It’s no easy feat to make a good historical movie. Just imagine the amount of research needed to be done to show a convincing King Henry V or Joan of Arc. Then add in the huge budgets needed for the elaborate sets, lavish costumes, props, and, of course, from ten to a hundred live noble steeds. Lastly, such a movie always balances the thin line between staying true to the story and entertaining audiences. See, it’s definitely a mammoth task to create a great medieval film!
However, there are always those ingenious directors who brave the hardships of making such a movie. And once they set their minds to it, we get not only good but some of the best medieval movies ever. Take, for instance, the Seventh Seal, a movie that’s so mesmerizing it’ll wedge itself into your dreams for a long time after watching it. Then there’s The Lion In Winter, a really accurate historical movie with a story retold in a graceful and unforgettable manner. And then there’s Monty Python’s take on the story of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail – proof that medieval stories can be just as hilarious and entertaining as any other movie.
So, allow us to show you our picks of the best historical movies ever made, with an emphasis on the Medieval period this time. If you disagree with the movies’ positions, be sure to give your vote to the ones you deem to be the best. And after that, share this article with your friends, of course!
#1 The Seventh Seal (1957)
1957 | 1 hour 36 minutes | Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Starring Max von Sydow, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Bengt Ekerot
The Seventh Seal follows the story of a knight returning home to Sweden after taking his part in the Crusades. His life is now filled with questions about life, death, and the existence of God, to which he tries to get answers by playing chess with the Grim Reaper during the plague. Sounds grim and dark? Well, that’s because it is! And to make the story even starker, Bergman delivers stunning filmography with views that’ll be etched into your subconscious for maybe forever. So, prepare yourself a little before watching this movie, and you won’t regret it.
Image source: amazon.com
#2 Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975)
1975 | 1 hour 31 minutes | Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
Starring John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle
A medieval setting for a story does not necessarily mean that the movie has to be all grim and mysterious. In fact, it can be drop-dead hilarious, as proven by the legendary humor troupe Monty Python. So, their take on the whole Holy Grail story, King Arthur and his noble knights takes a turn to the unexpected here, but is nevertheless a pretty awesome depiction of life in the Middle Ages. Expect to see a heap of silliness, a bit of the surreal, and a whole lot of scenes you already know from some of the most popular memes around.
Image source: amazon.com
#3 The Name Of The Rose (1986)
1986 | 2 hours 10 minutes | Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
Starring Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Helmut Qualtinger
Based on Umberto Eco’s novel by the same name, the story here goes like this – a 14th-century Franciscan monk and his novice arrive at a conference only to find that several monks have been killed under mysterious circumstances. Now, William, the monk, decides to solve the crimes, but for that, he must rise up over the Church’s authority. His only weapon? Intelligence. It’s a complex story that requires some concentration, but it is also a fascinating one and a true classic among Medieval-themed movies.
Image source: amazon.com
#4 The Lion In Winter (1968)
1968 | 2 hours 14 minutes | Directed by Anthony Harvey
Starring Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins
It’s 1138 A.D. in England, the time of King Henry II’s rule. All of his three sons want to inherit the throne, but King Henry II won’t budge. So now it is time for the plotting to begin, and boy, once it begins, it just gets meaner and meaner. You know, just like in the real story on which this movie is based. All in all, the script here is incredible, and the acting is purely stellar, so if you deem yourself a Medieval movie buff, don’t miss this gem!
Image source: amazon.com
#5 Becket (1964)
1964 | 2 hours 28 minutes | Directed by Peter Glenville
Starring Richard Burton, Peter O’Toole, John Gielgud
King Henry the II here again, but this time the story centers around his friend and confidant – Thomas Becket. In the story, Becket finds his real honor not by witnessing a King’s will, but rather the one that comes from the divine. Yup, it’s the fight between debauchery and morality, and an inner one at that. And once you hear the dialogues, you will want to learn them by heart and probably base your code of morality on them, too. It truly is an impactful movie and provocative movie – one that gives you something to think about.
Image source: amazon.com
#6 Ran (1985)
1985 | 2 hours 42 minutes | Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu
Ran is definitely not one of those easy-watching movies – it’s dark, it’s painful, and at the same time – absolutely glorious. The story here is set in Medieval Japan, where an elderly warlord retires, leaving his empire to his three sons. Now, where there’s power, there’s also corruption, but no one would have expected the three sons to turn against each other and their father as quickly and as viciously as they did. Ran digs deep into the human condition, and you will definitely find something to take out of this movie.
