Romantic films are usually written off as unserious cinema. These are meant to be light, fluffy stories that deliver mindless entertainment. However, anyone who has ever been swept away by a great love story knows that the genre offers so much more than just that. Romance movies explore the depths of what it means to be human.
The thrill of connecting with someone, the pain of losing them, and the hope that they will come back to you, the genre proves that no matter what era you live in, love truly is universal. Here is my list of 10 great romantic movies that are worth watching over and over again because of that warm, fuzzy feeling they leave you with.
10
‘Pretty Woman’ (1990)
Pretty Woman features Julia Roberts at her finest, in a story that redefined the idea of modern romance. The film, directed by Garry Marshall, follows Roberts as Vivian Ward, a free-spirited sex worker who is hired by corporate raider Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) to be his companion for a week as he attends high-stakes business events. Their transactional arrangement quickly turns into an unexpected, norm-defying love story for the ages. The film does a great job of ensuring that Roberts’s character isn’t stereotyped or reduced to a joke. Vivian is a deeply layered character who starts opening up to Edward about the emotional damage she has to live with after years of being in the profession. As the story unfolds, both characters grow to care for each other, and Vivian starts to realize that she, too, is worthy of love and respect.
Gere and Roberts’s chemistry is the heart of the film, and their dynamic is both playful and genuinely honest at the same time. The scene where Edward shows up in the white limousine and climbs the fire escape to rescue Vivian, only for her to tell him that she is rescuing him right back, is the perfect climax for their relationship that is built on healing and mutual respect. Some might criticize the film for glossing over the darker side of sex work. Ultimately, though, Pretty Woman dares to prove how love goes beyond social labels, and in doing so, it remains one of the most iconic romantic movies of all time.
9
‘Notting Hill’ (1999)
Notting Hill is definitely a slow burn, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. In fact, the film is the very opposite of that. The story follows William Thacker (Hugh Grant), a shy bookshop owner in London who crosses paths with Hollywood star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), and the two slowly start falling for each other. In many ways, the film’s slow, deliberate pacing helps you really understand the two characters before the romance takes over. We get a long, detailed look into William’s everyday life, his quirky group of friends, his home, and his humble shop.
Once we fully know him as a character, his collision with Anna’s glamorous world feels a little more realistic than the typical “ordinary guy meets Hollywood star” trope. Notting Hill really leans into British humor, and Grant’s self-deprecating humor really adds to the film’s offbeat charm. Roberts’s portrayal of a Hollywood star is also brilliant, especially with the kind of vulnerability and depth she brings to the character. Despite its seemingly grand premise, Notting Hill is a simple film about two very different people and what keeps pulling them back to each other. No over-the-top drama or major antagonists are trying to sabotage William and Anna’s love story. The conflict comes from extremely real and relatable fears of rejection, public scrutiny, and the idea of getting your heart broken. This quiet, grounded exploration of their love is what makes the film so special.
8
‘Sabrina’ (1954)
Sabrina was practically made for Audrey Hepburn, because the actress delivers one of her most charming performances in this timeless romantic comedy. The story follows Hepburn as Sabrina Fairchild, whose father works as a chauffeur for the Larrabee family. Now, Sabrina has always been hopelessly in love with David Larrabee (William Holden), who finally starts noticing her when she returns from Paris as a completely transformed woman. However, things take a turn when David’s older brother, Linus (Humphrey Bogart), starts falling for Sabrina too. The film has all the makings of a Cinderella retelling, but with a love triangle and a more grown-up perspective.
However, under Billy Wilder’s direction, Sabrina balances light-hearted romance with social satire about class that never feels too on-the-nose. Hepburn’s Sabrina isn’t just a girl who goes through a major glow-up and suddenly has all the boys swooning over her. Wilder really takes the time to develop her character as she evolves into a confident, young woman who discovers her own worth. Bogart, who is mostly known for his gritty roles, is perfect as the slightly broody and unexpectedly vulnerable businessman who is completely changed by love. Holden also brings in an air of carefreeness to his role of a charming playboy, who suddenly finds himself out of his depth. The film is shot in black and white, but even 70 years later, its charm hasn’t faded at all. Sabrina still feels vibrant, elegant, and remains one of the most heartwarming romantic comedies Hollywood has ever made.
