'Pride & Prejudice' to Receive 20th Anniversary Theatrical Re-Release
Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in the 2005 "Pride and Prejudice"
(Photo: Focus Features)
It's a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen's classic Pride & Prejudice inspires some decidedly...let's just call them passionate reactions among fans. After all, the debate about which is the superior onscreen version of the iconic romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy has been raging for decades at this point and regardless of whether you're pro- or anti-Colin Firth it seems unlikely to slow down any time soon.
But with the 20th anniversary of the 2005 film looming on the horizon, fans of the Keira Knightley (Black Doves) and Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) adaptation are in for a special treat. Focus Features has decided to splash out on a special anniversary rerelease of the film, which will see Pride & Prejudice return to theatres on April 20 and April 23.
The film marked the feature debut of British writer and filmmaker Joe Wright, who went on to direct such critical and popular hits as Atonement, Anna Karenina, and Darkest Hour. Based on a script from Deborah Moggach (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), the story follows the iconic romance between Darcy and Elizabeth, whose initial loathing turns into mutual captivating despite themselves.
Pride & Prejudice originally premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005 before opening wide in the fall of that year. It went on to rake in over $122 million at the global box office and snag four Academy Award nominations, including a Best Actress nod for Knightley.
The 20th anniversary poster for "Pride and Prejudice"
(Photo: Focus Features)
Here's the film's synopsis.
Adapted from Jane Austen’s timeless masterwork, PRIDE & PREJUDICE brings a modern sensibility to one of the greatest love stories of all time. When Elizabeth Bennet meets the handsome Mr. Darcy , she believes he is the last man on earth she could ever marry. But as their lives become intertwined, she finds herself captivated by the very person she swore to loathe for all eternity. It is a classic tale of love and misunderstanding that sparkles with romance, wit, and emotional force.
In addition to the theatrical events, Focus is also partnering with Decca Records for the long-awaited vinyl release of the Academy Award-nominated film soundtrack, composed by Dario Marianelli and performed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet. It will hit shelves later this spring, alongside a new line of anniversary merchandise that includes tote bags, stickers, and wine tumblers.
Alongside Knightley and Macfadyen, the Pride & Prejudice cast is full of familiar favorites, including Rosamund Pike (The Wheel of Time), Brenda Blethyn (Vera), Donald Sutherland (The Undoing), Jena Malone (Love LIes Bleeding), Tom Hollander (The Ipcress File), Talulah Riley (Pistol), Kelly Reilly (Under Salt Marsh), Penelope Wilton (Murder Is Easy), Carey Mulligan (Saltburn) and Dame Judi Dench (Victoria & Abdul).
Tickets are now on sale for the theatrical events on Sunday, April 20 and Wednesday, April 23, 2025, with additional merchandise and other initiatives to follow.
