My Favourite Romance Films of All-Time

Few film genres entertain audiences like romantic movies. Since the 1980’s, the genre has produced strong movies. Whether it’s bookstore owners, pretty women prostitutes or star-crossed lovers, the genre has produced several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest romantic movies ever made that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Titanic

The Titanic is a tragic event in history that shaped my brother’s identity. Ever since its sinking in 1912, the Titanic is a tragic disaster that has interested my brother. I remember forming a strong relationship with a brother that was fascinated by the shipwreck disaster. At an early age, I bonded with a brother that had immense knowledge about a historic shipwreck causing damage. Through his fascination with the Titanic, my brother gave me a lifelong love for watching movies that’s gigantic. In 1997, James Cameron did an extraordinary job of depicting the tragic shipwreck in his romantic classic “Titanic”. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron captured a doomed affair on a ship destined to face despair. Cameron has always had an aptitude for capturing romance, and his strengths are evident in “Titanic”. Cameron effectively used montages to capture the romantic relationships between star-crossed lovers on ships doomed to face destruction. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Rose bond together pursuing a romantic affair on the ship by pretending they are flying is one of the greatest moments of the romantic genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, who created a compelling romantic relationship. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” the greatest romantic film ever made is its message. The film delivers a universal message about doomed romance which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history background of the Titanic shipwreck to appreciate it. Nearly 90 years following the catastrophic sinking of the Titanic, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has created a lasting long-legacy which is iconic.

2. Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that took pride in an author without prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Ever since its release in 2005, Joe Wright’s period piece has stood the test of time as one of the greatest romantic movies ever made. Wright is one of those filmmakers with an aptitude for capturing romantic relationships in period dramas, and “Pride and Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth angrily confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about destroying her sister’s marriage is one of the best moments of the romantic genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Kiera Knightley, who embodied a legendary literary character. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” a great romance is its message. The film delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a book about prejudiced women forming romantic relationships with pride, it’s a strong reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to leave audiences satisfied.

3. Past Lives

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking marriage. However, immigration brought our bonds to a closure. When my family moved to Canada, I was faced with a dilemma of saying goodbye to a girl that shaped my persona. As someone treasuring memories of childhood crushes I left behind in past lives, I adored “Past Lives”. Released in 2023, Celine Song’s magnificent Korean masterpiece captured barriers tearing apart childhood lovers. With her directorial debut, Song captured the hardships that childhood lovers go through. Unlike most movies in the romance genre, what makes “Past Lives” stand out is its strong sense of realism. Song beautifully uses non-linear storytelling to capture the romantic relationship between a pair of childhood lovers reuniting over several years. For instance, the scene in which Nora has an emotional reunion with Hae-Sung following several years of separation remains one of the greatest moments of the romance genre. Ultimately, what makes “Past Lives” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood lovers which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of barriers causing romance between childhood lovers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre audiences appreciate.

4. Notting Hill

Julia Roberts is a fantastic actress that my father has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a father that loved movies made by an actress with courage. A huge fan of Julia Roberts, he often spoke fondly about an actress impacting his identity. Through his acknowledgements for Julia Roberts, my father inspired me to make dreams come true. My father adored all the movies Julia Roberts made, but his favourite film was always “Notting Hill”. Released in 1999, Roger Michell’s movie has stood the test of time as a romantic classic. Mitchell has always had an eye for capturing romances, and his strengths came through in “Notting Hill”. For instance, the scene in which Anna conveys affection for Will saying she’s just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her is one of the best moments of the romantic genre. Ultimately, what makes “Notting Hill” a commemorated masterpiece is the performances. Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant are both extraordinary, creating a romance that’s believable. An unforgettable portrait of uphill battles experienced by celebrities with dreams to fulfill seeking romance in Notting Hill, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has never lost its abilities to thrill.

