Last updated March 2024
Looking to be wowed by incredible Best History Movies 2015 ? We compiled 30 of the most critically and user acclaimed Best History Movies 2015 that you can start watching right away. IMDB ratings and our own users sing the praises of these must-see Best History Movies 2015 . Lend a hand to fellow viewers by voting for the Best History Movies 2015 that impressed you and deserve more attention. We value the input of people like you who have great taste in Best History Movies 2015 !
Land of Mine (2015)
Plot Summary:
In the days following the surrender of Germany in May 1945, a group of young German prisoners of war were handed over to the Danish authorities and subsequently sent out to the West Coast, where they were ordered to remove the more than two million mines that the Germans had placed in the sand along the coast. With their bare hands, crawling around in the sand, the boys were forced to perform the dangerous work under the leadership of the Danish sergeant, Carl Leopold Rasmussen
Duration: 100 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: Denmark, Germany
Plot tags: world war two, german soldier, child soldier, prisoners of war, beach, minefield, survival, teenager, nazi, war, boy, childhood, pow, war crime, wartime, moral ambiguity, beautiful scenery, brutality, courage, life & death, unlikely friendships, soldier, abuse of power, world war, dog
Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Plot Summary:
In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta Compton tells the true story of how these cultural rebels—armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent—stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world’s most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today
Duration: 147 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 215000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Music
Country: USA
Plot tags: hip hop, racism, music, gangster, ghetto, rags to riches, profanity, rap, rapper, african american, biopic, fighting the system, police brutality, violence, gangsta, marijuana, aids, musician's life, black, musician, vengeance, feud, redemption, racial slur, civil rights
The Big Short (2015)
Plot Summary:
The men who made millions from a global economic meltdown
Duration: 130 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 471000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History
Country: USA
Plot tags: finance, wall street, business, financial crisis, money, economics, stock market, greed, economic crisis, fraud, loan, analysis, banking, expose, bank, financier, manipulation, corporate crime, capitalism, creativity, honest, trading, marketing, real estate, entrepreneur
Bridge of Spies (2015)
Plot Summary:
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers' only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan, recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man's freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel, the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court
Duration: 142 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 324000
Genere: Drama, History, Thriller, War
Country: USA, India, Germany
Plot tags: cold war, lawyer, espionage, spy, cia, justice, mission, courtroom, court, trial, berlin wall, negotiation, soviet spy, politics, surveillance, spying, secrets, cia agent, border crossing, war, rescue, agent, judge, pilot, border
Holding the Man (2015)
Plot Summary:
In the 1970s, a young Australian boy, Timothy, finds himself confused. He falls for the captain of the football team. What follows shows all aspects of a relationship, regardless of gender or sexual preference. Conflict, temptation, and a huge burden which will affect every aspect of their lives
Duration: 127 min
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Australia
Plot tags: gay, lgbt, gay interest, gay student, gay couple, gay romance, gay relationship, aids, gay teenager, gay son, gay love, homosexual history, gay bashing, lgbtq, hiv positive, lgbtqi, gay youth, gay sex, glbt, coming of age, secret relationship, mother son relationship, male nudity, lesbian, homosexual
The Walk (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's attempt to cross the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974
Duration: 123 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 134000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Plot tags: skyscraper, world trade center manhattan new york city, life philosophy, biopic, tightrope walker, obsession, ambition, happy ending, transformation, planning, escapades, danger, artists and showbiz, motivation, art, follow your dream, street performer, rise to the top, entrepreneur, solitude, love story, friendship, depression, twins, job
Woman in Gold (2015)
Plot Summary:
Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover a world famous painting of her aunt plundered by the Nazis during World War II, she believes rightfully belongs to her family. She did so not just to regain what was rightfully hers, but also to obtain some measure of justice for the death, destruction, and massive art theft perpetrated by the Nazis
Duration: 109 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 62000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Plot tags: art, holocaust, lawyer, nazi, courtroom drama, art theft, injustice, justice, painting, legal action, courtroom, world war two, legal, trial, famous painting, guilt, stolen painting, fighting the system, uncle niece relationship, flashback, aunt niece relationship, looting, life is a bitch, biopic, painter
Little Boy (2015)
Plot Summary:
An eight-year-old boy is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home. The story reveals the indescribable love a father has for his little boy and the love a son has for his father
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: Mexico, USA
Plot tags: world war two, faith, war, spirituality, wartime life, wartime, childhood, coming of age, racial discrimination, survival, christian, boy, courage, against the odds, father son relationship, young boy, religion, world war, child, little boy, youth, small town, nazi, catholic, boyhood
Muhammad: The Messenger of God (2015)
Plot Summary:
By the order of King of Habasha Abraha, one of his army commanders charges ahead Mecca to ruin the House of God. He leads thousands of soldiers, horses and elephants all fully equipped. By God’s will in 3km distance from Mecca, in its outskirts the elephants come to a standstill refusing to take any more steps. Millions of small birds throw red hellish pebbles carrying in their beaks on Abraha’s forces and the army is all annihilated. A month later, the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH) is born. This film depicts the age of Paganism and all its oppressions, cruelty and injustice through the eyes of Muhammad up to the age of 13. “We’re going to help open your eyes to what Islam really is all about,” Majidi added. “We have a lot of positive things to share with the world, provided that the West is ready for such a dialogue. I think that Iran can have something someting strong to say through its arts and culture.”
