10 Romantic Movies Like Pride and Prejudice You’ll Adore

Searching for movies like Pride and Prejudice? You are certainly not alone. Joe Wright’s beloved 2005 adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, starring Keira Knightley as the spirited Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as the reserved Mr. Darcy, remains a timeless favorite for modern audiences. It successfully blends the rich atmosphere of a classic period drama with a vibrant, youthful energy, making it far more accessible than some of its older counterparts.

The film, which belongs to the Drama and Romance genres, captivated millions with its lush cinematography, passionate slow-burn romance, and sharp social commentary on manners, class, and the marriage market in Georgian England. Fans of Pride and Prejudice (2005) love the exquisite tension between the leads, the gorgeous scenic backdrops, and the emotional satisfaction of watching two individuals overcome their personal biases to find true love. If you’ve finished your tenth re-watch and are craving a similar fix—a beautiful story of wit, emotional complexity, and sweeping romance—then this curated list of films like Pride and Prejudice is exactly what you need. We have carefully selected ten films that share a similar DNA, whether through their historical setting, focus on family dynamics, powerful love stories, or simply that irresistible, romantic atmosphere.

1. Sense and Sensibility (1995)

• 2h 16m
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Ang Lee
• Writer: Jane Austen (novel), Emma Thompson (screenplay)
• Stars: Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant
• Country: UK, USA
• Summary: Rich in emotion and vibrant with wit, this classic romance tells the story of the Dashwood sisters—sensible Elinor and passionate Marianne—whose chances at marriage seem doomed by sudden destitution and the rigid rules of society.

Any list of similar movies to Pride & Prejudice must begin with this critically acclaimed adaptation of Jane Austen’s first published novel. Sense and Sensibility (1995) captures the same delightful blend of poignant romance and biting social satire, focusing on two sisters who face destitution and must navigate the strict economic realities of their time. The film expertly contrasts the reserved, dutiful nature of Elinor, played by the screenwriter Emma Thompson, with the impulsive, romantic sensibility of her younger sister Marianne, brought to life by Kate Winslet. Their journey highlights the internal and external struggles women faced when love and financial security were inextricably linked.

Director Ang Lee brings a beautiful, painterly quality to the English countryside and the Georgian estates, mirroring the lush visual aesthetics fans loved in Pride and Prejudice. The film is masterful at building emotional tension through subtle glances and unspoken desires, particularly in the complex relationships Elinor and Marianne form with their respective suitors, Hugh Grant’s reserved Edward Ferrars and Alan Rickman’s stoic Colonel Brandon. It’s a beautifully realized piece of cinema that explores the delicate balance between following one’s heart and heeding one’s head, offering the same deeply satisfying emotional arc as the story of Elizabeth and Darcy.

2. Atonement (2007)

• 2h 3m
• Genres: Drama, Mystery, Romance
• Director: Joe Wright
• Writer: Ian McEwan (novel), Christopher Hampton (screenplay)
• Stars: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Brenda Blethyn
• Country: UK, France
• Summary: The lives of a wealthy young man and a housekeeper’s daughter are changed forever after she accuses him of a crime he did not commit.

If you appreciated the intense romantic chemistry, stunning cinematography, and directorial style of Pride and Prejudice, then Atonement is a must-watch—it reunites director Joe Wright and star Keira Knightley. Though a different story and genre, it features the same high-stakes emotional drama and visual mastery. The core of the film centers on a passionate love affair dramatically derailed by a devastating lie, illustrating how misunderstandings and youthful errors can echo across decades and shape countless lives.

The movie transitions expertly from a sun-drenched, visually rich period setting in the 1930s to the grim reality of World War II, maintaining a consistently powerful mood and tone. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy deliver magnetic performances that evoke the intensity and social boundaries reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s initial friction. With its sweeping score, intricate narrative structure, and devastating emotional weight, Atonement will satisfy viewers looking for a period romance with a more intense, complex, and emotionally challenging story than the familiar path of Austen’s novel.

3. Jane Eyre (2011)

• 2h
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
• Writer: Charlotte Brontë (novel), Moira Buffini (screenplay)
• Stars: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell
• Country: UK, USA
• Summary: A 19th-century woman who flees her attic imprisonment is offered a job as a governess. When she takes the job, she falls for the dark secrets of her employer.

For those who loved the tension of a proud, wealthy man clashing with a clever, independent woman from a lower station, Jane Eyre (2011) offers a darker, Gothic counterpart to the sparkling wit of Jane Austen. This adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s novel excels at creating a brooding, atmospheric mood that perfectly captures the isolation and intensity of the protagonist’s emotional journey. Mia Wasikowska’s portrayal of the resolute Jane is perfectly matched by Michael Fassbender’s magnetic, mysterious Edward Rochester.

The film delves deep into themes of class, morality, and independence, exploring the inner strength required to stand by one’s principles when tempted by overwhelming passion. The vast, somber landscapes of the English moors become an extension of the characters’ internal turmoil, adding a visceral, romantic-yet-haunting quality. While it lacks the buoyant social comedy of the Bennet family, Jane Eyre delivers a powerful, deeply felt love story rooted in intellectual and spiritual connection, appealing directly to fans who appreciate the emotional depth of movies like Pride & Prejudice.