7
‘While You Were Sleeping’ (1995)
While You Were Sleeping is easily one of the most rewatchable romantic comedies of modern times. The film goes to show that love doesn’t always have to be about grand gestures and dramatic conflicts, and that’s my favorite thing about it. The story follows Lucy (Sandra Bullock), a Chicago transit worker who has a little crush on a handsome commuter, Peter (Peter Gallagher). When Lucy ends up saving Peter from an accident, a sudden misunderstanding leads everyone to believe she is his fiancée while he’s in a coma. Before Lucy can tell the truth, she is swept into Peter’s world and slowly finds herself falling for his brother Jack (Bill Pullman).
Now, this premise could have easily come off as a little too chaotic, but Jon Turteltaub’s direction and the cast’s brilliant performances make it feel extremely sincere instead of messy. Bullock is obviously the heart of the film and plays Lucy with so much warmth and natural humor that you can’t help but root for her through all her shenanigans. Pullman, on the other hand, complements her perfectly as the quiet and intense Jack. The world of the film and its characters feel extremely real, the conversations flow organically, and the cherry on top is the cozy soundtrack that makes the story feel as timeless as ever. Beyond all the humor, though, While You Were Sleeping is the touching tale of a lonely woman who finally finds the family and the fairytale romance she has always wanted. This is the kind of rom-com that you can put on, whether you want a good laugh or a cathartic crying session.
6
‘Sweet Home Alabama’ (2002)
If you’re looking for a feel-good, small-town romantic comedy, Sweet Home Alabama hits the nail on the head! On the surface, the film can come across as a typical story where a rich, successful city girl goes back home and is ashamed of where she grew up. However, that’s not what’s going on in this film that dares to tackle themes of identity and the cost of success. The story follows Melanie (Reese Witherspoon), a New York fashion designer engaged to Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), the son of Manhattan’s mayor. However, the catch is that Melanie is still legally married to her high school sweetheart, Jake (Josh Lucas), who refuses to sign their divorce papers.
What starts as a rather annoying trip to tie up loose ends quickly turns into the lesson of a lifetime for Melanie, as she is forced to face the version of herself she has tried so hard to erase. Sweet Home Alabama never mocks small-town life and shows Pigeon Creek as a messy but loving place, where everyone relies on the strength of community. The way Witherspoon easily slips into her country girl roots while still holding on to her big city dreams is the biggest conflict of the film. The love triangle in itself isn’t really a triangle, because it all comes down to the kind of life that Melanie wants to live. You genuinely find yourself rooting for all three characters throughout the film, and when Melanie is sprinting through the rain to the man she knows she loves, her decision feels personal.
5
‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ (2003)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is a rom-com that never gets old. The story follows Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), a journalist who pitches a story where she dates a guy and drives him away in ten days by checking the list of every “dating don’t” out there. At the same time, you have Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey), an ambitious advertising executive, who bets that he can make any woman fall in love with him in ten days to land an important deal. When the two leads cross paths, they have no idea that the other has an agenda, and their secret mind games quickly turn into one of the most entertaining love stories of all time.
The setup of the film is hilarious on its own, but Hudson and McConaughey’s chemistry is what has made How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days so memorable. Their constant back-and-forth feels like a true battle, but the real twist comes when they slowly start falling for each other. The real romance starts when Andie visits Ben’s family in Staten Island, and the two realize that they have a genuine connection with each other. Some might call the film predictable, but one can argue that it’s part of the charm! At its core, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days knows exactly what it’s doing, but even then, the film’s swoon-worthy ending will have you believing in love all over again.
4
‘The Notebook’ (2004)
The Notebook, based on Nicholas Sparks’s novel of the same name, is an intense story about love, loss, and the kind of connections that can survive time, distance, and even fading memory. The film stars Ryan Gosling as Noah, a working-class boy who meets heiress Allie (Rachel McAdams) at a carnival in the summer of 1940. The two madly fall in love with each other, but their passionate romance is short-lived due to their class differences. Years later, they reunite again just as Allie is about to marry someone else. However, meeting Noah forces her to confront her true desires. Gosling and McAdams share an intense yet still playful chemistry that makes Noah and Allie’s love feel inevitable.
