Summary
- The 1800s continue to be a fascinating era for movies, with Little Women being a highly regarded period drama that captured viewers' hearts.
- Films set in the 1800s can transport audiences back in time, allowing them to explore the technology, beliefs, and society of that era.
- There are numerous movies set in the 1800s across different genres, such as Sherlock Holmes, The Great Train Robbery, Amistad, Cold Mountain, The Lighthouse, The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly, The Elephant Man, Pride & Prejudice, The Man Who Would Be King, Les Misérables, and Nosferatu.
Before her amazing success with Barbie, Greta Gerig delivered one of the best movies set in the 1800s with Little Women. Her adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott captured viewers' hearts with its rich storytelling and beautiful recreation of the 1800s setting. Though it's one of the most highly regarded period dramas of recent years, it's not the only one of its kind. The 1800s continue to be an era of fascination for movies to explore. It is always interesting to see how many different genres can operate within this time period as well as how they can tell stories that still strike a chord with audiences in modern society.
Life today is different from what it was in the nineteenth century, but films like 1994 or 2019's Little Women can help transport audiences back in time. The 1800s were rife with injustice and quiet achievements, as well as some prominent breakthroughs in technology and social justice. This transition between the colonial era and our modern world is part of what makes the 19th century so fascinating for many. For fans who have an interest in the era, there are plenty more movies set in the 1800s they can check out and with the endless streaming services out there, it is easier than ever to go back in time to explore the world at this time.
25 Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Following his success with Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. was given the chance to headline another blockbuster franchise with Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes. The movie came out in the midst of a Sherlock renaissance. However, while the likes of the BBC series Sherlock and the American series Elementary imagined the famed detective in a modern setting, Sherlock Holmes took the character back to the 1800s to investigate a case involving a cultist who apparently rose from the grave. As well as Sherlock has done in the 21st century, it is a joy to see him back in an older time period, dealing with the technology, beliefs, and society of the day. However, the real joy of the movie is seeing Downey Jr.'s chemistry with Jude Law, who plays his Dr. Watson.
Sherlock Holmes is available to rent on Apple TV.
24 The Great Train Robbery (1978)
Directed by Michael Crichton
It is amazing to see a slick and fun heist movie being successfully pulled off in an 1800s setting. It is a daunting task that The Great Train Robbery handles wonderfully to make for a hugely enjoyable and funny period crime story loosely based on real events. Sean Connery stars as a member of high society who is also secretly a master thief. With a band of entertaining criminals, he plans to steal a fortune from a moving train. The movie is able to incorporate a lot of elements of a typical heist movie, from assembling the team to putting the plan in place. The movie is a clever and sharply written crime comedy that earned an Oscar nomination for its screenplay.
23 Amistad (1997)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg tackled a real-life court case of the 1800s in the movie Amistad. Djimon Honsou stars as a man who leads a rebellion aboard an illegal slave ship. When the ship is apprehended in American waters, a court case is conducted to determine who the slaves belong to with a young New York lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) arguing they are free men. The movie tackles the inhumanity of the slave trade as well as this little-known moment in history with a stirring drama. It also features an incredible cast with Morgan Freeman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Anthony Hopkins in an Oscar-nominated role.
22 Cold Mountain (2003)
Directed by Anthony Minghella
The Civil War is a frequent subject explored in movies set in the 1800s with Cold Mountain taking a sweeping romantic view of it, inspired by movies like Gone with the Wind. Nicole Kidman and Jude Law star in the movie as lovers torn apart at the outbreak of the war. Wounded in battle, Law's soldier decides to abandon his post and make the long journey back to Kidman as she struggles to maintain her farm. The epic feel of the movie and the romance at its center give it a tragic tone that highlights the brutality of the times. The movie was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture, leading to Renee Zellweger's win for her supporting role.
21 The Lighthouse (2019)
Directed by David Eggers
Some movies explore grand stories of the 1800s, while some use the time period to great effect in smaller-scale stories. Such is the case with The Lighthouse, a thriller set in late 1800s New England. The black-and-white movie stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe as two lighthouse workers stuck in isolation on a small island. As tensions grow between them, the lines between what is reality and what is delusion begin to blur. It is an engrossing movie by Robert Eggers with terrific performances from the two leads and a surprising amount of humor. Its stunning cinematography, surreal feel, and unexpected humor make it one of the best horror movies in recent years.
