Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Copy

Movies set in Early Modern Period (1600-1800 AD)

by Westcliff • Created 3 years ago • Modified 5 days ago
The Early Modern Period, spanning from 1600 to 1800 AD, was a transformative era that shaped the world we know today. It was a time of massive political, social, and cultural change, highlighted by the evolution of scientific thought, the spread of capitalism, and the growth of European colonialism.

Scientific Revolution (1600-1700): Key figures like Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler, and Andreas Vesalius revolutionized the scientific world, rejecting classical explanations of natural phenomena and focusing instead on empirical evidence and experimentation. This was a period of unprecedented discovery, setting the stage for the Age of Enlightenment.

Age of Enlightenment (1700-1800): In this period, known as the "Age of Reason", prominent thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, Adam Smith, and Immanuel Kant led a cultural movement that emphasized reason, analysis, and individualism. It saw the production of the Encyclopédie, the first compendium of human knowledge, and marked the build-up to major events like the American and French Revolutions.

Colonialism and Expansion of Empires: European powers like Spain, Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands established colonies around the world. These colonial activities led to the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), a global conflict that involved every major European power and spanned five continents, which drastically reshaped the world map and influenced subsequent international relations.

Baroque Period (1600-1750): The Baroque was a cultural movement that began in Italy and spread across Europe. It was characterized by grandeur, drama, and opulence in art, architecture, literature, and music. Notable figures include composers like Bach and Handel, artists like Caravaggio and Rubens, and architects like Bernini and Borromini.

Wars of Religion: The 17th century was largely dominated by religious conflicts, most notably the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) in central Europe, one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. It was primarily a battle between Protestant and Catholic states in the fragmented Holy Roman Empire, but it also involved most of the European powers.

Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution: The global expansion of trade and the emergence of a market economy set the stage for modern capitalism. Towards the end of the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain, marked by significant technological advancements that transformed manufacturing and had profound effects on socioeconomic and cultural conditions.

American Revolution (1765–1783) and French Revolution (1789–1799): These pivotal events marked the rise of nationalism and the notion of popular sovereignty. They greatly influenced political ideologies, leading to democratic movements and the spread of liberalism.

The Early Modern Period was a time of tumultuous change, with major wars, scientific advancements, cultural shifts, and political revolutions shaping the modern world. The events of this era continue to have a profound impact on our lives today.
List activity
3.7K views
• 115 this week
Create a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
  • 99 titles
  • Rhys Ifans in Anonymous (2011)

    1. Anonymous

    20112h 10mPG-1350Metascore
    6.8 (43K)
    The theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford, who penned Shakespeare's plays. Set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I and the Essex rebellion against her.
    DirectorRoland EmmerichStarsRhys IfansVanessa RedgraveDavid Thewlis
    Set in the late 16th to early 17th century England, specifically during the last years of Queen Elizabeth I's reign (circa 1590-1603). This film explores the theory that Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, was the true author of Shakespeare's plays, delving into the political intrigue and literary secrets of the Elizabethan era.
  • Colin Farrell and Q'orianka Kilcher in The New World (2005)

    2. The New World

    20052h 15mPG-1373Metascore
    6.7 (92K)
    The story of the English exploration of Virginia, and of the changing world and loves of Pocahontas.
    DirectorTerrence MalickStarsColin FarrellQ'orianka KilcherChristopher Plummer
    Set in early 17th century (circa 1607-1613) Jamestown, Virginia, this film depicts the founding of the Jamestown settlement and explores the complex relationship between English settlers and Native Americans. It focuses on the romantic and cultural exchanges between Pocahontas, the daughter of a Powhatan chief, and John Smith, an English explorer.
  • Don Quijote de la Mancha (1947)

    3. Don Quijote de la Mancha

    19472h 17m
    6.8 (210)
    The most faithful of all the major film versions of Cervantes' novel.
    DirectorRafael GilStarsRafael RivellesJuan CalvoFernando Rey
    Set in early 17th century Spain. The first part of "Don Quixote" was published in 1605, and the second part in 1615. This Spanish film adaptation follows the adventures of the delusional knight Don Quixote as he roams the countryside in search of chivalrous quests, blending the romantic ideals of knighthood with a satirical commentary on contemporary Spanish society.
  • Day of Wrath (1943)

