49 Greatest History Movies: Top Rated List

Pictures, telling about certain historical events, help us to look into the past and get acquainted with the most amazing people. Thus, the main characters of such films can be powerful monarchs, brave warriors or ordinary people who faced the events of the world.

We offer you a collection of the best historical movies of both foreign and domestic production, which will help you to tighten your knowledge of history and make a lot of amazing discoveries.

Table of contents

Medieval

Rating IMDB – 5.9
Genre: Biography, history, military, drama
Production: Czech Republic / 2022
Budget: $23,000,000
Worldwide gross: $4,312,388
Directed by: Petr Yakl
Cast: Ben Foster, Sophie Lowe, Michael Caine, Til Schweiger, Roland Moeller, Matthew Goode, William Moseley, Karel Roden, Werner Daen, Vinzenz Kiefer

Young Jan Žižka (Ben Foster), who is not yet known as a great military leader and even less as ‘The Dreaded Blinder’, heads a detachment of dashing mercenaries and one day accidentally saves the life of a Czech nobleman, Lord Boresh (Michael Caine).

The latter immediately throws the desperate young robber a job: to kidnap the charming Katerina, the young bride of the cruel Henry III Rosenberg, who actually rules the Roman Empire. Žižka successfully carries out the mission, but becomes the most persecuted criminal in the empire and manages to fall in love with the hostage, refusing to return the girl to her ‘rightful owners’. Thus begins the confrontation between the invincible warlord and the world that has turned against him.

There is a legend that Jan Žižka bequeathed to make a drum out of his skin so that he could lead his people into battle even after his death.

Hamilton

Rating IMDB – 8.3
Genre: Musical, drama, biography, history
US production / 2020
Directed by: Thomas Kyle
Cast: David Diggs, Renée Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Neil Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Okyerete Onaodovan, Anthony Ramos, Phillipa Su

A biographical musical whose plot unfolds during the American Nation’s War of Independence. The protagonist of the tape is Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Treasury Secretary, who needs to turn his country into a powerful power capable of repelling enemies of any caliber. In this case, the man deals with their own life, hiding a lot of interesting things. Will Hamilton be able to justify the trust of ordinary Americans and write his name in history?

The film was directed by Thomas Cail, and shortly after its premiere the film was nominated for two Golden Globes at once.

Gladiator

Rating IMDB – 8.5
Genre: History, Action, Drama, Adventure
Production: USA, UK, Malta, Morocco / 2000
Budget $:103,000,000
Worldwide gross: $460,583,960
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Scofield, John Shrapnel, Thomas Arana

The iconic historical film of 2000, brought its makers five Oscar statuettes. Maximus was once a brave general who fought desperately for the Roman Empire and was sure that one day he would surely be able to retire and be reunited with his family.

Everything changes when power ends up in the hands of a violent madman, causing the protagonist to lose everything he holds dearest and turn into a mere gladiator. Can the famed warlord survive the Colosseum and avenge the deaths of his family?

It is known that work on the script for the film was started back in the seventies.

Braveheart

Rating IMDB – 8.4
Genre: History, biography, drama, military
US production / 1995
Budget: $72,000,000
Worldwide gross: $213,216,216
Director: Mel Gibson
Cast: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine McCormack, Brian Cox, Gerard McSorley, Martin Murphy, Tommy Flanagan

A biographical film about the life of William Wallace, who devoted himself to the struggle for Scottish independence. Having lost his father at an early age, the hero manages to move to Europe and receive an excellent education.

Growing up, William returns to his native land, hoping to start a quiet and peaceful life. However, the murder of his bride simply leaves the man no choice but to unite his loyal men under his command and declare war on all Englishmen.

Released on the big screens in 1995, the picture earns more than $210 million at the worldwide box office, brings its creators five Oscars and turns Mel Gibson into one of Hollywood’s most prominent directors.

Dances with Wolves

Rating IMDB – 8.0
Genre: Drama, Western, Adventure, War, History
Production: USA, UK / 1990
Budget: $22,000,000
Worldwide gross: $424,208,848
Director: Kevin Costner
Cast: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Floyd ‘Red Crow’ Westerman, Tantu Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Charles Rocket, Maury Chaikin, Jimmy Herman

A dramatic western that takes us back to the U.S. during the Civil War. John Dunbar is a brave lieutenant who decides to move to a new duty station. Because of the commander’s suicide and an unexpected battle with Indians, the hero is left all alone, never reaching his destination. Thus, John comes face to face with the wilderness of North America, hiding many traps and spooky secrets.

Seventeen years after its premiere, the picture has been placed on the National Film Registry by the American government.

Troy

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Action, History, Drama, Romance
Production: USA, Malta, UK / 2004
Budget: $175,000,000
Worldwide gross: $497,409,852
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
Cast: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger, Brendan Gleeson, Sean Bean, Julie Christie, Peter O’Toole, Rose Byrne

One of the most famous historical movies of the noughties, tells the story of the Trojan battle. The kidnapping of his wife forces the Spartan king to take drastic measures, which leads to a fierce battle.