From the very first scene, where Noah dangles from the Ferris wheel to get Allie’s attention, their spark carries the entire film. Their connection is impulsive but also deeply tender, and that doesn’t change even after all their time apart. From the iconic rain-soaked kiss to their fiery arguments, The Notebook is loud with its portrayal of the kind of love that consumes you. What makes The Notebook so unforgettable is the fact that we hear this story through the eyes of an older version of Noah (James Garner), who is actually reading Allie’s (Gena Rowlands) own journal to her as her memory starts slipping away. This adds another layer of emotional depth to this already heartwarming story that dares to defy sense and reason in the face of love.
3
‘Before Sunrise’ (1995)
Before Sunrise is one of those movies that actually feel like real life. If you’re looking for a predictable, breezy love story, this film might not be the one for you because it’s more of an intimate, slow, and thoughtful meditation on love itself. The story follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American traveler, and Céline (Julie Delpy), a French student, who meet by chance on a train and decide to spend one night wandering through Vienna together. What’s interesting is that most of the film revolves around the two strangers talking and getting to know each other while falling in love at the same time.
There’s something about the pacing, writing, and direction of Before Sunrise that makes you forget you’re watching a scripted story. Hawke and Deply’s chemistry is arguably one of the most electric yet still completely natural to the point where you feel like you’re eavesdropping on two real people connecting in real time. The film doesn’t have any forced conflict, no melodrama, and the characters don’t exactly get a happy ending. However, that’s the entire point! Before Sunrise is a story about how deeply people can change you, even if you only spend a few hours together. At the same time, I’m glad that the film’s success eventually resulted in two sequels, Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013), which allowed us to follow Jesse and Céline for a little bit longer, as their relationship evolves through the years.
2
‘Pride & Prejudice’ (2005)
Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice is one of the best and most emotionally touching takes on the classic novel. Wright doesn’t shy away from portraying the Regency era as a little messier and rooted in reality, compared to the story’s earlier adaptations that lean into the polished, picture-perfect depiction of the period. Keira Knightley delivers one of her career’s best performances as the intelligent and sharp Elizabeth Bennet, who refuses to be confined by societal expectations.
On the other hand, Matthew Macfadyen is perfect as the quiet and brooding Mr. Darcy, who slowly lets his guard down as he starts falling for Elizabeth. Compared to other period romances, Pride & Prejudice doesn’t take things painfully slow, and you can almost feel the tension between the two leads the minute they cross paths. What really makes this adaptation stand out is how it balances romance with realism, without ever feeling melodramatic. The film’s impeccable cinematography and beautiful score only add to its brilliance. Elizabeth and Darcy’s love story is full of awkward silences, unspoken feelings, and small gestures, but the passion and yearning of it all still leave you breathless. By the time Darcy confesses his love to Elizabeth in the climax, you’re practically shouting at the screen for them to seal it with a kiss.
1
‘Titanic’ (1997)
James Cameron’s Titanic is an epic in every sense of the word. The fact that the filmmaker was able to weave one of the most beautiful love stories of all time inside one of the most famous tragedies in modern history is truly commendable, and makes you feel the weight of the sinking on a more personal level. The story follows socialite Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), who is trapped in a loveless engagement to save her family’s fading fortune. However, when she meets Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) aboard the RMS Titanic, she begins to dream of a life beyond what she has always known. First of all, we have to talk about Cameron’s attention to detail because Titanic is shockingly realistic and really immerses you in that world.
The heart of the story, of course, is Rose and Jack’s romance. There’s something truly touching about these two people from opposite worlds seeing each other for who they truly are. DiCaprio and Winslet’s chemistry is one for the ages, and you can’t help but root for them, even when you are aware of the disaster that awaits. By the time the iceberg hits, the tone of the film changes drastically, but because you’re so invested in all these characters, the tragedy stops feeling like history and starts feeling personal. The panic, the heartbreak, Rose and Jack’s fight to survive against all odds is almost unbearable to watch, but that’s also what makes their love story so powerful.
Titanic
- Release Date
-
December 19, 1997
- Runtime
-
3h 14m
- Director
-
James Cameron
- Writers
-
James Cameron
