The 45 Best Romance Movies of All Time

Romantic films hold a special place in our hearts, offering an escape into the world of love, passion and deep human connection. From classic tales of timeless romance to modern love stories that tug at our heartstrings, the best romance movies have the ability to elicit a wide range of emotions like no other genre.

In this curated list, we delve into the world of romance to explore some of the best romantic movies of all time. These are the films that have made us laugh, cry and even fall in love with the characters we see on screen. From heartwarming rom-coms to intense, passionate love stories, we've gathered a list of 45 romantic movies that deserve to be watched over and over again. Whether you're planning a movie night with your significant other, hunting for the perfect royal romance flick for your bachelorette weekend or simply looking for a feel-good movie to throw on Netflix, have a gander at this list of iconic, tear-jerking and heartwarming romantic films.

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The Knot's Romantic Movie Ranking

From nostalgic rom-coms to intimate character-driven stories, here are our favorite romance movies of all time.

Funniest: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Most Nostalgic: 10 Things I Hate About You

Best Black And White: Casablanca

Best Comfort Film: Father of the Bride

Most Underrated: Her

Best Newcomer: One Fine Morning

Remember Me

Photo: IMDb

Set in New York City, this romantic drama ranks among the best romance movies, telling the story of two young people, Tyler (Robert Pattinson) and Ally (Emilie de Ravin), as they find love and healing amidst personal tragedies.

Release Date: March 12, 2010 | Watch Trailer

The Vow

Based on a true story, this romantic drama follows the life of Paige (Rachel McAdams) and Leo (Channing Tatum), a couple deeply in love until a tragic accident erases Paige's memories of their relationship. As Leo fights to win back the heart of his beloved, The Vow delves into the complexities of love, commitment, and the power of enduring connections.

Release Date: August 23, 2020 | Watch Trailer

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Photo: IMDb

This hilarious rom-com stars Jason Segel as Peter, a musician who's devastated after a breakup with his famous TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (played by Kristen Bell). To heal his broken heart, Peter embarks on a solo vacation to Hawaii, only to find himself at the same resort as Sarah, her new boyfriend (played by Russell Brand) and a potential new love interest (Mila Kunis).

Release Date: April 18, 2008 | Watch Trailer

Sylvie's Love

Set in New York City in the late 1950s and early 60s, Sylvie's Love portrays the love story of Sylvie (Tessa Thompson) and Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha), old lovers who meet again under new circumstances.

Release Date: January 27, 2020 | Watch Trailer

Brooklyn

When it comes to good romance movies, Brooklyn is a great starting point. This poignant coming-of-age story follows Eilis (Saoirse Ronan), a young Irish immigrant seeking new opportunities in 1950's Brooklyn, New York. As she navigates her new life (and new love interests), Eilis finds herself torn between her home in Ireland and her new home in America.

Release Date: November 20, 2015 | Watch Trailer

One Fine Morning

If you're looking for new romance movies to watch, this French film follows the story of a single mother (Léa Seydoux) who struggles to care for her sick elderly father. In her efforts to find a suitable nursing home, she encounters an old friend (who is married) and their relationship takes an unexpected turn.

Release Date: October 5, 2022 | Watch Trailer

Casablanca

Photo: Amazon

When it comes to the best romance movies, look no further than Casablanca. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this classic film tells the story of Rick (Humphrey Bogart), an American expatriate who runs a nightclub in Casablanca and his rekindled romance with Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), a former lover who seeks his help to escape the clutches of Nazis.

Release Date: January 23, 1943 | Watch Trailer

Titanic

Photo: Amazon

When it comes to seriously sad romance movies, James Cameron's Titanic takes the cake. If, somehow, you haven't watched it, it tells the story of Jack (Leonardo Dicaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet), two passengers from different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship just before it sinks. Definitely have at tissue box at the ready for this one.

