Persuasion is Netflix's newest romance period piece film, set to be released July 1 of this year. Adapted from the book by Jane Austen, the story follows what a second chance at romance looks like. Starring Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, and Henry Golding, the trailer boasts all the elements viewers love from a classic romantic drama set in the 19th century.
Period piece films tend to evoke a time and place in history so well that viewers know it as well as their own. It's a genre spanning decades and one modern audiences are clearly still in love with. A slew of classic romantic period dramas have become hallmarks, including The Age of Innocence, Braveheart, and Titanic. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best period piece romance dramas.
The Young Victoria (2009) - 7.2
British period film The Young Victoria depicts the life of Queen Victoria and her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and is an earnest love story within the structured walls of the British monarchy. Revered as the formidable matron and a successful leader, it's easy to forget Victoria was a young girl too, finding her way through life as a future queen.
Unlike many monarchs, Queen Victoria wed the man of her own choosing and never remarried after Prince Albert passed in 1861, wearing only black for the remainder of her life and was then regarded as the Widow of Windsor. This biographical movie steps into the fantastic world of the British monarchy and gives audiences a blissful taste of true love during turbulent times.
Somewhere In Time (1980) - 7.2
Set in both the early 1900s and the 1970s Somewhere in Time tells the story of a successful writer who is about to begin his amazing journey into another lifetime in search of the love he could never find in his own time period.
The romantic fantasy world of director Jeannot Szwarc tells the story of love that transcends time. Because of the chemistry between Jane Seymour as Elise McKenna and Christopher Reeve as Richard Collier, the romance is not only believable but mesmerizing. The sweeping score of the film is also what captivates audiences, and it's a near-perfect romance without the hindering of overt violent or sexual tones that can usually make their way into historical romance feature films.
Memoirs Of A Geisha (2005) - 7.3
Memoirs of a Geisha is an epic historical drama set in 1920s Japan leading up to and during World War II. Told in first person perspective by Geisha Nitta Sayuri, audiences follow a tale of the hard work and sacrifice of becoming a working geisha in Kyoto, Japan.
The film is adapted from the novel written by Arthur Golden. It was nominated for many awards and won an Oscar for Best Costume Design and Best Art Cinematography. Though regarded more for the excellent storytelling and perspective of a woman put into a demanding lifestyle, the story endures because of its non-traditional epic romance.
Much Ado About Nothing (1993) - 7.3
Much Ado About Nothing is a romantic comedy based on a play by William Shakespeare. It follows the love story of Beatrice and Benedick, two misanthropes who fall victim to clever tricks. This ruse entwines with the love story of Hero and Count Claudio that delivers a lighthearted and delightful story.
Staring and directed by Kenneth Branagh, it's one of his best films and not to mention the most financially successful Shakespeare films ever made. Boasting the who's who of 1990's Hollywood, the film's ensemble includes Emma Thompson, Robert Sean Leonard, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, and Kate Beckinsale in her film debut.
Little Women (1994) - 7.3
The third adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel of the same name was released in 1994. Little Women is set against the backdrop of the Civil War in 1862 and follows four sisters and the details of their passages from childhood into grown women. The ensemble of actresses in this film wonderfully includes Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, and Claire Danes.
This coming-of-age love story is unique because it gives a balanced look into the different themes of love. Jo March's persistence for knowledge and independence, the priority her family takes in her life, and her value of friendship are refreshingly original for the women of the time period. It also shows audiences of all ages the importance of sisterhood.
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) - 7.7
Based on the novel written by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo is a classic historical romance about an innocent man wrongly imprisoned and his amazing plan for revenge. The clear-cut character development of Edmond Dantes and Fernand Mondego are entangled with an enthralling adventure.
This is an epic tale that draws in audiences with its mixed elements of romance, adventure, and historical fiction that have kept this film relevant within the period piece romance genre. Famed film critic Robert Ebert of the Chicago Sun-times said this of the period piece, "This is the kind of movie that used to be right at home at the Saturday matinee, and it still is."
Sense and Sensibility (1995) - 7.7
Sense and Sensibility is not only a superb Jane Austen novel adaptation but a masterclass in acting. Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant bring sumptuous storytelling to the regency era. Every character portrayal leaps from Austin's pages to the screen in complete authenticity and believability.
Alan Rickman, who hadn't become the household name is now, swept audiences with his portrayal of Colonel Brandon. It's a step away from the audiences who are familiar with his work as Professor Snape. Emma Thompson's character Elinor Dashwood's quiet suffering in refusal for admitting her love for Mr. Farris gives audiences a heart-wrenching tale of unrequited love that leads to a happy ending, in authentic Jane Austen fashion.
The Notebook (2004) - 7.8
Few fans of period piece romance movies will say they haven't seen this Nicholas Sparks classic. Known for his wrenching, emotional love stories, The Notebook creates the perfect scenes to witness what falling in love can look like. This modern classic switches back and forth between history and the present telling the story of Noah and Allison, played by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. A then real-life couple, this made Gosling and McAdam's on-screen chemistry all the better.
The 2004 movie stayed relatively close to the novel material and provides a love story that offers a relatable experience. It's heartbreakingly memorable with themes of loss and rekindled romance. It's remained a fan-favorite because the story is never salacious or gratuitous in its romance; viewers are meant to root for the lead characters from beginning to end.
Pride and Prejudice (2005) - 7.8
A beloved Jane Austin story, the 2005 Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen is a slight departure from the 1995 TV drama of the same name. The love story that belongs to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet is deliciously dreamy and remains popular with each passing generation.
The strong-willed nature of Elizabeth Bennet is played by Knightley, who has become synonymous with period romance dramas. She plays the seminal role of the beautifully forgotten woman who has a mind of her own in a time when it was surmised that those opinions had little value. What MacFadyen brought to his Mr. Darcy compared to Colin Firth's portrayal in 1995 is a subdued sexual energy that floods the screen every time.
Gone with the Wind (1939) - 8.2
A beautifully tragic coming-of-age story, Gone with the Wind showed audiences the challenges of moving through life's events. The romance drama tells the story of unrequited love, enduring love and the fate that pulls people apart during the American Civil War. The film presents themes of femininity and social classes in society.
It saw Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable bring to life Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. The period romance drama is the highest-grossing film of all time when adjusted for inflation (per Guinness World Records), the biggest costume drama in history, and received 12 Academy Awards. Gone with the Wind has become ingrained in popular culture and set the precedent when it comes to classic and modern period piece romance dramas.