Duration: 162 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Iran
Plot tags: islam, muslim, prophet, religion, prophecy, arabic history, slavery, battles, family relations, husband wife relationship, caravan, idol, desert, bird attack, historical event, medieval, time machine, autobiography, religious, persian culture, cave, death, torture, slave, biopic
Eddie the Eagle (2015)
Plot Summary:
Inspired by true events, Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good story about Michael "Eddie" Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself - even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 99000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Comedy, Drama, History, Sport
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Plot tags: life, skiing, athlete, olympics, following a dream, underdog, winter olympics, determination, biopic, destiny, coach, winter, motivation, snow, winter sports, athletic training, life lesson, friendship, heartwarming, dream, obsession, follow your dream, dream come true, lesbian, bear
Spare Parts (2015)
Plot Summary:
With the help of their high school's newest teacher, four Hispanic students form a robotics club. Although they have no experience, the youths set their sights on a national robotics contest. With $800 and parts scavenged from old cars, they build a robot and compete against reigning champion MIT. Along the way, the students learn not only how to build a robot but something far more important: how to forge bonds that will last a lifetime
Duration: 114 min
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA, Mexico
Plot tags: follow your dream, high school, high school student, trophy, teachers and students, inventions and discoveries, contests and competitions, youth, ambition, against the odds, dedicated educator, teacher, friendship, motivation, success, passion, 9/11, entrepreneur, education, girl, child, computer hacker, blaster, life story, robot
Bajirao Mastani (2015)
Plot Summary:
Peshwa Bajirao married to Kashibai, falls in love with Mastani, a warrior princess in distress. They struggle to make their love triumph amid opposition from his conservative family
Duration: 158 min
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: India
Plot tags: love, battles, hindu, newborn, muslim, baby, friendship, forbidden love, sword fight, fight scenes, murder, parents and children, fall in love, couples, social differences, family feud, love triangle, politics, ancient, mythology, existential crisis, asian, love story, indian history, bow and arrow
Battle for Sevastopol (2015)
Plot Summary:
The breakout of the war shatters the world of a young student, Lyudmila Pavlichenko, forcing her to enlist in the army in 1941. The maiden turns out to be a natural-born sniper, her impressive skill and prowess make her stand out among men and women alike. Seeing Pavlichenko as a tangible threat, the German High Command gives orders to eliminate the girl whatever the cost. In the meanwhile, Lyudmila meets a man and falls in love. War fades into the background... Soon, however, another misfortune befalls Lyudmila leaving the man she loves on the brink of death and herself seriously wounded. The girl is pulled out of combat and later goes to the United States with a publicity visit. Eleanor Roosevelt welcomes Lyudmila in the White House and the two women soon become close. It won't be long before Pavlichenko stands before an audience in Chicago pressing for a second front. Will her words have the capacity to change the course of war?
