If you need a vacation from the present right now, there are historical movies on Amazon Prime to watch, whether you want an aesthetic escape to the good old days or perhaps a history lesson.
Some nights, you’re in the mood for a horror movie to scare the living daylights out of you. You have a sci-fi or a sitcom-driven comedy on your mind on other nights.
However, there are times when all you want to watch is an immersing historical movie that can transport you to another time and place. The best historical movies on Amazon Prime are shown below.
1. Padmaavat (2018)
- Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
- Star casts: Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor
- IMDb ratings: 7.0
After the fort was laid siege to by invader AlauddinKhilji, Queen Padmavati of Chittorgarh performed ‘Jauhar,’ or the age-old patriarchal ritual of self-immolation alongside a hundred or more other women in the face of certain defeat as an act to defend her honor.
The movie is everything you’d expect from a Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie. This is among the best historical movies on Amazon prime.
2. Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)
- Director: Ketan Mehta
- Star casts: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Toby Stephens
- IMDb ratings: 6.5
Mangal Pandey: The Rising, stars Aamir Khan. It is about an Indian revolutionary named Mangal Pandey who rises in revolt when the East India Company produces a weapon that utilizes inappropriate cartridges.
This movie is a huge winner in terms of background soundtrack and visuals, in addition to the captivating story and superb star cast.
Mangal Pandey: The Rising is also probably one of the best Bollywood historical movies on Amazon prime on this list, focusing on topics such as patriotism and freedom.
3. The Lost City Of Z (2016)
- Director: James Gray
- Star casts: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, and Sienna Miller
- IMDb ratings: 6.6
The Lost City of Z, starring Charlie Hunnam and Robert Pattinson, tells the story of Percy Fawcett, a famed British explorer who goes missing while seeking a mythical city in the Amazon.
This historical drama is based on a true story and is a visual feast for the eyes in addition to being technically sound.
Moreover, with an incredible background score and excellent direction, this Amazon Prime history movie is a must-see for everyone interested in historical adventures.
4. The King’s Choice (2016)
- Director: Erik Poppe
- Star casts: Jesper Christensen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, and Karl Markovics
- IMDb ratings: 7.1
‘The King’s Choice,’ a biographical war movie, was written by Harald Rosenlw-Eeg and Jan TrygveRyneland. It features standout performances by Jesper Christensen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Tuva Novotny, and Katharina Schüttler.
The movie, directed by Erik Poppe, is about King Haakon VII of Norway and the Norwegian royal family during World War II when the country was preparing to be invaded by the Germans.
During those stressful days, the king had to make a courageous decision that would determine the country’s future and redefine his legacy as a leader.
5. The Great Escape (1963)
- Director: John Sturges
- Star casts: Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough
- IMDb ratings: 8.2
The Great Escape is one of the greatest WWII movies ever made. The narrative of this historical movie centers on a huge number of imprisoned allied troops who were caught during WWII and intended to flee the German camp.
The Great Escape, starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough, is a tremendously interesting movie from start to finish.
The well-written introduction segments for the main and supporting cast, which let viewers interact more with the cast, are what truly set this movie unique.
6. Enemy at the Gates (2001)
- Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
- Star casts: Jude Law, Ed Harris, and Joseph Fiennes
- IMDb ratings: 7.6
‘Enemy at the Gates’ is a somewhat fictionalized story of a well-documented sniper fight between a Soviet and a German sniper during the Battle of Stalingrad.
However, unlike other fictionalized narratives of combat, the ‘fiction’ component serves only for entertainment rather than propaganda.
In their roles as sparring snipers engaged in a battle to the death, Jude Law and Ed Harris are totally convincing, the latter more so than the former. It is not a perfect account of the battle of Stalingrad, nor does it claim to be.
7. Valkyrie (2008)
- Director: Bryan Singer
- Star casts: Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, and Carice van Houten
- IMDb ratings: 7.1
This is among the fantastic historical movies on Amazon prime. ‘Valkyrie’ can be a fascinating viewing that also showcases a little-known period of history in a fun way, thanks to an all-star cast led by Tom Cruise.
