Did you know that the first film to show a kiss was Thomas Edison’s 18-second-long The Kiss in 1896? This silent film may have shocked its audience then, but it paved the way for over a century of romantic cinema. From historical epics to heartwarming comedies and everything in between, there is a romance movie for everyone!
As someone who has spent countless hours getting lost in these stories, I’m here to help you navigate the labyrinth. Let’s explore the best romance movies.
Table of Contents
#30. An Affair to Remember (1957)
After falling in love and agreeing to meet at the top of the Empire State Building after six months have passed, fate intervenes. An Affair to Remember is known for its tear-jerking plot twist and is considered one of the most iconic romantic tragedies.
Rating: 7.4/10
Release: July 11, 1957
Director: Leo McCarey
Cast: Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr
Related Series: N/A
My Take: It’s an undeniably sad movie, but there’s something strangely beautiful about it too. The depth of emotion feels raw and real. Its tragic ending pulls at your heartstrings every single time.
#29. West Side Story (1961)
West Side Story is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet set in New York City. Two members of rival gangs fall in love and must navigate their dangerous surroundings if they want to be together. The movie fuses incredible choreography with memorable music—plus a very relatable story about forbidden love.
Rating: 7.6/10
Release: October 18, 1961
Director: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
Cast: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer
Related Series: N/A
My Take: West Side Story merges tragedy with vibrant musical theatre in a powerful way that really resonates with me. Every viewing feels new and inspiring—I can’t get enough!
#28. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s tells the story of a young New York socialite who becomes intrigued by a man who has moved into her building. But her past threatens to get in the way of their relationship. The film is an exciting exploration of love, freedom, and self-discovery, with an iconic performance by Audrey Hepburn.
Rating: 7.6/10
Release: October 5, 1961
Director: Blake Edwards
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard
Related Series: N/A
My Take: It’s whimsical yet serious and thought-provoking. Hepburn’s portrayal of Holly Golightly really makes you think about what it means to be alive—and to be loved.
#27. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
This film follows two characters after they meet just after they graduate from college, through twelve years of chance encounters in New York City. The exploration of whether men and women can really be friends and the witty, sharp dialogue between the two leads have made it a cornerstone of romantic movies.
Rating: 7.7/10
Release: July 21, 1989
Director: Rob Reiner
Cast: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan
Related Series: N/A
My Take: When Harry Met Sally… is the perfect balance between comedy, romance, and cynicism. Crystal and Ryan’s chemistry is electric on screen, so their characters’ journey from friends to lovers feels incredibly real.
#26. Brief Encounter (1945)
Ordinary Englishwoman, Doctor. Both married other people when they met by chance at the train station but eventually started an affair. Sounds like a recipe for a good time to me! This movie’s restrained passion and moral conflict provide a haunting study of forbidden love that I can’t resist.
Rating: 8.0/10
Release: November 26, 1945
Director: David Lean
Cast: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard
Related Series: N/A
My Take: This movie is a masterclass in storytelling and understatement. The film’s shy emotions and the pointed use of Rachmaninoff’s score stayed with me long after the credits rolled.
#25. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
A doctor-poet comes in between his wife and his muse amid the background of the Russian Revolution. The film Doctor Zhivago was made on an epic scale. Its score is hauntingly lovely, exploring love in times of turmoil like war. I like how it gives us hope for the survival of love, even in chaos.
Rating: 7.9/10
Release: December 22, 1965
Director: David Lean
Cast: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Sprawling landscapes are contrasted with an intense but doomed love affair between Yuri and Lara in Doctor Zhivago as it portrays romanticism against all odds; these ones are unforgettable to me.
#24. Roman Holiday (1953)
The movie is about a princess who defies her obligations and roams around Rome with a pressman, ultimately finding love and independence. The film contains elements of romance, escapades, and the enchanting roles of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It is surely one of the greatest romantic movies.
Rating: 8.0/10
Release: September 2, 1953
Director: William Wyler
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Roman Holiday, an enchanting escape into romance against the backdrop of beautiful Rome, is a timeless classic that draws on fantasies that can be used to run away from responsibilities in life.
#23. The Princess Bride (1987)
This fairy tale is about an attractive young lady with only one person to call her true love. After years apart, he must rescue her from death in the mythical realm of Florin by fighting through hordes of his relentless enemies to be reunited with his true love. It’s a movie that combines romance, adventure, and humor with memorable characters and quotes.
Rating: 8.0/10
Release: September 25, 1987
Director: Rob Reiner
Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin
Related Series: N/A
My Take: This film masterfully combines comedy, emotion, and action and is suitable for people of all ages. There are very few pictures that remain as fresh and enjoyable on the hundredth viewing as they did the first time around. When I think about this movie, I would compare it to Cinderella, but with a twist. It is truly one of the best romance movies ever!