Duration: 110 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: Ukraine, Russia
Plot tags: sniper, world war two, female protagonist, female soldier, nazi, wartime, war, great patriotic war, female warrior, wartime life, enemy, strong female lead, world war, battlefield, battles, military, heroism, military life, woman, shooting, relationships, national hero, social relations, couple relations, holocaust
Colonia (2015)
Plot Summary:
A young woman's desperate search for her abducted boyfriend that draws her into the infamous Colonia Dignidad, a sect nobody ever escaped from
Duration: 110 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 57000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance, Thriller
Country: Germany, France, Luxembourg, UK, USA
Plot tags: religious fanatic, kidnapping, religion, genocide, torture chamber, escape, torture, sect, prison, survival, military dictatorship, abuse, women, dictatorship, nazi, fascism, political unrest, violence against women, airplane, military coup, man punching a woman, torture victim, dictator, love story, brainwashing
Ip Man 3 (2015)
Plot Summary:
When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip is forced to take a stand
Duration: 105 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 59000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History
Country: China, Hong Kong
Plot tags: martial arts, kung fu, wing chun, fight scenes, martial arts school, culture clash, cancer, fight, gang, mentor, gangster, medieval, twists and turns, mentor protege relationship, parents and children, love and romance, samurai, myth, justice league, danger, inspiration, epic battle, fistfight, famous people, kickass
Admiral (2015)
Plot Summary:
When the young republic of The Netherlands is attacked by England, France and Germany and faces its own civil war no less, only one man, Michael de Ruyter, can lead the county's strongest weapon, the Dutch fleet
Duration: 151 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Netherlands
Plot tags: war, ocean, naval battle, military, soldier, state affairs, civil war, medieval, leadership, danger, heroic mission, sea, ship, father son relationship, sailing, dutch history, sea battle, pirate, queen, warrior, ancient, archaeology, courage, monarch, captain
The 33 (2015)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story about the collapse at the mine in San Jose, Chile that left 33 miners isolated underground for 69 days
Duration: 127 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 39000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Chile, Colombia, Spain, USA
Plot tags: survival, rescue, life, catastrophe, disaster, stranded, human spirit, natural disaster, doctor, race against time, radio, honest, hopes, trapped, isolation, danger, trap, wilderness, mining, wilderness survival, miner, mine, buried alive, working class, biopic
In the Heart of the Sea (2015)
Plot Summary:
In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. But that told only half the story. “Heart of the Sea” reveals the encounter’s harrowing aftermath, as the ship’s surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade, as their captain searches for direction on the open sea and his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down
Duration: 122 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 147000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA, Australia, Spain
Plot tags: survival, ocean, ship, whale, sea, boat, whaling, disaster, starvation, man versus nature, shipwreck, dangerous animal, hunting, courage, hunger, water, lost at sea, against the odds, wilderness, castaway, natural disaster, animal attack, death, expedition, danger
Suffragette (2015)
Plot Summary:
Based on true events about the foot soldiers of the early feminist movement who were forced underground to evade the State
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 44000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: UK, France
Plot tags: feminism, women, feminist, sexism, girl power, rebelliousness, activism, sexual harassment, adoption, mentor, politics, prejudice, gender, protest, biopic, rebellion, british, workplace, working class, brutality, life philosophy, human rights, idealism, fighting the system, society
The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
Plot Summary:
This film is based on the actual events that took place in 1971 when Stanford professor Dr. Philip Zimbardo created what became one of the most shocking and famous social experiments of all time
Duration: 122 min
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: psychology, prison, experiment, human nature, human experiment, social experiment, university, prison escape, teachers and students, confined, character study, student, prison life, experiment gone awry, disorder, psycho, jail, human rights, cognitive science, prisoner, power relations, torture, teenager, gay, nazi
Truth (2015)
Plot Summary:
As a renowned producer and close associate of Dan Rather, Mary Mapes believes she’s broken the biggest story of the 2004 election: revelations of a sitting U.S. President’s military service. But when allegations come pouring in, sources change their stories, document authenticity is questioned, and the casualties begin to mount
Duration: 125 min
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: Australia, USA
Plot tags: journalism, political scandal, politics, election, twists and turns, justice, betrayal, conspiracy theory, tv reporter, american politics, fired from the job, presidential election, journalist, secrets, social commentary, reporter, biopic, husband wife relationship, women, mother son relationship, strong female lead, writers, 9/11, job, politician
Experimenter (2015)
Plot Summary:
Yale University, 1961. Stanley Milgram designs a psychology experiment that still resonates to this day, in which people think they’re delivering painful electric shocks to an affable stranger strapped into a chair in another room. Despite his pleads for mercy, the majority of subjects don’t stop the experiment, administering what they think is a near-fatal electric shock, simply because they’ve been told to do so. With Nazi Adolf Eichmann’s trial airing in living rooms across America, Milgram strikes a nerve in popular culture and the scientific community with his exploration into people’s tendency to comply with authority. Celebrated in some circles, he is also accused of being a deceptive, manipulative monster, but his wife Sasha stands by him through it all
Duration: 98 min
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Plot tags: psychology, electric shock, experiment, biopic, science, psychologist, scientist, insanity, human nature, couple relations, social experiment, inventions and discoveries, workplace, manipulation, creativity, mind game, ethics, controversy, breaking the fourth wall, human experiment, real life, cognitive science, business, psychopath, medicine
Macbeth (2015)
Plot Summary:
Feature film adaptation of Shakespeare's Scottish play about General Macbeth whose ambitious wife urges him to use wicked means in order to gain power of the throne over the sitting king, Duncan
Duration: 113 min
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
IMDB Votes: 59000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: UK, France, USA
Plot tags: shakespeare, medieval, witch, murder, ambition, crown, throne, insanity, brutality, queen, kingdom, prophecy, macbeth, witchcraft, assassination, rise and fall, tragic hero, state affairs, couple relations, battlefield, losing-it hero, rivalry, psychology, vengeance, betrayal
Child 44 (2015)
Plot Summary:
Set in Stalin-era Soviet Union, a disgraced MGB agent is dispatched to investigate a series of child murders -- a case that begins to connect with the very top of party leadership
Duration: 137 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 75000
Genere: Crime, Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Czech Republic, UK, USA, Russia, Romania
Plot tags: serial killer, murder, child murder, stalinism, murder mystery, investigation, child murder investigation, murder investigation, macabre, politics, fighting the system, betrayal, justice, uncover truth, totalitarian regime, world war two, cold war, corruption, adaptation, railway, police investigation, psychopath, serial murder, spy, police officer
The Assassin (2015)
Plot Summary:
A female assassin during the Tang Dynasty who begins to question her loyalties when she falls in love with one of her targets
Duration: 105 min
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: Taiwan, Hong Kong, China
Plot tags: wuxia, martial arts, assassin, kung fu, tang dynasty, archer, art, beautiful scenery, life & death, life philosophy, assassination, magic realism, love, family drama, asian, female secret agent, exile, medieval, hitman, sword fight, female protagonist, black magic, nude, killer, strong female lead
True Story (2015)
Plot Summary:
A drama centered around the relationship between journalist Michael Finkel and Christian Longo, an FBI Most Wanted List murderer who for years lived outside the U.S. under Finkel's name
Duration: 99 min
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
IMDB Votes: 72000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, History, Mystery
Country: USA
Plot tags: journalist, journalism, twists and turns, courtroom, prison, murder mystery, plot twist, courtroom drama, prisoner, justice, prison visit, uncover truth, moral dilemma, writers, manipulation, assassination, macabre, brutality, police investigation, murder trial, accused of murder, unlikely partners, mistaken identity, lawyer, murder
Last Knights (2015)
Plot Summary:
When an evil emperor executes their leader, his band of knights – bound by duty and honour – embarks on a journey of vengeance that will not come to an end until they've destroyed their mortal foe
Duration: 115 min
IMDB Rating: 6.2/10
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, USA, South Korea, Czech Republic
Plot tags: medieval, sword fight, warrior, vengeance, revenge, knight, coup d'etat, king arthur, emperor, corrupt, sword and shield, magic, mythology, beautiful scenery, brutality, happy ending, wizard, survival, ninja, natural disaster, betrayal, technology, chase, redemption, good versus evil
Dragon Blade (2015)
Plot Summary:
Huo An, the commander of the Protection Squad of the Western Regions, was framed by evil forces and becomes enslaved. On the other hand, a Roman general escapes to China after rescuing the Prince. The heroic duo meet in the Western Desert and a thrilling story unfolds
Duration: 127 min
IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: China, Hong Kong
Plot tags: battles, heroes, master warrior, martial arts, military, rivalry, ancient rome, medieval, battle zone, danger, heroic mission, ancient history, bribery, brother brother relationship, abuse, barbarian, sword and sorcery, final battle, sword, knight, fight, kung fu, warrior, kingdom, mythology
Queen of the Desert (2015)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of Gertrude Bell's life, a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century
Duration: 128 min
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA, Morocco
Plot tags: adventurer, bedouin, escapades, political intrigue, head of state, unfulfilled love, state affairs, stallion, englishwoman, women, politics, love and romance, world war one, spy, queen, british empire, biopic, travel, slave, rivalry, marriage proposal, strong female character, british military, writers, explorer