Whether you’re looking for a first-date icebreaker, a cozy “wine-and-sweatpants” solo night, or a classic epic to share with a partner, romance is the one genre that never truly goes out of style. From the sweeping black-and-white dramas of Hollywood’s Golden Age to the quirky indie “meet-cutes” of the 21st century, the language of love on screen is universal.
But with thousands of titles to choose from, how do you find the ones actually worth your time? We’ve curated the ultimate list of the 100+ best romantic movies of all time, categorized so you can find exactly the vibe you’re looking for.
The “Holy Grail” Classics: Where It All Began
Before there were “swipe-rights,” there were airport goodbyes and rain-soaked reunions. These films set the blueprint for every romance that followed.
- Casablanca (1942): The definitive wartime romance. Rick and Ilsa’s goodbye at the airport remains the gold standard for bittersweet endings.
- Gone with the Wind (1939): An epic in every sense. The chemistry between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler is as fiery today as it was 80 years ago.
- Roman Holiday (1953): Audrey Hepburn’s breakout role. It’s the ultimate “princess-meets-commoner” story set against the gorgeous backdrop of Rome.
- Brief Encounter (1945): A restrained, devastating look at a forbidden affair between two married strangers in a railway station.
- It Happened One Night (1934): The film that basically invented the “enemies-to-lovers” trope.
- An Affair to Remember (1957): If you loved Sleepless in Seattle, you have to see the movie that inspired it.
- Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927): A silent-era masterpiece that proves you don’t need words to tell a powerful love story.
- The Apartment (1960): A perfect blend of corporate satire and genuine heart. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine are magic.
- Singin’ in the Rain (1952): While it’s a musical, the romance between Don and Kathy is pure sunshine.
- Sabrina (1954): Whether you prefer the Audrey Hepburn original or the Harrison Ford remake, it’s a classic for a reason.
Authority Insight: TheAmerican Film Institute (AFI)ranks Casablanca as the #1 heart-pounding movie in cinematic history.
The 80s & 90s: The Golden Era of the Rom-Com
This was the decade of the “Power Couple” and the rise of the high-concept romantic comedy.
- When Harry Met Sally (1989): The “Will they, won’t they?” movie to end all “Will they, won’t they?” movies.
- Pretty Woman (1990): A modern-day Cinderella story that made Julia Roberts a superstar.
- Say Anything… (1989): Who can forget John Cusack holding that boombox?
- Ghost (1990): The pottery wheel scene is iconic, but it’s the emotional stakes that make this a classic.
- Sleepless in Seattle (1993): Proof that two people don’t even need to be in the same city for most of the movie to have incredible chemistry.
- Dirty Dancing (1987): “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” Enough said.
- Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994): The film that made the world fall in love with Hugh Grant’s stuttering charm.
- Notting Hill (1999): “I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
- The Princess Bride (1987): Part fairy tale, part comedy, all heart. “As you wish.”
- Moonstruck (1987): Cher and Nicolas Cage in a quirky, loud, and deeply romantic Italian-American masterpiece.
Epic Romance & Heart-Wrenching Tragedies
Sometimes you just want a movie that will make you ugly-cry. These films specialize in the “tragic beauty” of love.
- Titanic (1997): The highest-grossing romance for a reason. Jack and Rose’s fate still haunts us.
- The Notebook (2004): The ultimate Nicholas Sparks adaptation. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams’ real-life chemistry practically melted the film reel.
- Brokeback Mountain (2005): A groundbreaking, quiet, and devastating look at a hidden love in the American West.
- A Walk to Remember (2002): The teen romance that defined a generation of tear-filled slumber parties.
- Blue Valentine (2010): A raw, non-linear look at the beginning and end of a marriage. Warning: this one is heavy.
- P.S. I Love You (2007): A beautiful exploration of how love persists even after loss.
- The English Patient (1996): A sweeping, desert-set epic that won 9 Academy Awards.
- Romeo + Juliet (1996): Baz Luhrmann’s neon-soaked, high-energy take on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.
- Doctor Zhivago (1965): Historical romance at its grandest scale.
- Me Before You (2016): A modern tear-jerker that tackles heavy themes with a lot of charm.
Modern Icons: 2010 to Today
Romance has evolved. Modern movies are often more self-aware, diverse, and visually experimental.
- La La Land (2016): A vibrant tribute to old Hollywood musicals with a very modern, realistic ending.
- Call Me by Your Name (2017): A sun-drenched Italian summer of first love and discovery.
- About Time (2013): A “time travel” movie that is actually a deeply moving story about family and cherishing the ordinary.
- The Big Sick (2017): Based on the real-life romance of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, it’s hilarious and incredibly sincere.
