Tv Shows and Movies Like The Passion of Joan of Arc
Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1928 cinematic masterpiece, The Passion of Joan of Arc, is a harrowing and intimate biographical drama that chronicles the final days of its titular heroine, placing the audience directly into the 1431 heresy trial where ecclesiastical jurists brutally attempt to force Jeanne d'Arc to recant her claims of holy visions. This 114-minute silent film transcends its historical and legal drama foundations to become a profound psychological tragedy, achieved through relentless close-ups and a stark, empathetic focus on Joan's spiritual torment. Universally acclaimed, the film boasts a stellar 8.1/10 rating from over 67,000 votes and an exceptional Metascore of 98, reflecting its enduring power and status as one of the greatest films ever made. More than a period costume drama, it is a devastating portrait of faith and persecution that continues to resonate with its raw emotional intensity.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Costume Drama
Biography
History
Legal Drama
⭐ Recommendations are ordered by match score – higher score means more shared interests.
Movies similar to The Passion of Joan of Arc
🔥 Match Score: 14
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Steve McQueen's unflinching 2013 biographical drama 12 Years a Slave chronicles the harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, a free Black man from upstate New York who is brutally abducted and sold into slavery in the antebellum United States. This powerful 134-minute epic, which masterfully blends the genres of history, biography, and psychological drama, serves as a devastating period piece and profound tragedy. Garnering widespread critical acclaim with a stellar Metascore of 96 and an 8.1/10 rating from over 783,000 votes, the film is a landmark in costume and docudrama filmmaking, immersing viewers in the visceral reality of Northup's twelve-year fight for survival and freedom.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Epic
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Docudrama
Costume Drama
Biography
History
🔥 Match Score: 14
Hamnet (2025)
Arriving in 2025, the powerful biographical drama Hamnet is a 125-minute cinematic exploration of profound grief, framing the personal tragedy of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes in 16th-century England after their young son succumbs to the plague. This moving period piece, which deftly blends the genres of history, biography, and intimate drama, follows Agnes, a healer now powerless to save her own child, as she musters the strength to care for her surviving family while William grapples with his own sorrow. The film’s themes—spanning psychological drama, romantic and historical epic, and undeniable tragedy—are rendered with exquisite detail in a rich costume drama setting. Garnering a very strong 7.9/10 from over 87,000 votes and an impressive Metascore of 84, this critically acclaimed portrait of a family shattered by loss resonates as both a specific historical narrative and a timeless, emotionally epic story of resilience.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Epic
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Costume Drama
Biography
History
Historical Epic
Romantic Epic
🎬 No trailer
🔥 Match Score: 12
Schindler's List (1993)
Steven Spielberg's 1993 historical epic, Schindler's List, is a profoundly moving biographical drama that chronicles the true story of industrialist Oskar Schindler in German-occupied Poland during World War II, as he gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their horrific persecution by the Nazis. This monumental, 195-minute docudrama masterfully blends the intimate psychological portrait of a man's moral awakening with the sweeping tragedy of a period defined by unimaginable loss, creating a prison drama of both historical scale and devastating personal impact. Universally acclaimed, the film holds a stellar 9.0/10 rating from over 1.6 million votes and an exceptional Metascore of 95, reflecting its status as a landmark in cinema. More than just a history lesson, it is an unforgettable epic that explores themes of humanity, sacrifice, and conscience against the darkest backdrop of the 20th century.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Epic
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Docudrama
Biography
History
Historical Epic
Prison Drama
🔥 Match Score: 12
Amadeus (1984)
Milos Forman’s 1984 epic biographical drama Amadeus is a sumptuous and tragic masterpiece that explores the life and work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the bitter, envious eyes of his contemporary rival, Antonio Salieri. This riveting 160-minute costume drama, which seamlessly blends the genres of biography, music, and psychological drama, presents a period epic of divine talent and mortal jealousy set against the opulent backdrop of 18th-century Vienna. Garnering widespread acclaim, the film holds a stellar 8.4/10 rating from over 465,000 votes and an impressive Metascore of 87, reflecting its powerful reception. Through its themes of obsession, mediocrity, and tragedy, Amadeus transcends a simple historical recount to become a profound meditation on the nature of genius and the torment of those forever in its shadow.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Music
