The King (2019)
Kernel Score: 80% · 3,497 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, History, War
Released: 2019-10-11
Runtime: 140 minutes
Is The King worth watching?
Worth watching. A reluctant prince becomes Henry V in a sombre, muddy retelling of the king's rise. Timothée Chalamet is a quiet, serious lead and the Agincourt battle is vivid. Slow in places but handsomely made.
Watch it if you
- like serious historical dramas
- enjoy a brutal, muddy battle scene
- want a Shakespeare-adjacent story without the verse
Skip it if you
- want fast, swashbuckling action
- dislike slow, dark storytelling
Best for: Epic night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The King
- Stream: Netflix
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
England, 15th century. Hal, a capricious prince who lives among the populace far from court, is forced by circumstances to reluctantly accept the throne and become Henry V.
The King parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The King is an R-rated medieval war drama with battle violence and political intrigue.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Includes hundred years' war battle sequences consistent with its R rating and historical warfare themes.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The King
If you liked The King, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Henry V (1989) — 78%: The Shakespeare version of the same king.
- Braveheart (1995) — 95%: Epic battles and a hero against English rule.
- The Last Duel (2021) — 83%: Medieval drama of honour and brutality.
- Glory (1989) — 86%: Serious war story with strong performances.
- Zulu (1964) — 84%: Classic battle film of outnumbered soldiers.
- Barry Lyndon (1975) — 90%: Beautiful but cold period epic.
Director
David Michôd
Cast
- Timothée Chalamet as Hal
- Joel Edgerton as Falstaff
- Sean Harris as William
- Tom Glynn-Carney as Hotspur
- Lily-Rose Depp as Catherine
- Thomasin McKenzie as Philippa, Queen of Denmark
- Robert Pattinson as The Dauphin
- Ben Mendelsohn as King Henry IV
- Andrew Havill as Archbishop of Canterbury
- Dean-Charles Chapman as Thomas
The King FAQ
Is The King worth watching?
Worth watching. A reluctant prince becomes Henry V in a sombre, muddy retelling of the king's rise. Timothée Chalamet is a quiet, serious lead and the Agincourt battle is vivid. Slow in places but handsomely made.
Where can I watch The King?
In the US you can stream The King on Netflix.
Is The King OK for kids?
The King is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The King is an R-rated medieval war drama with battle violence and political intrigue.
What movies are like The King?
If you liked The King, try Henry V, Braveheart, The Last Duel and Glory.