What To Watch
Before BookTok: 8 Movies and Series Inspired by Classic Literature
Let these sweeping stories whisk you away.
By Caitlin Busch
Oct. 1, 2026
8 Classic Literature Movies and Series Like East of Eden - Netflix Tudum
It takes a certain flair to stand the test of time. Every new novel published adds to the world’s collective library, but that doesn’t mean the classics should be sequestered and left to gather dust in the back with the mothballs. They’re called classics for a reason. Jane Austen, Victor Hugo, and William Shakespeare gave the world endlessly adaptable tales because their stories — like Sense and Sensibility, Les Misérables, and Romeo and Juliet — speak to universal truths.
With every new movie or series based on a classic comes a fresh interpretation. Look no further than the blustery hills of Regency-era England, the bustling French court, and the Gothic fortresses featured in these classic literature–inspired tales on Netflix.
East of Eden
Florence Pugh leads this fresh adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 masterpiece — a decades-spanning portrait of one family, and also of a rapidly changing society. She plays Cathy Ames, the scheming antihero whose life is intertwined with the Trask family — especially brothers Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles (Mike Faist) — as they settle in the Salinas Valley and live out the dark side of the California dream. Tracy Letts, Martha Plimpton, Hoon Lee, and Ciarán Hinds are also in the cast of the limited series. All seven episodes are written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan, who has a special connection to the material — her grandfather, Academy Award–winning filmmaker Elia Kazan, directed the 1955 film adaptation of the novel, starring James Dean and Julie Harris.
The Forsyte Saga
This drama series is based on the books by John Galsworthy, who won the 1932 Nobel Prize in Literature for the novel sequence that he first began publishing in 1906. Kicking off in 1874 London, the show follows the lives of three generations of the eponymous upper-middle-class British family. As Winifred Forsyte (Amanda Root) prepares to marry the charming but penniless Monty Dartie (Ben Miles), her brother, Soames (Damian Lewis) — who believes that his wealth should beget love — begins pursuing the beautiful Irene Heron (Gina McKee). Meanwhile, their cousin, Young Jolyon (Rupert Graves), forsakes his wife and declares his love for the governess Hélène (Amanda Ooms). The ensemble cast also includes Corin Redgrave (A Man for All Seasons), Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four), and Gillian Kearney (Brookside).
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel comes to life in writer-director Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, the story of a mad genius seeking to create life from death. Through his many experiments, Dr. Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) births the Creature (Jacob Elordi). But Frankenstein’s actions have unforeseen consequences, and he soon finds himself fighting for his own life as the Creature discovers the beauty and terror the world has to offer. Mia Goth (Pearl) and Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) co-star in this Gothic sci-fi tale, which won three Oscars for Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design.
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
While this French rom-com takes place in the modern day, aimless bookseller Agathe (Camille Rutherford) longs for the Regency era. When she’s chosen to participate in an exclusive Jane Austen–inspired writing retreat in England, the last thing she expects is to make a connection. But then there’s Oliver (Charlie Anson), a distant Austen relative whose parents run the program. Struck by an epic case of writer’s block, Agathe spends her time in the English countryside getting to know him — and maybe figuring out how to move on from a recent loss. Pablo Pauly (Maybe More), Annabelle Lengronne (Working Girls), and more co-star in this movie written and directed by Laura Piani (Plan B).
Lady Chatterley's Lover
This historical romantic drama based on D.H. Lawrence’s once-scandalous 1928 novel stars Emma Corrin (Pride and Prejudice) as the titular lady, Constance “Connie” Reid, who marries baronet Clifford Chatterley (Matthew Duckett). When her husband returns from service in World War I, he’s paralyzed from the waist down, and Connie becomes his sole caretaker. Their relationship deteriorates under the strain. Starved of affection and intimacy, Connie meets soft-spoken gamekeeper Oliver Mellors (Jack O’Connell), and the pair begin a passionate, potentially life-changing affair. Faye Marsay (Adolescence), Ella Hunt (Saturday Night), and Joely Richardson (The Gentlemen) also star.
Lady J
Madame de La Pommeraye (Cécile de France) is a young widow who takes pride in the fact that she’s never been in love. But when a self-proclaimed libertine, the Marquis des Arcis (Édouard Baer), relentlessly courts her for two years, she acquiesces: Maybe love is possible. When their affair goes sideways, she’s forced to hatch a scandalous plot involving another noble’s illegitimate daughter that takes everyone by surprise. This French romantic drama, directed by Emmanuel Mouret (Diary of a Fleeting Affair), is based on a story in Denis Diderot’s 1796 novel Jacques the Fatalist and His Master and also stars Alice Isaaz (Notre-Dame), Natalia Dontcheva (Sashinka), and Laure Calamy (Call My Agent!).
Little Women
This 2017 take on Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel stars Maya Hawke (Stranger Things), Willa Fitzgerald (A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE), Kathryn Newton (The Society), and Annes Elwy (The Feast) as Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March, respectively, four wildly different sisters whose childhoods during the American Civil War era lead them down wildly different paths. While some find romance, others reject it. But even as they come of age and find their way in the world, they know that they can always count on each other, even when loss and their personal differences seem determined to drive them apart. The cast also includes Emily Watson (Steve) as Marmee March, Angela Lansbury (Murder, She Wrote) as Aunt March, Michael Gambon (the Harry Potter series) as Mr. Laurence, and Jonah Hauer-King (The Threesome) as Laurie.
Persuasion
Jane Austen’s 1817 novel comes to life in this historical romance directed by Carrie Cracknell and starring Dakota Johnson (The Lost Daughter) as the hero, Anne Elliot. Years ago, Anne fell for a handsome but penniless naval officer, Frederick Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis). She broke off their engagement after societal pressures and her friends and family persuaded her to do so. When they meet again, Anne has to choose between the life she knows, the life she could have with her rich and charming suitor, Mr. William Elliot (Henry Golding), and the life she always wanted with Wentworth. Nikki Amuka-Bird (The Outfit), Mia McKenna-Bruce (Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials), and Richard E. Grant (The Thursday Murder Club) co-star.
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