5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Memory loss is a painful process that causes people to face stress. Recently, I witnessed my aging grandmother losing her memory impacting her ability to function effectively. She got into the habit of forgetting about certain things, people and places which were important in her life. It was heartbreaking seeing a grandmother I appreciated losing memory. As someone that witnessed a grandmother losing memories in her spotless mind, I adored “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. Released in 2004, Michel Gondry’s movie captured memory loss causing romantic relationships to face tragedy. Gondry is one of those filmmakers that excels at exploring memory themes in his movies, and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Clementine can’t remember Joel in a bookstore following memory erasure is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances from Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey, capturing a romance impacted by memory loss. A powerful portrait of memory loss in the mind causing romance to be declined, it’s a strong reminder about a genre that has made movies which have left a lasting legacy behind.

6. 500 Days of Summer

Realism is a rare quality that’s seldom seen in romantic movies. Most romantic movies have often told fairytale stories without confronting the harsh realities of life. Offering a sense of escapism, romantic movies are rarely ever rooted in realism. In a genre that has rarely told stories in a realistic manner, it’s worth praising “500 Days of Summer”. Released in 2009, Marc Webb’s captured romantic relationships experiencing tragedy. Unlike most movies in the commemorated genre, what makes “500 Days of Summer” stand out is its strong sense of realism. Assisted by an unforgettable performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Webb creates a compelling romance rooted in reality that’s hard to forget. As strong as Tom’s desire to reunite with Summer, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that audiences have grown to treasure.

7. Before Sunrise

One of the most common criticisms levelled against the romantic genre is its predictability. Romance movies have always followed a safe formula building towards a predictable ending. This often leaves little room for surprises in the genre. In a genre that has lost its abilities to surprise, it’s worth praising “Before Sunrise”. Released in 1995, Richard Linklater’s movie depicted a short-lived romantic relationship between two lovers. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Before Sunrise” stand out is its strong sense of realism. Linklater uses naturalistic dialogue to capture the bonds between lovers. At the centre of it all are Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, creating a compelling romance. A beautiful portrait of bonds between lovers before sunrise, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to surprise.

8. Her

Technology addiction has shaped my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve been a heavy technology user. At an early age, I formed a strong addiction to technology gadgets that shaped my personality. As someone that’s always been a heavy technology user, I identified with “Her”. Released in 2013, Spike Jonze’s movie offered a powerful portrait of technology romance. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Her” stand out is its originality. Jonze manages to turn the seemingly absurd concept of a man falling in love with his phone into a meaningful romance that’s relatable. Assisted by Joaquin Phoenix who is phenomenal in the leading role, Jonze creates a commemorated technology romance that’s compelling. As precious as the operating system used by Theodore, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that audiences adore.

9. La La Land

Over the past decade, the musical genre has faced a decline in quality. With their loud musical numbers, cartoonish characters and lacklustre storytelling, I find most musicals a chore to sit through. That being said, “La La Land” is an exception. Released in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s movie has stood the test of time as a romantic masterpiece. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “La La Land” stand out is its strong sense of joy. Chazelle created a joyous romance between lovers chasing their dreams in Los Angeles. At the centre of it all are a pair of extraordinary performances from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, creating a larger-than-life romance. As powerful as Mia’s desire to become an actress in L.A., it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its ability to blow away audiences which deserves to be celebrated today.

10. The Notebook

Few books ever written about romance have took interest of readers like The Notebook. Since its publication in 1996, Nicholas Spark’s book has become a literary classic. In 2005, Nick Cassavetes did an excellent job of adapting the beloved book to the big-screen in his movie “The Notebook”. Cassavates created a beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about lovers separated by fate. At the centre of it all are a pair of great performances from Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, creating a believable romantic affair. Although it’s not a flawless film, “The Notebook” is a riveting reminder about the power of the romance genre. As precious as Allie’s notebook, it’s a strong reminder of a genre that has always took audiences’ breath away which I will forever treasure for inciting my love for Cinema that has changed my outlook.