The best historical movies of all time

So what did make the final list of the 100 best historical movies?

Our historians' brief was simple: choose up to five movies they deemed great, and make the case for them. To count, the movie had to have a cinema release, but beyond that our experts were not limited in what they could choose.

Then we put it to you – and this is how you voted.

The best historical movies: the top 25

25. Braveheart (1995)

Nominated by Luke Pepera | Directed by Mel Gibson

Braveheart is a film for which the term ‘historical epic’ must’ve been coined. Thirteenth-century Scotland: in the face of decades of English oppression and the murder of his beloved wife, Scottish farmer William Wallace (played expertly by Mel Gibson) leads a rebellion against English king Edward I. Patrick McGoohan, who plays Edward, delivers one of the best performances as a villain in cinematic history.

The film doesn’t earn many points for sticking to historical facts – the real Wallace was a minor aristocrat, not a farmer, and he wasn’t as flawlessly noble and skilled in battle as Gibson’s counterpart. Still, Braveheart reflects how the Scottish have seen, and arguably continue to see, themselves, especially in contrast to the English.

Available on Disney Plus

24. Downfall (2004)

Nominated by Roger Moorhouse | Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel

Oliver Hirschbiegel’s depiction of the last days of the Third Reich – and of Adolf Hitler – set a new benchmark for historical filmmaking on its release in 2004.

Central to the film is Bruno Ganz’s outstanding portrayal of Hitler himself, whom Ganz portrayed with a dollop of human sympathy, a move that was controversial for some. The luminous Alexandra Maria Lara excelled as his secretary, Traudl Junge. Based on first-hand accounts and the work of historian Joachim Fest, Downfall is a historical and cinematic feast.

Available on Apple TV+

23. A Bridge Too Far (1977)

Nominated by Marc Morris | Directed by Richard Attenborough

Richard Attenborough’s film of Operation Market Garden was not a huge hit in 1977, with many critics complaining about its running time of almost three hours. In subsequent decades, however, it has established itself as a splendid way to waste a Sunday afternoon.

The cast list is veritable who’s who of male matinee idols, including Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Laurence Oliver, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Anthony Hopkins, Elliott Gould and Ryan O’Neal. Screenwriter William Goldman laboured to ensure the script was as accurate as possible, knowing that several of the people portrayed in the film were still alive at the time of its release.

Available on BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video

22. The Imitation Game (2014)

Nominated by Zack White | Directed by Morten Tyldum

Cracking the German ‘enigma’ code was one of the most important factors leading to Allied victory in the Second World War, and it is only fitting that its retelling on the big screen was a triumph of equal magnitude.

The film is laced with historical inaccuracies, which are a staple of Hollywood, but Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of mathematical visionary Alan Turing goes far beyond code-breaking to explore the challenges of a neurodivergent mind, and the stigmas that surround homosexuality in mid-20th century Britain.

Tackling espionage, the birth of computing, neurodivergence and homophobia, this is a film that everyone should see at least once.

Available on ITVX Premium

21. Amadeus (1984)

Nominated by Alice Loxton (Also nominated by Emily Brand)| Directed by Miloš Forman

Amadeus takes us to 18th–century Vienna for a frothy tribute to the world of Mozart, seen through the eyes of another great composer, Salieri. Most memorable is the portrayal of Mozart himself: not the formal portrait you might imagine, but a ridiculously silly, childlike character – a stark contrast to the sublimity of his music.

Though Amadeus plays fast and loose with historical fact – writer Peter Shaffer saw it as a “fantasia on the theme of Mozart and Salieri” – it certainly conveys a sense of his extraordinary genius, and how this captivated the beau monde.

Available on Apple TV+

20. A Knight’s Tale (2001)

Nominated by Alice Loxton (Also nominated by Emily Brand) | Directed by Brian Helgeland

Set in 14th-century England, A Knight’s Tale stars Heath Ledger as William Thatcher, a fictional peasant squire who poses as a knight and competes in tournaments. Along the way he bumps into historical figures, such as Edward the Black Prince and Geoffrey Chaucer (who first appears stark naked).

The film scores low on historical accuracy, and high on anachronism (medieval crowds sing Queen’s We Will Rock You), but through wit and a brilliant cast, it captures the drama and thrill of medieval tournaments, translated effectively for modern audiences.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

19. Titanic (1997)

Nominated by Emily Brand | Directed by James Cameron

This 90s blockbuster combined a doomed fictional romance with the tragic sinking of RMS Titanic in April 1912.

