Ranking 16 Pride and Prejudice Movie Adaptations With Colin Firth Heads

I have taken it upon myself to attempt to watch all of the Pride and Prejudice adaptations known to mankind. Seeing as I AM married to Mr. Darcy, it only seems right after all.

Although I am sure there are other P&P adaptations still to be seen, I have ranked the 16 films that I have been graced with seeing so far. I have decided to rate each of the adaptations with none other than…Colin Firth heads. He is the epitome of Mr. Darcy. Who needs star ratings when you can have a Colin Firth Head, am I right?

16. Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe Adaptations - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe
2/5 Colin’s

I love myself a good cheesy Christmas Hallmark movie but this adaptation simply did nothing for me. In this version Darcy is played by none other than Cesar stabbing Gretchen Weiners…the daughter of the inventor of toaster strudels. I am a huge fan of Mean Girls so I very obviously wanted to love this adaptation but alas, it was not fetch. I loved the idea of flipping the characters genders so we saw brooding, prideful Darcy as female, and witty feminist Elizabeth as male. However, the depth of the characters personalities was lost in translation, most importantly the now male Lizzie Bennet, and it all fell flat.

15. Wishbone: Furst Impressions

Wishbone Pride and Prejudice adaptations - Just like Gilmore girls
Wishbone: Furst Impressions
2.5/5 Colin’s

Wishbone is a tv show about a dog who tells the story of different classic novels. In this episode we see him dive into the story of Pride and Prejudice and he has cast himself as none other than…Mr. Darcy. Watching a tiny Jack Russell Terrier play the snooty Darcy was something I never knew I needed to experience until I did. It’s super cute.

It is only 20 minutes long though, and Darcy IS a dog so only so much can really be conveyed. I would 100% recommend showing this to your kids though!!

14. Pride and Prejudice 1940

Pride and Prejudice 1940 adaptation - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Pride and Prejudice 1940
2.5/5 Colin’s

Listen, this adaptation is majorly entertaining and if you are looking for a story that provides a decent amount of drama and laughs then this is definitely for you. I am rating it 2.5 Colin’s NOT because I didn’t like it, because I did! I am rating it 2.5 Colin’s because it just doesn’t portray P&P in my opinion.

First of all, what era is this set in? I half expected Scarlett and Rhett Butler to step onto the screen because this looked more like an adaptation of Gone With the Wind than Pride and Prejudice. The drama between Darcy, played by Laurence Olivier and Elizabeth Bennet, played by Greer Garson is overwhelming. The drama throughout the entire movie is overwhelming. BUT LET ME TELL YOU…you need to watch this for the carriage race to Mr. Bingley’s house if for nothing else.

The movie is NOT authentic to P&P as a whole but it is still worth a watch. I would suggest watching the movie as a separate romantic comedy, instead of viewing it as a true adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

13. Lost in Austen

Pride and Prejudice adaptions Lost in Austen - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Lost in Austen
3/5 Colin’s

I had SO much difficulty getting my hands on a dvd of this adaptation that I think I might have over hyped it for myself. It fell short of all of my very high expectations but I still enjoyed it. Our main character, Amanda Price, is finds a trap door in her apartment that leads into the story of Pride and Prejudice. THIS IS LITERALLY THE DREAM!!!

She swaps places with Elizabeth Bennet and then has to attempt to make the story unfold in the correct way. It’s amazing the differences that are made when the main character is swapped with someone else! I absolutely LOVED the premise of this story, but the execution fell short for me.

Definitely check out the book Lost in Austen too!

12. BBC Pride and Prejudice 1980

Pride and Prejudice adaptations 1980 - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Pride and Prejudice 1980
3/5 Colin’s

Technically a mini series, like its successor; this version is a serious commitment. However, where the 1995 version had Colin, this one has David Rintoul…who I fear may actually be a half human half robot hybrid. I mean, he walks same leg same arm…WHO DOES THAT?!?! The plot stays very faithful to the actual text, but this may or may not be a downfall. Some things just don’t translate well and were probably better left in the book alone.

Full points to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet for their intense savagery though! There are a number of humorous moments in this one that I fully appreciated. Including but not limited to Mrs. Bennet calling Lydia out for exposing too much of her giant breasts and in the same breath criticizing Charlotte Lucas for her lack of breasts. Trust Mrs. Bennet to demean everyone in one fell swoop!

11. Christmas at Pemberley

Pride and Prejudice adaptations Christmas at Pemberley - Just like Gilmore Girls
Christmas at Pemberley
3/5 Colin’s

So, as I said above with Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe I am a huge fan of Christmas Hallmark movies. Christmas at Pemberley totally delivers! What’s the best part? Michael Rady, the chosen actor for Mr. Darcy. That’s right, he has my official stamp of approval for his portrayal of Mr. Darcy. He is softened a bit…because it’s Christmas and a Hallmark movie, but he still portrays the prideful brooding demeanor that Darcy is known for. Plus, he’s cute!

