12 Movies Like Downton Abbey You Need to Watch
Find elegant period dramas, family sagas, and royal intrigue with these films and series for fans of Downton Abbey, from Howards End to The Tudors.
If you’re searching for movies like Downton Abbey, you probably want elegant settings, sharp dialogue, family tension, and a story that lets you sink into another era. This list brings together period drama, romance, history, war, and even a little comedy, with titles that capture that same mix of polish and emotion. Start with Downton Abbey (2010), then move into the sweeping family worlds of Howards End (2017) and The Forsyte Saga (2002). For more upstairs-downstairs intrigue, try Upstairs Downstairs (2010) and Aristocrats (1999), while The Tudors (2007) and The Kennedys (2011) lean harder into power, politics, and legacy. If you want a quieter, more modern character drama, Tangle (2009) adds a different but equally absorbing rhythm.
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01
Howards End
drama · romance
The social and class divisions in early 20th century England through the intersection of three families - the wealthy Wilcoxes, the gentle and idealistic Schlegels and the lower-middle class Basts.
Directed by Hettie MacdonaldCast Matthew Macfadyen, Hayley Atwell, Philippa Coulthard, Alex Lawther, Joe BannisterAmazon Prime VideoStarz -
02
The Forsyte Saga
drama · history · romance
Based on John Galsworthy's novel of the same name, The Forsyte Saga chronicles the lives of an English family over 34 years from the Victorian era through World War I. Superior, arrogant and confident, the Forsytes are the ultimate power family.
Directed by Andy Wilson, Christopher Menaul, David MooreCast Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves, Gina McKee, Amanda Root, Ben MilesNetflix -
03
Upstairs Downstairs
drama
Set in 1936, the show takes viewers, old and new, back to the lavish world of Belgravia, London. A new set of occupants reside at 165 Eaton Place and viewers see how external and internal influences of the tumultuous pre-war period shape and mould the lives of this wealthy family and their servants.
Directed by Euros Lyn, Anthony Byrne, Marc Jobst, Brendan Maher, Saul MetzsteinCast Keeley Hawes, Ed Stoppard, Adrian Scarborough, Neil Jackson, Anne ReidAmazon Prime VideoHuluPeacock Premium -
04
Tangle
drama
The lives of two generations of two wealthy families intertwine as they clash and connect over money, sex, scandals and secrets in Melbourne.
Directed by Emma Freeman, Stuart McDonald, Jessica Hobbs, Matthew Saville, Michael James RowlandCast Justine Clarke, Catherine McClements, Joel Tobeck, Kat Stewart, Matt DayAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
05
The Kennedys
drama · history · romance
The triumphs and tragedies of the most popular political family in American history.
Directed by Jon CassarCast Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, Katie Holmes, Tom Wilkinson, Diana HardcastleAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
06
Aristocrats
drama · history
Based on a true story, Aristocrats draws back the curtain on an 18th century English family near the summit of society, revealing a tapestry of romance, prejudice, infidelity, and revolution.
Directed by David CaffreyCast Siân Phillips, Alun Armstrong, Ben Daniels, Serena Gordon, Anne-Marie DuffAmazon Prime VideoPeacock PremiumFreevee -
07
The Tudors
drama · history · romance · war
The Tudors is a history-based drama series following the young, vibrant King Henry VIII, a competitive and lustful monarch who navigates the intrigues of the English court and the human heart with equal vigor and justifiable suspicion.
Directed by Ciaran Donnelly, Jeremy Podeswa, Dearbhla Walsh, Steve Shill, Brian KirkCast Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, Anthony Brophy, James Frain, Sarah BolgerAmazon Prime VideoParamount Plus -
08
Krepostnaya
drama · romance
Katerina Verbitskaya grew up as a noble lady with her godmother Anna Chervinskaya. But everyone thinks that she was only Peter Chervinsky's property.
Directed by Feliks Gerchikov, Maksim LitvinovCast Olesya Zhurakivska, Katerina Kovalchuk, Mikhail Gavrilov, Fabiola Stevenson, Stanislava KrasovskayaAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
09
Emma
comedy · drama · romance
Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightley.
Directed by Jim O'HanlonCast Romola Garai, Michael Gambon, Jonny Lee Miller, Jodhi May, Robert BathurstAmazon Prime VideoHuluPeacock Premium -
10
The Nativity
drama
Drama revealing the human story beneath the classic biblical tale, from the courtship of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth to the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem stable.
Directed by Coky GiedroycCast Andrew Buchan, Peter Capaldi, Al Weaver, Art Malik, Jack ShepherdAmazon Prime Video -
11
The Will: Family Secrets Revealed
drama · reality-tv
A looks at the most contentious stories of inheritance and an exploration of the family dynamics, legal wrangling and high emotions surrounding real-life stories in a world where grief and greed collide.
Directed by Hugh John Murray, Claude Brie, Carlo GhioniCast Brian Degrace, Jean-Francois Hamelin, Letitia Brookes, Jaa Smith-Johnson, Daphnée FéroleFreevee -
12
The Spanish Princess
drama · history · romance
The beautiful Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon, navigates the royal lineage of England with an eye on the throne.
Directed by Lisa Clarke, Chanya Button, Daina Reid, Birgitte Stærmose, Stephen WoolfendenCast Laura Carmichael, Aaron Cobham, Charlotte Hope, Stephanie Levi-John, Ruairi O'ConnorAmazon Prime VideoStarz
Wrapping Up
Whether you came for the costumes, the class drama, or the emotional depth, this collection offers plenty of refined storytelling to explore. From grand estates and turbulent families to political ambition and intimate romance, each title gives you a different angle on period life and its complications. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you want another carefully chosen watch, since it’s updated regularly to keep the recommendations fresh. If you enjoy immersive dramas with a literary feel, this is a great place to keep your next viewing list growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to Downton Abbey?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.
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Last updated: September 8, 2026