If you adored Greta Gerwig’s heartwarming adaptation of Little Women, you’re probably craving more movies that capture the magic of sisterhood, female empowerment, and charming period pieces. Well, grab your popcorn because we’ve rounded up 18 brilliant films that will give you all the Little Women vibes you need. From witty Jane Austen adaptations to modern tales of friendship, these movies put strong, complex female characters front and center. So curl up on the couch and get ready to fall in love with these delightful cinematic gems.
1. Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Directed by Ang Lee and starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet, this enchanting adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel follows the Dashwood sisters as they navigate love, heartbreak, and societal expectations in 19th-century England. With its focus on the unbreakable bond between sisters and its lush period setting, Sense and Sensibility is a must-watch for any Little Women fan.
2. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
No list of movies like Little Women would be complete without mentioning Pride and Prejudice. This swoon-worthy adaptation, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, brings Austen’s witty romance to life with stunning visuals and crackling chemistry between the leads. Like Little Women, it celebrates the strength and resilience of its female characters as they defy societal norms and follow their hearts.
3. Emma. (2020)
Anya Taylor-Joy shines as Jane Austen’s most meddlesome heroine in this delightfully fresh take on the classic novel. With its playful tone, gorgeous costumes, and irrepressible romance, Emma. feels like a kindred spirit to Gerwig’s Little Women. It’s a joyful celebration of female agency and the transformative power of love.
4. Lady Bird (2017)
Before she tackled Little Women, Greta Gerwig made her solo directorial debut with this funny, poignant coming-of-age tale. Saoirse Ronan stars as Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, a rebellious teenager navigating her tumultuous relationship with her mother (played by Laurie Metcalf) and dreaming of escaping her hometown. Like Little Women, Lady Bird is a love letter to the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and the bittersweet journey of growing up.
5. The Help (2011)
Set in 1960s Mississippi, The Help follows a young white journalist (Emma Stone) who decides to write a book from the perspective of the black maids who work for the wealthy white families in her town. With its stellar ensemble cast, including Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, the film is a powerful exploration of racism, sisterhood, and the quiet acts of courage that can change the world. Like the March sisters in Little Women, the women in The Help forge unbreakable bonds as they support each other through hardship and fight for a better future.
6. Anne of Green Gables (1985)
This beloved miniseries adaptation of L.M. Montgomery’s classic novel is a heartwarming tale of an imaginative orphan girl who finds a home and a family on Prince Edward Island. With her fiery spirit and boundless optimism, Anne Shirley (Megan Follows) is a kindred spirit to Jo March, and the series captures the same warmth, humor, and emotional depth as Little Women.
7. Far From the Madding Crowd (2015)
Based on Thomas Hardy’s novel, this lush period drama stars Carey Mulligan as Bathsheba Everdene, a fiercely independent woman who inherits her uncle’s farm and finds herself torn between three very different suitors. With its strong female lead, gorgeous English countryside setting, and exploration of love and ambition, Far From the Madding Crowd is a perfect companion to Little Women.
8. The Favourite (2018)
For a quirkier take on the period drama, look no further than The Favourite. Set in the court of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) in 18th-century England, the film follows the rivalry between two cousins (Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone) vying for the Queen’s affections. With its razor-sharp wit, sumptuous visuals, and powerhouse performances, The Favourite is a deliciously entertaining twist on the genre that Little Women fans will relish.
9. Becoming Jane (2007)
This charming biographical drama imagines the early life of Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) and her romance with a dashing young lawyer (James McAvoy). While taking some creative liberties, Becoming Jane captures the spirit of Austen’s novels and offers a fascinating glimpse into the experiences that shaped her as a writer. Like Little Women, it’s a celebration of female creativity and the pursuit of one’s passions against all odds.
10. Little Women (1994)
Of course, no list of movies like Little Women would be complete without mentioning the beloved 1994 adaptation. Starring Winona Ryder as Jo, Kirsten Dunst as young Amy, and Christian Bale as Laurie, this warm, cozy version hews closer to the book and is a must-see for any fan of the story. It’s the perfect movie to curl up with on a rainy day and lose yourself in the world of the March sisters.
11. Brooklyn (2015)
Another showcase for the talents of Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn follows a young Irish immigrant as she navigates homesickness, love, and the search for her place in the world in 1950s New York. Like Little Women, it’s a beautifully acted, emotionally resonant story of a woman coming into her own and learning to balance her dreams with her ties to home and family.
12. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
This beloved classic tells the story of an unhappy housewife (Kathy Bates) who befriends an elderly woman (Jessica Tandy) and learns about her remarkable life and friendship with another woman (Mary Stuart Masterson) in 1920s Alabama. With its themes of female solidarity, resilience, and the enduring power of storytelling, Fried Green Tomatoes is a moving, often funny celebration of women supporting each other through thick and thin.
13. Mansfield Park (1999)
Another winning Jane Austen adaptation, Mansfield Park stars Frances O’Connor as Fanny Price, a poor relation who grows up with her wealthy cousins and navigates the complications of love, class, and morality. With its strong performances, lush visuals, and sly social commentary, Mansfield Park is a treat for any fan of period dramas and complex female characters.
14. Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Set in the 1950s, Mona Lisa Smile follows a free-thinking art history professor (Julia Roberts) who encourages her students at a conservative women’s college to question societal expectations and follow their dreams. With its stellar cast, including Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the film is an inspiring tale of women supporting each other and fighting for their right to choose their own paths, much like the March sisters in Little Women.
15. The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
Based on the beloved novel by Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees follows a teenage girl (Dakota Fanning) who escapes her troubled home life and finds solace with a trio of beekeeping sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, and Sophie Okonedo) in 1960s South Carolina. With its themes of found family, female empowerment, and the healing power of love, it’s a moving, beautifully acted drama that will resonate with Little Women fans.
16. The Joy Luck Club (1993)
Adapted from Amy Tan’s bestselling novel, The Joy Luck Club tells the stories of four Chinese-American women and their immigrant mothers, exploring the complexities of family, cultural identity, and the bonds between generations of women. With its poignant storytelling, stellar ensemble cast, and celebration of female resilience, it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves emotionally rich, character-driven dramas like Little Women.
17. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
For a more modern take on female friendship, check out The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. The film follows four best friends (Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, and Alexis Bledel) who spend their first summer apart but stay connected through a pair of secondhand jeans that magically fits all of them. While lighter in tone than Little Women, it’s a heartwarming celebration of the unbreakable bonds between women and the power of sisterhood to weather any storm.
18. Steel Magnolias (1989)
Last but not least, Steel Magnolias is a classic tearjerker that showcases the strength, humor, and resilience of Southern women. Starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, and Julia Roberts, the film follows a group of friends in a small Louisiana town as they support each other through life’s joys and sorrows. Like Little Women, it’s a moving testament to the power of female friendship and the ways in which women lift each other up in times of hardship.
So there you have it – 18 wonderful movies to watch if you can’t get enough of Little Women. From period pieces to modern dramedies, these films all celebrate the strength, complexity, and unbreakable bonds of women. So grab your best gal pals, settle in for a movie marathon, and revel in the joy of these inspiring stories. Because really, what could be better than spending time with amazing women, both on screen and off?