    4. Day of Wrath

    19431h 37mNot Rated
    8.1 (12K)
    The young wife of an aging priest falls in love with his son amidst the horror of a merciless witch hunt in 17th-century Denmark.
    DirectorCarl Theodor DreyerStarsThorkild RooseLisbeth MovinSigrid Neiiendam
    Set in 1623 Denmark, this film follows Anne, the young wife of an older pastor named Absalon Pederssøn. As Anne begins an affair with her stepson, Martin, she finds herself caught in a tragic web of suspicion and fear when she is accused of witchcraft. The film explores themes of love, guilt, and the oppressive nature of societal and religious expectations, highlighting the dark period of witch hunts and moral rigidity.
  • Gene Kelly, June Allyson, Van Heflin, Angela Lansbury, and Lana Turner in The Three Musketeers (1948)

    5. The Three Musketeers

    19482h 5mApproved
    7.1 (7.4K)
    D'Artagnan and his Musketeer comrades thwart the plans of Cardinal Richelieu to usurp King Louis XIII's power.
    DirectorGeorge SidneyStarsLana TurnerGene KellyJune Allyson
    Set in 1625-1628 France, this swashbuckling adventure follows the young d'Artagnan as he joins forces with the three musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—to thwart political conspiracies and defend the honor of the Queen.
  • Charlton Heston, Raquel Welch, Richard Chamberlain, Faye Dunaway, Oliver Reed, and Michael York in The Three Musketeers (1973)

    6. The Three Musketeers

    19731h 46mPG77Metascore
    7.1 (21K)
    A young swordsman comes to Paris and faces villains, romance, adventure and intrigue with three Musketeer friends.
    DirectorRichard LesterStarsOliver ReedRaquel WelchRichard Chamberlain
    Set in 1625-1628 France, this adaptation focuses on the camaraderie and daring exploits of d'Artagnan and the three musketeers as they navigate court intrigue and combat their enemies.
  • Charlie Sheen, Tim Curry, Rebecca De Mornay, Chris O'Donnell, Kiefer Sutherland, and Oliver Platt in The Three Musketeers (1993)

    7. The Three Musketeers

    19931h 45mPG43Metascore
    6.4 (62K)
    France, 1625. Young d'Artagnan heads to Paris to join the Musketeers, but the evil cardinal has disbanded them. d'Artagnan meets Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, three rogue musketeers, and joins them on their quest to save the king and country.
    DirectorStephen HerekStarsCharlie SheenKiefer SutherlandChris O'Donnell
    Set in 1625-1628 France, this more modern take combines action, romance, and the enduring friendship of d'Artagnan and the musketeers as they protect the realm from threats both internal and external.
  • The Witch (2015)

    8. The Witch

    20151h 32mR84Metascore
    7.0 (336K)
    An isolated Puritan family in 1630s New England comes unraveled by the forces of witchcraft and possession.
    DirectorRobert EggersStarsAnya Taylor-JoyRalph InesonKate Dickie
    Set in the 1630s in New England, this film follows a Puritan family that is exiled from their settlement and relocates to a remote farm on the edge of a dark forest. As the family experiences a series of disturbing and inexplicable events, they become increasingly paranoid and suspect one another of witchcraft. The film explores themes of religious fanaticism, isolation, and the destructive power of fear and superstition, creating a chilling atmosphere of psychological and supernatural horror.
  • Mother Joan of the Angels (1961)

    9. Mother Joan of the Angels

    19611h 50m
    7.5 (4.6K)
    A priest is sent to a small parish in the Polish countryside which is believed to be under demonic possession and there he finds his own temptations awaiting.
    DirectorJerzy KawalerowiczStarsLucyna WinnickaMieczyslaw VoitAnna Ciepielewska
    Set in 1634 France, this film is based on the real-life events of demonic possession in the Loudun convent in France. The story follows Father Jozef Suryn, a priest sent to a remote convent to investigate and perform exorcisms on the possessed nuns, particularly focusing on Mother Joan. As Father Suryn confronts the manifestations of evil and his own spiritual doubts, the film explores themes of faith, repression, and the psychological struggles between good and evil.
  • Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed in The Devils (1971)

    10. The Devils

    19711h 51mR49Metascore
    7.7 (20K)
    In 17th-century France, Father Urbain Grandier's protection of the city of Loudun from the corrupt Cardinal Richelieu is undermined by a sexually repressed nun's accusation of witchcraft.
    DirectorKen RussellStarsVanessa RedgraveOliver ReedDudley Sutton
    Set in 1634 France, this controversial film explores the possessed nuns and the trial of a priest accused of witchcraft.
  • Sandrine Holt, Lothaire Bluteau, and August Schellenberg in Black Robe (1991)

