When we first wrote this article in 2015, we showcased mainly romantic period drama films. But with the genre’s growing popularity on Netflix, it was time for an update to include a wider variety of period pieces. This list focuses on movies only and highlights period films available on Netflix that you can watch in one sitting.
If you’re after a list of period drama TV shows and miniseries, check out our companion article: “55 Sensational Period Dramas to Watch on Netflix – Miniseries and TV Shows (2021).”
We’ve streamlined the choices to include period pieces with at least some romance, those with a Romanticism influence, or simply ones we think you’ll enjoy. There are many more excellent period drama films worth watching, some of which are mentioned in the bonus list at the end.
We’ve mainly opted for titles that aren’t overly graphic, although a few exceptions were made due to their romantic nature. For those who prefer to avoid explicit content, we’ll give a content warning if a film is rated R or TV-MA.
For a wider selection of period dramas, be sure to check our bonus list. These include films we haven’t reviewed or those that didn’t make the main list but are still worth watching.
We hope this list helps you find new period pieces to add to your Netflix queue. And if you’re looking for shows instead, our list of period drama miniseries and TV shows on Netflix is a great resource.
Without further ado, here are the top period pieces on Netflix – movie edition.
(Note: Netflix availability is for the U.S. and at the time of publication and can change at any time. This article was first published in 2015 and updated for September 2021.)
50+ Period Pieces on Netflix to Watch – Movie Edition (2021) (In Alphabetical Order)
1. The African Doctor (2016)
– Netflix Synopsis: A talented doctor from the Congo starts a job in a rural French village, where he and his family try to win over the skeptical locals.
– Why Watch: Set in 1970s France, this film is uplifting and has more comedy than expected. Ideal for fans of inspirational biographical films.
– Content Note: TV-14 for language and nudity.
2. Agatha Christie’s Crooked House (2017)
– Netflix Synopsis: A detective investigates the death of his ex-lover’s grandfather and uncovers secrets about the wealthy family.
– Why Watch: With Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes involved, expect historical accuracy and smart dialogue. The cast includes Gillian Anderson and Glenn Close.
– Content Note: PG-13 for mild sexual content and off-screen violence.
3. The Artist (2011)
– Netflix Synopsis: A silent film star and a rising actress navigate their careers and romance as the talkies take over.
– Why Watch: A must-see for film history enthusiasts and romance lovers.
– Content Note: PG-13 for a disturbing image and a crude gesture.
4. The Beguiled (2017)
– Netflix Synopsis: During the Civil War, a wounded soldier takes refuge at a girls’ school, causing tension and infighting.
– Why Watch: Directed by Sofia Coppola and featuring Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, and Colin Farrell.
– Content Note: Rated R for mild sexuality.
5. Big Stone Gap (2014)
– Netflix Synopsis: A single woman in a small Virginia mining town discovers a family secret that changes her life.
– Why Watch: A charming, light-hearted film with a solid cast, including Ashley Judd and Patrick Wilson.
– Content Note: PG-13 for mild innuendo.
6. Bright Star (2009)
– Netflix Synopsis: Follows the passionate romance between poet John Keats and his muse.
– Why Watch: Written and directed by Jane Campion, this film offers beautiful storytelling and stellar performances.
– Content Note: PG.
7. The Butler (2013)
– Netflix Synopsis: Chronicles the life of a White House butler who served under eight presidents.
– Why Watch: An emotional historical drama with a fantastic cast, reminiscent of Forrest Gump.
– Content Note: PG-13.
8. The Butterfly’s Dream (2013)
– Netflix Synopsis: Two young poets find solace during WWII by falling for the same woman.
– Why Watch: A beautiful film with a poignant love story from Turkey.
– Content Note: TV-PG.
9. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
– Netflix Synopsis: An FBI agent tracks a con man who consistently evades capture.
– Why Watch: Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Fun and engaging with a great cast.
– Content Note: PG-13.