- Past Lives (2023): A quiet, stunning meditation on “the one that got away” and the different paths our lives take.
- Crazy Rich Asians (2018): A lush, high-stakes rom-com that brought the genre back to the big screen in a huge way.
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): A visually arresting French masterpiece about the gaze of a lover.
- The Fault in Our Stars (2014): A YA romance that managed to be both heartbreaking and life-affirming.
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018): The film that single-handedly revived the teen rom-com on Netflix.
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012): A chaotic, energetic romance that deals with mental health with surprising grace.
International Gems: Love Beyond Borders
Hollywood doesn’t have a monopoly on romance. Some of the best stories ever filmed come from international directors.
- Amélie (2001): A whimsical, visually inventive French tale about a shy waitress who decides to change the lives of those around her.
- In the Mood for Love (2000): Often cited by critics as one of the most beautiful films ever made. It’s a story of longing and unspoken words in 1960s Hong Kong.
- The Lunchbox (2013): An Indian masterpiece where a mistaken lunch delivery leads to a soulful correspondence.
- Cinema Paradiso (1988): A love letter to the movies and a nostalgic look at a childhood love.
- Your Name (2016): A stunning Japanese animated film that blends body-swapping comedy with high-stakes romance.
- Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013): An intense, sprawling French drama about a transformative first love.
- Wings of Desire (1987): A German film about an angel who falls in love with a mortal and wishes to become human.
- Like Water for Chocolate (1992): A magical realist Mexican romance where emotions are literally cooked into the food.
- Lust, Caution (2007): A high-tension espionage romance from director Ang Lee.
- 3-Iron (2004): A South Korean film that tells a profound love story with almost no dialogue.
50 More Essential Romantic Movies to Watch
To truly reach 100+, here is a curated list of must-watch titles spanning every sub-genre imaginable.
The “Before” Trilogy (The ultimate talking movies)
- Before Sunrise (1995)
- Before Sunset (2004)
- Before Midnight (2013)
Independent & Quirky Favorites
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Sci-fi meets heartbreak.
- 500 Days of Summer (2009): The “anti-romance” movie everyone should see once.
- Garden State (2004)
- Her (2013): Love in the age of AI.
- Lost in Translation (2003)
- Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
- The Lobster (2015): A surrealist dark comedy about the pressure to be in a relationship.
Teen & Young Adult Classics
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
- Clueless (1995)
- Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
- The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
- Lady Bird (2017)
- A Walk to Remember (2002)
- Love, Simon (2018)
- Sixteen Candles (1984)
- Pretty in Pink (1986)
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Period Pieces & Historical Drama
- Pride & Prejudice (2005): Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen define “hand-flex” longing.
- Sense and Sensibility (1995)
- Atonement (2007)
- The Age of Innocence (1993)
- Jane Eyre (2011)
- Brooklyn (2015)
- Carol (2015)
- Cold War (2018)
- Bright Star (2009)
- Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)
Underrated & Hidden Gems
- Blue Jay (2016): A quiet, black-and-white indie about high school sweethearts reuniting for one night.
- Obvious Child (2014)
- Sleeping with Other People (2015)
- Man Up (2015)
- The Half of It (2020)
- Rye Lane (2023): A colorful, vibrant modern walk-and-talk in South London.
- The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
- Wimbledon (2004)
- Stardust (2007)
- Once (2007): A low-budget musical that feels like a documentary about falling in love.
Essential “Rewatchable” Rom-Coms
- The Holiday (2006)
- Love Actually (2003)
- 50 First Dates (2004)
- The Proposal (2009)
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
- My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
- 13 Going on 30 (2004)
- Serendipity (2001)
- Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
- The Wedding Singer (1998)
- Palm Springs (2020)
- Fire Island (2022)
How to pick up your neighborhood girl
Why Do We Keep Watching Romantic Movies?
Psychologically, romantic movies do more than just entertain. According to film critics at Rotten Tomatoes, the genre thrives because it explores the most vulnerable aspects of the human condition. Whether it’s the dopamine hit of a “happily ever after” or the catharsis of a tragic breakup, these films allow us to process our own emotions safely through the characters on screen.
How to pick up your neighborhood girl
Pro Tip for Your Next Movie Night:
If you’re stuck between two choices, check the “Chemistry Test.” A great romantic movie lives or dies by the connection between the leads. If you don’t believe they want to be in the same room, you won’t believe they want to be in love.
Final Thoughts
From the black-and-white elegance of Roman Holiday to the neon-lit streets of Rye Lane, the best romantic movies don’t just tell us a story—they make us feel something we often struggle to put into words. This list of 100+ films is a great starting point, but the “best” movie is always the one that speaks to your specific heart.
