The 2000s Romance Movies That Defined the Decade

The 2000s marked a distinctive era for romance movies, setting the stage for some of the most memorable and emotionally charged love stories in cinematic history. Unlike the rom coms that often dominate the genre, 2000s romance movies ventured into profound and often bittersweet territory, capturing the complexities of human relationships.

What makes the best romance movies of the 2000s stand out is their ability to evoke deep emotions and leave lasting impressions. They explored love's various dimensions, from the passionate and heart-wrenching to the tender and enduring. If you're interested in films that challenged the romance tropes of previous decades, our editors have put together a curated list just for you. They're the kind of movies that have the power to tug at your heartstrings and stir emotions, all while providing thought-provoking narratives that continue to captivate audiences today.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

The Knot's 2000s Romance Movie Ranking

Here are The Knot's top picks when it comes to romance movies of the 2000s.

Most Nostalgic: A Walk to Remember

Best Tearjerker: The Notebook

Best Period Piece: Bright Star

Most Underrated: Love and Basketball

Editor's Favorite: Never Let Me Go

Save the Last Dance

Photo: IMDb

You'll be transported right back to 2001 with this coming-of-age romantic drama. The story revolves around Sara (Julia Stiles), a young ballet dancer who, after a family tragedy, meets Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas), a talented hip-hop dancer who helps her rediscover her passion for dance and life.

Release Date: January 12, 2001 | Watch Trailer

Sweet November

In this 2000s romance movie, we meet Nelson (Keanu Reeves), a total workaholic who has just been dumped and fired. When he meets the free-spirited Sara (Charlize Theron), he ends up in a month-long arrangement with her that changes his life forever.

Release Date: February 12, 2001 | Watch Trailer

Love and Basketball

Photo: IMDb

Two childhood friends aspire to become future professional basketball players. Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) both have bold dreams to play for the WNBA and NBA, respectively. Over time, their talent for the sport, and their feelings for each other, blossom into something something larger than life.

Release Date: April 16, 2000 | Watch Trailer

Serendipity

Photo: IMDb

When it comes to 2000's romantic movies about the magic of fate, Serendipity takes the cake. Following the serendipitous encounters of Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsale), this film captures the essence of a chance meeting that sparks an unforgettable romance.

Release Date: October 5, 2001 | Watch Trailer

A Walk to Remember

Photo: IMDb

A staple of the 2000s romance movies genre, A Walk to Remember follows the story of Landon (Shane West) and Jamie (Mandy Moore), two high school students from different social circles who eventually accept their deep connection, despite their differences.

Release Date: January 25, 2002 | Watch Trailer

Lost in Translation

This romantic drama follows the chance encounter between two lost souls in the bustling heart of Tokyo. Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) form an unlikely connection as they navigate their personal struggles.

Release Date: September 12, 2003 | Watch Trailer

Cold Mountain

Here's a gripping Civil War-era romance that portrays the harrowing journey of a Confederate soldier, Inman (Jude Law), as he struggles to return to his beloved Ada (Nicole Kidman).

Release Date: December 25, 2003 | Watch Trailer

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

When it comes to star-studded romance movies from the 2000s, this tearjerker is one to watch over and over again. Starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, the story revolves around a couple who undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories after a tumultuous relationship. Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo and Elijah Wood make appearances throughout the film, too.

Release Date: March 19, 2004 | Watch Trailer

The Notebook

Photo: IMDb

Set against the backdrop of 1940s South Carolina, this romantic sob-fest follows the passionate relationship between Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams), two young lovers from different social backgrounds. The film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' bestselling novel is considered one of the best romance movies of all time.

Release Date: June 25, 2004 | Watch Trailer

Before Sunset

Here's a captivating romantic drama that unfolds in real-time. It follows the characters Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) as they reconnect nine years after their first meeting in the popular '90s romance film, Before Sunrise.

Release Date: July 2, 2004 | Watch Trailer

A Very Long Engagement

If historical romance fiction is your cup of tea, look no further than Jean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement. It tells the story of Mathilde (Audrey Tautou), a young woman searching for her lost love in the aftermath of World War I.

Release Date: October 27, 2004 | Watch Trailer

Pride & Prejudice

Photo: IMDb

The 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice brings every English major's favorite Jane Austen novel to life with breathtaking visuals and stellar performances. Keira Knightley shines as the sharp-witted Elizabeth Bennet, whose spirited personality sparks something deep within Matthew Macfadyen's stoic Mr. Darcy.

