Best movies like The Scarlet Letter
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Set in puritanical Boston in the mid 1600s, the story of seamstress Hester Prynne, who is outcast after she becomes pregnant by a respected reverend. She refuses to divulge the name of the father, is "convicted" of adultery and forced to wear a scarlet "A" until an Indian attack unites the Puritans and leads to a reevaluation of their laws and morals.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: sexy, romantic, costume drama, stylized, erotic, realistic, serious, period piece, sexual, gothic
Best tv shows and movies like The Scarlet Letter (1995):
Similar in 90%
The Royal Siren (2010)
Plot Summary:
Constance, 1410. Marie, daughter of the richest bourgeois of the city, is on the eve of marrying a prestigious lawyer, son of an earl. Although the compromise fills with pride the girl's father, anxious to ennoble, Marie is not just convinced about her fiancé, who she has only seen twice. Her suspicions are confirmed tragically on the eve of the wedding when, after signing the marriage contract, a stranger breaks into the house ensuring that Marie has slept with other men in exchange for gifts, like a vile harlot. From that moment, the life of the girl will give a terrible unexpected turnaround. Alone, with his reputation ruined, she will have no choice to survive than partnering with a prostitute and lying on the roads.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 839
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Germany, Austria, Hungary
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: serious, sincere, suspense, captivating, disturbing, sexy, period piece, realistic, period drama
Similar in 78%
Stealing Heaven (1988)
Plot Summary:
Abelard, a famous teacher of philosophy at the cathedral school of Notre Dame, falls in love with one of his students, Héloïse d'Argenteuil. A sixteen-year old girl raised in a convent, Héloïse has an intellectual curiosity and rebels against the status of women in 12th century Europe. When others begin to suspect their relationship, Heloise's uncle Fulbert and the bishop of Paris work together to put a stop to it. Héloïse becomes pregnant with Abelard's child, and they are married in secret. Abelard struggles for acting against the will of God, yet is unable to escape his love for Heloise.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 818
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, Yugoslavia
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: independent film, erotic, sexy, serious, captivating, realistic, sexual, erotic drama, period drama
Similar in 79%
The Crime of Padre Amaro (2002)
Plot Summary:
The young Father Amaro is put to the test. He is sent to Mexico to help take care of aging Father Benito when he meets a 16-year-old girl that he begins and affair with. It turns out the girls mother had been having an affair with Father Benito. Father Amaro must soon choose between the holy or the sinful life.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Mexico, Argentina, Spain
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: controversial, harsh, stylized, touching, realistic, sexual, emotional, erotic, hispanic, disturbing
Similar in 77%
Washington Square (1997)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1870's New York, a spinster heiress is courted by a much younger, penniless man, much to the chagrin of her over-protective father, and must decide whether to spend the rest of her life alone, or marry a man who is interested in her only because of her inheritence.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: costume drama, romantic, stylized, sex comedy, romantic drama, historical drama, psychological, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 80%
Lady Chatterley's Lover (2022)
Plot Summary:
Lady Chatterley, a woman born into a life of wealth and privilege, finds herself married to a man that she eventually falls out of love with. She engages in a torrid affair with a gamekeeper on their English estate, discovering more desire and intimacy than she thought possible. When she realizes that she has fallen heart and soul, she breaks all traditions of the day and seeks happiness with the man she loves.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: sexy, period piece, costume drama, family comedy, romantic, period drama
Similar in 89%
The Last Mistress (2007)
Plot Summary:
Secrets, rumors and betrayals surround the upcoming marriage between a young dissolute man and virtuous woman of the French aristocracy.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: erotic, serious, stylized, realistic, sensual, sexy, disturbing, erotic drama, sexual, crying
Similar in 84%
Valmont (1989)
Plot Summary:
Set in Baroque France, a scheming widow and her lover make a bet regarding the corruption of a recently married woman. The lover, Valmont, bets that he can seduce her, even though she is an honorable woman. If he wins, he can have his lover to do as he will. However, in the process of seducing the married woman, Valmont falls in love. Based on the same novel as "Dangerous Liaisons.".
