Downton Abbey backdrop

Films like Downton Abbey (2019)

Published: Mar 4, 2026

Downton Abbey plot: The Crawley family is living its usual life at Downton when a sudden announcement shakes the household: the King and Queen will soon visit the estate. Everyone scrambles to prepare for the reception, but as the pressure rises, old grudges resurface and new intrigues emerge—threatening not only the royal visit, but the lives of those at Downton.

Keywords: Ensemble cast, Family, Family drama, Class divide, Class difference, Period drama, Assassination, Aristocracy

Gosford Park

1. Gosford Park

Drama Mystery Thriller
7.2

2001 · 2h 17min

United States, Italy

Director: Robert Altman

A group of wealthy people and celebrities gathers to unwind at a country hunting estate. Suddenly, the owner of the estate, Sir William, is found dead—and everything suggests that someone among the guests is involved.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tone, Themes

Notable differences: Complexity (+20%)

Shared keywords

Ensemble cast, Family, Class divide, Class difference, Period drama, Aristocracy

Style

Complexity
65%
Humor
55%
Tension
55%

The Remains of the Day

2. The Remains of the Day

Drama Romance
7.8

1993 · 2h 14min

United States, United Kingdom

Director: James Ivory

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Conflict, Tone

Notable differences: Bleakness (+57%), Tension (+22%), Complexity (+18%)

Shared keywords

Class divide, Period drama, Aristocracy

Style

Bleakness
72%
Complexity
63%
Tension
62%

The Duchess

3. The Duchess

Drama History Romance
6.9

2008 · 1h 50min

Italy, United Kingdom

Director: Saul Dibb

The story of Georgiana, whose mother marries her off to the powerful Duke of Devonshire. A marriage and status that look like a fairy tale from the outside hide coldness, control, and the pressure to provide the duke with an heir.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Conflict, Tropes

Notable differences: Bleakness (+47%), Tension (+20%), Romance (+27%)

Shared keywords

Family, Family drama, Period drama, Aristocracy

Style

Romance
62%
Bleakness
62%
Tension
60%

Atonement

4. Atonement

Drama Romance
7.8

2007 · 2h 3min

United States, France

Director: Joe Wright

When Lola becomes the victim of an assault, her young, dreamy cousin Briony mistakenly claims it was Robbie—the housekeeper’s son, who is romantically involved with her sister. Her words set off a chain of events that changes the lives and relationships of several people.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tone, Themes

Notable differences: Bleakness (+63%), Darkness (+52%), Tension (+32%), Complexity (+23%), Romance (+37%)

Style

Bleakness
78%
Tension
72%
Romance
72%

Emma.

5. Emma.

Comedy Romance
6.7

2020 · 2h 5min

United Kingdom

Director: Autumn de Wilde

A young, wealthy, and very self-confident woman who believes she understands people well decides she has a talent for arranging other people’s relationships. When she sets out to play matchmaker for her new friend, she faces unexpected consequences of her interference that force her to better understand others—and her own feelings.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Setting, Tone

Notable differences: Humor (+25%), Romance (+35%)

Style

Humor
70%
Romance
70%
Pacing
55%

The King's Speech

6. The King's Speech

Drama History
8.0

2010 · 1h 58min

United States, United Kingdom

Director: Tom Hooper

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tone, Themes

Shared keywords

Period drama, Aristocracy

Style

Tension
55%
Pacing
45%
Complexity
45%

Pride & Prejudice

7. Pride & Prejudice

Drama Romance
7.8

2005 · 2h 7min

United States, France

Director: Joe Wright

In the Bennet family, five daughters are growing up, and their parents are deeply concerned with marrying them off well. When a young and wealthy gentleman moves into a neighboring estate, the family’s life is turned upside down, as they see the new neighbors as potential suitors.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Setting, Tone

Notable differences: Romance (+50%)

Shared keywords

Family, Period drama

Style

Romance
85%
Pacing
55%
Complexity
55%

Howards End

8. Howards End

Drama Romance
7.4

1992 · 2h 22min

United Kingdom, Japan

Director: James Ivory

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tropes, Tone

Notable differences: Bleakness (+50%), Tension (+20%), Complexity (+20%)

Shared keywords

Family, Family drama, Class divide, Class difference, Period drama

Style

Complexity
65%
Bleakness
65%
Tension
60%

Sense and Sensibility

9. Sense and Sensibility

Drama Romance
7.7

1995 · 2h 16min

United States, United Kingdom

Director: Ang Lee

After their father’s death, two sisters, Elinor and Marianne, lose their family’s large inheritance and are forced to move with their mother to a more modest home. The sisters have different views of the future: one relies on reason, while the other trusts her feelings more—yet over time their romantic ideals collide with reality.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tone, Setting

Notable differences: Romance (+45%)

Shared keywords

Family, Period drama

Style

Romance
80%
Tension
55%
Complexity
55%

Belle

10. Belle

Drama
7.3

2013 · 1h 45min

United Kingdom

Director: Amma Asante

The mixed-race daughter of a British officer and an enslaved woman is raised from childhood at the estate of her uncle, the aristocrat Lord Mansfield, alongside her cousin. Although she is formally part of the family, society never lets her forget the racial and class boundaries of the time. Matters intensify when questions of marriage and her future come to the forefront.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tone, Tropes

Notable differences: Romance (+30%)

Shared keywords

Class divide, Class difference, Period drama

Style

Romance
65%
Tension
55%
Complexity
55%

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