They make you cry. They make you laugh. They make you fall in love. Yes, we're talking about romantic movies. Regardless of whether you have romance in your real life or not, romantic films can transport you, move you and delight you in ways that other movies often can't. If this cold and gray winter has you down, films filled with hilarious meet-cutes, adorable grand gestures and sob-worthy love confessions can warm even the coldest hearts.
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If you're getting bored with your regular routine of classic romantic comedies and overplayed dramatic loves or even the Hallmark Channel, there are dozens of films on Netflix that can scratch your romantic itch. All you have to do is look within your heart, and they'll find you — or something hopelessly romantic like that. You never know when love will come a-knockin', after all.
Here are 25 fantastic romantic movies we've hand-picked just for you, all ready to stream on Netflix right now.
'A Perfect Pairing' (2022)
Lola (Victoria Justice) is a determined former wine exec from LA who embarks on a gutsy venture to start her own wine company. With her sights set on the Vaughn Family Wines, she jets to Australia, only to be met with a cold shoulder. Unwavering, Lola trades her corporate attire for farm gear, diving into the gritty world of sheep farming to prove her worth. While working to do so, she ends up seemingly falling for a certain someone named Max (Adam Demos), the station manager with a mysterious past. As they work closely, sparks fly and a romance buds, yet Max's secrets loom over their growing connection.
'Falling Inn Love' (2019)
Gabriela Diaz's (Christina Milian) life is a series of unfortunate events: She's undervalued at her design job in San Francisco, which soon goes belly-up, and her relationship with her commitment-phobe boyfriend dissolves without a trace. In a wine-fueled moment of spontaneity, Gabriela enters an online contest to "Win an Inn" and, against all odds, emerges victorious, setting her on a course to the picturesque New Zealand countryside. There, she finds herself falling for a man who could very well change everything.
'After' (2019)
Tessa Young's (Josephine Langford) structured existence begins to unravel when she meets Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), a dark and enigmatic figure whose rebellious demeanor is as alluring as it is intimidating. Hardin's presence challenges Tessa when they meet, as she finds herself slowly changing, influenced by him in many ways. They fall into a tumultuous, steamy relationship that seems destined to tear them both apart.
'Love At First Sight' (2023)
Hadley (Haley Lu Richardson) is a young student whose travel mishap leads to a chance encounter. Stranded by a missed flight to her father's wedding in London, Hadley finds herself dealing with a dead phone and unsure where to go next. Enter Oliver (Ben Hardy), the charming stranger who becomes her companion on the next flight. As they share stories and laughter high above the Atlantic, a spark ignites, suggesting that maybe, just maybe, they're meant to be. But fate intervenes as they're separated in the hustle of customs upon landing, leaving the possibility of their reunion hanging in the air.
'No Hard Feelings' (2023)
Maggie (Jennifer Lawrence) is a down-on-her-luck Uber driver on the brink of losing her childhood home to debt. In a twist of fate, she's thrown a lifeline by a wealthy couple with a weird proposition: take their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), out on the town to help him break out of his shell before he heads to Princeton. Maggie will get a new car if she pulls it off. Of course, love may be in the air for real among all the raunchiness.
'Set It Up' (2018)
Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell team up to portray overworked assistants with one simple master plan: Lighten their workload by playing Cupid for their demanding bosses. Their antics range from arranging accidental encounters to outright espionage, all in the name of love — or, at least, less work. As they craft a fake romance with unexpected competence, their own chemistry becomes undeniable. You can probably guess where things go from there, but it's still an exciting adventure anyway, especially if you just love love.
'Someone Great' (2019)
Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) is a music journalist whose world is upended when her longtime boyfriend Nate (LaKeith Stanfield) ends their relationship. Heartbroken, Jenny opts for a fresh start in San Francisco. But before she leaves her life in NYC behind, Jenny embarks on an epic final adventure with her two best friends. Of course, as she soon learns, you can't get rid of lost loves as easily as you might think, and she discovers there may be a few sparks left in her relationship.