There is plenty for history lovers to feast over: the recreation of the ship was painstaking – from artworks to the Renault used for the sex scene – while the portrayal of how the Titanic sank was based on maritime archaeology at the wreck (footage of which also featured). Historical figures appear and Edwardian gossip is revived. Creative liberties are taken and it is unashamedly Hollywood, but for me the visual spectacle and emotional punch were formative in inspiring a fascination with history.

Available on Disney Plus

18. Hidden Figures (2016)

Nominated by Marc Morris | Directed by Theodore Melfi

The story of the Space Race as told from the point of view of its unsung heroes – the African-American women who did much of the maths. That might make it sound dry, but it packs real emotional punch, not least thanks to the acclaimed performances of the three leads (Janelle Monáe, Octavia Spencer and Taraji P Henson).

Considerable liberties were taken with the historical source material – it is loosely based on a book of the same name – but it nevertheless succeeds in capturing something of the reality of racial and sexual politics of America in the 1960s.

Available on Disney Plus

17. Dunkirk (2017)

Nominated by Emily Brand (also nominated by Estelle Paranque) | Directed by Christopher Nolan

This cinematic epic entwines numerous fictional narratives to portray the horror of the British evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940. It goes to unusual lengths to recreate a realistic atmosphere, eschewing CGI in favour of filming on location. Poignant moments like the ‘little ship’ rescues, aircraft crash landing on the beach and soldiers walking into the sea were inspired by historic record or eyewitness testimony.

The film evokes the lived experience rather than the intricacies of Operation Dynamo – a thought-provoking approach to someone with a great-grandfather rescued from those beaches. Like the best history films, it inspired me to learn more.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

16. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Nominated by Estelle Paranque | Directed by Michael Mann

This is a classic that may have slipped past younger generations. Set in 1757 during the Seven Years’ War, The Last of the Mohicans gets some of its timelines confused, yet still succeeds in explaining the rivalry between the French and the English which led to the destruction and annihilation of so many Native American tribes caught in the middle. This movie makes you realise that survival was all that mattered for anyone living during that time.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

15. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Nominated by Marc Morris (Also nominated by Eleanor Barraclough) | Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones

As a medievalist, I can’t abide most films set in the Middle Ages, but the first original Python film is a notable exception. While no one would attempt to argue that it’s historically accurate, it is nevertheless respectful of the Arthurian source material and held together by a passionate performance by Graham Chapman as the legendary King Arthur.

The comedy remains superb – Dennis the Constitutional Peasant is a particular favourite – but the inspired silliness is also offset by a magnificent soundtrack and a suitably heroic main theme.

Available on ITVX Premium

14. Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Nominated by Emily Brand | Directed by David Lean

Like Boris Pasternak’s original novel of 1957, this epic romance, released during the Cold War, is implicitly critical of the early Soviet regime and the popular suffering it caused.

It might not score too highly for accuracy with historians of the Russian Revolution (politics remain a tantalising backdrop and it was filmed during a Spanish summer) but this tale of forbidden love, decaying ideals and personal sacrifice is an atmospheric and seductive exploration of how grand events impact upon the individual, and whether head or heart is more important. And who wouldn’t fall in love with Julie Christie as Lara?

Available on Sky Store

13. Elizabeth (1998)

Nominated by Tracy Borman | Directed by Shekhar Kapur

As an aficionado of Elizabeth I, I should hate this film. It is riddled with inaccuracies and leaves the viewer in no doubt that here was no ‘Virgin Queen’. And yet, it brilliantly evokes the drama, intrigue and sheer treachery of Elizabeth’s life before and after she became queen.

Cate Blanchett’s commanding performance in the title role rightly won her international recognition and an Oscar nomination. She brought to life the vulnerable woman behind the magisterial image and showed the personal traumas and heartaches that helped craft her into the ‘Gloriana’ of legend. All round, a brilliant film.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

12. All the President’s Men (1976)

Nominated by Mark Glancy | Directed by Alan J Pakula

The Watergate scandal centred on a sprawling, often grubby set of crimes that emanated from US President Richard Nixon’s White House and ultimately led to his downfall. The story is told here, however, from the vantage point of the two dogged journalists who did so much to expose it. Hence, the film is not a cynical, sordid political exposé but a tense political thriller that has often been imitated but seldom matched.

Its success ensured that using ‘gate’ as suffix, and the phrases ‘follow the money’ and ‘deep throat’, were established as everyday expressions.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

11. Apollo 13 (1995)

Nominated by Zack White | Directed by Ron Howard

Did you know that one of the most famous lines in the history of space travel, “Houston we have a problem”, is a misquote?

