Are you looking for the best historical movies on Netflix in USA? Look no further. We’ve got you covered with 24 of the best historical movies streaming on Netflix right now.
Historical movies are those films that tell a story set in the past. These stories can be about real people and events, or they can be about fictional characters and situations. Either way, historical movies are a great way to learn about different cultures and times and enjoy a good story.
On the other hand, Netflix remains the undefeated king of streaming services. With its ever-growing library of films and TV shows, there’s always something new to watch on Netflix. You will find many movies and TV shows, including historical ones.
Historical films make up the best movies on Netflix, which you can watch anytime. The best way to enjoy all the titles on this platform is to have the best VPN for Netflix so that you can get American Netflix, which has the most extensive Netflix library. Read on to find some of the best history movies you can watch in 2023.
What are the Top Historical Movies on Netflix in USA?
As mentioned above, Netflix is among the major streaming platforms with various content. It has old and new movies that will keep you entertained for hours. To save you the time of going through the titles, we’ve compiled a list of the 24 best historical movies on Netflix you can watch right now.
Without further ado, let’s get to the list.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Director: Aaron Sorkin
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alex Sharp
Runtime: 2h 9m
Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” is a gripping and occasionally frustrating dramatization of the notorious 1969 trial of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, stemming from the counterculture protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
While the film’s sense of urgency is palpable, its sprawling cast of characters and Sorkin’s penchant for grandstanding speeches can make the film feel like it’s trying to do too much. Nevertheless, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” is a timely and necessary historical drama that will leave audiences both inspired and infuriated. It’s one of the best drama movies on Netflix in USA.
Harriet (2019)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Action
Director: Kasi Lemmons
Writer: Gregory Allen Howard, Kasi Lemmons
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn
Runtime: 2h 5m
“Harriet” is the remarkable true story of Harriet Tubman, the fearless abolitionist who led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The movie shows how Tubman’s incredible courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed countless people from the chains of slavery and changed the course of history.
Although “Harriet” is a bit too long and slow-paced, Cynthia Erivo gives a powerhouse performance like Tubman. The film is ultimately an inspiring and uplifting story about one woman’s heroic quest for freedom. In a way, he’s depicted as a superhero in the movie on Netflix.
Operation Finale (2018)
Genre: Drama, History, Biography
Director: Chris Weitz
Writer: Matthew Orton
Cast: Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley, Lior Ashkenazi
Runtime: 2h 2m
“Operation Finale,” tells the true story of the capture of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann (played by Ben Kingsley) by a team of Israeli Mossad agents in Argentina. While the film is well-intentioned, it often feels like a standard thriller, complete with cliched characters and dialogue.
“Operation Finale” is a fascinating historical drama that is worth watching for its performances and its insights into the mind of a Nazi war criminal.
Outlaw King (2018)
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama,
Director: David Mackenzie
Writer: Bash Doran, David Mackenzie, James MacInnes
Cast: Chris Pine, Rebecca Robin, Stephen Dillane
Runtime: 2h 1m
Outlaw King is a spirited but uneven historical drama that chronicles the First War of Scottish Independence. Regarded as a David vs. Goliath story, the film follows Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine), who leads his outnumbered Scotsmen against the mighty English army in a series of fierce battles.
The movie is visually stunning and features some impressive battle sequences. The film has all you may want from a historical epic, and its high rating shows that. The performances are good, with Chris Pine and Stephen Dillane, in particular, being very strong. It is one of the best movies on Netflix.
Tesla (2020)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Director: Michael Almereyda
Writer: Michael Almereyda
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Eve Hewson
Runtime: 1h 42m
Tesla is a biographical drama about the life of Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor, and electrical engineer. The film chronicles Tesla’s rivalry with Thomas Edison, his struggles to finance his projects, and his eventual success in creating some of the most important inventions of the 20th century.
The movie has received mixed reviews, with some praising it for its depiction of Tesla’s life and work, and others criticizing it for its slow pace but all is good. Ethan Hawke gives a strong performance as Tesla, and the film is worth watching for his performance.
The Founder (2016)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Director: John Lee Hancock
Writer: Robert Siegel
Cast: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch
Runtime: 2h 55m
Need historical fiction movies on Netflix? This is it. The Founder is a biographical drama about the man who created McDonald’s. The film focuses on Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman who turns the fast food restaurant into a massive chain.
The Founder is a fascinating look at the man behind one of the most successful businesses in history. Michael Keaton gives a fantastic performance, and the film does a great job of showing how Kroc’s ruthless ambition drove him to build an empire.
Free State of Jones (2016)
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama, History
Director: Gary Ross
Writer: Gary Ross, Leonard Hartman
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali
Runtime: 2h 19m
Free State of Jones is a historical drama set during the Civil War. The film follows Newt Knight (Matthew McConaughey), a farmer who leads a group of rebels in opposition to the Confederate Army. He forms an unlikely alliance with a group of runaway slaves, fighting for freedom together.
