Best 24 History Movies Must-See Released in 2012

Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979. More about Argo / IMDB / YouTube

In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who, for decades, has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker's daughter. The decision changes their lives forever. Info on Les Misérables / IMDB / YouTube

As the Civil War rages on, U.S President Abraham Lincoln struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on his decision to emancipate the slaves. Learn about Lincoln / IMDB / YouTube

A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by a cult and its charismatic leader. More about The Master / IMDB / YouTube

An elderly Margaret Thatcher talks to the imagined presence of her recently deceased husband as she struggles to come to terms with his death while scenes from her past life, from girlhood to British prime minister, intervene. Explore The Iron Lady / IMDB / YouTube

In late-19th-century Russian high society, St. Petersburg aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the dashing Count Alexei Vronsky. Check out Anna Karenina / IMDB / YouTube

After the death of his father Murat II, Mehmet II ascends to the Ottoman throne. After braving internal and external enemies, he decides to complete what he was destined to do - conquer Constantinople. See more about Conquest 1453 / IMDB / YouTube

A young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever. More about A Royal Affair / IMDB / YouTube

Pirate Captain sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Find out about The Pirates! Band of Misfits / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary which challenges former Indonesian death-squad leaders to reenact their mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers. See more about The Act of Killing / IMDB / YouTube

A crew of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program, having faced segregation while kept mostly on the ground during World War II, are called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard. Check out Red Tails / IMDB / YouTube

A former assassin who has resolved to never kill again has his vow sorely tested. See more about Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins / IMDB / YouTube

An advertising executive comes up with a campaign to defeat Augusto Pinochet in Chile's 1988 referendum. Find out about No / IMDB / YouTube

Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska becomes Senator John McCain's running mate in the 2008 Presidential election. Get info on Game Change / IMDB / YouTube

A chronicle of a young man's rise to power in Paris via his manipulation of the city's wealthiest and most influential women. Read about Bel Ami / IMDB / YouTube

The affair between King Edward VIII and American divorcée Wallis Simpson, and a contemporary romance between a married woman and a Russian security guard. Find out about W.E. / IMDB / YouTube

In World War II-era Korea, rival runners, one Korean (Jang Dong-gun) and one Japanese (Joe Odagiri), go to war together against the Soviets. See more about My Way / IMDB / YouTube

A tale of revenge, honor and disgrace, centering on a poverty-stricken samurai who discovers the fate of his ronin son-in-law, setting in motion a tense showdown of vengeance against the house of a feudal lord. Info on Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai / IMDB / YouTube

A look at the platonic relationship between Marie Antoinette and one of her female readers during the first days of the French Revolution. More about Farewell, My Queen / IMDB / YouTube

Dimitry hires German coach Rudolph Spitz to galvanize his ragtag team into the country's best football club, but then the first Nazi tanks roll in and Rebecca, a local banker's beautiful daughter, elopes with his star player. Check out The Third Half / IMDB / YouTube

A look-alike commoner is secretly hired to take the place of a poisoned king to save his country from falling into chaos. Info on Masquerade / IMDB / YouTube

Kurdish-Iranian poet Sahel has just been released from a thirty-year prison sentence in Iran. Now the one thing keeping him going is the thought of finding his wife, who thinks him dead for over twenty years. Look into Rhino Season / IMDB / YouTube

A documentary that follows the Serbian performance artist as she prepares for a retrospective of her work at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Info on Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present / IMDB / YouTube

A chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929); a war by the people of Mexico against the atheistic Mexican government. Check out For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada / IMDB / YouTube