Gathering a huge army, Achilles arrives at Troy, unaware that the siege will last for ten long years. A real war breaks out between the two worlds, capable of destroying thousands of people and radically changing the lives of the Greek polis.

It is known that during filming the crew members constantly fainted because of the unbearable heat, and all male actors had to shave their chest hair.

Hacksaw Ridge

Rating IMDB – 8.1
Genre: Drama, military, biography, history
Production: Australia, USA / 2016
Budget: $40,000,000
Worldwide gross: $180,563,636
Director: Mel Gibson
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Teresa Palme, Luke Bracey, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Nathaniel Buzolic, Richard Roxburgh, Fiass Dirani

Mel Gibson’s war drama won him two Oscars. The main character is an American medic who flatly refuses to take up arms. Because of this, his comrades in arms consider him a common coward who cannot be trusted with a single mission. But nobody suspects that years later Desmond will become the first dodger in the history of America to get the Medal of Honor.

The original title of the film can be translated as ‘hacksaw-shaped ridge.’ This is the English nickname for the mountain slope where the protagonist accomplished his immortal feat.

Schindler’s List

Rating IMDB – 9.0
Genre: Drama, biography, history, military
US production / 1993
Budget: $22,000,000
Worldwide gross: $321,306,305
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Embeth Davidtz, Jonathan Segal, Malgoscha Goebel, Shmuel Levy, Mark Ivanir, Beatrice Macola

The cult drama about the life of Oskar Schindler, a successful entrepreneur who managed to save over a thousand Jews during World War II.

It is known that the film could have been made back in the 80s by putting Martin Scorsese in the director’s chair. However, the director refused the offer, believing that only a Jewish director could make such a film. In the end, the picture was taken by Steven Spielberg and Scorsese took over the creation of the crime thriller ‘Cape Fear. Also, Schindler’s List became the most expensive black-and-white film in the history of cinema.

Saving Private Ryan

Rating IMDB – 8.6
Genre: War, action, history
US production / 1998
Budget: $70,000,000
Worldwide gross: $481,840,909
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Davis, Matt Damon, Ted Danson

Another war drama from Spielberg, set during World War II. Captain John Miller and his squad of eight men must go behind enemy lines to find James Ryan, the last surviving son of his inconsolable mother. The soldiers are well aware that this mission borders on real suicide, which means they have to go through all the circles of hell.

All of the leading actors had to undergo army training before shooting, and the story shown in the movie is based on real events.

Pearl Harbor

Rating IMDB – 6.2
Genre: Military, drama, thriller, melodrama, history
US production / 2001
Budget: $140,000,000
Worldwide gross: $449,220,945
Directed by: Michael Bay
Cast: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alec Baldwin, Jon Voight, Colm Feore, Tom Sizemore, Ewan Bremner, Michael Shannon

World War II. The main characters are aviator friends stranded at an American military base in Pearl Harbor. Routine service turns into a real nightmare when Japanese aviation unexpectedly appears near the base.

According to the original plans, the film was to be called Tennessee, but the script was purchased by Disney in 2001 for a considerable amount for the year two million dollars. The film made just under $500 million at the worldwide box office and was directed by the notorious Michael Bay.

The Bunker

Rating IMDB – 8.2
Genre: Drama, military, biography, history
Production: Germany, Austria, Italy / 2004
Budget: €13,500,000
Worldwide gross: $92,181,574
Directed by: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Cast: Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfuch, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler, Heino Ferch, Christian Berkel, Matthias Habich, Thomas Kretschmann, Michael Mendl

A historical film about the last days of Adolf Hitler’s life. Allied troops are just outside Berlin, but the Fuhrer is confident that German victory is closer than ever. Staying in the bunker with the German top brass, Hitler gives one insane order after another, slowly but surely going insane. Only those who make it out of the bunker will be able to tell all of this.

The picture is based on Joachim Fest’s book ‘The Fall. Hitler and the Collapse of the Third Reich. It is interesting that the filming took place in St. Petersburg, where many buildings from the early twentieth century remained.

Black Hawk Down

Rating IMDB – 7.7
Genre: War, action, history, drama
Production: USA, UK / 2001
Budget: $92,000,000
Worldwide gross: $172,989,651
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, William Fichtner, Sam Shepard, Jason Isaacs, Tom Sizemore, Ron Eldard, Tom Hardy, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Ridley Scott’s dramatic action film about American soldiers forced to declare a hunt for a Somali warlord. The country is slowly starving to death, and the heavily armed madman continues to kill civilians and steal humanitarian aid. At a certain point, Washington sends its best soldiers to Somalia, unaware that the decision will have disastrous consequences.

The picture is an adaptation of Mark Bowden’s novel The Fall of Black Hawk: A Story of Modern Warfare. The film won two Oscars in 2002 for best sound and best editing.

