20 Best Romance Movies of All Time

20 Best Romance Movies of All Time

Romantic films have the enchanting power of transporting viewers to a dreamy destination while still evoking some emotion in the process. Romantic films transport the viewers into passion of star-crossed lovers or swept away by the charms and unconventional romances. Romantic films typically feature the dating process, the courtship or even marriage.

Most of their plots revolve around the lovers’ obstacles such as physical illness, finances, and any form of discrimination. Such films often explore themes of love at first sight, young love, forbidden love, and even tragic love.

Read more on 30 Must-Watch Movies on Netflix Right Now.

1.Little Mermaid (2020)

The original version of the fairy tale, The Little Mermaid was published back in 1837and formed part of fairy stories collection for children. The 2023 version of the film was directed by Rob Marshall and stares Halle Bailey. The film was released back on the 8^th of May and has since then received a mixture of reviews form critics.

The plot of the film recounts the journey of a young mermaid princess who is prepared to give up her life as a mermaid in exchange for a human soul. Unlike her sister, Ariel is quite adventures and is open to discovering new things on land. Ariel approaches Ursula who offers to transform her into a human for three days. Eric rushes to meet the lady who once saved him, and this is the point the two meet up and the two spend time in the castle.

2.Palm Springs (2020)

Palm springs is 2020 American Film that was directed by the talented Max Barbakow. The romantic film stars Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, and J. K. Simmons. The film revolves around the lives of two strangers who fortunately meet at a wedding and hit it off quite well. Nyles and Sarah eventually form a deep bond and even end up as close friends.

The film is quite refreshing to its viewers and is often regarded as an oasis in a desert of dried-up romantic fantasies. The film has grossed over $164,000 on the first weekend of its release in theatres and $101,000 the following week. Some of the accords that the film has received include, The ACE Eddie Awards, the Art Directors Guild Awards, Critics Choice Movie Awards, and the Hugo Awards.

Read more on 15 Best Mafia Series to Watch on Netflix.

3.The Halt of It (2020)

The 2020 American film, Halt of it is directed by the talented Alice Wu. The romance comedy-drama film stars Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Ann Baker and Collin Chou. The film’s plot revolves around the lives of two students who connect over shared interest in art and literature.

In her efforts to make extra cash, Ellie Chu writes homework papers for other students in her school. She is approached by Paul to write a love latter on his behalf for another lady in the same school. This is the beginning of an amazing friendship, since fast forward onto the film they share so much in common and have more meaningful conversations. The film received the top award for the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival.

4.The broken hearts gallery (2020)

Natalie Krinsky’s directorial debut is The Broken Hearts Gallery, which was released back in 2020.  Geraldine Viswanathan, Dacre Montgomery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Molly Gordon, Phillipa Soo, and Bernadette Peters star in the film.

The plot revolves around a 20-year-old woman living in New York City who is rejected by her latest boyfriend and decides to open an art museum to display objects from prior relationships. After the breakup, she wallows in her room for weeks before she decides to move on. On the first weekend of the opening of the film, it grossed a total of $1.1 million. The New York based romantic film has mostly received favorable reviews from critics.

Read more on 10 Best Bank Robbery Movies on Netflix.

5.Valley Girl (2020)

Valley Girl is a 2020 American romantic film directed by the famous, Rachel Lee and written by Amy Talkington. The film stars, Jessica Rothe, Josh Whitehouse, Jessie Ennis, Ashleigh Murray, and Mae Whitman.

The film follows the lives of a pair of young lovers who defy all odds to stay together. The two defy both their parents and friends to be together. Julie and Randy are form totally different worlds and surprisingly find love from each other. the 202 film is a remake of the original version that was released back in 1983.

6.The Thing About Harry (2020)

The thing about Harry is an American Romantic film that was released back in 2020. This romantic film features, Jake Borelli, Niko Terho, Britt Baron, Peter Paige, and Japhet Balaban. The plot of the film revolves around the loves lives of two young gay men who reunite after their high school days.