    11. Black Robe

    19911h 41mR
    7.1 (8K)
    In the 17th century, a Jesuit missionary nicknamed Black Robe by the natives and his small party of companions try reaching the Huron tribe in Canada all while facing mistrust, Iroquois warring parties and harsh winter conditions.
    DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsLothaire BluteauAden YoungSandrine Holt
    Set in 1634 Canada, this film explores the clash between a Jesuit priest and indigenous tribes.
  • Witchfinder General (1968)

    12. Witchfinder General

    19681h 26mUnrated
    6.7 (13K)
    During the English Civil War, a young Roundhead seeks vengeance against a vicious witch-hunter and his henchman, who have terrorized the soldier's fiancée and wrongfully executed her uncle.
    DirectorMichael ReevesStarsVincent PriceIan OgilvyRupert Davies
    Set in 1645 England, this horror film portrays the brutal witch hunts led by Matthew Hopkins.
  • Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

    13. Cyrano de Bergerac

    19902h 17mPG79Metascore
    7.5 (27K)
    Famed swordsman and poet Cyrano de Bergerac is in love with his cousin Roxane. He has never expressed his love for her as he his large nose undermines his self-confidence. Then he finds a way to express his love to her, indirectly.
    DirectorJean-Paul RappeneauStarsGérard DepardieuAnne BrochetVincent Perez
    Set in the mid-17th century France (1640-1655), this film adaptation of the play follows a talented poet and swordsman with a large nose.
  • Charles Laughton in Rembrandt (1936)

    14. Rembrandt

    19361h 25mNot Rated
    7.0 (2.1K)
    The respected painter takes to drink and faces down scandal after his wife dies.
    DirectorAlexander KordaStarsCharles LaughtonGertrude LawrenceElsa Lanchester
    Set primarily in the 17th century (circa 1642-1669), this biographical drama follows the life of the renowned Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn, focusing on his artistic achievements, personal struggles, and the challenges he faced in his later years.
  • A Field in England (2013)

    15. A Field in England

    20131h 30mNot Rated73Metascore
    6.2 (15K)
    Amid the Civil War in 17th-century England, a group of deserters flee from battle through an overgrown field. Captured by an alchemist, the men are forced to help him search to find a hidden treasure that he believes is buried in the field.
    DirectorBen WheatleyStarsJulian BarrattPeter FerdinandoRichard Glover
    Set during the English Civil War (1642-1651), this drama explores chaos and brutality.
  • Greta Garbo in Queen Christina (1933)

    16. Queen Christina

    19331h 39mApproved
    7.5 (9K)
    Queen Christina of Sweden is a popular monarch who is loyal to her country. However, when she falls in love with a Spanish envoy, she must choose between the throne and the man she loves.
    DirectorRouben MamoulianStarsGreta GarboJohn GilbertIan Keith
    Set during the reign of Queen Christina of Sweden, primarily in the 1630s to 1654. This biographical drama follows the unconventional life of Queen Christina, focusing on her intellectual pursuits, romantic relationships, and the dramatic decision to abdicate the throne in favor of her cousin Charles X Gustav.
  • The Abdication (1974)

    17. The Abdication

    19741h 43mPG
    6.1 (398)
    Queen Christina of Sweden abdicates and travels to Rome to embrace the Catholic Church.
    DirectorAnthony HarveyStarsPeter FinchLiv UllmannCyril Cusack
    Set in the mid-17th century (circa 1654), this film follows the life of Queen Christina of Sweden as she makes the momentous decision to abdicate her throne. It explores her personal and political struggles, her conversion to Catholicism, and her life after leaving the Swedish crown.
  • The Deluge (1974)

    18. The Deluge

    19744h 47m
    7.7 (3.5K)
    During the 1655 war between Protestant Sweden and Catholic Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth some Polish-Lithuanian nobles side with Swedish king Charles X Gustav while others side with the Polish king Jan Kazimierz.
    DirectorJerzy HoffmanStarsDaniel OlbrychskiMalgorzata BraunekTadeusz Lomnicki
    Set between 1655 and 1660, this historical epic portrays the dramatic events of the Swedish invasion of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, focusing on the heroism and struggles of the Polish nobility and common people as they fight to defend their homeland during The Deluge.
  • Leonardo DiCaprio, Gabriel Byrne, Gérard Depardieu, Jeremy Irons, and John Malkovich in The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)

