The 50 best period piece films of all time, ranked by critics

Claudia WillenJul 7, 2020, 23:25 IST

Saoirse Ronan starred as Jo March in the 2019 adaptation of "Little Women."Sony Pictures

Period piece films have the power to transport viewers to a different time — whether it be the American suburbs in the 1950s or the English countryside in the early 19th century.
"Little Women," "Selma," and "A Room With a View" were recognized as some of the most well-done period piece movies of all time.
Insider rounded up 50 of the best historical dramas based on critics' scores found on Rotten Tomatoes.

Creating a successful period piece film is no easy task, given that the movie must accurately portray a different era while still appealing to a modern-day audience.

But there are plenty of historical films — like "Little Women" and "A Room With a View" — that have been celebrated by critics and audiences alike.

Here are the best period pieces of all time, ranked according to critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change. Films without critical scores were not included.

50. "Moulin Rouge!" invites viewers into the whimsical streets of 19th century Paris.

Baz Luhrmann directed "Moulin Rouge!" 20th Century Fox

49. "Gladiator" is an epic adventure set in ancient Rome.

Ridley Scott directed "Gladiator." DreamWorks Pictures

48. "Mansfield Park" follows a man and woman as their relationship evolves from childhood best friends to romantic partners.

Jonny Lee Miller and Frances O'Connor appear in "Mansfield Park." Miramax

47. "Braveheart" is a three-hour film filled with war, gore, and expert storytelling.

Mel Gibson directed "Braveheart." "Braveheart"/Paramount Pictures

46. "Dreamgirls" chronicles The Dreamettes' quest for fame in the 1960s.

Beyonce appears in "Dreamgirls." Paramount Pictures

45. "A Very Long Engagement" follows one woman's journey to learn the truth about her fiancé's death during World War I.

"A Very Long Engagement" Warner Independent Pictures

44. "The Theory of Everything" delves into physicist Stephen Hawking's life, including his relationship with Jane Wilde.

"The Theory of Everything" was released in 2014. Liam Daniel/Universal Pictures International

43. "A River Runs Through It" takes an up-close look at a family in Missoula, Montana.

Brad Pitt appears in "A River Runs Through It." Columbia Pictures

42. "Jojo Rabbit" shows Nazi Germany through a child's eyes.

Taika Waititi directed "Jojo Rabbit." Kimberley French/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp

41. "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" takes place in 1946.

The film was released in 2018. Netflix

40. "Atonement" examines the consequences one decision can have on people's lives.

Joe Wright directed "Atonement." Focus Features

39. "The Age of Innocence" is Martin Scorsese's interpretation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel.

Martin Scorsese directed "The Age of Innocence." Columbia Pictures

38. "Darkest Hour" is a biopic about Winston Churchill's early days as prime minister.

"Darkest Hour" was released in 2017. Focus Features

37. "Jane Eyre" brought Charlotte Bronte's novel to life.

Mia Wasikowska stars in "Jane Eyre." Focus Features/YouTube

36. "Far From the Madding Crowd" is the fourth film adaptation of Thomas Hardy's 1847 novel.

"Far From the Madding Crowd" was released in 2015. Alex Bailey/Fox Searchlight

35. "A Single Man" is one of Colin Firth's most impressive performances to date.

Colin Firth stars in "A Single Man." A Single Man/IM Global

34. "Gandhi" is a thorough biopic of one of the world's most famous activists.

"Gandhi" was released in 1982. Columbia Pictures

33. "The English Patient" tells a love story set in World War II.

Anthony Minghella directed "The English Patient." Miramax Films

32. "Pride & Prejudice" is a deep-dive into themes like class, romance, and family.

Joe Wright directed "Pride & Prejudice." Pride and Prejudice/Focus Features

31. "Ben-Hur" won 11 Academy Awards following its release.

Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet, and Sam Jaffe appear in "Ben-Hur." Warner Bros.

30. "Colette" centers around a feminist protagonist living in France at the turn of the century.

Keira Knightley stars in "Colette." Robert Viglasky/Bleecker Street

29. "The Longest Day" attempts to capture D-Day from both the German and Allied armies' perspectives.

"The Longest Day" was released in 1962. 20th Century Fox

28. "Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate)" is filled with magical realism.

