19 Best Historical Shows on Netflix You Will Want to Watch This Weekend

If you’re looking to trade modern tech for corsets, carriage rides, or vintage 90s vibes, Netflix’s 2026 lineup is honestly hitting all the right notes for a total immersion fix. 

I’ve been keeping an eye on the latest drops, and while some are these massive, sweeping epics that feel like they belong on the big screen, others are these sharp, witty mysteries that are perfect for a weekend binge. 

Whether you want the absolute glamour of the Regency era or a grittier look at historical scandals, there is something so satisfying about a show that gets the aesthetic just right while keeping the drama feeling completely fresh.

Bridgerton (Season 4)

The ton is officially back, and this time the spotlight is on Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). 

This season follows his quest to find the mysterious Lady in Silver he met at a masquerade ball. 

Honestly, it’s about time Benedict got his own story – he’s always been the most interesting brother to me. 

The chemistry is already top-tier, and while it’s totally a fantasy version of Regency London, the vibes are immaculate. 

If you like romance that feels like a Pinterest board come to life, this is your show.

The Empress

This is a German series about Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria, and it is stunning. It’s much more intense and royal drama focused than Bridgerton. 

It follows her whirlwind romance with Emperor Franz Joseph and how she struggles with the suffocating rules of the Viennese court. 

The fashion is incredible, but Sisi’s mother-in-law is a nightmare that will make you appreciate your own family. It’s beautifully shot and feels very grand and atmospheric.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

This is a prequel to Bridgerton, and I’m going to say it: I think it’s actually better than the main show. 

It tells the story of young Queen Charlotte’s marriage to King George III. 

It’s much more emotional because it deals with George’s mental health struggles and the Great Experiment of integrating society. 

India Amarteifio is brilliant as the young Queen. It made me cry way more than I expected, and the jump between the past and the present day is handled perfectly.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

The Crawley family is back for one last hurrah. 

If you’ve followed the show from the beginning, this feels like a warm hug. 

It’s set in the early 20th century and captures that era of shifting social classes perfectly. 

It’s a bit predictable at this point, but I don’t even care – I just want to see the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) drop one-liners and watch the staff navigate the changing world. 

The Law According to Lidia Poët

This is an Italian show based on the true story of Italy’s first female lawyer. 

Set in 19th-century Turin, Lidia fights to practice law while solving murders on the side. 

I love how punchy this show feels. Lidia is a total icon, and her outfits are some of the best I’ve seen on TV lately. 

It’s smart, feminist, and the mystery element keeps it from feeling too heavy.

Vikings: Valhalla

If you want something with less lace and more axes, this is the one. 

Set 100 years after the original Vikings series, it follows Leif Erikson and Freydis Eiriksdottir as they navigate a world where the Viking age is coming to an end. 

It’s very gritty and the action scenes are massive. 

I appreciated that it shows the tension between paganism and Christianity during that time. 

One Hundred Years of Solitude

This is the massive 2026 adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s masterpiece. 

It follows several generations of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo. 

It’s a magical realism period piece, which makes it feel unlike anything else on this list. 

Visually, it is a masterpiece – the colors and the setting are just breathtaking. 

It’s a bit of a commitment because the family tree gets very confusing, but it’s a total work of art.

The Crown

Even though the main series ended, it remains one of the best historical shows ever made.

It chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and each season covers about a decade of history. 

The production value is insane – it looks like a multi-million dollar movie in every episode. 

I would say though that the earlier seasons with Claire Foy and Matt Smith are the peak for me, but the whole series is a masterclass in acting. 

It’s a must-watch for anyone who likes political and royal history.

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials

Set in the 1920s, this one is less about serious history and more about the glitz, glamour, and secrets of the upper class. 

It’s lighthearted compared to something like The Crown, and I really liked the fast-paced, witty dialogue. 

It feels very English countryside manor, which is always a great setting for a summer binge.

House of Guinness

This is a new one about the Guinness family in 19th-century Dublin following the death of the patriarch, Benjamin Guinness.

It’s about the four children who inherit the empire and the drama that follows. 

It gives off Peaky Blinders vibes but with more focus on family legacy and business. 

I really liked the gritty, industrial look of Dublin in this show – it feels very authentic and grounded.

