A romantic film is one that tugs at viewers' heartstrings and makes them feel and experience the things that they wish were in their own lives. Sometimes they remind audiences of the amazing relationships they have had and help us to hold a little tighter to the ones that fans still have in their lives right now.
Thanks to users onIMDb, it’s easy to determine the films that top the list of the all-time, most romantic moviesto have ever been made. The top 10 romantic movies, in particular, each have an amazing story to tell and do so with masterful grace that shows how truly wonderful love can be. They remind viewers of the importance of cherishing the ones they love, no matter who or what they may be.
30’Annie Hall' (1977)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
The defining romance movie that madeWoody Allena household name and is the clear peak of his career,Annie Hallis theBest Picture-winning romance filmthat proved to be the quintessential romance film of the 70s. The film stars Allen as Alvy Singer, a New York comedian who has fallen head over heels in love with the titular Annie Hall (Diane Keaton), but sadly it wasn’t meant to be, as they broke up a year ago. Singer is still rattling and attempting to figure out the reasons as to why their seemingly perfect relationship ended, as he embarks on a journey of self-reflection for answers.
While the rest of Allen’s filmography hasn’t particularly aged the best over the years,it’s difficult to deny the striking story and brilliant blending of drama, comedy, and romance that madeAnnie Hallsuch a cultural phenomenon. The film can easily be seen as popularizing the style of neurotic, nerdy leads in romance films, with this and many other established tropes still having a place in the modern romance film.
Annie Hall
29’Slumdog Millionaire' (2008)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
The Best Picture-winning romantic drama based on a wild real-life story,Slumdog Millionairefollows Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), an impoverished Indian teenager who is soon thrust into the spotlight after being a contestant on the Hindi version ofWho Wants to Be a Millionaire?. However, after he ends up miraculously winning the show, he is soon suspected of cheating, having to recount his life story to the police and explain how he was able to answer each question correctly.
Slumdog Millionairetakes a unique and dynamic non-linear approach to its storytelling, working wonders in terms of amplifying both the stakes of the film and the central romance. While its hook of being about Jamal’s experiences on the show and with the police help get audiences through the door, the powerful romance between Jamal and Latika (Freida Pinto) helped the film connect with so many people. Even over 15 years since its release, the film still has left its mark on audiences worldwide asone of the defining romantic movie experiences of the 2000s.
Slumdog Millionaire
28’The Graduate' (1967)
One of the most impactful and influential romantic comedies of all time,The Graduatefollows Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate who is still attempting to set a course for his future. As if he didn’t already have enough on his plate, he finds himself in an unexpected love triangle with the illustrious older woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), and her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). The film was deeply impactful and emblematic of its era in filmmaking and is easily the defining chapter ofromance movies of the 60s.
The modern romantic comedy as it is commonly known can easily find its origins inThe Graduate, a film that completely redefined the human element while providing a mixture of biding commentary and comedy. Over 50 years after its release, there are still many films that can find direct inspiration from this classic of the genre, with its legendary ending still being in contention as one of the most iconic and sticking endings in film history.
The Graduate
27’Beauty and the Beast' (1991)
Abeloved rewatchable Disney animated masterpiece, 1991’sBeauty and the Beasttells the story of Belle (voiced byPaige O’Hara), an intelligent and spirited young woman who finds herself in an enchanted castle as a prisoner in exchange for her father’s freedom. Her captor is the Beast (Robby Benson), a prince cursed to remain in his monstrous form until he learns to love and be loved in return. During her stay in the magical castle, Belle learns that not all is as it seems, with the Beast having a tragic story behind his tough exterior.
This classic tale ofBeauty and the Beastwith its captivating love story is a visual delight that tells a fantastical storyof unexpected romance. Its stunning animation, coupled withAlan Menken’s timeless musical score and iconic characters like the lovable Lumière (Jerry Orbach) and the stern but caring Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers) all create a gorgeous and endlessly rewatchable Disney classic that’s still adored by fans today.
Beauty and the Beast
26’Her' (2013)
DirectorSpike Jonze’sHeris an award-winning film that takes place in a not-so-distant future where technology has progressed far enough that artificial intelligence sounds human-like – sound familiar? In that future, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely and introverted writer, finds solace and love in an unlikely place: an operating system named Samantha (voiced byScarlett Johansson). Especially in a modern world that finds itself more and more reliant on technology as a means to form meaningful connections, Her makes a powerful statement and grows more relevant with each passing year.
