The iconic Jane Austen's stories of independent women in the Regency era have been enthralling audiences for centuries. It only makes sense that with the creation of the movies these stories quickly moved to the big screen. Movies allow Austen's stories to be told in an entirely new way, bringing life to many beloved characters.
While some adaptations are sensational, others miss the mark. Austen's stories carry a certain romanticism to them, and if this quality doesn't care over in the movie then it hardly feels like an Austen tale. Thankfully, IMDb gives audiences a pretty good idea of which adaptations are worth their time.
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (2016) - 5.8
Rent On Apple TV
Interestingly, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies is actually a double adaptation. It is based on the book by the same title which is then based on Jane Austen's original Pride and Prejudice. While the idea for this movie is certainly creative, it doesn't mesh well with Austen's story.
The film is exactly what it sounds like: the Bennet sisters are living their lives as they try to find husbands in a possible zombie outbreak. The women in the film are all trained in some kind of martial art and are therefore very powerful. This independence is very similar to Austen's characters, but the romance normally found in her stories is lacking in this gory adaptation.
Love & Friendship (2016) - 6.4
Stream On Amazon Prime
Love & Friendship is based on Austen's novella Lady Susan that published decades after her death. It tells the story of a recent widow, Lady Susan, and her attempts to secure both herself and her daughter a husband. Lady Susan is a beguiling and ingenious woman who will let no one stand in her way.
This film is full of Austen's dry humor, but this could be a con for some audience members. It can be hard to pick up on the humor amongst the flowery language, so this film is not for everyone. The story stays quite true to the original, but it just simply isn't one of Austen's more popular tales. However, this film is definitely worth a watch for the biggest Austen fans.
Emma (1996) - 6.7
Stream On Max Go
Emma is the story of a young woman who delights in creating mischief. She often tries to pair up her friends into couples even though they rarely work out. Emma is often so busy meddling in others' lives that she misses her own romantic feelings for Mr. Knightley.
This film is beautifully done with gorgeous cinematography and brilliant actors. The story perfectly embodies the naughty nature of Emma as well as her innocence. There are some moments in the film that feel as though they drag on for too long, but the humor often makes up for this.
Emma. (2020) - 6.7
Stream On HBO Max
Emma was very recently remade with a more contemporary cast. Anya Taylor-Joy took over from Gwyneth Paltrow (1996) and does a great job in the role. She too is able to capture the meddling yet innocent nature of Emma.
The bright colors of this film beautifully match the pace and soul of the movie. As mentioned above, this story has some of the best of Austen's humor and so it only makes sense that it would pop with color. However, Emma can be a hard character for audiences to relate to which tends to result in a lower ranking than other Austen adaptations.
Clueless (1995) - 6.9
Stream On HBO Max
While Clueless doesn't have the highest rating, it is one of the most popular Jane Austen adaptations. Clueless takes Emma and modernizes it into a more relatable story for the 20th century. The movie follows Cher Horowitz, a naive high school socialite as she tries to play matchmaker with the people in her life.
This movie rates better with audiences as Clueless is a more relatable story. Cher has to jump through the hoops of high school in the '90s rather than the balls of the Regency era. However, the message of doing good for those less fortunate can often come across as shallow. Overall, the actors do a great job and the movie is very entertaining.
Mansfield Park (1999) - 7.1
Stream On Starz
Mansfield Park is based on Jane Austen's novel by the same name. It follows Fanny Price as she is sent to live with her wealthier relatives. Fanny is taught how to become a proper society woman and must learn to navigate this world as she grows older.
The enjoyment of this film depends on whether the audience is a fan of the original novel. The Fanny of the movie is much more rebellious than her novel counterpart, and so many fans of the book do not enjoy the change. However, the film is beautifully done with a very talented cast and is still worth a watch.
Northanger Abbey (2007) - 7.2
Stream On Hoopla & Kanopy
Northanger Abbey is also the retelling of a Jane Austen novel centered around Catherine Morland. Catherine is a lower-class girl invited by her neighbors to visit Bath, the height of society at the time. She quickly learns that high society isn't as romantic as she thought.
This movie does a great job at portraying life in the Regency era and makes good use of the Jane Austen language. The film is also very faithful to the original novel. It actually works as a great movie to watch for those unfamiliar with Austen's work and wanting a way in.
Persuasion (2007) - 7.5
Stream On BritBox
Persuasion is a classic Austen story of will-they-won't-they love. Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth had a whirlwind romance that was shot down by Anne's family. Eight years later their paths cross again and they discover that not all is lost.
This film has a very strong cast with Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones playing the leads. It also includes Anthony Head and Tobias Menzies who both give amazing performances. Alas, this is a TV movie so the cinematography isn't quite on par with other Austen adaptations, but it is very true to the original novel.
Sense & Sensibility (1995) - 7.7
Stream On Vudu
Sense and Sensibility is the story of two sisters who struggle through life after the death of their father. As daughters of his second marriage, the women only get a very small inheritance. The film follows Elinor and Marianne, two of Austen's best heroines.
This film is a beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet lead the cast along with Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant. All of these actors are terrific in the period piece, bringing these characters to life. The setting and costuming are also perfect for the story, helping to make this a must-watch for Austen fan.
Pride & Prejudice (2005) - 7.8
Stream On HBO Max
Pride & Prejudice is the crowning jewel of Jane Austen's work, so it only makes sense that an adaptation would top this list. The story follows Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in a classic enemies-to-lovers trope. This story is the perfect embodiment of the spirit of Austen's writing.
While this adaptation doesn't follow the book 100%, it retains the overwhelming romanticism of the source material. Kiera Knightley is known for her period pieces and this movie is no exception. The film also features amazing performances from Matthew Macfadyen and Donald Sutherland. The beautiful cinematography only adds to the mood. Overall, Pride & Prejudice is the best retelling of an Austen classic.