When the real-life Apollo 13 Moon mission encountered difficulties, Astronaut Jack Swigert actually said “Houston, we’ve had a problem here”, but this was changed in the film of the same name to increase tension.

Little inaccuracies aside, Apollo 13 is a great film for emotionally bringing to life the human side of the story of the stricken spacecraft and the challenges and strains placed on the crew and NASA engineers who overcame this unprecedented challenge. It reminds us how small we are in the vastness of space, and how success is possible, regardless of the odds, through teamwork and ingenuity.

Available on ITVX Premium and Amazon Prime Video

10. The Lion in Winter (1968)

Nominated by Alex von Tunzelmann | Directed by Anthony Harvey

This deliciously vicious Plantagenet Christmas comedy boasts a jaw dropping cast. Peter O’Toole is Henry II, Katharine Hepburn is Eleanor of Aquitaine, and both Anthony Hopkins in his. lead role screen debut and Timothy Dalton in his film debut as Richard the Lionheart and Philip II of France respectively – complete with a sizzling backstory.

James Goldman’s razor-sharp script, adapted from his own stage play, captures the high stakes of medieval royal family feuds. “What shall we hang?” Henry asks Eleanor. “The holly, or each other?”

Available on ITVX Premium and Amazon Prime Video

9. Das Boot (1981)

Nominated by Roger Moorhouse | Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

Adapted from the eponymous novel by Lothar-Günther Buchheim – who had served aboard U-96 in 1941 – with numerous U-boat veterans serving as consultants, Das Boot is the definitive film depiction of Germany’s U-boat war.

Telling the story of one of U-96’s eleven war patrols, it shows the boredom, the drama and the camaraderie of the battle of the Atlantic, as well as the mental and physical toll endured by U-boat crews. Gritty, claustrophobic and utterly compelling, it is essential viewing for every history buff.

8. The King’s Speech (2010)

Nominated by Alice Loxton | Directed by Tom Hooper

Set in the late 1930s, The King’s Speech follows the surprisingly intimate relationship between the Duke of York – the future King George VI – and an Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. As they work to overcome the duke’s stammer, a succession of dramatic events unfold: an abdication crisis, a coronation and the onset of war.

Though scoring high on historic accuracy, The King’s Speech occasionally deviates. For example, Logue’s therapy work appears to last a matter of months. In reality, it began in October 1926, a decade before the abdication crisis.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

7. A Man for All Seasons (1966)

Nominated by Mary-Ann Ochota (Also nominated by Marc Morris) | Directed by Fred Zinnemann

A masterful representation of an episode of British history which still impacts us today, as Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) stands firm in the face of King Henry VIII's desire for divorce and a schism with Rome.

More’s world is visceral – from draughty corridors, flickering tapers and muddy riverbanks. The danger and turmoil of the period is vividly evoked, where More appreciates that a misspoken word will cost him his life, and his silence might well too.

In the careful, dramatic language, it offers a reminder that the men arguing issues of political and religious truth believed that the ultimate price they might pay was the eternal damnation of their soul. The executioner’s axe was nothing compared to what was really at stake.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

6. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Nominated by Mary-Ann Ochota (Also nominated by Alice Loxton and Zack White) | Directed by Peter Weir

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is alive with the realities of life at sea during the Napoleonic Wars, following the misadventures of Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), Dr Stephen Maturin (the brilliant Paul Bettany) and the crew of HMS Surprise.

The original books are a bit long and meticulous for my taste, but as a movie, the historical detail – from uniform, to food, to naval tactics – feels so vivid and immersive, you’ll taste the salt. It’s also a sobering reminder of the futility and heroism of war, and that not that long ago life was nasty, brutish and short for many.

Available on Disney Plus

5. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Nominated by James Holland (Also nominated by Roger Moorhouse) | Directed by Steven Spielberg

The opening 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan changed everything. A line in the sand. Never before had war been so graphically depicted – not just the violence of it but the effect such trauma had on ordinary men. For the first time, D-Day was being portrayed in a way that was real and vivid, albeit washed out with colour-sapping filters.

Historically, it’s not spot on: beach defences are the wrong way around, machine-gunners are shown firing out of observation bunkers that didn’t exist on Omaha Beach and so on. But who cares? Saving Private Ryan captures the essence of those first hours of D-Day with exceptional realism.

I’ve spoken to veterans who have attested to its accuracy – the audial trauma Tom Hanks’ character experiences, for example, was experienced by a US Army Ranger who had stormed North Africa, Sicily, Salerno and Anzio. He reckoned it was true to life.

