenly into the public spotlight on the brink of war. The production values are superb, and so is the acting (the film won four Academy Awards, adding Best Picture to Firth’s win).

Watch it: The King’s Speech on Prime Video

The Killing Fields (1984)

The history: It captures the experiences of Cambodian journalist and interpreter Dith Pran and Pulitzer Prizewinning American reporter Sydney Schanberg in Cambodia during the civil war and the takeover by the Khmer Rouge.

The stars: Haing S. Ngor, 55, won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, two BAFTA awards, and a Golden Globe for playing Dith Pran. Costar Sam Waterston, 84, was nominated for Best Actor Oscars, Globes, and BAFTAs as Schanberg. John Malkovich, 71, Julian Sands and Craig T. Nelson, 81, are among the stellar supporting cast.

Accuracy: Pretty high. While the film, like most of its kind, condenses some historical events, it received praise for conveying the chaos in Cambodia, the brutality of the Khmer Rouge, and the real-life outlines of Schanberg and Pran’s friendship. The film is used for teaching history, particularly regarding the Cambodian genocide.

Why you’ll love it: A beautiful film about a deeply ugly subject, The Killing Fields remains a historical classic loved by critics and moviegoers alike, earning 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and winning two Oscars for Editing and Cinematography in addition to Ngor’s triumph.

Watch it: The Killing Fields on Prime Video

Downfall (2004)

The history: It covers the last days of Adolf Hitler (and the Third Reich) in 1945, told from the point of view of Hitler’s final secretary Traudl Junge, who was with him in the bunker.

The stars: In this German film, Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, 77, earned critical praise (and some public controversy) for his carefully humanized portrayal of Hitler. Alexandra Maria Lara plays Traudl Junge (the real-life Junge “appears” in the film at the beginning and end, thanks to footage from an Austrian documentary).

Accuracy: High. The film is based on first-hand accounts and the work of Joachim Fest, a leading (if not the leading) historian of the period.

Why you’ll love it: With its up-close focus on the final days in the bunker, Downfall is both bracing history and psychological drama. No wonder it was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

Watch it: Downfall on Prime Video

All the President’s Men (1976)

The history: A tale of politics, journalism and scandal inspired by the investigation of the 1972 Watergate break-in by young Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein (now 82 and 81). You may have heard of these two.

The stars: Robert Redford, 88, and Dustin Hoffman, 87, play the intrepid duo, surrounded by Hollywood royalty playing DC insiders, including Martin Balsam, Jane Alexander, Ned Beatty, Hal Holbrook as Deep Throat and Jason Robards, who earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his work as gruff Post editor Ben Bradlee.

Accuracy: High. Director Alan J. Pakula’s political thriller didn’t have to reach far back into history for the details, and it shows. Best yet, the newsroom scenes hum with verisimilitude.

Why you’ll love it: Because a political thriller about a president trying to get away with a tyrannical power play never loses its relevancy. Neither has the admonition to “follow the money.”

Watch it: All the President’s Men on Prime Video

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

The history: Set during the Rwanda Genocide in 1994, it's the true story of hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina who, with his wife, Tatiana, courageously provided shelter to more than 1500 refugees, including Tutsi refugees from Hutu militias, in the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali.

The stars: Both Don Cheadle, 60, and Sophie Okonedo, 56, garnered critical praise and Academy Award nominations for their portrayals of Paul and Tatiana Rusesabagina.

Accuracy: Moderate. The central narrative of this real couple’s heroics is true, but some details in the film were disputed upon release.

Why you’ll love it: The emotional stakes of the film are high and the portrayals rich, making it a deeply rewarding – albeit harrowing – revisiting of the grimmest of times in African history.

Watch it: Hotel Rwanda on Prime Video

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