A Guide to Every Jane Austen Adaptation & Where to Watch Them All
Hear ye, hear ye! We have gathered to sip tea like ladies and dish about all the best Jane Austen adaptations and where to watch them. While one very specific Austen film tends to hog the spotlight — yes, you, Darcy — we simply cannot stand by and let the rest go unappreciated. Because these other Austen-inspired films and shows? They absolutely serve. In honor of Valentine’s Day, PBS is making sure one lesser-known (but very steamy) Austen adaptation is getting some extra love this year.
For a full month, starting on Valentine’s Day, all three seasons of Sanditon will be available to stream free on PBS.org and the PBS app. If you’re looking for the perfect binge-watch during peak romance season, Sanditon is THAT show.
From Sense and Sensibility to Mansfield Park, from Clueless to Emma, we’re dipping our quills and delivering the definitive lowdown. Consider this your all-in-one Jane Austen watch guide: which Pride and Prejudice reigns supreme, which hidden gems deserve more love, and why exactly we all hate Dakota Johnson‘s Persuasion.
Dear readers, let us commence.
Pride and Prejudice (1813) Adaptations
Who doesn’t know Pride and Prejudice at this point? But just in case, here’s a highlights reel: Elizabeth Bennet, one of five spirited sisters, navigates societal expectations, family pressures, and matters of the heart in Regency-era England. When the wealthy and reserved Mr. Darcy enters the picture, clashes of pride and misunderstandings test their initial impressions of each other. Over time, love, self-discovery, and personal growth help them overcome prejudice and find a lasting connection.
Everett Collection
Pride and Prejudice (1940)
Before we dive into the classics, it’s worth noting that a few made-for-TV adaptations featured actors performing in front of a camera — but sadly, all of these are believed lost to history. So, we’ll kick off our Jane Austen watch guide with the 1940 film, which was an adaptation of Austen’s classic but also the stage adaptation.
The 1940 adaptation starred Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy. This version was cowritten by Aldous Huxley, the guy who had already written the dystopian classic Brave New World. (Quite the contrast in projects.)
Where to watch Pride and Prejudice (1940):
This version is not available to stream anywhere, but you can rent/buy on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, and more.
Pride and Prejudice (1967)
This six-part BBC serial was produced to mark the 150th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death. Directed by Joan Craft, it starred Celia Bannerman and Lewis Fiander as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The middle Bennet sister, Mary, was omitted.
Unlike most of Craft’s BBC work, this serial has survived intact. While it isn’t available on home media, it can be found online, making it the earliest BBC television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that still exists.
Where to watch Pride and Prejudice (1967):
This is a trickier one to track down, but not impossible. Find this classic on MUBI and BBC iPlayer, depending on your region.
Pride and Prejudice (1980)
Next up, British novelist Fay Weldon took the pen to adapt this classic novel in a co-production between the BBC and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The five-episode series starred Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth Bennet and David Rintoul as Mr. Darcy, and in the U.S., it aired on PBS as part of Masterpiece Theatre.
With each episode running about an hour, the adaptation had the time and space to cover the book in rich, satisfying detail.
Where to watch Pride and Prejudice (1980):
You can watch Pride and Prejudice (1980) on platforms like BritBox, Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Plex. It is also available for rent or purchase on services like Prime Video and JustWatch.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, this is considered the most definitive adaptation. True Janeites will claim this is the better adaptation, although it may not be the most popular one, but we’ll get to that later.
Given its limited series format, this version dove deeper into the novel and stayed true to the beloved story. The Colin Firth lake scene is incomparable to anything else, even in the more popular adaptation. It’s also inspired countless other lake scenes — hello, Bridgerton?
Where to watch Pride and Prejudice (1995):
Hulu, Tubi, Pluto TV, Britbox, Peacock, or BBC iPlayer (depending on your region). It is also available to buy or rent on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
Focus Features
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Now for every girlie’s depression watch, aka the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. This time, Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen took up the mantle. It featured plenty more big names, including Carey Mulligan, Rosamund Pike, Tom Hollander, and Judi Dench.
