Best Romantic Movies of All Time: The Ultimate 100-Movie Love List

Romance has always been one of cinema’s most powerful storytelling tools. From sweeping historical epics to quiet, intimate love stories, the best romantic movies stay with us long after the credits roll. They make us laugh, cry, believe in soulmates, and sometimes even heal a broken heart.

Whether you’re planning a cozy movie night, searching for a film that captures true love, or just building the ultimate watchlist, this guide brings together the 100 best romantic movies of all time — across decades, cultures, and styles.

This list includes timeless classics, modern favorites, tearjerkers, romantic comedies, and unforgettable love stories that define what romance in cinema is all about.

Why Romantic Movies Never Go Out of Style

Romantic films resonate because they reflect universal emotions — longing, passion, heartbreak, sacrifice, and hope. The best romantic movies don’t just tell love stories; they show us what it means to love deeply, imperfectly, and honestly.

From grand gestures to subtle glances, romance in film continues to evolve while staying timeless.

The 100 Best Romantic Movies You Must Watch

Classic Romantic Movies (Golden & Silver Age)

1. Casablanca (1942) – A legendary tale of love and sacrifice set during World War II.
   
   

2. Gone with the Wind (1939) – Epic romance, ambition, and heartbreak in the American South.
   
   

3. Roman Holiday (1953) – Audrey Hepburn shines in this charming love story.
   
   

4. An Affair to Remember (1957) – A benchmark for emotional romantic cinema.
   
   

5. Brief Encounter (1945) – A quiet, devastating love story about restraint.
   
   

6. The Philadelphia Story (1940) – Romance blended with sharp wit and class.
   
   

7. Sabrina (1954) – Love, transformation, and elegance in Paris.
   
   

8. Doctor Zhivago (1965) – Sweeping romance against a revolutionary backdrop.
   
   

9. West Side Story (1961) – Shakespearean love meets musical brilliance.
   
   

10. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) – Iconic romance wrapped in style and longing.
    
    

Romantic Movies That Defined Generations

11. Titanic (1997) – One of the most iconic love stories ever filmed.
    
    

12. The Notebook (2004) – A modern classic about enduring love.
    
    

13. Pretty Woman (1990) – Cinderella meets Hollywood romance.
    
    

14. Ghost (1990) – Love that transcends life and death.
    
    

15. Dirty Dancing (1987) – Passion, music, and unforgettable chemistry.
    
    

16. Love Story (1970) – A simple, heartbreaking tale of young love.
    
    

17. Notting Hill (1999) – Ordinary man meets extraordinary love.
    
    

18. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) – Destiny-driven romance done right.
    
    

19. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) – British charm and heartfelt emotion.
    
    

20. Jerry Maguire (1996) – Romance mixed with ambition and vulnerability.
    
    

Best Romantic Comedies of All Time

21. When Harry Met Sally (1989) – The ultimate friends-to-lovers story.
    
    

22. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) – Shakespeare meets teen romance.
    
    

23. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) – Glamour, family, and modern love.
    
    

24. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) – Battle of the sexes, rom-com style.
    
    

25. The Proposal (2009) – Fake relationships turning real.
    
    

26. Clueless (1995) – Youthful love with timeless appeal.
    
    

27. Love Actually (2003) – Interwoven stories celebrating all forms of love.
    
    

28. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) – Imperfect love done perfectly.
    
    

29. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) – Love, laughter, and family chaos.
    
    

30. Hitch (2005) – Romance with confidence and heart.
    
    

Deep, Emotional Romantic Movies

31. Blue Valentine (2010) – A raw look at love’s evolution.
    
    

32. Atonement (2007) – Love, guilt, and devastating consequences.
    
    

33. Revolutionary Road (2008) – Marriage, dreams, and disillusionment.
    
    

34. Marriage Story (2019) – Love after love ends.
    
    

35. The English Patient (1996) – Passion set against war and memory.
    
    

36. Call Me by Your Name (2017) – Tender, unforgettable first love.
    
    

37. Brokeback Mountain (2005) – A groundbreaking romantic tragedy.
    
    

38. One Day (2011) – Love unfolding over decades.
    
    

39. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – Young love facing mortality.
    
    

40. Me Before You (2016) – Romance mixed with difficult choices.
    
    

Best Modern Romantic Movies

41. La La Land (2016) – Love versus dreams in modern Hollywood.
    
    

42. Her (2013) – A unique, futuristic love story.
    
    

43. Before Sunrise (1995) – Intimate conversations and instant connection.
    
    

44. Before Sunset (2004) – Love rediscovered.
    
    

45. Before Midnight (2013) – Realistic, mature romance.
    
    

46. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) – Love, memory, and heartbreak.
    
