20 Best History Movies on Max 2026
Browse 20 history movies on Max, from Hidden Figures and The Post to Breaker Morant and The Last Emperor, with quick picks for every mood.
If you’re looking for the best history movies on Max, this lineup gives you plenty of angles on the past, from newsroom drama and political tension to boxing, tennis, war, and documentary storytelling. You’ll find well-known choices like The Post, Hidden Figures, and The Last Emperor, alongside sharper, more specific picks such as Hearts and Minds, Breaker Morant, and The War Room. The list also includes stories rooted in sports and music, including Battle of the Sexes and Once Were Brothers, so there’s something here beyond standard period drama. Whether you want biography, documentary, or a tense historical thriller, these titles offer a strong mix of eras and styles.
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01
The Post
2 Oscar nominations Best Picture (2018)
drama · history · mystery & thriller · war & military
A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country's first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government. Inspired by true events.
Why watch: If you like newsroom stories built around real-world pressure, this drama-history-thriller mix is a strong fit. It centers on a major conflict between journalists and government, which should appeal to viewers who want tense, fact-based storytelling.
Directed by Steven SpielbergCast Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy LettsMaxMore details on IMDb → -
03
An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th
documentary · crime · history
This documentary looks at the surge in political violence through the story of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, showing the roots of anti-government sentiment and its reverberations today, along with the emotionally charged warnings of those who suffered tragic losses in the deadliest homegrown attack in U.S. history.
Why watch: If you prefer documentaries that connect past events to wider political issues, this is worth a look. Its crime-and-history framing may suit viewers interested in real events and their long-term impact.
Directed by Marc LevinCast Mike Boettcher, Bill Clinton, Bob Ricks, Dan Herbeck, Asa HutchinsonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
04
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.
Why watch: If you like crime dramas about power struggles, this movie may fit your taste. The biography and history mix suggests a story centered on ambition, betrayal, and organized crime.
Directed by Barry LevinsonCast Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael RispoliMaxMore details on IMDb → -
05
Richard III
1 Oscar nomination Best Actor (1957)
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.
Why watch: If you enjoy classic historical drama with court intrigue and power plays, this is a solid choice. Its biography and war elements also make it appealing for viewers who like period stories with high stakes.
Directed by Laurence OlivierCast Cedric Hardwicke, Nicholas Hannen, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, John GielgudMaxMore details on IMDb →
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06
Hearts and Minds
Won 1 Oscar Best Documentary Feature (1975)
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.
Why watch: If you want a war documentary that takes a critical look at politics and conflict, this is a strong match. It should appeal to viewers who value firsthand-era perspective and documentary evidence.
Directed by Peter DavisCast Clark Clifford, John Foster Dulles, Georges Bidault, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. EisenhowerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
07
Chimes at Midnight
1 BAFTA Film Award nomination
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.
Why watch: If you like Shakespeare-adjacent historical drama with comedy mixed in, this is a distinctive pick. Its war setting and political conflict make it appealing for viewers who enjoy character-driven period stories.
Directed by Orson WellesCast Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau, Margaret Rutherford, John Gielgud, Marina VladyMaxMore details on IMDb → -
08
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.
Why watch: If you enjoy documentaries about sport wrapped in history and corruption, this one is a good fit. The focus on referees and a turbulent era should appeal to viewers who like real stories with social tension.
Directed by Matías GueilburtMaxMore details on IMDb → -
09
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.
Why watch: If you’re interested in music history told through a personal lens, this documentary should work well. Its biography and history tags make it a fit for viewers who like stories about artists and creative eras.
Directed by Daniel RoherCast Robbie Robertson, Martin Scorsese, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Peter GabrielMaxMore details on IMDb → -
10
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.
Why watch: If you want a history-based adventure with action and drama, this is an easy pick. It may suit viewers who like familiar legends retold through a more grounded historical lens.
Directed by Ridley ScottCast Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark StrongMaxMore details on IMDb → -
11
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.
