The Best Movies About British-India Colonialism, Ranked

Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies About British-India Colonialism, Ranked
Voting Rules
Vote up the best movies set in Colonial India or that explore the effects of colonialism.

British colonialism affected Indian in a pretty major way, so it's no surprise there are so many movies about Indian colonialism. Films set in the days of British colonialism vary in form, tone, and style. Some deal with the subject in a realistic fashion, presenting the problems and complexities caused by Britain's presence in India. Other films are slightly less serious, and treat the subject more casually. If you're looking to learn more about the subject, browse this list of the best movies about Indian colonialism below.

What films will you find here? The Jungle Book is an animated classic – based on Rudyard Kipling's book of the same name – set in an Indian jungle during British colonialism. A Passage to India, considered a cinematic classic, is another great movie about Indian colonialism. Sean Connery, Michael Caine and Christopher Plummer lead the all-star cast of The Man Who Would Be King. Other good Indian colonialism movies include Gunga Din, Water, and The Charge of the Light Brigade.

Which Indian colonialism movie is the best? Take a look at this list and give your favorite films a thumbs up.

Photo: user uploaded image
Ranked by
  • The Man Who Would Be King
    1
    Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer
    34 votes
    • Released: 1975
    • Directed by: John Huston
    Based on a short story by Rudyard Kipling, this adventure film follows the exploits of Peachy Carnehan (Michael Caine) and Danny Dravot (Sean Connery), English military officers stationed in India. ...more

    Available On:

  • A Passage to India
    2
    Judy Davis, Peggy Ashcroft, Victor Banerjee
    43 votes
    • Released: 1984
    • Directed by: David Lean
    Based on the renowned E.M. Forster novel, this expansive period drama centers on the changing dynamic between British colonials and native locals in India during the 1920s. When an outing to explore ...more

    Available On:

  • The Deceivers
    3
    Pierce Brosnan, Shashi Kapoor, Dalip Tahil
    18 votes
    • Released: 1988
    • Directed by: Nicholas Meyer
    The Deceivers is a 1988 adventure film directed by Nicholas Meyer. It stars Pierce Brosnan and Saeed Jaffrey. The film is based on the 1952 John Masters novel of the same name.
  • The Jungle Book
    4
    Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, Louis Prima
    26 votes
    • Released: 1967
    • Directed by: Wolfgang Reitherman
    In this classic Walt Disney animation based on Rudyard Kipling's book, Mowgli, an abandoned child raised by wolves, has his peaceful existence threatened by the return of the man-eating tiger Shere ...more

    Available On:

    subscription

  • Edge of the World
    5

    Edge of the World

    Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Josie Ho, Dominic Monaghan
    24 votes
    • Released: 2021
    • Directed by: Michael Haussman
    In the 1840s, Sir James Brooke embarks on a crusade in Borneo to end piracy, slavery and head-hunting.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • Gunga Din
    6
    Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, Victor McLaglen
    25 votes
    • Released: 1939
    • Directed by: George Stevens
    British army sergeants Ballantine (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), Cutter (Cary Grant) and MacChesney (Victor McLaglen) serve in India during the 1880s, along with their native water-bearer, Gunga Din (Sam ...more