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, UK
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: stylized, period piece, sensual, costume drama, sexy, realistic, erotic, historical drama, independent film, captivating
Similar in 75%
White Wedding (1989)
Plot Summary:
The plot centres around moody 17 year old Mathilde (Paradis) who has no parents. Her philosophy teacher François (Cremer), happens to stumble across her path and is eager to help her learn more. He starts to come over to her house everyday going over her homework, and teaching her the art of the study. Eventually, Mathilde starts placing little hints that she finds the 47 year old François attractive. He tries to resist her, but he finds himself falling for her as well. They soon blossom into a passionate love, but they must keep their affair a secret from his wife (Mikaël) and the school.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: serious, sexual, sentimental, emotional, realistic, retro, neo noir, art house, deep, poetic
Similar in 76%
Lorna Doone (2000)
Plot Summary:
The year is 1675. England is threatened by religious and political rivalries. King Charles II's Catholic brother, James, is next in line for the throne, but many Protestants put their faith in Charles' illegitimate son, The Duke of Monmouth. On the king's death, conflict is inevitable... Over seven days journey from London, Exmoor is a primitive and lawless area. Here, farmer Jack Ridd lives with his wife Sarah, son John, and two daughters. The only shadow over their simple life is cast by the notorious outlaw family the Doones. The aristocratic Doones were banished from their ancestral lands and now live through looting, theft, and murder. Their brutality is legendary.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, serious, captivating, stylized, period piece, costume drama, historical drama, historical romance, epic
Similar in 81%
The Wings of the Dove (1997)
Plot Summary:
Kate is secretly betrothed to a struggling journalist, Merton Densher. But she knows her Aunt Maude will never approve of the match, since Kate's deceased mother has lost all her money in a marriage to a degenerate opium addict. When Kate meets a terminally ill American heiress named Millie traveling through Europe, she comes up with a conniving plan to have both love and wealth.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: sexy, atmospheric, period piece, serious, costume drama, romantic, visual, visually stunning, stylized, retro
Similar in 87%
The Scarlet Letter (1973)
Plot Summary:
In 17th-century Salem, Hester Prynne must wear a scarlet A because she is an adulteress, with a child out of wedlock. For seven years, she has refused to name the father. A vigorous older stranger arrives, recognized by Hester but unknown to others as her missing husband. He poses as Chillingworth, a doctor, watching Hester and searching out the identity of her lover. His eye soon rests on Dimmesdale, a young overwrought pastor. Enmity grows between the two men; Chillingworth applies psychological pressure, and the pastor begins to crack. A ship stops in Salem, and Hester sees it as a providential refuge for her daughter, herself, and her lover. But will Dimmesdale flee with her?.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 866
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany, Spain
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, atmospheric, serious, emotional, realistic, masterpiece
Similar in 75%
Ethan Frome (1992)
Plot Summary:
Based on the novel of the same name by Edith Wharton, it is about a husband and wife (Ethan and Zeena), who need an extra hand around the house due to Zeena's debilitated body and constant illness. The young woman who joins them is a beautiful, spirited person. She and Ethan fall in love much to the dismay of Zeena. Written by Jason Ihle.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: emotional, intense, costume drama, sentimental, captivating, serious, realistic, contemplative, independent film, light
Similar in 77%
The Golden Bowl (2000)
Plot Summary:
An intricately plotted tale of thwarted love and betrayal, "The Golden Bowl" tells the story of an extravagantly rich American widower and his sheltered daughter, both of whom marry only to discover that their respective mates, a beautiful American expatriate and an impoverished Italian aristocrat, are entangled with one another in a romantic intrigue of seduction and deceit.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, France, UK
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: period piece, serious, stylized, realistic, costume drama, suspense, romantic drama, historical drama, clever, biting
Similar in 80%
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
Plot Summary:
In this story-within-a-story, Anna is an actress starring opposite Mike in a period piece about the forbidden love between their respective characters, Sarah and Charles. Both actors are involved in serious relationships, but the passionate nature of the script leads to an off-camera love affair as well. While attempting to maintain their composure and professionalism, Anna and Mike struggle to come to terms with their infidelity.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: romantic, emotional, costume drama, scenic, stylized, atmospheric, clever, postmodern, erotic, retro
Similar in 90%
The End of the Affair (1999)
Plot Summary:
On a rainy London night in 1946, novelist Maurice Bendrix has a chance meeting with Henry Miles, husband of his ex-mistress Sarah, who abruptly ended their affair two years before. Bendrix's obsession with Sarah is rekindled; he succumbs to his own jealousy and arranges to have her followed.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: romantic, erotic, intellectual, heartbreaking, enigmatic, melancholic, period piece, atmospheric, sexy, romantic drama
Similar in 76%
Wuthering Heights (1992)
Plot Summary:
Young orphan Heathcliff is adopted by the wealthy Earnshaw family and moves into their estate, Wuthering Heights. Soon, the new resident falls for his compassionate foster sister, Cathy. The two share a remarkable bond that seems unbreakable until Cathy, feeling the pressure of social convention, suppresses her feelings and marries Edgar Linton, a man of means who befits her stature. Heathcliff vows to win her back.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: romantic, gothic, atmospheric, emotional, period piece, heartbreaking, touching, melancholic, costume drama, romantic drama
Similar in 79%
Stolen Women, Captured Hearts (1997)
Plot Summary:
Kansas, 1868. A wagon train is attacked by a band of Lakota Sioux led by the young and athletic warrior Tokalah. The attractive, red haired Anna Brewster-Morgan and her friend Sarah White are on this wagon train too. When Tokalah noticed a terrified Anna with a Bible, he thinks this is an omen. Despite killing the other passengers of the wagon train, only Anna and Sarah may continue their voyage. The next day Anna and Sarah are kidnapped by Tokalah. At first terrified of her captors, the unhappily married Anna eventually falls in love with the noble, honorable Tokalah. After a year's captivity, Sarah is returned to her own people. Anna now must choose between her new life with T.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, touching, captivating, serious, period drama
Similar in 83%
Anna Karenina (2012)
Plot Summary:
Trapped in a loveless marriage, aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 105000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: costume drama, period piece, sentimental, emotional, stylized, romantic, colorful, surreal, talky, visual
Similar in 86%
The Age of Innocence (1993)
Plot Summary:
Tale of 19th century New York high society in which a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman's cousin.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: touching, costume drama, atmospheric, stylized, period piece, sexy, romantic, emotional, talky, intense
Similar in 84%
Indecent Proposal (1993)
Plot Summary:
Robert Redford stars as billionaire John Gage, who offers a down-on-his-luck yuppie husband (Woody Harrelson) $1 million for the opportunity to spend the night with the man's wife (Demi Moore).