Greyhound

Rating IMDB – 7.0
Genre: War, action, history
Production: USA, China, Canada / 2020
Budget: $50,300,000
Director: Aaron Schneider
Cast: Tom Hanks, Elisabeth Shue, Stephen Graham, Matt Helm, Craig Tate, Rob Morgan, Travis Quentin, Jeff Burks, Matthew Zuk, Joseph Poliquin

Winter 1942. Ernst Krause is the captain of an American destroyer patrolling a convoy carrying supplies for Allied forces. Entering a sector beyond the reach of aircraft, the sailors encounter a group of German submarines. Thus, the previously non-combatant the captain is forced to lead the defence and engage in an unequal battle.

The picture was co-directed by American, Chinese and Canadian specialists and directed by Aaron Schneider, who directed the 2009 detective drama Bury Me Alive.

The Patriot

Rating IMDB – 7.2
Genre: Action, drama, military, history
Production: USA, Germany / 2000
Budget: $110,000,000
Worldwide gross: $215,294,342
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, Cheky Cario, René Auberjonois, Lisa Brenner, Tom Wilkinson, Donal Logue

Benjamin Martin is a glorified war veteran raising seven children. The outbreak of war and the imminent murder of his son forces the peaceful planter to transform himself into a field commander who surrounds himself with loyal soldiers. Everything indicates that for the sake of revenge, the desperate man is ready to make any sacrifice, and there is no one can stop him.

Before filming began, 17 versions of the script were written, and the main actors had to undergo muzzle-loading shotgun training.

The Flowers of War

Rating IMDB – 7.5
Genre: War, Action, Drama, History
Production: China, Hong Kong / 2011
Budget: $94,000,000
Worldwide gross: $95,311,434
Directed by: Zhang Yimou
Cast: Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Zhang Xinyu, Huang Tianyuan, Xiting Han, Zhang Doudou, Tong Dawei, Atsuro Watabe, Cao Kefan, Yuan Yangchunqi

The film’s plot takes us back to the time of the Japan-China War. John is a simple undertaker who finds himself in Nanjing shortly after the death of the local priest. Thus, the hero becomes the only man in the monastery, which has become a home for local female disciples and prostitutes.

Realizing that the girls are in terrible danger, the American decides to pass himself off as a priest and thus save innocent lives.

The film is based on the novel ‘13 Colors of Nanking’ by Gaelin Yan, published in 2007. Interestingly enough, the Japanese authorities completely banned the film from their country.

Seven Years in Tibet

Rating IMDB – 7.1
Genre: Drama, adventure, military, biography, history
Production: USA, UK / 1997
Budget: $70,000,000
Worldwide gross: $131,457,682
Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Starring: Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, B.D. Wong, Mako, Danny Denzongpa, Victor Wong, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Jiamyang Jiamtso Wanchuk, Lakpa Tsamsho, Jetsun Pema

An incredible story about a German officer named Heinrich Harrer who decides to change his life. At one point the man just leaves his pregnant wife and sets off to conquer the highest mountain in the Himalayas.

Except that the hero did not suspect that on this journey he would have to face a whole bunch of dangers that would make him look at the surrounding reality with entirely new eyes.

It is known that the two leads were banned from entering China after the film’s premiere.

JFK

Rating IMDB – 8.0
Genre: Thriller, drama, history
Production: USA, France / 1991
Budget: $40,000,000
Worldwide gross: $205,405,498
Director: Oliver Stone
Cast: Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Bacon, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, Jack Lemmon, Lori Metcalf, Donald Sutherland, Michael Rooker

Oscar-winning 2001 thriller about the events that followed the assassination of John F. Kennedy. As the vice president takes the oath of allegiance to the American nation, law enforcement detains former soldier Lee Harvey Oswald.

Prosecutor Jim Garrison must conduct his own investigation and find out who really killed the American leader. But what happens when all the key witnesses in the case died under very strange circumstances?

The film’s director, Oliver Stone, bought the film rights to the film adaptation of the real-life Jim Garrison’s book for his own money.

12 Years a Slave

Rating IMDB – 8.1
Genre: Drama, biography, history
Production: USA, UK / 2013
Budget: $20,000,000
Worldwide gross: $187,733,202
Director: Steve McQueen
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Sarah Paulson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Alfre Woodard, Adepero Oduye

A 2013 foreign film that introduces us to a black man named Solomon Northup. Just yesterday, the hero lived in New York State had a good job and could not imagine life without his beloved wife, but everything changes when certain people persuade him to move to Washington.

The dream of a better future leads Solomon to the fact that he is simply turned into a slave, deprived of any rights and freedoms. Will the man be able to return home and still be human?

The film is based on the biographical work of the same name by the real Solomon Northup.

Hotel Rwanda

Rating IMDB – 8.1
Genre: Drama, military, biography, history
Production: UK, South Africa, Italy, USA / 2004
Budget: $17,500,000
Worldwide gross: $33,882,243
Director: Terry George
Cast: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Cara Seymour, Joaquin Phoenix, Jean Reno, Colani Mali, Desmond Dube, Hakim Kae-Kasim, Tony Kgoroge

Rwanda, 1994. War breaks out between the two inhabiting Tutsi and Hutu peoples. The representatives of the second people begin to ruthlessly kill everyone who belongs to the first. The main character is the manager of a luxury hotel, which with horror watching the events that are happening in the capital. Seeing no other way out, Paul begins hiding everyone in need in his hotel.