Epic
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Costume Drama
Biography
🔥 Match Score: 12
Downfall (2004)
Released in 2004, the powerful German docudrama Downfall chronicles the final, claustrophobic days of Adolf Hitler through the eyes of his last secretary, Traudl Junge, as the Third Reich crumbles in its Berlin bunker. This intense 156-minute biographical drama masterfully blends history with psychological tragedy, immersing viewers in a harrowing period piece that is as much a political and personal study as it is a war story. With a stellar Metascore of 82 and an impressive 8.2/10 rating from nearly 400,000 votes, the film is critically acclaimed for its unflinching and humanizing, yet never sympathetic, portrait of a regime in its death throes. It stands as a profound exploration of complicity, fanaticism, and the catastrophic cost of absolute power.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Political Drama
Docudrama
War
Biography
History
German
🔥 Match Score: 12
Nuremberg (2025)
Arriving in 2025, the gripping biographical drama Nuremberg is a 148-minute psychological and legal thriller that delves into the profound moral abyss of the post-WWII era, following an American psychiatrist tasked with evaluating captured Nazi leaders before their historic trials. As he becomes dangerously obsessed with comprehending the nature of evil, the film masterfully builds a disturbing and complex bond between the doctor and the cunning Hermann Göring, creating a tense docudrama that is both an epic period piece and a sharp psychological drama. Garnering a solid 7.4/10 from over 71,000 votes and a Metascore of 61, this historical film successfully merges the meticulousness of a courtroom legal drama with deep, unsettling biographical inquiry, holding audience interest with its chilling exploration of the human capacity for darkness.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Epic
Psychological Thriller
Psychological Drama
Docudrama
Biography
History
Legal Drama
Legal Thriller
🎬 No trailer
🔥 Match Score: 12
Immortal Beloved (1994)
Released in 1994, the biographical drama Immortal Beloved is a 121-minute cinematic exploration into the life and tragic death of the legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven, focusing on the mystery of a famous love letter he wrote to an unnamed recipient. This compelling period piece, which blends elements of costume drama, psychological drama, and tragic romance, follows the quest to uncover the identity of this immortal beloved amidst the composer's complex history with many women. As a docudrama steeped in music and tragedy, the film paints a vivid portrait of genius and torment, earning a solid 7.4/10 rating from over 27,500 votes for its engaging, if speculative, dive into the maestro's passionate and troubled soul.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Music
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Dark Romance
Docudrama
Costume Drama
Biography
Tragic Romance
🔥 Match Score: 12
Queen Margot (1994)
Released in 1994, the sweeping historical epic Queen Margot is a 161-minute biographical drama that plunges viewers into the brutal religious wars of 16th-century France, where young Queen Margot finds herself trapped in a politically arranged marriage between Catholics and Protestants. Hoping to escape her ruthless family's machinations through a passionate new lover, she instead becomes further imprisoned by their powerful and ruthless conspiracies, weaving a dark and tragic romance into the fabric of a grand period piece. This visually stunning costume drama masterfully blends the genres of biography, history, and intense personal drama, exploring profound themes of tragic romance and political tragedy against a backdrop of courtly intrigue. Earning a solid 7.4 out of 10 from over 20,000 votes, the film is celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of a woman caught in the violent tides of history, making for a compelling and emotionally charged cinematic experience.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Tragedy
Dark Romance
Romance
Costume Drama
Biography
History
Historical Epic
Tragic Romance
🔥 Match Score: 12
The Crucible (1996)
Arthur Miller's 1996 historical drama The Crucible, with a runtime of 124 minutes, masterfully adapts his own play to explore the 1692 Salem witch trials through a devastating personal lens, as a young Salem resident vengefully attempts to frame her ex-lover's wife for witchcraft. This gripping legal and psychological drama unfolds as a period tragedy, where personal vendettas ignite a town-wide hysteria, exposing the terrifying power of fear and false accusation. Garnering a solid 6.8/10 from over 42,000 votes and a strong Metascore of 75, the film is critically praised for its intense performances and potent historical allegory, powerfully blending drama and history to remind us how quickly truth can be sacrificed on the altar of mass panic.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
History
Legal Drama
🔥 Match Score: 10
The Pianist (2002)
