Best tv shows like The Pillars of the Earth
Last updated March 2024
Looking for tv shows similar to The Pillars of the Earth? Share your knowledge to lead others find suitable films and tv shows you've viewed already. Assist in growing the community that suggests videos to each other. We appreciate your contribution!
Plot Summary:
The Pillars of the Earth is an eight-part 2010 TV miniseries, adapted from Ken Follett's novel of the same name.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 33000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Thriller, War
Country: Germany, Canada, UK, Hungary
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: captivating, atmospheric, costume drama, historical drama, realistic, unusual plot structure, intense, visually appealing, serious, dramatic
Best tv shows and movies like The Pillars of the Earth (2010):
Similar in 89%
Cathedral of the Sea (2018)
Plot Summary:
In the 14th century, Barcelona is experiencing one of its most prosperous moments. The city has grown to La Ribera, a fishing district in which the largest Marian temple ever known is built: Santa María del Mar. But the construction runs parallel to Arnau Estanyol, a serf of the land who, fleeing the abuses of The feudal lords of the countryside take refuge in Barcelona.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Spain
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags: biblical, brutal, suspenseful, depressing, suspense, psychological, captivating, disturbing, gothic, epic
Similar in 86%
Arn: The Knight Templar (2010)
Plot Summary:
Arn has to endure so much before he can get the love of his life Cecilie, who has been put away in a monastery.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: Sweden
Duration: 264 min
Plot tags: epic
Similar in 80%
The Way We Live Now (2001)
Plot Summary:
The Way We Live Now is a 2001 four-part television adaptation of the Anthony Trollope novel The Way We Live Now. The serial was first broadcast on the BBC and was directed by David Yates, written by Andrew Davies and produced by Nigel Stafford-Clark. David Suchet starred as Auguste Melmotte, with Shirley Henderson as his daughter Marie, Matthew Macfadyen as Sir Felix Carbury, Cillian Murphy as Paul Montague and Miranda Otto as Mrs Hurtle.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 300 min
Plot tags: period piece, serious, costume drama, realistic, captivating, historical drama, witty, biting, romantic drama, suspense
Similar in 76%
The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970)
Plot Summary:
On his deathbed, King Henry VIII recalls how he wooed and wed his six wives - and disposed of five of them - in a bid to secure the succession to the throne with a male heir. Despite his many marriages and the crowded court, Henry remains essentially lonely.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 540 min
Plot tags: historical drama, fairy tale, spiritual, costume drama, atmospheric, serious, realistic, stylized, period drama
Similar in 85%
World Without End (2012)
Plot Summary:
The English town of Kingsbridge works to survive as the King leads the nation into the Hundred Years' War with France while Europe deals with the outbreak of the Black Death.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: Canada, Germany, UK
Duration: 374 min
Plot tags: epic, tense, realistic, stylized, serious, captivating, suspenseful, costume drama, historical drama, political
Similar in 75%
The Lion in Winter (1968)
Plot Summary:
1183 AD: King Henry II's three sons all want to inherit the throne, but he won't commit to a choice. They and his wife variously plot to force him.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: suspense, political, factual, atmospheric, realistic, stylized, captivating, costume drama, epic, witty
Similar in 85%
Romulus (2020)
Plot Summary:
The story of Romulus and his twin brother Remus, in eighth century B.C. as seen through the eyes of three people marked by death, loneliness and violence.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: Italy, UK
Duration:
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, captivating, heroic, realistic
Similar in 85%
The Hollow Crown (2012)
Plot Summary:
The Hollow Crown is a series of British television films featuring William Shakespeare's History Plays. The first Season is an adaptation of Shakespeare's second historical tetralogy, the Henriad: Richard II, Henry IV, Part I and Henry IV, Part II (treated as one film in two parts in the series) and Henry V. The Second Season is subtitled "The Wars of the Roses" as a reference to its scope. It is based on Shakespeare's first tetralogy: Henry VI: Part I, Henry VI: Part II, Henry VI: Part III (treated as two films in the series) and Richard III.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, historical drama, epic, stylized, harsh, costume drama, funny, political, anthology
Similar in 78%
Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire (2006)
Plot Summary:
Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire is a 2006 BBC One docudrama series, with each episode looking at a different key turning point in the history of the Roman Empire.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Documentary, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 59 min
Plot tags: captivating, epic, realistic, serious, historical drama, educational, mythical, period drama
Similar in 83%
Medici (2016)
Plot Summary:
The story of the Medici family of Florence, their ascent from simple merchants to power brokers sparking an economic and cultural revolution. Along the way, they also accrue a long list of powerful enemies.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: Italy, UK, France
Duration: 1314 min
Plot tags: political thriller, historical drama, exciting, atmospheric, suspense, realistic, enigmatic, period piece, erotic, sensual
Similar in 88%
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 77%
The White Princess (2017)
Plot Summary:
The story of Elizabeth of York, the White Queen's daughter, and her marriage to the Lancaster victor, Henry VII. Based on the Philippa Gregory book of the same name.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: costume drama, historical drama, stylized, atmospheric, captivating, disturbing, exciting, anime, period piece, period drama
Similar in 81%
Merlin (1998)
Plot Summary:
The legendary wizard tells his story of his war against Queen Mab of the Sidhe and his creation of Camelot.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 182 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, epic, exciting, atmospheric, light, arthurian, dark fantasy, entertaining, mystical, gothic
Similar in 85%
Ivanhoe (1997)
Plot Summary:
This grand six-part adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's rousing adventure of the Middle Ages tells the epic tale of the idealistic young knight Ivanhoe (Steven Waddington) and his battle against the evil Templar Bois-Guilbert (Ciarán Hinds. Caught between the rivalries and religious struggles are Ivanhoe's betrothed Rowena (Victoria Smurfit) and the brave, beautiful Jewess healer Rebecca (Susan Lynch), who wins Ivanhoe's heart with her courage. Set against the historical backdrop of a Britain straining under the corrupt rule of Prince John while Richard the Lionhearted fights in the Crusades.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 270 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, costume drama, exciting, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, period drama
Similar in 82%
Poldark (2015)
Plot Summary:
Britain is in the grip of a chilling recession... falling wages, rising prices, civil unrest - only the bankers are smiling. It's 1783 and Ross Poldark returns from the American War of Independence to his beloved Cornwall to find his world in ruins: his father dead, the family mine long since closed, his house wrecked and his sweetheart pledged to marry his cousin. But Ross finds that hope and love can be found when you are least expecting it in the wild but beautiful Cornish landscape.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: captivating, family saga, realistic, saga, costume drama, historical drama, period piece, serious, crying, period drama
Similar in 82%
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
Similar in 86%
The Tudors (2007)
Plot Summary:
The Tudors is a history-based drama series following the young, vibrant King Henry VIII, a competitive and lustful monarch who navigates the intrigues of the English court and the human heart with equal vigor and justifiable suspicion.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 80000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: Ireland, Canada, USA, UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: stylized, captivating, serious, historical drama, soap opera, realistic, sexual, costume drama, period piece, sexy
Similar in 89%
The Virgin Queen (2005)
Plot Summary:
The Virgin Queen explores the full sweep of Elizabeth's life: from her days of fear as a potential victim of her sister's terror; through her great love affair with Robert Dudley; into her years of triumph over the Armada; and finally her old age and her last, enigmatic relationship with her young protégé, the Earl of Essex.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 237 min
Plot tags: serious, historical drama, factual, touching, political, period piece, costume drama, realistic, sincere, period drama
Similar in 85%
The White Queen (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, the series is the story of the women caught up in the protracted conflict for the throne of England.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 31000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: UK, France
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: historical drama, captivating, stylized, serious, costume drama, erotic, political, suspense, period piece, fairy tale
Similar in 89%
Reign (2013)
Plot Summary:
Mary, Queen of Scots, faces political and sexual intrigue in the treacherous world of the French court.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 53000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: sexy, stylized, serious, historical drama, costume drama, tense, suspenseful, realistic, period piece, erotic
Similar in 86%
Tristan & Isolde (2006)
Plot Summary:
An affair between the second in line to Britain's throne (Franco) and the princess of the feuding Irish (Myles) spells doom for the young lovers.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 54000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: Czech Republic, UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: touching, romantic, exciting, fairy tale, period piece, costume drama, stylized, intense, epic, sad
Similar in 80%
The Last Kingdom (2015)
Plot Summary:
A show of heroic deeds and epic battles with a thematic depth that embraces politics, religion, warfare, courage, love, loyalty and our universal search for identity. Combining real historical figures and events with fictional characters, it is the story of how a people combined their strength under one of the most iconic kings of history in order to reclaim their land for themselves and build a place they call home.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 161000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, epic, stylized, realistic, costume drama, historical drama, tense, brutal
Similar in 83%
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 82%
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 82%
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 84%
Henry V (1989)
Plot Summary:
Gritty adaption of William Shakespeare's play about the English King's bloody conquest of France.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 31000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: epic, realistic, exciting, costume drama, atmospheric, serious, rough, captivating, stylized, breathtaking
Similar in 87%
Rome (2005)
Plot Summary:
A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 182000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 1193 min
Plot tags: epic, exciting, historical drama, period piece, stylized, captivating, sexual, costume drama, erotic, dramatic
Similar in 78%
The Borgias (2011)
Plot Summary:
Set in 15th century Italy at the height of the Renaissance, The Borgias chronicles the corrupt rise of patriarch Rodrigo Borgia to the papacy, where he proceeds to commit every sin in the book to amass and retain power, influence and enormous wealth for himself and his family.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 53000
Genere: Crime, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA, Hungary, Ireland, Canada
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: serious, clever, captivating, epic, costume drama, historical drama, realistic, stylized, political, period piece
Similar in 77%
Vikings (2013)
Plot Summary:
Vikings follows the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok, the greatest hero of his age. The series tells the sagas of Ragnar's band of Viking brothers and his family, as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes. As well as being a fearless warrior, Ragnar embodies the Norse traditions of devotion to the gods. Legend has it that he was a direct descendant of Odin, the god of war and warriors.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 568000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: Ireland, Canada
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, exciting, heroic, captivating, historical drama, breathtaking, epic, costume drama, mythical, period piece
Similar in 78%
Game of Thrones (2011)
Plot Summary:
Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Friction between the houses leads to full-scale war. All while a very ancient evil awakens in the farthest north. Amidst the war, a neglected military order of misfits, the Night's Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and icy horrors beyond.
IMDB Rating: 9.2
IMDB Votes: 22000000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 4189 min
Plot tags: epic, captivating, atmospheric, dramatic, stylized, breathtaking, serious, exciting, sexual, heroic