The film is based on real events that happened to a Rwandan businessman named Paul Rusesabajina.

Shooting Dogs

Rating IMDB – 7.6
Genre: Drama, War, History
Production: UK, Germany / 2005
Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones
Cast: John Hurt, Hugh Dancy, Dominic Horwitz, Louis Mahoney, Nicola Walker, Steve Toussaint, David Gyasi, Susan Naluoga, Victor Power, Jack Pierce

A war drama also about the Rwandan genocide. In just a few months, the Hutus killed between 600,000 and one million members of the Tutsi people, impressing the entire world public with their brutality. All this horror is shown through the fate of a young Englishman who came to Rwanda to educate.

The film owes its title to a shortsighted order that prevented UN peacekeeping forces from shooting even to stop the genocide, but allowed them to shoot stray dogs that eat corpses and create ‘sanitation problems.

Sometimes in April

Rating IMDB – 7.8
Genre: Drama, War, History
Production: France, Rwanda, USA / 2005
Directed by: Raoul Peck
Cast: Idris Elba, Karol Karemera, Pamela Nomwete, Oris Eruero, Fraser James, Abby Mikiibi Nkaaga, Sleophas Kabasita, Noah Emmerich, Debra Winger, Penina Abatoni

In 1994, Rwanda experienced what has been called ‘one of the worst and most brutal genocides of the twentieth century. In a hundred days, nearly a million innocent people were killed, simply for belonging to different people. But how exactly was it possible to stop all this madness, and who was the instigator?

The film was filmed in Rwanda and was directed by Raoul Peck, who directed the 2016 biographical drama ‘Young Karl Marx.’ The film was also nominated for a Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival.

Last King of Scotland

Rating IMDB – 7.6
Genre: Thriller, drama, biography, history
Production: UK, Germany / 2006
Budget: $6,000,000
Worldwide gross: $48,363,516
Director: Kevin McDonald
Cast: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Simon McBurney, David Oyelowo, Stephen Rwangyezi, Abby Mikiibi Nkaaga, Adam Kotz, Sam Okelo

The list of best films continues with the historical film The Last King of Scotland, about the president of Uganda. Idi Amin is a cruel and bloodthirsty dictator with absolutely no thought for the future of his people. While the ordinary people are suffering the worst, Amin is literally swimming in gold, killing anyone who seems too suspicious.

One day a Scottish medic, Garrigan, arrives at the dictator’s palace, convinced that in fact, the world public is lying and that Amin is a beautiful man. What happens when the man comes face to face with the truth?

The Baader-Meinhof Complex

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Action, thriller, drama, crime, biography, history
Production: Germany, France, Czech Republic / 2008
Budget: €20 000 000
Worldwide gross: $26,036,484
Directed by: Uli Edel
Cast: Martina Gedeck, Moritz Bleibtreu, Johanna Wokalek, Jan Joseph Liefers, Nadia Uhl, Alexandra Maria Lara, Heino Ferch, Stipe Erzeg, Niels-Bruno Schmidt, Vinzenz Kiefer

The 1970s. During an Iranian ruler’s visit to West Germany, the local police stage a massacre of rioters. This event forces Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof to create their own secret organization, which is called the Red Army Faction. Uniting the radicalized youth under their leadership, the heroes embark on arson, robbery, and even murder.

Shortly after its premiere, the film nearly won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Invictus

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: History, sports, drama, biography
US production / 2009
Budget: $60,000,000
Worldwide gross: $122,056,899
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng, Matt Stern, Julian Lewis Jones, Ajoah Andoh, Marguerite Wheatley, Lelethi Kumalo, Patrick Lister

Clint Eastwood’s sports drama takes us to South Africa during the fall of apartheid. President Nelson Mandela decides to hold the Rugby World Cup in the country, hoping that it will help overcome centuries of conflict between blacks and whites.

The film is based on a book by John Carlin and the lead actor were endorsed by Nelson Mandela himself. It’s also funny that during the filming, director Clint Eastwood became a devoted rugby fan, even though he previously had no interest in the sport.

Race

Rating IMDB – 7.1
Genre: History, sports, drama, biography
Production: Canada, Germany, France / 2016
Budget: $25,000,000
Worldwide gross: $25,070,261
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Cast: Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Eli Gorey, Shanice Banton, Carice van Houten, Jeremy Irons, William Hurt, David Cross, Jonathan Higgins, Tony Curran

A biographical film about black athlete Jesse Owens, who took part in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Facing a huge number of Nazis, the main character managed not only to capture the world’s attention, but also to challenge the entire German ideology, legitimately incurring the wrath of Adolf Hitler.

