The best film adaptations of Jane Austen novels to add to your watchlist

In celebration of her 250th birthday, here’s a list of some of the best film adaptations of novels by Jane Austen. 

The legendary English novelist Jane Austen would have celebrated her 250th birthday in December of this year. The woman behind unforgettable novels like Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion leaves a legacy that still resonates until today 207 years after her death in 1817. Towns that were significant in Austen’s life like Bath and Steventon are gearing up all year round to welcome fans of the author who want to celebrate her 250th. But if you can’t make it to the English countryside, you can always binge the movies based on her novels. Here are some of the best film adaptations of Jane Austen novels.

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Jane Austen film adaptations you should watch—if you haven’t already

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

This adaptation of the Austen novel not only starred British acting legend Emma Thompson but she also wrote the screenplay. Thompson takes on the role of Elinor Dashwood while Kate Winslet stars as Elinor’s younger sister, Marianne. It was the first time Thompson ever wrote a screenplay. Despite that, the film was clearly a success what with its commercial earnings and it seven Oscar nominations including Best Adapted Screenplay, which Thompson won. 

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Before he was Tom Wambsgans, Matthew Macfadyen was Fitzwilliam Darcy. And though she was already Elizabeth Swann, Keira Knightley was also Elizabeth Bennett. Together, they lit a fire in many hearts as the two most popular enemies-turned-lovers couple. Comparisons have been made with the 1995 miniseries with many considering the latter superior, but millennials have a soft spot for this adaptation. Tumblr-era teenagers certainly went gaga for it. We still do. Wait, did just out myself as a Tumblr teen?

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

You can protest all you want. This is Jane Austen, Lily James, Matt Smith, and freakin’ zombies all in one movie—and it is glorious. James is Elizabeth Bennett while Sam Riley is Fitzwilliam Darcy. Both still start out with a tenuous relationship before realising they’re madly in love with each other. But this time around, both of them are adept at dispatching the undead. 

Emma (2020)

Anya Taylor-Joy takes on the role of the eponymous character who takes it upon herself to meddle in the romantic lives of those around her. That, of course, leads to disastrous results. The film was nominated for a number of awards for its costume design. On top of that, Taylor-Joy nabbed a Golden Globe nom for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Clueless (1995)

You may be surprised to see this 1995 film that stars Alicia Silverstone and the eternally youthful Paul Rudd here on this list, but Clueless is actually a loose adaptation of Austen’s Emma. Much like in the novel, Cher, played by Silverstone, likes to matchmake and do “good deeds”. She takes it upon herself to transform a fellow student who’s not as popular as she is and get them into a relationship. 

Persuasion (2022)

Dakota Johnson plays Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family is struggling financially. To ease the burden, they lease their family estate to an admiral. Unbeknownst to Anne, the admiral’s wife has a brother: Frederick Wentworth, played by Shogun’s Cosmo Jarvis, who also happens to be the very same man Anne was engaged to marry a few years ago until she broke up with him. Awkwardness and pining—a whole lot of pining—ensue. 

Honorable mention: Becoming Jane (2007)

The author herself is as much an interesting subject for films like her works. Anne Hathaway portrays the English novelist in this movie, which follows her supposed romance with Thomas Lefroy, played by James McAvoy. Those who know Austen’s story know that she never married, which makes this rumoured relationship intriguing. There’s also a theory that Austen based Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth on her relationship with Tom.