Best movies like Vatel
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly. The prince wants a commission as a general, so the extravagances are to impress the king. In charge of all is the steward, Vatel, a man of honor, talent, and low birth. The prince is craven in his longing for stature: no task is too menial or dishonorable for him to give Vatel. While Vatel tries to sustain dignity, he finds himself attracted to Anne de Montausier, the king's newest mistress. In Vatel, she finds someone who's authentic, living out his principles within the casual cruelties of court politics. Can the two of them escape unscathed?.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: France, UK, Belgium
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: light, melancholic, tricky, captivating, visually appealing, period piece, costume drama, stylized, epic, political
Best tv shows and movies like Vatel (2000):
Similar in 81%
Balzac: A Passionate Life (1999)
Plot Summary:
He burned with ambition. He lusted for life. He lived for passion. This is the sprawling saga of Honoré de Balzac (Gérard Depardieu), a man who created a great literary oeuvre from the dramas and adventures of his own life - a life that he shaped into one spectacular and unforgettable blaze of passion. At the heart of the story are the women in Balzac's life. Although gruff, unsophisticated, and far from handsome, Balzac exerts an irresistible fascination on women.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 648
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: France, Italy, Germany
Duration: 240 min
Plot tags: clever, serious, realistic, contemplative, stylized, crying
Similar in 84%
The King Is Dancing (2000)
Plot Summary:
Louis XIV, the French sun-king has two passions, establishing absolute rule over the realm -after decades of religious/civil wars- by divine right and artistic brilliancy as a dancer.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, Music
Country: France, Germany, Belgium
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, stylized, serious, realistic, captivating, dramatic, visual, historical drama, mesmerizing, contemplative
Similar in 83%
All the Mornings of the World (1991)
Plot Summary:
It's late 17th century. The viola da gamba player Monsieur de Sainte Colombe comes home to find that his wife died while he was away. In his grief he builds a small house in his garden into wich he moves to dedicate his life to music and his two young daughters Madeleine and Toinette, avoiding the outside world. Rumor about him and his music is widespread, and even reaches to the court of Louis XIV, who wants him at his court in Lully's orchestra, but Monsieur de Sainte Colombe refuses. One day a young man, Marin Marais, comes to see him with a request, he wants to be taught how to play the viol.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Music, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: visually stunning, emotional, stylized, romantic, gothic, spiritual, anthology, historical drama, mesmerizing, crying
Similar in 79%
Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)
Plot Summary:
Embarrassed by his large nose, a romantic poet/soldier romances his cousin by proxy.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, History, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, witty, costume drama, atmospheric, entertaining, sentimental, captivating, realistic, romantic
Similar in 81%
Angelique (2013)
Plot Summary:
The incredible destiny of Angélique: a beautiful girl who found in her love for Joffrey Peyrac the strength to fight injustice and submission in a century plagued by power struggles, inequality and the oppression.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, History, Romance
Country: France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Austria
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: romantic, stylized, touching, compassionate, serious, erotic, exciting, sexy, realistic, costume drama
Similar in 80%
The Girl King (2015)
Plot Summary:
A portrait of the brilliant, extravagant Kristina of Sweden, queen from age six, who fights the conservative forces that are against her ideas to modernize Sweden and who have no tolerance for her awakening sexuality.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Finland, Canada, Germany, Sweden, France
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: period piece, captivating, emotional, realistic, serious, historical drama, costume drama, stylized, queer cinema, baroque
Similar in 81%
Charles II: The Power and The Passion (2003)
Plot Summary:
The chronicle of Charles II's time on the throne, his 10 year exile from Oliver Cromwell's England, and his triumphant return.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 235 min
Plot tags: historical drama, epic, serious, realistic, costume drama, political, period piece, period drama, baroque, weird
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Similar in 77%
Farewell, My Queen (2012)
Plot Summary:
A look at the relationship between Marie Antoinette and one of her readers during the final days of the French Revolution.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: France, Spain
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: stylized, serious, realistic, historical drama, erotic, period piece, costume drama, romantic, sexy, lgbt cinema
Similar in 80%
The Princess of Montpensier (2010)
Plot Summary:
Set in the high courts of 16th Century France, where the wars of religion between Catholics and Protestants are raging. Marie de Mézières, a beautiful young aristocrat, is in love with Henri de Guise, but her hand in marriage is promised to the Prince of Montpensier.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: France, Germany
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: serious, emotional, stylized, romantic, sad, period piece, romantic drama, historical drama, realistic, touching
Similar in 89%
Restoration (1995)
Plot Summary:
