20 Best History Movies on Max 2026
Explore the best history movies on Max, from Hidden Figures and Richard III to For All Mankind and The Alto Knights, with picks updated regularly.
If you’re hunting for the best history movies on Max, this list gives you a smart mix of true stories, period drama, war coverage, and revealing documentaries. You’ll find standout picks like Hidden Figures, Richard III, Hearts and Minds, and Chimes at Midnight, each offering a different way into the past. There’s also Robin Hood for a swashbuckling take on legend, For All Mankind for a breathtaking look at the space age, and newer titles such as The Alto Knights and The Smashing Machine. Together, these films show how history can be gripping, emotional, political, and surprisingly entertaining all at once.
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02
Richard III
biography · drama · history · war
Having helped his brother King Edward IV take the throne of England, the jealous hunchback Richard, Duke of Gloucester, plots to seize power for himself. Masterfully deceiving and plotting against nearly everyone in the royal court, including his eventual wife, Lady Anne, and his brother George, Duke of Clarence, Richard orchestrates a bloody rise to power before finding all his gains jeopardized by those he betrayed.
Directed by Laurence OlivierCast Cedric Hardwicke, Nicholas Hannen, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, John GielgudMax -
03
Hearts and Minds
documentary · history · war
Many times during his presidency, Lyndon B. Johnson said that ultimate victory in the Vietnam War depended upon the U.S. military winning the "hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese people. Filmmaker Peter Davis uses Johnson's phrase in an ironic context in this anti-war documentary, filmed and released while the Vietnam War was still under way, juxtaposing interviews with military figures like U.S. Army Chief of Staff William C. Westmoreland with shocking scenes of violence and brutality.
Directed by Peter DavisCast Clark Clifford, John Foster Dulles, Georges Bidault, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. EisenhowerMax -
04
Chimes at Midnight
comedy · drama · history · war
Henry IV usurps the English throne, sets in motion the factious War of the Roses and now faces a rebellion led by Northumberland scion Hotspur. Henry's heir, Prince Hal, is a ne'er-do-well carouser who drinks and causes mischief with his low-class friends, especially his rotund father figure, John Falstaff. To redeem his title, Hal may have to choose between allegiance to his real father and loyalty to his friend.
Directed by Orson WellesCast Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau, Margaret Rutherford, John Gielgud, Marina VladyMax -
05
Robin Hood
action · adventure · drama · history
When soldier Robin happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley, he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances his widow, Marion; and draws the ire of the town's sheriff and King John's henchman, Godfrey.
Directed by Ridley ScottCast Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark StrongMax -
06
For All Mankind
documentary · history
A testament to NASA's Apollo program of the 1960s and '70s. Composed of actual NASA footage of the missions and astronaut interviews, the documentary offers the viewpoint of the individuals who braved the remarkable journey to the moon and back.
Directed by Al ReinertCast Jim Lovell, Russell Schweickart, Eugene Cernan, Mike Collins, Charles ConradMax -
07
The Alto Knights
biography · crime · drama · history
Two of New York's most notorious organized crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, vie for control of the city's streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that will reshape the Mafia (and America) forever.
Directed by Barry LevinsonCast Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael RispoliMax -
08
The Smashing Machine
action · biography · drama · history · sport
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
Directed by Benny SafdieCast Dwayne Johnson, Kenny Rice, Jerin Valel, Andre Tricoteux, James McSweeneyMax -
09
Jugada Peligrosa
documentary · history · sport
Copa Libertadores, 1989. A true story about football, corruption and the power of Pablo Escobar and his cartel, told by its protagonists: five referees who resisted the dramatic weight of an era.
Directed by Matías GueilburtMax -
10
Selena
drama · history · music & musical
In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham, realizes that his young daughter is talented and begins performing with her at small venues. She finds success and falls for her guitarist, Chris Perez, who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.
Directed by Gregory NavaCast Jennifer Lopez, Jackie Guerra, Constance Marie, Alex Meneses, Jon SedaMax -
11
Once Were Brothers
documentary · biography · history · music
A confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robbie Robertson's young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, The Band.
Directed by Daniel RoherCast Robbie Robertson, Martin Scorsese, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Peter GabrielMax -
12
Battle of the Sexes
biography · comedy · drama · history · sport
The true story of the 1973 tennis match between world number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs.
Directed by Jonathan Dayton, Valerie FarisCast Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Morales, Sarah SilvermanMax -
13
The Last Emperor
biography · drama · history
A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.
Directed by Bernardo BertolucciCast John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ruocheng Ying, Victor WongMax -
14
Paul Anka: His Way
documentary · biography · history · music
Part road movie and living biography, this documentary traces Paul Anka's seven-decade career through stardom and constant reinvention.
Directed by John MaggioCast Paul Anka, Alicia Anka, Frankie Avalon, Irving Azoff, Bill BurrMax -
15
The Harvey Girls
comedy · drama · history · music & musical · romance · western
On a train trip out west to become a mail-order bride, Susan Bradley meets a cheery crew of young women traveling out to open a "Harvey House" restaurant at a remote whistle-stop.
Directed by George SidneyCast Judy Garland, John Hodiak, Ray Bolger, Angela Lansbury, Preston FosterMax -
16
The Survivor
biography · drama · history · sport · war
Harry Haft is a boxer who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive. Haunted by the memories and his guilt, he attempts to use high-profile fights against boxing legends like Rocky Marciano as a way to find his first love again.
Directed by Barry LevinsonCast Ben Foster, Billy Magnussen, Vicky Krieps, Peter Sarsgaard, Saro EmirzeMax -
17
Cameraperson
documentary · biography · history · news · war
As a visually radical memoir, CAMERAPERSON draws on the remarkable footage that filmmaker Kirsten Johnson has shot and reframes it in ways that illuminate moments and situations that have personally affected her. What emerges is an elegant meditation on the relationship between truth and the camera frame, as Johnson transforms scenes that have been presented on Festival screens as one kind of truth into another kind of story—one about personal journey, craft, and direct human connection.
Directed by Kirsten JohnsonCast Krso Family, Streb Extreme Action Heroes, Dana AbedMax -
18
Stonewall
drama · history
Kicked out by his parents, a gay teenager leaves small-town Indiana for New York's Greenwich Village, where growing discrimination against the gay community leads to riots on June 28, 1969.
Directed by Roland EmmerichCast Jeremy Irvine, Jonny Beauchamp, Joey King, Caleb Landry Jones, Matt CravenMax -
19
Breaker Morant
drama · history · war
During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Though they acted under orders, they are being used as scapegoats by the General Staff, who hopes to distance themselves from the irregular practices of the war. The trial does not progress as smoothly as expected by the General Staff, as the defence puts up a strong fight in the courtroom.
Directed by Bruce BeresfordCast Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters, Bryan Brown, Charles 'Bud' TingwellFreeveeMax -
20
Overlord
drama · history · war
During World War II, a young man is called up and, with an increasing sense of foreboding, undertakes his army training ready for D-Day, June 6th, 1944.
Directed by Stuart CooperCast Brian Stirner, Davyd Harries, Nicholas Ball, Julie Neesam, Sam SewellMax
Wrapping Up
Whether you want a powerful biography, a sharp war documentary, or a classic drama with real weight, this lineup makes it easy to find something worth your time. The appeal here is range: some movies focus on famous people, others on turning points that shaped the world, and all of them bring history to life in different ways. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you want a fresh watch list, because it is updated regularly as the Max library changes. That makes it a reliable place to keep discovering great films from the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Max subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Max. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these history movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the history titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.
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Last updated: September 4, 2026