Best movies like Darkest Hour
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A thrilling and inspiring true story begins on the eve of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 216000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: UK, USA, China
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: period piece, political, inspirational, serious, suspense, realistic, exciting, harsh, motivational, tense
Best tv shows and movies like Darkest Hour (2017):
Similar in 89%
Riphagen (2016)
Plot Summary:
The true story about the biggest warcriminal from Holland during world war II, Andries "Al Capone" Riphagen.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: Netherlands
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: serious, emotional, realistic, period piece
Similar in 79%
The Resistance Banker (2018)
Plot Summary:
In the occupied Netherlands during World War II, banker Walraven van Hall (Barry Atsma) is asked to use his financial contacts to help the Dutch resistance. He doesn’t have to think about it for long. With his brother Gijs van Hall (Jacob Derwig), he comes up with a risky plan to take out huge loans and use the money to finance the resistance. When this proves not enough, the brothers set about committing the biggest banking fraud in Dutch history, taking tens of millions of guilders out of the Dutch Central Bank – right under the noses of the Nazis. But the bigger the operation gets, the more people it involves. And every day brings a bigger risk of someone making that one mistake that could put an end to the whole business – and the lives of the resistance bankers.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: Netherlands, Belgium
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, suspense, touching, captivating, disturbing, powerful
Similar in 89%
The Railway Man (2013)
Plot Summary:
A victim from World War II's "Death Railway" sets out to find those responsible for his torture. A true story.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance, War
Country: Switzerland, UK, Australia
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: intense, emotional, captivating, inspirational, romantic, touching, epic, dramatic, historical drama, realistic
Similar in 79%
Young Winston (1972)
Plot Summary:
This historical drama is an account of the early life of British politician Winston Churchill, including his childhood years, his time as a war correspondent in Africa, and culminating with his first election to Parliament.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: UK
Duration: 157 min
Plot tags: epic, serious, realistic, exciting, tense, factual, captivating, historical drama, tension, suspense
Similar in 79%
The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (2009)
Plot Summary:
Irena Sendler is a Catholic social worker who has sympathized with the Jews since her childhood, when her physician father died of typhus contracted while treating poor Jewish patients. When she initially proposes saving Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto, her idea is met with skepticism by fellow workers, her parish priest, and even her own mother Janina.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: USA, Latvia, Poland, Canada
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: serious, emotional, realistic, suspense, tense, retro, biblical, intense, period piece, gloomy
Similar in 79%
A Private War (2018)
Plot Summary:
One of the most celebrated war correspondents of our time, Marie Colvin is an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the frontlines of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: tense, disturbing, rough, suspense, psychological, bloody, political, grim, cult classic, powerful
Similar in 77%
MacArthur (1977)
Plot Summary:
The film portrays MacArthur's (Gregory Peck) life from 1942, before the Battle of Bataan, to 1952, the time after he had been removed from his Korean War command by President Truman (Ed Flanders) for insubordination, and is recounted in flashback as he visits West Point.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: melancholic, epic, intense, realistic, serious, political, exciting, tense, sincere, rough
Similar in 84%
Michael Collins (1996)
Plot Summary:
Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 33000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Thriller, War
Country: USA, Ireland
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: political, brutal, harsh, intense, factual, serious, captivating, dramatic, inspirational, costume drama
Similar in 90%
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.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 62000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, touching, dramatic, motivational, cute, sincere, uplifting, intense, social
Similar in 81%
Unbroken (2014)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 180000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, Sport, War
Country: USA
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: motivational, uplifting, inspirational, epic, dramatic, serious, emotional, realistic, brutal, harsh
Similar in 80%
The Zookeeper's Wife (2017)
Plot Summary:
The account of keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, Jan and Antonina Zabinski, who helped save hundreds of people and animals during the Nazi invasion.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Czech Republic, UK, USA
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: factual, rough, tense, suspense, sad, suspenseful, disturbing, costume drama, thought provoking, touching
Similar in 83%
Downfall (2004)
Plot Summary:
In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 370000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Germany, Austria, Italy
Duration: 156 min
Plot tags: psychological, bleak, dramatic, disturbing, harsh, realistic, suspense, political, atmospheric, thought provoking
Similar in 78%
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
Plot Summary:
When Queen Elizabeth's reign is threatened by ruthless familial betrayal and Spain's invading army, she and her shrewd adviser must act to safeguard to the lives of her people.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 74000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, France, USA, Germany
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: period piece, costume drama, colorful, historical drama, epic, breathtaking, factual, visually stunning, serious, captivating
Similar in 81%
The Iron Lady (2011)
Plot Summary:
A look at the life of Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, with a focus on the price she paid for power.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 113000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, France
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: political, thought provoking, touching, inspirational, period piece, historical drama, intellectual, costume drama, edutainment, informative
Similar in 83%
The Pianist (2002)
Plot Summary:
The true story of pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman's experiences in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. When the Jews of the city find themselves forced into a ghetto, Szpilman finds work playing in a café; and when his family is deported in 1942, he stays behind, works for a while as a laborer, and eventually goes into hiding in the ruins of the war-torn city.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 890000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, War
Country: France, Poland, Germany, UK, USA
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: emotional, heartbreaking, harsh, bleak, suspense, poignant, reflective, touching, dramatic, motivational
Similar in 87%
Churchill (2017)
Plot Summary:
A ticking-clock thriller following Winston Churchill in the 24 hours before D-Day.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: educational, factual, disturbing, political, independent film, extraordinary
Similar in 87%
Conspiracy (2001)
Plot Summary:
The historical recreation of the 1942 Wannsee Conference, in which Nazi and SS leaders gathered in a Berlin suburb to discuss the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question". Lead by SS-General Reinhard Heydrich, this group of high ranking German officials came to the historic and far reaching decision that the Jews of Europe were to be exterminated in what would come to be known as the Holocaust.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: political, factual, bleak, disturbing, atmospheric, intense, suspense, realistic, historical drama, non fiction
Similar in 75%
Into the Storm (2009)
Plot Summary:
This powerful follow-up to “The Gathering Storm” follows Churchill from 1940 to 1945 as he guided his beleaguered nation through the crucible of the war years--even as his marriage was encountering its own struggles.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sincere, political, historical drama, historically accurate, gloomy, period drama, political drama
Similar in 76%
The Gathering Storm (2002)
Plot Summary:
A love story offering an intimate look inside the marriage of Winston and Clementine Churchill during a particularly troubled, though little-known, moment in their lives.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, talky, political, historical drama, historically accurate, contemplative, gloomy, pre war
Similar in 84%
The Deal (2003)
Plot Summary:
It is approaching an election in the UK when the leader of the Labour party, John Smith, suffers another in a line of heart attacks and dies. With the leadership campaign about to start the clear choice appears to be Gordon Brown, a stanch Scotsman. However Tony Blair is also beginning to appear more likely as he will appeal to Southern voters who would be turned off by Brown. Blair rings Brown to arrange a meeting to discuss which will go for the job. The film flashbacks to the start of their relationship, sharing an office in Westminster on their first seats.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: political, clever, serious, realistic, sincere, thought provoking, talky, political drama
Similar in 83%
The Queen (2006)
Plot Summary:
The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Diana, to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 115000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, USA, France, Italy
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: factual, political, emotional, compassionate, thought provoking, dramatic, period piece, realistic, talky, historical drama
Similar in 87%
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Plot Summary:
The story of British officer T.E. Lawrence's mission to aid the Arab tribes in their revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Lawrence becomes a flamboyant, messianic figure in the cause of Arab unity but his psychological instability threatens to undermine his achievements.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 309000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, War
Country: UK
Duration: 218 min
Plot tags: epic, captivating, breathtaking, visually appealing, visually stunning, scenic, factual, exciting, realistic, stylized
Similar in 78%
Patton (1970)
Plot Summary:
"Patton" tells the tale of General George S. Patton, famous tank commander of World War II. The film begins with patton's career in North Africa and progresses through the invasion of Germany and the fall of the Third Reich. Side plots also speak of Patton's numerous faults such his temper and habit towards insubordination.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 107000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: USA
Duration: 172 min
Plot tags: breathtaking, realistic, patriotic, historical drama, epic, political, art house, spectacular, aesthetic, twisted
Similar in 88%
Dunkirk (2017)
Plot Summary:
The story of the miraculous evacuation of Allied soldiers from Belgium, Britain, Canada and France, who were cut off and surrounded by the German army from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk between May 26th and June 4th 1940 during World War II.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 721000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Thriller, War
Country: UK, Netherlands, France, USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: epic, atmospheric, dramatic, suspense, realistic, visually stunning, suspenseful, stylized, intense, visual
Similar in 76%
Gandhi (1982)
Plot Summary:
In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 238000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, India, USA, South Africa
Duration: 191 min
Plot tags: epic, spiritual, inspirational, political, uplifting, factual, motivational, touching, compassionate, emotional
Similar in 76%
Lincoln (2012)
Plot Summary:
A revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President's tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 270000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA, India
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: political, period piece, emotional, epic, factual, thought provoking, suspense, sentimental, historical drama, captivating
Similar in 77%
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Plot Summary:
WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 577000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Australia, USA, UK, China
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, sentimental, harsh, motivational, emotional, brutal, tense, christian film, suspense
Similar in 84%
Schindler's List (1993)
Plot Summary:
The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.
IMDB Rating: 9.0
IMDB Votes: 14000000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 195 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, heartbreaking, realistic, thought provoking, poignant, black and white, dramatic, serious, sad
Similar in 84%
The Imitation Game (2014)
Plot Summary:
Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 811000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Thriller, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: inspirational, captivating, intellectual, clever, serious, motivational, entertaining, thought provoking, factual, visually appealing
Similar in 89%
The King's Speech (2010)
Plot Summary:
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 701000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, period piece, uplifting, dramatic, realistic, serious, sentimental, costume drama, witty