Free State of Jones is an engaging and thought-provoking film. Matthew McConaughey gives a tremendous performance, and the film provides a fascinating look at an often-overlooked period in American history. Making it one of the best action movies on Netflix.
Panipat (2019)
Genre: Action, Drama, History
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Writer: Ranjeet Bahadur, Ashok Chakradhar, Chandrashekhar Dhavalikar
Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon
Runtime: 2h 51m
Panipat is a historical drama set in the 18th century. The film tells the story of the Third Battle of Panipat, fought between the Maratha Empire and the Afghan invaders. The fight was one of the largest battles ever fought in India, and it changed the course of history.
Panipat is a visually stunning film with some impressive battle scenes. However, the film’s length and slow pace may not be to everyone’s taste. However, it is one of the few historical films on Netflix.
Predestination (2014)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Drama
Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig
Writer: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor
Runtime: 1h 37m
Predestination is a science fiction film about a time-traveling government agent who must prevent a terrorist attack. The film stars Ethan Hawke as the agent and Sarah Snook as the terrorist. This leads to a unique chase that spans multiple time periods.
Predestination is a clever and exciting science fiction film. The time travel elements are used interestingly, and the film has excellent action and suspense. It is among the best historical movies on Netflix.
300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
Genre: Action, Drama
Director: Noam Murro
Writer: Kurt Johnstad, Zack Snyder
Cast: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey
Runtime: 1h 42m
300: Rise of an Empire is a sequel to the 2006 film 300. The film is set during the Persian Wars and tells the story of the Battle of Salamis. It reveals how Greek general Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) united the Greek city-states against the Persian army.
300: Rise of an Empire is a visually stunning film with great action sequences. It has everything you might need in an action movie, including blood, guts, and glory.
Argo (2012)
Genre: Drama, Biography, Thriller
Director: Ben Affleck
Writer: Chris Terrio, Tony Mendes, Joshuah Bearman
Cast: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin
Runtime: 2h
Argo is a thrilling drama based on the true story of the Iranian hostage crisis. The film follows Tony Mendes (Ben Affleck), a CIA agent who hatches a daring plan to rescue six Americans hiding in the Canadian embassy. Does he manage to get them out safely? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Argo is a tense and exciting film based on a true story. The cast is excellent, and the film is edge-of-your-seat suspenseful. It’s a great watch if are looking for suspense movies on Netflix.
The Eagle (2011)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Action
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Writer: Jeremy Brock, Rosemary Sutcliff
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland
Runtime: 1h 54m
The Eagle is a historical drama set in the 2nd century AD. The film follows a Roman centurion named Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) who sets out to find his father’s legion, which disappeared in the wilds of Scotland.
The Eagle is an exciting adventure story with great action scenes. Channing Tatum gives a solid performance, and the film’s historical setting is well-researched and believable. It’s a perfect blend of drama and Adventure movies.
Disclosure (2020)
Genre: Documentary
Director: Sam Feder
Writer: Sam Feder
Cast: Laverne Cox, Jen Richards, Bianca Leigh
Runtime: 1h 48m
Disclosure is a documentary about trans representation in the media. The film explores how Hollywood has depicted transgender people throughout history and how this has affected the way society views transgender people.
Disclosure is an important and eye-opening film that will change how you think about transgender representation in the media. Laverne Cox gives a powerful performance, and the film was sure to start important conversations about transgender visibility in Hollywood.
The Wind Rises (2013)
Genre: Animation, Drama, Biography
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Hideaki Anno, Miori Takimoto, Hidetoshi Nishijima
Runtime: 2h 6m
The Wind Rises is a historical drama by legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki. The film is based on the true story of Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the Zero fighter plane during World War II. It portrays how Jiro’s passion for aviation led him to success, despite the war that was ravaging his country.
The Wind Rises is a beautiful, tragic film that tells an important story. Hayao Miyazaki’s masterful animation brings Jiro’s story to life, and the film is an emotionally powerful experience.
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Genre: Drama, History, Biography
Director: Justin Chadwick
Writer: Peter Morgan, Phillipa Gregory
Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana
Runtime: 1h 55m
The Other Boleyn Girl is a historical drama about the rivalry between two sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson), for the affection of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). The sisters are caught up in a dangerous game of court politics, and their relationship is put to the test.
The Other Boleyn Girl is an intriguing look at the power dynamics of the royal court. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson perform strongly, and the film is visually stunning. You need to watch this film if you haven’t watched it yet.
Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)
Genre: Action, Drama
Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Writer: Vijayendra Prasad
Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty
Runtime: 2h 39m
Baahubali: The Beginning is a historical epic about two brothers who battle for control of an ancient kingdom. The film is set in the fictional kingdom of Mahishmati, and it features stunning visuals and action scenes of two warring communities trying to vie for control over the land.
Baahubali: The Beginning is a must-watch for fans of epic films. It’s one of the most visually impressive films ever made, and it’s packed with action and drama.
