Want to watch romantic period movies that focus on women’s empowerment? Movies like Little Women are the perfect genre. English literature fans might know of Little Women thanks to the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, which follows the lives of the March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. If not, then you might have watched the 2019 coming-of-age period drama film written and directed by Greta Gerwig, who also directed Barbie (2023).
The movie and film are set in Concord, Massachusetts during the 19th century and are narrated by Jo March, who recounts her life along with her sisters, who are determined to live on their own terms. If you want to watch more feminist period pieces, then you have to try out these top five movies.
5. Wuthering Heights, Prime Video (1992)
Wuthering Heights is based on an 1847 novel written by Emily Brontë sharing the same name. The 1992 film is just one of many adaptations of the book but is also considered one of the best out of them all. It stars Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Jeremy Northam, Simon Shepherd, and so many more.
The story follows Heathcliff, who is taken in by Catherine Earnshaw’s father to be her foster brother, however, a love blossoms between them, even though she is set to marry Edgar Linton. It’s an intense love that has elements of revenge that will pull in any romantic drama lover.
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4. Emma, Paramount and Prime Video (1996)
So many examples of the best movies like Little Women are based on novels, like Emma. Emma is based on an 1815 novel by Jane Austen that stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Alan Cumming, Toni Collette, Ewan McGregor, and Jeremy Northam. The story follows Emma Woodhouse who is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs.
She especially adores bringing together men and women who are just not right for each other. And while she’s always chasing love, she is clueless about her own feelings and her relationship with Mr. Knightly, a gentle and kind man.
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3. Mona Lisa Smile, Max and Prime Video (2003)
Mona Lisa Smile is not based on a book but is one of the best movies like Little Women. It’s the perfect feminist movie if you’re interested in seeing independent women pushing the boundaries of societal standards.
The 2003 drama film stars Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dominic West, and more. The story follows Katherine Ann Watson who accepts a new art history teaching position where she helps conservative 1950’s Wellesley girls question their traditional social roles.
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2. Sense and Sensibility, Prime Video (1995)
Sense and Sensibility is yet again another adaptation, and is another one of Jane Austen’s brilliant pieces. The 1811 novel sharing the same name made one of the best movies like Little Women, and stars Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant.
The story follows the Dashwood sisters, who are members of a wealthy English family of landed gentry, as they deal with circumstances of student destitution, and must seek financial security through marriage.
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1. Pride and Prejudice, Prime Video (2005)
The top movie like Little Women has to be Pride and Prejudice. Pride and Prejudice already has a cult following thanks to the amazing performances of Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, but the story is just as enriching as Little Women. The 2005 romantic drama is based on the 1813 Jane Austen novel sharing the same name, one that literature fans might have read already as well.
The movie follows the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. When Elizabeth meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy ends up falling in love with her, even though she’s beneath his class. Can he overcome his pride and his prejudice to find a relationship with her?