Released in 2002, Roman Polanski's powerful biographical drama The Pianist is a harrowing 150-minute epic that chronicles the true story of acclaimed Polish musician Władysław Szpilman during WWII, as he endures the unthinkable struggle of losing contact with his family and hiding in the ruins of Warsaw to survive the Holocaust. This critically acclaimed film, which boasts an impressive Metascore of 85 and a stellar 8.5/10 rating from over a million votes, masterfully blends the genres of biography, drama, and music into a profound psychological tragedy. More than just a war epic, it is a deeply moving period docudrama that explores the resilience of the human spirit amidst utter devastation, using the poignant thread of music as both a memory of lost civilization and a fragile hope for survival.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Music
Epic
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Docudrama
War Epic
War
Biography
TV Shows similar to The Passion of Joan of Arc
🔥 Match Score: 12
The Crown (2016)
Debuting in 2016, the acclaimed television series The Crown is a lavish and psychologically penetrating drama that follows the political rivalries, personal romances, and immense burdens of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, chronicling the pivotal events that shaped both the monarchy and Britain throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. This sweeping historical epic masterfully blends biography, political drama, and intimate character study, earning its stellar 8.6/10 rating from over 279,000 votes for its impeccable craftsmanship and gripping narrative. As a rich costume and period drama, it delves deep into the psychological toll of duty, exploring the intricate balance between the individual and the institution amidst a backdrop of national transformation and global upheaval.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Epic
Psychological Drama
Political Drama
Costume Drama
Biography
History
Historical Epic
🔥 Match Score: 10
When They See Us (2019)
Ava DuVernay's powerful 2019 biographical crime drama miniseries, When They See Us, chronicles the harrowing true story of five innocent teenagers from Harlem who become trapped in a legal nightmare after being falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. This gripping docudrama masterfully blends the genres of legal, psychological, and teen drama to explore profound themes of systemic injustice, racial bias, and the devastating personal cost of a corrupted legal process. With a stellar 8.8/10 rating from over 157,000 votes, the series has been widely acclaimed for its unflinching and emotionally resonant portrayal of this pivotal and tragic chapter in recent American history, delivering a profound dramatic experience that is as educational as it is heartbreaking.
Interests:
Drama
Crime
Psychological Drama
Docudrama
Biography
History
Legal Drama
Teen Drama
True Crime
🎬 No trailer
🔥 Match Score: 10
The Great (2020)
Premiering in 2020, the critically acclaimed TV series The Great is a genre-bending historical epic that brilliantly reimagines the rise of Catherine the Great, following a young royal woman in 18th-century rural Russia who is forced to choose between her personal happiness and the future of her adopted nation after a strategic marriage to the immature Emperor Peter III. This audacious show masterfully blends the genres of biography, comedy, and drama, earning a strong 8.1/10 rating from over 64,000 votes for its sharp wit and compelling narrative. While it proudly wears the lavish trappings of a costume and period drama, its true genius lies in its anachronistic humor and modern sensibility, transforming a historical biography into a thrilling and often hilarious exploration of power, ambition, and revolution.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Comedy
Costume Drama
Biography
History
Historical Epic
🔥 Match Score: 10
Medici (2016)
Premiering in 2016, the historical drama series Medici plunges viewers into the opulent yet treacherous world of Renaissance Florence, chronicling the rise of the famed banking dynasty after patriarch Giovanni’s sudden death thrusts his son, Cosimo de' Medici, into a perilous leadership role. This engrossing costume drama masterfully blends biography, history, and political thriller elements, weaving a rich tapestry of mystery, romance, and high-stakes intrigue as Cosimo navigates a labyrinth of financial machinations and rival factions to secure his family's legacy. Garnering a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from over 24,000 votes, the series has been well-received for its compelling portrayal of this pivotal period, immersing audiences in a sumptuous period epic where art, power, and betrayal are inextricably linked.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Thriller
Political Thriller
Mystery
Romance
Costume Drama
Biography
History
Historical Epic
🔥 Match Score: 10
Elizabeth I (2005)
The 2005 television mini-series Elizabeth I offers a compelling portrait of the monarch's later years, dramatizing both the immense pressures of her public role and the complexities of her private life. This acclaimed biography, which falls squarely within the genres of history and drama, masterfully blends the grand political intrigue of a period piece with the intimate, often romantic struggles of a woman ruling alone. Garnering a strong 7.9 out of 10 rating from over seven thousand voters, the series is celebrated for its rich costume drama aesthetics and its deep exploration of themes like power, sacrifice, and legacy. Viewers are drawn into a world where statecraft and personal desire collide, making for a historically immersive and emotionally resonant drama that brings a legendary figure vividly to life.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Romance
