Emma, by Jane Austen, is a novel about youthful hubris and the perils of misconstrued romance. The novel was first published in December 1815. As in her other novels, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian-Regency England; she also creates a lively comedy of manners among her characters. Before she began the novel, Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." In the very first sentence she introduces the title character as "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich." Emma, however, is also rather spoiled, headstrong, and self-satisfied; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives; and her imagination and perceptions often lead her a…
Adaptations (10)
Emma has been adapted 10 times, across film, television series, television film, and miniseries, from 1948 to 2020.
Emma1948 · film · 105 min · dir. Michael Barry · IMDb ↗Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightley.
Emma1960 · television series · 180 min · IMDb ↗IMDb5.2Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr Knightley.
Emma1972 · television series · 240 min · IMDb ↗IMDb6.8After arranging a friend's marriage, the incorrigible Emma Woodhouse turns her attention to matching Mr. Elton, the local vicar, with Harriet Smith, her new protégé.
Clueless1995 · film · 97 min · dir. Amy Heckerling · IMDb ↗IMDb6.973MetacriticShallow, rich and socially successful Cher is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school's pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student Tai a makeover. When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother was right about how misguided she was -- and falls for him.
Emma1996 · film · 120 min · dir. Douglas McGrath · IMDb ↗Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightley.
- Emma1996 · television film · 107 min · dir. Diarmuid Lawrence · IMDb ↗IMDb7.084%
Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightley.
Clueless1996 · television series · 30 min · IMDb ↗IMDb5.7CLUELESS is a television series spun off from the 1995 teen film of the same name. The series originally premiered on ABC on September 20, 1996 as a part of the TGIF lineup during its first season. The show then spent its last two seasons on UPN ending on May 25, 1999.
Emma2009 · miniseries · 240 min · IMDb ↗IMDb8.1Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightley.
Aisha2010 · film · 126 min · dir. Rajshree Ojha · IMDb ↗IMDb5.1Aisha, who loves playing matchmaker much to her friend Arjun's disapproval, finds a new target in the simple Shefali. But in the process, she ends up ruining her own relationship with close friends.
Emma2020 · film · 124 min · dir. Autumn de Wilde · IMDb ↗In 1800s England, a well-meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends.