This is a more cinematic, romantic movie version — great for first-time Austen viewers. There is a true divide between series and film; fans of each will say which is best, but in our opinion, the movie portrays the essence of the book best. There are numerous historical inaccuracies in terms of costumes and timing, but it captures the energy of Pride and Prejudice, the grit of Lizzie, and the quiet yearning of Darcy. We can’t fault it. And that hand clench…
Where to watch Pride and Prejudice (2005):
You can stream Pride and Prejudice (2005) on Peacock and The Roku Channel. You can also rent and/or purchase on Apple TV and Prime Video.
Pride and Prejudice (2026)
She’s coooooming! Queen of Modern Love, Dolly Alderton, is back, this time bringing her storytelling magic to the latest Pride and Prejudice. Netflix is producing a six-episode adaptation, directed by Euros Lyn, with Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy, and Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet. Filming kicked off in July 2025, and from the little we’ve seen, it looks like a faithful take — none of that modern-slang Persuasion vibe here.
Where to watch Pride and Prejudice (2026):
Netflix, but you’ll have to be patient for now. The limited series doesn’t have a release date yet.
Sense and Sensibility (1811) Adaptations
Sense and Sensibility follows sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood as they’re suddenly kicked out of their cushy estate and forced to figure out love, money, and adulthood on hard mode. Elinor is the original “I’m fine” eldest daughter, while Marianne is the blueprint for falling for the first red flag in tight trousers. Between messy crushes, accidental glow-ups, and emotional plot twists, both sisters learn that the best romances need a little chaos and a little common sense. Other key characters include the sisters’ devoted mother, Mrs. Dashwood, and their spirited youngest sister, Margaret.
Sense and Sensibility (1971)
BBC tackled the only slightly less beloved Sense and Sensibility, with a charming four-episode adaptation, each running about 45 minutes. The series brought some major British TV talent to the screen, including Michael Aldridge as Sir John Middleton and Joanna David as Elinor Dashwood.
Where to watch Sense and Sensibility (1971):
Available on BBC iPlayer, depending on your region. It is not currently available to stream in the U.S., but you can purchase the DVD on Prime Video!
Sense and Sensibility (1981)
A decade later, Sense and Sensibility returned as a seven-part series, dramatized by Alexander Baron and directed by Rodney Bennett. This time, the youngest sister, Margaret Dashwood, was omitted (bye, Felicia), allowing the adaptation to focus more tightly on Elinor and Marianne, though it did mean losing some of the sisters’ nurturing, family-centered moments.
Where to watch Sense and Sensibility (1981):
This version is available on streaming services like Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, BritBox, and Prime Video.
Everett Collection
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
The first time this film made it to the big screen, it was worth the wait, and every Janeite can agree. Directed by Ang Lee (aka Brokeback Mountain, so you know you’re gonna sob), the film starred Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Ready for the truly exciting part? Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay! Yep. British favorites Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant notably played Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars.
“The overall best Jane Austen adaptation is and will forever be Sense and Sensibility,” an eager fan told Swooon. “Emma Thompson kills it with her screenplay.”
Its lush cinematography, clever dialogue, and timeless themes make it both a feast for the eyes and a masterclass in storytelling. Winslet and Thompson play off one another with sharp wit and emotional depth. You’ll cry, you’ll smile, and you’ll shake your head as if you know these two girlies all too well.
Where to watch Sense and Sensibility (1995):
Well, it’s returning to theaters to mark its anniversary, so book a seat! In the meantime, you can stream it now on Hulu and Pluto TV.
Sense and Sensibility (2008)
Most hardcore Austenheads might wonder why anyone would revisit Sense and Sensibility after the sheer perfection of Emma Thompson’s 1995 version, but we like to keep an open mind. In 2008, the BBC delivered a three-episode series adapted by Andrew Davies and directed by John Alexander.
This version is notably more overtly sexual than previous Austen adaptations, including scenes of seduction and a duel hinted at in the book but absent from the 1995 film. Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield starred as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, two sisters on a “voyage of burgeoning sexual and romantic discovery,” alongside Dominic Cooper (yes, Mamma Mia!) and Lucy Boynton. Anna Madeley and Daisy Haggard portrayed Lucy Steele and her sister Anne, a character cut from the 1995 film.