Release Date: December 19, 1997 | Watch Trailer

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Photo: IMDb

This heart-wrenching romance film explores the complexities of past love as we follow Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) as they undergo medical procedures to erase each other from their memories.

Release Date: March 19, 2004 | Watch Trailer

Her

Photo: The Movie Database

Directed by Spike Jonze, Her is a sci-fi romance film that tells the story of a lonely writer (Joaquin Phoenix) who develops an unlikely romantic relationship with a highly advanced AI program (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). It pushes the boundaries of what it means to love, all while underscoring the importance of human connection.

Release Date: January 10, 2014 | Watch Trailer

Blue is the Warmest Color

If you're okay with bawling your eyes out, this profoundly passionate French film is so worth the watch. It's a coming-of-age romantic drama that tells the story of a young woman named Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos) as she navigates her way through life and love. When she meets the magnetic Emma (Léa Seydoux) at a lesbian bar, their intense connection sparks a deep and emotionally charged romance, exploring themes of desire, sexuality and identity.

Release Date: November 9, 2001 | Watch Trailer

Mamma Mia!

Photo: Amazon

Based on the stage musical of the same name, Mamma Mia! is a feel-good wedding movie that features everyone's favorite ABBA songs. Set on a picturesque island in Greece, the film follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), who invites three men to her wedding in order to figure out which of them is her father.

Release Date: July 18, 2008 | Watch Trailer

Annie Hall

This iconic rom-com explores the quirky relationship between Alvy Singer (played by Woody Allen) and the charming Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). With innovative storytelling, witty humor and memorable characters, the film does a bang-up job portraying the complexities of love and human connection.

Release Date: April 20, 1977 | Watch Trailer

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Photo: Amazon

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a timeless romantic comedy released in 1961, based on Truman Capote's novella. Audrey Hepburn portrays the iconic character Holly Golightly, a New York socialite as she embarks on enchanting yet unconventional adventures in the city.

Release Date: October 5, 1961 | Watch Trailer

10 Things I Hate About You

Photo: Amazon

In this 90s reimagining of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, this film revolves around a new student named Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who attempts to win the heart of a pretty, seemingly unapproachable girl, Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). He learns that her dad won't let her date anyone until her intimidating older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) starts dating first — so he sets Kat up with the angsty but handsome Patrick (played by Heath Ledger).

Release Date: March 31, 1999 | Watch Trailer

The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water is a visually stunning and emotionally captivating fantasy drama directed by Guillermo del Toro. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War era, it tells the story of a mute woman who forms an extraordinary bond with a mysterious aquatic creature held in a high-security government laboratory.

Release Date: December 1, 2017 | Watch Trailer

A Walk to Remember

Photo: Amazon

This teenage love story is set in a small coastal town and tells the story of the blossoming relationship between Landon (Shane West), a popular jock-type, and Jamie (Mandy Moore), a quiet, less popular girl with a secret.

Release Date: January 25, 2002 | Watch Trailer

True Romance

If you like your romance movies action-packed, featuring a star-studded cast and written by Quentin Tarantino, then you've got to watch True Romance. Starring Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette, this movie is about a newlywed couple, Clarence and Alabama, who become embroiled in a dangerous world of crime and violence when they accidentally steal a suitcase filled with cocaine.

Release Date: September 10, 1993 | Watch Trailer

When Harry Met Sally

Photo: Amazon

As one of the best romantic movies of the 1980s, this film follows the evolving relationship between Harry and Sally, portrayed by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, as they navigate friendship, love, and the eternal debate about whether men and women can truly be friends.

Release Date: July 21, 1989 | Watch Trailer

Bridget Jones's Diary

Photo: IMDb

This delightful rom-com follows the life of Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), a quirky, thirty-something woman determined to turn her life around. With a penchant for documenting her daily ups and downs in her diary, she faces the challenges of her career, family and love life, all while caught in a romantic tug-of-war between her boss (Hugh Grant) and the enigmatic Mark Darcy (Colin Firth).

