Regency Film and Television: Movies Like Pride and Prejudice

In the past, we have shared some Regency era tv series and films including: Regency Film and TV: Streaming Now, Regency Film and Television: Four Regency Series to Binge, Regency Film and TV: Four Movies from the 00s, and Regency Film and TV: 80s and 90s Classics. But what if what you are looking for is specific?  Specifically, a movie like Pride and Prejudice (2005)?

We have come up with five new recommendations, organized by themes.

Enemies to Lovers Trope

You relish the Darcy and Elizabeth snark exchange that evolves into soft glances and hand flexes.  But your roommate or partner has threatened to block you from the tv if you don’t stop watching P&P.  Rather than make your own lovers/friends to enemies happen in real life, soothe your  cravings with:

North and South (2004, BBC)

Elizabeth Gaskell’s book about a once wealthy pastor’s daughter forced to move from rural southern England to industrial Milton in northern England is told in four parts.  Its early Victorian, but features many of the same themes of Pride and Prejudice with a juicy enemies to lovers between now poor Margaret and wealthy manufacturer John Thornton. Themes of pride and prejudice are at play here, as well as class, resistance to marriage of convenience, and there is even an unexpected declaration of love.

Stream on Amazon Prime with a Free Trial of Britbox, or Watch on Britbox.  It also may be available via Apple TV.

 

Persuasion (2008)

Second chance romance starts with a fair amount of enemies to lovers tension, as these former sweethearts are reintroduced. Forced apart by her family’s snobbery, now that he has made her fortune it feels to Anne like he wants to punish her.

This version condenses the novel down into an hour and half run time.

Stream on Amazon Prime with a Free Trial of Passionflix, or Watch on Passionflix.

 

Persuasion (2022)

Keep the party going with Anne and Captain Wentworth in this 2022 version.  Not everyone loves the more brash portrayal of Anne in this update, but you like the 2005 P&P — you are used to the haters. And the slant of breaking the fourth wall with direct to camera addresses helps feel the enemies to lover fire in your heart.

Stream on Netflix.

 

Witty Repartee

If your favorite thing about P&P is suffering through secondhand embarrassment at the follies of the Bennets and the tortured love of Darcy who watches helplessly at Elizabeth chasing after the cad Wickham, these flicks may hit the spot.

Jane Austen’s matchmaking provincial young lady gets an update in this 2020 version, with bright palate of Bridgerton’s costumes and an emphasis on the snappy dialogue of friends and enemies in this idyllic country setting. There is a reason Emma has been so lovingly adapted in nearly every recent decade or two, and its because what is more delicious than a bevvy of ineligible suitors when the perfect man really is the one next door?

Stream on Amazon Prime, Peacock, or Hulu.

 

 

The 2022 Mr. Malcolm’s List is centered around a high in the instep Mr. Malcolm and the perfect match list trope in this adaptation of Suzanne Allain’s Regency romance.  Delightful scenery, costumes, and a healthy dose of banter.

Stream on Amazon Prime, Hulu, Youtube, Sling, and Paramount+.

Have any other recommendations?  Leave them in the comments!