10. Crimson Peak (2015)
– Netflix Synopsis: After marrying a British aristocrat, a young heiress discovers dark secrets in his ancestral home.
– Why Watch: Fans of gothic romance and Jane Eyre will enjoy this film starring Mia Wasikowska and Tom Hiddleston.
– Content Note: Rated R for violence, sexuality, and language.
11. Cold Mountain (2003)
– Netflix Synopsis: A Civil War soldier makes a perilous journey home while his love wrestles with hardship at her farm.
– Why Watch: An epic adaptation of the bestselling book, with standout performances from Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, and Renée Zellweger.
– Content Note: Rated R for violence and sexuality.
12. Dances with Wolves (1990)
– Netflix Synopsis: A Civil War soldier forms a bond with a Sioux tribe on the frontier.
– Why Watch: Directed by and starring Kevin Costner, this Oscar-winning film offers an emotional narrative and a touching love story.
– Content Note: PG-13.
13. The Dig (2021)
– Netflix Synopsis: On the brink of WWII, a widow hires an archaeologist to uncover mysteries on her land.
– Why Watch: With an impressive cast including Carrie Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes, this film is based on a true story and delivers an emotional journey.
– Content Note: PG-13.
14. Effie Gray (2014)
– Netflix Synopsis: Trapped in a loveless marriage, a young woman falls for an artist in Victorian England.
– Why Watch: For fans of Sense and Sensibility, this film features a script by Emma Thompson and stars Dakota Fanning.
– Content Note: PG-13.
15. Enola Holmes (2020)
– Netflix Synopsis: Teen sleuth Enola Holmes uses her skills to outsmart her brother Sherlock while searching for her missing mother.
– Why Watch: Millie Bobby Brown shines in this engaging adventure, perfect for both teens and adults.
– Content Note: PG-13.
16. Fatima (2020)
– Netflix Synopsis: In 1917 Portugal, three children receive visions of the Virgin Mary, challenging their family and authorities.
– Why Watch: A high-quality faith-based film from a cinematographer-turned-director.
– Content Note: PG-13.
17. Get on Up (2014)
– Netflix Synopsis: The biopic of James Brown charts his rise from poverty to superstardom.
– Why Watch: Chadwick Boseman delivers a standout performance as the legendary James Brown.
– Content Note: PG-13.
18. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
– Netflix Synopsis: A London writer bonds with the residents of Guernsey as she learns about their WWII book club.
– Why Watch: An enchanting adaptation of the bestselling novel, with perfect casting and a heartwarming narrative.
– Content Note: TV-PG.
19. Hail, Caesar! (2016)
– Netflix Synopsis: A studio boss tries to find a kidnapped star and save his film.
– Why Watch: A satire for Old Hollywood fans, directed by the Coen Brothers and featuring an A-list cast.
– Content Note: PG-13.
20. Howards End (1992)
– Netflix Synopsis: A showdown over wealth and inheritance following a matriarch’s deathbed wish.
– Why Watch: A masterful Merchant-Ivory production with a stellar cast including Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins.
– Content Note: PG.
21. Hugo (2011)
– Netflix Synopsis: An orphan living in a Paris train station discovers a connection to a legendary filmmaker.
– Why Watch: Directed by Martin Scorsese, this family-friendly film is a homage to the magic of cinema.
– Content Note: PG.
22. Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
– Netflix Synopsis: A Mughal emperor and a Hindu princess form a romantic alliance in 16th-century India.
– Why Watch: A grand Bollywood romance starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
– Content Note: TV-14.
23. Kartini: Princess of Java (2017)
– Netflix Synopsis: A noblewoman fights patriarchal norms to improve women’s education in early 1900s Indonesia.
– Why Watch: An inspiring family-friendly biographical drama about a significant Indonesian heroine.
– Content Note: TV-PG.
24. Lady J (2018)
– Netflix Synopsis: A wealthy widow plots revenge against a marquis with the help of a younger woman.