Costume Drama
Biography
History
🔥 Match Score: 10
The Law According to Lidia Poët (2023)
Debuting in 2023, the biographical crime drama The Law According to Lidia Poët is a captivating period piece that follows its real-life titular heroine as she battles the entrenched patriarchy of late 19th-century Turin to achieve her rightful place on the official register of lawyers and become Italy's first female attorney. This engaging series masterfully blends legal drama with historical mystery, weaving true crime cases into Lidia's personal fight against systemic injustice, all while exploring rich themes of biography, history, and social change. With a solid rating of 7.5/10 from over 11,000 votes, the show has been warmly received for its compelling portrayal of a pioneering woman who lets nothing stop her dream, offering viewers a dramatic and insightful look into a pivotal moment in legal history.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Crime
Mystery
Biography
History
Legal Drama
True Crime
🔥 Match Score: 8
Chernobyl (2019)
Premiering in 2019, the gripping television miniseries Chernobyl dramatizes the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union, chronicling the harrowing sacrifices of the many heroes who risked everything in its immediate and prolonged aftermath. This masterful docudrama seamlessly blends genres, operating as a tense historical thriller, a profound psychological drama, and a monumental period piece that captures the epic scale of both the event and the Soviet system. With a staggering 9.3/10 rating from over a million votes, the series has been critically acclaimed for its unflinching and immersive portrayal, delving into themes of state secrecy, disaster response, and individual valor. Its powerful narrative ensures that this historical epic remains a profoundly engaging and unforgettable viewing experience.
Interests:
Period Drama
Drama
Thriller
Epic
Psychological Drama
Disaster
Docudrama
History
Historical Epic
🔥 Match Score: 8
Band of Brothers (2001)
Premiering in 2001, the critically lauded television miniseries Band of Brothers is a monumental historical epic that chronicles the harrowing true story of Easy Company, part of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division, from the D-Day landings through the end of World War II in Europe. This masterful blend of action, drama, and history transcends typical war narratives by delving deep into psychological drama and tragedy, exploring the profound bonds and brutal costs of combat on the men of this legendary unit. Garnering a stellar 9.4/10 rating from nearly 600,000 votes, the series is widely celebrated as one of the greatest television achievements, a powerful and immersive war epic that honors the extraordinary ordinary soldiers who fought from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.
Interests:
Action
Drama
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
War Epic
War
History
Historical Epic
🔥 Match Score: 8
Better Call Saul (2015)
Premiering in 2015, the critically acclaimed television series Better Call Saul masterfully chronicles the tragic transformation of Albuquerque lawyer Jimmy McGill, a man desperately scraping for clients and professional respect, only to find every small win pulling him deeper into a world of shady deals and dangerous players toward his destined, flamboyant alter ego Saul Goodman. This gripping prequel to Breaking Bad is a brilliant genre hybrid, primarily a tense crime drama and character study that seamlessly weaves in elements of dark comedy, psychological drama, and legal intrigue, all underpinned by the relentless tragedy of its protagonist's moral descent. Garnering immense critical and audience praise, the series holds an exceptional 9.0/10 rating from over 821,000 votes, a testament to its compelling storytelling and profound exploration of themes like ambition, identity, and the corrupting nature of the drug crime underworld.
Interests:
Drama
Dark Comedy
Crime
Psychological Drama
Tragedy
Drug Crime
Legal Drama
🔥 Match Score: 8
The Last Kingdom (2015)
Premiering in 2015, the acclaimed television series The Last Kingdom is a gripping historical epic that masterfully blends action, drama, and history, following the saga of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a man born a Saxon but raised by Vikings, who seeks to claim his ancestral birthright amidst the turbulent reign of Alfred the Great as he defends his kingdom from Norse invaders. This rich costume drama and period piece delves deep into themes of identity, loyalty, and nation-building, delivering an action-packed narrative that has earned a stellar 8.5/10 rating from over 187,500 votes, cementing its status as a beloved and engrossing action epic for fans of the genre.
Interests:
Period Drama
Action
Drama
Action Epic
Costume Drama
History
Historical Epic