19 Must-Watch Movies Similar to Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey
The movie "Downton Abbey" is reminiscent of its series counterpart, with all the charm and wit that fans have come to love. While it may not have the same impact on the big screen as it did on television, it still manages to entertain and captivate. The movie continues the story of the Crawley family and their servants, giving us a glimpse into the lives of the British aristocracy in the early twentieth century. The addition of new characters, such as Queen Mary and Lady Bagshaw, brings a fresh dynamic to the familiar cast, and the performances are as excellent as ever. However, some may feel that the characters appear somewhat flat and soap-like on the big cinema screen. Regardless, if you enjoyed the series, you will surely relish the opportunity to reunite with your favorite characters and indulge in the sumptuous surroundings of Downton Abbey once again.

"Downton Abbey: A New Era" takes the beloved characters of the original "Downton Abbey" series on a grand adventure to the South of France. While the first movie focused on the King's visit to the estate, this sequel explores the mystery of the dowager countess's newly inherited villa. The plot of the second movie might seem like a bore to some, as it is a lot about very little, but the movie-making itself is enjoyable. As with any franchise-ending film, "Downton Abbey: A New Era" becomes sentimental and self-indulgent in its attempt to tie up loose ends. Despite this, the emotional rollercoaster ride is handled brilliantly. If you loved the original series and want to see the characters embark on a new journey filled with charm, nostalgia, and a touch of mystery, then you should definitely watch "Downton Abbey: A New Era.

My Fair Lady is reminiscent of Downton Abbey in its exploration of class differences and the early 20th century setting. Both films capture the essence of a bygone era, transporting viewers to a different time and place. While Downton Abbey focuses on the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants, My Fair Lady tells the story of a snobbish phonetics professor who takes on the challenge of transforming a crude flower girl into a presentable lady. Both movies delve into the themes of social status and the divide between the upper and lower classes. However, they differ in their format, with Downton Abbey being a series and My Fair Lady a cinema movie. Additionally, My Fair Lady incorporates elements of drama, family, musical, and romance genres, while Downton Abbey leans more towards drama and romance. Overall, if you enjoyed the charm and elegance of Downton Abbey, you'll find yourself equally captivated by the delightful My Fair Lady.

Marina is a captivating drama series that will transport you to the vibrant world of Acapulco. Just like Downton Abbey, Marina revolves around a protagonist who experiences a significant change in her life. While the British aristocratic Crawley family navigates the complexities of class differences and societal norms in early twentieth-century England, Marina's story unfolds against the backdrop of a picturesque coastal town. Both series explore themes of love, romance, and the struggles faced by their respective characters. However, Marina takes a different approach by infusing elements of soap opera melodrama and revenge into its plot. The captivating storyline of Marina revolves around a young woman who inherits a large family fortune after her mother's sudden demise, transforming her previously simple life. As Marina navigates the challenges that come with newfound wealth, she must also confront killers seeking revenge and protect her long-lost son.

Boys Over Flowers, released in 2015, is reminiscent of Downton Abbey in many ways. Both series explore the dynamics of class differences, but while Downton Abbey focuses on the British aristocracy in the 1910s, Boys Over Flowers delves into the lives of elite high school students in Korea. The plot of Boys Over Flowers revolves around a poor girl who attends an elite school and is bullied by the leader of a group called F4, consisting of the four richest boys. Similarly, Downton Abbey portrays the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants, highlighting the upstairs-downstairs divide. However, the similarities between the two series end there.
While Downton Abbey is primarily a drama and romance, Boys Over Flowers adds a comedic twist to its storyline. The romantic tension in Boys Over Flowers stems from the poor girl's crush on the best friend of the F4 leader, creating a love triangle that keeps viewers on their toes.

Secret Garden, similar to Downton Abbey, is a captivating series that explores the complexities of class differences in a charming and funny way. While Downton Abbey takes us back to early twentieth-century Britain and follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants, Secret Garden brings us into the modern world of a rich young CEO who falls in love with a poor stuntwoman. Both series use the backdrop of class differences to create compelling storylines filled with romance, drama, and even a touch of fantasy. However, where Downton Abbey focuses on the historical context and the challenges faced by characters in a bygone era, Secret Garden injects comedy and a love triangle into the mix. It features a strong female lead, played by Ha Ji Won, who defies traditional gender roles and showcases her physical and mental toughness. The series also offers a master class in writing for the evil mother character, with dialogues that are both arrogant and selfish.