    

47. 500 Days of Summer (2009) – Love isn’t always a fairytale.
    
    

48. Past Lives (2023) – Quiet longing and emotional realism.
    
    

49. Normal People (2020) – Deep emotional intimacy on screen.
    
    

50. Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013) – Passionate and intense romance.
    
    

International Romantic Movies

51. Amélie (France) – Whimsical and heartwarming love.
    
    

52. Cinema Paradiso (Italy) – Love, nostalgia, and cinema itself.
    
    

53. In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong) – Subtle, aching romance.
    
    

54. Your Name (Japan) – Animated romance with destiny at its core.
    
    

55. Life Is Beautiful (Italy) – Love as an act of survival.
    
    

56. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (India) – Bollywood romance royalty.
    
    

57. Blue Is the Warmest Color (France) – Raw emotional storytelling.
    
    

58. Cold War (Poland) – Passion across decades and borders.
    
    

59. The Handmaiden (South Korea) – Erotic, complex love.
    
    

60. A Very Long Engagement (France) – Hope and devotion.
    
    

Romantic Movies Based on Books

61. Pride and Prejudice (2005) – Literary romance at its finest.
    
    

62. Jane Eyre (2011) – Gothic love and independence.
    
    

63. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009) – Love beyond time.
    
    

64. Little Women (2019) – Sisterhood and romance intertwined.
    
    

65. Out of Africa (1985) – Passion in a vast landscape.
    
    

66. The Great Gatsby (2013) – Obsession and lost love.
    
    

67. Anna Karenina (2012) – Tragic, timeless romance.
    
    

68. The Age of Innocence (1993) – Forbidden love.
    
    

69. A Walk to Remember (2002) – Love that changes lives.
    
    

70. The Light We Lost (Upcoming adaptation) – Modern literary romance.
    
    

Underrated Romantic Gems

71. About Time (2013) – Love, family, and time travel.
    
    

72. Once (2007) – Music and fleeting love.
    
    

73. Like Crazy (2011) – Long-distance romance realism.
    
    

74. The Spectacular Now (2013) – Youthful vulnerability.
    
    

75. The Big Sick (2017) – Love, culture, and resilience.
    
    

76. Love & Other Drugs (2010) – Romance with realism.
    
    

77. Carol (2015) – Elegant, restrained love story.
    
    

78. Begin Again (2013) – Love through music.
    
    

79. Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012) – Love after divorce.
    
    

80. Moonlight (2016) – Love and identity.
    
    

Romantic Movies That Make You Believe in Love Again

81. The Princess Bride (1987) – True love and adventure.
    
    

82. Serendipity (2001) – Fate-driven romance.
    
    

83. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) – Sweet modern love.
    
    

84. The Vow (2012) – Rediscovering love.
    
    

85. Letters to Juliet (2010) – Romance in Italy.
    
    

86. While You Were Sleeping (1995) – Accidental love story.
    
    

87. Far From the Madding Crowd (2015) – Period romance with depth.
    
    

88. The Holiday (2006) – Cozy, feel-good romance.
    
    

89. Midnight in Paris (2011) – Love and nostalgia.
    
    

90. Say Anything (1989) – Iconic romantic gesture.
    
    

Legendary Love Stories to End the List

91. Romeo + Juliet (1996) – Shakespeare reimagined.
    
    

92. The Way We Were (1973) – Love and politics collide.
    
    

93. The Last of the Mohicans (1992) – Passion in the wilderness.
    
    

94. Out of Time (2003) – Romantic suspense.
    
    

95. The Bodyguard (1992) – Love under pressure.
    
    

96. City of Angels (1998) – Angelic romance.
    
    

97. The Bridges of Madison County (1995) – One unforgettable love.
    
    

98. Sense and Sensibility (1995) – Love and restraint.
    
    

99. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) – Intimate and haunting.
    
    

100. The Notebook (Rewatch-worthy forever) – Because some love stories never fade.
     
     

Final Thoughts: Why These Are the Best Romantic Movies

The best romantic movies endure because they capture something universal — the desire to love and be loved. Whether joyful or tragic, simple or epic, these films remind us that romance is worth believing in.

If you’re building the ultimate romance watchlist, these 100 films are the perfect place to start.

💘 Tip: Bookmark this list for date nights, solo comfort watches, or when you just need a good cry.