5 Best Movies About the British Monarchy

5 Best Movies About the British Monarchy

Love to hate them or hate to love them? Well, personally, I have a love to love them relationship with the British monarchy! The history fascinates me and the modern Royal Family does too. I’m American and the whole idea of royalty, nobility, and a monarchy is really compelling. I know, I know, the queen doesn’t actually make any important political decisions, but just let me live out my royalty dreams, okay?!

If you’re just as obsessed as I am, and love watching movies, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got the 5 best movies about the British monarchy for you below!

1. Henry V (1989)

First up on my list is a movie about, you guessed it, King Henry V. Henry V is based on the play by William Shakespeare with the same name. The movie was directed by British director, screenwriter, and actor Kenneth Branagh. He also stars in the movie as Henry V himself! The cast is made up of some other famous names you’ll likely recognize, like Emma Thompson, Judi Dench, and Christian Bale.

The movie was an instant hit and is widely considered to be one of the best adaptations of a Shakespeare play to date. The movie was nominated for several Academy Awards as well as two Oscars.

Henry V follows King Henry as he attempts to invade the kingdom of France and claim it as his own. I won’t give away too much of the storyline, but be prepared to watch one of the bloodiest battles in history – on screen!

2. Elizabeth (1998)

So many Elizabeths, so little time. Number 2 on my list is focused on the first Elizabeth, who reigned England in the 16th century. This is the Elizabeth who battled for the throne with her famous cousin, Mary Queen of Scots (who I’ll get to in just a bit!). Well, after Mary’s death in 1558 – she got it!

Elizabeth tells the story of the queen’s early years in power. Cate Blanchett plays Elizabeth, which earned the Australian actress a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the English queen. The movie also won a BAFTA (British Academy Film Awards) as well as multiple Oscar nominations!

There are multiple affairs, death threats, plots to take over the throne, and more in this historical drama! For a closer look at what it was like for the new queen as she rose to power, watch Elizabeth.

3. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Up next on my list is one of my personal favorites. Who doesn’t love a good historical drama starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson?! The Other Boleyn Girl features Portman as Anne Boleyn and Johansson as her sister Mary, who just happened to be one of King Henry VIII’s (Anne’s husband) mistresses. I’ve always been fascinated by Henry VIII and his many, many wives. This is the guy who quit the Catholic Church and created his own just so he could get a divorce. And, before that, he just executed his wives after he was done with them. It’s incredible what kings used to get away with back then.

The Other Boleyn Girl follows Anne Boleyn as she rises up the ranks to become Henry VIII’s new wife. It also shows that Henry was actually in love with Mary before he ever met Anne. And, did you know that Anne Boleyn was Elizabeth I’s mother?! To fully understand Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth, you may want to watch this story first!

4. The King’s Speech (2010)

Let’s fast forward several centuries! The King’s Speech takes place in England just before the outbreak of the Second World War. You’ve likely heard of this one as it made quite the splash when it came out in 2010.

In 1936, King Edward VIII abdicated the British throne so that he could marry an American socialite named Wallis Simpson. Simpson had been divorced once and was in the middle of her second and was not considered to be queen material. King Edward VIII chose love and gave up his seat on the throne, and so the job fell to his brother, George VI.

The only problem was that future-King George VI had a stutter. He begins working with a speech therapist named Lionel Logue, who helped George work through his speech impediment so that he could do the wartime radio broadcast when Britain declared war on Germany.

The King’s Speech highlights the pair’s relationship and how Logue helped George work through his stutter and it is really a beautiful story to see unfold.

5. Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

Mary Queen of Scots stars an almost unrecognizable Margot Robbie as Queen Elizabeth I and Saoirse Ronan as Mary Queen of Scots. I’ve already briefly mentioned the pair, but this movie really dives deep into their somewhat strange relationship.

Elizabeth and Mary were cousins who were constantly at battle for the English throne. While Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII, Mary was the daughter of King James V of Scotland and the great-granddaughter of King Henry II. It’s a really complicated story and they do a good job of explaining it in the movie, so I’ll leave it at that.

Although the royal cousins never met, in the movie they exchange letters. The movie takes place in 1569 when a group of Catholic nobles plot to remove Elizabeth from the throne and replace her with Mary. To find out what happens next…watch Mary Queen of Scots!

Conclusion

If you’re interested in learning more about the British monarchy, what better way than to watch a bunch of movies?! It’s a fun way to learn, and who doesn’t love a good historical drama? I know it’s not just me! I hope you’ve enjoyed this round-up of the 5 best movies about the British monarchy and that you’ve got a few films on your to-watch lists!

If you want to learn more about the British monarchy, I suggest that you check out our walking tours in London! Our local guides are experts and you’re bound to learn a thing or two. Click here to learn more!