#22. The Sound of Music (1965)
Among the top romantic movies ever, I have always loved The Sound of Music. It’s about a young woman who leaves her Austrian convent to work as a governess for a widower naval officer’s children. Its positive plot line and catchy tunes, coupled with surprising love stories, can easily draw you into it.
Rating: 8.1/10
Release: March 2, 1965
Director: Robert Wise
Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer
Related Series: N/A
My Take: This is a musical journey through despair that finally ends in happiness and absolute joy beyond belief! There is something magical about Andrews and Plummer together.
#21. Gone with the Wind (1939)
A conniving Southern belle has an affair with a blockade runner during the American Civil War. This movie has been around forever yet remains among the best romantic movies ever made. It combines epic storytelling, unforgettable characters, and the themes of love, war, and loss.
Rating: 8.2/10
Release: December 15, 1939
Director: Victor Fleming
Cast: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh
Related Series: N/A
My Take: It is a sweeping saga that blends romanticism with historical drama, which makes it magnetic and emotionally charged. Even today, Scarlett O’Hara is as complex a character as her tempestuous relationship with Rhett Butler was years ago.
#20. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
The film is about an American professor who learns that her boyfriend belongs to one of the most affluent families in Singapore. She has to navigate through their rich lifestyle and his disapproving mother. The whole Asian cast was great for me, and so was the movie’s stunning showcasing of affluence, as well as its new look at romantic comedy. It’s also huge in that it kills stereotypes.
Rating: 6.9/10
Release: August 15, 2018
Director: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Crazy Rich Asians is an innovative work that offers a compelling love story and a major cultural moment all at once. The narrative thread is fun, heartfelt, and visually stunning, with a storyline that celebrates love despite cultural differences.
#19. The Shape of Water (2017)
This movie happens in the 1960s. A mute janitor working in a high-security government lab forms a relationship of mutual understanding with an aquatic creature held captive there. It can be said to fit into the genre combination of romance+fantasy+Cold War-era drama.” Above all, the movie boasts amazing visuals and performances.
Rating: 7.3/10
Release: December 22, 2017
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Cast: Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones, Octavia Spencer
Related Series: N/A
My Take: The Shape of Water is a visually astounding masterpiece that tackles themes of love and otherness differently from any other film ever made before it. It shows how storytelling knows no bounds.
#18. Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
An adolescent girl finds herself desiring other girls after meeting one with blue hair who wants to become a painter; this is what makes up Blue Is the Warmest Color. I admired how rawly and honestly this movie portrayed real-life relationships along with the lead actors’ intense performance, didn’t you? This movie has been praised for its depth and emotional truthfulness.
Rating: 7.7/10
Release: October 9, 2013
Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
Cast: Adèle Exarchopoulos, Léa Seydoux
Related Series: N/A
My Take: This is not just another film about young love but rather a truly visceral exploration into how we define ourselves when we first fall in love.” It is characterized by intensity, passion, and tragedy as it presents a no-holds-barred look into the complexities of relationships and self-discovery.
#17. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
A seventeen-year-old student and an older man hired as his father’s research assistant fall in love in Italy during the 1980s, which is what Call Me by Your Name is about. This was a fabulous movie on first love. I loved its sensitivity, lush cinematography, and breakthrough performance by Timothée Chalamet.
Rating: 7.8/10
Release: January 19, 2018
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Another beautifully shot film on desire in one’s youth, its identity, and the bitter-sweet taste of young love.” It is one that leaves you devastated but also with a sense of awe as the story carries on beyond what would appear obvious.
#16. La La Land (2016)
In La La Land, two dreamers meet while pursuing their goals in Los Angeles, only to end up finding love and losing it all at once. What attracted me most was how modern storytelling was employed with classical Hollywood musical format in this film. Tremendous cinematography, along with unforgettable music, seals it all. It is no wonder that it is one of the best romance movies of the modern age.
Rating: 8.0/10
Release: December 9, 2016
Director: Damien Chazelle
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
Related Series: N/A
My Take: I chose this simply because of its infectious energy and touching storyline about romance and aspirations; it is a visually stunning film that pays tribute to Old Hollywood.
#15. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
This movie follows the life of a teenager whose private letters are exposed, resulting in complicated romantic situations around her. The lead performances were super cute, not to mention that high school romance from a new angle was very refreshing here”. It was such an awesome adaptation of a popular Y.A. book.
Rating: 7.0/10
Release: August 17, 2018
Director: Susan Johnson
Cast: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo
Related Series: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020), To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021)
My Take: This film captures the excitement and dread of first love with a charming modern spin. It is sincere, loveable, and very easy to watch again and again with familiar characters.