An aspiring young physician, Robert Merivel found himself in the service of King Charles II and saves the life of someone close to the King. Merivel joins the King's court and lives the high life provided to someone of his position. Merivel is ordered to marry his King's mistress in order to divert the queens suspicions. He is given one order by the king and that is not to fall in love. The situation worsens when Merivel finds himself in love with his new wife. Eventually, the King finds out and relieves Merivel of his position and wealth. His fall from grace leaves Merivel where he first started. And through his travels and reunions with an old friend, he rediscovers his love for true medicine and what it really means to be a physician.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: factual, costume drama, intense, serious, captivating, emotional, visually appealing, period piece, sexy, erotic
Similar in 85%
Grace of Monaco (2014)
Plot Summary:
The story of former Hollywood star Grace Kelly's crisis of marriage and identity, during a political dispute between Monaco's Prince Rainier III and France's Charles De Gaulle, and a looming French invasion of Monaco in the early 1960s.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, India
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: realistic, stylized, captivating, sentimental, touching, historical drama, sincere, serious, weird
Similar in 76%
Louis, the Child King (1993)
Plot Summary:
History buffs will glory in the riches of Louis, Enfant Roi, others will perhaps find this complex story of intrigues and betrayals in the court of the young king tough sledding. When Louis the Fourteenth (1638-1715) was born, the power of government was shared between the monarchy, the church, the nobility, and the Parlement. His predecessor had greatly centralized the powers of government following the advice of Cardinal Richelieu. Louis XIV (often called "The Sun King" for the brilliance of his rule) followed the advice of Richelieu's successor, Cardinal Mazarin (Paolo Graziosi), and brought the powers of government under the sole sway of the monarch. He expanded the territory and influence of France in a series of wars throughout his reign. How he came to be so autocratic and ruthless both personally and politically is the subject of this biographical drama.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 293
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: France
Duration: 160 min
Plot tags: historical drama, baroque, period drama
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Similar in 88%
To Kill a King (2003)
Plot Summary:
A recounting of the relationship between General Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, as they try to cope with the consequences of deposing King Charles I.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, Germany
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: clever, captivating, talky, serious, realistic, costume drama, epic, political, historical drama, period drama
Similar in 78%
Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004)
Plot Summary:
A BBC miniseries based loosely on the lives of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her son James I of England.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 205 min
Plot tags: historical drama, serious, captivating, realistic, political, period piece, costume drama, period drama, baroque, weird
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Similar in 79%
The Libertine (2004)
Plot Summary:
The story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, Australia
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: period piece, costume drama, atmospheric, melancholic, surreal, stylized, serious, erotic, thought provoking, scenic
Similar in 81%
The Affair of the Necklace (2001)
Plot Summary:
In pre-Revolutionary France, a young aristocratic woman left penniless by the political unrest in the country, must avenge her family's fall from grace by scheming to steal a priceless necklace.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: costume drama, period piece, factual, atmospheric, realistic, epic, serious, stylized, historical drama, light
Similar in 90%
Versailles (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of a young Louis XIV on his journey to become the most powerful monarch in Europe, from his battles with the fronde through his development into the Sun King. Historical and fictional characters guide us in a world of betrayal and political maneuvering, revealing Versailles in all its glory and brutality.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: France, Canada
Duration: 52 min
Plot tags: captivating, costume drama, historical drama, realistic, serious, political, period piece, erotic, educational, sensual
Similar in 78%
Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
Plot Summary:
This film, adapted from a work of fiction by author Tracy Chevalier, tells a story about the events surrounding the creation of the painting "Girl With A Pearl Earring" by 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. A young peasant maid working in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer becomes his talented assistant and the model for one of his most famous works.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 82000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: enigmatic, period piece, costume drama, stylized, atmospheric, thought provoking, light, colorful, contemplative, serious
Similar in 86%
Dangerous Beauty (1998)
Plot Summary:
Veronica is brilliant, gifted and beautiful, but the handsome aristocrat she loves, Marco Venier, cannot marry her because she is penniless and of questionable family. So Veronica's mother, Paola, teaches her to become a courtesan, one of the exotic companions favored by the richest and most powerful Venetian men. Veronica courageously uses her charms to change destiny -- and to give herself a chance at true love.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: romantic, sexual, period piece, witty, sexy, costume drama, light, emotional, erotic, dramatic
Similar in 75%
Mad Love (2001)
Plot Summary:
The love story who transformed Juana I de Castilla, Queen of Spain, into Juana "The mad". The tragic fate of a Queen madly in love to an unfaithful husband, Felipe el Hermoso, Archduke of Austria.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Spain, Italy, Portugal, France
