As a 200-year-old novel that is public domain, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is among one of the most popular stories to adapt, with countless versions and modern reimaginings, such as Bridget Jones' Diary, or even daring tales of what comes after, like the brilliant Death Comes to Pemberley. Even the Hallmark Channel has taken wild liberties with numerous Christmas adaptations that are impossible to keep up with.
From an unfortunately failed stage production to a myriad of shows and films, here are all Pride and Prejudice adaptations, ranked from worst to best, and where to watch them on platforms such as BBC, Netflix, and more.
10. Pride and Prejudice (1952)
As a live production with no footage for viewers to currently stream, the 1952 Pride and Prejudice doesn't leave much room for any criticism or praise either. Somewhere in the ether is a version of the book that could have been either great or woefully terrible, but few know how to really tell the story and vouch for its impact. With a runtime of three hours, the BBC production is something that's actually haunting with its what-ifs since the footage is presumed to be lost.
9. Pride and Prejudice (1967)
As a limited series, with more time to adapt, the 1967 Pride and Prejudice fumbles the bag entirely with its decision to leave out Mary Bennet. While sure, the choice can be understandable when examining just how much the novel explores and how little she's present in it, it's still an incredibly odd and slightly offensive choice to leave behind the quiet sister who often feels left out in the first place. As one of the earlier adaptations in this form, this version could've been great, but it instead feels entirely unnecessary.
8. Pride and Prejudice (1980)
As another limited series, Cyril Coke's Pride and Prejudice is relatively decent in adapting the novel with a memorable cast, but it doesn't include anything particularly unique or riveting to grasp onto. Still, as it manages to fit a large chunk of the novel in, it's the cast's portrayal of the main characters that makes the series an easy watch for those who are already fans of the story.
7. Pride and Prejudice (2003)
The 2003 version of Pride and Prejudice should have worked as a college day twist, but it unfortunately fumbles as the film neglects the heart of the novel and also doesn't take its own world-building too seriously. As funny as the book is, when matters of wealth and social status are at the center, the toxicity is also important to explore. Yet, the film does none of this, serving instead as a reimagining that doesn't allow itself to really shine in the unique premise it's attempting to set up.
6. Pride and Prejudice (1940)
Of all the classic, old Hollywood adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Robert Z. Leonard's starring Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson is the best one yet. Bold and hilarious, it's surprising that the adaptation isn't among the popular ones. While few are aware of its existence, the adaptation manages to give important beats of the novel their due, while the chemistry between the stars sells the classic hate-to-love story. With some new scenes and a lovely twist, it's one worth checking out at least once.
5. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012)
Few people are actually aware of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, yet that doesn't make it any less significant in a sea of Pride and Prejudice adaptations. As a modern adaptation that emerged in the early days of vlogging, the web series took various Austen fans by storm when Ashley Clements first stepped in front of the camera to tell a version of the story that maybe shouldn't have worked as brilliantly as it does. Hilarious, clever, and genuinely well-developed, it's proof that any adaptation can work so long as there's heart and care attached to the original property.
4. Bride and Prejudice (2004)
As another unique and gorgeously shot modernization, Bride and Prejudice succeeds entirely because it weaves in a Bollywood musical with the renowned story to tell an even richer tale that explores South Asian customs amid the text's exploration of different classes. Romantic, fun, and lush with every scene, Bride and Prejudice is the kind of adaptation that also belongs on every Broadway stage. As one of the most stunning versions, it's criminally underrated, too.
3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)
Based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is proof that you can adapt a classic piece of literature and give it a unique twist while still allowing the story's core themes to shine. While the film isn't for every Austen connoisseur, it's certainly the most well-rounded adaptation with a fantastic narrative that makes the film entertaining and perfect for spooky season. Starring Lily James and Sam Riley as Elizabeth and Darcy fighting against a zombie apocalypse, every beat of the film works to honor the original story as it provides high-stakes entertainment and a hauntingly, grotesque veil to the Regency classic.
2. Pride and Prejudice (1995)
BBC's limited series gives viewers the iconic scene of Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy emerging from the water, all while managing to capture the essence of Jane Austen's novel by filling in as much of the story as possible. There's a reason countless fans view it as the adaptation, and it's entirely because it accurately delivers every significant narrative beat while simultaneously managing accuracy in costumes, scenic shots, and a time-accurate cinematography that feels like it was made in the 1800s. Whip sharp and featuring some of the most brilliant English stars, the 1995 Pride and Prejudice is as close to perfect as a limited series comes.
1. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
For the rest of all time, fans will argue about whether Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice is indeed better than the BBC limited series, and that's a large part of its appeal, too. Still, the beauty of this adaptation comes not only from the incredible chemistry between Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, but also from Wright's directorial vision and the timeless original score from the English Chamber Orchestra and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. It stems from the magnetism of the hand flex and every beat of the film that is utterly picturesque as it captures the heart of Austen's novel through moments of character development that feel earned, even with the short runtime.
Where To Watch 'Pride and Prejudice' Adaptations Online
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