The Top 10 Period Pieces Of 2018

By Nicole Ackman ​​

This year was a great one for period pieces with everything from medieval historical epics to indie biopics. There was the stunning foreign film “Cold War,” the movie musical with glorious 1970s flashbacks “Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again,” and horror movies like “Lizzie” and “Suspiria.”

In addition to the more typical period films, this year featured many women’s and LGBT+ stories. Often forgotten parts of history were brought to the screen. These are my picks for the best period pieces of 2018. This list focuses on design and storytelling, attempting to pick the best period pieces, rather than simply the best films that happen to be historically-based.

So with that said, here are my personal picks for the 10 best period pieces of 2018.

​10. Outlaw King

Directed by David Mackenzie

While David Mackenzie’s film about Robert the Bruce may have sparked interest because of what viewers got to see of Chris Pine, “Outlaw King” is actually a rather well-made historical epic. Also starring Florence Pugh and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, it depicts the 14th-century Scottish warlord fighting against the English for independence. If the plot is sometimes derailed in favor of large battle sequences, they are so impressive that it feels worth it. It’s well worth watching on Netflix especially if you enjoy “Game Of Thrones” style battle sequences.

​9. Mary Poppins Returns

Directed by Rob Marshall

“Mary Poppins Returns,” the delightful family musical movie follow-up to the beloved classic “Mary Poppins,” offers a splendid view of 1930s London (when the characters aren’t off to the whimsical Royal Daulton Music Hall, of course). Rob Marshall’s film shows interwar London off in several sequences, most notably Lin-Manuel Miranda’s opening musical number, “(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky,” and makes the list for its gorgeous costuming as well as well as its fantastical yet faithful period design.

​8. First Man

Directed by Damien Chazelle

“First Man” will go down in history as an under-appreciated masterpiece of 2018, especially in terms of its technical ability. Damien Chazelle’s haunting film may have the makings of a space epic, but he keeps proceedings fairly intimate throughout. This is not so much a story about Neil Armstrong in space, as it is a portrait of a grieving man looking to reconnect with the world through his work. Cold, calculated, and no-nonsense, Ryan Gosling’s performance as Armstrong captures a certain type of mid-century aspiration of what it meant to be a man. While we have seen Chazelle tackle themes of masculine obsession in “Whiplash” and “La La Land,” never before has it seemed as tragic as it does here. “First Man” recreates a bygone era, yet it allows its audience to revel in the tragedy that Neil lives with.

​7. BlacKkKlansman

Directed by Spike Lee

“BlacKkKlansman” tells the true story of an African-American detective named Ron Stallworth, who in the 1970s, infiltrated the KKK. The film, based on his 2014 memoir, doesn’t shy away from packing a strong message even if that makes it uncomfortable to watch at times. Spike Lee has a blast going full 1970s ‘period’ in “BlacKkKlansman,” plunking pitch perfect 70s era costumes and hairstyles on all of his cast members. Everything is just flashy enough to appear goofy, while also maintaining enough realism as not to undermine the deep seriousness at the heart of the film. Meanwhile, the soundtrack is full of James Brown and Otis Redding and other era-specific music. Not only is this movie culturally important, but it also shines as a 1970s period film.

6. The Happy Prince

Directed by Rupert Everett

Rupert Everett’s career in film and onstage has long been tied to playwright Oscar Wilde, so it seemed only a matter of time until he played him in a film. However, Everett not only portrays Wilde in “The Happy Prince" but he also wrote and directed it himself. It’s a very different look at Wilde than previously seen in film before, as Everett depicts his struggle after being released from prison, where he spent two years doing hard labor on a charge of “sodomy.” Not only is the design of the film beautiful, but it’s important in that it is very open about Wilde’s sexuality and it’s a respectable directorial debut from Everett.

​5. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society

Directed by Mike Newell

Based on the book by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, “The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society” portrays both London in the aftermath of World War II and the occupied Channel Island of Guernsey during the war. It follows writer Juliet Ashton (charmingly portrayed by period drama darling Lily James) as she journeys to Guernsey to learn more about the book club that formed there as a way of coping with Nazi occupation. While it is perhaps the most traditional period film on the list, it highlights a period of England’s history that even I, who studied European history at university, knew very little about and has lovely performances from James, Matthew Goode, and Penelope Wilton. Of all the films released on Netflix in 2018, "The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society" is probably the one you haven't heard about that is most worth your time.

​4. If Beale Street Could Talk

Directed by Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins’s follow-up to “Moonlight”, “If Beale Street Could Talk,” is a gorgeous film about a young black couple trying their best to build a happy life for themselves in 1970s Harlem. Even if it weren’t one of the best films of the year, this movie would make this list just for the costumes Kiki Layne wears, the use of color by cinematographer James Laxton, and its lovely recreation of 1970s Harlem alone. The way that it recreates the New York of forty years ago is gorgeous and transportive, though it’s not lost on Jenkins how distressing it is that the film's darker themes are still relevant today.

​3. Colette

Directed by Wash Westmoreland

If there is a queen of period drama, it’s surely Keira Knightley and her performance in Wash Westmoreland’s “Colette” does not disappoint. Knightley stars as the revered 20th-century novelist and actress (you probably know her best for the film based on her novella titled “Gigi”) alongside the dazzling Dominic West, Eleanor Tomlinson, and Denise Gough. It’s a very entertaining biopic and Knightley and West both give wonderful performances, but it’s also notable for portraying Colette’s relationships with both men and women explicitly.

2. The Favourite

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

“The Favourite” combines all the gorgeous production and costume design of a normal period film with Yorgos Lanthimos’s eccentric style for a stunning film. It tells the little-known story of how two of Queen Anne’s ladies, Sarah Churchill and Abigail Hill, vied for her favor. While some may be surprised to not see it at number 1 on this list, there are some artistic liberties taken with the story of Queen Anne for cinematic effect which hold it back from being an accurate period film. However, with beautiful and hilarious performances from Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, and Nicholas Hoult, this film has done well all awards season – and for good reason.

​1. Mary Queen Of Scots

Directed by Josie Rourke

Josie Rourke’s directorial debut film “Mary Queen Of Scots” is a very modern period drama. It tells the story of Mary Stuart’s rivalry with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I and how both queens struggled to maintain their power and independence in courts full of men who wanted to belittle them. The film includes non-hetero relationships, casts people of color in traditionally white roles, and uses a combination of historically accurate and modern materials (like denim) in its costuming. Most importantly, it’s an empowering piece about women that definitely resonates today. With two powerhouse performances from Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, combined with Rourke's style, attention to detail and modern approach, "Mary Queen Of Scots" stands as my favorite period film of 2018.

Did your favorite period piece of the year make the list? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Twitter account.​

​You can follow Nicole and hear more of her thoughts on Film and the Oscars on Twitter at @nicoleackman16