The title of the movie comes from an operation led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and his cadet of soldiers in the final days of WWII. To overthrow the Nazi regime in the face of an impending defeat by assassinating Hitler.
The operation was led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and his cadet of soldiers, whose exploits are detailed in the movie. The mission was a disaster, and the squad was killed for treason against the government.
However, the build-up to that predictable end is also intensely mounted to feign genuine interest, and that is a win for the movie.
8. 300 (2006)
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Star casts: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, and David Wenham
- IMDb ratings: 7.6
300 is a fictionalized retelling of the battle of Thermopylae, based on the 1998 comic book of the same name.
The story follows King Leonidas of Sparta, represented by Gerard Butler, as he leads 300 Spartans to battle the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. 300 is one of the best historical movies on Amazon Prime, and it’s a true masterpiece.
This historical movie is a must-see for every movie fan with spectacular war images, fantastic dialogue delivery, and several unforgettable scenes.
9. Kesari (2019)
- Director: Anurag Singh
- Star casts: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra, and Suvinder Vicky
- IMDb ratings: 7.4
Anurag Singh directed and co-wrote the Indian Hindi-language military movie ‘Kesari.’
The Battle of Saragarhi was a bloody battle in which 10,000 Afridi and Orakzai Pashtun tribesmen attacked the British Indian Army’s 36th Sikhs outpost of Saragarhi.
However, just 21 men were stationed to protect the territory. Havildar Ishar Singh, a brave soldier, led his troops through one of history’s most horrific battles when the enemies were staring them down.
While providing an up-close look at the conflict, the movie also provides insight into the events that led up to it.
10. Dunkirk (2017)
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Star casts: Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, and Mark Rylance
- IMDb ratings: 7.8
Dunkirk is a historical war movie directed by Christopher Nolan and set during World War II. The plot of this historical movie centers around British, Belgian, and French soldiers who are trapped on four sides by German forces and must be evacuated after a difficult struggle. This best historical movie on Amazon Prime features a stellar cast and Harry Styles’ first appearance.
Dunkirk is filled with exhilarating action moments and stunning cinematography, but it’s a straightforward recounting of a historical event at its core.
11. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
- Director: Terry George
- Star casts: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, and Joaquin Phoenix
- IMDb ratings: 8.1
‘Hotel Rwanda’ is a must-see movie since it is an uncommon movie that will open your eyes to a reality that at least half of the world is unaware of.
The movie is based on the extraordinary true story of Paul Rusesabagina, who saved hundreds of Tutsi civilians from Hutu extremists who were committing genocide against the Tutsis.
‘Hotel Rwanda’ is a searing humanitarian movie about a noble soul, one that deserved to be told but undoubtedly needs to be heard by so many more.
12. Manikarnika (2019)
- Director: Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi and Kangana Ranaut
- Star casts: Kangana Ranaut, Danny Denzongpa, and Suresh
- IMDb ratings: 6.4
This is one of the few Bollywood movies featuring a female protagonist, and it stars Kangana Rana, as the title character.
Manikarnika is a one-woman performance based on the life of Rani Laxmibai with excellent language, stellar cinematography, mind-boggling action sequences, and an impressive supporting cast. This is one of the best historical movies on Amazon Prime.
It’s a heartfelt devotion to Manikarnika and her trials as a Queen and warrior, tackling issues of patriotism and freedom.
13. A Bridge Too Far (1977)
- Director: Richard Attenborough
- Star casts: Sean Connery, Ryan O’Neal, and Michael Caine
- IMDb ratings: 7.4
With a large cast that includes over a hundred well-known names and faces from three different countries, ‘A Bridge Too Far’ is a work of vision, grand in its execution and approach. In fact, it is the first impression you will get as you watch the movie.
The few things the movie accomplishes in terms of a war movie is to try to expose and bring to light the inadequacy and lapses in judgment that threatened and led to the failure of Operation Market Garden.
Meanwhile, that was meant for the Allied Forces to capture a series of bridges in the German-occupied Netherlands for strategic and combat benefits.