#14. Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
This movie is about a middle-aged man who has his life turned upside down upon discovering that his wife is cheating on him. He wants to become a man again with the help of his new friend Jacob, who is teaching him how to meet girls at bars. With humor and heart, the film has an outstanding cast and stories that touch on love, loss, and intricate human relationships.
Rating: 7.4/10
Release: July 29, 2011
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Crazy, Stupid, Love. is a smartly written, hilarious, and genuinely touching film that deals with different aspects of love. The chemistry between Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling will make you laugh your socks off, making it one of the best rom-coms ever made with some depth.
#13. The Big Sick (2017)
The Big Sick was inspired by an actual story. A couple struggles to balance their differences in culture when they start dating as they cope with changing times in healthcare. I liked its heartfelt, humorous approach to love, sicknesses, and cultural clashes. It’s really realistic acting that lifted up the narration.
Rating: 7.5/10
Release: July 14, 2017
Director: Michael Showalter
Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan
Related Series: N/A
My Take: The Big Sick skillfully handles the complexities of cross-cultural romance with both wit and depth, making it one of the best examples of this comedy movie genre out there today. It’s a truthful tale of love against all odds laced with genuineness along with hilarity.
#12. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
After serving time in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife… Things get more complicated for Pat when he meets Tiffany – a mysterious girl who also needs help herself… Silver Linings Playbook gives us insight into romanticism within psychiatric contexts… I enjoyed its humor mixed, accompanied by genuine tenderness.
Rating: 7.7/10
Release: November 16, 2012
Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Silver Linings Playbook perfectly blends humor, romance, and emotional turmoil. Most importantly, it portrays love and healing in a refreshingly honest way. It is both funny and heartwarming.
#11. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the greatest romantic films ever made. It tells the story of a famous European hotel’s legendary concierge during the period between WWI and WWII and his friendship with a young employee who soon becomes his trusted protégé. It happens in the midst of them trying to steal a picture that was painted during the Renaissance period, but it is later found before they fight against each other over an immense family debt following sudden changes in this part of Europe. Not your typical romantic comedy, it has an airy aesthetic flavor to its telling, magnificent visuals that captivate viewers, and subtle romantic elements.
Rating: 8.1/10
Release: March 28, 2014
Director: Wes Anderson
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham
Related Series: N/A
My Take: The Grand Budapest Hotel is a stylistic triumph with idiosyncratic wit, unforgettable characters, and an undercurrent of love and devotion tinged with melancholy. Its charm and eccentricity make it feel modern while redefining what a romantic comedy can be. It is one of the best romance movies I’ve ever watched.
#10. Cold Mountain (2003)
Cold Mountain takes place during the Civil War. A Confederate soldier attempts to get back home to his lover but faces many challenges along the way. Showing us the struggles people face when war comes together with a strong enduring feeling called love, reinforced by outstanding performances on screen accompanied by beautiful, sad music.
Rating: 7.2/10
Release: December 25, 2003
Director: Anthony Minghella
Cast: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Cold Mountain captures the essence of human tenacity amidst adversity as well as the complexities involved in loving someone during troubled times; it is beautifully shot and compellingly intense at some points.
#9. The English Patient (1996)
This movie is located at the end of World War II. It revolves around an enigmatic man’s past that comes to light through his account of a heartrending love story. Its broad narrative scope, powerful performances, and examination of love as a source of healing and destruction make it stand out.
Rating: 7.4/10
Release: November 15, 1996
Director: Anthony Minghella
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas
Related Series: N/A
My Take: This film is a grand epic with a sad romance that elicits intense emotions in audiences. Its lush visuals and poignant storytelling will leave you breathless. It is truly deserving to be in this list of the best romance movies out there.
#8. Atonement (2007)
The movie tells a tale about how a young girl’s mistake changed two lovers’ lives during WWII when WWII was ravaging Europe. Brilliantly shot and emotionally deep, this movie is definitely a tragic story of love and redemption.
Rating: 7.8/10
Release: January 11, 2008
Director: Joe Wright
Cast: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Atonement is an exquisite visual experience that probes the complexities of love, guilt, and forgiveness in a historical setting.
#7. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Pride and Prejudice puts another perspective on Jane Austen’s classic novel about family life in 19th-century England. It traces the journey through which Elizabeth Bennet’s lively spirit finally meets its match in proud Mr. Darcy amidst societal expectations and personal pride.
Rating: 7.8/10
Release: September 16, 2005
Director: Joe Wright
Cast: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen
Related Series: N/A
My Take: I enjoyed reading it as well as watching it! Pride & Prejudice combines romantic tension with social critique – making this adaptation a timeless, engaging one.
