The best and worst Jane Austen adaptations ranked.

Full disclosure: I am absolutely, unashamedly obsessed with Jane Austen.

I'm a hopeless romantic who still gets butterflies during that hand-twitch scene (iykyk), tears up at every single "I love you, most ardently" moment, and has probably watched more period dramas than is socially acceptable.

So when it comes to Austen adaptations, I don't mess around.

Now, before we dive in — yes, I know there are approximately 10,000 Jane Austen adaptations out there. From the very loose modern retellings like Clueless and Bridget Jones — which, don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore — to the ones that are an exact adaptation from page to screen, the woman's work has been adapted, reimagined, and reinvented more times than we can count. But we simply cannot talk about them all without this turning into a dissertation.

Also, I can't say I have watched every single Jane Austen adaptation… so if I've missed your favourite, don't come for me.

Watch the trailer for 2005's Pride and Prejudice. Article continues after video.

So, to be clear, this is purely the more traditional adaptations — the ones that stick very closely to the original stories and spirit of our beloved Jane. These are the adaptations that hold a special place in my heart (good or bad), and the ones that have either made me swoon with their perfection or rage-watch with anger.

So grab your smelling salts and prepare for some very strong opinions from someone who takes her traditional Austen seriously, because we're about to dive into my personal loves and loathes — and trust me, I have thoughts.

1. Pride and Prejudice (2005).

Image: Focus Features

I'll just leave this here for a moment. Deep breath. I know this is a polarising choice for some… but I stand by it with every fibre of my being.

I am a Pride and Prejudice girlie through and through, and this is it. This is the adaptation that made me fall in love with Jane Austen all over again. Keira Knightley's Elizabeth is fierce, intelligent, and utterly captivating — she brings a modern sensibility to the role without losing any of Austen's wit. And Matthew Macfadyen's Darcy? That hand flex alone deserves its own Oscar.

Yes, the film takes some liberties with the source material, but they're all in service of creating something genuinely magical. The dawn proposal scene, Elizabeth spinning on that swing, Darcy walking through the mist — these moments live rent-free in my head and have ruined me for all other romantic films.

This isn't just an adaptation… it's a love letter to romance itself.

I said what I said.

2. Sense and Sensibility (1995).

Image: Columbia Pictures

Emma Thompson, you absolute genius. Not only did she write the screenplay (and win an Oscar for it, thank you very much), but she perfectly captured the heart of Austen's story about two sisters navigating love, loss, and society's expectations.

Kate Winslet's Marianne is the perfect embodiment of passionate youth, while Thompson's Elinor shows us what quiet strength looks like. And can we talk about the men? Hugh Grant's bumbling Edward, Alan Rickman's brooding Colonel Brandon — this film basically invented the template for every period drama heartthrob that followed.

It's romantic, and it's funny without undermining the emotional stakes. Ultimately, it treats Austen's work with the respect it deserves. This is how you adapt Jane Austen, people.

3. Emma (1996).

Image: Miramax

Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma is exactly the right amount of meddlesome and charming, while Jeremy Northam's Mr. Knightley has that perfect balance of stern disapproval and underlying affection that makes you understand why Emma falls for him.

This adaptation gets the tone absolutely right. The costumes are divine, the supporting cast is spot-on (Alan Cumming as a deliciously smarmy Mr. Elton, anyone?), and most importantly, it understands that Emma is supposed to be a bit insufferable at times… and that's part of the reason we love her.

This is comfort viewing at its finest — the kind of adaptation that makes you want to immediately reread the book and then watch it all over again.

4. BBC Pride and Prejudice (1995).

Image: BBC

Ah, Colin Firth. Arguably the most iconic Mr. Darcy of all time.

This is the gold standard, people. Well, evidently not exactly for me because it's fourth on the list… but I do love this version. The adaptation that launched a thousand period drama obsessions and made Colin Firth a household name. Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth Bennet is, in my opinion, the closest to the book —witty, spirited, and utterly believable as a woman who could go toe-to-toe with the proudest man in England.

But let's be honest, we're all here for Firth's Darcy, aren't we? That smouldering intensity. And yes, that lake scene which has been seared into the collective consciousness of romance lovers everywhere.

At six episodes, this adaptation has the luxury of time — time to develop every character, every relationship, every delicious moment of tension. While 2005's Pride and Prejudice holds a special place in my heart, even I have to admit that this isn't just an adaptation — it's a cultural phenomenon. Twenty-eight years later, and it's still the Darcy all others are measured against.

5. Emma (2020).

Image: Focus Features

This film is visually stunning — every frame looks is absolutely gorgeous, from the colourful costumes to the meticulously designed interiors. Director Autumn de Wilde has created a world that feels both authentically period and refreshingly modern in its sensibility.

