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 relationships with a brother that possessed immense knowledge about grim shipwrecks that caused damage. Fascinated with tragic shipwrecks, he always sought to be educated about dark disasters that he appreciated. He always believed that movies were an art form that could never honour a grim shipwreck which had torn 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 that face 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 classic 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. 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 tremendously prize.
3. 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 absolutely today.
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. The actor share strong chemistry together creating a romantic relationship that is realistic. An unforgettable portrait of uphill battles experienced by committed celebrities with dreams to fulfill seeking romance in Notting Hill, its a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has never lost its abilities to commonly thrill.
5. 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 universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be South Korean to appreciate it. 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 commemorated genre that has made unforgettable movies about romantic relationships which audiences appreciate.
6. Brokeback Mountain
Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has often shied away from telling stories of queer lovers that are misunderstood. In an industry ignoring stories of queer lovers without compassion, it’s worth praising “Brokeback Mountain”. Released in 2005, Ang Lee’s movie captured breakups between queer lovers facing adversity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Brokeback Mountain” stand out is its depiction of queer love. Lee uses captivating montages capturing the frightening breakups between a pair of queer lovers that are fighting. Assisted by Heath Ledger who is extraordinary in the lead role, Lee created a captivating LGBTQ drama. A powerful portrait of the heavy burden that queer lovers bear, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies about which audiences care.
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 commonly shine.
8. 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 commonly behind.
9. 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 tremendously adore.
10. 500 Days of Summer
Few movies ever made about romantic relationships facing disaster are as beloved as “500 Days of Summer”. Released in 2009, Marc Webb’s movie captured a doomed love affair facing tragedy. Webb used montages capturing hardships a smitten man in doomed affairs is facing. Assisted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is superb in the lead role, Webb created a captivating modern-day romance. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of romantic relationships that face tragedy has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Tom’s desire to find a girl that’s romantic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about lovers that are tragic which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of becoming a film critic.
The Film Buff 