– Why Watch: Lovers of French cinema will appreciate this witty adaptation of a Diderot novel.
– Content Note: TV-MA for nudity, overall mild.
25. Lagaan (2001)
– Netflix Synopsis: In 1890s India, villagers are challenged to a high-stakes cricket match by an arrogant British commander.
– Why Watch: This lavish musical was Oscar-nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and is highly entertaining.
– Content Note: PG.
26. The Last Letter from Your Lover (2021)
– Netflix Synopsis: A journalist uncovers love letters from 1965 and embarks on solving a mystery.
– Why Watch: This dual-timeline romance, based on Jojo Moyes’ novel, is emotional and engaging.
– Content Note: TV-MA for sensuality and strong language.
27. Les Misérables (2012)
– Netflix Synopsis: The musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love and sacrifice.
– Why Watch: With a stellar cast and faithful adaptation of the Broadway play, this film won three Oscars.
– Content Note: PG-13.
28. The Lion Woman (2016)
– Netflix Synopsis: A girl born with excessive hair learns to embrace her difference.
– Why Watch: This Norwegian period drama is a touching, inspirational story based on a novel.
– Content Note: TV-14 for nudity.
29. A Little Chaos (2014)
– Netflix Synopsis: A landscaper is hired to design a garden at Versailles, leading to political and romantic entanglements.
– Why Watch: Directed by Alan Rickman, this film reunites him with Kate Winslet and features beautiful visuals.
– Content Note: Rated R for moderate sexuality and nudity.
30. The Lovely Bones (2009)
– Netflix Synopsis: After her murder, a girl watches over her family and seeks justice.
– Why Watch: A visually stunning and emotionally powerful film with an outstanding cast.
– Content Note: PG-13.
31. Loving (2016)
– Netflix Synopsis: The true story of an interracial couple’s battle in the Supreme Court.
– Why Watch: A beautifully acted, poetic biographical drama.
– Content Note: PG-13.
32. Marshall (2017)
– Netflix Synopsis: The story of Thurgood Marshall’s pivotal work on a sensational court case.
– Why Watch: An old-fashioned courtroom drama with Chadwick Boseman in the lead role.
– Content Note: PG-13.
33. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
– Netflix Synopsis: A fisherman’s daughter rises to become a renowned geisha.
– Why Watch: Known for its exquisite visuals and captivating love story, this film won three Oscars.
– Content Note: PG-13.
34. My Fair Lady (1964)
– Netflix Synopsis: A flower girl transforms into a lady under the tutelage of an aloof professor.
– Why Watch: A classic romantic musical with iconic performances by Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn.
– Content Note: G.
35. My Girl/My Girl 2 (1991, 1993)
– Netflix Synopsis: A coming-of-age story about an 11-year-old girl navigating love and loss.
– Why Watch: Perfect for pre-teens and teens, it offers an emotional narrative filled with laughter and tears.
– Content Note: PG-13.
36. Ophelia (2018)
– Netflix Synopsis: A retelling of “Hamlet” from Ophelia’s perspective.
– Why Watch: Visually stunning and reimagines Shakespeare in a fascinating way.
– Content Note: PG-13.
37. The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017)
– Netflix Synopsis: An American nurse clashes with a lieutenant in the Ottoman Empire.
– Why Watch: For the romance, despite its minor flaws in storytelling.
– Content Note: Rated R for war violence and mild sensuality.
38. The Professor and the Madman (2019)
– Netflix Synopsis: A scholar and a doctor work together on the first Oxford English Dictionary.
– Why Watch: An intriguing historical drama with a stellar cast.
– Content Note: TV-14.
39. Quigley Down Under (1990)
– Netflix Synopsis: A sharpshooting cowboy refuses an immoral assignment in Australia.
– Why Watch: A light-hearted romantic western starring Tom Selleck and Alan Rickman.
– Content Note: PG-13.