This is what happens when you give Jane Austen the full Wes Anderson treatment — and honestly, I'm here for it. Anya Taylor-Joy's is fantastic as Emma. What I really love about Taylor-Joy's Emma is how she embraces this admirably spiky character who, in my opinion, is less traditionally likeable than some of her screen predecessors. She doesn't soften Emma's edges or make her more palatable — this Emma is genuinely infuriating at times, which makes her eventual growth all the more satisfying.

6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016).

Image: Lionsgate Films

I know what you're thinking — zombies and Jane Austen should not work together. But somehow, against all odds and logic, this gloriously ridiculous mashup is absolutely delightful.

Lily James brings the perfect balance of Regency propriety and zombie-slaying badassery to Elizabeth Bennet, while Sam Riley's Darcy broods magnificently between decapitating the undead. The film commits fully to its absurd premise — watching the Bennet sisters practice martial arts in their corsets while discussing marriage prospects is peak entertainment.

Yes, it's completely mad. Yes, it shouldn't work. But there's something genuinely joyful about watching Elizabeth Bennet kick zombie arse in a ballgown. It's camp, it's fun, and it doesn't take itself too seriously, which is exactly what this concept needed.

Pure, unapologetic entertainment.

7. Sanditon (2019).

Image: Britbox

Oh, Sanditon. You gorgeous, gloriously entertaining romp through Jane Austen's unfinished seaside world. This adaptation takes Austen's incomplete novel and runs with it in the most delightful way possible. Rose Williams is absolutely perfect as Charlotte Heywood. And Theo James as Sidney Parker? Pure magnetic charisma. The man could brood his way through a phone book and make it compelling.

The acting across the board is genuinely excellent, with each character feeling fully realised and engaging. The show has this wonderful energy that makes every episode feel like an event — there's romance, intrigue, stunning seaside cinematography, and enough period drama goodness to keep you glued to your screen. The costumes are divine, the setting is breathtaking, and the writing crackles with wit and passion.

But here's where my heart breaks a little — Theo James decided not to return for season two, taking all that incredible romantic chemistry with him. Honestly, this is the only reason Sanditon isn't ranking higher on this list. You can't build an entire swoon-worthy love story and then have your leading man exit stage left.

Still, what we got was genuinely fun television that captures the spirit of Austen while adding its own flair. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.

8. Bride and Prejudice (2004).

Image: Miramax

This is just… fun, isn't it? Pride and Prejudice but make it Bollywood, and honestly, what's not to love about that concept? Gurinder Chadha takes Austen's beloved story and transplants it to vibrant, colourful India with musical numbers, gorgeous saris, and Aishwarya Rai being absolutely luminous as Lalita (our Elizabeth Bennet equivalent).

Look, is it perfect? Absolutely not. That's exactly why it's not higher up. It's fun, but not amazing. In my opinion, Martin Henderson's Darcy lacks the smouldering intensity we've come to expect, and the pacing occasionally stumbles throughout the film.

But here's the thing — it's a good time. It's the kind of adaptation that reminds you why Austen's stories are universal — love, family, pride, and yes, prejudice, translate across cultures beautifully. Sometimes you just want to watch people fall in love while dancing to incredible music, and this film delivers exactly that experience with heart and genuine enthusiasm.

9. Mansfield Park (1999).

Image: Miramax

I'm admittedly not a huge Mansfield Park book fan… I've never re-read it in all my years. But from my memory of the novel, this adaptation feels wrong.

The characters are quite different from the original text, which is not always a problem, but in this case, it feels like a huge departure from the text many know and love. Frances O'Connor's Fanny Price has been transformed from Austen's quiet, morally steadfast heroine into a much more outspoken, almost rebellious character (nothing wrong with this, it just feels so far from the original character).

I like adaptations to be different and modernised, but they need to capture the essence of the story and the characters. This did not. Jonny Lee Miller does his best as Edmund, but even he can't save a script that fundamentally misunderstands what makes these characters tick.

I have never rewatched it and likely never will. When an adaptation makes you long for the source material instead of appreciating both versions, something has gone seriously wrong.

10. Persuasion (2022).

Image: Netflix

Just no. There are not enough words to convey the amount of disappointment and confusion I felt while watching this abomination of an adaptation. Okay, that seems harsh, but folks… it's not good.

Now, I never go into any movie wanting to hate it. Even if — like in this case — I've heard terrible things about it... I try to keep an open mind always. Especially given how great the main cast of this movie is. Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Henry Golding… come on. Stars all around.

But what Netflix has done to poor Anne Elliot is nothing short of criminal. They've turned Austen's most mature, introspective heroine into a quirky millennial who breaks the fourth wall like she's auditioning for Fleabag (no shade on Fleabag, I love that show, but it has no place in a Jane Austen adaptation). The constant winking at the camera, the modern slang peppered throughout — make it stop.

The story's entire emotional foundation — that quiet, devastating longing between Anne and Wentworth — honestly gets lost in a sea of forced quips and Instagram-ready moments.

Feature Image: Miramax.