The Greatest Period Piece Movies Ever Made Ranked

Not many genres attract audiences to the Cinema like the period drama. Since the 1970’s, the period genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s prejudiced lovers, ships facing disasters or Holocaust survivors, the genre has created several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best period pieces that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Schindler’s List

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that has always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with immense knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He would always take great pride in teaching students about a mass genocide in which his people died. My teacher always believed that movies were an inferior art that couldn’t capture a genocide which tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture a genocide in which people perished as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Ever since its release in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest period piece ever made.  With the greatest film of his career, Spielberg did an extraordinary job of capturing a gruesome mass genocide that caused Jewish citizens to experience despair. Drawing from his own personal experience as a Jew impacted with strong ties to the Holocaust, Spielberg painted a portrait of the genocide that’s compelling. Spielberg has an aptitude for using symbolism in his movies to convey emotions, and “Schindler’s List” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Oskar Schindler witnesses reacts with horror seeing the girl in the red coat face warfare causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the period piece genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ralph Fiennes, who embodies a despicable Nazi commander. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” the greatest period piece ever made is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about genocides which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a mass genocide in which civilians died, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making movies which have always left audiences satisfied.

2. Titanic

The Titanic is a tragic event in history that shaped my brother’s identity. Ever since its sad sinking in 1912, the Titanic is a disaster that has interested my brother. At an early age, I bonded with a brother that had immense knowledge about a shipwreck causing damage. He was interested in becoming educated about a disaster he appreciated. In 1997, James Cameron honoured the tragic shipwreck in his iconic film “Titanic”. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a shipwreck disaster that caused despair. Unlike most movies in the period drama genre, what makes “Titanic” stand out is its strong attention to detail. Cameron used stunning production-design to recreate the tragic shipwreck in history. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Rose face tension being torn apart from each other as the ship begins sinking is one of the greatest moments of the period genre. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” a classic period piece is its message. The film delivers a universal message about disasters which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years following the tragic sinking of the Titanic, its a fantastic reminder of a genre making strong movies which have created a legacy that’s iconic.

3. Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the iconic author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. As someone treasuring a mother that took pride in an author without prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Ever since its release in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie has stood the test of time as one of the greatest period dramas ever made. Wright is one of those directors that has always had an aptitude for creating period dramas, and “Pride and Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth angrily confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about ruining her sister’s chances of marriage is one of the greatest moments of the period drama genre. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” a great period piece is its universal appeal. It delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a book about prejudiced women developing romance experiencing destruction, it’s a captivating reminder of a genre that has produced celebrated movies which deserve appreciation.

4. Little Women

Writing is a passion that I’ve always enjoyed pursuing. As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. At an early age, I developed lifelong hobbies for writing words on a page. During childhood, I developed lifelong passions for writing about filmmaking. As someone with a lifelong passion for writing, I adored “Little Women”. Ever since its release in 2019, Greta Gerwig’s movie has stood the test of time as one of the finest period pieces ever made. Gerwig has always had an aptitude for recreating forgotten eras in history using stunning production, and “Little Women” showcased her strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Jo March breaks down crying after her sister Amy burns her book destroying her dreams of writing is one of the greatest moments of the genre. It’s anchored by an amazing performance by Saoirse Ronan, who created a compelling heroine. Ultimately, what makes “Little Women” a powerful period piece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about siblings which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about women that love to write, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made great movies which deserve the spotlight.

5. 12 Years a Slave

Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a friend that took great interest in slavery. I remember he grew up to treasure slavery as an important subject matter. He often made an effort to educate people in my school about an important time in history he came to celebrate. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the grave consequences of slavery as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”‘. Released in 2013, Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning movie captured the harsh realities endured by slaves in American history. McQueen beautifully used production-design to capture slaves facing a decline. For instance, the scene in which Epps forces Solomon to whip Patsey in front of everyone is a highlight of the period piece genre. Elevating the film to another level is an extraordinary performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who embodied a real-life slave in history. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about slavery which would resonate with everyone. Centuries after Solomon Northup faced slavery leading his life to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate.

6. The Remains of the Day

Housekeepers have always helped my family. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. I remember a loyal butler that shaped my family’s future. As someone treasuring a butler that helped my family in a huge way, I adored “The Remains of the Day”. Released in 1993, James Ivory’s movie celebrated a beloved book about butlers. James Ivory has an aptitude for making period dramas and his strengths are evident in “The Remains of the Day”. Ivory used beautiful set-design to capture housekeepers. Assisted by Anthony Hopkins who is amazing in the lead role, Ivory celebrated literature. A beautiful portrait of butlers reminiscing the remains of the day, it’s a brilliant reminder of a genre that has produced commemorated movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

7. Phantom Thread

Few actors in Hollywood are as beloved today as Daniel Day-Lewis. Since his career began in the 1980’s, Day-Lewis has made several unforgettable period piece movies. In 2017, Day-Lewis showcased his strengths as an actor when he made the unforgettable period piece “Phantom Thread”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Phantom Thread” stand out is its beautiful costumes. Paul Thomas Anderson uses gorgeous costumes to capture the lives of fashion-designers in the 1950’s. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, who proved why he’s such an admired actor before he retired. As beautiful as dresses Woodcock seeks to design, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has never lost abilities to shine making timeless movies audiences consider to be divine.

8. Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has long held a tradition of ignoring the stories about queer women. A provocative subject matter, lesbian love stories rarely attract audiences to the theatre. In an industry that has ignored lesbian women with desire, it’s worth praising “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”. Released in 2019, Celine Sciamma’s French period piece honoured LGBTQ communities. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” stand out is its subtlety. Sciamma uses silence rather than dialogue to capture bonds between lesbian lovers. Assisted by Noemie Herlant who is excellent, Sciamma created a realistic lesbian romance. A dazzling portrait of a lesbian romance facing effects that are dire, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated genre that audiences admire.

9. Emma

One of the most common criticisms levelled against the period piece genre is its predictability. The genre has always followed a familiar formula relying on the same storytelling conventions in every movie. This is has often left little room for surprises. In a genre that has always followed a safe formula, it’s worth praising “Emma”. Released in 2019, Autumn de Wilde’s Movie offered a unique adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved book. De Wilde used beautiful production-design to celebrate the literature of an author whose timeless stories shine. Assisted by Anya Taylor-Joy who is exceptional in the lead role, Autumn De Wilde honoured a legendary book giving readers joy. As strong as Emma’s desire for freedom in the Victorian era, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

10. The Dig

When it comes to archaeological artifacts in history that people value, it’s worth discussing the Sutton Hoo. Found in 1939 England, the Sutton Hoo has become one of the world’s greatest treasures. An inspiring artifact in British history, it created a lasting legacy. In 2021, Simon Stone honoured the artifact that teams sought to dig in his film “The Dig”. Unlike most movies in the period drama genre, what makes “The Dig” stand out is its strong depiction of archaeology. Stone used stunning visuals to recreate the discovery of the Sutton Hoo. Although it’s far from a perfect movie, “The Dig” proves the enduring appeal of the period genre. As precious as the treasure of Sutton Hoo, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made iconic movies which I will forever value for inspiring me to make my film criticism dreams come true.