The film tells the true story of when Jesse Owens won four gold medals at once. The film premiered on the 80^th anniversary of the Berlin Olympics.

Munich

Rating IMDB – 7.5
Genre: Thriller, drama, history
Production: USA, Canada, France / 2005
Budget: $70,000,000
Worldwide gross: $130,358,645
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Kieran Hinds, Mathieu Kassovitz, Hanns Zischler, Ayelet Zurer, Geoffrey Rush, Gila Almagor, Mikael Lonsdal, Mathieu Amalric

Historical thriller about an Israeli intelligence officer announces a hunt for Palestinian terrorists. In 1972, criminals killed innocent athletes who flew to Munich to participate in the Olympics. The main character must do everything to find the names of blood enemies and avenge them most brutally.

The picture is based on the book by George Jonas and was directed by Steven Spielberg. In spite of the fact that the film was nominated for five Oscars, Munich failed to win at least one statuette.

Taxi Driver

Rating IMDB – 7.9
Genre: History, drama, biography
Production: South Korea / 2017
Budget: $13,000,000
Worldwide gross: $89,997,657
Director: Chang Hong
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Jun-yeol, Park Hyuk-kwon, Choi Gwi-hwa, Cha Sung-bae, Um Tae-gu, Ryu Sung-hyun, Lee Jong-eun

A 2017 South Korean drama about a military coup in 1979. Jong Doo-hwan becomes the new ruler of South Korea, which later leads to the shooting of a student demonstration. The residents of Gwangju immediately goes on strike, and the new dictator throws the country’s full military might to fight the rioters.

At the same time, a German journalist decides to enlist the help of a simple cab driver from Seoul to get to Gwangju and see all the madness going on there with his own eyes.

The film is banned in China because it depicts events similar to the Tiananmen Square riots of 1989.

1987

Rating IMDB – 7.8
Genre: History, biography, drama
Production: South Korea / 2017
Budget: $14,000,000
Worldwide gross: $55,220,202
Director: Jang Jun-hwan
Cast: Kim Yoon-suk, Ha Jung-woo, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Tae-ri, Park Hee-soon, Lee Hee-jun, Sol Kyung-gu, Yeo Jin-gu, Kang Dong-won, Yoo Seung- mok

Seoul, 1987. A protest erupts in the city, resulting in the police arresting a simple student named Park Jong-Chul. Later, the guy dies in an interrogation cell, and the authorities begin doing everything they can to hide the fact of torture from the press and the public. Only the district attorney flatly refuses to sign a forged death certificate, leading to events that could change the South Korean regime once and for all.

The film premiered on the thirtieth anniversary of South Korea’s democratic elections.

Ayla: The Daughter of War

Rating IMDB – 8.3
Genre: Military, history, biography, drama
Production: Turkey, South Korea / 2017
Worldwide gross: $936,195
Directed by: Can Ulcay, Halenur Uzunoglu
Cast: Ismail Hadjioglu, Kim Sol, Çetin Tekindor, Lee Kyung-jin, Ali Atay, Damla Sonmez, Murat Yildirim, Taner Birsel, Cade Carradine, Kim Byoungsoon

A war drama about a man named Suleiman arrives in war-torn Korea as part of an American division of UN troops. Thus, the resident of Turkey is confronted with truly horrific events that can strike the imagination of even the most resilient man.

Suddenly, Suleiman saves a freezing girl, thrown to certain death. Without thinking twice, he takes the girl to himself and names her Ayla. What horrors had to go through this child, and will Suleiman be able to provide a decent future for the girl?

The film is based on real events.

Assassination

Rating IMDB – 7.2
Genre: History, Thriller, Action
Production: South Korea / 2015
Budget: $16,000,000
Worldwide gross: $98,023,768
Director: Choi Dong-hoon
Cast: Jung Ji-hyun, Ha Jung-woo, Lee Jung-jae, Oh Dal-soo, Cho Jin-woon, Lee Kyung-young, Choi Dong-moon, Lee On-jung, Park Chae-ik, Kim Yi- dream

1933, Korea is under occupation by the Japanese army, doing truly horrible things. The rebels plan to assassinate several high-ranking officials working for Japan. So, three freedom fighters arrive in Gyeongseong, unaware that one of them is a traitor. Will they be able to complete the mission? And what happens when the Japanese agent proceeds with his terrible plan?

On a budget of a modest $16 million, ‘The Killing’ earned nearly $100 million at the worldwide box office.

The Swordsman

Rating IMDB – 6.8
Genre: History, Action
Production: South Korea / 2020
Worldwide gross: $1,516,150
Director: Choi Jae-hoon
Cast: Jang Hyuk, Kim Hyun-soo, Joe Taslim, Jung Man-shik, Lee Na-kyung, Lee Min-hyuk, Choi Jin-ho, Chi Seung-hyun, Ji Gun-woo, Gong Sang-ah

A historical action film that transports viewers to early seventeenth-century Joseon. Chaos grips the country after the emperor’s overthrow and turns the lives of ordinary people into a nightmare. Peasants are turned into slaves, and the once-free land is taken over by the leader of the Qing Empire’s army. Meanwhile, a young girl sets out to find a cure that could restore her father’s sight.