Alfonso Arau directed "Como Agua Para Chocolate." Miramax Films

27. "Emma" is an updated portrayal of Austen's famously meddling protagonist.

Mia Goth and Anya Taylor-Joy in "Emma." Focus Features

26."The Ten Commandments" brings Moses' story to the screen.

Cecil B. DeMille directed "The Ten Commandments." Paramount Pictures

25. Two British messengers set out on an arduous journey during World War I in "1917"

"1917" was released in 2019. Universal

24. "Lincoln" humanizes the 16th U.S. president.

Steven Spielberg directed "Lincoln." 20th Century Fox

23. "Titanic" follows an impassioned romance amid the backdrop of the ship's doomed maiden voyage.

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio costar in "Titanic." Paramount Pictures

22. "The Imitation Game" takes a look at the behind-the-scenes heroes of World War II.

Keira Knightley and Benedict Cumberbatch costar in "The Imitation Game." Jack English courtesy of Black Bear Pictures

21. "Shakespeare in Love" won seven Academy Awards.

Gwyneth Paltrow stars in "Shakespeare in Love." Laurie Sparham/Miramax/Universal

20."The Favourite" is a dramatic comedy about two women vying for the queen's affection.

Olivia Colman and Emma Stone costar in "The Favourite." Fox Searchlight

19. "Hidden Figures" tells the story of three Black mathematicians that worked at NASA in the 1960s.

"Hidden Figures" was released in 2016. 20th Century Fox

18. "Dunkirk" takes place during the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II.

"Dunkirk" was released in 2017. Warner Bros. Pictures

17. "Glory" is a film about the Union Army's first Black regiment during the Civil War.

"Glory" was released in 1989. TriStar Pictures

16. "Carol" is a gorgeous story exploring forbidden love in 1950s Manhattan.

Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett costar in "Carol." The Weinstein Company

15. "An Education" details a young girl's loss of innocence in 1960s London.

Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard star in "An Education." Sony Pictures Classics

14. "Little Women" has a star-studded cast that breathes new life into Louisa May Alcott's classic story.

Greta Gerwig directed "Little Women." Columbia Pictures

13. "The King's Speech" is a powerful look at King George VI's work to overcome a speech impediment.

Colin Firth stars in "The King's Speech." Momentum Pictures

12. "12 Years a Slave" is based on an 1853 memoir written by a free man that was kidnapped and sold into slavery.

"12 Years a Slave" was released in 2013. Fox Searchlight Pictures

11. A Jewish musician struggles to survive in Nazi-occupied Poland in "The Pianist."

"The Pianist" was released in 2002. Focus Features

10. "Argo" is a dramedy about the 1979 U.S. hostage crisis in Tehran.

"Argo" was released in 2012. Warner Brothers

9. "Raise the Red Lantern" highlights the harsh realities women faced in 20th century China.

"Raise the Red Lantern" was directed by Zhang Yimou. Orion Classics

8. "The Irishman" is a three-and-a-half-hour crime film directed by Martin Scorsese.

Martin Scorsese directed "The Irishman." Netflix

7. "Apollo 13" takes viewers along America's third mission to land on the moon.

"Apollo 13" was released in 1995. Universal/Apollo 13 via MovieClips

6. "Schindler's List" is a heartbreaking tale of a German member of the Nazi party that saved the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust.

Liam Neeson stars in "Schindler's List." Universal Pictures

5. "Brooklyn" touches on the complex reality immigrants have historically faced upon arrival to America.

"Brooklyn" was directed by John Crowley. Fox Searchlight Pictures

4. "Sense and Sensibility" examines gender roles in the setting of 18th century England.

Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson appeared in 1995's "Sense and Sensibility." Columbia Pictures

3. "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" is a stunningly shot film providing a glimpse into two women's relationship in 18th century France.

Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant star in "Portrait of a Lady on Fire." Neon

2. "Selma" follows the 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery during the civil rights movement.

David Oyelowo portrays Martin Luther King, Jr. in "Selma." Paramount Pictures

1. "A Room With a View" transports its audience to the romantic hillsides of Florence.

"A Room With a View" was directed by James Ivory. Curzon Film Distributors

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