Period dramas are the monuments to cinematic journey. They present very intricate narratives set against the backdrop of eras gone by, from majestic courts of ancient

empires to tumultuous upheavals of modern revolutions, time and again beckoning viewers. Keeping that in mind, we have brought a list of period movies available on Hulu:

10. Serena (2014)

Susanne Bier’s ‘Serena’ is an adaptation of Ron Rash’s eponymous novel. It’s set during the Great Depression and centers on Serena Shaw, who gets hitched to timber baron George Pemberton in North Carolina. As days go by, Serena learns the trade and proves herself worthy of the business. Unfortunately, faces from George’s past resurface, affecting his relationship with Serena. On the other hand, George has a bad fallout with his business partner, Buchanan, whose consequence results in a tragedy that only fuels the complications. Starring Jennifer Lawrence as Serena and Bradley Cooper as George, ‘Serena’ is custom-made for fans of the stars, who pull off the otherwise passable period drama with strong chemistry. You can see it here.

9. The 24th (2020)

Set in the pre-war era (early 20th century), ‘The 24th’ is a heart-wrenching and compelling period drama that showcases a significant event in US history. Directed by Kevin Willmott, the film throws light on the Houston riot of 1917 and what led to it. On August 23, 1917, in Houston, Texas, more than 150 soldiers of the 24th Infantry Regiment (all-black) marched to Houston and opened fire, causing multiple deaths and more injuries. The film shows how it was the constant racism faced by the soldiers of the black community from the Houston Police Department (all-white) and other white people of the town that led them to commit such a crime. Was it justified? With compelling performances by Trai Byers, Mo McRae, Bashir Salahuddin, and Aja Naomi King, ‘The 24th’ is a clear reminder why any and all forms of racism need to be brought an end to immediately. You can watch the film here.

8. Medieval (2022)

This is a Czech historical drama that takes us back to the 14th century and narrates the story of Czech General Jan Žižka, who never lost a single battle across his three crusades. He led the Hussite forces under Czech theologian/philosopher Jan Hus, aka John Hus, aka John Huss. The film, directed by Petr Jákl, shows the politics and war Žižka faced from Henry III of Rosenberg and Sigismund of Luxembourg while trying to fulfill his objective that would result in Wenceslas IV becoming the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The cast includes Ben Foster as Jan Žižka, Til Schweiger, Matthew Goode, Sophie Lowe, Roland Møller, and Michael Caine. You can watch ‘Medieval’ here.

7. Harriet (2019)

Kasi Lemmons’ ‘Harriet’ tells the true story of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, responsible for freeing over 70 slaves between 1851 and 1862. The film describes her escape from captivity and further actions she performed, among which was being a conductor on the Underground Railroad-an organized network of secret routes and safe houses used by runaway slaves since the 16th century-and at the Combahee River Raid of 1863. The film is a powerful re-telling of the life story of an important figure in the ending of slavery in America, starring Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman herself. You can watch the film here.

6. Ferrari (2023)

Directed by Michael Mann, ‘Ferrari’ is a biographical drama based on the 1991 biography of the same name written by renowned motorsport journalist Brock Yates. The film focuses on that period in the life of Enzo Ferrari, an Italian founder of the sports car manufacturing company Ferrari, while his racing division readies to compete in the 1957 Mille Miglia in Italy. His other crises, featuring his troubled marriage to his wife, his illicit affair, and his impending bankruptcy, form the underpinning of this plot. Adam Driver has been cast as Enzo Ferrari, while Penélope Cruz has been cast as Enzo’s wife, Laura Ferrari. The rest of the cast includes Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gadon, Patrick Dempsey, and Gabriel Leone. You can watch ‘Ferrari’ here.

5. 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.

4. Origin (2023)

Ava DuVernay’s biographical drama ‘Origin’ is inspired by the life of journalist/author Isabel Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) and traces her journey as she writes the book ‘Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents’ while dealing with a personal tragedy. Her journeys to Germany and India also form a part of the film as it aids in her research. Amalgamating grief with history, ‘Origin’ does a brilliant job of giving shape to Wilkerson’s book in such a compelling, emotional, and honest way. Jon Bernthal plays Brett Hamilton, Isabel’s husband. It received three awards from the African-American Film Critics Association and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Direction. You can watch ‘Origin’ here.

3. 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 one side, we

have the odious and ruthless 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 side, 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.

2. Lee (2023)

Kate Winslet plays Lee Miller, a journalist during World War II, in Ellen Kuras’ ‘Lee.’ Miller was a fashion model who became a war correspondent for Vogue, a jarring transition. The movie follows the atrocities of the time through Lee’s POV as she attempts to capture different “angles” of the war, be it the Normandy landings or the Blitz. A rarely viewed perspective on the war-tempered with professional non-emotionalism-‘Lee’ is a must-watch drama that speaks to how the war erased any line separating the living from the dead. Winslet earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. You can see the film here.

1. Small Things Like These (2024)

Tim Mielants’s ‘Small Things Like These’ is set in 1985. The film stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and a family man whose silent demeanor is put to 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, just like the traumatized girl herself, screams in silence. You can watch the events unfold right here. Read More: Best Military Movies on Hulu