40. Radium Girls (2018)
– Netflix Synopsis: Women at a radium factory fight against a corporate cover-up.
– Why Watch: Though fictionalized, it introduces the famous 1920s tragedy.
– Content Note: TV-14.
41. The Railway Man (2013)
– Netflix Synopsis: A WWII veteran reconciles with his past through an unexpected coincidence.
– Why Watch: Exceptional performances and themes of redemption and forgiveness.
– Content Note: Rated R for disturbing wartime violence.
42. Rebecca (2020)
– Netflix Synopsis: A newlywed confronts ominous secrets at her husband’s estate.
– Why Watch: Visually breathtaking, based on Daphne Du Maurier’s novel.
– Content Note: PG-13.
43. Shadow (2018)
– Netflix Synopsis: Three kingdoms compete for control, with a mysterious figure weaving intrigue.
– Why Watch: Cinematically stunning visuals directed by Yimou Zhang.
– Content Note: TV-14.
44. Silver Skates (2020)
– Netflix Synopsis: Amid star-crossed romance, a thief warms an aristocrat’s daughter’s heart in St. Petersburg.
– Why Watch: A Netflix original from Russia with fairy tale elements.
– Content Note: TV-MA for nudity and a love scene.
45. A Single Man (2009)
– Netflix Synopsis: A grieving gay college professor navigates his life after his lover’s death.
– Why Watch: Colin Firth’s award-worthy performance in a beautifully artistic film.
– Content Note: Rated R for nudity/sexuality and disturbing images.
46. Stardust (2007)
– Netflix Synopsis: A man crosses into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his love.
– Why Watch: Set in Victorian times, this fantasy romance is pure entertainment with star-crossing adventures.
– Content Note: PG-13.
47. Suffragette (2015)
– Netflix Synopsis: A young woman joins the radical suffragette movement.
– Why Watch: An inspiring historical drama featuring an all-star cast.
– Content Note: PG-13.
48. The Theory of Everything (2014)
– Netflix Synopsis: The life and love of physicist Stephen Hawking, affected by ALS.
– Why Watch: Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones deliver exceptional performances.
– Content Note: PG-13.
49. Velvet Colección: Grand Finale (2020)
– Netflix Synopsis: Past and present Velvet staff reunite for Christmas 1969.
– Why Watch: Watch this after Velvet and Velvet Colección for a satisfying wrap-up.
– Content Note: TV-14.
50. The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017)
– Netflix Synopsis: Warsaw Zoo caretakers save Jews during Nazi occupation.
– Why Watch: Jessica Chastain stars in this emotionally uplifting war drama.
– Content Note: PG-13.
Bonus Period Pieces on Netflix (Movies)
This list includes films we haven’t reviewed, those that didn’t make the main list, and more explicit period films:
– 1922 (TV-MA)
– The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Rated R)
– The Danish Girl (Rated R)
– Defiance (Rated R)
– Destiny (TV-14)
– Django Unchained (Rated R)
– The Emigrant (TV-14)
– Errementari (TV-MA)
– A Fortunate Man (TV-MA)
– The Giant (TV-14)
– The Girl King (TV-MA)
– GOYO: The Boy General (TV-MA)
– Hawaizaada (2015) (TV-14)
– The Highwaymen (Rated R)
– Ip Man (Rated R)
– Kardec (TV-14)
– The King (Rated R)
– The Last Paradiso (TV-MA)
– MANK (Rated R)
– Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Rated R)
– Mary Magdalene (Rated R)
– Milada (TV-14)
– Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (PG-13)
– Mudbound (Rated R)
– Mucize (TV-14)
– Operation Finale (PG-13)
– Outlaw King (Rated R)
– Pan’s Labyrinth (Rated R)
– Panipat (TV-14)
– Paan Singh Tomar (TV-14)
– The Piano (Rated R)
– Red Joan (TV-MA)
– The Red Sea Diving
