Movies That Teach History Facts
There’s something special about movies that teach history facts, even if you tend to watch every new picture that comes out, regardless of genre.
Somehow, the knowledge that a story is based on an actual event or is at least roughly based on one, increases its allure and impact. Movies focused on history can include a lot, like romance, humor, action, horror, and occasionally a little bit of all four, depending on your interests.
These may include the sumptuous life of the English royalty, the valiant stories of troops during World War II, or accounts from regular people who observed key historical incidents.
On this list of the best movies that teach history facts, offers well-reviewed selections that cover everything from the reign of the extravagant Marie Antoinette to The Boston Globe newspaper team who exposed the Catholic Church’s abuse scandal.
Whether you’re looking for a history-based film to watch with the kids or are simply looking for something you haven’t seen yet, our list of the best historical films offers well-reviewed picks.
If you’re watching with young teens or youngsters, be aware that some of these movies are undoubtedly more serious than lighthearted.
14 Movies That Teach History Facts
1. Harriet
This is a profoundly touching and inspirational biographical film that chronicles the life of Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist and former slave who emancipated herself in the 1850s and later assisted hundreds of others in fleeing the South.
Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, and Janelle Monáe make up the supporting cast, with Cynthia Erivo playing the lead role of Harriet.
2. Dunkirk
The historical story of a squad of British soldiers who were trapped in a German ambush for six weeks alongside Belgian and French forces is depicted in the movie Dunkirk.
To survive until British forces can save them, Tommy (Fionn Whitehead), a British private, must cooperate with soldiers Alex (Harry Styles), and Gibson (Aneurin Barnard).
Additional well-known actors like Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, and Jack Lowden can be anticipated.
3. Apollo 13
The film Apollo 13 depicts the narrative of the three astronauts that led the Apollo 13 mission to the moon in 1970: Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon), and Fred Haise (Bill Paxton).
The astronauts had to devise a safe landing strategy for their return to Earth after the spaceship experienced an explosion during launch. It’s a nail-biting movie that keeps you glued to your seat.
4. The Sound of Music
Julie Andrews plays Maria, an unconventional Austrian nun, in one of her most enduring performances.
Maria is assigned to work as a nanny for an eight-person family headed by Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), a widower and retired naval commander.
What follows is a musical adventure and a love story set against the backdrop of the terrifying Nazi invasion in World War II.
5. Spencer
Do you really know everything there is to know about Princess Diana? This captivating dramatization, starring Jack Farthing as Prince Charles and Kristen Stewart as Diana, begins with the couple’s marriage already in disarray and follows Diana through their public separation and divorce.
6. The Revenant
Leonardo DiCaprio plays a fur trapper who is fighting for his life after being attacked by a bear while out on a hunting trip. Having escaped the assault, he now has to rely only on Mother Nature’s resources in an effort to stay alive and return to his traveling companions.
There’s a reason Leonardo earned his first Academy Award with this portrayal, which is based on real-life frontiersman Hugh Glass. Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, and Domnhall Gleeson are also cast members.
7. Gladiator
Roman General Maximus (Russell Crowe) is betrayed by the evil emperor’s son (Joaquin Phoenix), and he eventually battles his way up the ranks as a gladiator to exact revenge on those who killed his family.
This action-packed movie is full of epic battles and themes of love, devotion, perseverance, and family loyalty. It is largely based on actual events that took place in the Roman Empire in the second century.
8. On the Basis of Sex
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a first-year law student before becoming a Supreme Court justice. In this film, Felicity Jones portrays a young RBG.
We see the sexism she encountered and how hard she worked to alter not only the stereotypes about what specific genders might do but also the laws to reflect that.
This film, in which RBG co-stars with Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston, and Kathy Bates, brilliantly captures the RBG legacy long after her passing.
9. 42
The audience is given a glimpse inside the life of the legendary Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman), who became the first Black athlete to play in Major League Baseball in 1947 after joining with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Since Black players had previously been required to compete in different leagues, this decision is not only hailed as the end of racial segregation in professional baseball; it also demonstrates Jackie’s influence and contributions to the ongoing civil rights fight.
This 2013 film, which is based on the same-named international best seller, is told by “Death,” who recounts the events around Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse) during World War II in Germany.
She begins to steal books that local officials are trying to burn while simultaneously writing her very own book in an effort to cope with the everyday tragedies she is witnessing.
10. Schindler’s List
This tragic movie centers on Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German factory owner who saved over a thousand Jewish immigrants from the Holocaust by recruiting them as workers in his factory. Schindler’s Ark is a nonfiction book published in 1982.
Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Embeth Davidtz, and even Emilie Schindler, Oskar’s real-life wife, also appear in the film.
11. Midway
A notable cast including Mandy Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ed Skrein, Luke Evans, Patrick Wilson, and Dennis Quaid is featured in this action-packed film.
This film depicts the Battle of Midway, which took place six months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and is regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of World War II.
12. Midway
A notable cast including Mandy Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ed Skrein, Luke Evans, Patrick Wilson, and Dennis Quaid is featured in this action-packed film.
This film depicts the Battle of Midway, which took place six months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and is regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of World War II.
13. Unbroken
Unbroken tells the true story of American Olympian and Army soldier Louis “Louie” Zamperini (Jack O’Connell), who was shot down while returning to the front lines of the war after racing in the 5,000-meter race at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
He endured being marooned at sea for 47 days before being found and taken prisoner of war for two years.
14. A League of Their Own
Yes, my dear pals. This well-known baseball film from the 1990s, starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, and Madonna, is actually replete with historical details.
The plot regarding how and when the inaugural All-American Girls Professional Baseball League came to be is quite factual, despite the fact that many of the characters are primarily creations of fiction.
That proves the Rockford Peaches actually existed, which should add to the intrigue of your viewing as you follow the events of their inaugural season. You’ll chuckle. You will sob.
Conclusion
Hollywood has had a lot of material to work with over the years, from following the stories of real-life inventors to seeing well-known heroes set out on perilous journeys.
The biggest challenge is, of course, determining which movies are suitable and won’t unintentionally permanently harm anyone.
After all, even though studying history might be important, there are undoubtedly some gloomy passages that should be handled with caution. This article was able to explain in detail the 14 movies that teach history facts.