The wo did not quite get along during their high school days since Harry was Sam’s bully during those days. The two hit it off quite well as they reveal their adolescent feelings towards each other when a night stuck in a hotel room. The writer of the film revealed that the aim of this film was to show viewers that the LGBTQ community is quite diverse.

Read more on The Best Netflix Series set in Rome.

7.Then Came You (2020)

Then Come You is an American romantic comedy film that was released back in 2020. Some of the actors staring in the film include Kathie Lee Gifford, Craig Ferguson, and Ford Kiernan.
the film revolves around the life of a widow who embarks on a journey after the unfortunate death of her husband.

Annabelle sets off on a trip around the world to places where her husband and her loved visiting. On her first stop in Scotland, she runs into a handsome innkeeper, Howard and end up hit it quite well. Their lives change forever as they both have a second chance to love and be loved.

8.After We Collided (2020)

After We Collided is and American romantic film based on a novel bearing the same name as the film. The novel-based film stars, Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Louise Lombard, and Dylan Sprouse.

The synopsis of the film revolves around Tessa’s life as she struggles to cope up with her work life and love life. Hardin drops a bombshell on her as he informs her that reveals that he is willing to do anything it take to get her back. On the first week of its release, the film debut was at $10 million and was one of the most rented film on Google play.

9.Chemical Hearts (2020)

Chemical Hearts is an American romantic film directed by the talented Richard Tanne. The 2020 film stars Lili Reinhart, Austin Abrams, Sarah Jones, and Kara Young. The synopsis revolves around two teenagers who fell in love despite considering themselves hopeless in matters romance and love.

When Henry Page meets new student Grace Town, and he starts to fall for her and hard. Little does Henry know she is hiding a secret that could change everything. Henry realizes that Grace’s Ex had died in a car crash and that Grace has escaped death. Henry still reveals that he is still in love with Grade even despite being emotionally traumatized by the incident.

Read more on 15 Best World War II Movies on Netflix .

10.Marry Me (2020)

Marry me is an American romantic film that strs the superstar, Jennifer Lopez. The 2020 film is based on a 2012 graphic novel by Bobby Crosby. The film also stars, Owen Wilson, Sarah Silverman and Utkarsh Ambudkar.

The film revolves around Kat who is set to marry her famous boyfriend. Kat resorts to marrying someone else that she has met as she realizes that her boyfriend was cheating on her with her assistant. Kat picks Wilson from the crowd and marries him instead. Marry me has grossed approximately $22.5 million in the United States and Canada.

11.Stargirl (2020)

Stargirl is an American romantic film released on the 13^th of March 2020. The romantic film stars Grace VanderWaal, Graham Verchere, Karan Brar, and Maximiliano Hernandez. The film is based on Jerry Spinelli’s novel, bearing the same name.

The film revolves around first love and the struggles of popularity all while being a teen. Stargirl its it off quite well with Leo and a beautiful friendship follows. Leo shows so much gratitude for what Stargirl had done for him all through their high school days. ScreenEngine/ASI listed Stargirl as one of the most watched and streamed film of 2020.

12.Ammonite (2021)

Ammonite is an American romance film released back in 2021. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Kate Winslet, Fiona Shaw, and Gemma Jones. The film revolves around a speculative romantic relationship between Anning and Charlotte.

Winslet plays a famous fossil hunter in the 1840s who meets a young woman and forms a passionate relationship. This relationship totally changes both of their lives for good.  The film grossed approximately $ 87,556 form the cinemas and has received great reviews from the public and movie critics.

13.Emma (2020)

Emma is an American romance film that was released back in 2020. The film is based on an 1815 novel with the same name. Some of the actors staring in the film include Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Nighy, Johnny Flynn, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart and Josh O’Connor.

The film is definitely a revamp of the classic Jane Austen novel. Emma follows the story of a girl who is known to meddle in other people’s lives by playing matchmaker. Emma soon realizes that the kind of love that she has been longing for was right in front of her all along. Emma grossed approximately $10.1 million in the United States and Canada. The film has received positive remarks form movie critics.

