7 Best Movies About Queen Elizabeth I (And 6 Great Shows)

from England Queen Elizabeth I is a famous and complex historical figure who made unique contributions to Western civilization. As a result, it is not surprising that there are many movies about Elizabeth I to choose from. While the English royal family has always been a source of interest for viewers around the world, TV shows and movies Keep that spark of intrigue alive. The line of succession in British history is a bloody one, full of political intrigue, scandal and reform that makes for great TV and movies.

Few royals are remembered like Elizabeth I, and she has quite a unique place in history. One of England’s most esteemed monarchs, Queen Elizabeth I is known as the “Virgin Queen,” as she famously never married. She brought her domain into the Golden Age after the oppressive rule of her sister and King Henry VIII before her. There are many accomplishments to her estimable name, which makes the sheer number of TV shows and movies about Elizabeth I quite understandable.

Elizabeth (1998)

Played by Cate Blanchett

In one of Cate Blanchett’s best roles, she stars as Elizabeth Tudor in the 1998 historical drama film ElizabethArguably one of the best Queen Elizabeth movies about Elizabeth I. The film centers on the female monarch’s ascension to the throne after her sister Mary I (more often referred to as “Bloody Mary”)’s death and Elizabeth’s early years as queen.

There is also a plot focusing on the ill-fated secret romance of Elizabeth Tudor and Sir Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes) as she remains married to her country, unwilling to give up her power in a political alliance with other suitors. The film is an intriguing character study, artfully played by Blanchett. The role earned Blanchett her first Oscar nomination while the film itself earned a Best Picture nomination. It also features performances by Emily Mortimer and Geoffrey Rush and early roles by Alfie Allen and Daniel Craig.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

Played by Cate Blanchett

Nearly a decade after the first movie, Elizabeth: The Golden Age Is the sequel with Blanchett back as Queen Elizabeth II Movie picks up later in her reignAnd Blanchett continues to bring unwavering confidence yet stern empathy to the role, acting as Elizabeth Tudor who leads England into a golden age despite dealing with strained relations with Spain. The movie explores assassination plots against the queen, the growing aggression of her enemies, and several romantic pursuits.

The sequel also serves as a standalone film despite Blanchett reprising her role And Geoffrey Rush returns as her adviser Sir Francis Walsingham. They are also joined by some exciting new cast members, including Clive Owen, Rhys Ifans and Samantha Morton. The movie fell far from its predecessor in terms of critical reception, however, Blanchett still managed to secure an Oscar nomination for her role.

Fire Over England (1937)

Played by Flora Robson

Fire over England is a black-and-white production from 1937, and one of the earliest Queen Elizabeth I movies. The narrative follows a naval one Officer who discovers Spain’s plan to fight against Englandled to the naval battle that ended with England being victorious. The narrow plot leads the young man to win the heart of one of Queen Elizabeth’s ladies in waiting.

Fire over England is still one of the most important Queen Elizabeth movies because the actress who plays her, Flora Robson, adds an essence of elegance to the character, and her unnamed lady-in-waiting, played by Vivien Leigh, is a gem that mislead the audience. In fact, it was Leigh’s performance in the movie that helped her earn the role of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the wind That would make you an icon.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Played by Judi Dench

Best Picture Oscar Winner Shakespeare in love is a must-watch film and definitely one of the best movies about Elizabeth I. This is a movie that will appeal to the heart of a lost romantic. Although it focuses mostly on the relationship between the famous playwright Shakespeare (Joseph Finnies) and his lover Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), Queen Elizabeth (Judi Dench) also makes an appearance.

Elizabeth is the person who judges whether Shakespeare’s play can really capture the nature of love in its authenticity. As usual, Dench gives a stunning performance as she carefully pulls the strings of the narrative, and is thus a particular highlight of the critically beloved film. She plays the queen as a blunt but comedic presence in the movie, commanding the screen whenever she appears. Dench earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Oscars for her performance, which remains one of the shortest Oscar-nominated performances of all time at just five minutes of screen time.

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

Played by Bette Davis

Based on a Broadway play of the same name, the fictionalized romance about Queen Elizabeth united a number of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time. The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Was originally released in black and white but has since been remastered in a color production. The film covers the Tumultuous relationship between Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of EssexAs their relationship stays hidden because the Queen refuses to give up her power through marriage.

This is a great film for cinephiles and history buffs alike, despite the fact that it’s a largely fictionalized take on the relationship. With Bette Davis and Errol Flynn starring in the film as Queen Elizabeth and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, this was the pair’s second film together and their chemistry is electric.

The Virgin Queen (1955)

Played by Bette Davis

Like Cate Blanchett, Bette Davis is a legendary actor who has played the role of Queen Elizabeth I more than once. Davis reclaims the role in the 1955 film, The Virgin Queen. The plot in this film is relatively simple. With the discovery of the New World, Explorer Sir Walter Raleigh seeks the Queen’s consent to travel to America. When Queen Elizabeth I is hesitant, he works to seduce her in hopes her newfound love will allow him to sail.

Davis plays Elizabeth I with a quiet sternness, but beneath the public veneer is a beautiful and gracious monarch. It may not be Bette Davis’ most iconic role, but it’s one of her best. The film comes from director Henry Koster, who was behind such other classics as Harvey And The bishop’s wife.

Orlando (1992)

Played by Quentin Crisp

Based on Virginia Woolf’s novel, Orlando: A Biography, Orlando is a brilliant adaptation of classic literature that holds incredible relevance today for its examination of gender identity and discrimination. Tilda Swinton stars in a breakout role as a poet who is magically transformed from a man to a woman, and who is Ordered by Queen Elizabeth not to age. As a result, Orlando goes through many years of English history, meeting different figures from different eras, similar to the history element of Forest Gump.

