The classroom is a great place to learn about history, but the movie choices that they pick out can be dreadful. For the history buffs who want to best movies to teach about European history without boring them, then check out these options.
Not only are they educational, but they’re incredibly entertaining with unique and interesting plots and perspectives on major historical events. From monumental steps towards women’s rights with Suffragette to brave journeys and sacrifices with Master and Commander, these European history movies will have you craving more.
14. The Iron Lady, Amazon Prime (2011)
The Iron Lady is one of the best movies to teach European history, as it’s a biographical drama film following Margaret Thatcher’s career. The British stateswoman and Conservative politician served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and was the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century as well as the first woman to hold the position.
The title name is based on Thatcher’s nickname of the “Iron Lady” thanks to her uncompromising politics and leadership style. It’s an empowering movie that all should watch to get a glimpse of European history, and of course, Meryl Streep does a fantastic job at portraying the iconic prime minister.
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13. The Imitation Game, Hulu (2014)
A personal favorite of mine, The Imitation Game is one that no one should miss out on. The true story is set during World War II when game cryptanalyst Alan Turing is set with the challenge to decrypt German intelligence messages for the British government.
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as decoding a decrypted message once, as German intelligence changes their decryption frequently, so they must constantly be at work. When Turing changes the game by creating a machine, he not only has to battle colleagues and superiors but also time to prove his worth.
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12. Michael Collins, Tubi (1996)
Another one of the best movies to teach European history is Michael Collings, a film that focuses on Ireland. This 1996 biographical period drama follows Michael Collins, a leading figure in the early-20th-century Irish struggle for independence against Britain.
Collins led a guerilla war against the UK, helped negotiate the creation of the Irish Free State, and led the National Army during the Civil War.
11. Suffragette, Prime Video (2015)
If you loved The Iron Lady and need some more where women are front and center, then check out Suffragette, the 2015 British historical drama that focuses on women’s suffrage in the UK.
The movie is set in 1912 London where a young working mother is galvanized into radical political activism supporting the right for women to vote, and is willing to meet violence with violence to achieve it. It’s empowering, tense, and one of the best European history movies.
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10. Joyeux Noel, Tubi (2005)
Joyeux Noel, or Merry Christmas, is a 2005 war drama that marks an incredible day in European history. The story follows six people of different countries, French, British and German. While the story begins when these characters are children, it quickly shows them all at war.
Set in December 1914, the film shows the unofficial truce on Christmas where the Western Front allows soldiers from opposing sides of the First World War to gain insight into each other’s way of life. It’s a haunting yet beautiful movie that puts insight into the weight of war, and what one small act of kindness can do.
9. Warterloo, Amazon (1970)
This 1970 epic historical war film is one of the best movies to teach European history as it focuses on the Battle of Warterloo. The battle marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars and was fought on June 18, 1815.
A French army under the command of Napoleon was defeated by two armies of the Seventh Coalition. The film follows Napoleon Bonaparte facing the decline of everything he worked to obtain as they confront the British.
8. Amazing Grace, Amazon (2006)
Amazing Grace is a 2006 biographical film following William Wilberforce who led the abolitionist campaign against the slave trade in the British Empire.
Thanks to Wilberforce maneuvering his way through Parliament, he is also responsible for steering anti-slave trade legislation through.
7. Les Misérables, Prime Video (2012)
A film most have heard before, Les Miséerables is a 2012 epic period musical film based on the stage musical sharing the same name, which is also based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. If you’re not a huge fan of history but still want to dive into it, this is one of the best European history movies for you.
The film is set in France during the early nineteenth century following the story of Jean Valjean. Valjean has a bad past and ends up breaking parole to start a new life, where he eventually agrees to care for his illegitimate daughter, Cosette. The story eventually reaches a resolution against the background of the June Rebellion of 1832.
6. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Prime Video (2003)
This 2003 epic period war-drama is set during the Napoleonic Wars and is one of the best movies to teach European history. The story follows Captain Jack Aubrey of the frigate HMS Surprise who is ordered to intercept the heavy frigate Acheron, a French privateer.
The brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of the French vessel around South America, leading a harrowing and rewarding adventure.
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5. Elizabeth, Prime Video (1998)
Elizabeth is a 1998 British biographical period drama based on the early years of Elizabeth’s reign where she is elevated to the throne after the death of her half-sister Mary I, who had her imprisoned.
As she establishes herself on the throne, she faces constantly struggles of people trying to bring her down. The main focus is the endless attempts by her council to marry her off, the Catholic hatred of her, and her romance with Lord Robert Dudley.
4. The King, Netflix (2019)
The most recent, yet one of the best movies to teach European history is The King, a 2019 epic historical film. The story follows the Prince of Wales, and later King Henry V of England after his father and brother’s death.
The film focuses on the rise of Henry V and how he must navigate the palace and politics, the war his father left behind, and the emotional strings of his past life, including his relationship with his closest friend and mentor, the alcoholic knight John Falstaff.
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3. The Tobacconist, Tubi (2018)
If you want an interesting, quirky indie that is still a great movie to teach European history, then this is for you. The Tobacconist is a 2018 German movie based on the international bestseller by Robert Seethaler.
The story follows a tender, heart-breaking story about one young man and his friendship with Sigmund Freud during the Nazi occupation of Vienna. While the movie is set in a terrible time in history, this movie offers a new perspective on life with the founder of psychoanalysis.
2. A Man of All Seasons, Tubi (1966)
A Man of All Seasons is a 1966 British historical drama adapted from Robert Bolt’s play sharing the same name.
The movie depicts the final years of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Lord Chancellor of England who refused to sign a letter asking Pope Clement VII to annul Henry VIII of England’s marriage to Catherin of Aragon and to take an Oath of Supremacy declaring Henry Supreme Head of the Church of England.
1. Richard III, Max (1995)
If you want some of the best movies to teach European history, then find the ones adapted from William Shakespeare’s plays. Known as the greatest writer in the English language, Shakespeare is a go-to when you want to dive into the world of European history.
Richard III is based on his play sharing the same name. The film adapts the play’s story and characters to a setting based on 1930s Britain, with Richard depicted as a fascist plotting to usurp the throne.
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