4. Becoming Jane (2007)

• 2h
• Genres: Biography, Drama, Romance
• Director: Julian Jarrold
• Writer: Jane Austen (letters), Kevin Hood (screenplay)
• Stars: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters
• Country: UK, USA
• Summary: A biographical film about the early life of Jane Austen, the famous English author, and her relationship with Thomas Langlois Lefroy.

To truly appreciate the world that inspired Pride & Prejudice, one should watch the story of its author. Becoming Jane imagines the life and crucial, early romance of Jane Austen, starring Anne Hathaway as the witty and independent young writer. The film is a lush period piece that mirrors the societal pressures and romantic conflicts depicted in her novels, offering a fascinating meta-perspective on the source material. It is an ideal pick for those who enjoyed the Regency-era setting and the intellectual sparring between Elizabeth and Darcy.

The chemistry between Hathaway’s Jane and James McAvoy’s charming but penniless lawyer, Tom Lefroy, is electric and crackles with the same combination of initial prejudice and irresistible attraction. The narrative showcases how Austen herself struggled with the tension between marrying for financial security—a constant theme in her books—and marrying for passionate love. This movie captures the spirit of the era and the emotional stakes involved in making a life-altering choice, making it one of the most natural recommendations for anyone searching for a movie that feels like Pride and Prejudice.

5. Emma. (2020)

• 2h 4m
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Director: Autumn de Wilde
• Writer: Jane Austen (novel), Eleanor Catton (screenplay)
• Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Mia Goth
• Country: UK, Japan, USA
• Summary: The story of Emma Woodhouse, a youthful middle-class woman who fancies herself a matchmaker and is determined to find a suitable husband for her friend Harriet, but is ignorant of her own heart.

For those who loved the high-society satire and vibrant energy of the 2005 film, Emma. (2020) is a perfect next step. This adaptation of Austen’s story about a young woman who delights in interfering in the romantic lives of others is a feast for the eyes and a witty treat. The film’s stylistic approach is bold, bright, and impeccably designed, showcasing a colorful, almost theatrical version of Regency England that distinguishes it from other period dramas.

Anya Taylor-Joy embodies Emma Woodhouse with a confident, slightly arrogant charm, bringing a contemporary sensibility to the classic character. The movie’s humor derives from Emma’s self-deception and her slow, often awkward realization of her own feelings for the one person she never considered: her long-time family friend, Mr. Knightley. Its focus on social maneuvering, miscommunication, and eventual romantic clarity makes it feel tonally aligned with the best parts of Pride and Prejudice similar movies, but with a decidedly more comedic and pastel-hued aesthetic.

6. Little Women (2019)

• 2h 15m
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Greta Gerwig
• Writer: Louisa May Alcott (novel), Greta Gerwig (written for the screen by)
• Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh
• Country: USA
• Summary: Jo March reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters—four young women, each determined to live life on their own terms.

While not strictly a Georgian or Regency-era drama, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women captures the same heartfelt focus on sisterhood, familial warmth, and the economic constraints of the 19th-century marriage market that defined the Bennet family’s struggles. The film, which tells the story of the four March sisters, resonates powerfully with the central themes of Pride and Prejudice—particularly the desire for an intellectual connection and financial independence in a world that only valued a woman’s marriage prospects.

The ensemble cast, featuring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen, brings incredible energy and distinct personalities to the four sisters, similar to the distinct dynamics of the Bennet girls. The narrative beautifully interweaves their childhood memories with their adult lives, focusing on ambition, creativity, and the complex journey of self-discovery. If you’re looking for a period piece that is rich in character, dialogue, and a powerful sense of place and time, and that captures the spirit of a witty, strong-willed protagonist navigating a restrictive society, this movie is an excellent choice among movies similar to Pride and Prejudice.

7. Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)

• 1h 59m
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Thomas Vinterberg
• Writer: Thomas Hardy (novel), David Nicholls (screenplay)
• Stars: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen
• Country: UK, USA
• Summary: In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: a sheep farmer, a handsome and reckless soldier, and a reserved, wealthy bachelor.

For a period romance that delves into the complications of courtship and class outside of the drawing-rooms of Austen, turn to Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd. This 2015 adaptation stars Carey Mulligan, who fans will recognize as Kitty Bennet in the 2005 film, as the fiercely independent heroine, Bathsheba Everdene. The movie excels at depicting a strong female protagonist who inherits a farm and attempts to run it herself, defying societal expectations and managing her own affairs—something Elizabeth Bennet would surely admire.

Like the courtship dance between Elizabeth and Darcy, Bathsheba finds herself at the center of attention from three disparate suitors, each representing a different path in life. The story explores themes of self-reliance, passion, and the often-harsh realities of life in the English countryside, all set against breathtaking, rugged landscapes. The emotional complexity and the drawn-out romantic suspense, combined with the gorgeous naturalistic cinematography, make this a compelling entry for fans who appreciate the high-quality production and character-driven focus of movies like Pride & Prejudice.

