Best Historical Movies On Disney+ Hotstar (September 2023)

By Andrew Lu | Updated on 02-Jun-2023

Historical movies do not just tell us about kingdoms that existed thousands of years ago. They are based on historical events which were of great importance and value to the people then and have shaped our lives and the world we live in now. These movies are critical as they help us understand how important all these historical events were. Here is a list of the best historical films on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar.

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Tanhaji (2020)

Tanhaji is based on one of Shivaji Maharaj’s most trusted lieutenants, Tanhaji. This movie’s storyline is set at the time Mughals were trying to invade the Kondwani fort, previously under the command of Shivaji Maharaj. Tanhaji was sent to fight and reclaim the for Kondwani, his king and his county. Was Tanhaji able to achieve this extraordinary feat? Watch Tanhaji and find out! This movie has found itself the title of one of the best Hindi historical movies on Hotstar.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a biopic on the famous Indian athlete, Milkha Singh, otherwise known as The Flying Sikh. This movie depicts Milkha Singh’s life as he joins the army after the partition of India and how he changes his life for the better through sheer hard work and determination. This movie shows the love an athlete has for his country and how he fights off his inner demons to see his country’s flag fly high.

Apollo: Missions To The Moon (2019)

Apollo: Missions to The Moon is a documentary movie based on the moon landing achieved by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. These two were the first humans ever to step foot on the moon, and the spaceship Apollo was an American spaceship ever to achieve this extraordinary feat. This documentary movie shows all the trouble that NASA had to go through to achieve this feat and how all the hard work that was put in finally gave perfect results.

Togo (2019)

Togo brings to light the story of Togo, a Siberian husky adopted by a man named Leonhard. The dog appears to be weak when first adopted, but with the proper training and care, Leonhard becomes a hero for Nome, Alaska, when he leads the 1925 Serum Run. This movie is a significant historical movie because it highlights one of the most important events for Nome, Alaska, which occurred in 1925.

Bombay Velvet (2015)

Bombay Velvet shows the story of a common young man who needs to earn a lot of money and fame to win the love of his life. In the olden days, the best way to get money and fame was to live a life of crime in Bombay, aka Mumbai. This is what the young man does. Does it finally help him win his beloved’s heart? Watch Bombay Velvet to find out.

Hamilton (2020)

The movie Hamilton is based on Alexander Hamilton’s life, the first-ever Secretary of Treasury of the United States of America. This movie shows how Alexander Hamilton, an orphan by birth, goes on to New York City to work for George Washington and the events that led him to become the first-ever Secretary of Treasury of the United States of America. This movie has found itself the title of one of the best Hollywood history movies on Disney+.

Mohenjo Daro (2016)

Mohenjo Daro is based on the first society ever known to man - Mohenjo Daro. The protagonist of this movie is a young farmer who arrives in the city looking for work. He realises that the city is being ruled by a tyrant king called Maham. Due to the disturbing history that his family shares with Maham, he, along with others, vows to take revenge. Was the poor farmer able to take revenge for what Maham did to his family? Watch Mohenjo Daro and find out!

All the way (2016)

The movie All the Way is based on the presidency of President Lyndon B. Johnson. He became president right after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This movie takes its viewers through the problems and conflicts that Lyndon B. Johnson had to face when taking over as the President of the United States of America and filling the shoes of the great John F. Kennedy. This movie is a critical historical movie as it shows the aftermath of JFK’s assassination and the challenges the government of the United States of America had to surmount.

Hidden Figures (2016)

The movie Hidden Figures brings to light the story of three women of African American descent who played a pivotal role in the launch of astronaut John Glenn’s spaceship into orbit. This is a critical historic movie because it shows the three mathematicians’ skills and determination, which helps them send an astronaut into space. They also fight a lot of gender and racial biases. Movies like these show not just the importance of women in society but also how we as a society have grown. This movie has earned the title of one of the top historical films on Disney+ Hotstar.

10.