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 77000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: sexy, sexual, emotional, psychological, romantic, thought provoking, suspense, sensual, sentimental, serious
Similar in 78%
Two Moon Junction (1988)
Plot Summary:
A young Southern débutante temporarily abandons her posh lifestyle and upcoming, semi-arranged marriage to have a lustful and erotic fling with a rugged drifter who works at a local carnival.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: erotic, sexy, sexual, sensual, melancholic, emotional, psychological, steamy, erotic drama, eros
Similar in 75%
The Deep Blue Sea (2011)
Plot Summary:
The wife of a British Judge is caught in a self-destructive love affair with a Royal Air Force pilot.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Australia
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: romantic, emotional, atmospheric, heartbreaking, intense, period piece, psychological, realistic, sexy, serious
Similar in 79%
The Sleeping Dictionary (2003)
Plot Summary:
A young Englishman is dispatched to Sarawak to become part of the British colonial government. He encounters some unorthodox local traditions, and finds himself faced with tough decisions of the heart involving the beautiful Selima, the unwitting object of his affections.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: romantic, sexy, erotic, scenic, captivating, serious, period piece, fairy tale, touching, art film
Similar in 79%
Wild Orchid (1989)
Plot Summary:
A woman lawyer becomes mesmerized by a self-made millionaire during an encounter in Rio setting off a series of erotic encounters.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: erotic, sexy, sexual, sensual, atmospheric, melancholic, stylized, psychological, romantic, serious
Similar in 80%
The Blue Lagoon (1980)
Plot Summary:
Two small children and a ship's cook survive a shipwreck and find safety on an idyllic tropical island. Soon, however, the cook dies and the young boy and girl are left on their own. Days become years and Emmeline (Brooke Shields) and Richard (Christopher Atkins) make a home for themselves surrounded by exotic creatures and nature's beauty. But will they ever see civilization again?.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 75000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: romantic, erotic, sexual, captivating, touching, entertaining, sexy, feel good, minimal cast, sensual
Similar in 81%
Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Plot Summary:
When college senior Anastasia Steele steps in for her sick roommate to interview prominent businessman Christian Grey for their campus paper, little does she realize the path her life will take. Christian, as enigmatic as he is rich and powerful, finds himself strangely drawn to Ana, and she to him. Though sexually inexperienced, Ana plunges headlong into an affair -- and learns that Christian's true sexual proclivities push the boundaries of pain and pleasure.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 332000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: sexy, erotic, sexual, romantic, teen, psychological, controversial, sensual, realistic, disturbing
Similar in 81%
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
Plot Summary:
Dangerous Liaisons is the film based on the novel of the same name by Choderlos de Laclos set in 18th century France. Marquise de Merteuil’s asks her ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont to seduce the future wife of another ex-lover of hers in return for one last night with her. Yet things don’t go as planned in this love triangle drama.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 74000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: sexy, costume drama, period piece, sexual, erotic, historical drama, sensual, romantic, atmospheric, suspense
Similar in 76%
Silk (2007)
Plot Summary:
Based on the best-selling novel by Alessandro Baricco, this visually stunning film tells the story of a French trader who finds unexpected love far away from home.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada, France, Italy, UK, Japan, USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: romantic, stylized, sentimental, realistic, sensual, touching, serious, period piece, visually stunning, erotic
Similar in 88%
Adore (2013)
Plot Summary:
Lil and Roz are two lifelong friends, having grown up together as neighbors in an idyllic beach town. As adults, their sons have developed a friendship as strong as that which binds their mothers. One summer, all four are confronted by simmering emotions that have been mounting between them, and each find unexpected happiness in relationships that cross the bounds of convention.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Australia, France
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: sexy, emotional, romantic, erotic, disturbing, sexual, sensual, captivating, controversial, independent film
Similar in 79%
Tristan & Isolde (2006)
Plot Summary:
An affair between the second in line to Britain's throne (Franco) and the princess of the feuding Irish (Myles) spells doom for the young lovers.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 54000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: Czech Republic, UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: touching, romantic, exciting, fairy tale, period piece, costume drama, stylized, intense, epic, sad