Touching movies that have gained popularity are sometimes based on sisterhood and women-positivity. These films often have a women-centered plot and appeal to the audience through the character.
An example is Little Women – an adaptation of the book of the same name. It has gained a lot of audience reactions as it has managed to take the movie world by storm.
What Is Little Women About?
In 2019, from Greta Gerwig comes Little women, the seventh film adaptation of May Alcott’s classic story. Little Women narrates the story of the four March sisters, Jo, Amy, Beth, and Meg, and their journey to adulthood.
This movie begins somewhat in the middle before going back seven years later to give the audience an insight into how the different sisters got to where they are. The movie goes back and forth through a timeline, narrating to the audience from the past and the present.
The girls, as they live alone with their mother, Marmee, next door to a wealthy man and his grandson, have the chance to experience life and feel it firsthand. They get to feel emotions like love, jealousy, pain, anger, etc., as they can only hope that in the end, their dreams are achieved.
Even though the girls are raised with little means and in quietness, they turn out differently. Meg, Amy, and Jo get married, but unfortunately, the sickly Beth wasn’t around to witness her sisters’ marriages. In addition, Jo becomes a character to reckon with due to her strong-headed and tomboyish nature.
The movie stars an impressive cast list, including Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Timothee Chalamet. Many have praised Gerwig on the product of her talent, calling the movie a timeless piece and an excellent adaptation of the classic book itself.
If you watched Little Women and it moved you to a point where you’d gladly watch something similar to it, or you want to watch a movie adapted from a book, here are 12 Best Movies that are just like Little Women.
Lady Bird (2017)
English 1h 34m IMDb
Director: Greta Gerwig
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts
This coming-of-age movie is a comedy-drama set in 2003. The film follows Christine, who nicknamed herself Lady Bird, and her journey leading to college. Although her mother, with whom she has a strained relationship, warns her of their family financial crisis, she writes to universities on the East Coast.
This movie follows Lady Bird as she makes tough choices and new friends and experiences teenage life firsthand. With the help of her friend Julie, she navigates through the troubles that come with being a teen, and although she seems to stumble on her path, she comes back on track in the end.
Part of the movie’s great performances was delivered by Saoirse Ronan, who played Lady Bird, and Timothee Chalamet.
To fans of the film and Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird not only show how much talent Greta has, but it also authentically depicts the troubles and hurdles that come with being an adolescent. The official trailer shows just how many raw emotions this film makes the audience feel.
The Women (2008)
English 1h 54m IMDb
Director: Diane English
Stars: Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Annette Bening
The official trailer of this movie will give you an insight into the comedy-induced drama you would be getting yourself into. If you are looking for a film that portrays girl power or, in this case, women’s power, then you should make a date with The Women.
After finding out about her husband’s affair, Mary finds support in her friends, who seem to be the only ones to care. Apart from the fact that this movie doesn’t have any male characters appear on screen, it also visually tells the story of a group of women who, together as friends, try to overcome the downsides of being a woman, including betrayal, failure, and lots more.
Critics say that the movie, a remake of the 1939 classic, brings a fresh twist into the plot that intensely celebrates women.
Emma (2020)
English 2h 4m IMDb
Director: Autumn de Wilde
Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Mia Goth
Set in Regency-era England, Emma is a romantic comedy that follows Emma Woodhouse as she tries to play cupid. The official trailer is all laughs but will still leave you with the sense of sweet romance, which would have you wanting to watch it. After her governess gets married, Emma makes friends with Harriet, a girl who does not know her parent’s identity.
When Harriet gets a marriage proposal from Mr . Martin, Emma defies her words and interferes. Although her brother-in-law warns her not to get involved, she manipulates Harriet into rejecting the proposal.
With that, her matchmaking journey begins, and as she tries to find the right man for Harriet, she also stumbles upon love. Viewers consider Emma a solid adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic book of the same name.
The Help (2011)
English 2h 26m IMDb 
Director: Tate Taylor
Stars: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer
This movie is an adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s 2009 book of the same name. In 1961, Skeeter Phelan, after graduating from Ole Miss and pursuing her dreams of being a writer, wanted to write a book on her interview with the black women who worked as maids to the white elites.
She tries to bring to light just how badly the black maids are being treated by their employees. Although she faces challenges in the course of doing this, she beats them and manages to convince maids like Aibileen and Minny to talk to her about their ordeals.
After a series of racist ordeals occur, other maids also decide to help her book and have their voices heard, so they agree to be interviewed. The official trailer is a glimpse of how thought-provoking this movie is. Those who have watched the film have praised its cast list.
To them, The Help would make you feel a couple of contradictory emotions and leave you deep in thoughts even after watching it. Viola Davis, who played Aibileen, has also been commended for her superb and touching acting in the movie.
Hannah And Her Sisters (1986)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Director: Woody Allen
Stars: Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, Michael Caine
Although most of the movie revolves and connects back to Hannah, it still gives a view of the lives of her sisters. Using three consecutive thanksgiving parties, the film narrates the lives of the three sisters and their partners.
