Summary

• Anne With An E, though canceled after three seasons, had an optimistic and gritty sense of optimism that resonated with fans.
• The show explored lesser-known aspects of Canadian history and introduced new characters and storylines not found in the original books.
• While period dramas like Anne With An E are few and far between, there are other movies and shows, like Derry Girls and The Personal History of David Copperfield, that offer similar storytelling styles.

Netflix has specialized in shows like Anne With An E, which is based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne Of Green Gables books. The show was one of Netflix's top critically acclaimed historical series but was canceled after three seasons. Though Anne's story wouldn't continue on the small screen, fans found comfort and similarities in other movies and shows like Anne with an E, including some Anne mentions in the show. Anne With An E is unique in its sense of optimism, even if it is grittier than the original story.

It's also unique in its exploration of lesser-known aspects of Canadian history, introducing characters and storylines that aren't included in the books. While it's not the only empowering, female-led period drama that's suitable for all ages, period dramas are few and far between, especially ones that can match up with this series. However, there are options in movies, streaming series, and shows like Anne with an E for anyone looking for a story in the form and style of this Netflix historical series.

20 Derry Girls (2018-2022)

3 Seasons, 19 Episodes

Streaming now on Netflix

At first glance, it might not seem like Derry Girls has anything in common with shows like Anne With An E but that couldn't be further from the truth though. Both series center on young women coming of age in a small town and grappling with feeling like they don't fit in but finding solace in a select group of friends. In Derry Girls, that group is growing up in the 1990s Ireland instead of 19th century Canada.

Anne and her friends frequently find themselves misunderstood by adults and challenging authority. In Derry Girls, those challenges just happen to be things like skipping school or going to a rock concert instead of wanting a dress with puffy sleeves.

19 The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Scarlett Johansson As Anne Boleyn's Sister Mary

• Rent now on Apple TV & Prime Video

Released in 2008, Natalie Portman stars as Anne Boleyn in this adaptation of the Philippa Gregory novel. However, the movie deals with her lesser-known sister, Mary Boleyn, played by Scarlett Johanssen. In the movie, King Henry VIII falls in love with Mary first before Anne pushes her way in.

The movie shows how Anne was able to manipulate her way into power when she won over King Henry VIII, leading to the eventual birth of Elizabeth I. It shares a bit in common with shows like Annie With an E, as they are both period dramas with strong, young female leads trying to find their place in the world.

18 The Personal History Of David Copperfield (2020)

Dev Patel In The Charles Dickens' Adaptation

Stream now on Hulu

For anyone looking for a movie similar to shows like Anne with an E, but with a male lead, look no further than The Personal History of David Copperfield. Based on Charles Dickens' tale, Dev Patel plays David Copperfield as he tells his story from childhood poverty to his rise and fall and everything in between. The movie received critical acclaim as it told the story of David's rise from rags to riches, before suffering countless setbacks and losses but never giving up hope. This version of the story offers a light and fun retelling of the classic story.

17 The Favourite (2018)

Olivia Coleman's Oscar-Winning Turn As Queen Anne

• Rent on Prime Video & Apple TV

The Favourite is a dark comedy set within a period drama. In The Favourite, Olivia Colman turns in an Oscar-winning performance as Queen Anne, following the death of her husband. Much like shows like Anne with an E, the main storyline follows women who seek friendship, but gain distrust. The comedy in The Favourite comes from the war of wills between these two women.

Rachel Weisz stars as her trusted confidant Lady Sarah, who attempts to rule the country through Anne. Emma Stone is Abigail, Sarah's impoverished cousin who arrives looking for work and ends up trying to gain a place in high society by taking her cousin's place by any means necessary.

16 Mary Shelley (2017)

Elle Fanning Stars As The Author Of Frankenstein

• Stream now on AMC+

Mary Shelley wrote the horror novel, Frankenstein. In 2017, a historical drama arrived that tells the story of Shelley's life, including her writing Frankenstein. The movie is different from shows like Anne With an E, as it is gothic-inspired and pays homage to the dark tales that Shelley wrote, but the historical aspects have a familiar feel. Also appearing are historical figures like Percy Shelley and Lord Byron. When they are all stranded in a house, Lord Byron suggests a contest to write a horror story, and Frankenstein is born.

15 Becoming Jane (2007)

Anne Hathaway Stars As Jane Austen

• Stream now on Paramount+

Another biographical period drama about a classical author arrived in 2007 with Anne Hathaway starring as Jane Austen in Becoming Jane. This is a Regency Era romance that shows how her personal life influences the stories she tells, growing up as the daughter of a poor man, which prevents her from getting married.

Much like shows like Anne With an E, this shows how a young woman's determination can win people over and help her rise out of her status in life. While not always historically accurate, the movie did show how her situation could have led to the story Austen told in Pride & Prejudice.

14 The Duchess (2008)

Keira Knightley Stars As The Duchess Of Devonshire

• Stream now on Paramount+

The Duchess follows the life of the Duchess of Devonshire. Her reputation preceded her, thanks to her awkward living circumstances. After falling in love with a politician and befriending her husband's mistress, Georgiana becomes the laughingstock of the aristocracy. The Duke's mistress moves into their mansion, and Georgiana's popularity begins to decline as she must focus on her issues. Much like shows like Anne With an E, this is about a woman who has to fit in with a society that never fully embraces her.

13 The Queen's Gambit (2020)

1 Season, 7 Episodes

Stream now on Netflix

Though it's set in the 1960s, The Queen's Gambit is rooted in its time. Beth Harmon is, like Anne, an orphan. She learns to play chess at a young age but quickly masters the game. Beth is adopted as a teenager, and her adoptive mother, Alma, helps her get into tournaments. Beth tours the world, playing the best in the game - all of whom are men. She proves her gender is irrelevant, which is reflected in the portrayal of her darkest moments, making it a perfect option for fans looking for shows like Anne with an E.

12 Marie Antoinette (2006)

Kirsten Dunst Stars As Marie Antoinette

• Available to rent now on Prime Video & Apple TV

Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette is a colorful exploration of the young archduchess's rise to power in before the French Revolution. Though she's not seen as a leader, she's a misunderstood woman. The film focuses more on Marie Antoinette's personality than on politics. She's a teenager when she's pushed into a life she's not ready for, and she realizes too late she left her youth behind. While taking place in a prestigious home, it shares much in common with shows like Anne With an E thanks to the young woman trying to fit in.

11 Enola Holmes (2020)

Millie Bobby Brown Stars As Sherlock Holmes' Sister

Stream now on Netflix

Like Anne, Enola Holmes is a young woman trying to make her way in a man's world. Also, like Anne, she's searching for her mother, though she's not an orphan. Enola has quite a reputation because her brother is Sherlock Holmes. Enola feels oppressed by her brothers, so she leaves home to look for her mother. She gets into all sorts of adventures and even winds up tangled in the suffragette movement. Enola is someone Anne would look up to — and vice versa. Fans can Enola Holmes 3.