Henry Miller once said, “The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.” While his quote implies real life and relationships, it’s more resonant when you consider romance as a genre and the human capacity to guzzle down timeless tales of happiness and heartbreak. It’s never enough. Romance movies have been a part of film history for as long as movies have existed. They take us on sweeping journeys, evolving with time but still managing to give us that little glimpse of the one universal emotion we cannot help but feel. Whether it is a classic like Casablanca or a contemporary like Moonlight, movies explore love in all forms and eras.
Yet somehow, certain movies touch everyone’s heart regardless of when they were made or who they were made for. There is an enchanting alchemy to their storytelling that takes us by the hand and guides us away from the present and into a timeless world where emotions feel true, choices feel real, and love prevails against all odds. These romances fuel our daydreams and delusions and hopes by being passionate and whimsical and tragic and unexpected. When you watch them, it feels like you are diving straight into a perfectly calibrated reverie, one with a spellbinding plot and characters so endearing you root for them just as much as for the joy and comfort that love promises us all. Romance movies on the big screen are proof that beauty and happily ever afters truly do exist, if only for a precious couple of flickering hours.
20 Roman Holiday (1953)
Ah, the ever-lasting charm of Audrey Hepburn. In Roman Holiday, a fairytale comes to life when a bored, rebellious princess, Princess Anne, escapes her royal duties for a whirlwind of a day in Rome with an attractive reporter, Joe Bradley, who familiarizes her with the simple joys of life. Being an escapist romantic comedy, the film takes pride in portraying the giddy experience of love at first sight, as Hepburn’s princess discovers for the first time the allure of gelato, rides on motor scooters, and all of this, she does in Gregory Peck’s company. The ease with which these two strangers connect and delight in each other’s unique backgrounds, dreams, sensitivities and spontaneities, holds the magic of two hearts open to love.
19 The Princess Bride (1987)
True love triumphs in this valiant fairy tale that has created history and captured the hearts of many generations. The Princess Bride follows farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes), who leaves his small town to seek his fortune, following which Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) has a realization. She loves him. But in their way are pirates, giants, and princes who seek revenge. Against all these obstacles, reuniting with one another becomes an adventure. The simple three word declarations from Westley in the form of “as you wish” oozed the kind of romance that makes your toes curl. As these star-crossed lovers journey towards one another, the film shows love is strongest when forged in fire. No wonder The Princess Bride is an enduring romance for the ages.
18 A Walk To Remember (2002)
Jaime and Landon find love in the most unlikely of places – in each other’s company. While most love stories leave you warm and fuzzy in the heart, this one is a pure tearjerker. After a school prank leaves Landon to get punished by the dean, he is assigned community service and is forced to join theater practice for the upcoming spring play. Landon asks Jaime, the shy, old-fashioned reverend’s daughter, if she would run lines with him and before you know it, their lives spin onto a new path marked with melancholy, first love, and the power of sharing life’s fleeting moments together. A Walk To Remember is a poignant romance that explores not the joy of superficial pleasures, but the very beauty of two souls connected amid life’s sorrows.
17 Dirty Dancing (1987)
A life-altering summer of romance and self-discovery unfolds when innocent Frances 'Baby' Houseman meets bad-boy dance instructor Johnny Castle at a lavish resort while holidaying with her parents. Against the stunning backdrop of the 1960s uprising, these two masters of two different worlds find common ground (and so much more) on the dance floor. Through the spice of salsa and the sensual soup of their dance dynamic, the chemistry between Patrick Swayze’s Johnny and Jennifer Grey’s Baby builds and builds. Breaking free of social barriers and her father’s disapproval, together they prove how love transcends all. Dirty Dancing drips with a lot of emotion, leading to a timeless unconventional romance.
16 Romeo + Juliet (1996)
What better tale of a tragic romance than that involving Shakespeare’s most iconic work. In this fresh take, we’re taken to Verona Beach, where two authoritative families, the Capulets and the Montagues, are constantly vying to bring the other trouble. star-crossed lovers collide as teenage Juliet falls for the gorgeous Romeo, member of a rival clan. Their fiery love ignites rebellion against ages of hatred. Modern verve and vibrant 1990s style breathe new life into Romeo + Juliet, and under Baz Luhrmann’s impeccable direction, the chemistry between Leonardo DiCaprio is truly enchanting, even if it is short-lived. Their love affair unfurls as machine guns go off, fatal family dramas ensue, and impossible odds wait ahead. Yet, the film sparks a new revolution into the age old story, teaching us the power of young love to change the world.
15 Say Anything (1989)
The iconic image of John Cusack blasting ‘80s rock on his boombox outside Ione Skye’s window is probably stuck in the head of every romance fanatic. If not, let’s get you up to speed. In Say Anything, a sky kickboxer named Lloyd and a valedictorian, Diane, collide in what turns out to be one of young love’s most remarkable moments. Diane is a straight-A student and daddy’s princess, while Lloyd is a rebellious underachiever, who shows up at Diane’s graduation party only to lead her to open a Pandora's box of magic, heartbreak and the highs and lows of first love. Throughout the movie, one thing remains constant – Lloyd's big heart and the romantic conviction that true love is worth fighting for. Because sometimes, the person who changes everything and flips your entire life around also teaches you how to start over - and fall in love all over again.
