7 Best Jane Austen Movie Adaptations - Updated

Many adaptations of Jane Austen's books have been made over the years. In her lifetime she wrote six novels, plus a novella (though this isn't very popular), and most are well loved. Over the years many Jane Austen movies have come out; today I will talk about my favorite JA movies, which includes two modern adaptations.

Note: As yet I haven't watched a good Northanger Abbey, though many love the 2007 version.

After Elizabeth Bennet meets the proud, rich Mr. Darcy, she's convinced she could never marry him, no matter how much money he has. Mr. Wickham, on the other hand, is charming and agreeable, just the sort of man she could envision loving. But after a marriage proposal implodes she's not so sure if Mr. Wickham is a good man or if Mr. Darcy is as horrible as she thought. It takes a familial disgrace for her to decide, but then it may be too late for her to make her choice.

Emma Woodhouse is Highbury's wonderful resident matchmaker – or so she thinks. When naive Harriet Smith crosses her path, she seizes the opportunity to make the match of the century. Despite her best efforts, Highbury's most eligible bachelors seem more interested in Emma than Harriet. Her good friend Mr. Knightley tries to convince her that her matchmaking will eventually get her into trouble, but she ignores him until the consequences for her actions hit her – and potentially ruin her chance at love.

Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth were lovers before Anne's friend managed to persuade her to turn down his proposal. Now, eight years later, he returns from the Napoleonic War a rich sea captain, while her family is struggling financially. Anne falls for him again as they spend more time with each other but she doesn't know if he cares for her.

Elinor Dashwood is practical, quiet, and careful to respect societal rules and expectations. Her sister, Marianne, is impulsive, emotional, and more likely to ignore what others think. When both girls get a chance at love, they handle their situations differently. Which method will achieve a happily ever after?

Note: The first five-ish minutes is a bit sensual, but the rest of the movie is clean.

Plot Spoiler Warning: One of the young men illegitimately fathers a child and abandons the mother.

Fanny Price is beholden to her rich aunt and uncle because they took her from poverty and raised her as one of their own children – almost. While she has many privileges, she's treated as second class by everyone but her cousin Edward Bertram, whom she secretly loves. He, however, is bewitched by Mary Crawford, while her brother Henry begins to flirt with Fanny. Soon the Bertram home becomes a web of jealous lovers and secret feelings and everyone comes to rely on Fanny, little knowing her own secret. While this isn't the most accurate Mansfield Park, it is the most entertaining. For a more accurate version, the 1983 BBC miniseries is best.

Vlogger Kate Miller is ecstatic when she's cast as Elizabeth Bennet in a new Pride and Prejudice film. But when she gets on the set, she finds she's the only American among a British cast, all of whom are concerned about her lack of a decent British accent. To her irritation arrogant Liam Walker, who plays Mr. Darcy, is the only one able to successfully coach her with her accent. As they continue to work on the movie, the drama from the 19th century book repeats itself in more ways than one. Will Kate find her own love story while acting out Elizabeth Bennet's?

Note: This movie is also titled Becoming Ms. Bennet.

After Marianne and Elinor Dashwood's father is imprisoned, they decide to go into the work force in order to support the family and pay for their little sister's medication. However, because of their family's tarnished reputation Elinor can only get a job as a janitor, while Marianne manages to snag a job as a copy woman.

At her job Elinor meets and becomes enamored with the handsome lawyer Edward Farris and Marianne attracts the attention of Brandon Hurst. Their future brightens when they discover people love the lotions Marianne makes on the side. But there are people willing to steal Marianne's products and little do the Dashwoods know that their trials aren't over yet. A delightful twist of Sense and Sensibility. 

What's your favorite Jane Austen adaptation? Which is your favorite JA story? Tell me in the comments below!