5 Best Civil War Movies and TV Shows to Watch After 'The Gray House'

From classics like 'Glory' to modern reimaginings, these stories depict the war through diverse perspectives.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:00pm

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A minimalist, abstract illustration featuring stark black silhouettes of soldiers, rifles, and other war-related imagery, set against a high-contrast background of bold red and white shapes, capturing the themes of the American Civil War in a conceptual, graphic style.These acclaimed films and TV shows offer fresh perspectives on the American Civil War, exploring the conflict through diverse lenses beyond battlefield tactics.Gettysburg Today

After the release of the historical drama series 'The Gray House', which follows a network of female spies during the American Civil War, viewers are seeking more content that explores the conflict from unique angles. This list highlights five acclaimed movies and TV shows that offer fresh takes on the Civil War, from the Oscar-winning 'Glory' to Ken Burns' landmark documentary series.

Why it matters

The Civil War was a pivotal moment in American history that continues to captivate audiences. While battle scenes and military strategy are common themes, these works showcase the war's impact on ordinary people, marginalized groups, and the political landscape, providing a more holistic understanding of this transformative period.

The details

The list includes classics like the 1989 film 'Glory,' which follows the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first all-Black military units in the Union Army. The acclaimed miniseries 'North & South' (1985-1994) explores the conflict through the lens of two friends on opposing sides. More recent works like Steven Spielberg's 'Lincoln' (2012) and Ken Burns' documentary series 'The Civil War' (1990) offer fresh perspectives on the war's political and social dimensions.

  • The Gray House, a historical drama about female Civil War spies, was recently released.
  • Glory was released in 1989.
  • North & South aired as a miniseries trilogy from 1985 to 1994.
  • Lincoln premiered in 2012.
  • The Civil War documentary series aired in 1990.

The players

Robert Gould Shaw

A Union captain who was promoted to colonel and assumed command of the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first all-Black military units in the Union Army.

George Hazard

A character in the North & South miniseries trilogy, he is a Pennsylvania industrialist who becomes close friends with his Southern counterpart, Orry Main, despite their opposing views on the war.

Abraham Lincoln

The 16th President of the United States, who worked to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery while also seeking to end the Civil War.

Ken Burns

An acclaimed documentary filmmaker who directed the landmark 1990 series The Civil War, which is considered one of the most comprehensive and accurate accounts of the conflict.

John Buford

A Union Brigadier General who tried to stop the advancing Confederate army at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

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What they’re saying

“The series has divided viewers: some criticize its slow pace, while others appreciate its attention to detail and rare insight into the war from a female perspective.”

— Julia Talakh, Author

The takeaway

These films and TV shows offer a diverse range of perspectives on the Civil War, from the experiences of marginalized groups to the political machinations that shaped the conflict. By exploring the war through these unique lenses, audiences can gain a more holistic understanding of this pivotal moment in American history.