Queen Elizabeth I plays an important role in the movie, responsible for Orlando’s own journey in many ways. The movie also plays on the story’s ideas of gender by casting a male actor in the role of Queen Elizabeth. It’s worth the watch as both Swinton and Crisp deliver powerful performances through the lens of Woolf’s masterful narrative.

Elizabeth the First (2005)

Played by Helen Mirren

One of the best movie actresses of all time, Helen Mirren portrays the iconic monarch in the 2005 two-part miniseries Elizabeth I. Alongside Mirren as the Queen, Jeremy Irons plays the Duke of Essex, and Hugh Dancy is the Earl of Leicester. Although not one of the many movies about Elizabeth I, instead telling a full story with a television format, the creators of the show have a different spin on the story.

Elizabeth I tells the story of Queen Elizabeth’s last days as reigning monarchRather than her ascension to the throne, the rivalry with Mary, Queen of Scots, or a chronological plot following events during her nearly fifty-year reign. It’s a lot of fun to see Mirren in this role as she won an Oscar in 2007 for playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen.

Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen (2006)

Played by Anne-Marie Duff

Movies about Elizabeth I don’t have the runtime to explore her entire influential reign. Therefore, the miniseries format is ideal for a full exploration of Queen Elizabeth’s impact on England and the show Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen Delve into her life with surprising depths. Starring Anne-Marie Duff (during her run on the UK Shame series) as the titular monarch.

The 2006 miniseries Attempts to cover the entire life of Queen Elizabeth TudorFrom childhood to death. In the matter of four episodes, the show details the tyrannical rule of her sister, Queen Mary I (Joan Whalley), her love affair with Robert Dudley (Tom Hardy), and her last years of life. Duff gives an engrossing performance in the lead role that earned her a BAFTA TV award nomination, while Hardy continued to cement himself as a rising star before his Hollywood breakout.

The Tudors (2007-2010)

Played by Kate Duggan, Claire MacCauley and Laoise Murray

The Tudors is not about the reign of Elizabeth I, but instead, about her turbulent familyThe House of Tudor. The series chronicles her father’s time on the throne and his quest to produce legitimate male heirs. It runs through a couple of his marriages each season and the children produced by these unions are introduced. Over time, new actors take over the children’s roles, which is why three different young performers play Elizabeth throughout the show.

Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) gets the most spotlight, but the show has a great showcase for the talent of actors like Natalie Dormer, who played Anne Boleyn, and Sarah Bolger, who played Princess Mary.

Although the series does not go beyond the last days of Henry VIII, it provides an interesting look at the basis for Elizabeth’s Protestant beliefs that come into conflict with her cousin (Mary Stuart of Scotland) and her Catholicism. The conflicts between the two religious groups begin long before the two young women rise to power.

Reign (2013-2017)

Played by Rachel Skarsten

While CW’s Rule It begins as after Mary Stewart (Adelaide Kane) attempts to reclaim her throne, halfway through the series, Rule is written to include Queen Elizabeth’s (Rachel Skarsten) efforts to maintain her power. It is written as a rivalry between the two monarchies, fearing usurped crowns and recognizing that they are both female pawns on the political chessboard of monarchies, hierarchies and birthrights.

The TV show Rule is also known for the costuming of the show. Even though it is based in the 1500s, the costume designer pulls modern fashion in order to create a young adult show that is both historical and intriguing to its demographic. It also embraces soap opera elements in its story to provide a period piece with stunning looks and a lot of drama that allows it to stand out in the genre in a fun way.

Become Elizabeth (2022)

Played by Alicia Von Rittberg

Beautiful Elizabeth Takes on an era of Queen’s life not often explored on screen – her teenage years. Although much of what happens in the eight episodes of the series is speculative fiction, it is combined with actual historical moments to give the historical series a distinctly soapy feel.

Much of the focus on the show is not exactly on Elizabeth’s path to rule, but rather on the time that her brother Edward was king and the machinations of the members of the court around him. At 14, Elizabeth doesn’t even spend that much time at court, and the series speculates about her infatuation with a much older man and just how far their relationship went. It too Makes it clear how many of the people around Elizabeth are simply interested in gaining power by being adjacent to the throne instead of having her best interests at heart.

Alicia Von Rittberg plays young Elizabeth to perfection. Although she is mostly known for her work in German movies, here, she proves that she is a talent on the international stage.

My Lady Jane (2024)

Abby listens like Princess Bess

Unlike most of the other movies and TV shows starring Elizabeth I, My Lady Jane is definitely not historically accurate. It is A fantasy series adapted from a novel that presents an alternate history of EnglandLady Jane Grey, and those around her, including a young Elizabeth.

My Lady Jane sees the title character at the center of an arranged marriage drama. She is, like Elizabeth, one of the people in the royal family in line for the throne. The focus is on Jane’s adventures while Elizabeth, here called Bess, is in a supporting role. The fantasy element of the story comes in the form of ethians – humans who can transform into animals, although some cannot control the change, including the human Lady Jane.

Bess is young here, and a supporter of Jane’s potential succession to the throne in the wake of her brother slowly being poisoned throughout the series. Although this is very different from the reality, the idea of ​​the Atheans against the Verity, as non-transforming humans are called, is very similar to the Protestant and Catholic clashes of the same era.

The series was, unfortunately, canceled after the first season. If the series had continued, the season finale hinted that there would be a bigger storyline coming for Bess in the future that could be closer to the series. Elizabeth I Rule.