Period pieces [1] can have some of the most swoon-worthy scenes to watch, and thanks to Bridgerton [2], Netflix viewers know this to be true on an intimate level. After the steamy series [3] hit the streaming service, TV-and-movie-watchers discovered and rekindled a love for all things romantic, historical, and of course, sexy. Whether it's the too-tight corsets, suave pick-up lines, or too-hot-to-handle forbidden romances, Netflix has enough romance-filled titles [4] to make you blush two times over.
If you're looking for amorous flicks to add to your queue, these sweet and sexy romances [5] with historical settings are all you need to get your movie night going. From the blush-worthy Effie Gray about a tantalizing love triangle to the mysterious The Exception with Lily James, these movies will make you wish you were born in another era. Check out the best historical romance movies [6] that have a dash of sex, a splash of mystery, a whole lot of love on Netflix, ahead. We know you want to . . .
— Additional reporting by Corinne Sullivan
Loving
In this drama, a white man falls in love with a Black woman in 1958, and the small town of Virginia that they live in banishes them. With a court case at hand about the lawfulness of having interracial children, the couple sets out to prove that love conquers all.
Watch Loving [8] on Netflix now.
The Promise
This historical drama set in 1914 tells the story of a medical student named Michael and his budding romance with a beautiful Armenian dance instructor named Ana. Ana's boyfriend is an American photojournalist trying to report on the beginning of the war, while his own love life is up in flames. The Ottoman Empire begins to crumble under the chaos of the war, and the love triangle must figure out what matters more in order to keep them all alive.
Watch The Promise [9] on Netflix now.
W.E.
Based on the true love affair of Wallis Simpson and former-King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, this movie tells the story of a New York woman who becomes enthralled with the couple's romantic life. She's compelled to tell Wallis' side of the story that's not often seen in mainstream media.
Watch W.E. [10] on Netflix now.
The Theory of Everything
This biopic chronicles the early years of Stephen Hawking and his romance with his first wife, Jane. Of course, a heartbreaking diagnosis changes their future but does not impede his pursuit of knowledge.
Watch The Theory of Everything [11]The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society [12] on Netflix now.
Carol
Set in New York City in the early 1950s and based on the romance novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, this drama follows the affair between a young shop girl and an older woman going through a divorce. What begins as a chance encounter in a department store blossoms into a life-changing romance, and things between the two get real hot real fast.
Watch Carol [14] on Netflix now.
Rebecca
Based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier, this thriller tells the story of a wealthy widower's second wife, who — after moving into his English country home — starts to feels the threat of his late wife's presence.
Watch Rebecca [15] on Netflix now.
Howards End
Emma Thompson [16] and Anthony Hopkins [17] deliver critically acclaimed performances in this adaptation of E.M. Forster's popular novel. Howards End unravels the story of a compassionate middle-class woman who enters an unlikely relationship with a cold, calculating businessman.
Watch Howards End [18] on Netflix now.
Lady J
Inspired by a story in Denis Diderot's Jacques the Fatalist, this French historical drama stars Hereafter's Cécile de France as Madame de la Pommeraye, a wealthy widow who, after she is spurned by her lover, decides to enact a complicated plan for revenge with the help of the titular Lady J. This one is for anyone who can't resist a good revenge plot (especially when it plays out among aristocrats).
Watch Lady J [20] on Netflix now.
Jodhaa Akbar
This 2008 historical romance movie is set in 16th-century India and tells the dreamy love story of Jalal ud-din Muhammad Akbar, the Mughal Emperor of Hindustan, and Rajput princess Jodhaa. It's a three-and-a-half-hour film, so be sure you have enough popcorn to tide you over!
Watch Jodhaa Akbar [21] on Netflix now.
The Ottoman Lieutenant
In this dramatic romance, a woman leaves the US after meeting a doctor who runs a remote medical mission within the Ottoman Empire. Right before the first World War happens, she falls in love with a lieutenant in the Ottoman Imperial Army, turning her world upside down.
Watch The Ottoman Lieutenant [22] on Netflix now.
A Little Chaos
Kate Winslet [23] stars as Sabine, a talented female gardener who gets the opportunity to landscape King Louis XIV's palace at Versailles. In doing so, Sabine finds herself entangled in romantic and political complications.
Watch A Little Chaos [24] on Netflix now.
Lagaan
One of the first Bollywood movies ever to be nominated for an Oscar, this is a must-watch for any movie-lover. When a small village in India revolts against British rule over their town, they place a bet on a cricket match. With a heartwarming love story woven throughout, good luck finding anyone who didn't like this movie.
Watch Lagaan [25] on Netflix now.
Effie Gray
Dakota Fanning [26] stars in this scandalous flick as Effie Gray, the new wife to a distinguished writer. A love triangle ensues after Effie realizes that her husband sees her more as a source of artistic inspiration than as a lover.
Watch Effie Gray [27] on Netflix now.
Outlaw King
Chris Pine [28] stars in this 14th-century epic about a legendary warrior named Robert the Bruce who is forced into exile by the English after being crowned King of Scotland. The film follows his battle to reclaim the throne with his outlaw army.
Watch Outlaw King [29] on Netflix now.
The Danish Girl
This gorgeous biographical romance revolves around one the first known recipients of sex reassignment surgery, following Lili Elbe's journey from Einar Wegener, as well as Lili's changing relationship with her wife, Gerda, who supports Lili wholeheartedly (even though she grows jealous when Lili catches the eye of a sexy childhood friend).
Watch The Danish Girl [30] on Netflix now.
The Exception
The Exception follows a German soldier during World War II who is on a mission to find out if spies are collecting information on the old monarch. While he is on his assignment, he finds himself falling for a young Jewish housekeeper, and steamy scenes ensue.
Watch The Exception [31] on Netflix now.
The King
Timothée Chalamet [32] stars in this film adaptation of several of Shakespeare's history plays, playing a young version of King Henry V [33], who ascended to the throne just as England was about to go to war with France. The cast also includes Joel Edgerton as the fictional Sir John Falstaff, Lily-Rose Depp as Catherine of Valois, and Robert Pattinson [34] as Louis, Duke of Guyenne.
Watch The King [35] on Netflix now.
Elisa & Marcela
Elisa & Marcela is a Spanish biographical romantic film based on the story of Elisa Sánchez Loriga and Marcela Gracia Ibeas, the first two women to have a same-sex marriage in Spain. They were able to do so only because Elisa had assumed an identity as a man.
Watch Elisa & Marcela [36] on Netflix now.