20 The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (1966)
Directed by Sergio Leone
It is interesting to look at Little Women and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and realize they are both movies set in the 1800s. Far from the life of young women in England, this classic Spaghetti Western takes a look at the period of lawlessness in the American West as the Civil War raged on. It follows three characters who find themselves on the same journey to find a buried treasure. Regarded as the greatest Western of all time in the minds of many, as well as one of the greatest movies of any kind, it is a masterclass in filmmaking by Sergio Leone, with so many iconic moments and a star-making turn from Clint Eastwood.
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly is available to rent on Apple TV.
19 The Elephant Man (1980)
Directed by David Lynch
Looking back at society centuries ago can sometimes make for a compelling story that holds true for modern audiences. David Lynch's The Elephant Man is a tragic true story of John Merrick, a disfigured man living in Victorian London. John Hurt gives a heartbreaking performance as Merrick who was used as an attraction and treated as less than human. The movie also stars Anthony Hopkins as a doctor who seeks to help Merrick and sees the kind spirit the rest of the world ignores. The Elephant Man was an awards hit upon its release, earning Hurt an Oscar nomination for his performance, and is one of Lynch's most approachable films.
Where To Watch The Elephant Man
18 Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Directed by Joe Wright
While many movies set in the 1800s look back to tell their stories, it is interesting to see a story that was first written during that era. Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice was published in 1813 as a contemporary romance story about an independent young woman being pressured to find a partner. There have been countless adaptations of Austen's iconic novel, but this 2005 version, directed by Joe Wright, is one of the most acclaimed. Keira Knightley stars in the lead role as Elizabeth Bennet, while Succession fans will enjoy seeing Matthew Macfadyen in a very different role as Mr. Darcy. The movie breathes new excitement into the classic story leading to several Oscar nominations, including one for Knightley as Best Actress.
Pride & Prejudice is available to rent on Apple TV.
17 The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
Directed by John Huston
The combined star power and talent of Michael Cain and Sean Connery help to make The Man Who Would Be King a masterpiece of an adventure movie. The two actors star as British soldiers in 1880s India who seek out fortune in unknown lands. The movie's tremendous scale under the direction of John Huston makes for an exciting ride from beginning to end. But at its center, it is also a terrific morality tale about ambition and greed. Connery and Caine make for a great team of complicated heroes which builds to the stunning finale that cements it as a truly great adventure movie with a message.
The Man Who Would Be King is available to rent on Apple TV.
16 Les Misérables (2012)
Directed by Tom Hooper
Les Misérables has been adapted many times, and each adaptation brings something new to the table. The 2012 musical, based on the Broadway hit of the same name and featuring a star-studded cast, might be the most accessible to a broader audience, but the 1935 French film is the most authentic. Whichever adaptation viewers choose, the core story remains the same: a Frenchman spends his life evading a brutal law enforcement officer after stealing bread. Despite turning his life around, he still can't escape his past. The musical adaptation was nominated for Best Picture and Best Actor (Hugh Jackman) while Anne Hathaway won for her commanding supporting role.
Les Misérables is available to rent on Apple TV.
15 Nosferatu (1922)
Directed by F. W. Murnau
While vampires may often be used in modern-set horror stories now, Nosferatu looked back at a creature of the past in this ground-breaking movie. Inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula, this German silent movie follows a real estate agent who begins working for a reclusive and disturbing count in 1838. A full century after its release, it is still possible to see the influence Nosferatu has on modern cinema. It is possible that the trend of vampire movies would never have become as prevalent today if the movie did not exist.
14 The Duellists (1977)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott is one of the most prolific directors of period films, and his 1800s-set debut feature The Duellists is one of his most acclaimed outings. Based on a Joseph Conrad short story, the film tracks a rivalry between two nobles in the early 19th century, interrupted by the events of the Napoleonic Wars. Starring Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel, The Duellists has been lauded for its historical accuracy as well as its drama. Scott won the Best First Work at the Cannes Film Festival for the movie, kick-starting his legendary career which includes his recent return to the period drama genre in Napoleon.