It’s a solid pick if you want a drama that feels a bit more masculine and business-oriented.

The Last Kingdom

This one follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon boy raised by Danes, caught right in the middle of the war for England’s soul. 

I honestly loved the smug confidence Uhtred has because it makes the show so much more fun than your typical gritty historical drama. 

The shield-wall battles are visceral and actually look realistic, which I appreciate. 

If you’re missing that Game of Thrones vibe but want something grounded in real history, this is it. It’s easily one of my favorites on this list because it’s so fast-paced.

The Double

This is a Chinese historical drama that’s basically a masterclass in revenge. 

It’s about a woman, Xue Fang Fei, who is framed by her husband and survives being buried alive, only to take on a new identity to get justice. 

The aesthetics here are just stunning – there’s a scene with pear blossoms that is so Pinterest-chic and hauntingly beautiful. 

I really appreciated the chemistry between the leads; it felt like a high-stakes game of chess. If you like stories about outsmarting everyone in the room, you’ll be obsessed with this.

The Letter for the King

To be honest, this one felt a bit more young adult than the others. 

It’s about a young knight-to-be named Tiuri who has to deliver a secret letter across the mountains. 

While the scenery is absolutely breathtaking (seriously, the locations are 10/10), the plot felt a little thin for me as an adult. 

It’s definitely more family-friendly, so the battles aren’t as bloody. I liked the costume design – the armor looked practical – but I wish it had a bit more bite to the story.

Alias Grace

Based on Margaret Atwood’s book, this is a slow-burn mystery about Grace Marks, a servant convicted of murder in the 1840s. 

Sarah Gadon is hypnotic in this – you can never quite tell if she’s an innocent victim or a master manipulator. 

I really appreciated how it explored the struggles of women back then without being too preachy. 

It’s very psychological, and honestly, the ending left me thinking for days. If you prefer a show that makes you think rather than just action, this is the one.

The Cook of Castamar

Set in 18th-century Spain, this follows a talented cook with agoraphobia who falls for a widowed Duke. 

It’s basically Downton Abbey meets a high-end food blog. 

The way they filmed the cooking scenes made the food look like art and I loved that sensual focus on the recipes. 

It’s a bit of a soap opera with all the palace scandals, but the chaste romance at the center is actually quite sweet. It’s a great comfort watch when you want something pretty and romantic.

Kingdom

This is a wild combo it’s a Joseon-era political drama but with zombies. 

I wasn’t sure how that would work, but it’s brilliant. 

The stakes feel so high because the crown prince is fighting both a plague and a corrupt government. 

I honestly loved how the zombies are handled – they’re actually terrifying because they only come out at night (at first). 

The traditional Korean hats and costumes are also top-tier. It’s dark and stressful, but in the best way possible.

The Leopard

This is a classic 1960s film set during the Italian unification. 

It follows a Sicilian prince (Burt Lancaster) who realizes his era of nobility is ending.

It’s long and very slow, but the final 45-minute ballroom scene is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen on screen. 

I appreciated the thinking person aspect of it, as it’s very much about the fear of change. 

It’s definitely a movie lover’s movie, so don’t expect a fast plot, but the visuals are worth it.

The Last Czars

This one is a bit unique because it’s a docudrama and it mixes acting with interviews from real historians. 

It covers the downfall of the Romanov family in Russia. While the costumes and the tragic history are compelling, 

Some of the acting felt a bit clunky and on the nose, but I appreciated learning the facts even if the sexy scenes felt a bit unnecessary and historically inaccurate at times.

It’s a good intro to Russian history, but I preferred the actual drama of The Empress more.

The Story of Pearl Girl

This follows Duan Wu, a pearl diver who escapes a rough life to become a successful merchant. 

I was really impressed by the character growth here – she starts with nothing and uses her wits to survive. 

The chemistry between her and the merchant Yan Zijing is great, though he can be a bit of a jerk.

I loved the fast plot vibes; it reminds me of those intense historical dramas where you just can’t stop at one episode. 

History has never looked quite this glamorous or this dramatic. 

While 2026 is giving us epic conclusions with The Empress, it’s also opening new doors into the 1920s and beyond. 

I’d love to hear which era is your favorite to visit through your TV screen!