List of historical films set in Near Eastern and Western civilization

Historical drama, or period drama is a film genre in which stories are based upon historical events and notable people. Some historical dramas are docudramas, which attempt to accurately portray a historical event or biography to the degree the available historical research will allow. Other historical dramas are fictionalized tales that are based on an actual person and their deeds, such as Braveheart, which is loosely based on the 13th-century knight William Wallace's fight for Scottish independence.

Historical fantasy includes films that place legendary or historical figures into stylized or supernatural worlds while remaining rooted in a specific era of human history. Examples include 300, which blends ancient Greek history with mythology, or Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which reimagines the legendary heroic figure in a stylized medieval setting. The genre also frequently incorporates Biblical epics such as Noah or Exodus: Gods and Kings. This sub-genre is distinct from pure fantasy (such as The Lord of the Rings or Conan the Barbarian).

Due to the sheer volume of films included in this genre and the interest in continuity, this list is primarily focused on films about the history of Near Eastern and Western civilization.

Please also refer to the List of historical films set in Asia for films about the history of East Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia.

Films set in the Stone Age (before 3300 BC) Title Release date Time Era Time Period Historical backgroundMissing Link1988Lower Paleolithic1 MyaThe struggle of the last of the Australopithecine against the rising Homo.Quest for Fire1981Middle Paleolithic80,000 BCThe story is set in Paleolithic Europe, with its plot surrounding the control of fire by archaic humans.Out of Darkness2022Upper Paleolithic43,000 BCHumans and Neanderthals in Paleolithic Europe.The Clan of the Cave Bear1986Upper Paleolithic40,000 – 35,000 BCSet around the time of Neanderthal extinction.Ao: The Last Hunter2010Upper Paleolithic28,000 BCCro-Magnons and Neanderthals in Paleolithic Asia and Europe.Alpha2018Upper Paleolithic20,000 BCDog domestication.Creatures the World Forgot 1971Paleolithicnot specifiedThe daily struggle to survive of a tribe of prehistoric humans.Year One 2009NeolithicComedy about two hunter-gatherers who after being banished from their tribe encounter Biblical characters and eventually wind up in the city of Sodom.10,000 BC2008Neolithic10,000 BC Set in the prehistoric era (12,000 years ago) and depicts the journeys of a prehistoric tribe of mammoth hunters.Iceman 2017Neolithic3,300 BCFictional story about the life of Ötzi, a natural mummy of a man found in 1991 in the Ötztal Alps.

Films set in the Bronze Age (3300–1200 BC)

