20 Best History Movies on Paramount Plus 2026
Explore 20 gripping history movies on Paramount Plus, from Dunkirk and Argo to The King's Speech, plus fresh 2024-2025 picks and true stories.
If you want the best history movies on Paramount Plus, this list makes it easy to find a great watch without sorting through endless menus. You’ll get tense war stories like Dunkirk, political drama in Argo, and award-winning character work in The King’s Speech, plus newer picks such as September 5 and The Return. The lineup also includes the stylish adventure of Queen of the Desert and the documentary Sid & Judy, so there’s a mix of action, drama, history, thriller, and war themes. With 20 titles on the page, you can jump straight to a movie that fits your mood, whether you want something gripping, reflective, or based on remarkable real events.
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01
The Death of Stalin
comedy · drama · history
When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government?
Directed by Armando IannucciCast Olga Kurylenko, Tom Brooke, Paddy Considine, Justin Edwards, Adrian McLoughlinAMC+Paramount Plus -
02
Roofman
comedy · drama · crime · history · music & musical · romance
A former Army Ranger and struggling father turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname 'Roofman'. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys “R” Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.
Directed by Derek CianfranceCast Channing Tatum, Tony Revolori, Kirana Kuic, Gabriella Cila, Alissa Marie PearsonAmazon Prime VideoParamount Plus -
03
The Return
adventure · drama · history
After twenty years away, Odysseus washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The king has finally returned home, but much has changed in his kingdom since he left to fight in the Trojan war.
Directed by Uberto PasoliniCast Charlie Plummer, Juliette Binoche, Ralph Fiennes, Claudio Santamaria, Roberto SerpiParamount Plus -
04
Dunkirk
action · drama · history · thriller · war
The story of the miraculous evacuation of Allied soldiers from Belgium, Britain, Canada and France, who were cut off and surrounded by the German army from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk between May 26th and June 4th 1940 during World War II.
Directed by Christopher NolanCast Fionn Whitehead, Damien Bonnard, Aneurin Barnard, Lee Armstrong, James BloorParamount Plus -
05
Queen of the Desert
adventure · biography · drama · history · romance
A chronicle of Gertrude Bell's life, a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire in the Near and Middle East at the dawn of the twentieth century. Her knowledge of the tribal leaders is used by the British to establish the Kingdoms of Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Directed by Werner HerzogCast Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, Damian Lewis, Jay AbdoParamount Plus -
06
Argo
drama · history · mystery & thriller
As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.
Directed by Ben AffleckCast Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Victor GarberParamount Plus -
07
September 5
drama · history · thriller
During the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American sports broadcasting crew finds itself thrust into covering the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes.
Directed by Tim FehlbaumCast Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, Leonie Benesch, Zinedine SoualemAmazon Prime VideoParamount Plus -
08
The King's Speech
biography · drama · history
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.
Directed by Tom HooperCast Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi, Robert Portal, Richard DixonParamount Plus -
09
Sid & Judy
documentary · biography · history
Explore the dramatic career and personal struggles of the talented and tragically short-lived entertainer Judy Garland through rare concert footage, never-heard-before voice recordings and personal photos.
Directed by Stephen KijakCast Rob Dodd, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason LeighParamount Plus -
10
The Ten Commandments
drama · history · kids & family · made in europe
Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.
Directed by Cecil B. DeMilleCast Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Yvonne De CarloParamount Plus -
11
Boudica: Queen of War
action · drama · history · war
Inspired by events in A.D. 60, Boudica follows the eponymous Celtic warrior who rules the Iceni people alongside her husband Prasutagus. When he dies at the hands of Roman soldiers, Boudica’s kingdom is left without a male heir and the Romans seize her land and property. Driven to the edge of madness and determined to avenge her husband’s death, Boudica rallies the various tribes from the region and wages an epic war against the mighty Roman empire.
Directed by Jesse V. JohnsonCast Olga Kurylenko, Tim Barber, Andy Beckwith, Tom Bennett, Jeff BettsParamount Plus -
12
300: Rise of an Empire
action & adventure · drama · fantasy · history · war & military
Greek general Themistocles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. Themistocles faces the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god, Xerxes and Artemesia, the vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
Directed by Noam MurroCast Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Hans Matheson, Callan MulveyParamount Plus -
13
Free Birds
animation · comedy · fantasy · history · kids & family · science-fiction
Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history—and get turkey off the holiday menu for good.