The Favourite (2018)

The Favourite is based on Queen Anne of England. The movie follows the storyline of her getting sick and handing over the empire’s reins to her close aid Sarah Churchill. Things seem to be going good until Abigail, Sarah’s cousin, enters the scene and starts aiding the queen. Will Sarah continue ruling the empire under Queen Anne, or will Abigail take over as the new Aid to the queen? Watch the Favourite and find out.

11.

Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)

Mangal Pandey: The Rising is about the mutiny of 1859, which was started by Mangal Pandey, a soldier in the East India Company in British India. The story begins with Mangal Pandey befriending an English captain in a war in Afghanistan. The revolt and the mutiny begin when the East India Company introduces rifles with cartridges lined with beef. This leads to Mangal Pandey starting a mutiny and a rebellion against the East India Company. This movie has found itself the title of one of the best historical movies on Disney+ India.

12.

Into the Storm (2009)

Into the Storm is based on one of Great Britain’s most influential Prime Ministers, Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill takes charge of his post at one of the darkest hours that Great Britain was going through. As the Prime Minister during World War II, he refused to negotiate with the enemy and inspired the allied forced to go battle it out with Nazi Germany. Winston Churchill is known worldwide for being one of the most fearless prime ministers that Great Britain has ever seen.

13.

23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2003)

23rd March 1931: Shaheed is based on the life of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. After the death of Lala Lajpatrai, Bhagat Singh was arrested by the British authorities for killing the official responsible for the death of Lala Lajpatrai. Known as one of the most influential freedom fighters that India ever had, Bhagat Singh was later hanged for this deed. He went down as a martyr in has pride of place in history books. He is one of the most influential freedom fighters of the Indian independence movement.

14.

Mantostaan (2017)

Mantostaan takes place in the period following the partition of India and Pakistan. This movie is a collection of short stories showing how people were affected when the British government left India after dividing it into India and Pakistan. The partition was a period of violence as it pitched two majority communities against each other and compelled people to flee their homes on either side to escape persecution.

15.

31st October (2015)

31st October is based on the anti-Sikh riots that took place in India after the assassination of the former Indian Prime minister, Indira Gandhi. This movie is the story of a young Sikh man who tries to protect his family from protestors on the prowl. The horror that he has to go through makes this movie unique as it shows how people had transformed and how communal hatred spread in India at that time.

16.

Indu Sarkar (2017)

Indu Sarkar is based on the Emergency implemented by the orders of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This movie follows the storyline of Indu Sarkar, whose husband works in the government. Indu’s husband wants to take advantage of the Emergency and advance his career. But Indu decides to go a different way and makes morally right choices.

17.

The Finest Hours (2016)

The Finest Hours is based on an oil spill that happened due to a deadly storm. The oil tanker crew is trapped in the oil spill and is about to die when the coast guards come to their rescue. The film shows this amazing feat by the coast guards as it was one of the most challenging operations ever.

18.

Einstein and Eddington (2008)

Einstein and Eddington is a movie based on the life of Albert Einstein and Sir Arthur Eddington. This movie explores the multiple breakthroughs that this dynamic duo achieved, the most famous one being the theory of general relativity. This movie explored the many external and internal conflicts this duo had to make one of the most important discoveries that changed the way people see modern science forever. This movie has found itself the title of one of the best historical movies on Disney+ Hotstar.

19.

Dragon Blade (2015)

Dragon Blade is based on Huo An, the fearless captain of the silk road protection squad. Huo An stops Tiberius, the Roman leader, from capturing the silk road with his army. He forms an alliance with multiple Roman troops who defected to help Huo An. This movie is an important historical one as it shows the importance of the silk road in the olden days.

20.

Black Friday (2004)

Black Friday is based on the events of the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts that shook the country. This movie shows the efforts by the Mumbai police and the Government of India to catch the perpetrators of the blasts. This movie also gives an insight into the terrible events that led to the 1993 Mumbai blasts. This movie has made its name to the top of the best Bollywood historical movies list.

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Andrew Lu

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About Me: A geek and nerd at heart, I love comic books, horror movies and professional fighting. Yes, I know how insane that sounds. Read More about Andrew Lu