25 Best Historical Epic Movies You Probably Haven’t Watched
I’ve always been drawn to historical epics for their ability to transport you to another time with grand stories and sweeping visuals. While classics like ‘Gladiator’ get all the buzz, there are so many lesser-known films that capture history’s drama just as vividly.
This list uncovers 25 historical epic movies you might have missed, spanning centuries and continents. From intense battles to intimate tales of courage, these films bring the past to life with bold storytelling and stunning performances. Each one offers a fresh glimpse into history’s most gripping moments.
25. ‘The Fall of the Roman Empire’ (1964)
This sprawling epic follows Emperor Marcus Aurelius as he faces invasions and betrayal in ancient Rome. Sophia Loren and Alec Guinness lead a stellar cast in a tale of power and decline.
Despite its grand sets and sweeping battles, the film flopped at the box office. It’s a visually stunning look at Rome’s twilight that deserves a second chance for its ambition.
24. ‘Waterloo’ (1970)
Rod Steiger stars as Napoleon in this detailed retelling of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo. The film’s massive battle scenes, filmed with thousands of extras, are a spectacle.
Its meticulous costumes and score earned critical praise, inspiring filmmakers like Peter Jackson. This war epic is a hidden gem for history buffs.
23. ‘Zulu’ (1964)
Set during the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift, this British film depicts a small garrison facing a Zulu army. Michael Caine’s breakout role adds grit to the tense standoff.
Criticized for its portrayal of colonialism, it still shines for its raw battle sequences. It’s a complex, thrilling epic that questions imperial motives.
22. ‘Exodus’ (1960)
Paul Newman leads this epic about the founding of modern Israel in 1948, capturing the region’s political turmoil. The film blends romance with historical drama.
Its lush score and strong performances make it timeless. Though less known today, it’s a moving portrait of a nation’s birth.
21. ‘Aguirre, the Wrath of God’ (1972)
Klaus Kinski plays a mad conquistador searching for El Dorado in the Amazon. Werner Herzog’s film is a haunting study of obsession amid stunning jungle visuals.
Its gritty realism inspired ‘Apocalypse Now.’ This lean epic is a must for fans of intense, character-driven history.
20. ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ (1975)
Sean Connery and Michael Caine star as British soldiers who become rulers in a remote kingdom. Based on Kipling’s tale, it’s a swashbuckling adventure.
The film’s mix of humor and tragedy makes it a unique epic. Their chemistry and exotic settings keep it captivating.
19. ‘The Last Valley’ (1971)
Set during the Thirty Years’ War, Michael Caine plays a mercenary captain seeking refuge in a peaceful village. The film explores faith and survival in a brutal era.
Its lush cinematography and moral questions stand out. This overlooked gem offers a fresh take on war’s toll.
18. ‘The War Lord’ (1965)
Charlton Heston stars as a Norman knight claiming a village in 11th-century Europe. The film blends romance with feudal power struggles.
Its gritty realism and strong performances make it compelling. Less flashy than other epics, it’s a quiet but powerful medieval tale.
17. ‘El Cid’ (1961)
Charlton Heston plays the Spanish hero Rodrigo Díaz, uniting Christians and Muslims against invaders. The film’s epic battles and romance are timeless.
Its grand scale and Sophia Loren’s presence elevate it. This Spanish saga is a stirring, underseen classic.
16. ‘The Lion in Winter’ (1968)
Katharine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole star as Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II in a battle of wits over their throne’s successor. The dialogue crackles with tension.
Hepburn’s Oscar-winning role anchors this intimate epic. It’s a sharp, character-driven look at medieval politics.
15. ‘Becket’ (1964)
Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole play Thomas Becket and Henry II, whose friendship crumbles over church and state. The film’s emotional depth is gripping.
Its lavish costumes and intense performances shine. This tale of loyalty and betrayal is a hidden masterpiece.
