10 Films, Shows & Documentaries About Queen Elizabeth II To Watch Now
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5 days ago
Celebrating the life of the late Queen
While hard to believe, it’s been four years since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. One of Britain’s longest-reigning monarchs, the Queen was renowned for her fairness, kindness and occasional flair for mischief. And with the anniversary of her death falling today (8 September), many of us are thinking about the royal – and looking for ways to quietly celebrate her extraordinary life. Lucky for us, Queen Elizabeth II lived a long and prosperous life, making her a popular topic across film, TV and documentaries. Here, we round up some of our favourites, including the BBC’s most recent celebration of the monarch’s centenary.Â
MORE: A Who’s Who Of The British Royal Family
What To Watch: Our Favourite Documentaries, TV Shows & Films About Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century (2026)
More recently, the BBC released a special hour-long documentary celebrating what would have been the monarch’s 100th birthday. Using the Queen’s life as a prism through which to explore the wider change that Britain has experienced across the last century, from the Blitz to the 2012 Olympics, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century shows just how much has changed on our humble isle – and just how much of it was witnessed, encouraged and spearheaded by the late monarch.
Our Queen At War (2021)
A look back at the late monarch’s teenage years during the WWII, Our Queen At War documents then-Princess Elizabeth’s sheltering from the Blitz, putting on fundraising pantomimes at Windsor Castle, delivering her famous 1940 BBC radio broadcast at age 14 to evacuated children across the Empire, and later training as a mechanic and truck driver with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
Being The Queen (2020)
Drawing on a treasure trover of never-before-heard interview recordings from acquaintances, private secretaries and journalists who knew Her Majesty personally, alongside a series of archival footage and photos, this special from National Geographic provides an in-depth look at some of the most important, influential events in the British monarchy from the start of the Queen’s reign in 1952 up until her later years.
The Queen’s Green Planet (2018)
Just like her son, the Queen was also incredibly fond of nurturing and preserving the natural world. A few years back, she joined national treasure Sir David Attenborough for a walk through the gardens of Buckingham Palace, as they discussed the protection of the world’s forests as well as her legacy project, the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.
Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute (2016)
Made to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, this BBC documentary film is narrated by her own son and heir, the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III. Alongside archival footage, the programme offers up an intimate look at the royal household through home videos shot by the Queen, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
The Crown (2016-2023)
Following the royal family from the death of Queen Elizabeth II’s father up until the meeting of Prince William and Kate Middleton, this fictionalised look at the royal household offers a more human perspective on the ever-stoic Queen.
A Royal Night Out (2015)
Based on true events, this film follows a young Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Princess Margaret as they sneak out of the palace to celebrate VE Days against their mother’s wishes. Meeting men and dancing round the streets of London, the royals were given the rare chance to play as ordinary citizens for the night.
The Queen (2006)
Starring Helen Mirren in the titular role, this film follows Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death in 1997. While the Queen attempts to treat the divorcée’s death as a private affair, Prince Charles and Prime Minister Tony Blair favour the public’s desire for an official expression of grief.
The Silver Jubilee Of Queen Elizabeth II (1977)
Turn back the clock to 1977, when Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 25 years on the throne. ITV has collated a special programme from the day, featuring interviews with Prince Charles, highlights from the Queen’s Jubilee Tour and coverage of the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Jubilee Day.
A Queen Is Crowned (1953)
Witness the moment Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in A Queen Is Crowned. The award-winning documentary, filmed in 1953 on the day of her coronation, is narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier and follows the royal ceremony as the young princess transforms into a queen.
