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Step into regal cinema with 10 masterpiece films about British royalty
The list includes movies like ‘Spencer’ and ‘The Queen’
Experiencing British royalty is like majesty meeting drama and romance.
The British royal family has captivated audiences for centuries and watching stories on the big screen is a treat.
From Spenser to The King's Speech, here is a list of five masterpiece films about British royalty that that showcase the drama a royal one:
1. The King (2019)
The King is a royal movie surrounding the story of King Henry V before kingship, when he was still known as Prince Hal, the Prince of Wales.
Hal, like many of his important royal descendants, finds himself tasked with ruling the nation at an age where he might be more prone to having fun.
Uninterested in succeeding his father, spends his days drinking, and jesting with his companion Falstaff in Eastcheap.
The 2019 movie features Timothée Chalamet, Robert Pattinson, Sean Harris, Lily-Rose Depp, and Ben Mendelsohn.
2. Spencer (2021)
Spencer showcases what Princess Diana might have experienced at the hands of the British royal family.
While not a traditional biopic, the 2021 is a compelling of many notable events; Diana’s inevitable separation from Prince Charles and her slow-approaching, tragic passing, all the while offering a window into what her state of mind might have been.
3. The Madness of King George (1994)
The Madness of King George is a biographical drama about the life of King George III and his older years dealing with what many historians believe was mental illness.
The Nicholas Hytner directional is a smart, hilarious snapshot of the strenuous Regency Crisis of 1788, which occurred as a result of King George III's supposed mental illness and a deteriorating relationship with the power-hungry people around him in court.
4. The King's Speech (2010)
Based upon real events, The King's Speech follows the monarch as he hires a speech therapist to help him overcome a lifelong stammer.
The movie features the king and his therapist become incredibly close.
5. Victoria & Abdul (2017)
Dame Judi Dench plays the role of Queen Victoria in Victoria & Abdul about an unlikely friendship between the queen and her Indian Muslim servant named Abdul Karim.
The 2017 film is based on a true story, made from the book, “Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant”, written by Shrabani Basu.
Their relationship predictably shocked 1800s England, beginning when Abdul travels from India to present the Queen a gift at her Golden Jubilee.
The movie dives into what really existed between the Queen, who was perpetually mourning the loss of her husband, and the young man who she had bring his wife and mother-in-law to his new royal home.
6. The Favourite (2018)
The Favourite is a dark period comedy starring Olivia Colman, telling a story of a power struggle between three women vying for the affections and influence over Queen Anne in early 18th-century England.
The 2018 movie is a simmering melting pot of royal fanfiction laced with fact, but that doesn't stop it from being a must-see for historical enthusiasts.
7. Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy
Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy is an extremely unique documentary that paints a portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales from the point of view of her two children, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Released in 2017, it focuses on all of the work she did for major causes like helping the homeless and fighting the AIDS epidemic, while also showcasing her role as a mother to William and Harry, a side of Diana that the public rarely saw.
8. The Queen (2006)
Dame Helen Mirren starrer, directed by Stephen Frears and written by Peter Morgan, is a highly acclaimed movie earning $123.5 million.
Released almost 20 years ago, The Queen isn't a biopic depicting the reign of Elizabeth II, the longest in the history of the British monarchy, however, it was based on the conflict between young Prime Minister Tony Blair and the queen following Princess Diana's accidental death in 1997.
9. The Young Victoria (2009)
Emily Blunt being the lead role in The Young Victoria offers a fun and spirited take on Queen Victoria, who took over the monarchy as a teenager following the death of King William IV.
The movie sticks closely to the known facts of the late queen’s life and her ascent to the throne.
Notably Blunt's interpretation of a young woman who suddenly comes into unexpected power is vibrant, with just the right amount of constraint to fit in with the stories of Britain's young Queen.
10. Elizabeth (1998)
Elizabeth starring Cate Blanchett is a cinematic experience revolving around Queen Elizabeth I, who took the monarchy by storm when she was crowned in 1558 at the age of 25.
The movie revolves around the early years of Queen Elizabeth I's reign and highlights her struggle to choose between political expediency and personal desires, particularly in the matter of marriage and succession.
