A period-piece movie not only reflects on the history of a certain country or society but also emphasizes the issues that way prevalent during that time. Now, some might consider period pieces to be not exactly connective to the present society we live in, but these movies use historical stories to bring out the social issues that still exist. That is why these movies might have a large impact on one.
Update June 06, 2025: With the upcoming release ofOppenheimer, this article has been updated with even more incredible period-piece movies.
What exactly is a good period-piece movie? Interestingly, a good period-piece movie is not just about historical accuracy, it is also about the movie’s ability to “transport audiences back to a specific time and place”. This includes the storyline, the performances by the actors, the setting, the soundtracks, and everything in between. So, it is definitely no easy task to put together a period piece, as it requires much research. One of the most anticipated movies of 2023 is a period-piece, Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer, which could be one of the biggest hits of the year. Here are the best period-piece movies of all time.
25Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Moulin Rouge!Is Baz Luhrmann’s timeless and incredibly stunning bohemian romance set in the late 19th century, during the artist revolution that took the whimsical streets of Montmartre, Paris by a sweep. The musical brings to life the story of Christian, a down-on-his-luck, penniless English writer who travels to the city of Lights and falls for Satine, the flirtatious star of the Moulin Rouge.
Fromdazzling and lavish costumes to explosive musical numbersthat put a novel spin on contemporary pop songs, the film creates a dream-like atmosphere that brings the long-gone period alive. But that’s not all there is to it. Satine and Christian’s love story, despite being doomed from the start, still manages to tug at the heartstrings of the audience.
24The Imitation Game (2014)
One emotional rollercoaster of a film,The Imitation Game,is based on the real-life of the mathematician Alan Turing, whose contributions during World War II allowed the Allied powers to deduce German ciphers. Turing is also known as the father of theoretical computer science and was one genius in world history. However, his homosexuality led him to be convicted for “gross indecency”, ultimately resulting in him taking his own life.
The film, withBenedict Cumberbatchtaking over the role of young Turing, focuses on his role as a cryptanalyst during the war and also his personal life. The combination of Turing’s career life and personal life allows the film to tell an important story of world history, which might have been otherwise overlooked by the people.
23Carol (2015)
Starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in their most breathtaking performances ever,Carolis a visually delightful film that transports you to the grand department stores and suburban streets of 1950s New York. Mara’s Therese Belivet is an aspiring photographer and department store worker. When she happens upon an exchange between an elegant woman, Blanchett’s Carol, and her husband while they’re out shopping for Christmas, Therese is, strangely, almost instantly drawn to the woman.
Soon, the two enter into a surprising, unconventional relationship that begins to transform them both in a time when love was only accepted in certain forms. The film showcases 1950s New York in all its fashionable splendor – from Christmas windows and cocktail parties to thriving nights and suburban life – to tella story of love against all odds.
22The English Patient (1996)
Capturing the stunning locale of 1940s North Africa, this sweeping epic tells an unusual love story set against the backdrop of World War II. After a badly burned man named Laszlo de Almasy is rescued from the Libyan desert, it is upon Hana, a nurse, to take care of him and heal him as he rests in an Italian monastery. Meanwhile, the two people’s haunting stories unwind, involving a complex web of obsession, betrayal, and revenge.
Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche bring an intense depth to their roles. And as fragments of their tragic pasts collide, a romance emerges.The English Patientportraysthe universal human capacity for longing, despair, and hopeat a time when all seemed lost.
211917 (2019)
This British war film, directed by Sam Mendes, takes us back to the year 1917 as well as the battlefield during World War I. The film focuses on two young British soldiers, Lance Corporal William “Will” Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Corporal Thomas “Tom” Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), as they attempt to cross the Western Front during a rescue mission. WhatSam Mendes has attempted to bring outthrough1917is the depiction of the consequences of war on human life while focusing on the very humane stories of these two characters.
Mendes has drawn inspiration from the stories of his paternal grandfather, Alfred Mendes, who was a World War I veteran. In order tocapture the real-time story, the film comes off as if it was taken in a single shot due to thecinematographer’s brilliance. The film was nominated for 10 awards at the 92nd Academy Awards and went on to win three.
20Emma (2020)
WithAnya Taylor-Joytaking over the lead role of Emma Woodhouse, the film brings a Regency-era England romantic story.Emma, which is based on Jane Austen’s 1815 novel of the same name, centers around a young woman who constantly finds herself entangled in other people’s affairs simply due to her inability to avoid interfering. The whole story comes off as a form of self-reflection on the part of the protagonist, who ends up having great character development. However, what makes this particular adaptation ofEmmaentertaining is Taylor-Joy’s performance as well as the setting of the film, which includes costumes and make-up.
19The King’s Speech (2010)
With Colin Firth taking over the role of King George VI,The King’s Speechbrings out the flaws or the more humane side of the monarch.Inspired by the true storyof how King George VI was afflicted by a stammer and how Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), an Australian therapist, was treating him to help him overcome it, the film brings out the desperation of the King and how it severely impacted him. The film also goes on to reflect on the infamous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) as well as the declaration of war on Nazi Germany.The King’s Speechwent on to receive 12 nominations at the 83rd Academy Awards and went on to win four, includingBest Pictureand Best Actor.
18Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Unlike many other films which involve William Shakespeare,Shakespeare in Lovefocuses on the infamous English playwright and poet William Shakespeare himself. WithJoseph Fiennes taking over the roleof the protagonist, Shakespeare, and Gwyneth Paltrow portraying Viola de Lesseps, the story focuses on theformer’s relationship with the latterand how it inspired his tragedy,Romeo and Juliet.
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Thus, the film follows a very similar plot line to that ofRomeo and Juliet, where the two are unable to materialize their love and has to depart. Shakespeare’s attempt in immortalizing their love comes in the form ofRomeo and Juliet, while the departure itself inspires his other play,Twelfth Night. While the film isa fictional one and lacks historical accuracy, it is definitely inspired by the recorded history of William Shakespeare.
17Dunkirk (2017)
This visceral and immersive period piece directed by Christopher Nolan yanks you by the arm and drops you right into the harrowing evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. The dialogue may be minimal, but the movie has the kind of technical mastery that is rarely achieved while telling a tale so brutal. The audience gets to experience three interconnected timelines on land, sea, and air during the week-long Dunkirk crisis where the stranded soldiers were trapped on the beach and civilian boat fleets risked everything to save them.
Dunkirkhas beautiful cinematography, a pulse-pounding score, jarring performances from Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Jack Lowden, and Nolan’s trademark storytelling skill to elevate to recreate history’s most heroic hours.
16Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Joe Wright’sversion of Jane Austen’s classic talethat draws a thin line between love and hate became a fan favorite for many reasons, but one in particular. Yes, we’re talking about that hand flex.Pride & Prejudiceperfectly encapsulates the spirit, manners, wit, romance, and the timeless wisdom of 19th-century England.
Centered around the lives of the five Bennet sisters, we are treated to the impeccable acting of Keira Knightley as the independent-minded Elizabeth Bennet, who finds her own opinion of the arrogant and haughty Mr. Darcy slowly evolves as their paths keep on crossing relentlessly and amusingly. In the film, all the historic details, from the elegant ballroom dances and beautiful costumes to the everyday nuances and language of the 19th century, work together to bring Regency-era England to life.
