Queens and kings just seem to have a magnetic attraction on the big screen. Maybe it’s the dresses and crowns, the magnificent palaces that leave you breathless, or the scheming that’s so intense that it makes your family soap opera look dull. Royals were basically the first reality stars of the world, but with more sword fights, scandals, and power struggles. The film industry has been everywhere from the tragedies of Shakespeare to the modern retellings, and thus, it has never been short of reasons to revisit the dirty, fascinating lives of the royals. In case you are willing to witness treachery, illicit love, and kingdoms in danger, here are 10 finest king and queen films, with the one that you must absolutely see at the very end, counting down.
10. The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
Leonardo DiCaprio takes on a double role as the arrogant King Louis XIV and his hidden twin brother in this Dumas-inspired adventure. With Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, and Gérard Depardieu as the aging Musketeers, it’s part royal drama, part action flick. Historical accuracy? Not so much. But if you’re in the mood for swordplay, lavish sets, and peak ’90s Leo, this is it.
9. The Madness of King George (1994)
Nigel Hawthorne gives a heart-wrenching performance as King George III, whose descent into madness plunged England into chaos. Helen Mirren is compelling as Queen Charlotte, attempting to keep the family and kingdom together. Both tragic and darkly comedic, it’s a thoughtful examination of monarchy under stress.
8. The Favourite (2018)
Yorgos Lanthimos imbues Queen Anne’s court with wry humor and surreal flourishes. Olivia Colman’s Oscar-winning performance as the volatile queen is unforgettable, and Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz fight for control in a battle of power, enticement, and treachery. It’s edgy, perverted, and wickedly humorous.
7. The Young Victoria (2009)
Emily Blunt brings fresh life to Queen Victoria, presenting her not as the starched figure of history books but as a fiery young woman basking in love, politics, and power. It’s passionate, intimate, and reveals the queen before she became the icon of the empire.
6. Elizabeth (1998) & Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
Cate Blanchett’s performance as Elizabeth I is iconic. The first movie follows her ascent from uncertain heir to the “Virgin Queen,” and the second follows her through the threat of the Spanish Armada. Fierce, commanding, and ultimately human, Blanchett shows why Elizabeth is one of history’s most compelling leaders.
5. The Lion in Winter (1968)
Picture Succession in the Middle Ages. Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn bicker as King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, plotting which son will succeed him. It’s all acid-edged dialogue, brutal scheming, and unforgettable performances with a young Anthony Hopkins as Richard the Lionheart.
4. The Queen (2006)
Helen Mirren vanishes into the persona of Queen Elizabeth II in the wake of Princess Diana’s funeral. The movie is a surprisingly intimate portrait of the monarchy under extreme public glare, and Mirren’s performance is so good it won her an Oscar and a dinner invitation from the real Queen (she had to turn it down).
3. Henry V (1989)
Kenneth Branagh’s dark Shakespeare adaptation takes the young king through the Battle of Agincourt. It makes Shakespeare immediate, visceral, and wonderfully human with rousing speeches, raw battle scenes, and Branagh’s electrifying on-screen presence.
2. Marie Antoinette (2006)
Sofia Coppola turns the royal biopic on its head with a candy-hued, indie-soundtracked reimagining of the French queen. Kirsten Dunst’s Marie is both flighty and desperately trapped in Versailles’ gilded cage. It’s dreamy, contemporary, and a reminder of the solitariness of power.
1. The King’s Speech (2010)
Colin Firth delivers a career-best performance as King George VI, who is required to break free from an incapacitating stutter to guide Britain through World War II. Assisted by unorthodox speech therapist Geoffrey Rush, the film is heart-wrenching, hilarious, and unexpectedly thrilling. It’s not so much about royalty but about perseverance, hence, a genuine standout.
From sparkling courts to wartime battles, these movies demonstrate that royal life is far from boring. From intrigue, history, or simply jaw-dropping costumes, these tales remind us that beneath the crowns and titles are human beings, flawed, interesting, and memorable.