14 It Happened One Night (1934)
It Happened One Night is a marvelous Best Picture winner directed by Frank Capra. As any irresistible romantic comedy, the story unfolds when a bubbly runaway heiress Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) meets a handsome but smug reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable) on a bus trip. At first Ellie only seeks Peter’s help in reuniting with her husband King Westley, but as they hold tight amidst their clashing personalities and meddling relatives, they find themselves falling for each other. From the witty banter and playful flirting to the screwball humor, every aspect of the movie is entertaining enough to get you swooning and rooting. Ellie and Peter not only taught couples the joy of living in the moment but also set real high standards for any romantic comedy that followed suit.
13 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Breakups don’t get any messier, more creative, or emotionally profound than in this sci-fi mind trip. When Joel discovers that his ex-girlfriend Clementine has erased all her memories of their rocky relationship, he decides to undergo the same procedure in a desperate attempt to move on from her immediately. But theirs was a passionate, once-in-a-lifetime love affair, and as Joel’s memories start fading away, he changes his mind and embarks on a journey into his subconscious to hold on to Clementine. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a rollercoaster of a romance because it explores the elastic nature of memory and love and shows how heartbreak is part of the package when two mismatched souls decide to give it a shot. The portrays romance as an imperfect and maddening yet ultimately transformative and beautiful part of life.
12 Atonement (2007)
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In Atonement, epic truths about loyalty, sacrifice, and the force of love across time unravel in spectacular fashion through one young girl’s lie. The movie revolves around the events that conspire when 13-year-old Briony Tallis, an aspiring novelist, misunderstands her sister’s love Robbie and accuses him of a crime he did not commit. Briony’s lie sets in motion a chain of events with tragic consequences for every person involved. But even in separation and suffering, Robbie and Cecilia's love endures, inspiring Briony to atone for his mistakes. Ian McEwan’s metafictional novel springs to life through Joe Wright’s intelligent, sweeping direction. The romance examines how love both enables and survives the longest eons of separation.
11 Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Jane Austen’s classic 1811 novel gets adapted into a gorgeous period drama film by director Ang Lee. It follows two sisters, two loves, and one tale of the heart that endures. To elaborate, the sensible Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson) and passionate Marianne Dashwood (Kate Winslet) face dire financial hardship after their father’s death. The two have divergent approaches to romance, which inevitably collide. Elinor suppresses her feelings and silently yearns for the honorable Colonel Brandon while Marianne falls, quite unapologetically, for the dashing but unreliable John Willoughby. As both sisters navigate the complexities of love and loss, they come to realize that true affection is built not on fleeting emotions but on steadfast virtue. Sense and Sensibility serves a gentle reminder of the two sides that make us most human – logic and feeling.
10 His Girl Friday (1940)
It is impossible not to fall in love with this screwball comedy classic. Starring Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, and Ralph Bellamy, His Girl Friday follows newspaper editor Walter Burns, who wants to win back his ex-wife and star reporter Hildy Johnson, so he employs every trick in the book to keep her from remarrying her stuffy fiancé, Bruce Baldwin. From bold-faced lies to blackmail, there is literally nothing Walter doesn’t try. And soon, the dignified Hildy finds herself pulled back to the thrilling pace and witty repartee of her life with Walter. Behind their combative banter and office hijinks lies and adorable affection that you cannot help but notice. After all, they are two souls perfectly in tune with each other.
9 Sliding Doors (1998)
Love is all about those chance encounters that change everything. Sliding Doors is one such gripping tale of love with a forking storyline. Starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Helen, the movie begins with her getting fired from her job and trying to board a train but missing it by mere seconds. After which, her life splits into two parallel realities: one where she catches the train and comes home to find her cheating boyfriend with another woman, and one where she doesn’t catch the train, comes home but eventually grows suspicious and ends up living a depressing life. Both the timelines explore how infinitely complex the matters of the heart can be, showing just how ordinary decisions can cause massive ripples and alter destiny. With lyrical elegance, the movie ultimately tries to say that love finds a way, no matter how or in what form.
8 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Oh, the quaint fun of watching Heath Ledger serenade Julia Stiles in front of (almost) the entire school. In 10 Things I Hate About You, high school romance blooms in unconventionally glorious fashion when older sister Kat is forced to date in order to break out of her isolating shell. When bad boy Patrick strikes a deal with Cameron and agrees to take Kat to prom in order for Cameron to date her younger sister Bianca, an unlikely bond forms between the two outsiders who see beyond each other’s sulking, prickly personalities. Patrick awakens Kat's softer side while she inspires him to life freely and not by someone else’s rule. Stiles and Ledger’s verbal sparring and heated debates lead to growing affection and by the film’s end, we are blessed with Kat’s iconic poem.
