Romance movies have captivated audiences for decades, offering timeless tales of love, heartbreak, and everything in between. From heartwarming classics that defined the golden age of cinema to modern masterpieces that challenge traditional narratives, these films remind us why love remains one of the most universal themes in storytelling.
Whether it’s the grand gestures, witty banter, or poignant moments of connection, the best romance movies transport us to worlds where emotions run deep and relationships take center stage. Here, we rank 60 of the most unforgettable romantic films of all time, each earning its place in the hearts of movie lovers everywhere.
60. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
After being dumped by his TV star girlfriend, Peter heads to Hawaii to recover, only to find she’s staying at the same resort—with her new boyfriend.
59. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Spending her summer at a Catskills resort, Frances "Baby" Houseman falls for the camp's charismatic dance instructor, Johnny Castle.
58. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
When Julianne learns her best friend is engaged, she realizes she loves him and sets out to win him back before the wedding.
57. Jerry Maguire (1996)
A sports agent who has a moral epiphany decides to test his principles by starting anew with only one loyal athlete and a former colleague.
56. Palm Springs (2020)
Two wedding guests find themselves stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day while a romantic bond develops between them.
55. Sing Street (2016)
Set in 1980s Dublin, a teenager forms a band to impress a mysterious girl, using music to escape his difficult home life.
54. 500 Days of Summer (2009)
After being dumped by his soulmate, Tom Hansen reflects on their relationship, trying to understand where it all went wrong.
53. Something's Gotta Give (2003)
A playboy in his twilight years who prefers younger women unexpectedly falls for a sophisticated woman closer to his age.
52. The Notebook (2004)
An elderly man recounts the story of two young lovers separated by class differences to a woman with dementia.
51. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
After the death of his wife, a man’s son calls a radio show, hoping to find his father a new partner.
50. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
A young Greek woman falls for a non-Greek man and struggles to reconcile her family’s cultural expectations with her love life.
49. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Rachel Chu, a New Yorker, travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, only to discover he comes from one of the wealthiest families in Asia.
48. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
In this high-school rom-com, a boy must find a date for his crush’s surly sister before he can pursue her himself.
47. Notting Hill (1999)
The quiet life of a London bookshop owner changes forever when he meets the world’s most famous movie star.
46. Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Two lovers conspire to trick their friends, a bickering pair, into falling in love while preparing for their own wedding.
45. Carol (2015)
A comedian trying to transition into serious acting agrees to document his wedding to his reality-star fiancée on television.
44. Atonement (2007)
A young girl’s false accusation irrevocably alters the lives of her sister and her lover during World War II.
43. Groundhog Day (1993)
A cynical weatherman stuck in a time loop is forced to relive the same day until he learns to be a better person—and falls in love.
42. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Bridget, determined to improve her life, chronicles her romantic misadventures and self-improvement efforts in a diary.
41. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Socially awkward Barry Egan’s call to a phone-sex line spirals into chaos, threatening his budding romance with Lena.
40. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Two cowboys form a deep emotional and romantic bond that endures despite their marriages and societal pressures.
39. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
A New York socialite develops a complicated connection with her new neighbor, but her past threatens their relationship.
38. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
After his release from a mental institution, Pat meets Tiffany, a troubled woman who changes the course of his life.
37. The Worst Person in the World (2021)
Over four years, Julie navigates relationships and career choices, ultimately confronting who she truly is.
36. Amélie (2001)
A whimsical Parisian waitress embarks on a journey to spread happiness to others and discovers love along the way.
35. A Star is Born (2018)
A seasoned musician helps a young singer rise to fame while his own career spirals downward due to addiction and age.
34. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Neighbors bond over the suspicion of their spouses' infidelity but vow to keep their connection platonic to avoid similar mistakes.
33. Licorice Pizza (2021)
Set in 1970s San Fernando Valley, this coming-of-age story follows Alana and Gary as they navigate young love and ambition.
32. Harold and Maude (1971)
An unlikely friendship blossoms into a romantic connection between a death-obsessed young man and a vivacious elderly woman.
31. The English Patient (1996)
A nurse tends to a severely burned man, uncovering his tragic love affair through a series of flashbacks.
30. West Side Story (1961)
A modern-day Romeo and Juliet, two lovers from rival gangs struggle against escalating tensions with tragic consequences.
29. Titanic (1997)
A young aristocrat and a poor artist fall in love aboard the ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.
28. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s romance is fraught with misunderstandings and class differences in this classic adaptation.
27. Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013)
Adèle’s relationship with Emma helps her navigate love, desire, and her identity, but it’s also marked by loss and self-discovery.
26. Her (2013)
In the near future, a lonely writer falls in love with an advanced operating system designed to meet his every need.
25. Your Name (2016)
Two teens mysteriously swap bodies and form a deep connection, sparking a quest to meet in person.
24. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
A young William Shakespeare finds his muse and inspiration in the form of a noblewoman, leading to one of his most famous plays.
23. High Fidelity (2000)
A record store owner reflects on his past relationships, recounting his top five breakups as he navigates a current one.
22. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
A serial bachelor begins to question his commitment issues after a series of weddings and a funeral.
21. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
A man reconnects with his high school crush years later, but their reunion is hilariously complicated.
20. Past Lives (2023)
Childhood friends Nora and Hae Sung reconnect after decades apart, exploring destiny and unspoken love.
19. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
A couple undergoes a procedure to erase their memories of each other but find their love is impossible to forget.
18. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
A painter is commissioned to create a wedding portrait of a young woman, leading to an intimate and forbidden romance.
17. Say Anything (1989)
An underachiever woos a valedictorian, cementing one of cinema’s most iconic romantic moments involving a boombox.
16. It Happened One Night (1934)
A journalist and a runaway heiress are thrown together on a journey that leads to unexpected romance.
15. Manhattan (1979)
A divorced writer’s life becomes complicated as he falls in love with his best friend’s mistress.
14. The Big Sick (2017)
Cultural clashes and a medical crisis challenge a budding romance between Kumail and Emily.
13. An Affair to Remember (1957)
A couple falls in love on a cruise and agrees to reunite at the Empire State Building in six months—if fate allows.
12. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Two longtime friends fear romance will ruin their friendship but can’t deny their feelings.
11. About Time (2013)
Tim discovers he can time travel and uses his gift to win the love of his life, learning lessons about love and family.
10. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Set in 1980s Italy, a summer romance unfolds between a 17-year-old and his father’s research assistant.
9. The Graduate (1967)
A disillusioned college graduate becomes entangled with an older woman—only to fall for her daughter.
8. Before Sunrise (1995)
Two strangers meet on a train and share a magical night in Vienna, knowing it may be their only time together.
7. Gone with the Wind (1939)
A Southern belle and a rogue navigate love and survival during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras.
6. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
A socialite reevaluates her life and love when her ex-husband and a journalist arrive on the eve of her wedding.
5. La La Land (2016)
A jazz musician and an aspiring actress fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles.
4. The Apartment (1960)
An office worker loans his apartment to his boss for trysts, but complications arise when he falls for the boss’s mistress.
3. Annie Hall (1977)
Alvy Singer reflects on his failed relationship with Annie Hall, an aspiring singer, in this unconventional rom-com.
2. Before Sunset (2004)
Nine years after their first meeting, Jesse and Celine reunite in Paris, rekindling their romance.
1. Casablanca (1942)
An American café owner must decide whether to help his former lover and her husband escape Nazi-occupied Morocco.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