Every Jane Austen Adaptation Ranked from Worst to Best

It's time to rank the Jane Austen adaptations from worst to best. For this list, we’ll be looking at some of our favorite on-screen versions of Jane Austen’s novels - and also the adaptations that made us cringe the hardest. Our countdown includes "Persuasion," "Emma," "Sense and Sensibility," and more! What do YOU think are the best and worst Jane Austen adaptations? Let us know in the comments!

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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.

#JaneAusten #Adaptations #Persuasion #Books #Movies

[SMakhdoom]

For me, Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility will always remain on the top, especially because of Alan Rickman's Col. Brandon.

[alfonsoaligarde]

2005 Pride & Prejudice is an utter cinematic perfection to me. The entire film feels like being immersed into scenes drawn directly from 19 century English countryside painting. Pure art!!!

[tamick]

1995 Pride and Prejudice is a masterpiece. I continue to watch it as a special treat.

[karenshaw]

1995 Pride and Prejudice is a masterpiece. The casting is so impeccable that it’s impossible to imagine a different Mr. Collins, Mr and Mrs Bennet, Lady Catherine, Caroline Bingley, Lizzie or Mr. Darcy. The dialog, music, costumes and settings simply make Austin’s beloved novel spring to life. Well-deserved number one.

[CrazyMathTeach]

The 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice was my entry into the world of Jane Austen on screen, and it remains my absolute favorite. I probably re-watch it at least once a year.

[gailjacobson]

Not sure how many people know this, but back in 2020 -21, when we were all depressed through Covid, Jennifer Ehle read the entire pride and prejudice novel in a series of YouTube videos while in her car. It is an absolute must listen and it is free

[sillililli]

1995 was a very good year for Jane Austin's Pride & Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion, etc.

[realgirl]

Jennifer Ehle and Collin Firth were by far the best in Pride and prejudice. The casting in that adaptation was exquisite and nothing else has come close. And Emma Thompson’s Sense and Sensibility is legendary.

[dck]

I agree that the 1995 Pride and Prejudice is the best adaptation. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle are perfect in the lead roles. Interestingly, in the film The King's Speech there was a short scene with both of them, Colin Firth playing King George VI and Jennifer Ehle as the wife of the speech therapist, Lionel Logue.

[da_frecker_channel]

I am SO happy (and very surprised) that they picked the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice as number 1. And it truly deserves to be there because it basically comes straight from the book. It's just like reading the book only on screen. It is the best version of Pride and Prejudice.

[alifia]

I'm just gonna put it right here for my own bookmark
15. Persuasion (2022) 0:47
14. Mansfield Park (2007) 1:55
13. Persuasion (2007) 3:04
12. Sandition (2019-) 4:17
11. Emma (2020) 5:25
10. Emma (1996) 6:39
9. Emma (2009) 7:42
8. Mansfield Park (1999) 8:55
7. Northanger Abby (2007) 10:00
6. Love & Friendship (2016) 11:16
5. Emma (1996 - Gwyneth Paltrow ver.) 12:24
4. Persuasion (1995) 13:30
3. Pride & Prejudice (2005) 14:43
2. Sense & Sensibility (1995) 15:48
1. Pride & Prejudice (1995) 17:26

[alanberg]

Definitely right on number one. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth were quintessentially Elizabeth and Darcy.

[kaoryakasaka]

Oh yeah! 1995 "Pride and Prejudice" - I can rewatch it countless times. I knew the top 2 would be "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejudice", because the script, the acting, the costumes, the music - everything is there. Plus, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth make everything better(but not even they could save the "Persuasion" adaptation). You can also see the kind of struggle all women face back then and all the social norms very clearly, which is actually why I love Jennifer Ehle's Lizzie so much. She wasn't exactly a girlboss, she wasn't a rude "notlikeothergirls" person; she still had no trouble with speaking her mind where she wanted to(even in front of lady Catherine), but she never insulted anybody - she still spoke in an appropriate for that time and society manner.

[useyournoodle]

Persuasion 1995 with Amanda Root and Ciaran HInds is by far the best version. Subtle and understated it really lets the acting stand out. When she grips the chair you can feel all of her inner turmoil, so good!

[diannecraftiemamma]

1995 Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austin perfection. Colin Firth IS Mr. Darcy.
1995 Persuasion is a very close second. Cirian Hines and Amanda Root are just wonderful.

[andreabartels]

P&P 1995 had the advantage of being a mini-series, more time for completely developing the story and bringing a book to life. Costumes and set-design were spot on.
Emma Thompson created a masterpiece with her adaptation of S&S, developing dialog out of a more narrative novel. Great cast.

[joymac]

Justice for Sense and Sensibility 2008!! It deserved a place in this ranking! It’s superior to a lot of the adaptations listed here

[ynot]

Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds was most faithful to the novel and wonderfully nuanced.

[PilotHardy]

2005 Pride and Prejudice will always be #1 for me, by a landslide. I've probably watched it 100 times & can recite the entire film 😂

[justanotherhuman]

The 2020 Emma adaptation is one of my most favourite films of all time. I thought he slightly surreal and overly stylised art direction as well as the inclusion of some comedic, jaunty moments was a genius way of depicting the absurdity and silliness of the whole situation which is what I think Austen wanted to capture in the original novel, never mind the stunning casting, costume design, soundtrack and photography direction. This is a brilliant film made with consideration of the original novel, instead of previous depictions and adaptations that is often seen in other films and tv shows.