14. ‘The Alamo’ (1960)
John Wayne stars as Davy Crockett in this retelling of the 1836 Texas Revolution battle. The film’s massive sets and action sequences impress.
Though criticized for historical liberties, its patriotic spirit resonates. It’s a rousing epic for fans of Western history.
13. ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ (2005)
Orlando Bloom plays a crusader in this Ridley Scott epic set during the 12th century. The director’s cut adds depth to its tale of faith and war.
Its stunning visuals and complex characters make it a standout. Often overshadowed, it’s a must-see for epic fans.
12. ‘The Mission’ (1986)
Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons star in this story of Jesuit missionaries in 18th-century South America. The film’s lush score and visuals are unforgettable.
It tackles colonialism and faith with heart. This emotional epic is a gem that deserves more attention.
11. ‘The Last Emperor’ (1987)
This sweeping biography follows Pu Yi, China’s final emperor, from throne to prisoner. Bernardo Bertolucci’s film is visually opulent.
Its intimate look at a man caught in history’s tide is moving. It’s a grand yet personal epic that’s often overlooked.
10. ‘Red Cliff’ (2008)
John Woo’s epic depicts the 208 AD Battle of Red Cliffs in ancient China. Its massive battles and intricate strategies are breathtaking.
Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro shine in this two-part saga. It’s a thrilling Eastern epic that Western audiences missed.
9. ‘The Duellists’ (1977)
Ridley Scott’s debut follows two French officers locked in a lifelong feud during the Napoleonic Wars. Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel star.
Its gorgeous visuals and tense duels captivate. This lean epic is a hidden gem for fans of intimate history.
8. ‘The Bounty’ (1984)
Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins star in this retelling of the 1789 mutiny on the HMS Bounty. The film’s Pacific visuals and moral ambiguity stand out.
Hopkins’ complex Captain Bligh anchors the drama. It’s a gripping nautical epic that’s been unfairly forgotten.
7. ‘Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World’ (2003)
Russell Crowe plays a British captain chasing a French ship during the Napoleonic Wars. The film’s naval battles and camaraderie shine.
Its historical detail and Crowe’s charisma make it a classic. This seafaring epic deserves more love.
6. ‘The Name of the Rose’ (1986)
Sean Connery stars as a monk investigating murders in a 14th-century monastery. Based on Umberto Eco’s novel, it’s a cerebral mystery.
Its dark atmosphere and intellectual depth captivate. This medieval epic is a unique, underseen gem.
5. ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ (1992)
Daniel Day-Lewis stars in this tale of love and war during the French and Indian War. Michael Mann’s film is visually stunning.
Its intense action and emotional core make it timeless. Often overshadowed, it’s a gripping American epic.
4. ‘Barry Lyndon’ (1975)
Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece follows an Irish rogue’s rise and fall in 18th-century Europe. Ryan O’Neal stars in this visually lush saga.
Its meticulous cinematography and slow-burn drama are unmatched. This underappreciated epic is a must-watch.
3. ‘Ran’ (1985)
Akira Kurosawa’s take on ‘King Lear’ follows a warlord’s downfall in feudal Japan. The film’s vibrant visuals and epic battles are breathtaking.
Its themes of betrayal and power resonate deeply. This Japanese masterpiece is a hidden epic for many.
2. ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957)
Alec Guinness stars as a British POW building a bridge for the Japanese in WWII. David Lean’s film is a tense study of duty and madness.
Its iconic score and gripping story make it timeless. This war epic is a classic that deserves rediscovery.
1. ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962)
Peter O’Toole stars as T.E. Lawrence, leading Arab tribes in WWI. David Lean’s film is a visual marvel with sweeping desert vistas.
O’Toole’s magnetic performance and the epic scope make it unforgettable. Often underseen by younger audiences, it’s the ultimate historical epic.
Which of these historical epics are you excited to watch, or did I miss a favorite of yours? Share your thoughts in the comments!