Period reconstructions, epic battles, the destinies of kings and anonymous figures: historical films take us back to the great moments of the past. Whether they evoke ancient Rome, the French Revolution, World War II, or contemporary political figures, these films combine spectacle and memory. This guide lists historical feature films to see in theaters and upcoming releases in the genre.
Nuremberg: Russell Crowe and Rami Malek confront the darkest chapters of history
Nuremberg, a historical drama by James Vanderbilt starring Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, and Michael Shannon, will be released in theaters on January 28, 2026, to mark the 80th anniversary of the trial. [Read more]
The Bojarski Case: a Historical Drama starring Reda Kateb at the Movies
Historical drama by Jean-Paul Salomé, L’Affaire Bojarski chronicles the double life of a pursued forger, starring Reda Kateb, hitting theaters on January 14, 2026. [Read more]
Hamnet: Chloé Zhao’s Historical Drama Starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley
Historical drama directed by Chloé Zhao, Hamnet explores the personal story of Agnes and William Shakespeare. Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, the film is set to hit theaters on January 21, 2026. [Read more]
Furcy, né libre: historical biopic by Abd Al Malik – trailer
Furcy, né libre, a historical biopic by Abd Al Malik starring Makita Samba and Romain Duris, unveils its trailer ahead of its release in France on January 14, 2026. [Read more]
Les Enfants de la Résistance: Christophe Barratier's new adventure in theaters in 2026
Adapted from the comic book by Vincent Dugomier and Benoît Ers, Les Enfants de la Résistance by Christophe Barratier will be released in theaters on February 11, 2026, starring Lucas Hector and Gérard Jugnot. [Read more]
The Sound of Memories, a historical drama starring Mescal and O’Connor
Oliver Hermanus's The Sound of Memories, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, premiered in competition at Cannes 2025 and hits theaters on February 25, 2026. [Read more]
David: A biblical animated film blending epic storytelling with a message of legacy
David, a biographical animated film that explores themes of family and heroism, tells the story of the shepherd’s unlikely confrontation with Goliath. Set to hit theaters on March 18, 2026, here are the details, plot summary, and background. [Read more]
Movies & series
The Battle of Gaulle: Antonin Baudry's two movies unveil their images
Historical diptych by Antonin Baudry dedicated to Charles de Gaulle. Two films starring Simon Abkarian set to hit theaters on June 10 and July 3, 2026. [Read more]
Kaamelott - Part 2: the direct sequel to Astier's film
Alexandre Astier concludes his Kaamelott diptych – Second Part with Part 2, in theaters November 11, 2026. More than a hundred characters come together in an epic adventure. [Read more]
Les Misérables: Fred Cavayé brings Victor Hugo’s classic to the big screen
Les Misérables, a gripping adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel directed by Fred Cavayé and starring Vincent Lindon, Tahar Rahim, and Camille Cottin, hits theaters on December 9, 2026. [Read more]
Because historical cinema allows us to relive the past with intensity: grandiose sets, sumptuous costumes, and immersive reconstructions. These films offer both a visual spectacle and a reflection on our own era, recounting the great human upheavals throughout time.
This guide presents a selection of historical films already showing or coming soon, automatically updated according to new cinema releases. You will find:
A feature film based on a real event, a past era, or a real-life character. The genre covers both epic sagas and intimate stories inspired by historical events.
Yes. The sections above are updated as soon as a new article tagged "historical film" is published on Sortir à Paris.
See also: Biopics to see at the cinema • Dramas to see at the cinema • Documentaries to discover at the cinema
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