History backdrop

History movies

Period pieces that transport you back in time, recreating the events and figures that shaped our past.

Subgenres include: Historical Event, Biographical History, Political History.

The Brutalist

161. The Brutalist

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
7.3

20243h 35min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Brady Corbet

When an innovative modern architect flees post-war Europe, he is given the opportunity to rebuild his legacy. Set during the dawn of the modern United States (in Pennsylvania), his wife joins him, and their lives are forever changed by a demanding, wealthy patron.

Themes

Displacement and belonging, Gendered power dynamics, Class aspiration and assimilation, Postwar reconstruction pressures, Trauma and memory in design, Patronage and ambition, Immigrant reinvention through architecture

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Nickel Boys

162. Nickel Boys

Drama History Historical Drama Social History
6.9

20242h 20min

United States

Director: RaMell Ross

Chronicles the powerful friendship between two young Black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida.

Themes

Memory and accountability, Racial segregation and abuse, Resilience through friendship, Reform school brutality, Civil rights era tensions, Systemic bias in justice and education

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Unstoppable

163. Unstoppable

Drama History
6.9

20242h 3min

United States

Director: William Goldenberg

With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony Robles fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion.


The Six Triple Eight

164. The Six Triple Eight

Drama War History Historical Drama World War II
6.7

20242h 10min

United States

Director: Tyler Perry

During World War II, the US Army's only all-Black, all-women battalion takes on an impossible mission: sorting through a three-year backlog of 17 million pieces of mail that hadn't been delivered to American soldiers and finish within six months.

Themes

Moral duty and perseverance, Women in military service, Racial discrimination in military, Logistics vs supply priorities, Collective resilience under strain

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Return

165. The Return

History Drama Adventure Historical Event Historical Drama
6.3

20241h 56min

Greece, Italy

Director: Uberto Pasolini

After twenty years away, Odysseus washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The king has finally returned home, but much has changed in his kingdom since he left to fight in the Trojan war.

Themes

Loyalty under siege, Succession pressure, Deception and recognition, Duty and marriage, Kingdom decline

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Maria

166. Maria

History Drama Music Biographical History Historical Drama
6.4

20242h 4min

Germany, Italy

Director: Pablo Larraín

Maria Callas, the world's greatest opera singer, lives the last days of her life in 1970s Paris, as she confronts her identity and life.

Themes

Paris memory, Opera singer pressure, Period drama tension, Female protagonist conflict, Surrealism disorientation, Historical scrutiny

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin

167. Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin

History Drama War
6.2

20242h 12min

Belgium, Ireland

Director: Todd Komarnicki

As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Dietrich Bonhoeffer joins a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler, risking his faith and fate to save millions of Jews from genocide.


September 5

168. September 5

Thriller Drama History Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller Historical Drama
7.1

20241h 34min

Germany, United States

Director: Tim Fehlbaum

During the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American sports broadcasting crew finds itself thrust into covering the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes.

Themes

Journalism ethics, Olympic games pressure, Terrorism consequences, Hostage situation dynamics, Palestinian-israeli conflict framing, Television broadcast visibility

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Small Things Like These

169. Small Things Like These

Drama History Historical Drama Social History
6.7

20241h 39min

Belgium, Ireland

Director: Tim Mielants

In 1985, while working as a coal merchant to support his family, Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers truths of his own; forcing him to confront his past and the complicit silence of a small Irish town controlled by the Catholic Church.

Themes

Convent influence and complicity, Coal driven family economy, Barbershop community ties, Catholicism institutional control, Small town secrecy pressure

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Blitz

170. Blitz

War Drama History World War II Historical Drama
6.2

20242h

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Steve McQueen

In World War II London, nine-year-old George is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita, to escape the bombings. Defiant and determined to return to his family, George embarks on an epic, perilous journey back home as Rita searches for him.

Themes

Race and belonging, Family endurance under siege, Multiethnic shelter solidarity, Labor and protest, Prejudice and resilience, Evacuation and return

Available on

Apple TV
Apple TV Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.