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 possessing immense knowledge about shipwrecks that caused damage. Fascinated with tragic shipwrecks, he always sought to be educated about disasters he appreciated. He believed movies were art that couldn’t honour shipwrecks which tore lives apart. In 1997, James Cameron did extraordinary jobs depicting the tragic shipwreck in his classic film “Titanic”. Following release in 1990’s, James Cameron’s movie has stood test of time as the greatest romance film ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used innovative special effects capturing doomed lovers on ships facing despair. Cameron has always had aptitude 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 commemorated romantic bond. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” my favourite romance film of all-time is its commemorated appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of the Titanic to appreciate it. The film delivers a commemorated message about doomed romance which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a groundbreaking film about lovers pursuing romantic relationships on ships experiencing disasters that are tragic, it’s a commemorated reminder of a genre that has manufactured iconic movies captivating the pubic.
2. 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. A powerful portrait of immigration causing bonds between childhood lovers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about romantic relationships which audiences appreciate.
3. Pretty Woman
Julia Roberts is a fantastic actress that my father has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed relationships with a father that admirable an actress with courage. A huge fan of Julia Roberts, he admired an actress that impacted his identity. My father regarded all Julia Roberts’ movies with affection but his favourite film was always “Pretty Woman”. Released in 1990, Garry Marshall’s movie offered a powerful depiction of pretty prostitute women. Prostitution is a sensitive subject that isn’t easy to tackle in a romantic comedy, but Marshall succeeded immensely. Marshall effectively uses montages to create a romance involving prostitutes that’s compelling. For instance, the ending scene in which Edward recruits Vivian from her home like a courageous knight is one of the most memorable moments of the rom-com genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Julia Roberts, who created an iconic prostitute with a heart of gold. Ultimately, what makes “Pretty Woman” a great romantic comedy is its universal appeal. Unlike most romantic comedies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about dangers of prostitution which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of pretty prostitute women seeking romantic relationships with affection, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced unforgettable movies worthy of celebration.
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 commemorated romantic relationship that is realistic. An unforgettable portrait of uphill battles experienced by celebrities with dreams to fulfill seeking romance in Notting Hill, its a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured movies which never lost their abilities to thrill.
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. Unlike most romantic films, it offers a realistic depiction of relationships. 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 commemorated genre that hasn’t lost abilities to surprise by manufacturing unforgettable movies that audiences prize.
6. About Time
One of the most common criticisms levelled against the rom-com genre is its predictability. Romance movies have always followed a safe formula building to a predictable ending. This often leaves little room for originality in the genre. In a genre that has lost its abilities to amaze over time, it’s worth praising “About Time”. Released in 2013, Richard Curtis’ movie used the unique concept of time travel to reinvigorate the rom-com genre. Curtis used sharp writing to create a romantic relationship affected by time travel that’s compelling. Assisted by Domnhall Gleeson who is excellent in the lead role, Curtis created a refreshing time-travel romance. A powerful portrayal of time travel causing romance to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of a genre that thrives telling timeless stories about love that are extremely original.
7. 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.
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. 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.
The Film Buff 