Welcome, hopeless romantics! Or regular romantics. Today, we are going to talk about one of my favorite subjects—movies.
And while I don’t discriminate against any genre, I am particularly drawn to romances. This may be because it can be hard out there in the real world to find real romance, so I take a break from searching on dating apps for love and live vicariously through the infatuation taking place on screen–and I’m far from alone!
That’s why we are picking the ten best romance movies on Netflix—they’re streaming right now. All you have to do is click “play” to lose yourself in these rom-coms, tearjerkers, and heartwarming films. They’re all pretty much swoon-worthy, and there is something for everyone’s taste!
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Year: 1997
Runtime: 1h 44m
Rating: PG-13
Julia Roberts, renowned for her romantic comedy roles (hello, it all started with Pretty Woman), boldly chose to play both the antagonist and protagonist in My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Portraying Julianne Potter, or “Jules,” as she’s called throughout the movie, she sees herself as the good guy, desperately, and somewhat psychotically, attempting to stop her best friend, Michael O’Neal (played by Dermot Mulroney, from marrying Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz). Jules is driven to extremes because she wants Michael for herself.
In pursuit of what she believes to be love for Michael, Julianne resorts to questionable tactics to throw a wrench in his relationship with Kimmy. Despite her actions, Jules begrudgingly acknowledges Kimmy’s genuinely good nature and gradually comes to understand that her efforts to stop Kimberly and Michael’s nuptials might not be the best ending to the story.
P.S. I rooted for Jules, which makes me a bad person.
Silver Linings Playbook
Year: 2012
Runtime: 2h 2m
Rating: R
Fresh off the first of many Hunger Games movies, Jennifer Lawrence took on the role of Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook, a part so unforgettable that it nabbed her an Oscar for Best Actress. In the movie, Tiffany plays a young widow who is struggling with grief and loss. Then she meets Pat Solitano Jr. (Bradley Cooper), her brother-in-law’s best friend.
Tiffany sees a fellow struggling soul in Pat, who has recently left a mental health institution after assaulting the man involved with his wife, Nikki. Pat’s only goal is seemingly to reunite with Nikki, and Tiffany says she’ll help by getting messages to Nikki (there’s a restraining order at play) on the condition that he partners with her in a dance contest. This lil’ arrangement sets the stage for sparks between the two kindred spirits.
Legends of the Fall
Year: 1994
Runtime: 2h 12m
Rating: R
This is not a light movie, so be warned and get the tissues ready. Legends of the Fall, a gorgeous cinematic romantic drama helmed by a long-haired Brad Pitt, spans several decades, beginning in the early 20th century. The story centers around William Ludlow (played by Anthony Hopkins) and his three sons, Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and Samuel (Henry Thomas of E.T. fame).
The sprawling film stars Julia Ormond as Susannah Fincannon, a woman who is the love interest for all three Ludlow brothers (it sounds weird, but it works). However, following World War I, only two brothers came back. In the subsequent years, the remaining brothers’ love for Susannah leads to heartache and strife, causing pre-existing resentment to boil over between the remaining brothers trapped in the love triangle.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Year: 2018
Runtime: 1h 40m
Rating: TV-14
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, adapted from a novel with the same title, revolves around a teenage girl, Lara (played by Lana Condor). Her life spirals into chaos when personal love letters she wrote to her crushes, intended to remain private, are unexpectedly sent out. She endures a series of awkward and cringe-inducing confrontations with each of her five past crushes.
The typically reserved Lara is forced to confront the exposure of her innermost feelings. Breaking out of her shell, she goes on a journey of extraordinary experiences and perhaps falls in love—no spoilers here. This Netflix original film deals with the universal awfulness of high school while simultaneously tugging at the viewer’s emotions. In fact, it was so beloved that there were not only one but two sequels!
Love Actually
Year: 2003
Runtime: 2h 14m
Rating: R
Love Actually is turning 20 years old this year, and it’s a whole bunch of love stories packed into one movie. It can be a bit tricky to keep track of all the different characters and how their stories connect.
Full disclosure: I do not understand why everyone loves this movie so much. Yes, it was cute. But people really go nuts for this flick! I can’t get past the one character who would go on to play the lead in The Walking Dead TV series, was in love with his best friend’s gf, and did that weird PowerPoint presentation for her while his BFF, and her BF, was inside the house with zero idea it was happening. But I’m in the minority, and the majority love this movie!
