The 15 Best Costume Drama Movies Ranked

"Gone with the Wind," the winner of the 1940 Academy Award for best picture, remains controversial. Remembered for its sizzling dialogue and the volatile chemistry between stars Clarke Gable and Vivien Leigh, David O. Selznick's four-hour Civil War epic is an indisputable classic. With its fascinating behind-the-scenes story, incredible box office legacy, and stellar cast, "Gone with the Wind" defines old Hollywood style.

Yet, with all of its success, this adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel contains many painful elements. From its problematic, stereotypical portrayal of its Black characters to its romanticized depiction of the Antebellum South, "Gone with the Wind" ignores the realities of slavery and other atrocities taking place outside of its Southern fairy-tale setting. Despite these uncomfortable truths, "Gone with the Wind" is a significant part of movie history thanks in part to its sumptuous costume design by Walter Plunkett, who would go on to work on such films as "Singin' in the Rain" and "Forbidden Planet."

With its down-to-earth presentation, the 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's classic 1813 novel, "Pride & Prejudice," is a cinematic gem. The film focuses on Elizabeth "Lizzy" Bennet (played by Keira Knightley) and her adventures in love and proposed marriage. Along the way she walks many winding roads and is pushed into uncomfortable society-pleasing situations, all while questioning her developing feelings for the reserved Mr. Darcy (brought to life by Matthew Macfadyen). 

That ever-changing romance is what makes director Joe Wright's faithful take on "Pride and Prejudice" so entertaining. From the undeniable chemistry between Knightley and Macfadyen to the now-iconic cinematography of director of photography Roman Osin, it's nearly impossible to not get wrapped in the evolution of Elizabeth and Darcy's complicated relationship. Along with Jacqueline Durran's perfectly designed period costumes and Dario Marianelli's Oscar-nominated score, it's easy to see why this costume drama has become an enduring classic. 

Directed by Zhang Yimou, "House of Flying Daggers" might seem like just another martial arts spectacle. Instead, it's quite the emotional rollercoaster ride. Taking place in A.D. 859, the film follows two police officers (Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro) who are tasked with finding the leader of a rebellious group known as the Flying Daggers. When the pair encounter a mysterious blind girl (Ziyi Zhang) who may have connections to the group, things get more complicated.

With breathtaking costumes by Emi Wada and equally beautiful music by Shigeru Umebayashi, "House of Flying Daggers" stands as a fantastic example of making a melodramatic story unique and exciting. While many costume drama fans associate the genre with Eurocentric stories, Zhang Yimou's work deserves to be seen within those same elegant parameters. "House of Flying Daggers" is as regal as any of the other movies on this list. It just has a bit more "punch."

Jean Cocteau's version of "Beauty and the Beast" is a cinematic fairy-tale classic. Yet, it's also undoubtedly a costume drama. As in Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë's famous stories, this movie centers around a beautiful maiden who comes to live with a mysterious figure in a grand castle. While most of the movies on this list don't feature magical curses, that core similarity is hard to ignore in any version of "Beauty and the Beast," especially in Cocteau's film.

The best part of "Beauty and the Beast" (and why it had to be on this list) is the attention to detail in every frame of the film. From the first few scenes in Beast's castle to the exquisite beauty of the costumes by Christian Berard and Marcel Escoffier, every element of Cocteau's film adds to the romance and melodramatic nature of the story. With the iconic performances of Josette Day as Belle and Jean Marais as the Beast, it's easy to see why so many film fans have fallen under the spell of this classic piece of cinema history.

With an electric cast and an underappreciated score by Craig Armstrong, Thomas Vinterberg's 2015 adaptation of "Far from the Madding Crowd" takes Thomas Hardy's material in a new direction that is even lusher than prior adaptations but with a modern sensibility. In the film, simple country girl Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) finds out she is to inherit her late uncle's farm. As she takes on her new position in life, the young woman meets three men that will change the course of her destiny and lead to one of the most famous love triangles of all time.

While it features the typical melodramatic beats of most costume dramas, Vinterberg's take on Hardy's novel relies on Bathsheba's perspective, allowing Carey Mulligan to flex her acting muscles to show the truly independent nature of the character. With a supporting cast that includes Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, and Tom Sturridge and luscious cinematography by Charlotte Bruus Christensen, it's hard to not get swept up in the intense romantic nature of Hardy's classic tale. 

Considered by many to be one of the best films of 2019, "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" perfectly balances the elegance of the 18th century with a timeless, natural love story. Written and directed by Céline Sciamma, the film follows a young painter tasked with creating a portrait of a woman who is to be married off. As the two begin to get to know each other through their brief interactions, it becomes clear that the painter and her subject have a deeper connection between them. Their relationship results in a beautiful yet complicated romance.

From the beginning, "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" embraces the things that have worked in past costume dramas while also completely changing the genre. It presents a queer love story that many films have since tried to replicate. However, none of them are quite as stylish or sexy as "Portrait of a Lady on Fire." This is mainly due to the on-screen chemistry between Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel and the down-to-earth talents of Sciamma as a director. Together, they create not only a fantastic costume drama but a cinematic love story for the modern age.

"Amadeus" is a costume drama that has helped define pop culture, and it continues to enchant with its musical and dramatic power. This adaptation of Peter Shaffer's famous play, which details fictional encounters between composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) and Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), is a delightful balance of humor and drama. Featuring stunning cinematography by Miroslav Ondříček and exquisite costumes by Theodor Pištěk, there are many reasons why "Amadeus" still has quite an influence over the genre.

Yet, what truly makes this Miloš Forman-directed film a masterpiece is the chemistry between its two lead actors, Hulce and Abraham. As Mozart, Hulce does a brilliant job capturing the rebellious and ridiculous sides of this incredibly tortured figure. Abraham counteracts Hulce's energy with his cartoonishly villainous yet complicated take on the vengeful Salieri. When the two are together on screen, "Amadeus" becomes pure cinematic magic. 

Some of the movies on this list are charming farces with romance at their centers. Yet, when it comes to 1988's "Dangerous Liaisons," this adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' novel doesn't hold anything back. Directed by Stephen Frears, the movie follows the schemes of two high society individuals (played by Glenn Close and John Malkovich) as they plot to get revenge through love and sex. Featuring incredible costumes by James Acheson, this battle of intimacy is not only a visual feast but an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Aside from its aesthetic accomplishments, what makes "Dangerous Liaisons" a gem is its dynamite cast. From iconic future stars like Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves to beloved character actors like Swoosie Kurtz and Peter Capaldi, the film contains an endless treasure trove of talent. Yet, it's the three lead performances from Close, Malkovich, and Michelle Pfieffer that make Christopher Hampton's screenplay soar. Each actor knows how to balance the campy melodrama to evoke the duality of their characters. When combined with the film's other achievements, these performances make "Dangerous Liaisons" a textbook example of what all costume dramas should aspire to be.