14.Premature (2019)

Premature is a 2019 American romance film that stars Zora Howard, Joshua Boone, Imani Lewis, and Tashiana Washington. The film follows the life of a teenager who has a romantic affair with an older man during her summer holiday.

Ayanna is a 17-year-old poet who has one last summer in Harlem before she leaves for college, and it is at that moment that she meets up with Isaiah who she ends up having a romantic relationship with. The film received positive reviews from both viewers and critics form all over.

15.The Perfect Find (2023)

The Perfect Find is an American romantic film that is based on Tia Williams book bearing the same name. the 2023 film stars Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers, Aisha Hinds, D.B. Woodside, La Anthony, and Gina Torres. The synopsis revolves around a forty-year-old lady, Jenna Jones who moves on after being dumped with her boyfriend. She randomly makes out with a man who is 15 years younger than her.

Jenna and Eric agree to keep the relationship between themselves for the time being. Unlike all other romantic films, The Perfect match is quite intriguing and captures the attention of viewers. The film won the Audience Awards for Narrative Features in the Tribeca Film Festival.

16.Happiness for Beginners (2023)

The 2023 film, Happiness for Beginners is an adoption of the 2015 Katherine Center novel that bears the same name as the film. The film stars Ellie Kemper, Luke Grimes, Nico Santos, Ben Cool, Blythe Danner, and Julia Shiplett.

The romance film tells the story of divorced lady, Helen who signs up for a hiking and survival course to keep herself busy. Form the experience she learns that you must get lost in order to find yourself. The film has received positive reviews form both the public and, movie critics.

17.The Sun Is Also a Star (2019)

The Sun Is Also a Star is an American based on Nicole Yoon’s book with the same. The novel based film was directed by Ry Russo-Young and stars Yara Shahidi, Charles Melton, John Leguizamo, Jake Choi, and Jordan Williams.

The film follows the life of a young couple as they fall in live, while Natasha’s family faces deportation out of the United States.  The relationship is challenged by their own destinies. The film has grossed approximately $5 million in the United States and Canada and has received positive reviews form movie critics.

18.Decision to Leave (2022)

Decision to Leave is a 2022 South Korean neo-noir romantic film that was written and directed by the talented, Park Chan-wook. The film stars Tang Wei, Park Hae-il, Lee Jung-hyun, Go Kyung-pyo, Park Young-woo and Jung Yi-seo.

Unlike all other romantic films, this one brings in a new perspective, the film has elements of danger and mystery. The film follows the life of a detective who falls for a prime suspect for a murder. He must figure out whether she is innocent as she claims to be or is part of the ploy. The film was received quite well and opened at the first place on the Korean box office.

19.The Last Letter From Your Lover (2021)

The Last Letter From Your Lover is an American romantic film that is based on Jojo Moyes’ novel bearing the same name. The film stars Felicity Jones, Callum Turner, Joe Alwyn, Nabhaan Rizwan, and Shailene Woodley.

The Last Letter From Your Lover is quite intriguing as it unfolds in two timelines giving the viewers two sides of the film. One gets to experience the contemporary romance and one filled with details and costumes. The film follows a magazine writer who embarks on an assignment, where she finds love letter from the 60’s. the film received positive remarks from critics form all over the world.

20.The Photographer (2020)

The Photographer is a 2020 American romantic film that is written and directed by Stella Meghie. The film stars Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Kelvin Harrison, Jasmine Cephas, Lil Re Howery and Teyonah Parris.

The film follows reveals two romance encounters, one follows Mae and the other her mother, Christian. Mae finds one of her family’s photographs which sends her on a discovery of the past. The film made an estimate of $6.3 million on the first day of its release. Issa Rae’s performance earned the film a nomination at the 52^nd NAACP image Awards and the Outstanding Actress in a motion Picture.

Romantic films have the enchanting power of transporting viewers to a dreamy destination and evoke some emotion in the process. Different genres of movies tend to appeal to different people depending on their preference. Romantic films appeal t people who love to evoke their emotions.