While it isn’t the 1995 classic, this adaptation is often considered a beloved younger sister to it, offering fresh energy and new dimensions to Austen’s timeless tale.
Where to watch Sense and Sensibility (2008):
You can stream Sense and Sensibility (2008) on services like Hulu, Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Prime Video, Peacock, and Britbox.
Sense and Sensibility (2024)
Hallmark finally joined the Austen party, and honestly? We’re here for it. Produced under the Hallmark Mahogany banner, this version featured a predominantly Black cast, giving talented actors the chance to step into these classic roles with fresh energy.
Standouts included Bethany Antonia as Marianne (you might know her from House of the Dragon) and Dan Jeannotte as Edward (formerly James Stuart in Reign). Julian Firth played Henry Dashwood — and before you get too excited about family connections, no, he isn’t related to Colin Firth.
At just 84 minutes, this adaptation had to condense the story considerably, but the result was still charming. It may not dethrone the 1995 classic, but it’s a solid, heartfelt version that deserves a watch.
Where to watch Sense and Sensibility (2024):
This version is available to stream on Hallmark+.
Sense and Sensibility (2026)
The newest addition to the Sense and Sensibility lineup is a little premature, but we’re already here for the hype. Focus Features announced in 2025 an upcoming adaptation starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor and Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne. The film is a collaboration with Working Title Films — the same team behind the beloved 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie — and is directed by Georgia Oakley, with the screenplay adapted by novelist Diana Reid.
Where to watch Sense and Sensibility (2026):
You can catch this one quite yet, we’re afraid. But filming has already begun, and the release dates are set for September 11, 2026, in the U.S. and September 25, 2026, in the UK.
Emma (1816) Adaptations
In Emma, our charmingly delusional heiress decides she’s basically Cupid with a trust fund and starts meddling in everyone else’s love lives — with chaotic, adorable consequences. Her matchmaking “expertise” quickly unravels as she misreads every vibe in the village except the painfully obvious ones directed at her. Eventually, she realizes the heart she should’ve been paying attention to all along is her own (and yes, it’s Mr. Knightley, duh).
Emma (1972)
This six-part BBC miniseries starred Doran Godwin as Emma, with each 45-minute episode airing weekly over the summer of 1972. Godwin perfectly captures the wit and humor of Jane Austen’s heroine, the Emma described by Austen as someone “no one but myself could like.” While lesser-known at the time, her costar John Carson was a household name in British television, drawing plenty of attention in his role as Mr. Knightley.
Where to watch Emma (1972):
You can watch Emma (1972) on streaming services like BritBox.
Emma (1996)
Now that’s a familiar face! A year after Alicia Silverstone made Cher an icon, Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow stepped into the matchmaker’s shoes as Emma. And she wasn’t alone — the film boasted a star-studded cast including Toni Collette, Alan Cumming, Ewan McGregor, Jeremy Northam, Greta Scacchi, Juliet Stevenson, and Polly Walker.
At the 69th Academy Awards, Emma won Best Original Musical or Comedy Score and scored a nomination for Best Costume Design. Paltrow herself earned the Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture.
As Emma, Paltrow perfectly captures her droll confidence and sparkling knack for manipulating those around her, earning praise from reviewers for bringing Austen’s beloved character vividly to life. A bona fide hit, we dare say!
Where to watch Emma (1996):
Find it on BritBox and Pluto TV.
Emma (1996)
A busy year for Janeites and Emma fans alike! Don’t confuse this with the other Emma of the year — this was a television film by ITV, yes, the same ITV behind Love Island.
Simon Davies, fresh off his successful 1995 BBC serial Pride and Prejudice, initially wanted to adapt Emma for the corporation. When the BBC had already locked in another screenwriter, he took the project to ITV instead.
While Paltrow’s film may be more widely remembered, critics actually favored this adaptation. Kate Beckinsale‘s performance as Emma earned widespread praise, and the film’s portrayal of social class nuances went places Gwyneth’s version simply did not.
Where to watch Emma (1996):
You can stream this version for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, The CW, Prime Video, and PLEX.
