Not many genres have made movies audiences love like doomed love. Since the 1980’s, stories of doomed romance have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s shipwreck disasters, L.A. lovers or teenagers, the genre has created several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about doomed romance that deserve to be celebrated.
1. Titanic
The Titanic is a tragic shipwreck disaster that fascinated my brother. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a brother possessing immense knowledge about shipwrecks causing damage. Fascinated with tragic shipwrecks, he always sought to be educated about disasters he appreciated. He always believed movies were an art form that couldn’t honour shipwrecks which tore lives apart. In 1997, James Cameron did an extraordinary job 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 film ever made about doomed romance. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used innovative special effects to capture doomed lovers on dark ships facing despair. Cameron has always had an aptitude for making movies about doomed lovers in danger, and “Titanic” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Rose pursue an affair on the ship by pretending they are flying before the tragic sinking causing trauma is one of the greatest 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 film about doomed love of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most disaster movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone can relate to. 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 experiencing disasters that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre that has manufactured iconic movies captivating the pubic.
2. A Star is Born
Drug addiction often causes romantic relationships to face destruction. Several years ago, I formed a friendship with a girl that sought to become a musical maestro. Fond of playing the guitar, she seemed born to be a star. However, her addiction to weed caused our romance relationship to recede. As someone treasuring fond memories of a musical friend torn apart by addiction, I adored “A Star is Born”. Released in 2018, Bradley Cooper’s movie captured the impact of addiction on romantic relationships. Cooper effectively used montages capturing the lives of alcoholic singers facing tragedy. For instance, the scene in which Jackson Maine humiliates Ally by urinating during her awards acceptance speech causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Cooper, who embodied a musician with shallow alcohol addiction. Ultimately, what makes “A Star is Born” a romantic masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to fans of country music to appreciate it. A powerful portrait of alcohol addiction causing romantic relationships of singers that are far from shallow to face sorrow, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre giving audiences dreams to follow.
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 romance between childhood lovers over several years. For instance, the scene in which Nora bids tearful farewell to Hae-Sung as he leaves for Korea is one of the finest moments of the 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 universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be Korean to appreciate its romance. 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 manufactured timeless movies about doomed relationships which audiences appreciate.
4. La La Land
Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. I remember forming friendships with a girl in school that sought to become a famous actress. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was a girl I would always admire. However, he intense focus pursuing an acting career caused our relationship to face 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. Viewers don’t need to be fans of jazz music to appreciate it. As strong as bonds between lovers in L.A., it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made great movies about doomed lovers facing a painful price to pay which are worth celebrating today.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Memory loss is a painful process that causes lovers to face stress. Recently, I witnessed my aging grandmother losing her memory. She got into the habit of forgetting about certain things, people and places. It was heartbreaking seeing a grandmother I loved dearly losing her 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 depicted the impact of memory loss on romantic relationships. Gondry uses montages to capture hardships lovers with memory loss are facing. For instance, the scene in which Clementine can’t remember Joel in a bookstore after memory erasure causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Kate Winslet, who embodied a forgetful lover. Ultimately, what makes “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about memory loss that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of memory loss in the mind causing romance to be declined, it’s a bold reminder about a one-of-a-kind genre that has produced memorable movies which have left a legacy behind.
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. Blue Valentine
Divorce is a painful process that causes lovers to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a broken marriage causing emotional damage. As someone that saw a marriage decline, I adored “Blue Valentine”. Released in 2010, Derek Cianfrance’s movie captured doomed lovers affected by divorce. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Blue Valentine” stand out is its depiction of a separation. Cianfrance uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing a marriage that’s declining. Assisted by Ryan Gosling who is amazing in the lead role, Cianfrance created a portrait of broken marriages that’s compelling. A dazzling portrait of marriages that face a decline, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about doomed relationships which shine.
8. Call Me By Your Name
Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has often built barriers against homosexual people climbing mountains. In an industry avoiding lovers that face shame, it’s worth praising “Call Me By Your Name”. Released in 2017, Luca Guadagnino’s movie offered a captivating portrait of a doomed queer romance. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Call Me By Your Name” stand out is its depiction of LGBTQ communities. Guadagnino uses captivating montages capturing bonds between queer lovers in a doomed romance. Assisted by Timothee Chalamet who is extraordinary in the lead role, Guadagnino honoured LGBTQ lovers today. A powerful portrait of the heavy burden that queer lovers bear, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making memorable movies about which audiences care.
9. The Great Gatsby
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about doomed lovers facing tragedy, it’s worth discussing The Great Gatsby. Ever since its publication in 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book has become a classic. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann did a great job of adapting the book in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Great Gatsby” stand out is its depiction of the 1920’s. Luhrmann uses voice-over narration to capture the life of a mysterious millionaire overcoming poverty in the 1920’s. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Luhrmann honours an iconic book published years ago. A great adaptation of a book about millionaires that are mysterious, it’s a magnificent reminder of a commemorated genre that has made bold movies which audiences consider precious.
10. Anora
Few movies ever made about doomed lovers have earned media attention of “Anora”. Released in 2024, Sean Baker’s Oscar-winning movie captured prostitutes in doomed romance. Baker used montages capturing hardships that a prostitute in doomed love affairs is facing. Assisted by Mikey Madison who is amazing in the lead role, Baker created a compelling doomed romance. Although I adored the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of a prostitute treated poorly by her lover’s family has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Anora’s love for prostitution, it’s a powerful reminder of a genre making great movies about doomed lovers facing tension which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of film criticism giving my life greater direction.
The Film Buff 