The Best Movies Ever Made About the Victorian Era Ranked

Not many genres attract audiences to the Cinema like the Victorian Era. Since the 1990’s, stories of the Victorian era have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s mischievous matchmakers, lovers or orphaned authors, the genre has created several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about the Regency era that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author that always earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember bonding with a mother that acknowledged the author in English literature. A fan of Jane Austen, she loved discussing a legendary author earning appreciation. She was always drawn towards sense and sensibility of an author impacting her identity. A common characteristic of Jane Austen’s stories is that they are often set during the iconic Victorian era. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured an era in which women were often treated with prejudice as powerfully as “Pride & Prejudice”. Ever since its release in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about the Victorian era. With the greatest film of his career, Wright did an extraordinary job of adapting Jane Austen’s most beloved literary classic about the lives of sisters in Victorian England. Wright has often had an aptitude for adapting legendary literature on the big-screen, and “Pride & Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Wright effectively used montages capturing the lives of women with pride in romantic relationships causing prejudice. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth angrily confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about ruining her sister’s chances of marriage causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Keira Knightley, who embodied the most iconic heroine in Jane Austen’s literature effectively. Ultimately, what makes “Pride & Prejudice” my favourite film about the Victorian era of all-time is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. It delivers a groundbreaking message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a groundbreaking book about prejudiced women developing romantic relationships facing destruction, it’s a captivating reminder of a breathtaking genre manufacturing commemorated movies about an iconic era in British history that definitely deserve immense appreciation.

2. The Personal History of David Copperfield

Charles Dickens is a legendary author whose literature impressed my grandfather. I remember a grandfather that adored the author’s literature. He always had great expectations from an author he grew up to appreciate. The Victorian era has always played a crucial role serving as the backdrop for Dickens’ timeless stories.  In 2019, Armando Iannucci honoured the author whose stories have appealed in his movie “The Personal History of David Copperfield”. Iannucci used captivating montages capturing hardships that an orphan in Victorian England is facing. For instance, the scene in which David Copperfield has a tense argument with Uriah causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Dev Patel, who portrayed an orphan that’s successful. Ultimately, what makes “The Personal History of David Copperfield” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Charles Dickens adaptations, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Charles Dickens’ literature to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. As strong as David Copperfield’s desire to become an author, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made movies audiences treasure.

3. Little Women

Writing is a passion that I’ve always enjoyed pursuing. As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. At an early age, I developed a lifelong passion for writing words on the page. As someone that has always had a lifelong writing passion, I adored “Little Women”. Released in 2019, Greta Gerwig’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about Victorian era women. Gerwig effectively used emotional monologues to capture a female writer impacted by rejection causing depression. For instance, the scene in which Jo has a nervous breakdown after her book is burned by Amy destroying her writing causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Saoirse Ronan, who embodies a female writer facing rejection. Ultimately, what makes “Little Women” a classic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about identity which would resonate with everyone. As precious as stories Jo March seeks to publish, it’s a captivating reminder about a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about the Victorian era time period in Britain which audiences cherish.

4. Bright Star

Poetry is an art form that my grandfather always loved dearly. I remember my grandfather that sought to become a famous Pakistani author. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that had a talent for writing words on the page. He would always love to publish timeless stories that Pakistani audiences would cherish. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that sought to become a bright writing star, I adored “Bright Star”. Released in 2009, Jane Campion’s movie captured the life of a legendary poet in Victorian England. Campion successfully used montages capturing the struggles of a legendary poet with a lifelong love for writing. For instance, the scene in which John Keats first meets Fanny beginning their lifelong romantic affair in a bygone era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Ben Whishaw, who portrayed a poet inspiring awe. Ultimately, what makes “Bright Star” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about poets, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about illness which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a poet that readers celebrate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about Victorian England audiences appreciate.

