Best tv shows like The Iron Empress
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Empress Cheonchu is a 2009 South Korean period television series based on the titular character, an actual historical figure and her lifelong struggle to protect the country her ancestors built. The granddaughter of Goryeo Dynasty founder Taejo Wanggeon, the empress ruled as the regent for her son Mokjong, the dynasty's seventh ruler. Determined to realize her ambitious goals for the kingdom of Goryeo, she dons armor, battles against foreign invaders, and tramples her lover, her son and brother in her rise to power.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 54
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: historical drama
Best tv shows and movies like The Iron Empress (2009):
Similar in 80%
Shin Don (2005)
Plot Summary:
In order to make sure that Koryo was free, Gong Min Wang married a woman he did not love. The Mongolians ruled Koryo so Gong Min Wang married the Mongolian princess in hopes that one day Koryo could be freed. Shin Don was a Buddhist priest who both Queen Nokuk and King Gong Min depended on for advice in ruling Koryo.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 8
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
The Promised Land (2023)
Plot Summary:
In the mid-1700s, Danish King Frederik V declared that the wild heath of Jutland should be tamed, cultivated and colonized so that civilization could spread and new taxes be generated for the royal house. However, no one dared to follow the King’s decree. The heath meant certain death – a godforsaken place haunted by ravenous wolves, highwaymen and brutal, unforgiving nature. But in the late summer of 1755, a lone soldier by the name of Ludvig von Kahlen rode into the heath in a stubborn pursuit of a lifelong dream, determined to reach his goal: the heath would either bring him the wealth and honour he had long sought… or get the better of him.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: historical drama, epic
Similar in 86%
Gye Baek, Warrior’s Fate (2011)
Plot Summary:
Set in the Baekje kingdom in the mid-7th century, the drama chronicles the life and times of the storied warrior General Gyebaek who is remembered in history for leading Baekje's last stand against the Silla in the Battle of Hwangsanbeol.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 214
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, historical drama
Similar in 79%
Charlemagne (2013)
Plot Summary:
'Charlemagne' recounts the dramatic, violent and bawdy lie of the Middle Ages' most important emperor: His life as a political strategist, a passionate lover, a man that conquered most of Europe and a cultural visionary. The mix of feature film and documentary gives a journey to the roots of European culture.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 89
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Germany
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, serious, captivating, factual
Similar in 90%
Six Wives with Lucy Worsley (2016)
Plot Summary:
In an ambitious and groundbreaking approach to drama and history featuring dramatic reconstruction, historian Lucy Worsley time travels back to the Tudor Court to witness some of the most dramatic moments in the lives of Henry VIII's six wives.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 719
Genere: Documentary, Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: light, captivating, costume drama, entertaining, semi documentary
Similar in 90%
Henry and Anne: The Lovers Who Changed History (2014)
Plot Summary:
Historian Dr Suzannah Lipscomb unfolds the extraordinary story of the tumultuous love affair between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and asks: was it really love that brought them together – and was it love that tore them apart? Suzannah's journey will take her from Anne's childhood home at Hever Castle in Kent to the French palace where, some say, she learned the art of love. She will also visit Hampton Court, where Henry built the Great Hall for his new queen, and the Tower of London, where he had her beheaded.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 161
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration:
Plot tags: romantic, captivating
Similar in 77%
The Accursed Kings (1972)
Plot Summary:
Set during the reigns of the last five kings of the Capetian dynasty and the first two kings of the House of Valois, the series begins as the French King Philip the Fair, already surrounded by scandal and intrigue, brings a curse upon his family when he persecutes the Knights Templar. The succession of monarchs that follows leads France and England to the Hundred Years' War.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 400
Genere: Drama, History
Country: France
Duration: 616 min
Plot tags: historical drama
Similar in 78%
The Terrible (2020)
Plot Summary:
Ivan the Terrible is the most discussed Character in the Russian history. At the same time, Ivan is the most unsolved mystery of the Russian Czars. The scale of his political achievements has always overshadowed a living person, and the unparalleled cruelty that entered folklore literally ruled out the possibility of a more complex view of character. The series is an humble attempt to understand the origins of the actions of Ivan IV and look into the dark labyrinth of his soul. Ivan IV of Russia is gradually reborn into the same Ivan the Terrible - a cruel tyrant. And now rumors of his ruthlessness and violent temper are becoming true, and these changes in the character of the king are changing history. Enemies are approaching Russia - will the country be able to survive?.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 98
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Russia
Duration: 52 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, thought provoking, enigmatic, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 88%
Catherine the Great (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of Catherine the Great from the time she came to Russia as the bride of the heir to the Russian throne.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 331
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Russia
Duration: 49 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, exciting, captivating, romantic, thought provoking, historical drama, costume drama, period drama
Similar in 87%
Ekaterina (2014)
Plot Summary:
The life of the Russian Empress Ekaterina II (Catherine the Great), a German born princess who came to Russia as bride for the young Peter III, chosen by his aunt Elisabeth, and who, once she came into power, transformed the Russian empire.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Russia