Release Date: September 16, 2005 | Watch Trailer

Brokeback Mountain

Photo: IMDb

Set against the beautiful Wyoming mountains, Brokeback Mountain is a groundbreaking 2000s romance that explores the passionate love story between two cowboys, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal).

Release Date: December 23, 2005 | Watch Trailer

The Lake House

Starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, The Lake House tells the story of two people living in the same lake house but separated by two years. Through a mysterious mailbox, they exchange letters that bridge the temporal gap, forging a deep connection that defies logic.

Release Date: June 16, 2006 | Watch Trailer

A Good Year

Directed by Ridley Scott, this romantic movie will tempt you to book a flight to southern France. It follows the story of an investment banker (Russell Crowe), who inherits a charming French vineyard after the death of his uncle and meets someone special along the way.

Release Date: October 27, 2006 | Watch Trailer

The Painted Veil

Set in 1920's China, The Painted Veil follows the journey of Kitty (Naomi Watts), a sheltered woman who embarks on a tough journey with her husband (Edward Norton) to a remote village, where they confront personal demons, a cholera epidemic and ultimately, the transformative power of love.

Release Date: January 19, 2007 | Watch Trailer

Atonement

Photo: IMDb

This emotional film revolves around Briony (Saoirse Ronan), a young girl whose misunderstanding leads to a devastating accusation against Robbie (James McAvoy), her older sister's (Kiera Knightly) lover. As the film progresses, we witness the profound impact of this accusation on the characters' lives and their quest for forgiveness.

Release Date: September 7, 2007 | Watch Trailer

Lars and the Real Girl

Here's an unconventional romance movie about a socially-isolated man named Lars (played by Ryan Gosling) who introduces his family and friends to a lifelike, anatomically correct doll he treats as a real girlfriend. The concept is totally wacky, but the film actually does a pretty good job exploring themes of love, acceptance and mental health.

Release Date: October 12, 2007 | Watch Trailer

The Other Boleyn Girl

Based loosely on a true story, The Other Boleyn Girl is a historical drama set in the 16th century. It tells the tale of two sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson), who vie for the affection of King Henry VIII.

Release Date: February 29, 2008 | Watch Trailer

Twilight

Photo: IMDb

When it comes to supernatural romance movies from the 2000s, it'd be wrong not to include Twilight. Based on the first of Stephanie Meyer's popular saga, the film gives us the first part of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward's (Robert Pattinson) epic human-vampire love story that so many of us already know and love.

Release Date: November 21, 2008 | Watch Trailer

The Reader

Based on Bernhard Schlink's novel of the same name, this haunting romance follows the story of Michael (Ralph Fiennes) who crosses paths with a former lover (Kate Winslet) while she defends herself in a war-crime trial.

Release Date: December 12, 2008 | Watch Trailer

Revolutionary Road

Set in 1950s Connecticut, this gripping romantic drama stars Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as April and Frank Wheeler, a married couple struggling to break free from the suffocating conventions of suburban life.

Release Date: December 26, 2008 | Watch Trailer

The Time Traveler's Wife

Photo: IMDb

Starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana, The Time Traveler's Wife is about Clare and Henry, a couple whose love is put to the test because of Henry's genetic disorder, which causes him to involuntarily time travel.

Release Date: August 14, 2009 | Watch Trailer

Bright Star

If you love a period piece, Bright Star is a poignant love story set in early 19th-century London. It follows the passionate love affair between the English poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and his muse, Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish).

Release Date: September 25, 2009 | Watch Trailer

Lovely, Still

Photo: IMDb

If you're looking for 2000's holiday romance movies, here's a super cute watch that revolves around an elderly man (Martin Landau) who experiences an unexpected romance during the Christmas season.

Release Date: September 10, 2010 | Watch Trailer

Never Let Me Go

Directed by Mark Romanek, this thought-provoking film is based on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel of the same name. Set in an alternate reality, it follows the lives of three seemingly normal friends, Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Ruth (Keira Knightley) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield), who discover a haunting secret involving their purpose in life.

Release Date: September 15, 2010 | Watch Trailer

One Day

Photo: IMDb

Anne Hathaway fans, this one's for you. This romantic drama spans 20 years, following the lives of Emma (Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess). The movie revisits their relationship on the same date, July 15th, over two decades, highlighting the ups and downs of their love story.

Release Date: August 19, 2011 | Watch Trailer