'Love, Guaranteed' (2020)
Susan (Rachael Leigh Cook) is an attorney whose latest case revolves around a dating app's promise of love. Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.) is a serial dater who, after nearly a thousand unsuccessful dates, decides to challenge the app in court. As the legal sparks fly, so do the embers of attraction between lawyer and client. Rejecting a hefty settlement offer, Nick's quest for justice becomes intertwined with their blossoming romance. You won't have any objections to this couple.
'Your Place or Mine' (2023)
Debbie (Reese Witherspoon) and Peter (Ashton Kutcher) are two best friends whose bond is tested when distance and life's demands come into play. Debbie is on the verge of a career breakthrough and must travel from LA to the bustling streets of New York City, leaving her son on his own. Peter travels across the country to keep Debbie's son company. While Debbie works in New York and Peter hangs with her son in LA, the pair eventually get in touch with their mutual feelings for one another.
'The Kissing Booth' (2020)
Elle Evans (Joey King) is a teen with a huge crush. When a chance encounter at a school fundraiser puts her in the path of Noah Flynn (Jacob Elordi), the irresistible older brother of her lifelong best friend Lee (Joel Courtney), Elle's world is turned upside down. Torn between loyalty and desire, Elle is stuck trying to figure out how to navigate this love while trying to keep it hidden from Lee. It may be a teen romance, but it's the perfect romance for everyone in the family to watch, especially since it's based on an extremely popular young adult novel.
'Forever My Girl' (2018)
Country singer Liam Lincoln Page (Alex Roe) has to face the music of his past while finding love in the present. After leaving his love Josie Mollee Swan (Jessica Rothe) at the altar years ago, Liam's unexpected return to his hometown for a funeral opens old wounds. Confronted with Josie's lingering resentment and the shocking discovery of their daughter, Liam embarks on a journey of redemption. This is another heartbreaker of a movie you want to keep plenty of tissues around for.
'Love Again' (2023)
Rob Burns (Sam Heughan) finds himself receiving sad texts intended for the late husband of Mira Ray (Priyanka Chopra-Jonas). He quickly develops a deep, albeit one-sided, connection with Mira through her messages. Compelled by his growing feelings, he thinks about turning this bond into a real-life relationship. Unfortunately, Rob also has to grapple with the moral dilemma of his secret and the challenges of revealing the truth behind his connection with Mira.
'Silver Linings Playbook' (2012)
Jennifer Lawrence is Tiffany Maxwell, a young widow grappling with mental illness. When she meets Pat Solitano Jr. (Bradley Cooper), he's also reeling from a recent stint in a mental health facility after a violent episode involving his wife, Nikki (Brea Bee). As Tiffany and Pat's lives intertwine, she sees much of her own pain within him. In a bid to reconnect with his estranged wife, Pat agrees to Tiffany's proposition to join her in a dance competition, and sparks fly from there.
'13 Going on 30' (2004)
A young girl named Jenna (Christa B. Allen) endures a humiliating 13th birthday, finding solace in her best friend Matty (Sean Marquette). In a twist of fate, Jenna wakes up as her 30-year-old self (portrayed by Jennifer Garner), having skipped 17 years. As she gushes over finally being an adult, she soon realizes that what she dreamed of might not be what truly brings happiness. Soon, she also finds herself estranged from Matty (now played by Mark Ruffalo) and embarks on a journey to reconcile with her past and reshape her future.
'My Best Friend's Wedding' (1997)
Determined to win over her best friend Michael O'Neal (Dermot Mulroney), Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) concocts a series of schemes to sabotage his impending marriage to the sweet-natured Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz). She may seem like the perfect BFF, but she's out to get the man she loves, come hell or high water. Eventually, Julianne has to come to terms with the fact that she's being, well, a bit weird, but only after learning some tough lessons in the realm of romance.
'All the Bright Places' (2020)
Elle Fanning is Violet Markey, a young girl trying her best to get through life after her sister's tragic death. Things change dramatically when she meets Theodore "Theo" Finch (Justice Smith). Theo, battling his own inner demons, becomes a beacon of hope for Violet as they forge a deep connection. As their relationship grows, however, it stirs tension with Violet's parents and brings Theo's own struggles to a critical point. Break out the tissues for this one, people.
