7 Movies and TV Shows About The Royal Family to Watch After The Crown
Court intrigue, intricate conspiracies and politics.
The Queen (2006)
Stephen Frears' The Queen is a witty and emotional film depicting the life of Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) after the tragic death of Princess Diana. In August 1997, the terrible news shook the world: Lady Diana, everyone's favorite princess, was killed in a car accident. British society expects immediate action from the monarch, but she steps back and tries to comprehend the full extent of the tragedy.
At the same time, the newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) realizes that, under the circumstances, the reputation of the British monarchy may be lost forever. He seeks balance and helps the royal house survive the loss without losing public support.
Spencer (2021)
The grim historical drama follows a short but very difficult period in the life of Princess Diana Spencer. Set over three days before Christmas in 1991, it shows the marriage of Diana and Prince Charles falling apart, while many begin to talk about divorce. Throughout the film, the main character is struggling with psychological problems, revealing the other side of her worldwide fame. This is the first time Lady Di, played by Kristen Stewart, was portrayed as an ordinary human rather than the perfect, angel-like character. Director Pablo Larraín managed to convey subtle nuances of Diana's psychology and plunge the viewers right into the vortex of her emotions. As a result, the movie creates a disturbing and oppressive effect. Spencer caused a storm of indignation for violating the conventional image of Lady Di but was also highly praised by critics.
The Windsors (2016)
Undoubtedly, this sitcom is the most surprising depiction of the royal family. The Windsors is a soap opera that parodies real life and employs exaggeration to create humor. The characters are inconsistent in their actions, irrational, obsessed with procreation, and sometimes even grotesque. The series ridicules the tabloid image of the royal family and offers the most unexpected view of the monarchs. Passionate admirers of British royalty will certainly hate the show, but if you're keen on satire and some vulgar humor, it's highly recommended.
The King's Speech (2010)
The poignant Oscar-winning film tells the story of Prince Albert (Colin Firth), father of Elizabeth II, as he becomes King George VI. When Albert's brother abdicates the throne, he is forced to take over as Britain's monarch. However, Albert suffers from a serious stutter, which renders his speech unsuitable for a future king. His wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) hires an Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), who uses highly unconventional methods to help the King overcome his impediment. The two men also develop a touching friendship in the course of the treatment.
Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance (2018)
This is the first installment of an endless franchise capturing the relationship of the royal family's most scandalous couple. The film concentrates on the first meeting and early romance that sparked between Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle. Shot in the style of modern teenage melodramas, A Royal Romance will certainly touch your heart.
Diana (2013)
This was the first feature film to tackle the story of Lady Diana. The plot follows the princess' last years, showing her divorce with Prince Charles, active social work, and even new relationship with cardiac surgeon Hasnat Khan. The film is directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (The Invasion), and Naomi Watts (Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive) played the titular role. The critical response to the picture was largely negative as it was condemned for excessive frankness and poor acting.
A Royal Night Out (2015)
Europe's largest and bloodiest war has come to an end. King George VI (Rupert Everett) is preparing for an important radio appearance, and his daughters Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) and Margaret (Bel Powley) want to go out and celebrate victory with the people of London. The girls are allowed to go, and from that point on, the movie turns into a light comedy in the spirit of the classic Roman Holiday.
A Royal Night Out is a fantasy based on real and at times tragic events. The princesses appear natural and humanized, there is a nice romantic line, and the plot is charmingly uncomplicated. The film doesn't try to present an epic drama about the British royalty but instead offers a light and entertaining spectacle, which makes it a perfect choice for a cold winter's evening.