The film’s quest to find and extract Matt Damon’s titular Private Ryan – is total fiction, and the ending pure Hollywood, but it’s still a truly terrific movie: great action sequences, fabulous characterisation, convincing dialogue, superb performances from the main cast, and a realistic depiction of how American infantrymen operated in Normandy. A winning formula.

But also Saving Private Ryan has been the most significant event in revitalising the history and memory of the war over the past half century. It spawned Band of Brothers (2001), The Pacific (2010) and a host of other WW2-themed movies and dramas that still show no sign of abating. It helped develop the National World War II Museum in New Orleans into a much-loved museum, as well as inspiring many globally successful videogames – not least Call of Duty – played by hundreds of millions. And would Normandy’s thriving tourist industry be so buoyant without Saving Private Ryan? I doubt it.

I recently watched Spielberg’s epic again on the big screen – and it hadn’t dated at all. Rather, it was as gut-wrenching, dramatic and brilliantly imagined as I remembered it when I first saw it.

Available on BBC iPlayer

4. Zulu (1964)

Nominated by Alex von Tunzelmann (Also nominated by Luke Pepera) | Directed by Cy Endfield

Though often thought of as a jingoistic propaganda piece by fans and critics alike, American writer-director Cy Endfield’s Zulu (1964) is not the film that some of its biggest fans, and biggest detractors, imagine it to be.

It’s critical of British imperialism, which in the film appears to serve no meaningful purpose at all. The audience is told only that the British are at Rorke’s Drift to build a bridge: not why, not who for, and it appears to only link one empty piece of scrub to another.

“Did I ever see a Zulu walk down the City Road?” asks Private Henry Hook. “No! So what am I doing here?” His question is never really answered.

The upper-crust officers are represented by Lieutenants Chard (Stanley Baker) and Bromhead (Michael Caine, in his first starring role). Producer Joseph Levine cancelled Caine’s contract after Zulu because he presumed, incorrectly, that he was gay, and wouldn’t cut it as a leading man. In fact, with The Ipcress File the following year, Caine became one of the great stars of the 1960s.

Zulu is almost entirely about the pointless yet valorous stand of these British soldiers (cast as a Welsh regiment in the film; in real life, the 24th Regiment of Foot orginated in Warwickshire, and thought it had been relocated to Wales by this time it was still a largely English unit). If a film about the battle of Rorke’s Drift were made today, it would surely include more of the Zulu perspective. The most prominent Zulu character in the film, King Cetshwayo, is played by his own great-grandson, Mangosuthu Buthelezi – later Nelson Mandela’s minister of home affairs.

Buthelezi always defended the film, describing its set in apartheid South Africa as an “oasis” where “whites and blacks could mingle without any fuss”. There was an angrier reaction from the daughter of Henry Hook. Her father had been awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Rorke’s Drift, and she walked out of the premiere, furious to see the exemplary teetotal Hook represented as a malingering boozehound.

Though liberties are taken with history, the film succeeds as storytelling because it is so visceral. Few historical films capture so intensely the experience of being trapped in a small holdout while wave after wave of a foreign army you don’t begin to understand comes at you, though this is often depicted in fantasy and sci-fi. It may not be on TV every Sunday afternoon anymore, but Zulu is still well worth a look.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

3. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Nominated by Alex von Tunzelmann | Directed by David Lean

Historians may grumble at some of the fictionalisations in David Lean’s desert epic, and the family of Auda abu Tayi quibbled with his racially insensitive portrayal by Anthony Quinn. Yet Lawrence of Arabia remains fascinating historical viewing, creating an ambivalent and nuanced portrait both of British imperialism and of TE Lawrence himself.

Lawrence was, of course, a man who engaged enthusiastically in his own myth-making – historians have aimed scepticism toward his own autobiographical account of the Arab Revolt, Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Many had tried to film Lawrence’s story. In the 1930s, the director Alexander Korda hired Winston Churchill, then dabbling in screenwriting, to consult on an early version. But it was David Lean who finally pulled it off, ten years after he had first been asked to do it.

The result is one of the most visually stunning films ever made: its desert landscapes, filmed in Jordan, Morocco, California and Spain, are sumptuous. So too is its extraordinary soundtrack, the first big international score by French film composer Maurice Jarre.

The key to the film’s continuing appeal is the powerfully compelling chemistry between Peter O’Toole as Lawrence and Omar Sharif as the fictional Sherif Ali, based on a composite of real historical figures.

Lean later confirmed that he envisaged this as a homosexual relationship – drawing on the thwarted love affair in his 1945 film Brief Encounter. Historians tend to agree that Lawrence’s sexuality was oriented exclusively towards men.