The unconventional romance that unfolds between the two leads is surprisingly a poignant depiction of love in the modern age, or rather the desperation for connection individuals feel in a world dominated by isolation.Phoenix delivers a mesmerizing performanceas the vulnerable Theodore, which is perfectly complemented by Johansson’s voice acting, which imbues Samantha with a warmth and charm that make it easy to see why someone could fall for AI.
25’The Princess Bride' (1987)
A timeless classic set in a whimsical fairytale world,Rob Reiner’sThe Princess Bridetakes viewers on a humorous adventure alongside the heroic Westley (Cary Elwes), who is on a quest to rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), from an arranged marriage to the nefarious Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). The film’s endless charm and witty sense of humor has quickly cemented it as one of the quintessential romantic adventure films not just of the 1980s, but of all time.
The quotable film cleverly subverts traditional fairytale tropes through Westley’s hilarious journey, where he also meets comical yet unforgettable characters like Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and Vizzini (Wallace Shawn).The Princess Brideis the perfect movie, earning that rare reputation for its seamless combination of an exciting quest, humor, and romance. Of course, the chemistry between Elwes and Wright lends a genuine and enduring charm to their characters' love story, which has stood the test of time.
The Princess Bride
24’La La Land' (2016)
La La Landis a musical masterpiece that pays homage to Hollywood’s golden age but adds a modern twist. It’s centered on the different stages of the romance between aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) and jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), who go through the highs and lows of pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles as best they can. As they inch closer to their goals, however, they realize that they are on entirely different paths and must soon make a tough decision.
With elaborate set pieces and a vibrant color palette, directorDamien Chazelle’sLa La Landtells its heartbreaking love story against a gorgeous backdrop. Not to mention, the film’s songs like “City of Stars” likely have a permanent place in fans' playlists, reminding them ofthe breakup film’s emotionalmessage about what people would do for love (and what they wouldn’t). The film has continued to surmount an effective legacy in the years since its release to be a modern-day romantic musical on the same level as the all-time greats of the past.
La La Land
23’Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans' (1927)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
One of the earliest and most powerful portrayals of love and passion during the height of the golden age of cinema,Sunrise: A Song of Two Humansfollows a married farmer growing tired of his simple life on the farm with his wife. He finds himself being enchanted by the whims of a woman from the city, who attempts to convince the man to give up on his simple farm life and join her in life in the city, including a plot to murder his current wife.
While the movie is more commonly remembered nowadays for beingthe Best Picture winner that the academy took away,the film still has a beautiful and poignant portrayal of love, nearly ahead of every other film of its era in terms of emotion and filmmaking capabilities. It makes the fullest out of the limitations of silent filmmaking to create a touching and deeply resonating story of betrayal and humanity at both its best and its worst.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
22’Three Colors: Red' (1994)
Directed by Polish filmmakerKrzysztof Kieślowskias the final installment ofthe groundbreakingThree Colourstrilogy,Three Colors: Redis a mesmerizing finale centered on fraternity. It follows the story of Valentine (Irène Jacob), a young model who collides with a dog while driving, an incident that leads to an unexpected friendship with the dog’s owner and retired judge, Joseph Kern (Jean-Louis Trintignant). Even moreso than the previous films in the trilogy,Redfully encapsulates the strength of human bond and connections, even when people seemingly have nothing in common.
The profound film depicts their heartfelt conversations and the unconventional bond they begin to form despite not having much in common. An exploration of the human experience,Redis the perfect capstone to the trilogy that reflects French Revolutionary ideals. It’s certainly for romantics, as it places emphasis on the value of coincidence and fate, but without being heavy-handed. It’s subtle in its depiction of the unusual bond, with each rewatch revealing something new in the film’s symbolism.
Three Colors: Red
21’The Red Shoes' (1948)
A bonafide classic of the romantic drama genre and considered to be one of the greatest British films of all time,The Red Shoescaptivated audiences with its powerful story of self-struggle and determination. The film follows the story of Vicky Page (Moira Shearer), an aspiring ballerina who is torn between her dedication to the art form of dance and her desire to find love and passion in the world. As she gets better and better at ballet, she ends up at the same time falling for charming young composer Julian Craster (Marius Goring), forcing her to choose between art and love.
From its vibrant technicolor style to its emotional maturity and reserved nature revolving around the human nature of its characters,The Red Shoeshas aged betterthan 90% of films from the 1940s, especially romantic dramas. It’s a cinematic experience that has only continued to touch the hearts and minds in the decades since its release, continuing to amass a legacy asone of the most important cinematic achievements of its era.
