Historical dramas so often lend themselves well to thrilling stories.
Good storytellers can take real historical tweaks and events and tell thrilling stories with new twists.
So much of history consists of wild events and wilder people who sometimes did unbelievable things.
Image via DreamWorks Distribution
Some of the greatest historical dramas made into movies have the most thrills.
What makesUnforgivenso thrillingis the fact that it is a revenge story at its core.
What makesThe Handmaidenso thrillingis the fact that it is a deeply uncomfortable examination of the human psyche.
Image via Warner Bros.
WhileTitanic’s love storyis thrilling enough, it is truly heartstopping to watch the actual sinking play out.
The tension built throughout the movie is one of the best parts of the story.
The combination of practical effects and a doomed love story givesTitanicits thrills.
The movie follows the chaos that accompanied the evacuation of Dunkirk after a German aerial attack.
Dunkirkfeatures so much ofChristopher Nolan’s signature visual style, giving the movie a thrilling quality.
6’The Impossible' (2012)
Directed by J.A.
Bayona
The Impossibleis based on the real story of a family that survived the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
The Impossibleis thrillingbecause it showcases how hard humans can fight to survive.
This family’s journey is worth rooting for.
All the President’s Menis a political thrillerat its core.
As the story continues, it is clear that the stakes were personal for all Americans.
The Coen brothers put their unique spin on this classic western.
True Grit’s thrillscome from the fact that it is a classic road trip movie.
The protagonists are tested physically and emotionally throughout the story.
The movie has built in thrills that allow the characters to fully develop as the story evolves.
Image via Magnolia Pictures
The movie is based on the book of the same name byPaul Brickhill.
The Great Escapemay be a highly fictionalized version of true events.
However, the movie captures the real-life drama that came from soldiers banding together in this way.
Image via Paramount Pictures
The thrills inThe Great Escapecome from rooting for these soldiers to outsmart and outrun their prison guards.
The prisoners have a war to finish, so it’s easy to cheer for them to succeed.
He becomes caught up in the schemes of Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
Maximus becomes a gladiator in the Colosseum.
Along the way, he befriends other gladiators in the arena while seeking revenge against Commodus.
Maximus’s quest for revenge is painted as justified.
He is forced to reckon with the consequences of his actions even as he is hailed an American hero.
Oppenheimeris thrilling because it humanizes a man who was considered an American legend.
Oppenheimer creates thrills by creating a character who audiences can both cheer for and against.
NEXT: The 20 Best Psychological Thrillers With Great Acting, Ranked
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Image via Warner Bros.
Image via Warner Bros.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Image via United Artists
Image via Universal Pictures
Image via Universal Pictures