"The Notebook" is reminiscent of "Downton Abbey" in terms of its portrayal of class differences and the power of love. While "Downton Abbey" explores the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century, "The Notebook" tells the story of a poor young man who falls in love with a rich young woman, with social differences threatening their relationship. Both movies beautifully capture the complexities of love across class boundaries, showcasing the struggles and sacrifices that come with it. However, "The Notebook" takes a more romantic and emotional approach, focusing on the passionate love between the main characters. With its captivating performances and compelling storyline, "The Notebook" is a must-watch for anyone who enjoyed the exploration of class dynamics and romance in "Downton Abbey.

Khwahish: A story about a relationship that's ended. Khwahish traces the sexy, funny, and intense relationship of Amar Ranawat and Lekha Khorzuvekar from the time they meet in the last semester of college, their quirky romance, marriage, and its ups and downs to the tragic end five years later. Probably the first Bollywood musical about the trials and tribulations of a young Indian urban couple.
In comparing Khwahish to Downton Abbey, it's like comparing a Bollywood romance to a British period drama. While Downton Abbey focuses on the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century, Khwahish delves into the passionate and tumultuous relationship of Amar and Lekha. Both movies touch on themes of love and class differences, but in very different contexts.

Precious Pearl, also known as Joia Rara, is a Brazilian series that will transport you to a different time and place, just like Downton Abbey. While Downton Abbey takes us to early twentieth-century England and explores the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants, Precious Pearl immerses us in a Brazilian historical setting of the 1930s. Both series touch on themes of class differences, forbidden love, and the divide between the upper and lower classes. However, Precious Pearl adds a touch of comedy to its drama and romance, giving it a unique flavor. The plot revolves around the millionaire Franz Hauser, who is saved by Buddhist monks in the Himalayas and returns to Brazil to face jealousy, deception, and the challenges that separate him from the woman he loves, worker Amélia. With its intriguing storyline and captivating characters, Precious Pearl is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys historical dramas with a Brazilian twist.

"Dosti: Friends Forever" takes us on a Bollywood journey of friendship, love, and life lessons. While it may not have the same British elegance and class of "Downton Abbey," it still manages to capture the essence of close-knit relationships and the power of camaraderie. Set in India, the film follows the lives of Karan and Raj, whose unlikely friendship blossoms after a life-saving accident. Much like the Crawley family and their servants, these two friends come from different backgrounds, highlighting the theme of class differences. While "Downton Abbey" focuses on the aristocracy in 1910s Yorkshire, "Dosti: Friends Forever" dives into the lives of ordinary people, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of the working class. With its heartwarming storyline and catchy songs, this Bollywood flick offers a different cultural perspective while still touching on universal themes of friendship and loyalty.

Fitoor:
"Fitoor" is a modern adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. This movie tells the story of a talented but poor boy who falls in love with a girl from an affluent family. While "Downton Abbey" and "Fitoor" may seem like unlikely companions, they both explore the theme of class differences in a charming and captivating way. While "Downton Abbey" focuses on the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century, "Fitoor" takes us to modern-day India. Both movies beautifully depict the struggles and complexities that arise when people from different social backgrounds fall in love. However, while "Downton Abbey" is a series with a runtime of 58 hours, "Fitoor" is a feature film that can be enjoyed in just over two hours.

Barkhaa, released in 2015, is a drama and romance film that follows the relationship between two young minds, which took an unfavorable turn. While the main movie, Downton Abbey, is a series set in the early twentieth century, Barkhaa dives into a contemporary tale of forbidden love. The two movies, despite being set in different time periods and locations, share the common theme of class differences and explore the complexities of relationships. However, unlike Downton Abbey, Barkhaa focuses on the story of two individuals, delving into their lives and the challenges they face. While Downton Abbey captivates with its brilliant writing and ensemble cast, Barkhaa captivates with its twists and turns in the storyline. Although Barkhaa may not have received the same critical acclaim as Downton Abbey, it offers a fresh and interesting plot that can be enjoyed by those who appreciate emotional depth and mature storytelling.

AKA is reminiscent of Downton Abbey in its exploration of class differences and the aristocracy, but with a darker and more complex twist. While Downton Abbey showcases the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century, AKA tells the story of a disaffected youth named Dean in late 1970s Britain. Dean, feeling hampered by his working-class background and abusive family, assumes another identity and manages to enter high society, encountering a range of characters along the way. Both shows delve into themes of love, status, and identity, but AKA takes a more intense and provocative approach, touching on topics such as incest and the sacrifices one is willing to make to achieve their goals. While Downton Abbey captivates with its brilliant writing and characters, AKA presents its story through three simultaneous frames, adding an intriguing visual element.