5. The Age of Innocence

Extramarital affairs often cause marriages to face tragedy. At an early age, I witnessed a family friend engage in extramarital affairs causing marriages to face damage. His decision to cheat on his wife caused his broken marriage to become obsolete. As someone treasuring memories of a father that committed infidelity without innocence, I appreciated “The Age of Innocence”. Released in 1993, Martin Scorsese’s movie honoured a beloved book about infidelity in the Victorian era. Scorsese used captivating voice-over narration to capture the lives of aristocratic figures engaging in extramarital affairs causing tension. For instance, the scene in which Newland first meets Countess Olenska becoming enamoured by her beauty is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, who embodied an aristocrat seeking romance during the Victorian era. Ultimately, what makes “The Age of Innocence” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made by Martin Scorsese, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to.  It delivers a meaningful message about extramarital affairs which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful portrait of affairs in an age of innocence, its a breathtaking reminder of a genre making unforgettable movies about Victorian England attracting audience.

6. Becoming Jane

Jane Austen is a legendary author with charisma that wrote stories during the Victorian era. An awe-inspiring author, Austen became a legendary figure in English literature. In 2007, Julian Jarrold honoured the legendary author whose stories entertain in his movie “Becoming Jane”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Becoming Jane” stand out is its depiction of Jane Austen’s life. Jarrold uses captivating voice-over narration capturing the life of an author in the Victorian era that achieved immense recognition. Assisted by Anne Hathaway who is exceptional in the lead role, Jarrold honoured an author that is beloved today. A beautiful biopic about an author that’s iconic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about Victorian England which have captivated public.

7. The Elephant Man

Facial deformities shaped my classmate’s identity. Several years ago, I witnessed a poor classmate in school suffering from facial deformities which caused sorrow. No matter how hard he tried, my classmate couldn’t cope with disabilities that left him feeling terrified. As someone that saw how facial deformities can ruin a person’s life, I appreciated “The Elephant Man”. Released in 1980, David Lynch’s movie captured a man with severe facial deformities in the Victorian era. Lynch uses stunning black-and-white visuals to capture the frightening obstacles a man with facial deformities is facing. Assisted by John Hurt who is amazing in the lead role, Lynch created a Victorian drama that’s captivating. A captivating portrait of men with deformities that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making movies which are worth celebrating.

8. Enola Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a legendary detective that has built a lasting legacy. Created in the Victorian era, Holmes has become an iconic character portrayed several times in Cinema. In 2020, Harry Bradbeer honoured Sherlock Holmes from a feminist perspective in his movie “Enola Holmes”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Enola Holmes” stand out is its depiction of women. Bradbeer uses voice-over narration to capture a female detective conducting an investigation. Assisted by Millie Bobby Brown who is amazing in the lead role, Bradbeer created a feminist murder mystery. As strong as Enola Holmes’ desire for freedom, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that thrives when it avoids sexism giving women chances to shine through manufacturing timeless movies which have always achieved immense stardom.

9. Les Miserables

It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway musical on the big-screen today. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. In order to make an adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to the storytelling, music and characters of the show. However, in 2012 Tom Hooper pulled it off successfully in his movie “Les Miserables”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Les Miserables” stand out is its live-singing. Hooper uses captivating live-singing to capture tensions that soldiers during the Victorian era are facing. Assisted by Hugh Jackman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Hooper honoured a legendary Broadway musical. A breathtaking adaptation of a beloved Broadway play, it’s a brilliant reminder about a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies which are worth celebrating definitely today.

10. Poor Things

Few movies have contributed towards greater understandings of the Victorian era like “Poor Things”. Released in 2023, Yorgos Lanthimos’ movie captured women in Victorian England seeking sexual identity. Lanthimos used captivating montages capturing hardships a woman treated poorly in society in facing. Assisted by Emma Stone who is excellent in the lead role, Lanthimos created a captivating literature adaptation. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of women in Victorian England has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As precious as dresses worn by Bella, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about the Victorian era which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of Cinema.