Focus Features / Everett Collection
Emma (2009)
Once again, the prestigious BBC decided to take on another Austen classic, this time with Sandy Welch at the helm — aka the writer behind BBC’s Jane Eyre and North & South — and Jim O’Hanlon directing. The series starred Romola Garai as our meddling queen Emma Woodhouse, Jonny Lee Miller as her long-suffering bestie Mr. Knightley, and Michael Gambon as the ever-anxious Mr. Woodhouse (and yes, Gambon’s star power was a huge draw at the time).
Critics adored the first episode, but felt the rest couldn’t quite keep the momentum, leading ratings to slide… though some argue the real villain was a scheduling duel with The X Factor — a genuinely impossible choice.
Where to watch Emma (2009):
See if you agree with the critics by streaming it on Tubi, The Roku Channel, Peacock, and BritBox.
Emma (2020)
Now, to one of our favorite Jane Austen adaptations — Darcyheads, please don’t storm the keep over this.
Adapted by Eleanor Catton and directed by Autumn de Wilde, this version starred Anya Taylor-Joy as Emma Woodhouse, Johnny Flynn as Mr. Knightley, and Callum Turner as Frank Churchill. Critics and fans basically linked arms in unanimous delight. It captures the novel’s joyful exuberance — something a bit lost in the posh stiffness of earlier adaptations — and Taylor-Joy delivers what many consider the definitive Emma. Critics agreed: She earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical at the 78th Golden Globes.
Where to watch Emma (2020):
Find this gem on Peacock.
Persuasion (1817) Adaptations
In Persuasion, Anne Elliot is the sensible middle daughter who once let herself be talked out of marrying the great love of her life, naval officer Frederick Wentworth. Years later, he returns newly wealthy, newly confident, and very over her…or so he pretends. As they circle each other through stiff dinners, seaside gossip, and one iconic letter, Anne must decide whether she’ll let herself be persuaded again… or finally fight for the love she never got over.
Persuasion (1995)
Kicking things off, this classic adaptation of Persuasion was a made-for-television film starring Amanda Root as Anne Elliot and Ciarán Hinds as Captain Wentworth. In the United States, it even received a theatrical release through Sony Pictures Classics.
The film earned widespread praise, particularly for Root’s performance, and scholars have noted significant changes from Austen’s novel, along with thought-provoking explorations of class and gender.
Where to watch Persuasion (1995):
Find it on Tubi and Hulu.
Persuasion (2007)
Shot across the stunning locations of Bath, ITV1 next took on the Persuasion challenge, directed by Adrian Shergold and starring Sally Hawkins as the thoughtful Anne Elliot, with Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Frederick Wentworth. This adaptation was one of three lesser-known Austen novels brought to life in 2007 for ITV’s Jane Austen Season — the first to enter development — deliberately skipping over the crowd-pleasers like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Each production in the season had its own cast, director, and production company, giving every adaptation a distinct look and feel.
Hawkins approached Anne as a mirror of Austen herself, and with her voiceover diary entries, the author’s presence subtly infuses the narrative. Add in Shergold’s occasional breaking of the fourth wall, and you’ll be drawn into a surprisingly intimate connection with both Anne Elliot and Jane Austen herself.
Where to watch Persuasion (2007):
Stream it on BritBox, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel.
Nick Wall / Netflix / Everett Collection
Persuasion (2022)
Almost every film in this Jane Austen watch guide has been reasonably well-received… until Persuasion (2022). It had so much potential — Dakota Johnson! We love her! — but the film stumbled by trying to channel Fleabag, breaking the fourth wall so often that it felt more modern rom-com than Austen classic, and yes, having an American Johnson in the lead didn’t help. Chemistry between her and Cosmo Jarvis‘ Frederick Wentworth? Practically nonexistent.
Where to watch Persuasion (2022):
Prove everyone wrong by watching it on Netflix and dropping your thoughts in the comments below.