'Phantom Thread' (2017)
This dark romantic drama features Daniel Day-Lewis as a renowned dressmaker whose meticulous life unravels when he meets Alma, a young, strong-willed waitress (Vicky Krieps). Their complex relationship weaves a story of obsession, love and manipulation against a high-fashion backdrop. It might not be the norm when it comes to meet-cutes and couples professing their eternal love for one another, but if you want something more cerebral than the normal fare, this will work fantastically.
'La La Land' (2016)
This modern musical masterpiece captivates with its homage to the golden era of Hollywood. And its romantic leads don't hurt, either. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling light up the screen as Mia and Seb, two starry-eyed artists navigating the highs and lows of love and ambition in Los Angeles. Their chance encounters evolve into a mesmerizing dance of romance and dreams, set against a backdrop of iconic LA landmarks and jazzy performances.
'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' (2008)
This romantic comedy strips romance down to its barest of essentials — literally. Peter (Jason Segel) is a struggling composer reeling from a painful breakup with Sarah (Kristen Bell), a TV star with career ambitions. Seeking solace, Peter heads to a Hawaiian resort, only to find his paradise turned upside down when Sarah and her new boyfriend unexpectedly arrive at the same location. Things take an unexpected turn when Peter starts falling for Rachel (Mila Kunis), the charming resort receptionist. Who ends up with whom? You'll have to watch to find out.
'Carol' (2015)
This beautiful and queer romance takes place in 1950s New York, where anything can happen. It follows Carol (Cate Blanchett), a New Jersey housewife, who crosses paths with Therese (Rooney Mara), an aspiring photographer, in a department store during Christmas. From their first encounter, a deep connection ignites, offering an escape from the challenges imposed by the men in their lives. As their relationship blossoms, things become even more difficult for the women, forging an even stronger connection.
'Call Me by Your Name' (2017)
This captivating coming-of-age film, based on André Aciman's novel, features Timothée Chalamet's Oscar-nominated performance as Elio, a thoughtful American teenager who goes to stay in Italy during summer in 1983. While there, he forges an unexpected and intense bond with Oliver (Armie Hammer), a charismatic research assistant. Oliver joins Elio's family to assist his professor father. As the Italian countryside blooms around them, so does a delicate, transformative connection that will leave an indelible mark on their lives — as well as a few bruises, too.
'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' (2018)
If you're looking for something a little less high-stakes, this American teenage romance could be the perfect medicine. Lara Jean (Lana Condor) enjoys writing love letters to all of her crushes, but without ever intending to send them. Then, one day, the letters all mysteriously disappear and wind up in the hands of those crushes, including her current crush, Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo).
This spunky, light-hearted film reminds you of the excitement and wonders that your first love brings and how absolutely devastating your first heartbreak can be. Plus, if you love the first film, we have good news: The "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" franchise features two more films and a spinoff television series, all based on the novels by Jenny Han.
'Always Be My Maybe' (2019)
Ali Wong tapped into her romantic side while writing her first film, "Always Be My Maybe." She stars as Sasha Tran, a successful celebrity chef. She bumps into her former childhood friend, Marcus Kim (Randall Park), shortly after she breaks off a long-running engagement. The pair must juggle their very different lives while trying to make their relationship work.
This romantic comedy is a heartwarming and delightful film that may just have you wishing your first-grade crush would reappear to sweep you off your feet.
'The Lovebirds' (2020)
This refreshing and hilarious take on a murder mystery takes a comical look into a longtime relationship that is struggling to regain its spark. Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) and Leilani (Issa Rae) have just broken up when they accidentally witness a violent murder — using their car. Fearful they'll be falsely convicted of murder, the pair seek to clear their names while simultaneously trying to work through their relationship problems. It's a breezy, exciting watch that is unpredictably funny and will leave you wishing Rae and Nanjiani were a couple in real life.
'Wedding Season' (2022)
If you love meddling parents, secret DJs and weddings, this romantic comedy is for you. One of the latest releases on the list, this film is a twist on a classic concept: Two people pretend to be in love in order to fool their loved ones.
Asha's (Pallavi Sharda) mother worries about her bleak dating life and sets her up on a date with Ravi (Suraj Sharma). Despite it going badly, the pair agree to be each other's dates during wedding season, and they slowly fall for each other. It's a fun, low-stakes watch that will leave you laughing.