Best Historical Fiction Movies of All Time You Must Watch

What is happening today is the history of tomorrow. Many big events have taken place in the past. With time, we forget them. But, filmmakers have given their utmost efforts to remind people of the incidents in people’s minds. So, we can say historical movies teach us about the big incidents of past times. This kind of movie is based on true stories or fictitious. It will be deeply researched for accuracy or amazing flights of fancy. It represents the truth of the period. Some historical fiction movies will highlight humankind’s greatest accomplishments while others will reveal tragedies.

We have discussed some of the best historical fiction movies for your knowledge and watching.

All the President’s Men (1976)

The Watergate gossip was centred on sprawling. The dirty set of crimes that originated from US President Richard Nixon’s White House. The incident eventually led the president to quit his presidency. The tale is told here, however, from the vantage point of the two persistent newsmen who did so much to publish it. Therefore, the movie is not a cynical, disgusting political exposé. But, it is a tense political suspenseful story that has regularly been emulated but hardly ever matched.

Gandhi (1982)

Gandhi film is regarded as a masterpiece of historical biography. Ben Kingsley starred as Mahatma Gandhi. The movie is epic in its range and goal. It opens with a transformative time in 1893 following the incident of Gandhi’s staying in South Africa. He was thrown off a South African train for being in a whites-only compartment. The following scenes – marked by epic cinematography – highlight a sensitive insight into Gandhi’s advance, and how he grew to direct the nonviolent non-cooperative Indian independence movement against the British Empire. At the last stage, the film draws to a dramatic end with Gandhi’s assassination and funeral in 1948. The movie received huge critical praise.

Good Morning Vietnam (1987)

Mitch Markowitz, bound for by Barry Levinson and starring Robin Williams, writes this historical fiction movie on the Vietnam War. Williams stars DJ Adrian Cronauer, whose real-life experiences are the basis of the movie. Working for Armed Forces Radio, Cronauer’s show at all times begins with “Good Morning, Vietnam!”. His impudent humour and mix of Rock and Roll are a regular cause of irritation to his superior.

Schindler’s List (1993)

The tale of industrialist Oskar Schindler is told in the film Schindler’s List. It is a 1993 American epic historical drama movie. In the center of the film, Nazi tyranny evolves into the dismay of the Final Solution, with a vital performance from Ralph Fiennes, who co-stars as the completely cruel SS Officer Amon Göth, being mainly distinguished. Liam Neeson plays Schindler himself, depicting him as an ethically multifaceted character, both fascinating and womanizing. He was accordingly Oscar nominated for his presentation.

Apollo 13 (1995)

The Apollo 13 movie was nominated by Zack White and directed by Ron Howard. In the history of space travel, there is a great quotation and it is: “Houston we have a problem”, is it a misquote? When the real-life Apollo 13 Moon mission faced hardship, Astronaut Jack Swigert truly said “Houston, we’ve had a problem here”, but this was changed in the movie of the same name to amplify worry. Apollo 13 is a grand movie for sensitively taking to life. It narrates the tale of the incapacitated spaceship and the challenges and strains placed on the crew.  

Braveheart (1995)

Braveheart film is one of the best historical fiction movies, was nominated by Luke Pepera and directed by Mel Gibson. The term ‘historical epic’ must’ve been coined for a movie. Thirteenth-century Scotland: in the face of decades of English repression and the killing of his darling wife, Scottish farmer William Wallace leads a revolt against English king Edward I. Patrick McGoohan, who plays Edward, offers one of the best performances as a bad character in cinematic history. The movie doesn’t receive many points for bonding to historical facts – the real Wallace was a minor aristocrat, not a farmer. He wasn’t as perfectly dignified and expert in combat as Gibson’s counterpart.

Titanic (1997)

Titanic was nominated by Emily Brand and directed by James Cameron. This 90s blockbuster united a destined fictional romance with the sad sinking of RMS Titanic in April 1912. There is an abundance for history lovers to feast over: the amusement of the ship was thorough – from artworks to the Renault used for the sex scene – while the depiction of how the Titanic sank was based on marine archaeology at the wreck (footage of which also featured). Historical figures emerge and Edwardian chat is revitalized. Creative liberties are taken and it is insolently Hollywood, but for me, the illustration scene and touching blow were influential in stirring an appeal to the past. In a word, audiences keep in mind the tragic story of Titanic, one of the best historical fiction movies in the world.

