The colonial era of American history is one of the most popular time periods for history buffs and lovers of film and television. The colonial period encompasses the arrival of Europeans to America, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and more.
From the incredible political events of the period to the rich costumes, movies and tv shows are the ideal ways to depict American colonial history.
The following is our round-up of the best movies and television series set in the colonial period of American history. They take place during the foundation of Jamestown, the French and Indian War, and Revolutionary War, and other key events of the time.
While many of the content listed is best for older viewers, we have included a few kid-friendly choices to suit even the youngest history enthusiasts.
While the 1995 version of The Scarlet Letter may be more popular, the first adaptation from 1926 is considered a far better version by critics (the 1995 version has been called one of the worst films of all time).
The Scarlet Letter is based on the book of the same title published in 1850. Both the book and movie tell the story of a Puritan women in the Massachusetts Bay Colony who must contend with the social repercussions of having a child out of wedlock in the 1640s.
The book and 1926 film are both considered classics. It was Lillian Gish's second film under her contract with MGM and is a must-see for fans of colonial history and film history alike.
The 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans is based on the 1826 novel of the same name. It takes place in 1757 and is an action-packed story of the French and Indian War.
The movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe. The Last of the Mohicans was nominated for an Academy Award and won several British Academy Film Awards.
This 90s classic is one of the most popular movies set in colonial America.
1776 is a musical drama that depicts events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The 1972 musical and film celebrates real historical figures like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and more.
Although the musical has plenty of historical inaccuracies, it is a fun and entertaining portrayal of colonial history.
1776 was nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy category.
Hamilton is a wildly popular stage musical and movie that depicts the life of Alexander Hamilton in two acts. The musical is based on a biography of the Founding Father.
A live performance of Hamilton was recorded and released to Disney+ in 2020.
The musical was nominated for two Golden Globes (Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy) and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
The Crossing is a television film that tells the story of George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River and the Battle of Trenton. The movie stars Jeff Daniels as Washington.
The film has generally positive reviews and won a Peabody Award for Excellence. With only a few historical inaccuracies, this film is both entertaining and illuminating.
The John Adams television miniseries is a must-watch for fans of the colonial period and the Revolutionary War. The program tells the story of John Adams in seven episodes which span the years 1770 to 1826.
The screenplay for John Adams is based on the 2001 biography by David McCullough.
The miniseries has been nominated for more awards than any other in history. With four Golden Globe nominations and more than a dozen Emmy nominations, John Adams is a truly successful Revolutionary War series.
Turn: Washington's Spies is a tv series based on a book about the Culper Ring, a spy network during the Revolutionary War.
The series covers the years 1776 to 1781, beginning with the foundation of the Culper Ring. Turn has mostly positive reviews, with the first season receiving mixed reviews and later seasons doing better.
Fans of Downton Abbey may also appreciate Jamestown, a series developed by the makers of Downton Abbey. The tv series takes place in Jamestown, and therefore tells a story of early colonial history.
The drama centers on the year 1619, when women arrive from England to marry Jamestown settlers. The women soon realize that power struggles within the colony are just some of the dangers facing them as women.
They learn to rely on each other for survival over the show's three seasons.
Another popular colonial America movie is The Patriot from 2000. The war film stars Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs, and Chris Hooper.
Gibson plays a man reluctant to joins sides in the Revolutionary War until the murder of his son by a British officer spurns him to action.
Although The Patriot is one of the more well-known movies about the Revolutionary War, it received mixed reviews upon release. The film was especially unpopular in Britain for its anti-British sentiment. Many of the British characters in the film are depicted as cruel.
Some historical inaccuracies and biases mean The Patriot should be viewed for entertainment purposes rather than as a history lesson.
Kids who are interested in the colonial period will enjoy Felicity: An American Girl Adventure. This film is one in a series based on the popular American Girl dolls and books.
The movie tells the story of Felicity, an independent girl who grows up in Williamsburg in the years before the Revolutionary War.
Felicity focuses on the daily life of a colonial girl and her family. It also depicts the colonists frustrations over taxation and the growing divide between those loyal to Britain and those who want independence.
The movie stars Shailene Woodley as Felicity (it was one of her first roles), Marcia Gay Harden, and John Schneider.
Liberty's Kids is a PBS Kids television series that aired from 2002 to 2003. Reruns aired until 2004. The series tells the story of America's founding through three child characters and many historical figures like Benjamin Franklin.
Spanning 1773 to 1789, the series walks kids through the founding of the United States from before the Declaration of Independence through the Revolutionary War.
The program includes celebrity voice talents like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ben Stiller, Sylvester Stallone, and Liam Neeson. It was nominated for several Daytime Emmys.
Full episodes of Liberty's Kids can be viewed on YouTube.
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