Movies Like The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex is a 1939 drama, history, romance film from Michael Curtiz with a MovieMagicScore of 6.2/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots.

Drama History Romance

Elizabeth

1998

The story of the ascension to the throne and the early reign of Queen Elizabeth the First, the endless attempts by her council to marry her off, the Catholic hatred of her and her romance with Lord Robert Dudley.

7.2

MagicScore

Mary Queen of Scots

2018

In 1561, Mary Stuart, widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland, reclaims her rightful throne and menaces the future of Queen Elizabeth I as ruler of England, because she has a legitimate claim to the English throne. Betrayals, rebellions, conspiracies and their own life choices imperil both Queens. They experience the bitter cost of power, until their tragic fate is finally fulfilled.

6.6

MagicScore

Mary, Queen of Scots

1971

Mary Stuart, who was named Queen of Scotland when she was only six days old, is the last Roman Catholic ruler of Scotland. She is imprisoned at the age of 23 by her cousin Elizabeth Tudor, the English Queen and her arch adversary. Nineteen years later the life of Mary is to be ended on the scaffold and with her execution the last threat to Elizabeth's throne has been removed. The two Queens with their contrasting personalities make a dramatic counterpoint to history.

6.6

MagicScore

The Virgin Queen

1955

Sir Walter Raleigh overcomes court intrigue to win favor with the Queen in order to get financing for a proposed voyage to the New World.

7.2

MagicScore

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

2007

When Queen Elizabeth's reign is threatened by ruthless familial betrayal and Spain's invading army, she and her shrewd adviser must act to safeguard the lives of her people.

6.7

MagicScore

Anne of the Thousand Days

1969

Henry VIII of England discards his wife, Katharine of Aragon, who has failed to produce a male heir, in favor of the young and beautiful Anne Boleyn.

7.1

MagicScore

Lady Jane

1986

The death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes. His weak son, Edward, is on his deathbed. Anxious to keep England true to the Reformation, a scheming minister John Dudley marries off his son, Guildford to Lady Jane Grey, whom he places on the throne after Edward dies. At first hostile to each other, Guildford and Jane fall in love, but they cannot withstand the course of power which will lead to their ultimate downfall.

6.9

MagicScore

The Private Life of Henry VIII

1933

Renowned for his excess, King Henry VIII goes through a series of wives during his rule. With Anne Boleyn, his second wife, executed on charges of treason, King Henry weds maid Jane Seymour, but that marriage also ends in tragedy. Not one to be single for long, the king picks German-born Anne of Cleves as his bride, but their union lasts only months before an annulment is granted, and King Henry continues his string of spouses.

6.4

MagicScore

Carry On Henry

1971

Henry VIII has just married Marie of Normandy, and is eager to consummate their marriage. Unfortunately for Henry, she is always eating garlic, and refuses to stop. Deciding to get rid of her in his usual manner, Henry has to find some way of doing it without provoking war with Marie's cousin, the King of France. Perhaps if she had an affair...

6.0

MagicScore

#10

Mary of Scotland

1936

The recently widowed Mary Stuart returns to Scotland to reclaim her throne but is opposed by her half-brother and her own Scottish lords.

6.2

MagicScore

#11

Young Bess

1953

The mother died under the executioner's axe; the daughter rose to become England's greatest monarch -- the brilliant and cunning Queen Elizabeth I. Jean Simmons portrays young Bess in this rich tapestry of a film that traces the tumultuous, danger-fraught years from Elizabeth's birth to her unexpected ascension to the throne at a mere 25. Charles Laughton reprises his Academy Award®-winning* role as her formidable father Henry VIII. Deborah Kerr plays her last stepmother (and Henry's last of six wives), gentle Catherine Parr. And Simmons' then real-life husband, Stewart Granger, adds heroics as Lord Admiral Thomas Seymour. In a resplendent world of adventure, romance and court intrigue, Young Bess reigns.

5.7

MagicScore

#12

The Prince and the Pauper

1937

Two boys – the prince Edward and the pauper Tom – are born on the same day. Years later, when young teenage Tom sneaks into the palace garden, he meets the prince. They change clothes with one another before the guards discover them and throw out the prince thinking he's the urchin. No one believes them when they try to tell the truth about which is which. Soon after, the old king dies and the prince will inherit the throne.

6.8

MagicScore

#13

The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

1895

A short film depicting the execution of Mary, Queen of the Scots. Mary is brought to the execution block and made to kneel down with her neck over it. The executioner lifts his axe ready to bring it down. After that frame Mary has been replaced by a dummy. The axe comes down and severs the head of the dummy from the body. The executioner picks up the head and shows it around for everyone else to see. One of the first camera tricks to be used in a movie.

6.2

MagicScore

#14

A Man for All Seasons

1966

A depiction of the conflict between King Henry VIII of England and his Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas More, who refuses to swear the Oath of Supremacy declaring Henry Supreme Head of the Church in England.

7.3

MagicScore

#15

Fire Over England

1937

The film is a historical drama set during the reign of Elizabeth I (Flora Robson), focusing on the English defeat of the Spanish Armada, whence the title. In 1588, relations between Spain and England are at the breaking point. With the support of Queen Elizabeth I, British sea raiders such as Sir Francis Drake regularly capture Spanish merchantmen bringing gold from the New World.

6.2

MagicScore

#16

The Sea Hawk

1940

Dashing pirate Geoffrey Thorpe plunders Spanish ships for Queen Elizabeth I and falls in love with Dona Maria, a beautiful Spanish royal he captures.

7.1

MagicScore

#17

Shakespeare in Love

1998

Young Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," before it's even written. When a lovely noblewoman auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love -- and his play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship progresses, Shakespeare's comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

6.8

MagicScore

#18

Mrs Brown

1997

When Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert dies, she finds solace in her trusted servant, Mr. John Brown. But their relationship also brings scandal and turmoil to the monarchy.

6.7

MagicScore

#19

The Favourite

2018

England, early 18th century. The close relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill is threatened by the arrival of Sarah's cousin, Abigail Hill, resulting in a bitter rivalry between the two cousins to be the Queen's favourite.

7.5

MagicScore

#20

The Queen

2006

The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Diana, to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.

7.0

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?

The top films similar to The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex by MovieMagicScore are Elizabeth (7.2), Mary Queen of Scots (6.6), Mary, Queen of Scots (6.6). Each shares drama/history/romance themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex worth watching?

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.2/10 from 88 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) is a drama, history, romance film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Elizabeth Movies like Mary Queen of Scots Movies like Mary, Queen of Scots Movies like The Virgin Queen Movies like Elizabeth: The Golden Age Movies like Anne of the Thousand Days

About movies like The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

This ranked list pairs The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939), a drama and history and romance film from Michael Curtiz, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Bette Davis take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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