The film took only a few months to shoot, and the lead actor took a long time to learn how to swing a sword while blindfolded.

A Frozen Flower

Rating IMDB – 7.1
Genre: History, melodrama, drama
Production: South Korea / 2008
Budget: $10,000,000
Worldwide gross: $21,336,544
Directed by: Yoo Ha
Cast: Cho In-sung, Choo Jin-mo, Song Ji-hyo, Shim Ji-ho, Lim Joo-hwan, Song Joong-gi, Noh Min-woo, Yeo Wook-hwan, To Young-gu, Ko In- bong

The ruler of the enslaved nation of Korea takes in two boys to turn them into his personal bodyguards. Years later, the children are transformed into seasoned warriors, ready to make any sacrifices for their master.

Unexpectedly, a mutual sympathy arises between the monarch and the head of the guard, which makes the queen jealous. Meanwhile, the absence of the legitimate heir to the throne begins to worry the emperor himself, forcing Cora to turn to his lover for help.

The film is directed by South Korean director Yoo Ha is also responsible for the crime thriller ‘Carnival of Dishonor.’

Kingdom of Heaven

Rating IMDB – 7.2
Genre: Action, Drama, Adventure, War, History
Production: USA, Spain / 2005
Budget: $130,000,000
Worldwide gross: $211,652,051
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Marton Csokas, David Thewlis, Hassan Massoud, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons, Edward Norton, Brendan Gleeson, Alexander Siddig

France, twelfth century. Belgian is a simple blacksmith who has to flee his native lands. The hero soon manages to join the crusaders led by his father. In the course of another battle, his parent is mortally wounded but manages to initiate his son as a knight.

Before filming the main character had to put on nine pounds.

The script consists of 260 pages, which is about twice the size of an average script.

The Physician

Rating IMDB – 7.2
Genre: Adventure, History, Drama
Production: Germany / 2013
Budget: $36,000,000
Worldwide gross: $54,000,000
Directed by: Philipp Stölzl
Cast: Tom Payne, Ben Kingsley, Emma Rigby, Stellan Skarsgård, Olivier Martinez, Elias MBarek, Michael Gibson, Stanley Townsend, Michael Marcus Morgan, Adam Thomas Wright

An adventure drama about Rob Cole, who lost his mother at the age of nine. Left all alone, the boy decides to become a healer and devote himself to the study of all kinds of diseases. But Rob was unaware that the legendary healer Avicenna would one day get in his way and pass on his knowledge. Will the main character be able to overcome all obstacles and make his dream a reality? And what happens when he falls in love with a woman given to another man as his wife?

The film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Noah Gordon.

Agora

Rating IMDB – 7.1
Genre: Biography, history, drama
Production: Spain, Malta, Bulgaria / 2009
Budget: $73,000,000
Worldwide gross: $39,041,505
Directed by: Alejandro Amenabar
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom, Mikael Lonsdal, Rupert Evans, Homayoun Ershadi, Sami Sameer, Richard Durden, Omar Mustafa

A biographical film that takes us back to the time of the decline of the Roman Empire. Christianity, which promises eternal life to all lower society, suddenly becomes a major political force. Hypatia is an amazing woman-philosopher who has a great influence on the minds of the most influential people. The protagonist has to make a difficult choice and become a participant in fateful events for all mankind.

The director’s version of the film lasts 141 minutes, and the director of the tape was Oscar-winning director Alejandro Amenabar.

300

Rating IMDB – 7.6
Genre: Action, drama
Production: USA, Canada, Bulgaria, Australia / 2007
Budget: $65,000,000
Worldwide gross: $456,068,181
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Gerard Butler, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Regan, David Wenham, Lena Headey, Dominic West, Tom Wisdom, Andrew Plevin, Andrew Tiernan, Rodrigo Santoro

An epic film from 2007 directed by Zack Snyder. The main character is King Leonidas, respected by the entire Spartan people. Learning of the imminent arrival of a Persian army, the king gathers three hundred brave warriors under his banners and engages in a bloody war that would later be made into legends.

The film is based on a Frank Miller comic book and ten studios were used to create the visual effects. In 2014, the film had a sequel called ‘300: Rise of an Empire’.

Alexander

Rating IMDB – 5.6
Genre: Action, drama, military, biography, history
Production: USA, UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Morocco, Thailand / 2004
Budget: $155,000,000
Worldwide gross: $167,298,192
Director: Oliver Stone
Cast: Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Jared Leto, Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Rosario Dawson, Christopher Plummer, David Bedella, Jesse Kamm

A historical film about the life of Alexander the Great, managed to conquer Western and Central Asia. Wanting to be on par with Hercules and Achilles, Alexander sets foot on the lands of ancient India conquers a huge number of peoples and acquires the status of a demigod capable of giving battle to any opponent.