Image source: amazon.com
#7 The Passion Of Joan Of Arc (1928)
1928 | 1 hour 50 minutes | Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
Starring Maria Falconetti, Eugene Silvain, Andre Berley
You know the story – Jeanne D’Arc was a warrior who saw holy visions. For that, she is placed on trial on charges of heresy as the ecclesiastical jurists attempt to make Jeanne renounce her visions. Now, don’t be discouraged by the fact that The Passion Of Joan Of Arc is a silent film – it will overwhelm you anyway. It’s a stunning and unforgettable piece of cinema art, and it is no wonder that after almost a hundred years, it is still one of the most impactful movies ever made.
Image source: amazon.com
#8 Hamlet (1948)
1948 | 2 hours 34 minutes | Directed by Laurence Olivier
Starring Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, John Laurie
We all know the story here – a Danish prince by the name of Hamlet finds himself in a pickle where he has to decide whether to kill his uncle, who might have murdered his father, or not. However, we haven’t seen the story done in such an impressive way! The shots here are simply stunning, and the camera angles are innovative for conveying the mood of what’s happening. Really, it’s a piece of cinematic art, and you should definitely watch it (even if you know the story by heart).
Image source: amazon.com
#9 Henry V (1989)
1989 | 2 hours 17 minutes | Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Starring Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Simon Shepherd
It’s the time of the Hundred Year War, and by now, everybody seems to be sick of it. So, it’s upon King Henry V of England to embark on a quest against France and, if not end the war, then at least do something about it. The sinking morale of the troops during their march and the many struggles King Henry V faced culminated at the bloody Battle of Agincourt. It’s an excellent film full of exciting battle scenes, elevated by stellar acting and overlooked by a talented director’s eye.
Image source: amazon.com
#10 Braveheart (1995)
1995 | 2 hours 58 minutes | Directed by Mel Gibson
Starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan
Now that’s a war epic that set the bar of the genre to whole new heights and one that’s not to be missed! However, if you haven’t got the chance to watch it yet, this is how the story goes. A Scottish warrior by the name of William Wallace sets out to lead his fellows in rebellion against King Edward I of England, who is a bona fide tyrant. It’s an incredibly interesting story about revenge, faith, and loyalty filmed in the best manners of Hollywood. Definitely an A+ from us!
Image source: amazon.com
#11 Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)
Image source: amazon.com
#12 Excalibur (1981)
Image source: amazon.com
#13 Richard III (1955)
Image source: amazon.com
#14 The King (2019)
Image source: netflix.com
#15 A Knight’s Tale (2001)
Image source: amazon.com
#16 The Last Duel (2021)
Image source: amazon.com
#17 El Cid (1961)
Image source: amazon.com
#18 The Northman (2022)
Image source: amazon.com
#19 Valhalla Rising (2009)
Image source: amazon.com
#20 Ironclad (2011)
Image source: amazon.com
#21 Willow (1988)
Image source: amazon.com
#22 The Princess Bride (1987)
Image source: amazon.com
#23 Elizabeth (1998)
Image source: amazon.com
#24 Shrek
Image source: amazon.com
#25 Ladyhawke (1985)
Image source: amazon.com
#26 Highlander (1986)
Image source: amazon.com
#27 Brave (2012)
Image source: amazon.com
#28 Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991)
Image source: amazon.com
#29 The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)
Image source: amazon.com
#30 The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938)
Image source: amazon.com
#31 The Black Cauldron (1985)
Image source: amazon.com
#32 The Sword In The Stone
Image source: amazon.com
#33 Gladiator (2000)
Image source: amazon.com
#34 Army Of Darkness
Image source: amazon.com
#35 Robin And Marian
Image source: amazon.com
#36 Arn: The Knight Templar (2007)
Image source: amazon.com
#37 Conan The Barbarian (1982)
Image source: amazon.com
#38 300 (2006)
Image source: amazon.com
#39 Romeo And Juliet (1968)
Image source: amazon.com
#40 Seven Samurai (1954)
Image source: amazon.com
#41 Beowulf
Image source: amazon.com
#42 Black Death (2010)
Image source: amazon.com
#43 King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword (2017)
Image source: amazon.com
#44 Heaven And Earth (1990)
Image source: amazon.com
#45 Mongol: The Rise Of Genghis Khan (2007)
Image source: amazon.com
#46 Troy (2004)
Image source: amazon.com
#47 Macbeth (1971)
Image source: amazon.com
#48 Kagemusha (1980)
Image source: amazon.com
#49 Robin Hood (2010)
Image source: amazon.com
#50 The Eagle (2011)
Image source: amazon.com
Follow Us