#6. Outlander (2014)
Outlander is not really a movie, but this T.V. series deserves to be on this list of the best romance movies. A nurse married in 1945 finds herself mysteriously transported back to Scotland in 1743, where she becomes entangled in adventure and romance with a gallant Scots warrior known as Jamie Fraser; these novels are unique blends of historical fiction, romance, and adventure stories carried along by compelling characters and rich storytelling.
Rating: 8.4/10
Release: August 9, 2014
Director: Various
Cast: Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan
Related Series: N/A (T.V. Series)
My Take: Outlander is an irresistible time-warp love story, combining heartfelt romance with the thrills of historical drama in a most engrossing and emotionally stirring way.
#5. Bright Star (2009)
This film focuses on the three-year romance between Keats and Fanny Brawne, which was cut short by his death at 25 years old. The movie powerfully captures the intensity of first love as well as the desperation that underlies artistic inspiration.
Rating: 6.9/10
Release: November 6, 2009
Director: Jane Campion
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Bright Star is an emotionally charged and visually arresting film about Keats’ doomed love affair with Brawne. It reminds us how strong a force love and poetry can be.
#4. Brooklyn (2015)
Brooklyn tells the story of an Irish immigrant arriving in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls for a local boy. She must make her choice between two nations when her past catches up to her, and everything she knows, loves, or has built may disappear. This movie tries to show all there is in immigrating from another country to America. Ronan’s portrayal will keep you thinking about love and identity long after you watch this one.
Rating: 7.5/10
Release: November 6, 2015
Director: John Crowley
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Brooklyn is a touching journey through love, self-discovery, homecoming, and loss of innocence with its delicate balance between sweetness and nostalgia depicted by Saoirse Ronan’s performance.
#3. Weekend (2011)
Two men form a deep bond over one weekend following their night of casual sex. It features an authentic brief relationship ever seen in a film; it is also remarkable for its naturalistic dialogue and deep emotional involvement. It is truly a fitting contender in this list of best romance movies.
Rating: 7.6/10
Release: September 23, 2011
Director: Andrew Haigh
Cast: Tom Cullen, Chris New
Related Series: N/A
My Take: Weekend speaks honestly about what modern relationships feel like today, making it quite moving on intimacy, connection, or attachment; it is a quiet but powerful exploration of identity, love, and human complexities – a true cinematic gem!
#2. The Lunchbox (2013)
This Indian movie tells the story of a young housewife who, through a mix-up in Mumbai’s efficient delivery network for lunchboxes, becomes acquainted with an elderly man. The Lunchbox has been hailed as a beautifully told story, acted by some outstanding actors, that deals with loneliness and chance encounters.
Rating: 7.8/10
Release: September 20, 2013
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur
Related Series: N/A
My Take: The Lunchbox is a very subtle film about people’s need to connect and how this connection can be made in unexpected ways. It is done effortlessly and with such poise.
#1. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Set in 1962 in Hong Kong, In the Mood for Love tells of two neighbors who form a strong relationship when they suspect their partners of infidelity but vow not to be like them. It is visually striking and uses music very cleverly. The quiet hostility between the leads was something that got me glued to my seat. It’s a film that tells stories using images and silence.
Rating: 8.1/10
Release: May 22, 2000
Director: Wong Kar-wai
Cast: Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung
Related Series: N/A
My Take: In the Mood for Love is a spellbinding film. It captures the torment and pleasure of longing for someone you can never have. What makes it so beautiful is what we don’t say, which means that every gesture, every silence among characters, speaks volumes. It is truly one of the best romance movies of all time.
Critically Acclaimed
There are many outstanding movies we feature in this list of the best romance movies, but two of them really stood out for their critical acclamation. These two are:
§ Call Me by Your Name (2017)
§ La La Land (2016)
Where to Watch The Movies
If you want to binge watch all the best romance movies on this list, then here are platforms you can try:
Netflix: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, La La Land (availability may vary)
Hulu: The Princess Bride, Palm Spring
Amazon Prime Video: The Big Sick, Cold Mountain
Disney+: Beauty and the Beast (2017 version)
Note: Availability on streaming platforms can change, so always check for the latest updates.
Conclusion
Romantic movies are a diverse genre that spans numerous decades, continents, and styles. From West Side Story’s timeless appeal to Call Me by Your Name’s modern relevance, these films show how love stories are universally relatable.
They attest to connection’s potency, heartache’s hurtfulness, and finding comfort in people who comprehend us. I encourage viewership into various sub-genres to navigate this vast romantic cinema territory. Search for not just the best romance movies but hidden jewels as well. You can revisit acclaimed classics or jump into contemporary pieces. Whichever one you choose, the list of best romance movies above will cater to all kinds of tastes – whether one wants fun, tears, or both at once!
