Queen Elizabeth II On Reel: Must Watch Films And Shows To Celebrate Her Life

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in Britain’s history, passed away on 8 September. She was 96. She reigned over the nation with incredible grace for more than 70 years, and will be remembered as one of the greatest monarchs of all time. The queen was depicted on screen countless times in her long life, both in reality and as a fictionalised character.

Some depictions were affectionate, others more hostile, but the monarch's indelible image in art, music and film cemented her status as one of the most recognisable people in the world. To honour her passing and to celebrate her life, here are some of her most memorable appearances.

Films And Shows Based On Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen

Stephen Frears’ 2006 film The Queen captured the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana. Helen Mirren won an Academy Award for her turn as Queen Elizabeth II, with the film also being nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Directing, Costume Design, and Music.

A Royal Night Out

In a reversal of Cinderella, this film follows a teenage Princess Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) going out on a night on the town with her sister, Margaret, to celebrate Europe’s victory against the Nazis. The 2015 romantic comedy A Royal Night Out is a hilarious and unusual depiction of the Queen’s life as she and her sister lose each other during their wild evening as civilians.

Walking the Dogs

British Dame Emma Thompson played Queen Elizabeth II in British TV film Walking the Dogs. The 2012 movie captures the infamous Buckingham Palace break-in by Michael Fagan in 1982.

The King's Speech

The King’s Speech centers on Queen Elizabeth II’s father, the future King George VI, played by Oscar winner Colin Firth, as he grapples with a speech impediment during World War II. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to take over the throne, Bertie takes help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with Firth as Best Actor, Tom Hooper as Best Director, and David Seidler for Best Original Screenplay. Freya Wilson played the role of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Crown

Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown

Netflix's The Crown tells the history of the British monarchy across generations, beginning in the late 1940s with the Queen’s marriage to Prince Philip. In the first two seasons of The Crown, Queen Elizabeth is portrayed by Claire Foy, who is succeeded by Olivia Colman in Seasons 3 and 4. When the series returns for Season 5 later this year, Imelda Staunton will play the late monarch.

Elizabeth & Margaret: Love and Loyalty

The 2020 docuseries takes an intimate look at the complex, widely misunderstood relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret.

Suggested Reading: The Crown Season 4 Review: A Triumphant Portrait Of The 1980s With A Perfectly Wide-Eyed Diana