The Intouchables is a French film that shares many similarities with Downton Abbey. Both stories explore the theme of class differences and delve into the lives of characters from different social backgrounds. While Downton Abbey focuses on the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century, The Intouchables tells the story of an aristocrat who becomes quadriplegic and hires a young man from the projects to be his caregiver. Both movies beautifully depict the dynamics between characters from different worlds, showcasing the complexities that arise when social barriers are broken. However, The Intouchables brings a comedic touch to its storytelling, infusing the narrative with absurd and humorous moments. The film's directing is superb, the acting is incredible, and the shots are visually stunning. It's a heartwarming and uplifting tale that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.

The Painting is reminiscent of Downton Abbey in its exploration of class differences and hierarchies. While Downton Abbey focuses on the British aristocracy and their servants in the early twentieth century, The Painting tells the story of three characters from different social classes who escape their unfinished painting in search of the Painter. Both movies delve into the complexities of social structures, highlighting the prejudices that exist within them. However, the similarities end there. Downton Abbey is a live-action series set in Yorkshire, England, whereas The Painting is an animated film set in a painting's world and the artist's studio. While Downton Abbey is known for its brilliant writing and characters, The Painting captivates with its visually stunning artistry. The film takes the audience on a surreal journey through different paintings, blending CG and real-world elements to create a unique 3D look.

Evergreen is reminiscent of Downton Abbey in terms of the exploration of class differences. While Downton Abbey focuses on the British aristocracy and their servants in the early 20th century, Evergreen delves into the life of a young girl who is seduced by an affluent family and goes to extreme lengths to escape her poverty-stricken home life. Both movies touch on the theme of social hierarchy and the desire for acceptance. However, they differ in their settings and time periods. Downton Abbey is set in Yorkshire, England in the 1910s, while Evergreen takes place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest of the United States in the early 2000s. Despite these differences, both movies offer compelling narratives that captivate viewers and shed light on the complexities of social dynamics. If you enjoyed the intrigue and drama of Downton Abbey, Evergreen provides a fresh perspective on class differences and the lengths one may go to escape their circumstances.

The Teacher is reminiscent of Downton Abbey because both explore the theme of class differences. While Downton Abbey focuses on the British aristocracy and their servants in the early 20th century, The Teacher takes place in 1980s Bratislava and delves into the impact of communism on society. Both movies highlight the abuse of power and authority, with The Teacher showcasing the manipulative tactics of the titular character, Maria Drazdechova, who uses her position as a teacher to control parents and students. However, unlike Downton Abbey, The Teacher infuses comedy into its drama, offering a unique blend of genres. The Teacher's intense foreign drama style, combined with its cerebral and dialogue-driven narrative, makes it a compelling watch for those who enjoy thought-provoking films.

Roma takes us on a nostalgic journey to 1970s Mexico City, where we witness the life of a middle-class family's maid. Just like Downton Abbey, Roma explores the dynamics between different social classes and the struggles faced by those in service. However, while Downton Abbey focuses on the British aristocracy and their servants, Roma delves into the life of a maid and her experiences in a rapidly changing Mexico City. The beautifully crafted shots in Roma capture the essence of everyday life, making each frame a work of art. Alfonso Cuaron's direction is masterful, and the film has received well-deserved recognition with numerous nominations and wins. If you enjoyed the intricate storytelling and character development of Downton Abbey, you'll appreciate Roma's intimate portrayal of a maid's journey in a changing world.

Parasite, released in 2019, is a Korean drama-thriller that shares some striking similarities with the beloved British series Downton Abbey. Both explore the theme of class differences, but while Downton Abbey focuses on the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in early 20th century England, Parasite delves into the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan in present-day South Korea. The cleverly crafted plot twists in Parasite, combined with its social satire elements, make it a thought-provoking and suspenseful watch. It's no wonder that the film has received widespread acclaim, with a people vote average of 8.5 out of 10 and an impressive 264 nominations and 306 wins. So, if you're a fan of Downton Abbey and want to experience a gripping cinematic masterpiece that challenges societal norms and expectations, Parasite should be at the top of your must-watch list.