Release Date: April 13, 2001 | Watch Trailer

Before Sunrise

Before Sunrise takes place over the course of a night in Vienna, when Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) meet on a train and decide to spend the evening exploring the city together.

Release Date: January 27, 1995 | Watch Trailer

Before Sunset

Before Sunset is the sequel to Before Sunrise, which reunites Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy), who meet again nine years after their initial encounter. They spend an afternoon together in Paris, reflecting on their lives, loves and the enduring connection between them.

Release Date: July 2, 2004 | Watch Trailer

Love Jones

Love Jones follows the passionate love story between Darius Lovehall (played by Larenz Tate), a poet, and Nina Mosley (played by Nia Long), a photographer, as they navigate the challenges of love and creative expression in the vibrant backdrop of Chicago's arts and music scene.

Release Date: March 14, 1997 | Watch Trailer

Blue Valentine

Photo: IMDb

This romantic film explores the tumultuous relationship of a married couple, played by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. The narrative weaves between the early days of their passionate romance and the later years of their marriage, exposing the gradual disintegration of their love. Gosling also sings and plays ukulele in it, which alone makes it worth the watch.

Release Date: January 7, 2011 | Watch Trailer

Carol

This movie explores the love affair between Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), an older, wealthy woman going through a divorce, and Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young photographer. Their passionate and forbidden relationship unfolds in 1950s New York City, which underscores the challenges faced by same-sex couples during that era.

Release Date: November 27, 2015 | Watch Trailer

The Big Sick

Photo: IMDb

This romantic comedy is based on the real-life love story of comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily Gordon. The film follows Kumail, a Pakistani-American stand-up comic and Emily, a grad student, as they navigate the challenges of cultural differences and a sudden illness that brings them closer together.

Release Date: July 14, 2017 | Watch Trailer

The Wedding Singer

Starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, this 90s rom-com is actually set in the 80s. It follows the story of a wedding singer who falls for a waitress who is already engaged to a not-so-pleasant character.

Release Date: February 13, 1998 | Watch Trailer

Amélie

Photo: IMDb

This quirky French film follows the life of Amélie (Audrey Tautou), an imaginative young woman who decides to make it her mission to spread happiness and bring positive changes to the lives of those around her.

Release Date: November 9, 2001 | Watch Trailer

Sleepless in Seattle

Sleepless in Seattle is a beloved romantic comedy from 1993 starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The film follows the heartwarming and serendipitous long-distance romance that blossoms between a recently widowed man living in Seattle and a woman engaged to another man in Baltimore, all thanks to a radio call-in show.

Release Date: June 25, 1993 | Watch Trailer

The Proposal

Photo: IMDb

Starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, this hilarious rom-com follows a hard-headed Canadian executive (Bullock) who persuades her assistant (Reynolds) to marry her so she can avoid deportation from the United States.

Release Date: June 19, 2009 | Watch Trailer

She's All That

Photo: IMDb

This very Y2K rom-com revolves around a high school jock (Freddie Prinze Jr.) who, after a bet, attempts to transform the school's least popular girl (Rachael Leigh Cook) into the prom queen, only to discover love where he least expected it.

Release Date: January 29, 1999 | Watch Trailer

Never Been Kissed

Never Been Kissed is one of the best romance movies of the 90s that fans watch over and over again. It stars Drew Barrymore as a journalist who goes undercover as a high school student to relive her teenage years for a newspaper story. As she navigates the ups and downs of high school life, she finds herself reevaluating her own past and her perceptions of love.

Release Date: April 9, 1999 | Watch Trailer

You've Got Mail

Photo: IMDb

Starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, this romance movie tells the story of two individuals who unknowingly become pen pals through email while simultaneously clashing in their real lives as business rivals.

Release Date: December 18, 1998 | Watch Trailer

Girl Picture

Set during the dark winter season in Finland, this romantic drama follows three teen girls growing up in Helsinki. The story unfolds as the characters navigate first love, friendships, and intimacy.

