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Northanger Abbey: book vs. movie

Northanger Abbey is one of the least filmed Jane Austen novels. There are two well-known British TV films, from 1987 and 2007, plus an early Spanish TV version and two modern web series told through video diaries. This page helps parents pick a version to share with a young reader, explains how the best-known film differs from the book, and flags the moments that are a little romantic or spooky for 6–9 year olds.

Which version should we watch?

For a 6–9 year old, start with the book in a simple retelling. The story of a girl who reads so many spooky stories that she starts seeing mysteries everywhere is easy for children to enjoy, and it opens a great talk about imagination. If you want to watch together, the 2007 film is the most fun, but preview it first or keep the remote handy for the daydream scenes.

Save both TV films for when your child is a little older, around 10 and up, and the web series for teenagers. None of them is frightening in the way a horror film is, but they are made for grown-ups and focus on romance.

The film and TV versions

  • The Cate Morland Chronicles (2016)

    Web seriesModern retelling

    A modern video-diary series in which Cate is a cheerful fan of fantasy and science fiction rather than Gothic novels.

    For families: Short episodes in a modern setting, made with teens and young adults in mind. Clean but full of grown-up dating plots that young children may find dull.

  • Northbound (2015)

    Web seriesModern retelling

    A YouTube series that retells the story through Catherine Morland’s own video diaries about growing up.

    For families: Aimed at teens and adults. Fine to skip with young children.

  • Northanger Abbey (2007)

    FilmMostly faithful

    A 90-minute British TV film written by Andrew Davies, starring Felicity Jones as Catherine, JJ Feild as Henry Tilney and Carey Mulligan as Isabella Thorpe.

    For families: Funny and warm, with a few spooky daydreams and some romantic scenes, including a short daydream in a bath. Best for about 10 and up, or watched with a parent ready to skip ahead.

  • Northanger Abbey (1987)

    FilmMostly faithful

    A BBC TV film with Katharine Schlesinger as Catherine and Peter Firth as Henry, with dreamy, theatrical Gothic sequences and an unusual 1980s score.

    For families: Some of the dream scenes are strange and a little eerie. It feels dated, and younger children may lose interest.

  • La abadía de Northanger (1968)

    TV seriesMostly faithful

    A Spanish television version made for the long-running drama strand Novela, which adapted famous books in short episodes.

    For families: Hard to find today and only in Spanish. Of interest mainly to Austen fans.

How the movies differ from the book

Catherine’s daydreams come to life
The 2007 film shows Catherine’s imagination as short scenes: she pictures herself as a heroine in danger, or swept away by a hero. In the book we only hear about her thoughts.
Less of Austen’s narrator
Much of the book’s fun comes from Austen talking straight to the reader and defending novels. The 2007 film keeps only a little of this, so it is more of a romance than a comedy about reading.
Bath is squeezed down
The book spends its whole first half in Bath, with many balls, walks and outings. The 2007 film, at about 90 minutes, moves through Bath quickly to reach the abbey.
Isabella’s flirting is shown openly
In the book, Isabella’s behavior with Captain Tilney is mostly seen through Catherine’s puzzled eyes. The 2007 film shows more of it directly.

Questions about Northanger Abbey movies

Is the Northanger Abbey movie OK for kids?
The 2007 TV film is mostly gentle and funny, but it has romantic daydreams and a brief bath scene. It suits about 10 and up, or younger children with a parent watching too.
Who plays Catherine in Northanger Abbey?
Felicity Jones plays Catherine Morland in the 2007 film, with JJ Feild as Henry Tilney. Katharine Schlesinger played Catherine in the 1987 BBC version.
Is Northanger Abbey the movie the same as the book?
The 2007 film follows the main story closely, but it shows Catherine’s daydreams on screen, shortens the Bath chapters and loses much of Austen’s joking narrator.
What is the best Northanger Abbey adaptation?
Most viewers prefer the 2007 film with Felicity Jones and JJ Feild. It is lively, short and close to the book in spirit.

Ratings are shown only where we could confirm them. Check current ratings and streaming details before watching.