Northanger Abbey (1818) Adaptations
In Northanger Abbey, Catherine Morland is a sweet, bookish heroine with a wildly overactive imagination, obsessed with Gothic novels and all things mysterious. When she visits the titular abbey, she starts seeing dark secrets and sinister plots around every corner… that mostly don’t exist. Through a series of social misadventures, misunderstandings, and a dash of romance with the charming Henry Tilney, Catherine learns to balance her imagination with reality, and maybe grow up a little in the process.
Northanger Abbey (2007)
The one and only adaptation to date — yes, we’re just as shocked as you are! Northanger Abbey was one of three novels adapted for ITV’s Jane Austen Season, directed by British TV veteran Jon Jones with a screenplay by Andrew Davies. Felicity Jones starred as the ever-imaginative Catherine Morland, with JJ Feild as her charming love interest, Henry Tilney. Critics appreciated the adaptation, and the stunning Irish filming locations truly made it feel like a Gothic dream come to life.
Where to watch Northanger Abbey (2007):
Find it on Prime Video and PBS (via app/website).
Mansfield Park (1814) Adaptations
In Mansfield Park, quiet, thoughtful Fanny Price is sent to live with her wealthy relatives at Mansfield Park, where she navigates the pressures of wealth, social status, and complicated family dynamics. As she quietly observes the flirtations, scandals, and moral lapses around her, she struggles with her own sense of right and wrong. Through heartbreak, loyalty, and unspoken love for her cousin Edmund, Fanny ultimately discovers the strength to stay true to herself and her values.
Mansfield Park (1983)
At the start of the ’80s, the BBC tackled one of Austen’s lesser-loved novels, turning Mansfield Park into a six-episode series. Sylvestra Le Touzel bravely took on the divisive role of Fanny Price, while many of the cast were fresh faces cut from radio beginnings. Unlike Patricia Rozema’s 1999 film, this adaptation stayed faithful to Austen’s original story. Fun fact: Jonny Lee Miller, who played a small role as Charles Price here, would later step into Edmund Bertram’s shoes in Rozema’s version.
Where to watch Mansfield Park (1983):
You can stream the 1983 BBC adaptation of Mansfield Park on Prime Video, Tubi, or BritBox.
Miramax / Everett Collection
Mansfield Park (1999)
Somehow, the poster, featuring Frances O’Connor, for this Austen adaptation radiates exactly the same energy as Amélie — and no, we won’t attempt to explain further. Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Patricia Rozema, the film took some bold departures from the original novel. It wove Jane Austen’s own life into it, tackled issues like slavery and West Indian plantations, and tried to “fix” the long-debated complexities of Fanny’s character — critics were split on whether it succeeded, so we’re curious where you land!
Where to watch Mansfield Park (1999):
Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
Mansfield Park (2007)
Now here’s a most curious Jane Austen adaptation, and not just because it starred Billie Piper. Yes, that Billie Piper — of Doctor Who, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and I Hate Suzie fame. An unusual choice for Fanny, surely, further confirmed by the dramatic pout on the movie poster… but she’s an incredible actress, so why not?
This was the third film in ITV’s Jane Austen Season trio, clocking in at a brisk 90 minutes — oh, the glory days. Piper earned a Best Actress nomination at the 2007 TV Quick and TV Choice Awards, and any criticism of her performance tended to blame the impossibility of Fanny herself… Austen, not Piper.
Where to watch Mansfield Park (2007):
This version isn’t available to stream anywhere in the U.S., but you can buy the DVD!
Sanditon Adaptations
Before Austen died in 1817, she was working on a new novel that she originally called The Brothers, later titled Sanditon. This tale follows Charlotte Heywood as she visits the seaside town of Sanditon. Naturally, she encounters a handsome gentleman.
Jane Austen stan Andrew Davies adapted the unfinished manuscript into a three-season series that starred Rose Williams, Theo James, Crystal Clarke, and Ben Lloyd-Hughes. The series ran from 2019 to 2023.
Where to watch Sanditon:
You can stream Sanditon on PBS. From February 14 to March 14, 2026, you can stream all three seasons for free on PBS.org and the PBS app.
