The romance genre is as old as filmmaking itself, and over the years, it has reached incredible highs with films like Casablanca and Titanic. However, the last decade has been a low point for fans of the genre. Today, most major studios focus on big IPs and tentpole films to maximize profits, which has hurt the romance genre, as most romantic films are made on relatively modest budgets. While romance films have found new life on streaming platforms, the genre has never quite regained the heights it once reached. That’s why we decided to compile a list of the best romantic movies of all time, so you can experience the magic this genre has to offer.
Titanic (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video)
Titanic is an epic historical romantic drama film written and directed by James Cameron. The 1997 film is set on the unsinkable Titanic, and it follows Rose, a young woman who is being forced to marry a wealthy man, but things take a turn when she falls for Jack, a talented artist. Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, David Warner, and Bill Paxton.
Dirty Dancing (Peacock, YouTube, & Buy on Amazon)
Dirty Dancing is a romantic drama dance film directed by Emile Ardolino from a screenplay by Eleanor Bergstein. The 1987 film follows Frances, a young woman vacationing with her parents at a resort where she begins to fall for Johnny Castle, a rebellious dance instructor, but her father opposes their relationship. Dirty Dancing stars Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, and Cynthia Rhodes.
The Notebook (Rent on Prime Video)
The Notebook is a romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes from a screenplay co-written by Jeremy Leven and Jan Sardi. Based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, the 2004 film is set in the 1940s, and it revolves around a passionate romantic relationship between Noah Calhoun and Allison “Allie” Calhoun, but their vastly different backgrounds create problems for their relationship. The Notebook stars Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands, James Marsden, Kevin Connolly, Sam Shepard, and Joan Allen.
The Sound of Music (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video)
The Sound of Music is a musical drama film directed by Robert Wise from a screenplay by Ernest Lehman. Based on the 1959 stage musical by Richard Rodgers, the 1965 film is set in the 1930s in Austria, and it follows Maria, a novice nun, as she is sent to care for the seven children of a widowed naval officer. Her kindness and jovial personality soon works its magic, and the children begin to love her. The Sound of Music stars Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, and Eleanor Parker.
Pretty Woman (Netflix, Starz, & Rent on Prime Video)
Pretty Woman is a romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall from a screenplay by J.F. Lawton. The 1990 film follows Edward, a rich entrepreneur who hires Vivian, a prostitute, to accompany him to a few social events. As they spend some time together, they begin falling for each other despite their vastly different backgrounds. Pretty Woman stars Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Ralph Bellamy, and Jason Alexander.
The Princess Bride (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video)
The Princess Bride is a fantasy-adventure comedy film directed by Rob Reiner, based on the novel by William Goldman. Based on Goldman’s 1973 novel, the 1987 film follows Westley, a swashbuckling farmhand, and his allies on a mission to rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup, who the evil Prince has kidnapped. The Princess Bride stars Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, and Wallace Shawn.
La La Land (Rent on Prime Video)
La La Land is a musical romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The 2016 film is set in Los Angeles, and it follows Amelia, a struggling actress, and Sebastian, a jazz musician, as they fall in love, but their dreams get in the way of their relationship. La La Land stars Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, and Rosemarie DeWitt.
Before Trilogy (Buy on Amazon)
Before trilogy is a romantic drama film series directed by Richard Linklater. The films chronicle the romantic relationship between Jesse and Céline, who first meet on a train in Vienna and spend their night wandering through the city. Before Trilogy stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
Jerry Maguire (Rent on Prime Video)
Jerry Maguire is a sports romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe. The 1996 film follows Jerry Maguire, a top sports agent who’s fired from his job and decides to start his own agency with the help of Dorothy Boyd, a single mother, and Rod Tidwell, a disgruntled football player. Soon, Jerry and Dorothy begin falling for each other, and Jerry realizes something important about himself. Jerry Maguire stars Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kelly Preston, Jerry O’Connell, and Jay Mohr.
Casablanca (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
Casablanca is a romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz from a screenplay co-written by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch. Based on an unproduced stage play titled Everybody Comes to Rick’s, the 1942 film is set during World War II, and it follows Rick, an American expatriate who decides to help his ex-lover, Ilsa, and her husband, but things take a turn when both Rick and Ilsa find themselves falling back in love with each other. Casablanca stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, and Conrad Veidt.
When Harry Met Sally… (Rent on Prime Video)
When Harry Met Sally… is a romantic comedy film directed by Rob Reiner from a screenplay by Nora Ephron. The 1989 film is set in New York City, and it revolves around Harry Burns and Sally Albright as their relationship gradually develops from being friends to lovers over the course of 12 years. When Harry Met Sally… stars Bill Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, and Bruno Kirby.
Sleepless in Seattle (Rent on Prime Video)
Sleepless in Seattle is a romantic comedy film directed by Nora Ephron, who also co-wrote the screenplay with David S. Ward and Jeff Arch. The 1993 film follows Annie, a journalist who becomes enamored with Sam, a grieving widower, after his son calls into the radio station to get his father a new wife. Sleepless in Seattle stars Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger, and Rob Reiner.
You’ve Got Mail (Rent on Prime Video)
You’ve Got Mail is a romantic comedy film directed by Nora Ephron, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Miklós László and Delia Ephron. Based on the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner by Samson Raphaelson, the 1998 film follows the professional rivalry between Joe Fox, who runs a major bookstore chain, and Kathleen Kelly, who owns an independent bookstore, but what they both don’t know is that they are each other’s virtual confidant. You’ve Got Mail stars Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle, and Steve Zahn.