A “utterly captivating” period drama currently available on Netflix has been lauded as a “joyous celebration of family and girlhood”, making it essential viewing for devotees of beloved classics such as the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, or the BBC series, The Other Bennet Sister.

With an enormous selection of films and television programmes to choose from across countless streaming platforms, Netflix stands out with its breathtaking mysteries, cherished comedies, gripping crime dramas, action-packed adventures and much more besides.

For those seeking their next period drama fix, Greta Gerwig’s star-studded 2019 film adaptation of the cherished 1868 Louisa May Alcott novel, Little Women, could be just the ticket.

The timeless novel is no stranger to being brought to the screen, with Gerwig’s take on the lives of the celebrated March sisters representing the seventh film version.

The cast features Saoirse Ronan as Jo March, Emma Watson as Meg March, Florence Pugh as Amy March and Eliza Scanlen as Beth March.

They are further supported by the iconic Meryl Streep and Laura Dern, alongside Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel and Chris Cooper.

Much like the source material, the film charts the March sisters’ journey from childhood through to womanhood, encompassing all the hardships and triumphs encountered along the way.

It has accumulated an impressive score of 95% on the widely-used review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, with both critics and film enthusiasts showering praise upon the screenplay, direction and performances.

One reviewer said: “By investing [Gerwig’s] audience in the internal lives of major and minor characters with equal compassion and dexterity, it’s almost impossible to not find some facet of Little Women to fall in love with – if not the whole film outright.”

Another suggested Gerwig’s adaptation distinguishes itself from previous versions: “Every adaptation of Little Women has something that sets it apart from others but few have the sheer emotion and power that we see here with Gerwig’s interpretation.

“Gerwig uncovers secret layers to the plot that lesser filmmakers would have not noticed”.

A third said: “Greta Gerwig’s interpretation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women is a joyous and sensitive celebration of family, girlhood, and the resilience of women.”

Meanwhile, a fourth agreed: “Little Women is a touching, time-hopping, tour de force of storytelling and filmmaking craft, with a playful, feminist twist.”

Another said: “Greta Gerwig recreates such a highly engrossing, winsome adaptation of Little Women you can’t help but be taken with it. It’s utterly captivating.”

Someone else noted: “A gorgeous and very warm film…. What makes this version impressive is that it brings a different perspective without losing the magic of the novel.”

Reflecting similar sentiments, one reviewer said: “It has all the cosiness and warmth one expects from this sort of nostalgic period drama, while also capturing the revolutionary spirit of Alcott’s novel.”

Some viewers were hesitant to watch it, given their fondness for earlier film versions of the novel.

One viewer added: “I didn’t want to like it… because I loved the previous one. It took some getting used to a few things, but I thought it was great – very well done!”.

While another added: “Went in with moderate to mediocre expectations as we have seen this story many times. This was clearly the best adaptation.”

Little Women is currently available to stream on Netflix.