Stories like the one told in Bridgerton are not new to the industry. In fact, there are some films, true masterpieces, that have a lot in common with the famous Netflix series. We are not just referring to the classic love story; in productions of this genre, the themes are indeed multiple and the meanings are much more articulated and profound than one might imagine.

Must-see movies similar to Bridgerton

Pride and Prejudice

In addition to being a well-made film with an excellent cast, the film is a fairly faithful representation of the famous Jane Austen novel from which it is adapted.

In addition to the love story told in the film, the theme of exploring the characters and personalities of others is very interesting. The film is a profound reflection on everything that moves the human soul: feelings of revenge, love, protection for the people we love most, the prejudices that often lie hidden unconsciously behind the decisions of each of us, the shyness that can often be perceived as pride and indifference towards others.

If you loved Bridgerton, you can’t miss this film that can touch the deepest chords of the human being and talk about characters who move according to precise dynamics of the past but at the same time are more current than ever.

Mary Shelley

The film about Mary Shelley’s life tells the creative process that led her to create her famous work: Frankenstein. The journey through which the viewer is transported is dotted with encounters that had a profound influence on Mary Shelley, first and foremost, the encounters with the man who would become her husband, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and the writer Lord Byron.

Despite these influences, however, Mary Shelley’s story is a story of asserting her own independence and uniqueness as a woman, and the author’s female emancipation comes through the creation of the famous monster that embodies all her contempt for patriarchy and the disappointments suffered by men.

Persuasion

Funny, irreverent and more relevant than ever, is the film adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. In this story, the concept of marriage is treated in a completely revolutionary way compared to the era in which it was conceived: marriage desired not for money but for true love. However, everyone and everyone around the protagonist tries to persuade her out of the idea of marriage for love, but she is an untiring romantic and cannot help but imagine herself happy in the company of the one who has won her heart. The film, like the novel, is a true life lesson. The risk of remaining alone and sad is always lurking in the actions of those around us, as they often influence us more than they should, leading us to accept what the rest of society deems right for us. What we should all do is try to fight this feeling of overwhelm and not let ourselves be intimidated by what we really want.

What do these movies similar to Bridgerton have in common?

The movies similar to Bridgerton seen so far are united by the historical context in which they develop. In all these films, we can witness lavish balls, enchanting dresses, intrigues and the birth of romantic love stories. However, watching these films only for these themes is a bit reductive. These are in fact contents that have much more to offer to their audience and that make them interesting for everyone, including the male audience.

Each character in these films is very well characterized: strong personality, bold character and good and kind soul. If you think that’s not enough, to make you change your mind could be a very important aspect worth dwelling on: Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are films taken from the masterpieces written by Jane Austen in the early 1800s. Even the story about Mary Shelley’s life unfolds in the body of the 1800s. At the time, even the vague idea of a strong, resolute and combative woman was something absolutely out of the ordinary. Patriarchy was the foundation of society and thinking of a free woman was not only strange or inconvenient, but at times even ridiculous. So this is what these movies similar to Bridgerton have in common: a female protagonist, in an era when women could only stay behind the scenes. Jane Austen and therefore the films taken from her books, claim a central role for women within society, which is different from the simple position of wife or mother, so common at the time (and in some contexts, even today). Making women the absolute protagonists of the stories, and not just for their beauty, but above all for the values they fight for and for the intelligence that distinguishes them, is undoubtedly an appreciable way of giving voice to women and dignity to figures too often represented in a condition of subordination to power.

Thankfully, female protagonists are increasingly taking center stage in films and TV shows. Even when they’re not the absolute leads, they often play pivotal roles. A modern-day embodiment of Jane Austen’s heroines is Daenerys Targaryen: the Dragon Queen, armed with her strength and unwavering determination, navigates the treacherous landscape of her enemies and consistently achieves her goals.