The Best Romance Movies Ever Made Ranked

Not many genres have earned appreciation of romance. Since the 1970’s, the romantic genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s bookstore owners, pretty women 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 shipwreck disaster that always fascinated my brother. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a brother possessing immense knowledge about grim shipwrecks that caused damage. Fascinated with tragic shipwrecks, he always sought to be educated about dark disasters he appreciated. He always believed movies were an art form that couldn’t honour a grim shipwreck which tore lives apart. In 1997, James Cameron did an extraordinary job of depicting the tragic shipwreck in his classic film “Titanic”. Ever since its release in the 1990’s, James Cameron’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest romance film ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used innovative special effects to capture doomed lovers on a dark ship facing despair. Cameron has always had an aptitude for capturing doomed 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 pursue an affair on the ship by pretending they are flying before the tragic sinking is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, who created a bold romantic bond. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” my favourite romance film of all-time is its universal appeal. The film delivers a bold message about doomed romance which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of the Titanic shipwreck to appreciate it. Nearly 30 years after the release of a groundbreaking film about lovers pursuing romantic bonds on ships facing disasters that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre that has created iconic movies captivating the pubic.

2. Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature always impressed my mother.  I remember bonding with a mother that admired the author in English literature. She was often drawn to the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. As someone treasuring joyful memories of a mother that took pride in an author without prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Released in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen’s most romantic book. Wright is one of those filmmakers with an aptitude for capturing great 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 causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Keira Knightley, who created one of the most iconic romantic heroines in cinematic history. 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 after the conception of a book about sad women forming romantic bonds with pride, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated 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 faced the 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 appreciated “Past Lives”. Released in 2023, Celine Song’s movie captured hardships faced by childhood lovers torn apart by immigration barriers. Song beautifully used 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 causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the romance genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Greta Lee, who captured a Korean woman missing childhood companions. Ultimately, what makes “Past Lives” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about immigration which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of immigration causing bonds between childhood lovers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies which audiences appreciate.

4. La La Land

Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. I remember forming a friendship with a girl in school that sought to become a famous actress. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was a girl that I would always admire. However, he intense focus on pursuing an acting career caused our relationship to end in despair. Few films I’ve seen have captured sacrifices of achieving dreams that are planned as powerfully as “La La Land”. Released in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s musical masterpiece captured lovers pursuing careers in L.A. Chazelle used captivating musical montages to capture a musician with love for performing jazz music. For instance, the scene in which Sebastian has a tense argument with Mia about his career as a jazz musician causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Emma Stone, who embodied an actress facing a dilemma. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about sacrifices involved in achieving dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as bonds between lovers in L.A., it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made great movies which are worth celebrating today.

5. Before Sunrise

Romantic movies are rarely ever realistic. I remember forming a friendship with a girl in school that criticized romantic movies for being unrealistic. She would often criticize a genre of movies that she felt lacked the ability to surprise. As someone treasuring fond memories of a girl that would despise romantic movies, I adored “Before Sunrise”. Released in 1995, Richard Linklater’s movie offered a realistic portrait of a short-lived romance. Linklater has always thrived at making realistic romantic movies with a message, and “Before Sunrise” showcased his strengths as a director. Linklater uses naturalistic dialogue to capture the strong bond between a pair of lovers. For instance, the scene in which Jessie and Celine first meet on a train heading to Vienna starting their bold affair is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great performance by Ethan Hawke, who portrayed an author seeking romance. Ultimately, what makes “Before Sunrise” a masterpiece is its realism. The film delivers a bold message about romantic bonds which would resonate with everyone. A strong portrait of lovers reuniting before sunrise, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost abilities to surprise making movies that audiences prize.

6. 500 Days of Summer

It’s challenging to recover from a breakup. Recently, I witnessed my brother struggle to move on after being rejected by his lover. No matter hard he tried, he couldn’t move on from a romance leaving him dissatisfied. As someone treasuring a brother that faced a tense breakup, I adored “500 Days of Summer”. Released in 2009, Marc Webb’s movie depicted doomed romantic relationships. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “500 Days of Summer” stand out is its depiction of breakups. Webb uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing hardships men in breakups are facing. Assisted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is amazing in the lead role, Webb created a breakup movie that’s compelling. As strong as Tom’s love for Summer, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.

7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Memory loss is a painful process causing stress. Recently, I witnessed my aging grandmother losing her memory. She would forget about certain people, places and events in her life which were important. 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 uses captivating montages capturing a pair of lovers forgetting about one another. Assisted by Kate Winslet who is amazing in the lead role, Gondry created a captivating romance about 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.

8. Her

Technology addiction has shaped my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve always been a heavy technology user. At an early age, I formed an 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 captured a technology romance. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Her” stand out is its originality. Jonze manages to turn the seemingly ridiculous 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. As precious as the operating system used by Theodore, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre producing memorable movies that audiences adore.

9. Notting Hill

Julia Roberts is a fantastic actress that has often made memorable movies in the romance genre. During the 1990’s, Roberts made several timeless romantic movies. I adore all the movies the actress made in her career but “Notting Hill” is my favourite. Released in 1999, Robert Michell’s movie captured romance between an actress and bookstore owner. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Notting Hill” stand out is its depiction of fame. Michell uses captivating montages capturing an actress having a romantic affair with consequences that are threatening. Assisted by Julia Roberts who is extraordinary in the lead role, Michell created a compelling romantic comedy. An unforgettable portrait of uphill battles faced by celebrities in Notting Hill, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to thrill.

10. The Notebook

Few romantic movies ever made have took audiences’ breath away like “The Notebook”. Since its release in 2004, Nick Cassavetes’ movie has become a classic. Cassavetes used flashbacks capturing lovers torn apart by memory loss that’s frightening. Assisted by Ryan Gosling who is superb in the lead role, Cassavetes created a compelling romance. Although I’ve always admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of Alzheimer’s disease as a plot device to create a romance has forever tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Noah’s memories of falling in love at first sight, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced bright films about obstacles lovers fight that I will forever treasure for inspiring my passion for film reviews that I love to write.