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: captivating, historical drama, suspenseful, sentimental, romantic, touching, lyrical, period drama
Similar in 80%
The King Dae Joyoung (2006)
Plot Summary:
This 100-episode epic drama vividly depicts the life of King Dae Jo-yeong and other heroes of the Balhae Kingdom, which dates back 1300 years ago.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 211
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, realistic, costume drama
Similar in 84%
The Great Queen Seondeok (2009)
Plot Summary:
Queen Seondeok is a 2009 South Korean historical drama, starring Lee Yo-won, Go Hyun-jung, Uhm Tae-woong, Park Ye-jin, Kim Nam-gil and Yoo Seung-ho. It chronicles the life of Queen Seondeok of Silla. It aired on MBC from May 25 to December 22, 2009 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 62 episodes. The viewership ratings for the show topped TV charts almost every week during its run, peaking at 44.7 percent. It swept the 2009 MBC Drama Awards; actress Go Hyun-jung's performance and subsequent grand prize win received near-universal acclaim.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: epic, psychological, captivating, sageuk, tense, atmospheric, costume drama, political drama
Similar in 75%
The King of Legend (2010)
Plot Summary:
The King of Legend is a 2010 South Korean historic drama based on King Geunchogo of Baekje. Besides than the historic info obtained from Samguk Sagi and Samguk Yusa, it was also inspired by a novel written by Lee Munyeol, a renowned Korean writer. The drama was aired on KBS 1TV in Korea, and internationally through KBS World.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 53
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: period drama
Similar in 83%
King Sejong the Great (2008)
Plot Summary:
"The Great King, Sejong" is a full-scale political drama describing how King Sejong and his loyal retainers cooperate and contrive to make his dynasty a better place. While King Sejong was on the throne, the Joseon Dynasty enjoyed increasing prosperity. The drama shows the dramatic processes of how so many new cultural heritages have been devised. At that time, "Hangul", the native phonemic alphabet system for Korean language was first invented and introduced. Before it was made, Chinese characters had been used for a written communication, which makes it extremely difficult for ordinary people to learn and use. "Hangul" is easy to learn for its simple and scientific principles. Other than "Hangul" itself, there had been so many cultural heritages during his regime including a rain gauge, a sundial, an hourglass to name a few. Also, King Sejong’s pragmatic diplomacy is concentrated in the drama. Then, the Joseon Dynasty was facing a powerful Ming dynasty of China, and King Sejong demonstrates the essence of pragmatism with dignity.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 34
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sageuk, atmospheric, serious, political, realistic, stylized, historical drama
Similar in 76%
Edward the King (1975)
Plot Summary:
Edward the Seventh is a 1975 television drama series, made by ATV in 13 episodes. Based on the biography of Edward VII by Philip Magnus, it starred Timothy West as the elder Edward VII and Simon Gipps-Kent and Charles Sturridge as Edward in his youth, Annette Crosbie as Queen Victoria, Deborah Grant and Helen Ryan as Queen Alexandra, Robert Hardy as the Prince Consort, Alison Leggatt as the Duchess of Kent, and Felicity Kendal as Princess Vicky. It was directed by John Gorrie, who wrote episodes 7-10 with David Butler writing the remainder of the series. The series also featured John Gielgud as Benjamin Disraeli, Michael Hordern as William Ewart Gladstone, Harry Andrews as young Edward's tutor Colonel Bruce, Jane Lapotaire as Empress Marie of Russia, Christopher Neame as Kaiser Wilhelm II and, in one of his earliest roles, Charles Dance as Edward's eldest son Eddy, who died at the age of 28. Gielgud previously played Disraeli in the 1941 film The Prime Minister. The actresses playing Edward's mistresses include Moira Redmond as Alice Keppel and Carolyn Seymour as Daisy Greville. Francesca Annis was featured in two episodes as Lillie Langtry which led to Butler writing a full series about Mrs Langtry's life for Annis to star in, Lillie.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 539
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: costume drama, historical drama, epic, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, saga, gloomy, period drama
Similar in 83%
A Fortunate Life (1986)
Plot Summary:
Four part biopic about classic Australian author A.B. Facey (1894-1982). Born in a large impoverished family, uneducated and illiterate, he had to fend for himself since he was eight, and as a recruit in WWI, he was sent to Gallipoli.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 107
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Australia
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: historical drama
Similar in 86%
Elizabeth R (1971)
Plot Summary:
When Elizabeth Tudor comes to the throne, her (male) advisors know she has to marry. Doesn't she?.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: historical drama, costume drama, serious, realistic, stylized, factual, spiritual, period drama, vintage
Similar in 88%
Charles, Emperor King (2015)
Plot Summary:
The series tells the story of Charles I or Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, one of the most powerful men Europe has met, the ruler of a empire as great in size as in diversity. As the life of Charles of Habsburg is told since his arrival to Spain, it can be seen how the heir to the crowns of Germany, Burgundy, the Netherlands, the Free County, Artois, Nevers and Rethel, of the territories of the Crown of Aragon and its related Italian territories, and of the territories of the Catholic Monarchs in Castile, North Africa and the Americas, matures as a statesman and gets stronger in face of menaces around him and good and bad advice from his counselors.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 715
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Spain
Duration:
Plot tags: serious, factual, tense, captivating, historical drama, erotic, sensual, telenovela
Similar in 84%
The Great (2020)
Plot Summary:
