My Favourite Films About Marriages of All-Time

Not many genres engage audiences like a broken marriage. Stories of couples whose marriages face tragedy often make for memorable movies. Whether it’s divorce lawyers, doomed lovers or child carers, the divorce genre has produced many characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite marriage movies that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Kramer vs. Kramer

Divorce is a devastating process that caused marriages to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face broken marriages that caused grim damage. I recall the sad night when she had a heated argument with her great husband that had proved to be a shocking sight. In a sad incident, my aunt had tense arguments with her dire husband that caused intense feelings of resentment. Following the sad separation, it was easier said than done for my aunt to easily move on. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big impact of dark divorce on broken families that face grim disaster as powerfully as “Kramer vs. Kramer”. Ever since its release in 1979, Robert Benton’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about marriage. With the greatest film of his career, Benton used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a dark marriage ending in despair. “Kramer v. Kramer” was a bold film in cinematic history becoming one of the first mainstream movies to address divorce. Benton has always had an aptitude for using montages in his movies, and “Kramer v. Kramer” showcased her strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Ted is aware that his wife is leaving him causing grim trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an great role by Dustin Hoffman, who embodies a man stuck in a broken marriage facing destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Kramer vs. Kramer” my favourite film about marriages of all-time is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about divorce, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about marriage which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after the release of a classic film about couples in marriage causing grim damage, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making movies which engage by giving a meaningful message.

2. A Separation

The Middle East is a misunderstood country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of an Arab kid that grew up in Saudi Arabia. He often took great pride in his Arabian identity. My friend believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a country holding a big place in his heart. As someone treasuring a companion that regarded the Middle East with affection, I adored “A Separation”. Released in 2011, Asghar Farhadi’s Oscar-winning movie captured Iranian marriages ending in tragedy. Farhadi uses handheld camera to capture marriages in Iran experiencing a dilemma. For instance, the opening scene in which Simin and Nader have a tense argument filing for divorce causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Peyman Moaadi, who embodies an Iranian man facing marriage tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “A Separation” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Iran targeted towards citizens of the country, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about parenting which would resonate with everyone. An incredible portrait of Iranian couples whose marriages deteriorate, it’s an insightful reminder of a genre that audiences appreciate.

3. Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature always impressed my mother. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author in English literature. She was drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. Marriage has always been a central theme in Jane Austen’s books, and it is clearly evident in “Pride & Prejudice”. Released in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie honoured Jane Austen’s most celebrated book about marriages. Wright has an aptitude for adapting classic literature into compelling movies, and “Pride & Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about destroying her sister’s marriage causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Kiera Knightley, who embodied a commemorated heroine. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” a commemorated adaptation is its message. The film delivers a bold message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. Centuries after the publication of a classic book about prejudiced women developing romantic bonds with pride, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to leave audiences satisfied.

4. Marriage Story

Child custody affects couples which end marriages in tragedy. Years ago, my cousin witnessed his parents separate in a divorce causing sorrow. Following the separation, my cousin was forced to make the difficult decision to choose which parent he wanted to live with. His decision to live with his mother forever destroyed his relationship with his father. As someone that has witnessed child custody, I adored “Marriage Story”. Released in 2019, Noah Baumbach’s movie captured impact of divorce on children. Baumbach has an aptitude for capturing marriages that experience disaster, and “Marriage Story” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Baumbach staged authentic scenes of couples arguing that are scarily true to reality. For instance, the scene in which Charlie and Nicole have an argument in their apartment causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the marriage genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Adam Driver, who embodies a man stuck in a broken marriage. Ultimately, what makes “Marriage Story” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about child custody which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent portrait of couples whose marriages experience tragedy, it’s a magnificent reminder of a genre that has manufactured great movies audiences love dearly.

5. Blue Valentine

Realism is a rare quality that’s seldom seen in marriage movies. I remember my cousin witnessed his parents’ marriage face disaster. After his parents separated, he became critical of movies that depicted broken marriages leaving couples devastated. He would often complain that movies intended to entertain could never capture divorce pain. As someone whose cousin witnessed marriages facing a decline, I adored “Blue Valentine”. Released in 2011, Derek Cianfrance’s movie captured a broken marriage facing tragedy. Cianfrance has often had an aptitude for making great movies about marriages facing disaster, and “Blue Valentine” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Cianfrance uses immersive handheld camerawork to capture marriages declining. For instance, the scene in which Cindy has an excruciating argument with Dean after he shows up unannounced at her workplace causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Michelle Williams, who embodies a woman trapped in a broken marriage. Ultimately, what makes “Blue Valentine” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. The film delivers a bold message about divorce which would resonate with everyone. A dazzling portrait of marriages that decline, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making movies which shine.

6. Past Lives

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. However, the decision to immigrate forced us to separate. As someone treasuring a childhood crush I left behind in past lives, I adored “Past Lives”. Released in 2023, Celine Song’s movie captured Korean childhood lovers facing adversity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Past Lives” stand out is its depiction of childhood love. Song uses captivating flashbacks capturing hardships that a pair of childhood friends separated by immigration is facing. Assisted by Greta Lee who is amazing in the lead role, Song created a captivating drama. As strong as Hae-Sung’s love for Nora, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre making unforgettable movies which attract audiences towards Cinema.

7. Ordinary People

It’s challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Years ago, my uncle passed away causing my family to face sorrow. His sad passing left my family mourning. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured painful emotions of losing relatives as powerfully as “Ordinary People”. Released in 1980, Robert Redford’s extraordinary movie depicted marriages facing tragedy. Unlike most movies made in the genre, what makes “Ordinary People” stand out is its realism. Robert Redford created a portrait of family tragedy that’s realistic. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Donald Sutherland, who reminds us how great of an actor he was before he tragically passed away. A powerful portrait of grief impacting the lives of ordinary people, it’s an extraordinary reminder of a decade that produced great movies audiences consider to be extremely special.

8. Materialists

Matchmaking is an activity that my cousin always found engaging. I remember my cousin once had dreams of becoming a famous matchmaker. As someone treasuring memories of a materialistic matchmaker, I adored “Materialists”. Released in 2025, Celine Song’s movie captured a materialistic matchmaker arranging marriages. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Materialists” stand out is its depiction of matchmakers. Song uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a matchmaker arranging marriages is experiencing. Assisted by Dakota Johnson who is extraordinary in the lead role, Song created a captivating drama about matchmaking. As strong as Lucy’s desire to be materialistic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that has made iconic movies about broken marriages captivating public.

9. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a great book about broken marriages that has built a lasting legacy. 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 facing broken marriages in the 1920’s. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Luhrmann honours a commemorated book published years ago. An awe-inspiring adaptation of a book about mysterious millionaires in marriages that are dangerous, it’s a magnificent reminder of a commemorated genre that has made timeless movies which audiences consider extremely precious.

10. Gone Girl

Few movies ever made about broken marriages that unfurl are as beloved as “Gone Girl”. Released in 2014, David Fincher’s movie honoured a beloved book about marriages. Fincher used captivating voice-over narration to capture tension that a couple torn apart by jealousy is facing. Assisted by Ben Affleck who is extraordinary in the lead role, Fincher created a captivating mystery. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of infidelity causing marriages to experience tragedy has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Nick’s desire to prove his innocence, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making unforgettable movies about marriages facing a disturbance which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lasting love of filmmaking giving my life greater guidance.