15 Best History Movies on Max in May 2024

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Written By William Butterworth

Will Butterworth first started reporting on entertainment news when he was a kid in Barney pajamas giving news reports to his parents while sitting in a cardboard box. Now, he still sits in a cardboard box, but his audience has grown in number (at least that's what his mom tells him). Entertainment junkies unite!

Some of the most incredible stories of heroism and overcoming odds come from our own history. Seeing these stories captured or recreated on film ensures they’re never forgotten. Take a look at some of the best history movies streaming on Max.

Dunkirk (2017)

Dunkirk
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Soldiers from various Allied countries end up stranded on a beach with German forces closing in on them in WW2. This movie depicts their desperate struggle to survive and evacuate the area before they’re overtaken.

JFK (1991)

JFK
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Conspiracy theorists will love JFK. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, it’s believed that the killer is caught. However, Jim Garrison isn’t so sure. As the district attorney, he opens up an investigation into the assassination, which draws ire from politicians and the government as a whole.

Amsterdam (2022)

Amsterdam
Image Credit: 20th Century Studios.

The 1930s was a time of strife for many Americans. In this film, three friends end up involved in a murder plot. It does a great job of weaving historical facts with Hollywood fiction. Will the friends prove their innocence or end up victims themselves?

The Witch (2015)

The Witch
Image Credit: A24.

It’s a wonder American civilization thrived at all based on the hardships the Pilgrims and Puritans had to endure first. The Witch gives a haunting look at what typical Puritan life was like, along with a good dose of supernatural superstition.

Braveheart (1995)

Braveheart
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

One of Mel Gibson’s most famous films focuses on the Scottish warrior William Wallace. The film depicts Wallace’s rebellion against English forces for Scottish independence. You’ll want to stick around to see what happens to him once he’s captured.

King Richard (2021)

King Richard
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

King Richard is a biopic about Richard Williams. He was a famous tennis player who went on to teach his skills to his daughters, Serena and Venus. It’s as much a story of their origins as it is about their father.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

Pearl Harbor
Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures.

The events of the attack on Pearl Harbor arguably changed the course of history. This film follows two friends who have known each for life. They end up falling in love with the same girl. Yet, the call to war separates them and follows each of their stories and the war as a whole.

Breach (2007)

Breach
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

When a veteran FBI agent is suspected of spying, an up-and-coming wannabe agent is put on the case to investigate him. He believes he’s just looking into the agent’s sex life, but when he realizes just what the veteran is involved in, it starts to make him question his own line of work.

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Judas and the Black Messiah
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

When The Black Panthers become too aggressive, the FBI makes a deal with William O’Neal. In exchange for a better sentence, O’Neal must infiltrate the Illinois chapter of The Black Panthers and spy on the chairman.

Gone with the Wind (1939)

Gone with the Wind
Image Credit: MGM.

The Civil War signaled the end of a certain lifestyle in the South. No movie captures its fall and consequences better than Gone with the Wind. Besides depicting Reconstruction and its effects, it also features one of the greatest romances in cinema history.

Gangs of New York (2002)

Gangs of New York
Image Credit: Miramax.

Gangs have been a part of New York City since its inception. This film acts like a love letter to the gangs of old who once bathed New York City’s streets in blood.

Spotlight (2015)

Spotlight
Image Credit: Kerry Hayes.

One of the worst-kept secrets of the Catholic Church is how it protects child molesters within its walls. Spotlight shines a light on the individuals who were part of the Boston Globe’s attempt to blow the case wide open. The Catholic Church was never the same.

The Master (2012)

The Master
Image Credit: The Weinstein Company.

Unsure of how to navigate the world following his return from war, a veteran ends up listening to a charismatic leader of a cult. The cult leader, in question, is pressing his manifesto known as The Cause. Will he be able to break free of the cult’s influence or succumb to its teachings?

See How They Run (2022)

See How They Run
Image Credit: Searchlight Pictures..

If you like your history with a bit of crime and comedy, then you might like See How They Run. It follows a group of actors and crew who are turning their play into a movie. However, when one of the main members of the crew ends up murdered, everything goes sideways.

This film offers a glimpse into life during the 1950s in the West End theatre scene.

Belfast (2021)

Belfast
Image Credit: Focus Features.

The late 1960s was a rough time for people living in Belfast. This movie follows a boy and his family during that time to spotlight just how rough times were.

The 20 Best Science Fiction Movies of All Time: Enter a World Beyond Your Imagination

Star Wars A New Hope Lucasfilm LTD
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Get ready to explore galaxies far, far away and other realms beyond your imagination! Whether you’re a sci-fi nerd or just a major cinephile, we know you’re going to love these 20 best science-fiction movies of all time. From space battles to time travel, this list has it all. Grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the greatest sci-fi films in this universe or any other.

The 20 Best Fantasy Movies of All Time: Enter a World Beyond Your Imagination

Lord Of The Rings Fellowship New Line Cinema
Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

Get ready to be enchanted as we explore the realm of fantasy films! Immerse yourself in captivating worlds and epic adventures with my handpicked selection of the 20 greatest fantasy movies ever made. From Middle Earth’s mystical landscapes to The Green Mile’s emotional depths, this list promises to transport you to extraordinary realms.

The 20 Best History Movies of All Time: Relive the Past Through the Magic of Film

Hidden Figures
Image Credit: Hopper Stone/Hopper Stone, SMPSP – © TM & © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Calling all history buffs and movie lovers! Get ready for a cinematic time travel experience with our top 20 history movies. From Schindler’s List’s powerful Holocaust narrative to the groundbreaking Hamilton musical, these films will immerse you in the most significant moments of human history. Prepare for a historical adventure like no other- and you won’t even need to leave your couch!