A genre-bending, anti-historical ride through 18th century Russia following the rise of Catherine the Nothing to Catherine the Great and her explosive relationship with husband Peter, the emperor of Russia.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 52000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 1594 min
Plot tags: humorous, costume drama, stylized, epic, period piece, historical drama, funny, sexy, saga, hilarious
Similar in 80%
Isabel (2011)
Plot Summary:
Charting the life of Isabella I of Castile, one of the most important women in Spain’s history, Isabel follows her passionate story from childhood to being crowned Queen. From her political struggles within King Henry IV's court to her wedding to Ferdinand of Aragon, the drama encapsulates the passions, emotions and sacrifices of a woman who refused to just be a figurehead and whose outlook was ahead of her time.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, History
Country: Spain
Duration: 3038 min
Plot tags: serious, historical drama, captivating, realistic, stylized, period piece, erotic, romantic, sensual, family saga
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Voltaire in Love (2021)
Plot Summary:
Explore the early life and evolution of the philosopher and visionary Voltaire, from his love stories, his father's issues to the discovery of his vocation, his commitments against religious fanaticism and the arbitrary misuse of justice and politics. Explore a life of pain, passion, and the growth of an epic and talented hero, the origins of the young François Arouet, his childhood suffering, his entourage, his talent, his years of imprisonment in the Bastille, his ambiguous relations with the French court or his return in France after his exile.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 126
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: France
Duration:
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 79%
Queen Insoo (2011)
Plot Summary:
Queen Insoo focuses on the fierce power struggle among three women in the royal court of the Joseon Dynasty.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 33
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing, period drama
Similar in 75%
The Marriage of Gustav III (2001)
Plot Summary:
The Swedish King Gustav III is bold and courageous regarding government. He is to marry a Danish princess. But when it comes to love and courtship, the king feels lost. Therefore he asks the loyal and experienced Captain Munck for assistance.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 242
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Sweden, Finland
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: captivating, historical drama, masterpiece, period drama
Similar in 87%
The Queen (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Queen was a 2009 British drama-documentary showing Queen Elizabeth II at different points during her life. Broadcast on Channel 4 over five consecutive nights from 29 November 2009, the Queen was portrayed by a different actress in each episode. The Queen was portrayed by Emilia Fox, Samantha Bond, Susan Jameson, Barbara Flynn and Diana Quick. Katie McGrath played Princess Margaret in the first episode and Lesley Manville played Margaret Thatcher in the third episode.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 150
Genere: Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 87%
Tut (2015)
Plot Summary:
Explores the drama of power, political back-stabbing, war and murder and chronicles King Tut's rise to glory, his efforts to rule a chaotic empire and the enigma surrounding his death.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Canada
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, historical drama, tense, thought provoking, erotic, sexy, political
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The Spanish Princess (2019)
Plot Summary:
The beautiful Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon, navigates the royal lineage of England with an eye on the throne.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags: historical drama, costume drama, exciting, tense, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, sexy, period drama, beautiful
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Victoria (2016)
Plot Summary:
The story of Queen Victoria, who came to the throne at a time of great economic turbulence and resurgent republicanism – and died 64 years later the head of the largest empire the world had ever seen, having revitalised the throne’s public image and become “grandmother of Europe”.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: costume drama, romantic, historical drama, realistic, touching, period piece, factual, serious, light, educational
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The Crown (2016)
Plot Summary:
The gripping, decades-spanning inside story of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Prime Ministers who shaped Britain's post-war destiny. The Crown tells the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world – Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street – and the intrigues, love lives and machinations behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. Two houses, two courts, one Crown.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 242000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 58 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, suspense, clever, costume drama, historical drama, disturbing, period piece, political, exciting
Similar in 89%
Wolf Hall (2015)
Plot Summary:
England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the King dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn. The Pope and most of Europe oppose him. Into this impass steps Thomas Cromwell: a wholly original man, a charmer, and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people, and implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 360 min
Plot tags: historical drama, serious, captivating, period piece, costume drama, stylized, suspense, factual, political, educational
Similar in 86%
Jang Yeong Sil (2016)
Plot Summary:
Drama series follows the life Jang Yeong-Sil: a scientist, technician and inventor during the Joseon period. Jang Yeong-Sil was born in the lower class nobi. King Sejong notices his abilities and brings him to the palace. King Sejong grants him a chance to display his abilities. He invents tools like astronomical instruments, iron printing press and a water clock.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 133
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sageuk, inspirational, philosophical, uplifting, intellectual, historical drama, costume drama