7 Before Sunrise (1995)
In all honesty, Richard Linklater’s entire Before trilogy deserves a spot on this list of timeless romances. But perhaps, it is more fitting to appreciate the first film because it graced us with two of cinema’s most beloved characters. Before Sunrise kicks off wonderfully as cynical Texan Jesse Wallace meets the vibrant, free-spirited Celine on a train and they disembark in Vienna to spend the night wandering the city and getting to know one another through raw, poetic dialogue and infectious youthful wonder. Over the course of their inevitably fleeting connection, Jesse and Celine help each other see beyond shrouds of cynicism to reclaim a sense of magic and possibility in the world. From their contrasting American and French cultures to their opinions on romance to Ethan Hawke and Julia Delpy’s bewitching charm, there is no aspect of the movie that isn’t a pure masterpiece.
6 The Notebook (2004)
Some loves are written in the stars, beyond human understanding, and they are meant to last forever. And this epic tale of unconditional love that stands the test of time is proof of the fact. Based on the debut novel by acclaimed author Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook follows young lovers Noah and Allie, whose passions drive them together one summer. But their different social backgrounds threaten to keep them apart forever. But Noah is devoted and determined, he refuses to give up on the girl who has brightened up his world. Through trials and hardship, their love story spans across decades to show how true emotion hardly ever dies. The symbol of the notebook also serves as a heart wrenching truth about Allie’s current condition and Noah’s steadfast support as he reads to her, out loud, their own tale of love.
5 Casablanca (1942)
Winner of the Best Picture award and a classic in its own right, Casablanca weaves an epic romance set against the backdrop of WWII. The movie follows Ilsa who reunites with her ex-lover Rick in Casablanca after he agrees to help her and her husband. Naturally, in the process, the long-buried feelings are reignited even as her husband Laszlo takes Rick's support in escaping the Nazis. As Ilsa is torn between duty and love, Rick must also make a tough choice between his hardened cynicism and the woman who still holds his heart in her hands. Unfolding beautifully like a beautiful melodrama, the movie examines humanity’s deepest struggle – to sacrifice love for what is right or to follow one’s heart against all odds.
4 Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Another Jane Austen narrative brought to the big screen in glorious fashion, Pride & Prejudice chronicle’s the fiercely independent Elizabeth Bennet’s first encounter with the handsome Mr. Darcy who has just moved into the neighborhood. With Mrs. Bennet on the backs of her daughters, urging them to find eligible suitors and settle down, it wasn’t a surprise that she was thrilled with the news. And through a series of chance encounters, both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy come to see beyond their bitter surface judgements of one another and into the inner nobility of spirit. Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfeydan bring sophistication and strength to their roles. With sparkling period dialogue and a dash of comedy that frame, this delightful study of how learning to understand another’s heart also expands our own capacity for joy is truly timeless.
3 In the Mood for Love (2000)
It would be a shame not to include a Wong Kar-wai film on a list of timeless romances, and out of his vast database is this exquisite project that explores love’s complexity through broken dialogue, stunning visual motifs and an evocative jazz score. In the Mood for Love follows Chow and Su-Lin who recently find out that their spouses are having an affair, which causes them to form a friendship that eventually grows into something deeper. Unfolding against the mesmerizing and rich backdrop of 1960s Hong Kong, we never really see Chow and Su-Lin acting on their simmering passion, but the subtle and haunting presence of it leaves a lasting impression. Their story examines how desire unfulfilled often remains the purest form of love.
2 When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Ah, the universal and eternal question that haunts us all – can a man and a woman ever be just friends? When Harry Met Sally… explores a decades-spanning friendship that evolves into something truly profound. Considered as a quintessential redefining of romance, the Rob Reiner movie follows them from their chance meeting in college to several unplanned encounters over the years. It’s like Harry and Sally are two kindred souls who just can’t help but collide. But lucky for us, their biting banter, the mutual respect, easy company, and a solid experience of life’s many ups and downs makes their story one beyond fairy tale meet-cutes. Because after dancing around the idea for so long, Harry and Sally finally embrace the possibility of a future where their story holds.
1 Titanic (1997)
James Cameron’s epic love story unspools amid a majestic disaster when the 17-year-old privileged Rose boards the Titanic to escape a loveless marriage planned by her aristocratic family. What she does not expect to find on her escape was passion with lower-class artist Jack. across barriers of money, status and expectations, their love affair grows. There are breathtaking visuals of indulgent meals, magical dances, and grand gestures under moonlit skies and vast seas. But as the ship hits a fatal iceberg, Rose and Jack’s eternal love story faces tragedy and sacrifice. Knowing an end is inevitable and that their time together is limited only heightens their desire. Ultimately, Titanic shows that love’s greatest power lies in sharing life fully while we have it.