13 Anna Karenina (2012)
Directed by Joe Wright
Joe Wright's adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's famous Russian novel is an ambitious one. The film has been criticized for prioritizing style over substance, but the heartrending performances of the star-studded cast add to the beautiful cinematography, costumes, and set design, making it one of the most visually stunning movies set in the 1800s. Anna Karenina, a married aristocrat, pursues an affair with a younger man and faces tragic consequences. Meanwhile, her brother is pardoned for cheating on his wife. The movie proved to be another successful collaboration between Wright and Knightley (along with a supporting Matthew Macfayden in a supporting role) with the movie earning Knightley her third Oscar nomination.
Anna Karenina is available to rent on Apple TV.
12 Great Expectations (1946)
Directed by David Lean
Like Les Misérables, Charles Dickens's Great Expectations has been adapted many times, but perhaps never quite so masterfully as David Lean's 1946 film. In any case, the story follows Pip as he grows from a young boy into an adult. Simultaneously, he escapes his humble beginnings, educates himself, and comes into a great fortune to enter high society. However, he doesn't anticipate the consequences. Of the many adaptations of the story, Lean's is still regarded as the best by many, earning a Best Picture nomination and being named one of the British Film Institute's Top 100 British films.
Where To Watch Great Expectations
11 The Beguiled (2017)
Directed by Sofia Coppola
Many American movies set in the 1800s deal with the American Civil War, though The Beguiled depicts the war from a different point of view. The film follows two women running a boarding school for young girls in the South who take in an injured Union soldier. The movie is a dark, gothic tale featuring stellar performances from its excellent cast. Instead of focusing on the men at war, Sofia Coppola's film focuses on the women fighting their own battles while trying to protect their homes.
10 Gone With The Wind (1939)
Directed by Victor Fleming
Gone with the Wind is one of the most praised romances of all time. It tells the story of a high-society Southern woman who begins a turbulent affair with a roguish man as the Civil War comes to an end and Reconstruction begins. The film has been causing a stir in recent times, given its glorified depiction of the American South during the age of slavery. However, this perspective can today be used as a point of education, not to mention, the film is known for its epic beauty. It helped usher in a grander style of filmmaking that changed Hollywood forever. Gone with the Wind's legacy is a complicated one, but there is no denying the mark it made on American movies.
Where To Watch Gone with the Wind
9 Scrooge (1951)
Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst
Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol has been retold countless times on screen, but many consider the 1951 version to be the best. While some film versions have brought the story into the modern age, Scrooge is set in 1800s London. Like many of Dickens' works, this story deals with the immense poverty of the time, as represented by Bob Cratchit and his family. Scrooge's growth in realizing he should help the less fortunate remains an important message. It remains an impactful story no matter how often it is adapted and Alistair Sims' performance makes for the best Scrooge in movie history.
8 Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World (2003)
Directed by Peter Weir
A gritty look at naval warfare during the Napoleonic era, Master and Commander stars Russell Crowe as a British Navy captain engaged in a daring pursuit of French privateers. Peter Weir's adaptation of Patrick O'Brien's long-running Aubrey-Maturin series is noted for its gritty depiction of 1800s warfare and the grim realities of life at sea in that time period. While Master and Commander was only a moderate commercial success upon release, it garnered numerous Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and has since become a cult classic.
Where To Watch Master And Commander
7 Yojimbo (1961)
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
While there are plenty of fascinating American films set in the 1800s, many foreign films also explore the 19th century. Yojimbo is an epic samurai film by the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa about a ronin who develops a plan to free a small rural town from the gangsters who are tearing it apart. The beautiful black-and-white film is a clever and exciting story with some breathtaking action sequences. The film became an inspiration for many other filmmakers and was even used as the basis for the Spaghetti Western classic A Fistful of Dollars.
6 The Prestige (2006)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Movies about magicians usually take a flashy approach to their stories, but The Prestige takes a darker and more serious look at these performers in 1800s Europe. The film follows two magicians whose rivalry turns deadly as they try to best one another over the years. This captivating mystery from Christopher Nolan is a unique glimpse behind the curtain of these popular magicians' lives. It's also full of mystery and suspense, and The Prestige's memorable twist ending which Nolan pulls off very effectively. It makes for one of his most underrated movies that continues to find new fans years after it was released.