300 (2006)
Genre: Action, Drama
Director: Zack Snyder
Writer: Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad, Michael B. Gordon
Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham
Runtime: 1h 57m
300 is a historical action film based on the Battle of Thermopylae. The film follows the Spartan King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) as he leads his men into battle against the Persian army. He is outnumbered and outgunned but determined to defend his homeland.
300 is an epic and visually stunning film. The action is non-stop, and the film captures the brutal nature of ancient warfare. Gerard Butler gives a great performance as Leonidas, and the film is a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017)
Genre: Action, Drama
Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Writer: Vijayendra Prasad, S.S. Rajamouli, C.H. Vijay Kumar
Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty
Runtime: 2h 47m
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is a historical epic about two warring brothers. The film picks up where the first Baahubali left off, with the two brothers fighting for control of an ancient kingdom. The film reveals the winner of the first film’s climactic battle and features some stunning action sequences.
Baahubali 2 is a spectacular film with stunning visuals and epic action scenes. The film is one of the best historical epics in recent years and is a must-watch for fans of the genre. It is among the top historical movies on Netflix.
Alexander (2004)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Action
Director: Oliver Stone
Writer: Christopher Kyle, Oliver Stone, Laeta Kalogridis
Cast: Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Rosario Dawson
Runtime: 2h 55m
Alexander is a biographical drama about the legendary Macedonian general Alexander the Great. The film chronicles Alexander’s life, from his childhood to his death. It shows how he became one of the most successful military commanders in history and founded one of the largest empires ever.
Alexander is a sweeping epic that chronicles the life of one of history’s most famous figures. The film is visually stunning, and Colin Farrell gives a great performance as Alexander. It is one of the good historical movies on Netflix.
The Forgotten Battle (2020)
Genre: Drama, War
Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
Writer: Paula van der Oest, Jesse Maiman, Pauline van Mantgem
Cast: Gijs Blom, Susan Radder, Jamie Flatters
Runtime: 2h 4m
The Forgotten Battle is a Dutch war drama that tells the story of the Battle of Arnhem, a key event in World War II. The film follows a group of soldiers who are dropped into enemy territory in an attempt to take control of a bridge that will allow Allied forces to advance into Germany.
The Forgotten Battle is an intense and harrowing film that captures the brutal reality of war. The film is also a reminder of the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought in World War II.
The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Director: Niki Caro
Writer: Angela Workman, Diane Ackerman
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Johan Heldenbergh, Daniel Brühl
Runtime: 2h 7m
The Zookeeper’s Wife is a biographical drama based on the true story of Antonina and Jan Zabinski, who ran the Warsaw Zoo during World War II. The film follows the couple as they save the lives of hundreds of Jews by hiding them in the zoo.
The Zookeeper’s Wife is a powerful and moving film that tells an inspiring story of courage and compassion. Jessica Chastain gives a wonderful performance, and the film is beautifully shot. It has everything you could want in a historical drama, and it is one of the true history movies on Netflix.
Manto (2018)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Director: Nandita Das
Writer: Nandita Das
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rasika Dugal, Tahir Raj Bhasin
Runtime: 1h 52m
Manto is a biographical drama about the famed Indian writer Saadat Hasan Manto. The film follows Manto’s (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) life as a writer in India and Pakistan. It portrays how Manto’s writings were often controversial and how he dealt with the backlash.
Manto is a fascinating look at the life of a writer who was ahead of his time. Nawazuddin Siddiqui gives a brilliant performance, and the film highlights how Manto’s work was often misunderstood.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Genre: Drama, War, Romance
Director: Mike Newell
Writer: Don Roos, Tom Bezucha
Cast: Jessica Brown Findlay, Michiel Huisman, Tom Courtenay
Runtime: 2h 4m
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is among the historical romance movies on Netflix, set during World War II. The film follows a group of friends who form a book club on the island of Guernsey. The book club is a way to escape the horrors of the war, and the members share their love of literature.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a beautiful film that explores the power of books during a time of war. The cast is excellent, and the film has a lovely sense of nostalgia. It is one of the best Historical movies on Netflix.
The Highwaymen (2019)
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Director: John Lee Hancock
Writer: John Fusco
Cast: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates
Runtime: 2h 12m
The Highwaymen is a crime drama about the two men who brought down Bonnie and Clyde. The film follows Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) and Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson), a pair of former Texas Rangers recruited by the FBI to track the notorious criminals.
The Highwaymen is a well-crafted film with strong performances from Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson. The film is based on true events, and it’s fascinating to see how the two men captured Bonnie and Clyde.
Wrapping Up
The above are some of the best historical movies on Netflix you can watch in 2023. As you can see from the list, there is something for everyone. Whether you need a film with some comedy, an ancient one, or a modern-day story, there is a movie on this list that will suit your needs. So, what are you waiting for? Start watching one of these great historical movies today.
Start by signing up for a Netflix account and then use a VPN to connect to Netflix in USA. If you don’t have a VPN, we recommend premium VPNs. Once connected, select one of the following movies from the list and start streaming. Ensure that you have a reliable internet connection to avoid any buffering issues.