5 Films To Watch If You Love 'Pride and Prejudice'!

Pride and Prejudice is one of the most beloved stories of all time, both in book and screen form. The love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is extraordinarily timeless and has been adapted into different forms of media for decades. The 2005 film adaption of Jane Austen’s novel is specifically worshipped for its broad appeal, beautiful visuals, and preservation of the core of Austen’s story. That film is a faithful, page-by-page adaptation, but Pride and Prejudice has also been adapted across setting and genre. There are films that embody the spirit of Austen’s novel everywhere, whether they are intentional adaptations or not. Here are 5 films we would recommend to fans of Pride and Prejudice!

1. Fire Island (2022)

Fire Island is a romantic comedy directed by Andrew Ahn and starring Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, James Scully, and Conrad Ricamora and is set on Fire Island, an island off the coast of Long Island, New York, where majority gay men visit to party and find love. The film follows a group of gay friends on vacation, and the plot loosely follows Austen’s novel as Noah and Will clash when their best friends fall in love until their banter ultimately results in the fostering of a deep connection and a blossoming romance. The film explores themes of classism while seamlessly turning the story of Pride and Prejudice into something gloriously and casually queer while also integrating Asian representation. (Stream on Hulu)

2. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Bridget Jones‘s Diary is a classic early-2000s romantic-comedy and a more obvious adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver. Bridget is floundering in her early-30s and decides to start over, resulting in her whirlwind romance with her handsome boss, Daniel Cleaver. Her life becomes exponentially more complicated when she starts spending more time with her family friend Mark Darcy, who she despises, all while realizing Daniel may not be as perfect as he seems. Colin Firth captures the reserved compassion and bumbling nature of Darcy perfectly -- it wasn’t his first time doing so! Bridget Jones’s Diary is a hilarious, campy, and ultimately heartwarming interpretation of a novel that was set in such a starkly different time. (Stream on HBO Max)

3. Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Grosse Pointe Blank stars John Cusack as a depressed hitman who returns to his hometown high school reunion and hopes to rekindle a romance with his ex-girlfriend, played by Minnie Driver, who he abandoned on prom night all those years ago. Understandably, Driver’s character is less than enthused with the idea, and they are able to fit in plenty of jabs and banter before ultimately reconnecting. Its an underrated gem with a grungy 1990s aesthetic, two '90s heartthrobs, a great script, and plenty of fun action scenes. The contentious relationship between the two leads and the deadpan demeanour of Cusack’s performance echo the themes and characterizations of Pride and Prejudice and would certainly make for a fun movie night for anyone who loves to see their leads fight to earn a reconciliation. (Available on VOD/Digital)

4. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is exactly what it sounds like. This action-comedy stars Lily James as Elizabeth Bennet and Sam Riley as Mr Darcy, and like the title implies, the film is a straightforward adaptation of Austen’s novel when it comes to period, characters, and plot, but with the addition of a zombie apocalypse. Elizabeth and Darcy are both competent fighters defending against hoards of zombies, and even battling one another from time to time. The film was a box office failure and received mixed reviews, but it did receive praise for its humor and inventive premise (based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith), unafraid to add a flair of camp and irony to a beloved tale while still holding onto the love story that has kept it alive. (Stream on Hulu)

5. The Philadelphia Story (1940)

The Philadelphia Story is the ultimate romantic comedy of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Katharine Hepburn plays a socialite who is about to be married to her second husband after a disastrous divorce from her first husband, played by none other than Cary Grant. When a reporter played by James Stewart arrives at her estate, he starts to crack open the intricate and explosive dynamics at play as Hepburn and Grant can’t help but be drawn back together. The glamorous 1940s aesthetic is stunning and decadent and the performances are both layered and entertaining. Once again, the banter between the ex-spouses brings the film alive and calls to mind the iconic love story of Elizabeth and Darcy, two figures who may argue and struggle to understand one another but ultimately have a love so deep that it evokes understanding. (Stream on Tubi)