10 Best Period Drama Movies On HBO Max Right Now, Ranked

HBO Max boasts an excellent movie library, especially when it comes to historical dramas. These dramas, known for their emotional stories, detailed historical settings, and beautiful costumes, transport viewers to different eras. While not always perfectly accurate, they strive to recreate the feeling of another time.

Period dramas are frequently based on classic novels, particularly those written in the 1800s. These shows often focus on love stories and highlight the formal customs and codes of behavior from that era. At their best, they can be even more gripping and thrilling than today’s big-budget action movies.

Period dramas often celebrate the past, but some filmmakers cleverly use them to offer insights into modern issues. It’s common to see elements that don’t quite fit the time period, and many great period films have even inspired popular TV shows like Bridgerton. HBO Max has a wide variety of options, and here are some of the best.

10. Marie Antoinette (2006)

Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette became well-known for bending the rules of historical accuracy, though it wasn’t universally appreciated by critics. The film tells the story of Marie Antoinette’s life, from her ascent to power to her downfall, but it doesn’t worry much about getting the historical facts exactly right. It deliberately mixes modern elements into the 18th-century setting to emphasize the film’s central ideas.

With stunning costumes and visuals, Marie Antoinette is also surprisingly funny. Rather than portraying the queen as a villain, the film cleverly explores the immense pressures and expectations placed on women. Since its release, it’s gained a dedicated following and is a refreshing choice for viewers looking for something different.

9. A Room With A View (1985)

E.M. Forster wrote some truly great novels, and the film version of A Room with a View beautifully reflects his style and themes. The story follows a young English woman traveling in Italy who finds herself torn between a secure, conventional life and a chance at a more exciting, passionate love. With strong performances from Helena Bonham Carter and Maggie Smith, it’s a classic example of a period drama.

The costumes in the film A Room with a View are designed to feel authentic, and the movie strives to capture the delicate romance found in the original novel. It’s not a dramatic, over-the-top love story, but rather a thoughtful exploration of social expectations and the carefree feelings of youth. As with many well-made historical dramas, A Room with a View also prompts us to consider relevant issues in our own lives today.

8. Two English Girls (1971)

François Truffaut’s film Two English Girls is a beautiful, though often overlooked, historical drama. It tells the story of a French artist who becomes involved with two English sisters, having affairs with both of them. While it’s a bit more open and less reserved than most English period pieces, it’s still a charming and picturesque film.

The film is clearly a passion project, and it offers a thoughtful message about appreciating the present. Two English Girls evokes the same delicate sensuality seen in films by Truffaut, but feels more grown-up, which suits its early 1900s setting. It blends artistic filmmaking with the heartfelt emotions of a historical love story.

7. Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975)

Picnic at Hanging Rock is a uniquely eerie and atmospheric historical drama. Set in early 1900s Australia, the film tells the story of students from a girls’ boarding school who vanish during a permitted countryside outing. Using beautiful, dreamlike imagery, the movie explores themes of colonialism and the constraints placed on women.

Picnic at Hanging Rock isn’t a straightforward period drama; it’s rich with hidden meanings. The film is captivating thanks to its deliberate, unhurried rhythm and beautiful visuals, which build a distinctly unsettling mood. It’s an ideal choice for viewers who enjoy films that are thought-provoking and a little bit different.

6. Wuthering Heights (1939)

Emerald Fennell’s recent film isn’t the first adaptation of Wuthering Heights, and many consider the 1939 version to be a timeless classic. The story, set in 19th century England, centers on Cathy and her passionate, yet complicated, relationship with Heathcliff, which is disrupted when she’s courted by Edgar. Featuring a remarkable performance by Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff, the 1939 film is a shining example of great acting.

This adaptation effectively conveys the harsh and desolate atmosphere of the story’s setting. However, it still maintains the glamorous visual style of classic Hollywood films. The film won an Academy Award for its beautiful cinematography, and it’s arguably the most visually stunning version of Wuthering Heights yet. It serves as a good starting point for those unfamiliar with the novel, although it does deviate from the source material in some ways.

5. Great Expectations (1946)

Charles Dickens vividly portrays Victorian England with a mix of darkness and charm, and Great Expectations is often considered his masterpiece. The 1946 film adaptation by David Lean tells the story of Pip, an orphan who unexpectedly receives a large inheritance. Lean expertly focuses on the emotional core of the story, highlighting its most important themes and moments.

The TV series Great Expectations beautifully captures the contrast between wealth and darkness, mirroring the style of Dickens’s novels. What sets it apart from other historical dramas is that, alongside the beautiful costumes and proper etiquette, it explores the theme of enduring hardship. The show doesn’t romanticize the Victorian era; instead, it portrays how difficult life was for everyone.

4. The Earrings Of Madame De…(1953)

Inspired by 19th-century writers like De Maupassant, The Earrings of Madame de… tells a scandalous story about the wealthy elite. The story follows a pair of earrings after a woman secretly pawns them, and how they impact the lives of various people. It’s a revealing and dramatic look at the flaws and follies of the upper class.

As a film lover, I’ve always found Max Ophüls’ work to be incredibly special, and The Earrings of Madame de… is a perfect example. What sets it apart from a lot of other historical dramas is that it’s surprisingly cynical. It doesn’t romanticize the past at all – in fact, it kind of exposes the hypocrisy that existed even then. Despite that, it is a classic period piece, largely because the costumes and set design are just breathtaking.

3. Cries And Whispers (1972)

Describing Ingmar Bergman’s Cries and Whispers simply as a historical drama doesn’t do it justice. The film centers on three sisters who come together as one of them is dying from cancer. This forces them to confront painful memories from their pasts. While it’s considered one of Bergman’s greatest works, it’s also his most emotionally difficult.

While the film is set in the 19th century, this detail doesn’t really drive the story, though it does contribute to the beautiful visuals. It’s a deliberately paced and suspenseful film that portrays grief and loss with remarkable honesty. And unlike other historical dramas you might find on HBO Max, Cries and Whispers contains no romantic elements whatsoever.

2. Gone With The Wind (1939)

Though it has controversial aspects, Gone with the Wind remains a landmark achievement in film. The story follows a determined woman as she navigates the challenges of the American Civil War era. Famous for its lavish sets and large-scale production, Gone with the Wind was a massive success during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

This movie has all the classic elements of a period drama – a sweet love story, gorgeous outfits, and a romanticized look at the past. However, it struggles with modern viewers due to its overly positive portrayal of the American South before the Civil War. Despite these significant issues, Gone with the Wind still offers plenty to enjoy.

1. Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (2019)

Period dramas have changed over time, and the film Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a great example of this evolution. Set in 18th-century France, it tells the story of a painter, Marianne, who is commissioned to paint a portrait of a young woman who doesn’t want to be painted. As Marianne gets to know the woman, a secret and intense romance develops. The film offers a fresh perspective by focusing on the female experience, and the love story is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Though it shares some elements with typical historical romances, Portrait of a Lady on Fire offers a fresh and compelling take on love. At its heart, it’s a story about women seeking independence, and it’s told with remarkable skill. Many consider it the best period drama currently available on HBO Max, and potentially one of the best in years.

2026-03-15 18:51