21 Movies to Watch Before a Trip to London
Get excited for your adventure by working your way through this list of tv shows and movies to watch before your trip to London. Enjoy classic British characters, learn a bit about English history, and take a peek inside the lives of the Royal family.
I believe that at least half the fun of a family vacation is prepping for the trip before we go.
We love to plan themed movie nights in the weeks leading up to our adventure. I worked in as many movies set in London, England as I could before we went on our 6 days in London adventure over spring break.
Whether you’re traveling with kids, want a romantic movie to watch on your own, enjoy historical dramas to get a feel for the area, or need a funny tv series or even a horror movie to watch with your partner, there’s a little something for everyone on this list.
The Darkest Hour
We watched this historical drama about Winston Churchill with our teenage daughter before we visited the Churchill War Rooms during our trip.
She’s currently taking AP US History and loved seeing references of what was happening in WWII from the English side.
This is a fantastic movie choice for 13 and up. For older audiences, you may appreciate Dunkirk which is on my list of movies to watch if you plan to do a day trip to Paris.
The King’s Speech
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Colin Firth as King George VI (Queen Elizabeth’s dad) and Geoffrey Rush as his speech therapist.
My teen enjoyed Darkest Hour more, but I insisted we watch this one, too.
The Crown
My husband and I have been watching The Crown on Netflix together since it first aired. We both loved this series so much and I’m so glad we watched it together over the years because he knew so much more about the Royal Family and British history for our trip because of this phenomenal show.
The Queen
If you don’t have time to watch all of The Crown before your trip, at least sneak in a watching of The Queen starring Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth.
Many of the essential historical moments mentioned in The Crown are also mentioned here.
The Other Boleyn Girl
I read the book that this movie was based on years ago and it was my first introduction to Henry the VIII. This would make a fun date night movie before a London getaway.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Another book-to-movie adaptation, The Guernsey literary and Potato Peel Society is such a heartwarming story, you should totally add it to your list of books to read before London. But, if you don’t have time just watch the delightful Netflix movie instead.
Shakespeare in Love
If you plan to visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theater while you’re in London, this would be a phenomenal movie to add to your watchlist.
Becoming Jane
Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors of all time. FUN FACT: You can do a day trip from London to visit her her actual home if you have the time. My dad took me when I was in the middle of a Jane Austen course in college and I totally got extra credit from my professor for the experience!
Victoria & Abdul
Victoria and Albert are names you’re going to see splashed all around museums and monuments during your trip to London. Judi Dench stars as Queen Victoria in this sweet historical movie.
Downton Abbey
Brush up on your tea time etiquette an learn your proper place in the household while watching a few episodes of Downton Abbey while you pack.
Queen Charlotte
I binged Queen Charlotte in the weeks ahead of our trip because I simply could not stop watching! For mature audiences only, this imaginative retelling of King George and Queen Charlotte is sure to get your heart racing. It was so romantic, I totally cried at the ending.
Ted Lasso
If lots of laughs are more what you need, give the comedy Ted Lasso a watch. My husband and I absolutely adore this series that follows the American Jason Sudeikis as Ted fumbling his way through the London football scene. This is essential viewing if you plan to catch a match from a London pub with the rest of the fans.
Sweeney Todd
For those of you with a firm stomach, the horror movie Sweeney Todd starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter is based on the Broadway musical set in London.
Sherlock
There are lots of Sherlock Holmes movies and spin-offs but for my husband and me, Sherlock the tv series staring Benedict Cumberbatch is the one to watch. I’ve been told it most closely follows the actual Sherlock Holmes books.
Bend it Like Beckham
One of Keira Knightley’s earliest movies, Bend It Like Beckham is a fantastic football (soccer) movie to watch with your teen girls before a trip to London.
What a Girl Wants
I enjoyed rewatching What a Girl Wants starring Amanda Bynes with my younger teen before our London trip. This wholesome and sweet teen romance movie would be ok for the whole family to enjoy together.
Paddington 2
I believe the internet has just agreed that we’ll pretend that the first Paddington movie does not exist. Skip right over to Paddington 2 which is one of the sweetest kids’ movies of all time. Paddington is such a predominant figure in London, if your kids have not read the books, be sure to at least watch the movie.
Matilda: The Musical
My biggest regret about our trip to London is that we could not squeeze in a visit to see Matilda: The Musical in person. We just ran out of time. Absolutely enjoy the movie if you won’t have time to hit it up in person either.
Peter Pan
Disney’s classic Peter Pan is worth a quick rewatch with the kids if only for that epic scene featuring Big Ben!
The BFG
My daughter reminded me to add The BFG to this fun list of movies to watch because of the scenes that were filmed in Buckingham Palace and feature the queen’s corgis.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Not only is C.S. Lewis an important English author, but the movie The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe features the WWII children leaving London for the safety of the English countryside.
