8 Most Gripping Period Dramas on Netflix Rated 93% and Higher

Although many people are interested in exploring the unknown through science fiction or fantasy stories, there are some history enthusiasts who claim that the past holds just as many mysteries and exciting events to delve into. When done right, historical movies and TV shows are just as impressive as their fictional counterparts.

If you enjoy a good period drama, modernized or not, this list is for you. Make sure your Netflix subscription is renewed, choose one of the top 8 titles to suit your tastes, and settle in for an adventure through the decades.

The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) - 91%

Based on Bernard Cornwell's series of novels, The Saxon Stories, this TV show follows the books with each season moving the story of the birth of England in the 9th and 10th centuries forward.

The show has become such a fan favorite that even after it ended in 2022, a movie sequel Seven Kings Must Die was released to properly wrap it up.

Peaky Blinders ( 2013-2022) - 93%

Starring Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy, this period crime drama is a must-see even for those who don't care for the genre.

Returning home after the Great War, the hero and leader of the most powerful criminal gangs in the city, Tom Shelby, decides to change the game and get into the legitimate business. However, with so many ties to his past life and so many family connections still in place, he finds it a harder task than expected.

Transatlantic (2023) - 95%

If you are looking for a little hope among the TV shows and movies that chronicle the events of World War II, Transatlantic may be the perfect show for you. Brightly colored and filmed in sunny France, it tells the story of the heroes of the Emergency Rescue Committee who helped more than 2000 Jewish refugees escape the Nazi occupation.

Transatlantic is a story of humanity at its best, a perfect film to watch to get a different perspective on well-known events and to regain hope in humanity.

Vikings: Valhalla ( 2022-...) - 95%

For all fans of Scandinavian culture and folklore, the sequel story to the Vikings series will be interesting in every way it is made. However, the high quality of the show's production, thrilling battle scenes and brilliant acting only push it higher on everyone's 'to watch' list.

Despite the controversial reception among the fans of the original show, Valhalla definitely deserves a chance.

Band of Brothers (2001) - 97%

This iconic TV series doesn't need any additional introduction, especially for everyone interested in the war genre. The only question is how it did not manage to get a clear 100% from the critics, since Band of Brothers has become a perfect example of production quality for capturing the heroic events of World War II.

Originally broadcast on HBO, the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army is now available for everyone to watch on Netflix.

Alias Grace (2017) - 99%

For many avid television viewers, the name Margaret Atwood has become familiar after the release of Hulu 's hit The Handmaid's Tale, based on her novel of the same name. Alias Grace is another of her books that follows the story of poor Irish immigrant Grace Marks, who is sentenced to life in prison for murdering her employer and his housekeeper.

Starring Sarah Gadon as Grace, this story of one of Canada's most notorious 19th century women is the perfect overnight miniseries.

War Sailor (2023) - 100%

There are no good places to be in the aftermath of any war, especially one as deadly and global as World War II, but being stuck at sea must be one of the toughest places imaginable.

When two merchant sailors find themselves in the middle of the Atlantic, they must give up the lives they know and do everything in their power to survive and return home safely.

The Law According to Lidia Poët (2023) - 100%

If you're a fan of crime dramas and don't mind a European twist to your shows, this hidden Netflix gem is right up your alley.

Loosely based on the life of Lidia Poët, the first modern female lawyer in Italy, the show follows some of the most gripping and intriguing investigations that Lidia agreed to take on when there was no one else to help the victims. A perfect blend of Italian culture, a foray into history, and murder mystery.