Release Date: April 14, 2022 | Watch Trailer

A Love Song

A Love Song follows the story of Faye (Dale Dickey), a widowed traveler who spends her days at a rural Colorado campground as she waits for an old male friend (Wes Studi) from her past to arrive.

Release Date: January 20, 2022 | Watch Trailer

Runaway Bride

Photo: Amazon

The story follows a small-town woman (Julia Roberts) who becomes notorious for leaving numerous grooms at the altar. A newspaper columnist (Richard Gere) comes to her town to cover the story, leading to unexpected romantic entanglements and self-discovery for both characters.

Release Date: July 30, 1999 | Watch Trailer

50 First Dates

Buckle up for a rollercoaster of laughter and tenderness as we dive into the heartwarming story of Henry (Adam Sandler) and Lucy (Drew Barrymore). The film follows Henry as he falls head over heels for Lucy, a charming woman with short-term memory loss. With each day a new chance to win her heart, he must woo her all over again, making every date feel like the first time – again and again.

Release Date: February 13, 2004 | Watch Trailer

The Wedding Planner

Photo: Amazon

Here's an early 2000's rom-com that stars Jennifer Lopez as Mary Fiore, a successful wedding planner. Her world is turned upside down when she unexpectedly falls in love with the groom (Matthew McConaughey) of a wedding she's organizing.

Release Date: January 26, 2001 | Watch Trailer

Sense and Sensibility

Prepare to be swept away in a whirlwind of wit, charm, and love as Sense and Sensibility serves up a delightful dose of late 18th century romance. Follow the Dashwood sisters, Elinor (Emma Thompson) and Marianne (Kate Winslet) through their misadventures in matters of the heart, proving that finding love can be just as enjoyable and exasperating as the beloved Jane Austen novel of the same name.

Release Date: December 13, 1995 | Watch Trailer

The Notebook

Photo: Amazon

Grab your tissues and prepare to swoon as The Notebook takes you on a heart-tugging rollercoaster of love that defies time itself. With a romance so epic, even Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie's (Rachel McAdams) chemistry would make cupid cry. This romantic movie on Netflix will leave you weeping, laughing, and wishing for a love as powerful as theirs.

Release Date: June 25, 2004 | Watch Trailer

Crazy, Stupid, Love

With a witty script and endearing characters, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a great rom-com to stream on Netflix. When Cal Weaver's seemingly perfect marriage falls apart, he seeks guidance from a young and stylish ladies' man named Jacob. As Cal tries to rediscover himself and his dating prowess, he finds unexpected connections and hilarious misadventures.

Release Date: July 29, 2011 | Watch Trailer

13 Going on 30

Photo: Amazon

In this whimsical rom-com, thirteen-year-old Jenna Rink makes a wish to be thirty and fabulous, waking up the next day to find herself magically transformed into her adult self (Jennifer Garner). Navigating the complexities of adulthood with the heart of a teenager, Jenna embarks on an adventure of rediscovering her true self and rekindling the connection she had with her childhood best friend (Mark Ruffalo).

Release Date: April 23, 2004 | Watch Trailer

Ammonite

This evocative romantic drama tells the mesmerizing tale of acclaimed paleontologist Mary (Kate Winslet) and her chance encounter with Charlotte (Saoirse Ronan), a grieving and privileged young woman. Set on the windswept shores of the 19th century, the film follows the women as they embark on an unexpected journey of forbidden love and profound connection.

Release Date: September 11, 2020 | Watch Trailer

500 Days of Summer

Photo: Amazon

For a heartfelt romance movie with witty dialogue and charming performances, 500 Days of Summer is one of the best romantic movies to watch. It tells the story of Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his complex relationship with Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The film takes a nonlinear approach, exploring their 500 days together by highlighting the highs and lows of love—all while challenging traditional romantic tropes.

Release Date: July 17, 2009 | Watch Trailer