Historical epics have been a part of Hollywood’s output since the earliest days of cinema, and even during fallow periods for the genre, there is hardly a year that goes by without at least one epic release. That fact has held true in the 21st century, with two dozen-plus historical epics hitting theaters since clocks rolled over into the year 2000.
Coming from directors like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott, many of the best of these epics from the last two-and-a-half decades are among the best of all time as well. Covering wars, slavery, colonialism and everything in between, these films focus on some of the most important chapters in world history while still delivering on the epic scale that audiences come to expect from them. Bigger doesn’t always mean better, but when it comes to dramatizing (or straight-up fictionalizing) historical events, these ten movies from the 21st century absolutely are.
Key Insights
- Epic Releases: Historical epics have consistently been released in Hollywood every year since the inception of cinema.
- Directorial Legends: Renowned directors like Spielberg and Scorsese have contributed significantly to this genre.
- Cultural Significance: These films explore critical historical themes such as war and colonialism.
- Audience Expectations: Viewers anticipate grand narratives and emotional depth in historical epics.
10
‘Lincoln’ (2012)
Focusing on the final, and most consequential, months in the life of one of the most venerated presidents in American history, Steven Spielberg‘s Lincoln was a long-gestating passion project for the director. So long was the film’s development that the original actor pegged to play the 16th president, Liam Neeson, aged out of the role, clearing the stage for Daniel Day-Lewis to deliver yet another Oscar-winning performance. Acclaimed by critics and historians alike for his authenticity in bringing Lincoln’s presence to life, Day-Lewis anchors what is another gritty dramatization of history from Spielberg.
Set in the waning days of the Civil War as Lincoln attempts to pass the 13th Amendment, the film captures a fraught time in American history, characterized by a great division in the country that feels dangerously relevant to today’s political landscape. With key moments depicting contentious debate in the House of Representatives as well as Lincoln’s skills as a powerful orator and negotiator, the film also offers a sterling example of the ideals we can strive for in our democratic experiment.
9
‘RRR’ (2022)
Proving that historical epics need not be staid, Indian epic RRR depicts a completely fictionalized account of real-life revolutionaries that’s replete with high-octane action, explosive visual effects and musical numbers. It’s a historical epic by way of blockbuster entertainment that makes Hollywood look flaccid in comparison. Set during British colonial rule of India, the movie paints, in the broadest of strokes, a revolutionary fable that imagines the meeting of two Indian folk heroes as they take the fight to their jackboot oppressors.
RRR took the world by storm, becoming the third-highest-grossing Indian film and bringing international attention to Telugu-language movies. It also left most American action movies in the dust with its completely earnest approach to over-the-top action and visuals. There’s no snark or meta-references to be found in RRR, just pure historical escapism delivered in an epic package.
8
‘Kingdom of Heaven’ (2005)
Ridley Scott kicked off a renaissance of historical epics in the new millennium with <em>Gladiator</em>, and he’s continued to play in that sandbox with a sequel to that film and others like Napoleon and<em>The Last Duel</em>. His best historical film of the 21st century, however, is the Crusades-set war epic Kingdom of Heaven. Far from historically accurate but undeniable as oversized entertainment with an edge, the film earned a mixed reception when it first premiered but was reappraised upon the release of the extended director’s cut, which gave it a more complete narrative with greater depth to its characters.
Starring Orlando Bloom as a fictionalized version ofBalian of Ibelin, the film covers a lot of ground historically speaking, including several crucial battles and the siege of Jerusalem. Kingdom of Heaven has no shortage of violent combat on a large scale, which Scott has always excelled at. This underrated epic isa brutalizing experience of medieval war that when viewing the correct cut leaves a big impression.
7
‘The Brutalist’ (2024)
Brady Corbet‘s towering drama of the immigrant experience in America as depicted through the eyes of a Holocaust survivor is a harrowing and epically long experience steeped in the filthy waters one must wade through to reach the American Dream. In his second Oscar-winning performance,<strong Adrien Brody plays Laszlo Toth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect who comes to America with hopes of building a new life only to face violence, anti-Semitism, and further indignities at hands American capitalists.
Shooting using VistaVision which was developed during same time period as film is set,The Brutalistis as meticulously designed and visually striking as titular architectural style its protagonist. It’s an<strong uncompromising and assaulting vision immigrant experiencethat is linked current events anchored by another soul-shattering performance Brody.
6
‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ (2006)
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