Other Jane Austen Movies
Love & Friendship (2016)
With every other Austen novel having been adapted multiple times, Whit Stillman‘s Love & Friendship felt like a breath of fresh air — a witty, razor-sharp take on her lesser-known epistolary novella Lady Susan, written around 1794. Kate Beckinsale, who once played Emma Woodhouse in the 1996 Emma, returned to Austen-world as the deliciously scheming Lady Susan Vernon, a widow on the hunt for advantageous matches for both herself and her daughter. The story leans more mature — and more unapologetically cunning — than Austen’s other works, to the point that it almost doesn’t feel like Austen at all.
The film featured Chloë Sevigny as Alicia Johnson and a star-studded supporting cast including Stephen Fry, James Fleet, and Jemma Redgrave, giving the whole thing the distinctly transatlantic flavor we’ve come to expect from modern Austen adaptations. It also included a lot of self-contained humor, which we find right on the nose for Austen!
Where to watch Love & Friendship:
You can watch this one on Prime Video.
Becoming Jane (2007)
This is a little cheeky of us, but we hope you’ll forgive us. How could we write a guide to Jane Austen film adaptations without mentioning the film about Jane herself? Becoming Jane, starring Anne Hathaway as the young author, follows her early life and her lasting love for Thomas Langlois Lefroy, under the direction of Julian Jarrold. The cast was stacked: James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell, and Maggie Smith all made appearances, and it also marked Ian Richardson‘s final film performance.
Partly based on Jon Hunter Spence’s 2003 book Becoming Jane Austen, the screenplay by Sarah Williams and Kevin Hood stitched together the known facts of Austen’s life into what co-producer Graham Broadbent called “our own Austenesque landscape.” The film leaned into the idea that Pride and Prejudice was heavily inspired by Austen’s personal experiences — an interpretation that might be just a touch delulu. Jarrold shot primarily in Ireland, preferring its better-preserved period locations to Austen’s Hampshire.
Reviews were mixed, but Hathaway’s accent was the biggest lightning rod. Look, we adore the Princess of Genovia, but was an American actress truly the best choice to play one of Britain’s most beloved authors? You be the judge.
Where to watch Becoming Jane (2007):
Find it on Pluto TV and BritBox.
Modern Adaptations of Jane Austen’s Books
Alright, now we’re venturing into slightly wilder territory, but we’d be remiss not to include the modern, inventive twists on Austen’s classic love stories. We’d love to know your favourite modern adaptation of a Jane Austen novel in the comments!
Paramount / Everett Collection
Clueless (1995)
Clueless is the 1995 teen comedy that reimagined Jane Austen’s Emma in the glossy, hilariously over-the-top world of Beverly Hills High School. At first, critics were split: Some dismissed it as a shallow teen flick, while others praised its sharp wit, satirical edge, and heart.
Over the years, viewers have come to see it as much more than a ’90s fashion showcase; it’s a clever commentary on social hierarchies, friendship, and self-discovery. Alicia Silverstone’s iconic performance as Cher, combined with the film’s endlessly quotable dialogue, cemented its place in pop culture.
Today, Clueless is beloved as a cult classic, celebrated for its humor, style, and surprisingly enduring insights into teen life and human nature. The film also inspired a TV series, with Rachel Blanchard as Cher, that ran for three seasons (first season on ABC and then the final two seasons on UPN).
Where to watch Clueless (1995):
It’s available on BritBox and Paramount+.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Everyone knows Bridget Jones, but not everyone realizes it’s a modern-day Pride and Prejudice adaptation. Her main love interest is literally named Darcy, played by one of the most famous Mr. Darcys, and she’s constantly scribbling away in her diary — a cheeky nod to Jane Austen herself.
If Austen could see this adaptation, complete with Playboy bunny costumes, cigarettes, blue soup, and running through London in your underwear, we’re pretty sure she’d grin from ear to ear.
Andrew Davies, who wrote the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice, cowrote the screenplays for the 2001 and 2004 Bridget Jones films, and Crispin Bonham-Carter — the original Mr. Bingley — popped up in a cameo. The self-referential nods even convinced Colin Firth to take on Mark Darcy, giving him a chance to both parody and liberate himself from his classic role.
Honestly? We’re gonna go watch it again right now.