Just a heads up, not all the stories in the movie have happy endings, but overall, you’ll probably end up feeling buoyed after watching it—and it doubles as a Christmas movie!
Always Be My Maybe
Year: 2019
Runtime: 1h 42m
Rating: PG-13
Childhood pals Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) drift apart after a brief teenage romance. Sasha becomes a famous chef and gets engaged to a thriving businessman, while Marcus remains in San Francisco, working in his dad’s air conditioning business. Sasha, facing delays in her wedding plans, ends her relationship and returns to San Francisco. This move leads to a serendipitous reunion with Marcus.
As they start spending more time together, Marcus realizes his feelings for Sasha are still strong. However, he struggles with feelings of not being good enough and the presence of her new boyfriend, Keanu Reeves (who plays himself). Always Be My Maybe sticks to the classic rom-com script but delivers it impressively. The performances, especially Reeves’ notably hammy one, are all great and make this a real charmer.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Year: 2022
Runtime: 2h 5m
Rating: PG-13
Bummer alert, but not in a bad way: Where the Crawdads Sing is a triple threat that successfully combines elements of romance, mystery, and thriller. Directed by Olivia Newman, it’s an adaptation of Delia Owens’ novel, featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Catherine “Kya” Clark. Kya, abandoned by her family, grew up in the marshes during the 1950s and ’60s.
As a teenager, Kya develops a romantic relationship with Tate Walker (played by Taylor John Smith). Following a break in her romance with Tate, she becomes involved with Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson), who ends up betraying her. The plot thickens when one of her love interests is found dead, and Kya is put on trial for murder, facing seemingly insurmountable odds.
La La Land
Year: 2016
Runtime: 2h 7m
Rating: PG-13
A contemporary musical that hits home with dreamers, La La Land is a huge hit in the romance genre. Starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, the film introduces us to Sebastian “Seb” Wilder and Amelia “Mia” Dolan. Mia is an actress trying to make it in LA, while Seb is a musician struggling to achieve his dreams.
Their relationship unfolds through amazing song and dance sequences, highlighting their romantic journey. However, a happy ending may not be in the musical cards for these two. The film asks the question: can their love endure even as their individual dreams and aspirations threaten to tear them apart?
Friends with Benefits
Year: 2011
Runtime: 1h 49m
Rating: R
Can you tell the difference between the ridiculously similar Friends With Benefits and No Strings Attached? Trick question! The answer is that the former received way better reviews and audience reception. In the better of the two films, Justin Timberlake plays Dylan Harper, who gets hired at GQ thanks to Jamie Rellis (Mila Kunis). Dylan and Jamie develop a super close friendship, which turns into casual sex. They think they can maintain their friendship without any complications from their physical relationship. LOL.
Of course, things don’t go as planned. Jamie’s dating life starts affecting her relationship with Dylan, and both fail to see the true depth of their connection until it seems like it might be too late to salvage what they have.
13 Going on 30
Year: 2004
Runtime: 1h 37m
Rating: PG-13
Jennifer Garner’s knack for romantic comedies was so apparent that we are shocked she didn’t appear in so many more of them. 13 Going on 30 is hands down one of the best rom-coms ever made.
It revolves around Jenna (played initially by Christa B. Allen), who is bullied and humiliated at the hands of the popular clique on her 13th birthday. She only has the support of her ride-or-die, Matty Flamhaff (Sean Marquette).
Locking herself in a closet with some magic dream dust, Jenna makes a wish to turn 30 and gets it—she wakes up 17 years older, which is when Garner steps in to play her as an adult who is “30, flirty, and thriving.” Despite her wish coming true, she soon realizes that her reality is far from her childhood dreams. Jenna is shocked to find that she has grown apart from adult Matty (played by Mark Ruffalo) and is not the person she wanted to become—not even close. Despite this, she sets out to make things right so Jenna and Matty can find their way back to each other.
Takeaways
Whether you love a good cry or a fun rom-com, all of these romance movies on Netflix will surely hit the spot and make you believe in love all over again. So pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and rewatch a favorite or one that you haven’t seen!