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: melancholic, costume drama, stylized, captivating, serious, historical drama, romantic drama, sexy, realistic, crying
Similar in 90%
Queen Margot (1994)
Plot Summary:
The night of August 24, 1572, is known as the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. In France a religious war is raging. In order to impose peace a forced wedding is arranged between Margot de Valois, sister of the immature Catholic King Charles IX, and the Hugenot King Henri of Navarre. Catherine of Medici maintains her behind-the-scenes power by ordering assaults, poisonings, and instigations to incest.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: France, Germany, Italy
Duration: 161 min
Plot tags: period piece, sexy, epic, visually appealing, historical drama, atmospheric, captivating, bleak, costume drama, romantic
Similar in 79%
Anna and the King (1999)
Plot Summary:
The story of the romance between the King of Siam (now Thailand) and the widowed British school teacher Anna Leonowens during the 1860s. Anna teaches the children and becomes romanced by the King. She convinces him that a man can be loved by just one woman.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 39000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 148 min
Plot tags: romantic, epic, serious, emotional, captivating, period piece, stylized, sentimental, factual, sweet
Similar in 89%
Jefferson in Paris (1995)
Plot Summary:
His wife having recently died, Thomas Jefferson accepts the post of United States ambassador to pre-revolutionary France, though he finds it difficult to adjust to life in a country where the aristocracy subjugates an increasingly restless peasantry. In Paris, he becomes smitten with cultured artist Maria Cosway, but, when his daughter visits from Virginia accompanied by her attractive slave, Sally Hemings, Jefferson's attentions are diverted.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA, France
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: dramatic, costume drama, historical drama, political, romantic drama, serious, realistic, contemplative, stylized, erotic
Similar in 79%
The Duchess (2008)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 87000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance, Thriller
Country: UK, Italy, France, USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: romantic, costume drama, sexy, emotional, dramatic, period piece, historical drama, stylized, heartbreaking, touching
Similar in 87%
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Plot Summary:
A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history: two beautiful sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, driven by their family's blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 119000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: romantic, sexy, costume drama, period piece, stylized, atmospheric, factual, historical drama, sexual, sad
Similar in 86%
Danton (1983)
Plot Summary:
Danton and Robespierre were close friends and fought together in the French Revolution, but by 1793 Robespierre was France's ruler, determined to wipe out opposition with a series of mass executions that became known as the Reign of Terror. Danton, well known as a spokesman of the people, had been living in relative solitude in the French countryside, but he returned to Paris to challenge Robespierre's violent rule and call for the people to demand their rights. Robespierre, however, could not accept such a challenge, even from a friend and colleague, and he blocked out a plan for the capture and execution of Danton and his allies.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: France, Poland
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: political, epic, talky, spiritual, anthology, art film, historical drama, historically accurate, serious, captivating
Similar in 84%
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Plot Summary:
The retelling of France's iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 15 to her reign as queen at 19 and ultimately the fall of Versailles.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 119000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA, France, Japan
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: costume drama, period piece, melancholic, visual, visually stunning, factual, colorful, historical drama, realistic, visually appealing
Similar in 88%
Lady Jane (1986)
Plot Summary:
The death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes. His weak son Edward, is on his deathbed. Anxious to keep England true to the Reformation, a scheming minister John Dudley marries off his son, Guildford to Lady Jane Grey, whom he places on the throne after Edward dies. At first hostile to each other, Guildford and Jane fall in love. But they cannot withstand the course of power which will lead to their ultimate downfall.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: period piece, costume drama, historical drama, sincere, christian film, gothic, sex comedy, cult classic, atmospheric, serious
Similar in 87%
A Royal Affair (2012)
Plot Summary:
A young queen falls in love with her physician, and they start a revolution that changes their nation forever.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 50000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: period piece, costume drama, realistic, stylized, atmospheric, factual, historical drama, captivating, romantic, political
Similar in 89%
The Lover (1992)
Plot Summary:
A poor French teenage girl engages in an illicit affair with a wealthy Chinese heir in 1920s Saigon. For the first time in her young life she has control, and she wields it deftly over her besotted lover throughout a series of clandestine meetings and torrid encounters.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: France, UK
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sexy, erotic, sexual, psychological, sensual, sentimental, controversial, serious, romantic, visually stunning