10 of The Best Period Piece Movies (and their Literary Counterparts) to Watch When You Want to Feel all the Feels

I don't know about you, but often times when I'm looking to feel something, like really feel an emotion and feel it quickly, I turn to a movie. Books are wonderful for bringing out feelings too, but let's face it, certain movies can bring pent up emotions to the surface a lot faster than a book. Books require reading for multiple hours or sometimes days to get to the emotional parts and at times it may even takes days of reflecting on the book to see the larger emotional picture woven into the storyline. 

Do not get me wrong, I adore reading, but there are many times when I just want to plop down somewhere cozy and put out very little effort to get the emotional effects I'm craving. When I'm feeling like that, I tend to extract those emotions with a movie, and my very favorite movies can bring emotions to the surface in a matter of minutes. 

As a matter of fact, many of my favorite period-piece movies are based on books, some of which I have already read, some I'm currently reading, and some I hope to read soon. While my husband does not enjoy period-piece movies, they are my absolute favorite, and this list is full of all the movies I run to when I just need a good cry. Whether it's a happy cry, or a sorrowful cry, these movies are sure to bring buried tears to the surface. 

*This post may contain spoilers*

The following eight movies are, for the most part, family-friendly and do not contain massive amounts of strong language, nudity, or violence:

1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018) Rated TV-PG

My number one go-to movie when I need to feel all the feels. This movie is set in England in 1946 after WWII has ended. Two book lovers, one in England and the other on the island of Guernsey, find each other and find love because of their love for books! The story is absolutely the best! If you are also a book lover, you will adore this film. The costuming is wonderful, and you will feel like you've been plunged onto the island of Guernsey with the characters. If you are a book lover, you will love the references to some timeless classics throughout the film. Stars the beauty Lily James, Glen Powell, and the ruggedly handsome Michiel Huisman. 

I had the book by the same name, but I gifted it to my grandmother to read and she said she loved it. I just came across another copy and just started it, but I'm only a few pages in. 

2. Pride and Prejudice (2005) Rated PG

A classic that has stood the test of time for the last 200 years and it's easy to see why. While there have been many adaptations from the book to film, my favorite is by far the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley as the headstrong and independent-minded Elizabeth Bennet, Matthew Macfadyen as the taciturn Mr. Darcy, as well as Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennet, and the talented Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet. If you aren't familiar with the story of Pride and Prejudice, you should be! I don't want to give too much away, but the story is set in Regency England sometime in the late 1700s, and early 1800s, where Mrs. Bennet a mother of five girls is desperate to find a wealthy husband for each of her daughters. 

The energy and magnetism between Darcy and Elizabeth is so strong you are sure to be engulfed by the story as well! 

Last year I listened to Pride and Prejudice on Audible, and in February my kids and I read it as a family read aloud for their teen book club at our local library. My 12-year-old daughter said it was a little hard to follow but she was able to keep up. 

3. Sense and Sensibility (1995) Rated PG

Set in a similar time as Pride and Prejudice in Regency England where three sisters and their mother grapple with life after the death of their father. At the death of their father their family home is torn from them and given to their half-brother and his snarky wife. The girls left without a home or a substantial income. The girls Elenor, Maryanne, Margaret, and their mother find a home with an excentric cousin where the two eldest girls find love, but only after a series of heartbreaks. This movie stars an all-star cast of Emma Thompson, Kate Winslett, Hugh Grant, Hugh Laurie, and Alan Rickman. 

I've yet to read this Jane Austen novel, but it's on my TBR list. 

4. Little Women (1994) Rated PG 

I absolutely love this movie! 

Not only does the 1994 version of Little Women have a stellar cast, with Winona Ryder as Jo, Kirsten Dunst as Amy, Claire Danes as Beth, Susan Sarandon as Marmee, Mary Wickes as Aunt March, Eric Stoltz as John Brooke, and Christian Bale as Laurie, but the acting is spot-on. This movie is great to watch on a cold winter's day, or on any day that you feel like experiencing some great highs and deep lows along with the March family. The story is a coming-of-age tale, set in Massachusetts during the Civil War that the follows the lives of the four March sisters as they navigate the trials of life. Many themes are explored in this movie: poverty, gratefulness, perseverance, selflessness, friendship, death, and of course love. 

The book was absolutely wonderful. I started reading it in December of '22 and finished it in January of '23 and just started reading it again last week. If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend that you do! 

5. The Young Victoria (2010) Rated PG

Based on the real-life of Queen Victoria and set in the 1800s, the movie depicts what life was like for Victoria before becoming queen and the challenges of being a woman and ruler of a country. A tremendous and mostly historically accurate love story. Emily Blunt's performance as Queen Victoria is stunning! One of my favorite parts is when the Queen proposes to Albert, which had to occur in such a way because she was the Queen and he was only a Prince. Michiel Huisman, who is also in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society plays the role of Albert's brother in this movie. Even though his role isn't significant it's still nice to see him in the film. If the actor who plays Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) looks familiar that's because he plays Mr. Wickum in Pride and Prejudice. 

 6. Becoming Jane (2007) Rated PG

Set in the late 1700's early 1800's, this movie is based on the life of the extremely talented Jane Austen and played by Anne Hathaway. While the movie starts slow as you learn about the borderline poverty filled life of Jane Austen, it picks up quickly once the James MacAvoy's character, Tom Lefroy is introduced. Jane turns down a proposal of the nephew of Lady Gresham very wealthy woman played by the lovely Dame Maggie Smith. Although the marriage between Mr. Wisley, Lady Gresham's nephew, and Jane would serve her family well, however, Jane refuses to marry without love.  

When Jane finally does find love, she breaks off the engagement when she discovers the importance of the man she loves, Tomas Lefroy, marrying a wealthy woman and what the consequences of him defying his uncle's wishes to marry her. The movie is full of love, loss, and is utterly heartbreaking. Grab a box of tissues before you sit down to enjoy this one! 

7. Little Women (2019) Rated PG

Enjoyable but not my favorite version. I love that this version fills in some gaps the 1994 version left, but I'm not a huge fan of the way this film was filmed with multiple flashbacks throughout the film. One thing that really stands out in this film is the mediocre acting of Emma Whatson, maybe it's just me, but she didn't feel like the best fit for this film, especially when paired up with the extremely talented Saoirse Ronan and Laura Dern. I read that Emma Stone was the first pick for the role of Meg but had conflicting schedules while filming The Favorite, a movie I've checked out from my local library, but immediately returned after reading the reviews. 

8. The Age of Adelline (2015) PG-13

The movie is set in modern time but flashes back from 1920's to present day. The main character, Adaline Bowman, doesn't age and hasn't been aging since the 1920's. Adaline is played by Blake Lively, and she is able to pull off the many beautiful outfits and hair styles her character wears. Even though Adaline has sworn off love, because she cannot grow old with anyone, Ellis, played by Michiel Huisman, continues to pursue her. While this movie isn't as wholesome as the first seven movies on the list, it's not as dark as the next two movies on my list. I'd say this movie is right in the middle as is its rating of PG-13. There is a passionate scene between Adaline and Ellis where they are kissing. There is another scene of them cuddling in bed together, and in another scene Ellis is shirtless. There are also a few curse words throughout. Michiel Huisman's acting feels a little cheesy in this one, but if you can get past that, it's a great movie. 

The next two movies are wonderful, and while they are some of my absolute favorites, they don't fit so well in the feel-good period piece type of movies. For me, they bring up darker emotions and anxiety as you can almost feel the trauma the characters are going through. 

These movies are not family-friendly as the movies above because most of these movies contain some form of sexual contact, violence or death, and profanity. 

9. Anna Karenina (2012) Rated R

This movie contains: Multiple love making scenes. Not much nudity besides a man's bare chest, but very passionate lovemaking scenes with nothing too revealing but still, not family-friendly due to the facial expressions and camera angles. 

Set in the 1870's in Russia the film follows the story of Anna, played by Keira Knightly and her shocking choice to leave her older and politically powerful husband Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin for the young and dashing Count Alexei Vronsky. Keira Knightly and Matthew McFayden, playing Stephan Arkanyevich Oblonsky (Stiva), pair up once again but instead of lovers like they were in Pride and Prejudice they play brother and sister in this film. There are quite a few plot lines playing out within the story, but out of all of them, my favorite is the passionate love that develops between Konstantin Dmitrievich Levin and Kitty Shcherbatsky. The movie brings up a multitude of emotions as you watch some characters heart's shatter, other characters seethe with hatred, and your own compassion for everyone in involved in the tale. If you aren't already familiar with the story, be prepared for a shocking ending. 

I've been reading this book since 2023, not as my main read though, it's very long, and very detailed, but very, very good!

10. Atonement (2007) Rated R

This movie contains: A passionate encounter between Robbie and Cecilia but even though no body parts are exposed, it's the facial expressions, moaning, and body movements that make this a pretty racy scene. The movie also contains a shocking written word, as well as an even more shocking r*pe scene involving a teenage girl and an adult man, which makes this movie recommended for mature viewers only. 

Another period piece with Keira Knightly! Set in 1935 England Kierra's character Cecilia is at home with her wealthy family awaiting her brother's arrival. The house is busy with Cecilia's sister Briony, played by Saoirse Ronan who plays Jo in the 2019 Little Women, their mother Emily played by Harriet Walter, who is in Sense and Sensibility and The Young Victoria, and James McAvoy who is in Becoming Jane. Out of all of the movies on my list, I would have to say this one is the most heart wrenching of them all. Robbie and Cecilia love each other, and, on the day, they finally are able to express their love, Cecilia's little sister accuses Robbie of a terrible act, the result is that he is thrown in prison and then sent to war. The way you think the story ends is nothing like it actually does. Prepare yourself for a massive twist and a profoundly heart-shattering story that lingers with you for weeks.  

The novel is great, I actually read this one after I watched the film. The movie follows the book rather well and reading the book after watching the movie helped me fill in a few gaps in the story the movie neglected to touch on. 

Bonus: I thought I'd through in my favorite period piece TV series that will make you fell all the feels...

Call the Midwife (2012- current) Rated TV-MA

I've been watching this series since it first came out and I don't think there is a single episode I've missed, except for the newest season. I watch them once they are available to be streamed online. The series is set in the 1950's & 1960's that follows an ever-changing group of young midwives and nuns through the streets of Poplar England as they provide care for pregnant women and babies. The show tackles some heavy subjects of abuse, abortion, infant death, prostitution, homosexuality, and many other weighty topics but it is done in such a tasteful way that you are sure to fall in love with it! Even though difficult topics are covered in this show, I would consider it, for the most part, family-friendly. 

I first read the book before seeing the show. There are three books in the series, although I've only read the first one, but it was soooo good. 

I'm so thankful that most of the movies I've mentioned in this post are either at my local library, on Netflix, or I have a copy of them. My local library just had a sale, and I was able to grab a copy of Becoming Jane for only .25 cents!

Which movies have you seen before and are any of them on your list of favorite period piece movies?