    19. The Man in the Iron Mask

    19982h 12mPG-1349Metascore
    6.5 (185K)
    The cruel King Louis XIV of France has a secret twin brother whom he keeps imprisoned. Can the twin be substituted for the real king?
    DirectorRandall WallaceStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJeremy IronsJohn Malkovich
    Set in the late 17th century (circa 1660s-1670s), this film follows the intrigue and adventure surrounding a mysterious prisoner held in France, rumored to be the twin brother of King Louis XIV. The film explores themes of identity, power, and justice as the legendary musketeers—Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and their leader, D'Artagnan—conspire to replace the tyrannical king with his hidden twin.
  • Lambert Wilson and Virginie Efira in Benedetta (2021)

    20. Benedetta

    20212h 11mUnrated75Metascore
    6.7 (28K)
    A 17th-century nun in Italy suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions. She is assisted by a companion, and the relationship between the two women develops into a romantic love affair.
    DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsVirginie EfiraCharlotte RamplingDaphné Patakia
    Set in the late 17th century (circa 1670s) in Italy, this film tells the story of Benedetta Carlini, a nun who experiences religious visions and engages in a forbidden romance, challenging the norms and authorities of the church.
  • The Prince of Homburg (1997)

    21. The Prince of Homburg

    19971h 25m
    6.6 (511)
    The Prince of Homburg, disobeys orders and leads a cavalry charge in battle against the Swedes, which leads to victory. He is court martialled however for disobeying orders and sentenced to death. His love who is now to be betrothed to the King of Sweden, following his execution appeals to the Elector, her uncle, on his behalf, as do his comrades in battle. He must also contend with his own desire to live and conflicting sense of honour.
    DirectorMarco BellocchioStarsAndrea Di StefanoBarbora BobulovaToni Bertorelli
    Set in 1675 during the late 17th century, this film focuses on the titular character, the Prince of Homburg, who grapples with love, honor, and duty amidst the backdrop of the wars between the Holy Roman Empire and Sweden, culminating in the Battle of Fehrbellin.
  • Witchhammer (1970)

    22. Witchhammer

    19701h 47m
    7.7 (3.2K)
    In the 1600s, an overzealous clergy hauls innocent women in front of tribunals, forces them to confess to imaginary witchery, and engages in brutal torture and persecution of their subjects.
    DirectorOtakar VávraStarsVladimír SmeralElo RomancíkJosef Kemr
    Set in the early 17th century (circa 1678-1695) in Moravia, this film depicts the brutal witch trials led by inquisitor Boblig von Edelstadt. The story highlights the paranoia, fear, and injustice faced by the accused women, exploring themes of power, corruption, and religious fanaticism during a dark chapter in European history.
  • Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn in Captain Blood (1935)

    23. Captain Blood

    19351h 59mApproved89Metascore
    7.7 (17K)
    After treating a Monmouth rebel against King James II in 1680s England, a young Irish doctor is exiled as a slave to Jamaica where he captures a Spanish galleon and becomes the most feared pirate of the Caribbean.
    DirectorMichael CurtizStarsErrol FlynnOlivia de HavillandLionel Atwill
    Set in the late 17th century (circa 1685-1690s), this swashbuckling adventure follows Dr. Peter Blood, who is wrongfully convicted of treason, sold into slavery, and ultimately becomes a daring pirate captain in the Caribbean.
  • The Draughtsman's Contract (1982)

    24. The Draughtsman's Contract

    19821h 48mR
    7.2 (12K)
    A young artist is commissioned by the wife of a wealthy landowner to make a series of drawings of the estate while her husband is away.
    DirectorPeter GreenawayStarsAnthony HigginsJanet SuzmanAnne-Louise Lambert
    Set in 1694 in late 17th century rural England, this film follows an artist who is commissioned to create twelve drawings of a wealthy estate. As he works, he becomes entangled in a complex web of intrigue, deception, and murder, revealing the dark undercurrents of the seemingly serene country estate.
  • The Diary of an Innocent Boy (1968)

    25. The Diary of an Innocent Boy

    19681h 43mApproved
    6.4 (732)
    Young innocent aristocrat Benjamin comes to live with his Countess aunt. Her lover teaches him the techniques of seduction and sends him to test them, first on the maids, then on the upper class Anne and finally on the countess herself.
    DirectorMichel DevilleStarsMichèle MorganMichel PiccoliPierre Clémenti
    Set in the late 17th century France, this film adaptation of Claude Tillier's novel follows the sexual awakening of a young man named Benjamin as he navigates the complexities of love and desire in a society governed by strict social norms and expectations.

More to explore

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
Get the IMDb App
Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
Follow IMDb on social
Get the IMDb App
For Android and iOS
Get the IMDb App
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • License IMDb Data
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.