I personally feel that Jessica Lowndes plays a great Elizabeth Bennet as well. She is smart and sociable and is able to banter with Darcy perfectly. I think that the casting of the movie was spot on, and it’s a perfectly charming adaptation.

10. Bride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice adaptations Bride and Prejudice - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Bride and Prejudice
3.5/5 Colin’s

“Any single man with big bucks must be shopping for a wife.” This is a Bollywood Musical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and it is super cute! The story takes place primarily in India and it is full of color. I really enjoyed a different cultural take on the story. The parties and dances thrown in this adaptation definitely top the rest! Also, Darcy attempting to dance in the Bollywood numbers is..interesting.

It’s also very important to acknowledge that Georgina Darcy (Georgiana) is played by none other than Rory Gilmore!

9. Pride and Prejudice 2003

Pride and Prejudice 2003 adaptations - Just like Gilmore Girls
Pride and Prejudice 2003
3.5/5 Colin’s

This is a modern take on P&P that has the Bennet sisters as roommates and friends rather than sisters. Elizabeth Bennet is an aspiring author that happens to work in a bookstore and Darcy is a businessman who owns a publishing company. It’s honestly a very cute and comical adaptation that works well as a modern day romantic comedy as well as a loose retelling of the classic novel. Overall, I feel that this adaptation captures the essence of what Pride and Prejudice truly is. I also love Mary and Mr. Colins in this one!

8. Death Comes to Pemberley

Pride and PRejudice adaptations Death Comes to Pemberley - Just like Gilmore Girls
Death Comes to Pemberley
3.5/5 Colin’s

I actually really enjoyed this Pride and Prejudice adaptation for the mystery that it was. It has a MUCH darker vibe, and Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship is strained at times but overall I still think that Matthew Rhys portrays a decent Mr. Darcy and I liked Anna Martin as Elizabeth. Mr. Wickham is definitely pulled through the ringer in this one, poor guy! Wait, did I just say poor Mr. Wickham?!?

7. Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Pride and Prejudice adaptations Lizzie Bennet Diaries - Just like Gilmore Girls
Lizzie Bennet Diaries
3.75/5 Colin’s

This one ranks in the top half of adaptations for me simply for how creative it is. Lizzie Bennet has started a Youtube channel and we get to see her life through a series of short videos. Lydia is a lot to handle in this, but she is actually one of my favorite characters here. The storyline remains largely the same but it is set in modern times and told through a series of “vlog” entries. I love the portrayal of almost all of the characters except…Darcy. He is very formal and for lack of a better comparison…he reminds me of a bear somehow? IDK he is just not my favorite Mr. Darcy.

6. Pride and Prejudice 2005

Pride and Prejudice 2005 Adaptation - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Pride and Prejudice 2005
3.75/5 Colin’s

OKAY PEOPLE! I know that I will probably receive a lot of backlash for not listing this closer to the top of my list of adaptations but…I just don’t like Matthew Macfadyen. I realize this TOTALY effects my ability to be non biased in this ranking system but…I CAN’T HELP IT! For me, Macfadyen’s werewolf hair, goblin style muttering and his super fast talking proposal scene just did nothing for me!

To top it all off Kiera Knightley’s portrayal of Elizabeth feels overly emotional and immature. I’m sorry!!!! I know that I should love it but I have too many issues with the two lead characters. Not to mention the period discrepancy issues. I also can only picture Mr. Bennet as President Snow and I kept expecting him to throw one of his daughters into the Hunger Games.

I DO acknowledge that this film is beautiful and artistic and if I didn’t have such a problem with the two main leads I would probably have liked this adaptation a lot more. The music is also gorgeous! For anyone who loves Macfadyen and Knightley, and are okay with a VERY condensed version of P&P you will love it. If you have never read Pride and Prejudice and you are in the mood for a beautiful love story this will also probably be your favorite adaptation.

5. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies adaptations - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
4/5 Colin’s

If you had asked me 2 months ago what I thought about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies I would never in a million years have ever believed that I would say…I actually liked it. I feel almost ashamed to admit it but I finally watched this version after years of saying I hated it and never actually watching it (oops) and it really is not bad!

I had attempted to read the book in high school and read exactly 12 pages before someone was killed by a zombie and I declared that it simply was not for me. It is the only book I have ever returned back to the store. Now, years later I realize that I probably should have given it a real chance.

