Movies About Periods

From Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland
Rated PG

Pride & Prejudice is a 2005 romantic drama directed by Joe Wright. Based on the beloved novel of the same name by Jane Austen, the film follows the five Bennet sisters as they navigate the competitive world of courtship in rural England. At the center of the story is Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley), who is determined to never marry, but finds her resolve tested when she meets the wealthy, handsome Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen). Despite their initial enmity, Elizabeth and Darcy are eventually brought together by their shared love of books, music, and witty repartee. The two begin to fall in love, but must overcome their pride and prejudice, as well as the obstacles of social customs, to be together. The film features an all-star cast that includes Judi Dench, Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, and Brenda Blethyn. Pride & Prejudice is an acclaimed adaptation of Austen’s classic novel. The film earned a BAFTA for Wright’s direction, an Oscar nomination for Knightley’s performance, and numerous award nominations.

From Peter Glenville, starring Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi
Rated PG-13

Becket is a 1964 film directed by Peter Glenville, based on the play by Jean Anouilh. It tells the story of Thomas Becket (Richard Burton), a Saxon nobleman who is appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II (Peter O'Toole). It follows the conflict between the two men as Becket resists the King's attempts to subvert the Church of England and its authority. In the end, Becket is martyred for his beliefs, leading to Henry's redemption. The film also explores themes of loyalty, power, and faith.

From Ang Lee, starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, James Fleet, Tom Wilkinson
Rated PG

Sense and Sensibility is a 1995 romantic drama directed by Ang Lee and starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. It is based on the novel by Jane Austen of the same name and follows two sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate their lives through the constraints of the British Regency era. After the death of their father, they must depend on the generosity of their distant relatives to survive. Elinor, the elder sister, is known for her sense and is able to control her emotions, while Marianne, the younger sister, is known for her sensibility and often allows her emotions to take control. As they struggle with the societal pressures of the era, they fall in love with two different men who, through their actions, teach them lessons about life, love, and the importance of understanding the feelings of others. Ultimately, the sisters learn to accept their feelings and, through their experiences, gain a better understanding of themselves and their emotions.

From Stephen Frears, starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz
Rated R

Dangerous Liaisons is a 1988 period drama film directed by Stephen Frears and starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Uma Thurman. The film is based on Christopher Hampton's play of the same name, which is in turn based on the 18th-century French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The film follows the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, two French noblemen who engage in a cruel game of seduction and betrayal. The two set out to manipulate, deceive, and bed each other in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Along the way, they encounter numerous unsuspecting victims and cause chaos and heartbreak. In the end, their selfishness and arrogance leads to their downfall.

From Shekhar Kapur, starring Cate Blanchett, Liz Giles, Rod Culbertson, Paul Fox
Rated R

From Michael Apted, starring Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai
Rated PG

From John Curran, starring Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Catherine An
Rated PG-13

From Philip Kaufman, starring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Caine
Rated R

From Lasse Hallström, starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina
Rated PG-13

From Cary Joji Fukunaga, starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Su Elliot
Rated PG-13

From Agnieszka Holland, starring Kate Maberly, Maggie Smith, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott
Rated G

From Gillian Armstrong, starring Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes
Rated PG

From Martin Scorsese, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Linda Faye Farkas
Rated PG

From Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson
Rated PG

From John Madden, starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher
Rated PG

From John Madden, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson
Rated R

From Douglas McGrath, starring Charlie Hunnam, Jamie Bell, Christopher Plummer, Jim Broadbent
Rated PG

From Alejandro Amenábar, starring Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom
Rated R

From Patricia Rozema, starring Frances O'Connor, Jonny Lee Miller, Alessandro Nivola, Hannah Taylor Gordon
Rated PG-13

From Terence Davies, starring Gillian Anderson, Dan Aykroyd, Eleanor Bron, Terry Kinney
Rated PG

From Chris Noonan, starring Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, Barbara Flynn
Rated PG

From Michael Radford, starring Al Pacino, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Jeremy Irons
Rated R

From Saul Dibb, starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Rampling
Rated PG-13

From Peter Webber, starring Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, Judy Parfitt
Rated PG-13

From Jane Campion, starring Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox
Rated PG