Where to watch Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001):
Seems streaming services love Bridget as much as we do! You can watch it on Pluto TV, Peacock, and Paramount+.
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
She’s baaaack! Our favorite silly girlie decided to traipse around London again, getting into all sorts of shenanigans. In the sequel, Bridget and Darcy break up (cue Austen sobbing), she jets off to Thailand for work with Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and somehow ends up arrested for drug possession — it’s a whole thing.
You might be wondering why this one even made our Jane Austen watch guide. Well, it’s actually a loose — and we really do mean loose — adaptation of Persuasion. Yep, Bridget is basically Anne Elliot, leaving her dreamy Captain Wentworth only to eventually win him back. Obviously, there are two more Bridget Jones films, but they lose their Austenian inspiration.
Where to watch Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004):
Like the first film, you can watch it on Pluto TV, Peacock, and Paramount+.
Miramax / Everett Collection
Bride and Prejudice (2004)
Pride and Prejudice received the Bollywood treatment in Gurinder Chadha’s 2004 film adaptation. Indian icon Aishwarya Rai led the way as Lalita Bakshi, alongside Martin Henderson as Will Darcy. (Yes, that Martin Henderson from Virgin River!) This adaptation actually boasted an incredible ensemble cast that also included Naveen Andrews, Alexis Bledel, Daniel Gillies, and Indira Varma.
Where to watch Bride and Prejudice:
This version is not available to stream anywhere, but you can rent/buy on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, and more.
Material Girls (2006)
Excuse me, is that Hilary Duff?! Following her A Cinderella Story fame, Duff starred in Material Girls, a film inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. She and her real-life sister, Haylie Duff, played the wealthy, spoiled sisters who suddenly face financial hardship and must navigate love, friendship, and family drama.
While the movie didn’t exactly set the box office on fire, it’s still a glitzy, girlboss-approved romp that’s fun to watch.
Where to watch Material Girls (2006):
You can buy it on Prime Video.
Lost in Austen (2008)
Pride and Prejudice took a romantasy twist with this four-part ITV series, which premiered in 2008. Amanda is a young woman living in modern-day London who finds herself in the plot of Pride and Prejudice after stepping through a portal in her bathroom. (Don’t we all wish we could do that every once in a while?)
Lost in Austen‘s cast included Jemima Rooper as Amanda Price, Elliot Cowan as Fitzwilliam Darcy, Tom Mison as Mr. Bingley, Alex Kingston as Mrs. Bennet, and Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Bennet.
Where to watch Lost in Austen:
You have a lot of options when it comes to streaming Lost in Austen: Tubi, Pluto TV, Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Peacock, and BritBox.
From Prada to Nada (2011)
This modern-day adaptation of Sense and Sensibility left England for Los Angeles. Camilla Belle and Alexa PenaVega played the spoiled Nora and Mary (aka Elinor and Marianne) who have to move in with their estranged aunt in East Los Angeles after their father dies.
Where to watch From Prada to Nada:
You can stream this adaptation on Tubi, Pluto TV, The CW, and PLEX.
Jay Maidment / Screen Gems / Everett Collection
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)
We’re not exactly sure what Miss Austen would have thought of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies if she’d had the chance to see it. The film, based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s parody novel of the same name, follows Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) as she teams up with Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) to kill zombies in the English countryside. Despite a stacked cast that also included Matt Smith and Lena Headey, this adaptation was a box office flop.
Where to watch Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:
This version is not available to stream anywhere, but you can rent/buy on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, and more.
Fire Island (2022)
Fire Island is an American romantic comedy directed by Andrew Ahn, written by and starring Joel Kim Booster. Booster played Noah (our modern Lizzie Bennet), while Conrad Ricamora starred as Will, the Darcy of this story.
The plot follows a group of gay friends on vacation at the iconic New York island, where romance gets messy, and class divides complicate love — all inspired by Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Booster described the film as “an unapologetic and modern twist on Jane Austen,” and with its predominantly Asian-American cast, sharp humor, and throbbing romance, it’s a total joyride for Austen fans.
Where to watch Fire Island (2022):
Available on Hulu and Disney+
