Shubhabrata Dutta
Historical period dramas are monuments of cinematic journey. They weave intricate narratives that are set against the backdrop of eras gone by. From the majestic courts of ancient empires to the tumultuous upheavals of modern revolutions, these films beckon viewers repeatedly. Keeping that in mind, we bring you the list of period movies available on Hulu.
6. Boston Strangler (2023)
Directed by Matt Ruskin, this film explores the case of the Boston Strangler, a phrase used to address the murderer or murderers of 13 women between 1962 and 1964 in Greater Boston. The truth behind the series of murders is looked into via the eyes of Boston Record American reporter Loretta McLaughlin, who was the first journalist to point a finger at the case and force the Boston police to investigate the deaths. Keira Knightley plays the role of Loretta McLaughlin. The rest of the cast includes Carrie Coon, David Dastmalchian, Morgan Spector and Alessandro Nivola. You can watch it here.
5. The Promised Land (2023)
This Danish-German-Swedish co-production is based on the 2020 book ‘The Captain and Ann Barbara’ by Ida Jessen. Set in 18th-century Denmark, the film deals with a conflict of parcel, i.e., a plot of land, the very fabric of civilization as we know it. On the one hand, we have the hateful and merciless magistrate Frederik De Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg), who wants to monetize the moorland and doesn’t intend to share it with anyone, much less sell it. On the other hand, we have retired German Army officer Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen), who wants to tame the moorland and establish a colony that will gain him a noble title. This difference results in multiple confrontations between the two men, and it is only a matter of time before one of them falls. Can Kahlen take a stand against the powerful Schinkel? ‘The Promised Land’ received high praise from both audiences and critics after its release. It went on to win numerous awards at the European Film Awards and Bodil Film Awards. It also competed for the Golden Lion at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival and was the Danish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards. You can watch it here.
4. Lee (2023)
Kate Winslet stars as World War II journalist Lee Miller in Ellen Kuras’ ‘Lee.’ Miller took on the role of a war correspondent for Vogue after gaining popularity as a fashion model, a striking switch. The film depicts the horrific times from Lee’s POV as she tries to cover various “angles” of the war, be it the Normandy landings or the Blitz. A rare depiction of the war, one underscored by professional non-emotionalism, makes ‘Lee’ a must-watch drama showcasing how the war blurred the line between the living and the dead. Winslet’s performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. You can watch the film here.
3. Small Things Like These (2024)
Tim Mielants’s ‘Small Things Like These’ is set in 1985. It stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and a family man whose silent demeanor is put to the test after he finds a teenage girl traumatized and locked in a shed. She is from the same local convent as his own daughter and wife, and seems to have been put there by the convent’s nuns. How Bill tackles the issue after discovering the horrors unfolding inside the convent while confronting his own past is what we find out in the quiet drama, which, like the traumatized girl herself, screams in silence. You can watch the events unfold right here.
2. Firebrand (2023)
‘Firebrand’ is set in the 16th century. It adapts Elizabeth Fremantle’s historical novel ‘Queen’s Gambit’ to depict the life of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of the vengeful King Henry VIII of England. With the king away on campaign in France, Katherine serves as the regent, supported by an all-male council that just doesn’t intend to consider her points. What’s clearly visible is the difference in ideals and beliefs between Catherine and the council, with the former supporting religious reform. This is fueled by her childhood friend Anne Askew, preaching Protestantism. Unfortunately, Anne is executed, and with Henry’s return and his subsequent mental deterioration, Catherine’s urge to bring about change eventually lands her amidst Henry’s suspicion. Can she do what she needs to do to end the tyrannical rule? Featuring Alicia Vikander as Katherine Parr and Jude Law as Henry VIII, ‘Firebrand’ is directed by Karim Aïnouz. It can be streamed here.
1. The History of Sound (2025)
‘The History of Sound’ is set during and after World War I and follows Lionel Worthing and David White, students of the New England Conservatory of Music, who travel across rural America to collect folk songs on wax cylinders (AKA phonograph cylinders). The two meet before the war breaks out and fall in love. They are separated by the war as David is drafted, but reunite for the trip after he returns. After recording many folk songs, the two are forced to part ways again due to their respective jobs. Unfortunately, Lionel fails to get a response from David and stops writing to him. Years pass, and Lionel, still not over David, encounters a woman named Belle, who reveals the tragic truth behind David’s long absence, handing Lionel the letters he wrote. As for the recordings, they are somewhere unknown waiting to be heard by Lionel and him alone. Can he find them? Starring Paul Mescal as Lionel Worthing and Josh O’Connor as David White, along with Hadley Robinson as Belle, ‘The History of Sound’ is based on Ben Shattuck’s short stories ‘The History of Sound’ and ‘Origin Stories.’ Directed by Oliver Hermanus, the movie competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It can be streamed here.
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