8. Anna Karenina (2012)

• 2h 9m
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Joe Wright
• Writer: Leo Tolstoy (novel), Tom Stoppard (screenplay)
• Stars: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
• Country: UK
• Summary: A tale of love and marriage in Russian high society. Anna Karenina is a novel of tragic love and family drama.

Another directorial collaboration between Joe Wright and Keira Knightley, Anna Karenina (2012) offers a visually stunning and dramatically different approach to the period romance genre. Based on the epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, the film is a sweeping melodrama centered on an illicit affair that scandalizes 19th-century Russian aristocracy. While its themes are far darker and the tone more tragic than the feel-good conclusion of Pride and Prejudice, the film showcases the director’s signature visual flair and the superb emotional performances of its lead star.

What makes this a choice for fans is the innovative and highly stylized staging, with much of the action taking place within a crumbling, metaphorical theater, brilliantly emphasizing the artificiality and performative nature of high society. The intense passion between Anna and her lover, Count Vronsky, echoes the overwhelming feeling of a forbidden or difficult love, and the exquisite costuming and set design will certainly appeal to viewers who adored the aesthetics of the 2005 film. It’s a recommendation for those who seek the same top-tier talent and stunning cinematic beauty, even if the romantic journey is more turbulent than the happy ending of the Bennet sisters.

9. Belle (2013)

• 1h 48m
• Genres: Biography, Drama, Romance
• Director: Amma Asante
• Writer: Misan Sagay
• Stars: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson
• Country: UK
• Summary: Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral, is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle, the Lord Chief Justice of England, in 18th-century England.

Belle is an essential watch for fans who appreciate the social commentary on class and the complex negotiation of marriage that is central to Pride and Prejudice. Inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a mixed-race woman raised as an aristocrat in 18th-century England, the film directly confronts issues of race, class, and gender in a way that Austen’s novels only allude to through economics. Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s performance as Dido is powerful and emotionally resonant as she navigates a society that views her as both a novelty and a lesser being.

The movie beautifully portrays the challenges of finding love and acceptance when one occupies a liminal space in society, a theme that touches upon Mr. Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice regarding their social standing. The narrative involves delicate courtship rituals and social maneuvering, as Dido must decide whether to choose a life of comfort or one that requires fighting for justice and truth. Its compelling story, gorgeous period setting, and sharp focus on societal barriers make it a strong entry for the reader who enjoys the dramatic depth found in films like Pride and Prejudice.

10. The Age of Innocence (1993)

• 2h 19m
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Writer: Edith Wharton (novel), Jay Cocks (screenplay)
• Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder
• Country: USA
• Summary: A respectable lawyer is about to marry a pure, young woman, but his life and that of his fiancée are thrown into disarray when her worldly cousin arrives.

Shifting slightly later in time to 1870s New York, Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence is a masterclass in period detail and restrained, emotionally charged romance. The film focuses on Newland Archer, a man expected to marry within his social circle, whose life is upended by the arrival of his fiancée’s sophisticated and unconventional cousin, Countess Olenska. This movie is about the immense pressure of social obligation and the devastating power of unexpressed, almost forbidden passion.

Like the subtle glances and charged non-verbal communication between Elizabeth and Darcy, this film expertly conveys deep, life-altering emotion through quiet moments, lavish detail, and the constant presence of stifling social norms. The true drama lies in what is not said and what is not done, as the characters struggle to balance personal desire with the iron-clad rules of their wealthy society. The impeccable costumes, sets, and a pervasive sense of elegant melancholy make this a sophisticated choice for fans seeking the nuanced, highly dramatic, and visually opulent side of movies like Pride and Prejudice.

A World of Witty Heroines and Grand Romances:

What truly connects these ten extraordinary films to the magic of Pride and Prejudice (2005) is a shared focus on the human heart struggling against the rigid structure of society. Whether it is the economic precarity faced by the Dashwood sisters in Sense and Sensibility, the class-based discrimination Dido Belle confronts, or the stifling societal control in The Age of Innocence, these narratives are all driven by strong, intelligent heroines forced to navigate a world not built for their independence.

They collectively offer that unique blend of romantic yearning and intellectual sparring that makes Austen’s work so enduring. The tension that built between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy—a relationship founded on witty banter, critical judgment, and slow-burn realization—is echoed in the passionate struggles seen in Becoming Jane and the quiet, desperate longing of Jane Eyre. These movies use gorgeous period settings, from the lush estates in Far from the Madding Crowd to the stylized theater of Anna Karenina, not just as backdrops, but as fundamental elements that shape the characters’ opportunities and limitations. The atmosphere is consistently rich, the emotional stakes are always high, and the cinematography often rivals the picturesque beauty of the 2005 film.

Ultimately, all these films champion the eventual triumph of genuine connection over superficial social standing, prideful assumptions, or prejudice. They satisfy the core craving for a sweeping, character-driven story where a clever mind and a pure heart eventually win the day. Now that you have a new list of romantic and dramatic period pieces to explore, the question is which exquisite tale of love and social satire you will dive into first!