The Crown suspended its sixth season's production on the day of the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II's death this past September 8, 2022, and it was paused again at the Queen's funeral to honor her passing. The series has followed the endearing story of the longest reigning monarch in the history of Britain and has been widely acclaimed by audiences throughout the years.
However, The Crown has not been the only depiction of the Royal Family that has gained the praise of viewers and critics, and there are plenty of memorable films and series that have followed the intriguing political and private matters that have always defined the powerful household, and according to IMDb, these are the best ones yet.
Elizabeth (1998) - 7.4
Acclaimed actress Cate Blanchett gives one of her best performances as Queen Elizabeth I of England in this 1998 film that follows the intriguing life of the "Virgin Queen". Elizabeth depicts the early years of her reign, the countless attempts to marry her off, the plots to dethrone her, and her passionate affair with the man she truly loved.
The film is impressive in its production, costume design, and makeup, and Cate Blanchett's is a triumph. However, its corny script and historical inaccuracy spoil what otherwise could've been a flawless movie. Nonetheless, its redeemable aspects are worthy of watching.
The Favourite (2018) - 7.5
The Favourite has many valuable and admirable aspects, and much like the previous entry, the film rejoices in extraordinary make-up, costume design, production, and cinematography. It goes without saying that is Emma Stone's best film and Olivia Coleman's best performance yet.
The movie focuses on the reign of Queen Anne in 1711 when, in the middle of Britain's war against France, the queen falls ill and loses her interest in governing, which leads many people in her inner circle to manipulate her to rule, which effectively portrays the thirst for power that usually revolves around the Royals.
Royal Family (1969) - 7.7.jpg)
The Royal Family documentary was first aired by the BBC in 1969, however, Queen Elizabeth II was not pleased with its overly intimate depiction of the Royals, and banned it from the public within the same year of its release. However, it was leaked again on YouTube last year (via CNN).
This film can be easily considered one of the best documentaries of all time about the Royal Family, and the BBC estimates that it has been seen by 350 million people. The documentary offers an unprecedentedly close and unfiltered approach to the Royals that makes viewers feel as if they were inside Buckingham Palace, right next to the Monarchy figures. It is a must-watch, after all, it was not without reason that the family wanted to ban it, and it shows some content that could be considered intriguingly scandalous.
Diana In Her Own Words (2017) - 7.8.jpeg)
There are many documentaries that follow beloved Princess Diana and the endearing life that earned her the name of "the people's princess", however, unlike the rest of the films and series that depict Diana, this one proves itself uniquely touching given that it is narrated by the Princess of Wales herself.
The documentary is based on the book Diana: Her True Story - In Her Own Words by Andrew Morton, who worked with Diana to write the autobiography. It is especially moving to hear Diana talk and give viewers the opportunity to expose her life through her own lens. Inevitably, the documentary triggers great sentiment and nostalgia.
The Lion In Winter (1968) - 7.9.jpg)
The Lion In Winter is set in 1183, and it follows the Royals Henry II of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, their children, and guests as they celebrate Christmas. Instead of rejoicing on the holidays, the family plots who should be the next heir of the throne.
Upon watching it is evident why the film became an instant classic when it was released in 1968 and was widely acclaimed by viewers. The unforgettable performances of acting legends such as Anthony Hopkins, Peter O'Toole, and Katherine Hepburn, and the brilliant development of the trama make this film deserving of its high rating.
The King's Speech (2010) - 8.0
The King's Speech was one of the best films from 2010 and in spite of being released more than ten years ago, it is still considered one of the best films about the Royal Family, and not without reason. The extraordinary performances of its cast and the superb script provide a memorable and touching view of the Monarchy.
Even Queen Elizabeth II herself admitted to having been profoundly moved by the portrayal of her father, King George VI as he tries to overcome his stuttering condition with his friend and therapist Lionel Logue (via BBC). The film succeeds in showing the most human side of the Royal Family, which is often overlooked.
The Tudors (2007) - 8.1
The Tudors was widely acclaimed by critics and audiences when it was released in 2007 and continued to garner fans throughout its next three seasons. The scandalous drama is set in 16th century England and is based on the reign of Henry VIII, who became famous for having six wives and beheading two of them.
The series is one of the best shows like Starz's The Serpent Queen, and has a tremendously talented cast and production. However, it cannot be said that it is very historically accurate. Nonetheless, it excels in its fictional script and its inspiration from true events, which makes it all more interesting and dramatic.
Wolf Hall (2015) - 8.1
The brilliant 2015 mini-series is set in England in the 1520s and focuses on the story of Henry VIII as he realizes the throne is in danger without a male heir and decides to annul his current marriage to marry Anne Boleyn.
The riveting performances of Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis are undeniable. It's a great balance between a greatly depicted cinematographical drama and a historically accurate piece making it incomparable and completely worthwhile. After all, there are only very few series that succeed so well in intertwining their dramatic and fictional delivery with facts and evidence.
Victoria (2016) - 8.2
The critically acclaimed TV series was first released in 2016. It finished in 2019 after three successful seasons that earned the series 11 wins and 18 nominations for multiple awards, which included Emmys and BAFTAs.
Victoria follows the Queen of the same name as she ascends to the throne at the tender age of 18 and marries Prince Albert. The famous monarch is an unforgettable figure, and the series's portrayal does her great justice by powerfully portraying her complex and fascinating personality.
The Crown (2016) - 8.7
The Crown blew thousands of viewers' mind's away with its impressive cinematography, production, performances, script, and direction, among other aspects that make this series about the current Royal Family an almost flawless masterpiece.
The political intrigue between Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, King Charles III, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and other extremely relevant figures of today's British monarchy and government make this piece one of the best-accomplished series of the last decade.