9 Best Movies Like Pride & Prejudice (Ranked & Where to Stream)

Thomas Hardy's timeless tale, beautifully adapted, resonates deeply with fans of Pride & Prejudice's spirited heroines. Carey Mulligan delivers a compelling performance as Bathsheba Everdene, an independent woman navigating Victorian society and three very different suitors. The film masterfully explores themes of independence, societal expectations, and the complexities of the heart amidst breathtaking pastoral landscapes. Its meticulous period detail and focus on a woman's journey to self-discovery and love, despite challenging circumstances, mirrors Elizabeth Bennet's own path, making it a truly essential watch for those craving intelligent, visually stunning historical romance.

Merchant Ivory's sumptuous adaptation of E.M. Forster’s novel is a quintessential British period drama that exudes the wit and romantic tension beloved in Pride & Prejudice. Lucy Honeychurch's journey from Edwardian propriety to passionate self-discovery, prompted by an unconventional encounter in Florence, mirrors Elizabeth Bennet's awakening. The film brilliantly contrasts stifling English social norms with Italian spontaneity, featuring exquisite cinematography and a sharp script brimming with social commentary and delightful humor. It's a vibrant exploration of budding romance, challenging conventions, and the exhilarating pursuit of genuine connection.

Another masterful E.M. Forster adaptation from Merchant Ivory, Howards End explores the intricate class dynamics and societal shifts of Edwardian England with a depth and intelligence that will captivate Pride & Prejudice aficionados. The film follows the contrasting fates of three families—the wealthy Wilcoxes, the intellectual Schlegels, and the working-class Basts—whose lives become intertwined through property and affection. Its central female characters, particularly the fiercely independent Margaret Schlegel, navigate love, morality, and social responsibility with a compelling blend of wit and earnestness, echoing the intellectual and emotional journeys of Austen's heroines.

This compelling adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's controversial novel offers a raw and passionate exploration of love defying societal barriers, a theme central to Pride & Prejudice, albeit with a more explicit and visceral intensity. Lady Chatterley, trapped in a loveless marriage, finds passion and intellectual connection with her estate's gamekeeper. The film vividly portrays the stifling constraints of early 20th-century class structures and the revolutionary pursuit of personal freedom and desire. Its focus on a woman's awakening and her courage to transgress social norms for true emotional and physical intimacy makes it a powerful, albeit bolder, companion piece.

Roman Polanski's hauntingly beautiful adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles delves into the harsh realities faced by women in 19th-century England, a world not dissimilar in its social constraints to Austen's, though far more unforgiving. Nastassja Kinski's portrayal of the strong-willed, innocent Tess, whose life is tragically shaped by class prejudice, male hypocrisy, and devastating fate, offers a profound reflection on female agency and societal injustice. While its tone is more somber than Pride & Prejudice, its exquisite cinematography, powerful performances, and thematic depth regarding social standing and romantic entanglement make it deeply resonant.

Emily Brontë's singular tale of intense, almost supernatural love and vengeance finds a vivid portrayal in this atmospheric adaptation. Like Pride & Prejudice, it grapples with the rigid class structure of 19th-century England and the devastating consequences of societal expectations on romantic love. The tempestuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the enigmatic Heathcliff, set against the wild, bleak Yorkshire moors, is a visceral exploration of passion, obsession, and social barriers. Though far darker and more melodramatic than Austen, its powerful depiction of a love that transcends convention will appeal to those who seek grand, emotional period romances.

Keira Knightley, renowned for her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet, shines again as Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, in this opulent historical drama. While less focused on the traditional 'will-they-won't-they' romance of Pride & Prejudice, The Duchess expertly portrays a spirited woman navigating the stifling expectations and political machinations of 18th-century aristocracy. Georgiana's struggle for personal freedom and love within an arranged, often cruel, marriage resonates with the themes of female agency and societal constraints that define Austen's world. Its lavish costumes and sharp dialogue provide a feast for the eyes and mind.

Joseph Losey's The Go-Between, based on L.P. Hartley’s novel, is a poignant exploration of class divides, forbidden love, and lost innocence set during a scorching Edwardian summer. Young Leo becomes an unwitting messenger for an illicit affair between an aristocrat and a local farmer, exposing him to the complex, unspoken social codes of the era. While not a conventional romance, its deep dive into the destructive power of class distinctions and the subtle ways societal pressures shape personal destinies echoes the social commentary woven throughout Pride & Prejudice. It’s a beautifully atmospheric and intellectually rich period piece.

This compelling film introduces us to Anne Lister, a remarkable 19th-century landowner and industrialist, who boldly defied societal expectations as an openly lesbian woman. While the romantic dynamics are distinct from Pride & Prejudice, the film profoundly resonates with themes of female independence, societal constraint, and the audacious pursuit of love against all odds. Like Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Lister possesses an extraordinary wit and determination, navigating a world intent on limiting her. It offers a fascinating, lesser-known glimpse into period life through the eyes of a woman carving her own path, making it a powerful and unique companion.