Elizabeth (1998)

The film that made Cate Blanchett a star, ‘Elizabeth’ is a rich and luxurious biographical play about the last Tudor ruler of England. The narrative starts with the time in power of Elizabeth’s sister Queen Mary and her harassment of Protestants. All the way through the motion picture we see the ‘Virgin Queen’s’ fights and successes, though the timeframe of dealings has been significantly reduced and changed to robust the story of the movie. Elizabeth was well-received, though it did face condemnation concerning historical erroneousness.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

An unbelievable D-Day opening sequence sees American troops landing to hard confrontation on Omaha Beach, which has been cited as one of the most frighteningly sensible World War Two battle spots in cinema. What follows is a gently unlikely conspiracy of a group of men being sent to find one Private Ryan, whose brothers had died on D-Day. Saving Private Ryan, one of the best historical fiction movies, ends with an outstanding set piece combat among a destroyed French town – including many tanks.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

As its heading proposes, based on the surprise hit Japan made on Hawaii on 7 December, 1941, during the events of World War Two. The two male protagonists are pilots who are at first parted by Affleck’s character going to get genuine battle knowledge in Kent fighting the Luftwaffe, at the same time as Josh Hartnett goes to Hawaii to guide at Pearl Harbor. In the center of the film, they get each other again, and are also involved in a love triangle with Kate Beckinsale. They are then assigned on the Doolittle raids to retaliate the attacks conducted by the Japanese. It is regarded as one of the best historical fiction movies.

Lincoln (2012)

One of Steven Spielberg’s masterpieces, Daniel Day-Lewis begins in this biopic of the 16th United States President, Abraham Lincoln. Set throughout some of the most unstable years of US history, Day-Lewis brings a humorous, distinguished representation of Lincoln in the last months of his life. The movie tests the result of his re-election in 1864 as he endeavours to pass the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, an amendment which would put an end to slavery. It is an extraordinary window into the mind of a strong-minded, expert politician and his efforts to talk with the Confederacy, all while staying accurate to his ideology. To balance the work of Spielberg and Day-Lewis, the score was composed by John Williams, another movie legend. Lincoln, another best historical fiction movie, was nominated for seven Golden Globe Awards and twelve Oscars.

1917 (2019)

Director and Producer Sam Mendes’ epic war movie was partially stirred by stories his grandfather told him regarding his work during World War One. The exciting tale of two British soldiers who were trying to convey a memo to call off a destined unpleasant manages to imprison the sheer, blood-spattered horror.  The movie was probably so well acknowledged for its touching poignancy, rather than depending upon action only to boost its reputation. Most noticeably, the film was stitched jointly to appear as if it had been shot in two constant takes. 1917, which is regarded as one of the best historical fiction movies, cleaned up at the Oscars. It was nominated for ten, including best picture, and received three for sound mixing, cinematography and illustration effects.

Top Historical Fiction Movies List of All Time

You also shouldn’t miss watching the Best Historical Fiction Movies of All Time. Here’s a list of some Top Historical Fiction Movies at a glance.

1. Gladiator (2000)

• Synopsis: A Roman general seeks revenge after being betrayed and sold into slavery.
• Era: Ancient Rome.

2. The King’s Speech (2010)

• Synopsis: King George VI overcomes a stammer to lead Britain during WWII.
• Era: 20th Century.

3. The Imitation Game (2014)

• Synopsis: Alan Turing’s efforts to crack the Enigma code during WWII.
• Era: World War II.

4. Atonement (2007)

• Synopsis: A tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness during WWII.
• Era: 20th Century Britain.

5. 12 Years a Slave (2013)

• Synopsis: The harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, a free man sold into slavery.
• Era: Pre-Civil War America.

6. Dunkirk (2017)

• Synopsis: The story of the Dunkirk evacuation during WWII.
• Era: World War II.

7. The Last Samurai (2003)

• Synopsis: An American soldier finds himself immersed in Japanese samurai culture.
• Era: 19th Century Japan.

8. The Pianist (2002)

• Synopsis: The life of a Jewish pianist struggling to survive during the Holocaust.
• Era: World War II.

9. Outlaw King (2018)

• Synopsis: The story of Robert the Bruce and Scotland’s fight for independence.
• Era: 14th Century Scotland.

10. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

• Synopsis: A dramatic tale of Anne and Mary Boleyn’s rivalry for King Henry VIII’s affection.
• Era: Tudor England.

11. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

• Synopsis: A British officer unites various Bedouin tribes during World War I to fight against the Ottoman Empire.
• Era: World War I, Arabian Peninsula.

12. The Patriot (2000)

• Synopsis: A peaceful farmer is drawn into the American Revolutionary War after his family is torn apart by British forces.
• Era: American Revolution, Late 18th Century.

13. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

• Synopsis: An eight-year-old boy forms a forbidden friendship with a Jewish child in a concentration camp during World War II.
• Era: World War II.

14. Life is Beautiful (1997)

• Synopsis: A Jewish man uses humor and imagination to protect his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp.
• Era: World War II.

15. The Eagle (2011)

• Synopsis: A Roman soldier sets out to discover the fate of his father’s legion, which disappeared in ancient Britain.
• Era: Ancient Rome, 2nd Century AD.

16. Troy (2004)

• Synopsis: The story of the Trojan War, following Achilles and Hector as they lead their armies into a legendary conflict.
• Era: Ancient Greece.

17. The Tudors (2007–2010, TV Series)

• Synopsis: A dramatized account of the life of King Henry VIII, his marriages, and his impact on English history.
• Era: 16th Century, Tudor England.

18. Marie Antoinette (2006)

• Synopsis: A youthful Marie Antoinette’s lavish lifestyle contributes to the eventual fall of the French monarchy.
• Era: 18th Century, France.

19. The Mission (1986)

• Synopsis: Jesuit priests defend a South American indigenous tribe from Portuguese slave traders in the 18th century.
• Era: 18th Century, South America.

20. The Crucible (1996)

• Synopsis: In the midst of the Salem witch trials, a young woman’s lies lead to a series of tragic events.
• Era: 17th Century, Colonial America.

21. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

• Synopsis: A frontiersman becomes embroiled in the French and Indian War while protecting a British officer’s daughters.
• Era: 18th Century, North America.

22. The New World (2005)

• Synopsis: The story of Pocahontas and her relationship with English settler John Smith during the early colonization of America.
• Era: 17th Century, Virginia.

23. Amadeus (1984)

• Synopsis: The life of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told from the perspective of his rival, Antonio Salieri.
• Era: 18th Century, Austria.

24. The Lion in Winter (1968)

• Synopsis: King Henry II struggles with his relationships with his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their sons, as they vie for the throne.
• Era: 12th Century, England.

25. The Madness of King George (1994)

• Synopsis: The troubled reign of King George III as he faces mental health issues, political strife, and royal family conflict.
• Era: 18th Century, England.

26. The Birth of a Nation (2016)

• Synopsis: The story of Nat Turner, a slave who led a rebellion in 1831 Virginia.
• Era: Early 19th Century, United States.

27. The Founder (2016)

• Synopsis: The rise of McDonald’s and its transformation from a small restaurant to a global fast-food empire.
• Era: 1950s-1960s, United States.

30. Hidden Figures (2016)

• Synopsis: The untold story of three African-American women who played key roles in NASA’s early space missions.
• Era: 1960s, United States.

31. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

• Synopsis: A con artist who successfully impersonates an airline pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer is pursued by an FBI agent.
• Era: 1960s-1970s, United States.

32. Spotlight (2015)

• Synopsis: Investigative journalists uncover widespread child abuse in the Catholic Church in Boston.
• Era: 2001, United States.

33. American Sniper (2014)

• Synopsis: The true story of Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, and his struggles with post-traumatic stress.
• Era: Iraq War, Early 2000s.

34. Selma (2014)

• Synopsis: The story of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr.
• Era: 1960s, United States.

35. The Big Short (2015)

• Synopsis: The events leading to the 2008 financial crisis, seen through the eyes of a few key players who foresaw the crash.
• Era: 2000s, United States.

36. The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

• Synopsis: Seven anti-Vietnam War protesters are charged with conspiracy and inciting riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
• Era: 1968, United States.

37. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

• Synopsis: A medic who refused to carry a weapon saves 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.
• Era: World War II, 1945.

Lastly, we can say that we should watch the best historical fiction movies in our lives. The stories give us insightful knowledge about the past incidents that stirred the world.  Many important issues were highlighted in the historical fiction movies.