19 Period dramas that you must watch if you liked The Brutalist

Period dramas often take us back and give us a glimpse of the bygone era. These films showcase a significant moment in history, not only offering visually intrinsic scenes recreating the time but also stories about human struggle and experiences of that time. If The Brutalist captured your imagination with its portrayal of historical events and compelling characters, then you're in for a treat with this curated list of must-watch period dramas. Here is a list of 19 Period dramas that you must watch if you liked The Brutalist.

19) The Hours (2002)

Directed by Stephen Daldry, The Hours is a psychological period drama starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman. Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Cunnigham, the film follows the lives of three women, living in different decades, who are connected to Virginia Woolf's novel, Mrs. Dalloway. The film explores themes like mental health, identity, and the quest for meaning in life. It captures each character's personal struggles and societal pressures of their respective era.

18) The Queen (2006)

Directed by Stephen Frears, The Queen is a compelling period drama that tells the story of how the British Royal Family dealt with Princess Diana's death in 1997. Helen Mirren's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II was both captivating and outstanding earning her an Academy Award. The film's depiction of emotional and political pressures faced by the royal family provides a thought-provoking insight into this significant moment in history.

17) Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

Directed by the legendary German director Werner Herzog, the film tells the story of the harrowing journey of Spanish conquistadors through the Amazon rainforest, looking for the fictional land of El Dorado. The film masterfully captures the clash between ambition, madness, and the harsh realities of the untamed wilderness while also delving into significant historical moments and character exploration.

16) The Reader (2008)

Directed by Stephen Daldry, the film delves into post-World War II Germany. This period drama follows the story of a young man, Michael Berg, played by David Cross, and his relationship with an older woman, Hanna Schmitz, played by Kate Winslet, who used to be a Nazi Guard at a concentration camp. The film beautifully captures the themes of guilt, redemption, and the power of the past in the present. For her performance, Winslet swept all major Awards including an Oscar.

15) The Danish Girl (2015)

This biographical period drama was directed by Tom Hooper. Set in the 16th century, the film tells the story of Lili Elbe, a trans-woman, played by Eddie Redmayne, and her wife Gerda Wegener, played by Alicia Vikander. The film captures the struggles and courage of Redmayne's Elbe and Vikander's Wegener as they navigate through Elbe's transition and society's challenges.

14) The Remains of the Day (1993)

This 1993 film is directed by James Ivory and is based on Kazuo Ishiguro's highly acclaimed novel of the same name. The film delves into the lives of people from the post-World War II era in England. Anthony Hopkins plays the character of Mr. James Stevens, the butler of Darlington Hall who reflects on his life and service to Lord Darlington, exploring themes of duty, regret, and unrequited love.

13) The Lives of Others (2006)

This 2006 German period drama is the directorial debut of Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck delves into the lives of people from East Germany living under Stasi surveillance in the 80s. Starring Ulrich Muhe as a Stasi officer Gerd Weisler who becomes entangled in the lives of a playwright and his lover, leading to a moral and emotional awakening. The film's portrayal of the political climate, freedom, and empathy is outstanding making it a must-watch.

12) The Last Emperor (1987)

This epic period drama was directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and adapted from Puyi, the last emperor of China's autobiography. The film spans several decades, from Puyi's early life in the Forbidden City to his later years during the Communist era. Its epic narrative captures the political and cultural changes that were taking place in China. The movie won many awards including the best picture and best director at the Oscars.

11) The Theory of Everything (2014)

This biographical period drama is directed by James Marsh and adapted from Jane Hawking's memoir Travelling To Infinity: My Life With Stephen. The film focuses on Stephen Hawking, played by Eddie Redmayne, early life in college, his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics, and his battle with ALS. Redmayne's portrayal of Hawking is deeply moving, giving us a glimpse of Hawking's struggles and challenges. His outstanding performance even earned him an Oscar award for Best Actor.

10) Gentleman's Agreement (1947)

Directed by legendary director Elia Kazan and based on the famous novel by Laura Z. Hobson, the film delves into the social issues faced by America in the post-World War II era. It follows Gregory Peck's Philip Schuyler Green, a journalist who poses as a Jewish man to understand the extent of anti-semitism in the country. The film explores the theme of prejudice and social challenges of the historical time making it a must-watch period drama.

9) The Long Way Home (1997)

This 1997 documentary film directed by Mark Jonathan Harris showcases the aftermath of the holocaust and the hardships of the refugees trying to build their lives. The portrayal of hope and struggle for a homeland of the refugees provides an insight into a very difficult time in history.

8) The Fountainhead (1949)

Directed by King Vidor, the film delves into the themes of individualism and challenges against societal norms. Based on Ayn Rand's novel of the same name, it tells the story of architect Howard Roark, played by Gary Cooper who refuses to obey traditional architectural designs and fights to maintain his own creative vision. Its portrayal of personal and professional battles, along with its rich historical context, makes it a compelling addition to the list of period dramas.

7) Atonement (2007)

Directed by Joe Wright, and based on the book by Ian McEwan covers several decades, starting in 1935 and extending through World War II, exploring themes of love, guilt, and the consequences of a single act of misjudgment. Its careful attention to historical detail and the emotional depth of the characters make it a powerful period drama.

6) The Imitation Game (2014)

Directed by Mortem Tyndem and based on Andre Hodges' novel Alan Turing: The Enigma, portrays the events during World War II and breaking the code of Enigma. Apart from focusing on Alan Turing's (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) cracking the Enigma code, the film also shows his personal struggles, including his harassment for his homosexuality.

5) The King's Speech (2010)

Directed by Tom Hooper, this period drama is a captivating depiction of an important time in British history. It focuses on King George VI, played by Colin Firth, who is struggling with a stutter and seeks help from a speech therapist Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush. The film offers a powerful narrative that combines historical significance with insightful character development, making it a must-watch.

4) The English Patient (1996)

Directed by Anthony Minghella and based on the book by Michael Ondaatje, this film tells the story of a critically burned pilot, known as The English Patient, played by Ralph Fiennes, who reminisces about his time in North America and a passionate love affair that affected his life. This period drama explores the themes of love and loss experienced during World War II.

3) The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece The Godfather, based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name, tells the complex story of the Corleone family. Set in the 1940s and 1950s, the film provides a rich historical context, highlighting themes of family, crime, and the American Dream. Due to the iconic performances by Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, this film is regarded as a classic period drama.

2) Schindler's List (1993)

This 1993 movie showcases the horrors of the Holocaust. Directed by the renowned director Steven Spielberg, it follows the story of Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neeson, who saves more than 1000 Jewish lives by employing them in his factories. The film's intense emotional depth, historical accuracy, and exploration of human resilience and morality make it an important addition to the list of period dramas.

1) The Pianist (2002)

Before becoming a Holocaust-surviving architect in The Brutalist, Adrian Brody captivated his viewers by portraying the role of a Holocaust-surviving Pianist, Władysław Szpilman. Directed by highly acclaimed director Roman Polanski, it tells the story of Brody's Szpilman who survived the atrocities of World War II in Warsaw. Its careful observation of historical detail, combined with Adrien Brody's powerful performance, provides a profound and emotional narrative.