8 Historical Films to Watch If You Loved 'Oppenheimer'!

2023 appears to have been a big year for historical films. The recent success of Oppenheimer shows a big crowd for films about intriguing history. The anticipation for films like Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon, which are also films about true stories, demonstrate that people are excited to learn about history through film. However, there are some films out there that do not pay that much attention to the facts when telling a true story. But there are plenty of films out there with the goals to educate audiences with real historical stories. These are some movies that are essential viewing if you want to know more about important moments in history and society!

1. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

In 1969, Fred Hampton, leader of the Black Panther Party, was assassinated by the FBI. This planned attack came with the help of FBI Informant William O’Neal. Judas and the Black Messiah tells this story and honors Hampton’s legacy. Starring Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton and Lakeith Stanfield as O’Neal, this movie’s intention is to show the rapidly growing influence of the Black Panther party. O’Neal snuck his way into Hampton’s inner circle to take him down. This inside look changed the course of modern history. Today, the buzz of the Black Panther party has faded away, and this film shows their purpose and why Hampton was such a controversial figure. Stream on Max and Prime Video.

2. At Eternity’s Gate (2018)

Vincent Van Gogh was a tortured soul who did not get to see his great success. His life is a tragic story that was brought to the big screen. At Eternity’s Gate shows the later years of the painter's life, as he falls deeper into poverty and depression. Portrayed expertly and accurately by Willem Dafoe, Van Gogh is seen going through many hardships, but he also finds the beauty and art of natural life. Even when he does not make any money, he can not help but paint. This movie shows the full truth of the end of the famous painter’s life and expresses the honest and immense shame of Van Gogh never knowing his own legacy. Stream on Prime Video and Tubi.

3. Battle of the Sexes (2017)

Sexism in sports has existed for a long time and remains a fact of life even today. However, despite its continued presence, a 1973 tennis match helped make the fight for equality easier. This tennis match was referred to as the Battle of the Sexes, which is also the name of the film that portrays the match’s story. Starring Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs, this film not only shows a reenactment of the important match but also the build-up that led to it. There is a portrayal of each player’s personal struggles and what they wanted out of this match. Even though everyone knows that King eventually won, there is still a lot of suspense and drama that will allow anyone to look at the match in a more knowledgeable light. Rent on Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV.

4. Milk (2008)

With all of the progress made in recent years when it comes to the gay rights movement, people cannot forget the early activists that helped pave the way. One of those activists was Harvey Milk, a politician who served on the California Board of Supervisors. His openness about his sexuality inspired many in the 1970s, leading to a film honoring his life. The film Milk, starring Sean Penn, told the story of Milk’s rise to attention and to public office. The film demonstrated Milk’s tireless efforts to fight for gay rights and the people that helped him along his way. Milk’s life was inspirational, but with a sad end, and his life deserves to be told and seen. Stream on Max.

5. The Glorias (2020)

There were many women at the forefront of the modern feminist movements that should be celebrated. Activist and writer Gloria Steinem is probably one of the most famous modern feminists and became one of the trailblazers for second-wave feminism. There is a lot of complexity in her life, and that complexity is shown in the film, The Glorias. It follows Steinem through 4 different stages of life concurrently. Ryan Kiera Armstrong plays young Steinem, Lulu Wilson as teenage Steinem, Alicia Vikander as young adult Steinem, and Julianne Moore as a more mature Steinem. She has been through a lot of struggles in life, and many people (mostly men) tried to silence her and her fight. However, she soldiered on. This film tells the story of Steinem, but it also shows how modern feminism came to be. Stream on Pluto TV.

6. Till (2022)

In 1955, 14-year-old African-American Emmett Till was lynched by a white mob. This incident shows America the persecution of African-Americans that was a persistent part of society, as well as the necessity for the civil rights movement. After Till’s death, his mother, Mamie, spread the word of what happened so that people would pay attention. The film Till explores Mamie’s journey. Portrayed by Danielle Deadwyler, Mamie Till tries to get justice for her son’s death by making sure his murderers go to jail. The film sees Emmet’s murder, the trial for the murder, and Mamie’s activist fight. This film demonstrates how one boy’s death changed the country. Emmet Till’s death was a significant moment in the civil rights movement, and it is important that audiences see the truth of America’s history. Stream on Prime Video.

7. All the President’s Men (1976)

When the Watergate scandal occurred during Richard Nixon’s presidency, it was a shock to everyone. However, while it was sudden to the world, this information did not just materialize overnight. It took a team of journalists at the Washington Post to get the facts out into the world. The journey of these journalists and their history is told in the film All the President’s Men. Starring Dustin Hoffman as journalist Carl Bernstein and Robert Redford as journalist Bob Woodward, this film takes the audience through months of writing, investigating, researching, and interviewing in order to get to the bottom of the Watergate scandal. Even though the film did not come that many years after the incident, the story is essential to American history. It shows how a couple of journalists were able to rock the country with their steadfast reporting.

8. "Charles II: The Power and the Passion" (2003)

When Prince Charles was crowned King Charles III earlier this year, many of you might have wondered, "Who were the other two King Charleses?". This BBC miniseries follows the very colorful life of the previous King Charles, Charles II, who ruled England in the 17th Century. From losing his crown when his father, Charles I, was executed to regaining it 10 years later and ushering in one of the most decadent eras in British history, this series is remarkably accurate to historical events and is a must-see for anyone who loves a good period piece. Rent on Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV.