Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-nominated Little Women is one of the most acclaimed films of 2019. Her adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott has captured viewers’ hearts with its rich storytelling and beautiful recreation of the 1800s setting. And though it’s one of the most highly regarded period dramas of recent years, it’s not the only one of its kind.

Life today is so different than it was in the nineteenth century, but films like Little Women can help to transport audiences back in time. The 1800s were rife with injustice and quiet achievements, as well as some pretty prominent breakthroughs in technology and social justice.

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Updated on February 27th, 2022 by Colin McCormick: The 1800s continue to be a era of fascination for movies to explore. It is always interesting to see how many different genres can operate within this time period as well as how they can tell stories that still strike a chord with audiences in the modern society. For fans who have an interest in the era, there are plenty more movies from the 1800s they can check out and with the endless streaming services out there, it is easier than ever to go back in time to explore the world at this time.

The Lighthouse (2019)

  • Available to stream on Prim Video and Kanopy.

Some movies explore grand stories of the 1800s, while some use the time period to great effect in smaller-scale stories. Such is the case with The Lighthouse, a thriller set in late 1800s New England.

The black-and-white movie stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe as two lighthouse workers stuck in isolation on a small island. As tensions grow between them, the lines between what is reality and what is delusion begins to blur. It is an engrossing movie by Robert Eggers with terrific performances from the two leads and a surprising amount of humor.

The Elephant Man (1980)

Available to rent on Apple TV.

Looking back at society centuries ago can sometimes make for a compelling story that holds true for modern audiences. David Lynch’s The Elephant Man is a tragic true story of John Merrick, a disfigured man living in Victorian London.

John Hurt gives a heartbreaking performance as Merrick who was used as an attraction and treated as less than human. The movie also stars Anthony Hopkins as a doctor who seeks to help Merrick and sees the kind spirit the rest of the world ignores.

Nosferatu (1922)

  • Available to stream on AMC+, Roku, Hoopla, Tubi, Kanopy, Redbox, DIRECTV, Shudder, Screambox, Classix, The Film Detective, DarkMatter TV, Spectrum on Demand, Flix Fling, ARROW, and Plex.

While vampires may often be used in modern-set horror stories now, Nosferatu looked back at a creature of the past in this ground-breaking movie. Inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this German silent movie follows a real estate agent who begins working for a reclusive and disturbing count in 1838.

A full century after its release, it is still possible to see the influence Nosferatu has on modern cinema. It is possible that the trend of vampire movies would never have become as prevalent today if the movie did not exist.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Available to stream on HBO Max, HBO, Max Go, DIRECTV, and Spectrum on Demand.

While many movies look back at the 1800s to tell their stories, it is interesting to see a story that was first written during that actual era. Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice was published in 1813 as a contemporary romance story about an independent young woman being pressured to find a partner.

There have been countless adaptations of Austen’s iconic novel, but this 2005 version directed by Joe Wright is one of the most acclaimed. Keira Knightley stars in the lead role as Elizabeth Bennet while Succession fans will enjoy seeing Matthew Macfadyen in a very different role as Mr. Darcy.

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The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

Available to rent on Amazon.

The combined star power and talent of Michael Cain and Sean Connery help to make The Man Who Would Be King a masterpiece of an adventure movie. The two actors star as British soldiers in 1880s India who seek out fortune in unknown lands.

The movie’s tremendous scale under the direction of John Huston makes for an exciting ride from beginning to end. But at its center, it is also a terrific morality tale about ambition and greed.

Anne Of Green Gables (1985)

  • No streaming options are available.

Kevin Sullivan’s 1985 adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s stories is faithful to the sense of joy, optimism, and freedom prevalent in the classic book series. Even so, the film has room to explore the disadvantages of being an orphan, as well as body image and self-esteem.

Anne Shirley is adopted by an elderly brother and sister, but they hadn’t planned on adopting a girl. Nevertheless, she’s allowed to stay and prove her worth. The films can provide a sense of comfort for viewers to look back on simpler times.

Fingersmith (2005)

  • Available to stream on AMC, Acorn TV, Sundance Now, and Spectrum on Demand.

Fingersmith is a lesser-known BBC adaptation of Sarah Waters’ 2002 novel set in Britain of the Victorian era. The plot is so full of twists and turns that viewers won’t realize that they’ve been tricked just as much as the characters have.

A con artist convinces a petty thief and orphan named Susan to rob a wealthy heiress, but the two young women form an unbreakable bond. Park Chan-Wook’s The Handmaiden is also an admirable adaptation, though markedly different in tone and geographical setting.

Anna Karenina (2012)

  • Available to stream on HBO Max, HBO, DIRECTV, and Spectrum on Demand.

Joe Wright’s adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s famous Russian novel is an ambitious one. The film has been criticized for prioritizing style over substance, but the heartrending performances of the star-studded cast add to the beautiful cinematography, costumes, and set design.

Anna Karenina, a married aristocrat, pursues an affair with a younger man and faces tragic consequences. Meanwhile, her brother is pardoned for cheating on his wife.

Les Misérables (2012)

  • Availble to stream on Netflix. 

Les Misérables has been adapted many times, and each adaptation brings something new to the table. The 2012 musical may be the most accessible to a broader audience, but the 1935 French film is the most authentic.

Whichever adaptation viewers choose, the core story remains the same: a Frenchman spends his life evading a brutal law enforcement officer after being stealing bread. Despite turning his life around, he still can’t escape his past.

Great Expectations (1946)

  • Available to stream on Prime Video, HBO Max, The Criterion Channel, Tubi, and Flix Fling.

Like Les Misérables, Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations has been adapted many times, but perhaps never quite so masterfully as David Lean’s 1946 film.

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In any case, the story follows Pip as he grows from a young boy into an adult. Simultaneously, he escapes his humble beginnings, educates himself, and comes into a great fortune to enter high society. However, he doesn’t anticipate the consequences.

The Beguiled (2017)

  • Available to stream on Netflix. 

Many American movies set in the 1800s deal with the American Civil War, though The Beguiled depicts the war from a different point of view. The film follows two women running a boarding school for young girls in the South who take in an injured Union soldier.

The movie is a dark, gothic tale featuring stellar performances from its excellent cast. Instead of focusing on the men at war, Sofia Coppola’s film focuses on the women fighting their own battles while trying to protect their homes.

Scrooge (1951)

  • Available to rent on Amazon. 

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been retold countless times on screen, but many consider the 1955 version to be the best. While some film versions have brought the story into the modern age, Scrooge is set in 1800s London.

Like many of Dickens’ works, this story deals with the immense poverty of the time, as represented by Bob Cratchit and his family. Scrooge’s growth in realizing he should help the less fortunate remains an important message.

Yojimbo (1961)

  • Available to stream on HBO Max.

While plenty of fascinating American films focus on this time period, many foreign films also explore the nineteenth century. Yojimbo is the epic samurai film from the great Japanese director Akira Kurosiwo about a ronin who develops a plan to free a small rural town from the gangsters who are tearing it apart.

The beautiful black-and-white film is a clever and exciting story with some breathtaking action sequences. The film became an inspiration for many other filmmakers and was even used as the basis for the Spaghetti Western classic A Fistful of Dollars.

Gone With The Wind (1939)

  • Available to stream on HBO Max.

Gone with the Wind is one of the most praised romances of all time. It tells the story of a high society Southern woman who begins a turbulent affair with a roguish man as the Civil War comes to an end and Reconstruction begins.

The film has been causing a stir in recent times, given its political frame. However, this perspective can today be used as a point of education, not to mention, the film is known for its epic beauty. It helped usher in a grander style of filmmaking that changed Hollywood forever.

The Prestige (2006)

  • Available to stream on Prime Video, Fubo TV, AMC+, DIRECTV, Sling, and Spectrum on Demand.

Movies about magicians usually take a flashy approach to their stories, but The Prestige takes a darker and more serious look at these performers in 1800s Europe. The film follows two magicians whose rivalry turns deadly as they try to best one another over the years.

This captivating mystery from Christopher Nolan is a unique glimpse behind the curtain of these popular magicians’ lives. It’s also full of mystery and suspense, and a memorable twist ending which Nolan is known for pulling off effectively.

Gangs Of New York (2002)

  • Available to stream on HBO Max, HBO, Max Go, DIRECTV, Cinemax, and Spectrum on Demand.

Martin Scorsese’s films explore various time periods, as well as various aspects of New York City. It makes sense that he would eventually combine those two in a look at New York City in the 1800s.

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Gangs of New York is a look at the violence and corruption that erupted in the streets of this city between those seeking to start a new life in America and those who felt they owned the city. This dark and violent story of revenge during the brink of the Civil War changes the common perception of New York City as a thriving metropolis.

Glory (1989)

  • Available to stream on Hulu, Paramount, Epix, DIRECTV, Spectrum on Demand.

Glory tells one of the most incredible and inspiring stories about the Civil War and those who fought in it. The true story of the first Union regiment made up entirely of black soldiers is a bloody and gruesome war movie.

The engrossing story of the brave men of this company who fought for the freedom of their people while still facing injustices and brutality is a harrowing tale with amazing battle sequences and moving performances.

Lincoln (2012)

  • Available to stream on Prime Video and Max Go.

A star-studded cast brings to life the story of Abraham Lincoln as he attempts to pass the Emancipation Proclamation while the Civil War rages on. With Steven Spielberg directing and Daniel Day-Lewis as the titular president, the talent involved is undeniable.

The film is an absorbing courtroom drama about one of the most important moments in American history. Lincoln is far from perfect, which becomes clear amid the perpetual suspense of the film, but this makes him a more interesting character.

Little Women (2019)

  • Available to stream on Spectrum on Demand.

Following the success of her directorial debut Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig took on the daunting job of adapting one of the most beloved novels of all time. Her talents proved more than up to the challenge as she delivered a beautiful, funny, and moving retelling of the famous story of the March women.

Little Women examines the many difficulties women faced in the nineteenth century. When marriage is presented as the only real way to lead a full life, aspiring author Jo March seeks to find happiness and love without giving up her identity.

12 Years A Slave (2013)

  • Available to stream on HBO Max, HBO, DIRECTV, and Spectrum on Demand.

12 Years a Slave is a haunting reminder of Black slavery in America. The movie tells the tragic and powerful true story of Solomon Northrup, a free man who is illegally abducted and sold into slavery.

The movie pulls no punches and makes the audience confront the atrocities of slavery and the horrific lives people were forced to live. It is a harrowing cinematic experience about one of the darkest periods in American history.

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About The Author


Colin McCormick
(2027 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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