Title Release date Time period Historical background Gods of Egypt 2016 3200 BC A fantasy action film based on the ancient Egyptian deities and the story of the god Horus (Horus may be shown as a falcon on the Narmer Palette, dating from about 3300–3200 BC). The Scorpion King 2002 3200–3000 BC A fantasy action film based on the historical king of the Protodynastic Period of Egypt, King Scorpion. The Pharaohs' Woman 1960 3100 BC A beautiful girl and a young physician fall in love amid a family and power struggle between rival princes of Upper and Lower Egypt. Set shortly after the unification of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt by the First Dynasty of Egypt. Land of the Pharaohs 1956 2589–2566 BC Based on the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), a member of the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt. Cleopatra's Daughter 1960 2589–2566 BC Based on the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), a member of the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt. Sudan 1945 2558–2532 BC Set during the reign of the pharaoh Khafre (Chephren), a member of the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt. The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior 2008 2334–2284 BC/ 1792 – c. 1750 BC This is a fictional story about Mathayus, who aims to avenge his father's death at the hands of Sargon, now king of Akkad. In this movie, a fictional version of the king Hammurabi of Babylon appears. The Bible: In the Beginning... 1966 approx. 3761 BC – 1644 BC (according to the Hebrew Calendar) It recounts the first 22 chapters of the biblical Book of Genesis, covering the stories from Adam and Eve to the binding of Isaac. Sodom and Gomorrah 1962 2100 BC An epic film which is loosely based on the tale of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah in the Book of Genesis. The Eloquent Peasant19702160–2025 BCEgyptian short film based on the tale of The Eloquent Peasant from the Middle Kingdom period Abraham 19932100–2000 BC A television film based on the life of the patriarch Abraham. The Bible 20132100 BC – 67 AD Television miniseries based on the Bible, starting with Abraham. Jacob 1994 2000 BC (according to the Hebrew calendar) A German/Italian/American television film based on the novel Giacobbe by Francesco Maria Nappi. The novel is, in turn, based on the depiction of the patriarch Jacob in the Book of Genesis. Slave of Dreams 1995 1901–1850 BC Set in Ancient Egypt and based on the story of Joseph, a Vizier depicted in the Book of Genesis. The era of the film's setting corresponds to the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt. Joseph 1995 1901–1850 BC Set in Ancient Egypt and based on the story of Joseph, a Vizier depicted in the Book of Genesis. The era of the film's setting corresponds to the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt. The Red Tent 2014 1700–1750 BC Miniseries set in The Holy Land during the time of the Old Testament patriarchs of the Book of Genesis. Dinah, the only daughter of Leah and Jacob, chronicles her story from youth through adulthood. Atlantis: End of a World, Birth of a Legend 2011 1600 BC Docudrama which depicts a re-enactment of the events surrounding the Minoan eruption, a major catastrophic volcanic eruption in the island of Thera (modern Santorini). The historical eruption devastated the island and communities and agricultural areas on nearby islands and Crete. The event is thought to be connected to a decline and eventual downfall of the Minoan civilization, an incident believed to have inspired the legend of Atlantis. Atlantis 2013–2015 1600 BC Far from home, Jason washes up on the shores of the ancient and mysterious city of Atlantis. Queen of the Nile 1961 1370–1330 BC Set in Ancient Egypt; loosely based on the life of Nefertiti, Great Royal Wife of the Pharaoh Akhenaten. Nefertiti and her husband were members of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt and were ruling figures of the Amarna Period. The Egyptian 1954 1350 BC Based on the novel The Egyptian by Mika Waltari, who adapted the Story of Sinuhe. The film mentions the pharaoh Akhenaten, the Hittite Empire, and iron technology. Tut 2015 1332–1323 BC The three-part miniseries is based on the life of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, a member of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. Jason and the Argonauts 1963 1300 BC The story of Jason and Argonauts, a band of heroes in Greek mythology, who in the years before the Trojan War (around 1300 BC) accompanied Jason to Colchis in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. The Giants of Thessaly 1960 1300 BC loosely based on the epic poem Argonautica by Apollonius Rhodius. The Ten Commandments 1956 1290–1213 BC Set in Ancient Egypt, during the reign of Ramesses II, a member of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt. The film is based on the founding narrative of the Exodus, as depicted in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Exodus: Gods and Kings 2014 1290–1213 BC Set in Ancient Egypt, during the reign of Ramesses II, a member of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt. The film is based on the founding narrative of the Exodus, as depicted in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Prince of Egypt 1998 1290–1213 BC Set in Ancient Egypt, during the reign of Ramesses II, a member of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt. The film is based on the founding narrative of the Exodus, as depicted in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Immortals 2011 1228 BC Loosely based on the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur and the Titanomachy. Iphigenia 1977 1200–1150 BC Set in the port town of Aulis, Greece immediately before the Greek expeditionary force sets sail to attack Troy. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, king Agamemnon of Mycenae offers his daughter Iphigenia as a human sacrifice to the goddess Artemis. The film is based on the theatrical play Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides. Helen of Troy 1956 1200–1150 BC Set in western Anatolia during the Trojan War, largely based on the epic poems Iliad and Odyssey by Homer. Helen of Troy 2003 1200–1150 BC TV miniseries set in western Anatolia during the Trojan War, loosely based on the epic poem Iliad by Homer. Troy 2004 1200–1150 BC Set in western Anatolia during the Trojan War, loosely based on the epic poem Iliad by Homer. Troy: Fall of a City 2018 1200–1150 BC Miniseries that tells the story of the 10-year siege of Troy. The Fury of Achilles 1962 1200–1150 BC Set in western Anatolia in the 9th year of the Trojan War, based on the epic poem Iliad by Homer. King Agamemnon of Mycenae has lost his slave concubine Chryseis, and demands Briseis as a replacement concubine. Briseis is the slave concubine of Achilles, the leader of the Myrmidons, and Achilles feels insulted due to having to give her up to his superior. In retaliation, Achilles refuses to fight or lead his troops alongside the other Greek forces. The Trojans temporarily start gaining an advantage in the ongoing war. The Trojan Horse 1961 1200–1150 BC Set in western Anatolia in the 10th and final year of the Trojan War. The Trojan Women 1971 1200–1150 BC Set in the immediate aftermath of the Trojan War, based on the theatrical play The Trojan Women by Euripides. The city of Troy has been sacked and the victors of the war are taking decisions on the fates of surviving captives. The film focuses on the fates of female captives Hecuba, Andromache, Cassandra, and Helen of Sparta. Meanwhile, Astyanax, the underage heir to the Trojan throne and relative of all four women, is scheduled for execution. Ulysses 1954 1200–1150 BC Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, based on the epic poem Odyssey by Homer. It depicts the ten-year struggle of war veteran Odysseus to return home to the island of Ithaca following the war. The Odyssey 1968 1200–1150 BC Based on the epic poem Odyssey by Homer. The Odyssey 1997 1200–1150 BC Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, based on the epic poem Odyssey by Homer. It depicts the ten-year struggle of war veteran Odysseus to return home to the island of Ithaca following the war. The Odyssey 2026 1200–1150 BC Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, based on the epic poem Odyssey by Homer. It depicts the ten-year struggle of war veteran Odysseus to return home to the island of Ithaca following the war. Electra 1962 1200–1150 BC Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War in Mycenae, based on the theatrical play Electra by Euripides and the traditional accounts of conflicts within the family of the Atreidai. Agamemnon, King of Mycenae returned victorious from the Trojan War, but was assassinated by his own wife Clytemnestra and by his first cousin Aegisthus (who served as Clytemnestra's lover and a rival claimant to the throne). Years later Electra (the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra) seeks revenge for her father's murder, by plotting the assassinations of both her mother and her stepfather. The Lion of Thebes 1964 1200–1150 BC Alternate tale where Helen of Troy ends up in the Egyptian city of Thebes The Avenger 1962 1200–1150 BC Aeneas struggles to establish a new home-land in the Italian Peninsula for his fellow survivors of the Trojan War. The film is based on the epic poem Aeneid by Virgil, which depicts Aeneas and his Trojan colonists as ancestor of the Romans.

Films set in the Iron Age (1200 BC–500 BC)