Why watch: If you enjoy true sports stories with a comedy-drama edge, this one is a natural choice. Its history and biography angle makes it ideal for viewers who like real-life competition and cultural moments.
Directed by Jonathan Dayton, Valerie FarisCast Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Morales, Sarah SilvermanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
12
The Last Emperor
Won 9 Oscars Best Picture (1988)
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.
Why watch: If you like sweeping biography and historical drama, this film is a standout option. Its story follows a major figure across several stages of life, which should appeal to viewers who enjoy long-view historical narratives.
Directed by Bernardo BertolucciCast John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ruocheng Ying, Victor WongMaxMore details on IMDb → -
13
The Smashing Machine
1 Oscar nomination
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.
Why watch: If you like biography-based sports dramas that also explore personal struggle, this could be a good match. The blend of action, history, and sport suggests a story aimed at viewers who want more than an underdog tale.
Directed by Benny SafdieCast Dwayne Johnson, Kenny Rice, Jerin Valel, Andre Tricoteux, James McSweeneyMaxMore details on IMDb → -
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.
Why watch: If you enjoy documentary biographies about long careers and reinvention, this should be on your radar. Music fans and anyone curious about a seven-decade run will likely find it a strong fit.
Directed by John MaggioCast Paul Anka, Alicia Anka, Frankie Avalon, Irving Azoff, Bill BurrMaxMore details on IMDb → -
15
The Survivor
1 Emmy nomination Outstanding Television Movie (2022)
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.
Why watch: If you want a sports drama rooted in survival and memory, this film may resonate. Its war and biography elements should appeal to viewers who like historical stories with emotional weight.
Directed by Barry LevinsonCast Ben Foster, Billy Magnussen, Vicky Krieps, Peter Sarsgaard, Saro EmirzeMaxMore details on IMDb → -
16
The Harvey Girls
Won 1 Oscar 2 nominations
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.
Why watch: If you like older films that mix history with comedy, romance, and music, this is a charming option. It should suit viewers who enjoy classic period settings and a lighter tone.
Directed by George SidneyCast Judy Garland, John Hodiak, Ray Bolger, Angela Lansbury, Preston FosterMaxMore details on IMDb → -
17
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.
Why watch: If you’re interested in historical drama centered on social change, this one may appeal to you. Its focus on a gay teenager in 1969 makes it a fit for viewers drawn to civil-rights-era stories.
Directed by Roland EmmerichCast Jeremy Irvine, Jonny Beauchamp, Joey King, Caleb Landry Jones, Matt CravenMaxMore details on IMDb → -
18
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.
Why watch: If you prefer documentaries that experiment with form while still staying rooted in real events, this is a strong pick. Its biography and war elements make it especially appealing for viewers who like personal, reflective nonfiction.
Directed by Kirsten JohnsonCast Krso Family, Streb Extreme Action Heroes, Dana AbedMaxMore details on IMDb → -
19
Breaker Morant
1 Oscar nomination
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.
Why watch: If you like courtroom drama set against military history, this film is a great option. The war backdrop and trial storyline should appeal to viewers who enjoy disputes over duty, orders, and justice.
Directed by Bruce BeresfordCast Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters, Bryan Brown, Charles 'Bud' TingwellFreeveeMaxMore details on IMDb → -
20
The War Room
1 Oscar nomination Best Documentary Feature (1994)
documentary · history
A behind-the-scenes documentary about the Clinton for President campaign, focusing on the adventures of spin doctors James Carville and George Stephanopoulos.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to political documentaries about campaigns and strategy, this is an easy recommendation. It should suit viewers who want a behind-the-scenes look at how power is managed during an election.
Directed by Chris Hegedus, D.A. PennebakerCast James Carville, George Stephanopoulos, Heather Beckel, Paul Begala, Bob BoorstinMaxMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This collection makes it easy to find a historical watch that matches your mood, whether you want a political documentary, a biography, or a drama built around real events. You can start with the highest-rated titles and move toward more niche picks if you want something different. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a quick way to narrow down your next watch. It’s updated regularly, so the mix can change as the catalog does.
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.