The plot stays mostly true to the original and zombies are only thrown into the equation every so often. The Bennet sisters are Zombie hunters in this version and to be honest…they are pretty fierce. It was a very entertaining story and I am looking forward to its conclusion. I wont spoil it for you but it ends on quite the cliff hanger.

Tip: If you are looking for an adaptation to convince your boyfriend to watch to slowly introduce him into the world of Pride and Prejudice…this is the way to do it.

4. Austenland

Pride and Prejudice adaptations Austenland - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Austenland
4.5/5 Colin’s

This movie is absolutely ridiculous and it is NOT a true Pride and Prejudice adaptation but it is Pride and Prejudice adjacent so it went on my list. I absolutely love this movie!!! Any movie that has the main character owning a full sized cutout of Colin Firth and a saying above their bed that reads “Mr. Darcy was here” wins my full seal of approval.

Jane Hayes, the main character spends a bunch of money to vacation in Austenland. It’s basically a Jane Austen inspired themed bed and breakfast where everyone is assigned a character to play and everyone gets a love match by the end of the stay. First of all, sign me up! Second of all, I am sure you can imagine things don’t quite turn out the way she expects.

Our “Mr. Darcy-ish” character is played by J.J Fields who has experience with playing a Jane Austen hero when he played Henry Tilney. He plays a VERY nice Jane Austen hero if I do say so myself.

3. You’ve Got Mail

Pride and Prejudice adaptations You've Got Mail - Just Like Gilmore Girls
You’ve Got Mail
5/5 Colin’s

I only found out recently that You’ve Got Mail is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but I honestly have no idea how I never realized it before. This is one of my all time favorite Romantic Comedies and OF COURSE it would be an adaptation of my favorite book!

In this version our “Lizzie” owns a small bookstore and Darcy comes in to town and opens a large bookstore chain called FOX Books. A rivalry starts up between the two bookstore owners and eventually…well I wont spoil it for you. Watch it! Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are perfect together and they deliver spectacularly on the Enemies to Lovers trope!

2. Bridget Jones’s Diary

Pride and Prejudice adaptations Bridget Jones Diary - Just like Gilmore Girls
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Pride and Prejudice adaptation - just like gilmore girls 5 stars
5/5 Colin’s

Okay, we are getting to the creme de la creme of adaptations now. Bridget Jones has got to be my favorite retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Renee Zellweger as our “Elizabeth Bennet” is hilarious and maybe slightly pathetic at times, and I love her. I love that we have a modern heroine in her 30’s here rather than her twenties also.

The best part of the movie is Mark Darcy though, who is played by none other than THE MR.DARCY AKA: Colin Firth. This man is literally perfection and I am convinced he was born to play the role of Mr. Darcy. Whoever cast this movie deserves an epic award for securing Firth and then pairing Hugh Grant with him as his nemesis. Plus Bridget’s parents as a modern Mr. and Mrs Bennet…Oh please just go and watch this movie!

1. BBC Pride And Prejudice 1995

Pride and Prejudice 1995 adaptation - Just Like Gilmore Girls
Pride and Prejudice 1995
Pride and PRejudice Adaptations - Just like Gilmore Girls 6 stars
6/5 Colin’s

YOU ALL KNEW THIS WAS COMING! There could be no other winner. The 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice is perfection personified and I will accept no arguments to the contrary. (kidding, but not really.)

This is a definite time commitment since it is a mini series. It is best viewed in one sitting though so set aside a day and make an event of it! The next 6 hours will totally change your life. The lake scene is a crowd favorite (a favorite of mine as well, I won’t lie to you) but it’s all about Colin Firth’s eyes during the movie. He is so dreamy!!!

I personally feel that the whole movie was perfectly cast and I will acknowledge that many people feel that Mrs. Bennet was too dramatic and over acted, but this fit her character SOO perfectly for me. It receives all the stars and all the Colin Firth heads for me!

THE END!!! As of now these are all of the adaptations that I have seen. As more adaptations become available, and as I watch more of them, I promise to add more to the list! I am sure you have noticed that I am totally biased toward Colin Firth and that obviously swayed my rating system. I would love to hear your personal favorite adaptations though and to answer the big question of…who your Mr. Darcy is. So…

Pride and Prejudice adaptations which Mr. Darcy is best - Just like Gilmore Girls

Who Is Your Favorite Mr. Darcy?

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Check back soon for my ranking of Pride and Prejudice book retellings. They will also be rated in Colin Firth heads in case anyone was wondering 😉

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2 Comments

  1. Silverchild
    February 17, 2021 / 7:58 am

    Awesome post, Meg! Looks like I’ve seen more adaptation than the original Firth.

    • mwors5
      Author
      February 17, 2021 / 9:48 pm

      Thanks Sofia!!! I know there must be more out there, I just have to find them haha!