Directed by Jimmy HaywardCast Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler, George Takei, Colm MeaneyParamount Plus -
14
Shakespeare in Love
comedy · drama · history · romance
Young Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," before it's even written. When a lovely noblewoman auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love -- and his play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship progresses, Shakespeare's comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
Directed by John MaddenCast Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Steven O'Donnell, Tim McMullan, Joseph FiennesParamount Plus -
15
Alone in Berlin
drama · history · war
Berlin in June of 1940. While Nazi propaganda celebrates the regime’s victory over France, a kitchen-cum-living room in Prenzlauer Berg is filled with grief. Anna and Otto Quangel’s son has been killed at the front. This working class couple had long believed in the ‘Führer’ and followed him willingly, but now they realise that his promises are nothing but lies and deceit. They begin writing postcards as a form of resistance and in a bid to raise awareness: Stop the war machine! Kill Hitler! Putting their lives at risk, they distribute these cards in the entrances of tenement buildings and in stairwells. But the SS and the Gestapo are soon onto them, and even their neighbours pose a threat.
Directed by Vincent PerezCast Louis Hofmann, Emil von Schönfels, Katrin Pollitt, Sammy Scheuritzel, Joachim BißmeierAMC+Paramount Plus -
16
Wuthering Heights
drama · history · romance
Young orphan Heathcliff is adopted by the wealthy Earnshaw family and moves into their estate, Wuthering Heights. Soon, the new resident falls for his compassionate foster sister, Cathy. The two share a remarkable bond that seems unbreakable until Cathy, feeling the pressure of social convention, suppresses her feelings and marries Edgar Linton, a man of means who befits her stature. Heathcliff vows to win her back.
Directed by Peter KosminskyCast Juliette Binoche, Ralph Fiennes, Janet McTeer, Sophie Ward, Simon ShepherdParamount Plus -
17
Before Dawn
drama · history · war
After leaving his family's sheep farm in the Australian outback, a young man joins his countrymen on the western front of World War I with hopes of helping expedite an end to the bloody conflict. But as war rages on, he is forced to grapple with the brutal realities of trench warfare, including a near-constant battle to keep himself alive—without leaving another man behind. Inspired by the real-life diary entries of local ANZACs, the feature film details the untold story of some of Australia’s greatest military victories.
Directed by Jordon Prince-WrightCast Levi Miller, Jordan Dulieu, Jason Burch, Ed Oxenbould, Ben MortleyParamount Plus -
18
JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass
documentary · history
Thirty years after the release of his film JFK (1991), filmmaker Oliver Stone reviews recently declassified evidence related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which took place in Dallas on November 22, 1963.
Directed by Oliver StoneCast Donald Sutherland, Whoopi GoldbergParamount Plus -
19
The Seven Five
documentary · biography · crime · history
Meet the dirtiest cop in NYC history. Michael Dowd stole money and dealt drugs while patrolling the streets of '80s Brooklyn.
Directed by Tiller RussellCast Tom Brokaw, Connie Chung, Katie Couric, Larry King, Dan RatherAMC+Paramount Plus -
20
Outlaws - For Greater Glory
action & adventure · drama · history · war & military · western
A chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929), which was touched off by a rebellion against the Mexican government's attempt to secularize the country.
Directed by Dean WrightCast Adrian Alonso, Rubén Blades, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eduardo Verástegui, Patricia GarzaParamount Plus
Wrapping Up
This collection brings together standout films that make history feel immediate, dramatic, and worth your time. From battlefield pressure to courtroom stakes and personal survival stories, there’s a strong range of options here for different moods and viewing plans. Bookmark this page so you can come back whenever you want a reliable history movie recommendation on Paramount Plus. The list is updated regularly, so it stays useful as the catalog changes and new titles arrive.
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 Paramount Plus subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Paramount Plus. 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 11, 2026