Anne Shirley has been enchanting readers and viewers for more than a century: first as Lucy Maud Montgomery’s imaginative heroine, then as a screen icon reinterpreted across generations. If you’re searching for Anne Shirley movies (or the best Anne Shirley series), we've got you covered with our suggestions of the most notable Anne of Green Gables  adaptations, and tips on where to watch Anne of Green Gables today.

Anne’s story blends humor, heart, and growing up with a strong sense of place, making it ideal for family viewing and periodic reinvention.

Here are our picks for most notable adaptations:

1) Anne of Green Gables (1985) + sequels (TV miniseries/films)

For many viewers, this is the gold standard; frequently cited as the best Anne of Green Gables adaptation for classic, family-friendly storytelling, casting and faithfulness to the source material. Megan Follows' performance as Anne Shirley is often praised for balancing spirited comedy with emotional depth, making it a defining entry in Anne Shirley actress portrayals. The sequels, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, and Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, take Anne Shirley through young womanhood, adulthood, marriage, and into her golden years. If you want to watch this classic and it's sequels, try GazeboTV.

2) Anne with an E (2017–2019) (TV series)

If you’ve ever searched “Anne with an E vs Anne of Green Gables,” the key difference is tone. This CBC/ Netflix series expands the world with more social realism and heavier themes, while still retaining Anne’s wonder and wit. The series focuses on added backstories for characters and community conflicts, and emphasises identity and belonging. Availability changes by region and over time, so check your current Netflix offerings or the CBC Gem app.

Photo: Courtesy Netflix

3) Earlier classic-era adaptations (1930s–1940s): “Anne Shirley” as both character and credited name

Some early film adaptations are notable not only for adapting L.M. Montgomery's novel, but for screen history: after playing the character of Anne Shirley in the 1934 film version of Anne of Green Gables, actress Dawn O’Day felt so connected to the character that she changed her stage name to Anne Shirley! This is why you’ll occasionally see searches that combine Anne Shirley with Dawn O’Day in discussions of classic productions and casting. Aside from this quirky film history, the adapations of the 1930s and 1940s (Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Windy Poplars, respectively) are fun, melodramtic watches, as long as you put aside the drastic changes made to the overall story. You can usually find these films on YouTube or other free-to-view, ad supported platforms.

4) Modern TV remakes (2016-2017)

Over the decades there have been multiple made-for-TV retellings aimed at new family audiences. These are helpful if you want a shorter, straightforward narrative without the darker angles of Anne with an E or the cinematic scope of Anne of Green Gables (1985). In 2016 L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables starring Ella Ballentine as Anne Shirley was released. After the release of this film, there was 2 sequels: Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars, and Anne of Green Gables: Fire & Dew. Both TV movies premiered in 2017. Depending on the region, the films are available through Amazon Prime, Plex, Tubi and Apple TV.

Photo: Courtesy Breakthrough Entertainment

5) Anime-Japanese cult-classic (1979) and new series (2025)

Akage no An, known as, “Red-haired Anne,” is an animated television series, part of Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theater, which started airing in 1979. There were 50 episodes produced in total, broadcasting the animated Anne Shirley. The series became a cult classic and is praised for it's animation style. The first six episodes were edited together by director Isao Takahata into a 100-minute theatrical movie in 1989. However, the film was not released until July 17, 2010. You can watch Akage no An on YouTube.

Photo: Courtesy Nippon

 In 2025, The Answer Studio released a series called Anne Shirley, an anime retelling of the first three Anne of Green Gables books: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island. The series is a total of 24 episodes and fans have called it a gorgerous new take that honors previous adaptations. Anne Shirley is available to watch through Crunchyroll.

Photo: Courtesy The Answer Studio

Which Anne of Green Gables adaptation is your favorite? Each one has something appealing to recommend it, with "plenty of scope for the imagination."