41 Captivating Period Drama Series
40 titles
- 1
Cousin BetteMovie · 1998 · 108m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceIn Victorian Paris, Cousin Bette is a lonely woman longing for connection after the loss of her sister. She finds no happiness with her distant relatives, particularly the Baron Hulot and his daughter Hortense. While living a solitary life, Bette meets a struggling artist and offers him help. Her hopes for love are dashed when he falls for Hortense.
Resentful and bitter, Bette decides to seek revenge on the family that has always rejected her. She teams up with Jenny Cadine, an enigmatic courtesan, who guides her in this mission. Together, they plot to ruin the lives of those responsible for Bette's loneliness and unrequited love. Intrigue spreads through Parisian high society as Bette uses her intelligence and determination to exact her vengeance.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.5 - 2
CluelessMovie · 1995 · 97m · Comedy, RomanceCher is a popular, wealthy high school student in Beverly Hills who enjoys manipulating the social lives of her teachers. When she tries to makeover the new, unpolished student Tai, she unexpectedly finds her own world changing.
As Tai gains popularity, Cher questions her own friendships and relationships. She reflects on past criticisms from her ex-stepbrother about her self-centeredness. Amidst the superficiality of her life, Cher discovers that genuine happiness comes from real connections, not from status or possessions.
This comedy explores themes of vanity and personal growth, prompting viewers to consider the value of empathy and transformation in a society that often prioritizes appearances.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.3 - 3
Interlude In PragueMovie · 2017 · 103mThis is the remarkable story of Mozart's time spent in Prague.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.8 - 4
The Young VictoriaMovie · 2009 · 105m · Drama, History, RomanceTeenage Victoria, the sole heir to the English throne, finds herself navigating complex family politics. Her mother pressures her to sign a document granting regency powers, while her Belgian uncle plots a marriage between Victoria and Prince Albert, a union destined to be a lifelong love.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.2 - 5
The ExceptionMovie · 2017 · 107m · War, Drama, RomanceIn this gripping World War II thriller, a cautious soldier is sent to investigate a puzzling German leader at his isolated estate. His mission unravels a complex plot and a risky romance with a local Jewish woman.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 6
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a DayMovie · 2008 · 92m · Drama, Comedy, RomanceLondon, England, 1939, just before the start of World War II. Guinevere Pettigrew, a governess with a history of job loss, is dismissed from her latest position. Disoriented in the city, she unexpectedly encounters Delysia LaFosse, a captivating American jazz singer whose life is marked by romantic turmoil and the pressures of fame.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 7
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie SocietyMovie · 2018 · 124m · Romance, Drama, HistoryIndependent writer Juliet Ashton develops a profound connection with the quirky members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She decides to document the book club they created during the German occupation of Guernsey.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.4 - 8
The Deep Blue SeaMovie · 2011 · 98m · Drama, RomanceThe wife of a British judge becomes involved in a destructive affair with a Royal Air Force pilot.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.9 - 9
Jane EyreMovie · 2011 · 120m · Drama, RomanceFollowing a difficult childhood, Jane Eyre becomes a governess. She finds contentment at Thornfield Hall, where she encounters Mr. Rochester, the estate's reserved and intense owner. Jane and Mr. Rochester develop a close friendship, and Jane falls in love with him. Just as happiness seems within reach, Mr. Rochester's dark secret threatens to shatter everything.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 10
The Lady and the HighwaymanMovie · 1988 · 90mWhile robbing the wealthy to help the less fortunate, a highwayman falls for an aristocratic woman. He must now decide whether to follow his heart or remain true to his ideals.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.1 - 11
Silas MarnerMovie · 1985 · 90mThis adaptation of George Eliot's novel follows a respected weaver who is falsely accused of theft. He withdraws from society, living in isolation, until his own wealth is stolen. Shortly after, he discovers an orphaned child left on his doorstep.IMDb 7.3TMDB 5.6 - 12
AustenlandMovie · 2013 · 97m · Comedy, RomanceA woman deeply captivated by the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice" series journeys to a Jane Austen-themed park, hoping to find her ideal partner.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.4 - 13
Under The Greenwood TreeMovie · 2005 · 93mIn a quaint English village during the mid-1800s, the story follows a young man from humble origins as he develops feelings for a schoolteacher of higher social standing and strives to gain her affection.IMDb 6.9TMDB 5.8 - 14
Northanger AbbeyMovie · 2007 · 93m · Romance, Drama, TV MovieA young woman's fascination with dramatic Gothic stories causes confusion and misinterpretations in her romantic relationships.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.8 - 15
BBC HorizonMovie · 2004 · 176m · War, History, ActionAlexander, King of Macedonia, commands his army in a campaign against the vast Persian Empire. Following victory over the Persians, he leads his forces on a journey across the known world, pushing eastward into India further than any Westerner had previously traveled.IMDb 5.6TMDB 6.0 - 16
An Old Fashioned ThanksgivingMovie · 2008 · 88mFollowing her husband's death, Mary Bassett struggles to keep her farm and support her three children. Her estranged mother, Isabella, unexpectedly arrives after receiving a letter from Mary's eldest daughter. Mary is wary of her mother's offers of financial assistance. Ultimately, the family faces challenges that go beyond money, including emotional healing and a widespread outbreak of scarlet fever.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.5 - 17
SuffragetteMovie · 2015 · 106m · Drama, HistoryThis film tells the story of the women who fought for early feminist ideals. Forced to operate in secret, these foot soldiers of the movement engaged in a perilous struggle for survival against a growingly oppressive government.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.2 - 18
Enola HolmesMovie · 2020 · 123m · Adventure, Mystery, CrimeTeenager Enola Holmes searches for her missing mother, using her sharp detective skills to outwit her famous brother Sherlock and assist a lord who has run away.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.2 - 19
The Making of a LadyMovie · 2012 · 95mEmily Fox Seton, though poor but bright, agrees to marry the older Lord James Walderhurst. He is a widower pressured by his aunt Maria to produce an heir.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.9 - 20
Lady Chatterley's LoverMovie · 2015 · 89m · Romance, DramaSet in early 20th-century England, this is a legendary love story that transcends social classes. It follows Lady Chatterley's passionate affair with the gamekeeper. This is an adaptation of DH Lawrence's classic novel by Jed Mercurio.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.3 - 21
The Book ThiefMovie · 2013 · 131m · DramaDuring World War II in Germany, young Liesel discovers comfort in stealing books and sharing them with those around her. Hidden beneath the stairs of her family's home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her new parents.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.5 - 22
Suite FrançaiseMovie · 2015 · 103m · Drama, Romance, WarFrance, 1940. As the Nazis occupy the country, Lucile Angellier finds herself confined by her controlling mother-in-law while anxiously awaiting news of her husband, a prisoner of war. When Parisian refugees arrive in their town, followed by German soldiers taking up residence, Lucile tries to avoid the attention of Bruno von Falk, a handsome and cultured German officer staying with them. However, a strong attraction develops between them, drawing them into the devastating realities of war.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.2 - 23
A Handful of DustMovie · 1988 · 118m · Romance, DramaAristocrat Tony Last's quiet life is disrupted when he invites the mysterious John Beaver to his estate. A dangerous attraction develops between Beaver and Tony's wife, Brenda, leading to secret meetings in London while Tony remains unaware. Brenda's sudden request for a divorce shatters Tony's world, sending him on a journey to South America in search of answers and a way to heal.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.0 - 24
A Serious GameMovie · 2016 · 116mDuring the 1910s, journalist Arvid Stjärnblom and painter's daughter Lydia Stille develop a romantic relationship.IMDb 6.4TMDB 5.5 - 25
The MothMovie · 1997 · 152mSet in the 1940s, this drama explores how social class shapes love. Robert Bradley quits shipyard work to join his uncle's furniture business, but clashes with the uncle. He then becomes a servant for the wealthy Thorman family and falls for Sarah, the mistress of the house. However, a romance between someone from the lower class and someone from the upper class in 1913 is doomed.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.6 - 26
To Walk InvisibleMovie · 2016 · 120m · Drama, HistoryTo Walk Invisible explores the lives of the Brontë sisters, highlighting their journey from a modest background to becoming celebrated novelists. The film recounts how these exceptional women overcame societal limitations to create some of the most important works in English literature.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 27
The GirlMovie · 1996 · 156mThis film adaptation of Catherine Cookson's novel is set in 19th-century Yorkshire. Hannah Boyle is taken in by Matthew Thornton, a man her dying mother said was her father. There, she faces cruelty from Thornton's wife, Anne, who sees Hannah as a constant reminder of her husband’s past. Hannah is then married to the village butcher, whose mother adds to her hardship. However, through her resilience and determination, Hannah ultimately gains her independence and finds love.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.8 - 28
StardustMovie · 2007 · 127m · Adventure, Fantasy, RomanceNear a town bordering a magical land, a young man promises his love to retrieve a fallen star from the magical realm. His journey there leads him to a world beyond imagination, where he discovers his true identity.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.3 - 29
The Ruby in the SmokeMovie · 2006 · 95mAfter her father's death at sea, Sally Lockhart is haunted by a cryptic message: three words, "The Seven Blessings," that she doesn't understand. This message, sent by her father just before he drowned, plunges her into a dangerous mystery involving opium, secrets about her family history, and the legendary Ruby of Agrapur.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.4 - 30
Darwin's Darkest HourMovie · 2009 · 104mIn 1858, Charles Darwin fights to publish his groundbreaking, yet highly controversial, theory. At the same time, he and his wife Emma grapple with a devastating family loss.IMDb 7.0TMDB 5.6 - 31
A Tale of Two CitiesMovie · 1980 · 162m · TV Movie, Romance, DramaDuring the French Revolution, a struggling lawyer named Sydney Carton becomes captivated by the beautiful and good Lucie Manette. Though he loves her deeply, Lucie is marrying Charles Darnay. As the revolution intensifies, Darnay is caught in dangerous political events and sentenced to death. Determined to protect Lucie from this fate, Carton devises a risky plan that could save Darnay's life and give his own life meaning.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.7 - 32
Jane EyreMovie · 1996 · 112m · Drama, RomanceJane Eyre follows an orphaned young woman's challenging path as she strives for independence and love. After being wrongly rejected by her aunt, Jane experiences a difficult childhood at a strict girls' school where she finds her calling in teaching. Later, she takes a position at Thornfield Hall after seeing an advertisement and becomes involved with the mysterious Mr. Rochester, befriending Mrs. Fairfax. As their connection deepens, Jane confronts difficult choices, societal pressures, and concealed truths that challenge her strength and ultimately reveal her true self in a story rich with emotion.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 33
The Black Velvet GownMovie · 1991In 1830s northern England, Riah Millican, a widow with three children, becomes housekeeper to Percival Miller, a withdrawn former teacher. Miller gifts Riah a black velvet gown and educates her children. However, when Riah learns the reason behind his generosity, she resolves to leave. Miller maintains control over her even after he dies, leaving her his house with the condition that she never marry. Riah's daughter, Biddy, matures into a laundress in a wealthy household, where her education isolates her but also attracts the attention of the master's son. With Miller’s inheritance, Biddy may find happiness.IMDb 6.9TMDB 5.4 - 34
Phantom ThreadMovie · 2017 · 130m · Drama, RomanceLondon, 1950s. A celebrated dressmaker's carefully ordered life is disrupted as his connection with a young woman he's inspiring deepens.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.3 - 35
Madame BovaryMovie · 2015 · 118m · DramaSet in 19th-century France, the story follows Emma Bovary, a beautiful woman married to a doctor in a small town. She seeks to improve her social standing through affairs outside of her marriage.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.7 - 36
Cold MountainMovie · 2003 · 154m · War, History, AdventureAgainst the backdrop of the American Civil War, a wounded Confederate soldier named W.P. Inman deserts his unit to return to his wife, Ada, and their farm. His journey south is fraught with danger, while Ada, with help from a mysterious drifter named Ruby, tries to protect their home in his absence.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 37
PersuasionMovie · 1995 · 104m · Drama, RomanceAnne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth were once deeply in love, but their relationship ended when Anne's family lost money and they were separated. Years later, Anne's father rents out their estate to Admiral Croft, bringing Anne and Frederick back into each other's orbits. Anne discovers that Frederick has become successful and wealthy, leading her to question his feelings for her. This touching story examines love, societal pressures, and the impact of past choices as Anne and Frederick try to rekindle their connection.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.1 - 38
Downton AbbeyMovie · 2019 · 122m · Drama, Romance, HistoryThe Crawleys and their dedicated household staff brace themselves for a pivotal moment. A visit from the King and Queen of England promises to spark scandal, romance, and political complications, threatening the future of Downton Abbey.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 39
Jane EyreMovie · 1997 · 108m · Drama, Romance, TV MovieThis adaptation tells the classic story of Jane Eyre, an orphaned girl who becomes a governess to a young French girl named Adele at the imposing manor of Mr. Rochester, the estate's enigmatic master. The film captures the novel's familiar romance, but the central chemistry between Jane and Mr. Rochester feels less compelling than in the original. While it includes typical romantic moments, some viewers may find the lack of spark between the leads disappointing.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.1 - 40
The Man Who CriedMovie · 1993 · 180mAbel Mason is trapped in a miserable marriage to a cruel woman who frequently abuses him and their son, Dick. The woman's actions lead to the death of the only woman Abel truly loves, at the hands of her husband after a letter from Mason exposing their affair. Abel leaves his wife and takes Dick with him, embarking on a life on the road.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.5