The result is that this film is able to depict Lawrence’s obsession with Arabs both on a personal and a political level, within a rather scathing critique of British imperialism as self-interested and out of touch.

It doesn’t turn Lawrence into a simplistic hero, though: he comes across as simultaneously an egomaniac and a masochist, and possibly mentally unwell. For all its inaccuracies, the film captures Lawrence’s character and charisma, and the historical context he was rooted in, in a way that is unforgettable.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

2. Gladiator (2000)

Nominated by Nathen Amin (Also nominated by James Holland and Luke Pepera) | Directed by Ridley Scott

Much like the ancient Rome it vividly portrays, Gladiator is a timeless movie that has left an enduring impression on the public consciousness – regardless of whether one knows their Caesars from their Senates.

Released in May 2000, by every metric Gladiator proved a resounding smash-hit, grossing more than $450 million from its theatrical run alone and acquiring five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor. A quarter-century later, Gladiator still resonates strongly with audiences old and new.

And it’s not difficult to understand why. The rudimentary three-act screenplay is straightforward enough, a classic betrayed hero who seeks vengeance “in this life or the next”. Relatable, concise and uncluttered, the emotionally charged on-screen spectacle, however, is anything but routine.

From its chaotic opening battle sequence in a forest to a closing duel in the heart of Rome, Gladiator is unashamedly action-packed. Through the merging of vast set design and the employment of CGI magic, the Colosseum and the imperial capital are reborn in all their overwhelming glory, with a goosebump-inducing score helping foster an immersive experience that transports the viewer back to antiquity.

• Read more | Sharks in the Colosseum? Gladiator II's historical accuracy explained

The casting, meanwhile, is inspired. Russell Crowd’s intense Maximus Decimus Meridius is the driven and principled protagonist we all aspire to be, whilst Joaquin Pheonix’s sneering, perfidious emperor Commodus elicits naught but contempt with his every petulant appearance. Nobody, of course, can forget Oliver Reed’s memorable turn as the bad-tempered and reluctant mentor Proximo – in what proved to be his final role.

The historical accuracy of the set, the costuming, the characters and the dialogue can be questioned, but no one can deny Gladiator’s remarkable impact, nor its influence in reviving a long-dormant genre. Though many would try in following years, how many other historical blockbusters have pervaded pop culture in the manner Gladiator has, or stimulated such lasting interest in the period it portrays?

As the film hurtles towards its moving climax, Proximo advises Maximus to “win the crowd” – well, Gladiator, in every way, won over its crowd. We were, in our millions, entertained, and its legacy continues to echo through eternity.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

1. Schindler’s List (1993)

Nominated by Roger Moorhouse (Also nominated by Nathen Amin) | Directed by Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is rightly regarded as not only one of the greatest historical films ever made, but one of the greatest films full stop. Adapted from the Thomas Keneally novel, Schindler’s Ark, published in 1982, it is a powerful testament to the horrors of the Holocaust and the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.

Based on true events, the film chronicles the transformation of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist and member of the Nazi Party, who becomes an unlikely hero by saving the lives of over 1,000 Jewish workers in German-occupied Poland and Moravia in the modern Czech Republic during the Second World War.

The film’s power lies in its unflinching and visceral portrayal of the Holocaust, paired with its deeply human narrative. Spielberg chose to shoot the film in black and white, giving it the feel of a historical documentary and the haunting cinematography by Janusz Kamiński and John Williams’ unforgettable score amplify the emotional weight of the story. One of the most iconic and harrowing elements is the recurring image of the girl in the red coat, a rare splash of colour that serves as a haunting reminder of lives lost.

The two leads – Liam Neeson’s Schindler and Ralph Fiennes’ SS officer, Amon Goeth – are simply outstanding. Neeson captures the titular character’s change from a self-serving, playboy businessman to a compassionate saviour, while Fiennes delivers a chilling performance as the sadistic SS commandant, who embodies the inhumanity of the Holocaust. Ben Kingsley adds depth and dignity as Itzhak Stern, Schindler’s Jewish accountant and moral conscience.

Today, as the Holocaust recedes beyond living memory, Schindler’s List takes on a vital significance not just as a cinematic masterpiece, but as a history lesson. It immerses viewers in the brutal reality, from the dehumanising conditions of the ghettos and concentration camps to the small acts of defiance and hope that sustained the survivors. By focusing on individual stories, the film adds much-needed humanity to one of history’s darkest chapters.

Schindler’s List is that rare thing: a film that transcends the genre of cinema. It is a timeless and essential work of art.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

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