Holly is a failed actress involved with Hannah’s former husband and dependent on her sister even though she hates it. Lee, tired of her relationship with her artist boyfriend, gets involved with Elliot, Hannah’s husband. Like Little Women, this 1986 movie is about sisterhood and sticking together through anything.
Critics have described the film as being funny and one of Woody Allen’s best movies. Before you get into it, watch the official trailer on YouTube so you’d know what greatness in the form of comedy and drama you are getting into.
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
English 2h 16m IMDb
Director: Ang Lee
Stars: Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, James Fleet
Watch the official trailer of Sense and Sensibility on YouTube for a glimpse of the movie. The movie is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1811 book of the same name. After Mr. Dashwood dies, most of his property goes to his son from his first marriage, while for his wife and daughters, he leaves behind only an annual allowance of £500.
When John, his greedy son, and Fanny, John’s egoistic wife, move into their house, his family is forced to move into their uncle’s little cottage, and there, they experience life, heartbreak, and love to the fullest.
For critics, the excellent cast plays a role in how the movie successfully became a smooth adaptation of Austen’s book, having in every part of it the author’s style of sly comedy.
The First Wives Club (1996)
English 1h 43m IMDb
Director: Hugh Wilson
Stars: Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton
Like most movies on this list, this movie was adapted from a book. It was based on the 1992 book of the same name by Oliver Goldsmith. After their college friend Cynthia commits suicide because of a cheating husband, Annie, Elise and Brenda are reunited after losing touch.
However, along with their reunion, they also discover that, just like Cynthia, their husbands are having affairs with younger ladies. They decide then to work together and have revenge. They form The First Wives Club and are looking for weaknesses in their estranged husbands with which to bring them down.
The official trailer reflects how funny and emotional the movie gets. Although critics believe that the film could have done better, they also acknowledge that its cast did a great job bringing the women’s positive comedy movie to life.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
English 1h 57m IMDb
Director: Mike Newell
Stars: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles
In 1953, Katherin, a 30-year-old graduate of UCLA, landed herself a job teaching History of Art in a women’s private college. On the first day of her job, she realizes that the students have memorized their textbooks and syllabus. She decides then to get to know them and become accustomed to them.
She, however, takes note of their conservative way of thinking, each believing that nothing is as important as getting married and being a housewife. Kat, on the other hand, believes that there is so much more. She lets her views known to them with the hopes of changing their take on life.
She is met with different reactions from her students. People have commented that the movie is entirely predictable but still a good watch for a film of its kind. The official trailer alone will make you a little emotional and wait for the next movie night.
Love And Friendship (2016)
English 1h 30m IMDb
Director: Whit Stillman
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel
The movie is a period comedy set in the 1970s. For an idea of the amount of laughter this film has in store for you, watch the official trailer. In 1974 Katherine, a widow and big-time flirt, set out to find a suitable husband for her daughter and herself.
After being kicked out of the Manwaring house for having an affair with Lord Manwaring, she goes to her brother-in-law’s house. There she meets Reginald, who, although he has his apprehensions about her at first, takes a liking to her later.
Things aren’t all that rosy, as not everyone accepts their relationship, and Katherine’s flirtatious ways cannot leave her. To viewers, the movie, through its traditional depiction yet modern feel, would have anybody wanting to watch it for a second time.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
English 2h 9m IMDb
Director: Joe Wright
Stars: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn
This movie is another, adapted from one of Jane Austen’s classics of the same name. When wealthy man Charlie Bingley moves in close to the Bennetts, their mother is gladdened as she perceives that it is a chance for one of her five daughters to get married into a respectable family.
Just as she thought, Bingley and her daughter Jane become involved. However, Mr. Darcy, Bingley’s friend, doesn’t take a liking to Bennetts as he believes Jane is not good enough for his friend. His self-centered nature causes enmity between him and Jane’s sister, Elizabeth.
A critic consensus suggests that Pride and Prejudice is an adaptation made even more perfect and fresh with the works of an outstanding cast and filmmaker. Start with the official trailer on YouTube for a preview of the movie.
Far From The Madding Crowd (2015)
English 1h 59m IMDb
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Stars: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen
Just the official trailer of this movie is enough to leave a smile on your face. In 1879 Britain, Far From The Madding Crowd is a romantic drama about an independent lady, Bathsheba. While working on her aunt’s farmland, she befriends another farmer, Gabriel Oak.
However, when he asks her to marry him, she refuses because she believes she is too independent to settle down. A series of events causes them to go their separate ways, but these events still lead to them meeting again, with a now penniless Gabriel working for Bathsheba.
Watch the movie to follow the two as they thread the path of love with themselves and other partners. Viewers say that although not as long as the first version of the movie, this movie still manages to accurately and visually show Thomas Hardy’s book the way it is
Summary
For those who loved Little Women because of its women-centered plots; and those who are in the mood for women-positive movies with a focus on sisterhoods, women’s power, and independence, the list above is just for you.
From comedy to romance and drama, all of these movies are vast in one or all of these genres, showing women in a new, powerful light.
