If you’re a sucker for romantic period dramas, then look no further! In this guide, I have compiled this list of movies like The Other Boleyn Girl that will fill that void of romantic and period piece dramas.
The Other Boleyn Girl is a historical drama film brimming with intrigue and betrayal. Written by Oscar-nominated Peter Morgan, it places the court of King Henry VIII at the center of a romantic contest between two ambitious and strong-willed women both vying for the King’s hand.
Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson play the respective roles of Anne and Mary Boleyn, who combine sensuous charm with political savvy to win over a dashing King Henry VIII, played by Eric Bana.
The film features razor-sharp dialogue, steamy romantic sequences, and some masterfully seductive performances from its central trio.
10 Period & Romance Movies like The Other Boleyn Girl
1. The Duchess (2008)
When William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire, marries young socialite Georgiana, the new duchess is kept under no illusions about her duty to produce a legitimate male heir. Let down by the passionless practicalities of her relationship, she must seek romantic fulfillment elsewhere.
Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes play the starring roles in this elegantly presented film. Expect glamorous costumes, beautiful interiors, and plenty of sexual tension bubbling under the surface.
The film rightly features in our list of movies like The Other Boleyn Girl for its strong central female performance amid a period backdrop.
2. Elizabeth, the Golden Age (2007)
The follow up to Shekhar Kapur’s Elizabeth, this film portrays the latter half of Elizabeth I’s reign, and focuses on the events leading up to the arrival of the Spanish Armada. Facing threats from home and abroad, she must use her magisterial grace and diplomacy to navigate the country through these choppy political waters.
This 2007 biopic places Cate Blanchett in the central role, who portrays the queen as cool and unruffled in the face of adversity, though vulnerable in her private moments.
The performance earned Blanchett an Oscar nomination, and the film is well worth a watch if you’re looking for movies like The Other Boleyn Girl.
3. Mary, Queen of Scots (2008)
Catholic vs Protestant. Scotland vs England. Saoirse Ronan vs Margot Robbie. When she assumes the Scottish throne at 19 years old, Mary Stuart attempts nothing less than the overthrow of her cousin and rival – the reigning monarch Elizabeth I.
Based on John Guy’s 2004 biography Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart, this film is an excellent character study into two of the most enduring female figures of the 16th century.
Directed by Josie Rourke, it boasts superb storytelling and compelling revelations about each figure. With a female rivalry at the forefront, the film assumes its place in our movies like The Other Boleyn Girl.
4. The Aftermath (2019)
With fewer corsets, but no less drama, The Aftermath takes place in postwar Germany, where a British colonel and his wife are assigned to live in a requisitioned home. Shared grief then develops into a passionate love affair when the previous German occupant is invited back in.
Directed by James Kent, this stylish picture boasts strong central performances amid a vividly rendered postwar backdrop. The task of rebuilding a shattered city takes on more than just a physical burden for Lewis (Alexander Skarsgård) and Rachael (Keira Knightley) Morgan.
For pitting emotional drama against turbulent political events, this film joins our collection of movies like The Other Boleyn Girl.
5. Marie Antoinette (2006)
Amid the pomp and exuberance of the 18th-century French court, this film depicts the rise and fall of the iconic Marie Antoinette. Celebrating her marriage to Louis XVI at age 15, following her reign, and then charting her downfall, this is a dazzling and colorful biopic.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, and with Kirsten Dunst in the starring role, this highly stylized film has achieved awards for its costumes and earned plaudits among many interested in the era.
If you love movies like The Other Boleyn Girl, then immerse yourself in this colorful production!
6. Anna Karenina (2012)
While Leo Tolstoy’s blockbuster novel boasts no shortage of adaptations, our pick of the bunch is Joe Wright’s bold 2012 entry. The film stylishly depicts the tragedy of Russian aristocrat Anna Karenina, and her illicit relationship with dashing cavalry officer Count Vronsky.
With Keira Knightley and Jude Law forming the central pair in a star-studded cast, the film relies on strong performances and some dazzling cinematography.
Earning four nominations at the 85th Academy Awards, this is an obvious addition to any playlist of movies like The Other Boleyn Girl.
7. Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
A young 17th-century servant working in the house of illustrious painter Johannes Vermeer becomes his talented assistant and the model for one of his most famous works, in this critically acclaimed romantic drama.
Directed by Peter Webber, the film features Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson as its central pairing, breaking down the barriers of social class in the name of truth and beauty.
With its beautiful visuals and strong leading female performance, this is a deserved inclusion in our list of movies like The Other Boleyn Girl.
8. The Lion in Winter (1968)
Delving further into the cinematic archives, The Lion in Winter is a 1968 release depicting the personal and political turmoil among the royal family of Henry II of England. With all three sons contending for the throne, the dispute quickly spills over into violence.
Featuring a superb lineup of stage and screen legends including Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, and Anthony Hopkins, this remake of a 1966 Broadway play won three Academy Awards, including one for Hepburn as Best Actress.
Dynastic disputes make for entertaining viewing, and this Hollywood classic takes its illustrious place in our list of movies like The Other Boleyn Girl.
9. A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Another historical classic, A Man for All Seasons depicts the machinations of Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII after the monarch rejected the Roman Catholic Church.
Starring Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, and Orson Welles, and based on Robert Bolt’s 1960 play of the same name, the film features compelling storytelling and dramatic performances to give an insight into the mind of one of the most powerful figures of the 16th century. Set around a similar era, this joins our list of movies like The Other Boleyn Girl.
10. Lady Jane (1986)
Imagine being queen for just nine days. This extraordinary episode is depicted in this elegant costume drama, following the story of Lady Jane Grey and her marriage to Lord Guildford Dudley.
A young Helena Bonham Carter plays the starring role in this moving 1986 release. Directed by Trevor Nunn, the film features some beautiful locations around the UK, and is a tender-hearted meditation on love and power.
For the historical setting and strong performances, this film earns the final spot in our spotlight on movies like The Other Boleyn Girl.