Director Oliver Stone is known to have been inspired by the work of historian Robin Lane Fox, who devoted his career to studying the biography of Macedon. Despite a budget of $150 million, huge marketing costs and a great cast, the film was a flop, in addition to which received six nominations for the Golden Raspberry anti-award.

The Thin Red Line

Rating IMDB – 7.6
Genre: Drama, War, History
US production / 1998
Budget: $52,000,000
Worldwide gross: $98,126,565
Directed by: Terrence Malick
Cast: Sean Penn, James Caviezel, Ben Chaplin, Nick Nolte, Elias Koteas, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Woody Harrelson, John C. Reilly, Dash Mihok

A 1998 military drama about a few months in the life of an Army unit. U.S. Marines need to reach their weary comrades as quickly as possible and take part in the battle for Guadalcanal, which would later be called one of the most complex military operations of the twentieth century.

The picture is based on the novel of the same name by James Jones, and the film has a full running time of six hours. It was directed and co-written by Terrence Malick, who directed 1973 cult crime drama ‘Badlands’.

Pope Joan

Rating IMDB – 6.7
Genre: Drama, melodrama, history
Production: Germany, UK, Italy, Spain / 2009
Budget: €22 000 000
Worldwide gross: $26,375,075
Directed by: Sönke Wortmann
Cast: Johanna Wokalek, David Wenham, John Goodman, Ian Glen, Edward Petherbridge, Anatole Taubman, Lotte Flack, Jordis Triebel, Oliver Cotton

In 814, Charlemagne dies and on the same day Joan is born, a remarkable woman destined to take the papal throne. The Catholic Church has kept this story a secret for a thousand years, and Vatican officials even now continue to assure the public that no woman on the Holy See ever existed. Is this interesting fiction or is it the real truth?

The film is based on the novel Pope Joan by Donna Cross. It is directed by Sönke Wortmann, who co -directed the drama ‘Reaching for Heaven.’

Joan of Arc

Rating IMDB – 6.4
Genre: Biography, military, drama, history
Production: France, Czech Republic, USA / 1999
Budget: $85,000,000
Worldwide gross: $66,976,317
Director: Luc Besson
Cast: Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman, Pascal Greggory, Vincent Cassel, Cheky Caryo, Richard Ridings, Desmond Harrington, Timothy West

A biographical film that takes us back to the fifteenth century. Joan of Arc suddenly loses both her home and her loved one. Desperation forces the girl to enlist in the army, and she immediately attracts the attention of commanders with her courage and determination.

It is Jeanne who will have to lift the siege of Orleans and perform many immortal feats, of which the whole of medieval Europe will later talk.

The film flopped in theatres and received a Golden Raspberry nomination for Worst Actress.

The King’s Speech

Rating IMDB – 8.0
Genre: Drama, biography, history
Production: UK, USA / 2010
Budget: $15,000,000
Worldwide gross: $410,867,243
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Anthony Andrews, Michael Gambon, Claire Bloom, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Ehle

The plot of the picture is about a duke who needs to become the new king of Great Britain. The only trouble is that George has suffered from stuttering since childhood. Seeing no other way out and doubting his abilities to lead the whole country, the hero appeals for help from an eccentric speech therapist. Thus, the future ruler begins a difficult lesson that can change his views on the world in the most unexpected way.

The film won four Oscars at once, including the statuette for Best Picture of the Year. On a budget of a modest $15 million, the film brought in over $410 million for its makers.

The Other Boleyn Girl

Rating IMDB – 6.7
Genre: Drama, melodrama, biography, history
Production: UK, USA / 2008
Budget: $35,000,000
Worldwide gross: $77,713,866
Directed by: Justin Chadwick
Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Jim Sturgess, Ana Torrent, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, David Morrissey, Juno Temple, Eddie Redmayne

Anne and Mary Boleyn are desperate to get King Henry’s attention, knowing that one day one of them is bound to become queen. The problem is that the women are driven only by a blind lust for power, and there is no one around to open their eyes to the real state of affairs. In the future, one of the heroines is sure to get the coveted throne, but wealth and fame will bring her nothing but misery and distress.

The film is an adaptation of Philippa Gregory’s novel ‘Another of the Boleyn Family.’

Elizabeth

Rating IMDB – 7.4
Genre: Drama, biography, history
Production: UK / 1998
Budget: $30,000,000
Worldwide gross: $82,102,070
Directed by: Shekhar Kapur
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Fiennes, John Gielgud, Richard Attenborough, James Frain, Fanny Ardant, Vincent Cassel, Daniel Craig

England in the mid-sixteenth century. Soon after the death of Queen Mary, the throne goes to the young Elizabeth was forced to give up all the pleasures of life for the power and development of her country. England may be at war with France and Spain at any moment, which means that the queen will face tests that will test her strength.

Will Elizabeth be able to handle such a responsibility? And what exactly will help her defeat her rivals?

