Historical or period drama is a film genre in which stories are based on historical events and famous persons. Some historical dramas attempt to accurately portray a historical event or biography, to the degree that the available historical research will allow. Other historical dramas are fictionalised tales that are based on an actual person and their deeds.
Due to the sheer volume of films included in this genre and in the interest of continuity, this list is primarily focused on films pertaining to the history of East Asia, Central Asia, and India. For films pertaining to the history of Near Eastern and Western civilisation, please refer to list of historical period drama films and series set in Near Eastern and Western civilization.
The films on this page are divided into regions, and within each region the films are listed chronologically.
Central Asia
+ Sortable table Title Release dateTime period Setting Notes The Beast 1988 1981 Afghanistan during the Soviet–Afghan WarThe Orphanage20191989–1990AfghanistanThe story of children living in an orphanage in Kabul in Soviet Afghanistan and during the outbreak of the Afghan Civil War Kandahar 2001 1996–2001 Afghanistan Afghanistan during the Taliban regimeTomiris20196th centuryKazakhstanKazakhstani historical drama about Tomyris, the 6th century queen of the MassagetaeMyn Bala201118th centuryKazakhstanKazakhstani historical dramatic film depicting the eighteenth century war fought between the Kazakhs and the Dzungar Khanate Nomad 2006 18th century Kazakhstan about the early years of Ablai Khan (early 18th century), a Kazakh khan in part of what is now Kazakhstan.Genghis Khan19501158–1227MongoliaLife of the Mongol emperor Genghis Khan focusing on the succession of his throne. Genghis Khan 1965 1158–1227 Mongolia The life and conquests of the Mongol emperor Genghis Khan Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea 2007 1158–1227 Mongolia Japanese-Mongolian film about the life of Genghis Khan Mongol 2007 1172–1192 Mongolia Mongolian language film depicting the early life of Genghis Khan, focusing on the years 1172–1192 The Conqueror 1956 1178–1203 Mongolia English-language film starring John Wayne as Genghis Khan Queen Mandukhai the Wise 1988 1449–1510 Mongolia Mongolian language film about the life of Queen Mandukhai (1449–1510) who reunited the Mongols. Tsogt Taij 1945 1581–1637 Mongolia Mongolian language film about the patriotic struggle of Prince Tsogt Taij (1581–1637). Kundun 1997 1950 Tibet an American film depicting the early life of the 14th Dalai Lama and the 1950 invasion of Tibet and subsequent events The Golden Horde 1951 1220 Uzbekistan English-language film about an English knight who leads the defense of Samarkand against Genghis Khan
South Asia
Indian History