Period dramas have long captivated audiences with their sweeping romances, lavish costumes, and intricate social dramas. IMDb, the world’s most popular online database for movies and TV shows, ranks productions based on millions of user ratings, combining both the number of votes and the average score to create a weighted rating. The result is a snapshot of what viewers truly enjoy – and when it comes to period dramas, some classics have earned top spots while others like Downton Abbey are surprisingly missing out.
Below, we countdown the top period dramas according to IMDb, from Jane Austen adaptations to tales of royalty and intrigue.
1. Pride and Prejudice (1995) – This beloved BBC mini-series stars Colin Firth as the brooding Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as the witty Elizabeth Bennet. The story follows Elizabeth as she navigates the pressures of marriage-minded mothers, wealthy suitors, and her fiery relationship with Darcy. With an IMDb rating of 8.8, it remains a fan favourite for its faithful adaptation and compelling performances.
2. Persuasion (2007) – Sally Hawkins stars as Anne Elliot, a woman reconnecting with her lost love, Frederick, now a Royal Navy captain, eight years after parental interference tore them apart. The TV movie captures the bittersweet tension of second chances in Jane Austen’s understated romance, earning a solid 7.4 on IMDb.
3. North & South (2004) – Based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel, this four-part mini-series follows Margaret Hale, a southerner uprooted to the industrial north of Milton. Starring Richard Armitage, the show combines romance, social commentary, and class conflict, scoring 8.5 on IMDb.
4. Sense and Sensibility (1995) – Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet lead this Ang Lee-directed adaptation, portraying the Dashwood sisters navigating love and financial hardship in Georgian England. With a rating of 7.7, the film remains a defining moment in British period drama.
5. Jane Eyre (2006) – Ruth Wilson stars as the young governess falling for her mysterious employer, played by Toby Stephens. Their passionate yet fraught relationship, shadowed by secrets from the past, has captivated viewers and earned an 8.3 rating.
6. The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) – Set during the French Revolution, Anthony Andrews plays Sir Percy, a daring Englishman rescuing aristocrats from the guillotine. The thrilling story of courage and disguise has a 7.6 rating on IMDb.
Other top period dramas rounding out the IMDb top ten include:
7. The Paradise (2012–2013) – 7.7
8. Emma (2009) – 8.1
9. A Room with a View (1985) – 7.2
10. The Young Victoria (2009) – 7.2