Movies Like The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)

The French Lieutenant's Woman is a 1981 drama, history, romance film from Karel Reisz with a MovieMagicScore of 6.4/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with The Story of Adele H. and The Christmas Tango.

Drama History Romance

The Story of Adele H.

1975

In the 19th century a mysterious woman named Adele H. crosses the ocean, from Europe to North America, to relentlessly pursue an handsome officer that denies her satisfaction.

6.9

MagicScore

The Christmas Tango

2011

At the time of the Greek junta, in an isolated army camp, a lieutenant forces a soldier to teach him the tango in order to ask the wife of his Colonel to dance with him.

7.0

MagicScore

Manhattan

1979

Manhattan explores how the life of a middle-aged television writer dating a teenage girl is further complicated when he falls in love with his best friend's mistress.

7.7

MagicScore

Jules and Jim

1962

In the carefree days before World War I, introverted Austrian author Jules strikes up a friendship with the exuberant Frenchman Jim and both men fall for the impulsive and beautiful Catherine.

7.5

MagicScore

Notes on a Scandal

2006

A veteran high school teacher befriends a younger art teacher, who is having an affair with one of her 15-year-old students. However, her intentions with this new "friend" also go well beyond platonic friendship.

7.1

MagicScore

Feast of Love

2007

A meditation on love and its various incarnations, set within a community of friends in Oregon. It is described as an exploration of the magical, mysterious and sometimes painful incarnations of love.

6.2

MagicScore

The Honorary Consul

1983

Set in a small politically unstable Latin American country, the story follows the half English and half Latino Dr. Eduardo Plarr, who left his home to find a better life. Along the way he meets an array of people, including British Consul Charley Fortnum, a representative in Latin America who is trying to keep Revolution from occurring. He is also a remorseful alcoholic. Another person the doctor meets is Clara, whom he immediately falls in love with, but there is a problem: Clara is Charley's wife.

5.8

MagicScore

Far from the Madding Crowd

2015

In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a hardworking young sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor.

7.0

MagicScore

On Chesil Beach

2018

In 1962 England, a young couple finds their idyllic romance colliding with issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night.

6.1

MagicScore

#10

The Land Girls

1998

During World War II, the organisation "The Women's Land Army" recruited women to work on British farms while the men were off to war. Three such "land girls" of different social backgrounds - quiet Stella, young hairdresser Prue, and Cambridge graduate Ag - become best friends in spite of their different backgrounds.

5.8

MagicScore

#11

Three Way

2004

Lew is a small time loser with a troubled past and a very big secret. Overhearing a couple plan a kidnapping, Lew is tempted to come up with a scheme of his own. He decides to get to the victim first and then blackmail the real criminals. His plan soon spins out of control.

4.0

MagicScore

#12

Love at the Top

1974

A shy bank employee unexpectedly invites a young woman to a café, leading to a one-night stand. When he shares this with his disillusioned friend, the writer helps him navigate a dazzling social ascent.

6.0

MagicScore

#13

A Frozen Flower

2008

A historical drama set in the Koryo dynasty and focused on the relationship between a king and his bodyguard.

6.9

MagicScore

#14

He Who Gets Slapped

1924

After a baron steals his scientific discoveries, runs away with his wife, and slaps him in public, a man joins a Parisian circus sideshow as a clown whose act consists of being slapped repeatedly and becomes infatuated with a showgirl colleague whose father intends to marry her off to the baron.

7.6

MagicScore

#15

Last Tango in Paris

1972

A recently widowed American begins an anonymous sexual relationship with a young Parisian woman.

6.9

MagicScore

#16

Mughal-e-Azam

1960

In the 16th century, when Prince Salim falls in love with a beautiful courtesan named Anarkali, Emperor Akbar's disapproval leads to a battle between father and son.

6.9

MagicScore

#17

Untamed Heart

1993

Caroline, a young waitress who seems to have bad taste in men, is on her way home one night when thugs attempt to rape her. Adam, the mysterious busboy who works at the same diner, helps fight off the assailants, and she begins a relationship with him -- but not all their fellow Minnesotans are happy for them. Meanwhile, the couple face their own difficulties when Caroline finds about Adam's past, including his unique health condition.

6.9

MagicScore

#18

Britannic

2000

It was the sister ship of the infamous Titanic... and its final destiny was the same. Experience the true untold story of Britannic, a tumultuous, epic voyage of human passion, courage and betrayal aboard an ill-fated ocean liner bound for a shattering demise. With the world at war, an undercover British agent (Amanda Ryan), embarks the Britannic in search of a German spy believed to be on board to sabotage the ship. Posing as a governess, the undercover agent finds herself falling in love with the ship's chaplain (Edward Atterton). In a stunning discovery, the lovers suddenly find themselves enemies of war. And when a massive explosion deals a deathblow to the ship, their battle becomes one for their own survival. With a dynamic, international cast and a story line that hosts a chilling tale of espionage, politics and romance, Britannic brings one of history's most devastating events to riveting, new life.

6.8

MagicScore

#19

Laugh, Clown, Laugh

1928

A despairing clown suffering a broken heart and a self-indulgent count who uncontrollably laughs learn to help each other with their problems, but both fall in love with the same young woman.

7.4

MagicScore

#20

Nymphomaniac: Vol. II

2013

The continuation of Joe's sexually dictated life delves into the darker aspects of her adult life and what led to her being in Seligman's care.

6.7

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The French Lieutenant's Woman?

The top films similar to The French Lieutenant's Woman by MovieMagicScore are The Story of Adele H. (6.9), The Christmas Tango (7.0), Manhattan (7.7). Each shares drama/history/romance themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The French Lieutenant's Woman worth watching?

The French Lieutenant's Woman holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.4/10 from 228 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The French Lieutenant's Woman?

The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) is a drama, history, romance film directed by Karel Reisz, starring Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons, Hilton McRae.

Where can I find more recommendations like The French Lieutenant's Woman?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like The Story of Adele H.Movies like The Christmas Tango Movies like Manhattan Movies like Jules and Jim Movies like Notes on a Scandal Movies like Feast of Love

About movies like The French Lieutenant's Woman

This ranked list pairs The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), a drama and history and romance film from Karel Reisz, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Meryl Streep take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

← Back to The French Lieutenant's Woman