Interestingly, Elizabeth’s costume in the coronation scene was modelled after the queen’s actual dress in one of her portraits.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Rating IMDB – 6.8
Genre: History, biography, drama, military
Production: UK, France, Germany, USA / 2007
Budget: $55,000,000
Worldwide gross: $74,237,563
Directed by: Shekhar Kapur
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush, Abbie Cornish, Samantha Morton, Jordi Moglia, Rhys Ifans, Aimee King, Laurence Fox, John Shrapnel

Shekhar Kapur’s historical drama about the struggle between Catholic Spain and Protestant England. Half of the English dream of seeing Mary Stuart on the throne, assuring that Elizabeth has no right to the crown.

Realizing that there is no unity in England, the King of Spain decides to take advantage of the situation and send his flotilla to the shores of the enemy state. Who will emerge victorious from the coming battle? And who, in the end, will be the new ruler of England?

‘The Golden Age’ won the 2008 Oscar for Best Costume Design.

The Young Victoria

Rating IMDB – 7.2
Genre: Drama, melodrama, biography, history
Production: UK, USA / 2008
Budget: $35,000,000
Worldwide gross: $27,409,889
Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallee
Cast: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann, Mark Strong, Jesper Christensen, Harriet Walter, Jeanette Hein

A historical melodrama about the life of Britain’s Queen Victoria, who lost her father at the age of eleven. It was after the death of her parent that the heroine realized that she was destined for an incredible life full of trials, tribulations and hard decisions. Victoria would spend more than 63 years on the throne, achieve the rise of the British Empire and become a participant in the events that made the world as we know it.

The project was directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, who directed another biographical drama, ‘Dallas Buyers Club,’ in 2013.

The Duchess

Rating IMDB – 6.9
Genre: Drama, melodrama, biography, history
Production: UK, Italy, France, USA / 2008
Budget: £13,500,000
Worldwide gross: $43,306,325
Directed by: Saul Dibb
Cast: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Rampling, Simon McBurney, Aidan McArdle, John Shrapnel, Alistair Petrie, Patrick Godfrey

The story of Georgina, an unusual girl who from a very young age liked to break the rules, joke and have fun. She has to give up her free life when her mother decides to marry her off to a rich duke.

Thus, the once cheerful Georgina begins to live in a luxurious mansion and gains a special position in society. But where is love? Will the girl never be able to comprehend the delights of true feelings? Not wanting a similar fate for herself, the beauty decides to defy the entire high society of her time.

The screenwriters relied on Amanda Foreman’s book Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire for the film, and the film rights were bought by a movie studio for $7 million.

King Arthur

Rating IMDB – 6.3
Genre: Action, Drama, Adventure, War, History
Production: USA, UK, Ireland / 2004
Budget: $120,000,000
Worldwide gross: $203,567,857
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Clive Owen, Keira Knightley, Mads Mikkelsen, Ray Winstone, Stellan Skarsgård, Til Schweiger, Ioan Griffith, Joel Edgerton, Hugh Dancy, Ray Stevenson

A 2004 historical film that brought its makers more than $200 million. The plot of the movie takes us to Britain, which gained its independence after the collapse of the Great Roman Empire. The main hero is the brave King Arthur, who has gathered loyal and resolute knights around him. Together the warriors will fight the barbarians and give their people long-awaited freedom. Will Arthur be able to fulfil his destiny and achieve greatness?

David Franzoni, who worked on ‘Gladiator’, was in charge of the script for the film. A huge number of swords, spears and axes were made especially for the film, and for the battle scenes the director invited 400 extras who played Saxon warriors.

The Last Duel

Rating IMDB – 7.4
Genre: History, drama
Production: UK, USA / 2021
Budget: $100,000,000
Worldwide gross: $30,552,111
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Harriet Walter, Ben Affleck, Alex Lawther, Marton Csokas, William Houston, Oliver Cotton, Aurelien Lornier

A 2021 historical drama whose plot unfolds in late fourteenth-century France. The long-standing dispute between Jean de Carrouge and Jacques Le Gris reach their peak, becoming the cause of an insoluble conflict. With no other choice, Carrouge seeks the advice of the French king. The monarch makes an unexpected decision, the opponents must face each other in a deadly duel and thus find out which of them stands for the truth.

The film is based on actual events that marked the final ban on duelling trials throughout France.

City of Life and Death

Rating IMDB – 7.7
Genre: Military, drama, action, history
Production: China, Hong Kong / 2009
Budget: $12,000,000
Worldwide gross: $10,687,316
Directed by: Lu Chuan
Cast: Liu Ye, Gao Yuanyuan, Fan Wei, Qin Lan, Hideo Nakaizumi, Ryu Kohata, Jiang Yiyan, Yao Di, Isuei Zhao, Liu Bin

1937. Japanese soldiers suddenly enter the city of Nanjing. Despite negligible odds, some locals join the resistance, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths. The only safe place left in the entire city is the Jinling Girls’ School. Can the Chinese fight back against the Japanese invaders? Or is Nanjing already doomed?