21 best romantic movies that will make you believe in the power of love
Romantic movies have long been Hollywood's favourite genre, with heartbreak, betrayal and two people coming together against all odds serving as prominent inspiration for movies throughout the ages.
Whether we're heartbroken and left in tears or overjoyed that love conquers all, there's simply nothing like being transported into the world of romance by the world's best actors, writers and directors. Romantic movies have taken over our hearts in all forms, whether they're based on true love stories such as Loving, an interracial couple changing legislation in fifties America with their powerful relationship, or classic love stories such as that depicted in The Notebook, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
Sometimes you make your own luck.
The great thing about romance is that it can come in different forms. Take, for example, Joaquin Phoenix's character falling in love with the voice behind a new operating system in Her, or a spirit protecting his one true love in real life from those who murdered him in Ghost to the relationship between crime-hungry couple Bonnie & Clyde (we obv don't condone the latter's antics), but, needless to say, there were all very much in love, and it's lovely to know that we don't have to wait for Valentine's Day to watch these incredible films about a couple's devotion and passion towards one another.
So, if you're in the mood for heartwarming, endearing and inspiring romantic movies, here are GLAMOUR's top 21 favourites.
© Twentieth Century FoxTitanic, 1997
Is there a more extraordinary love story than that of Rose and Jack? James Cameron's classic movie Titanic blew us away with the tale of wealthy, seventeen-year-old Rose, who boards the R.M.S. Titanic for the ill-fated journey across the Atlantic, where she meets and falls for kind-hearted and poor artist Jack. Despite all the odds stacked against them, we all watched on as budding lovebirds explored their relationship until the very last money when Kate Winslet heartbreakingly tells Leonardo DiCaprio, "I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go". And the rest is history.
Warner BrosCasablanca, 1942
An oldie but a goodie, 1942's Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, sees nightclub owner Rick helping his former lover Ilsa and her husband during WWII. However, it isn't long before Ilsa's feelings for Rick come hurtling back, changing the course of their relationship forever. This movie is probably one of the greatest romance movies ever made, and it even won the Academy Award for Best Picture upon its release. Casablanca's significance is so great that back in 1989, the United States Library of Congress chose the film as one of the first for preservation in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
SKYMoonstruck, 1987
Cher won herself an Oscar playing the role of widowed Loretta Castorini, who settles for a friendly and secure man named Johnny. However, when she meets his passionate, moody and exciting brother Ronny, she finds her heart pulling her in a different direction. While she fights to resist the urge to fall for him, Ronny puts family loyalty aside to let her know that he feels the same...
UNIVERSAL STUDIOSLoving, 2016
Based on the heartbreaking true story, Loving shows that no matter what obstacles are thrown your way, love truly does conquer all. The movie takes us back to 1958, when Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, defied the laws of their home state to marry and were arrested as a result of it. They late approached the Supreme Court and, in the process of doing so, changed America forever. Inspiring, beautiful, and heart-wrenching all at the same time, Loving, starring Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton, is not a film to be missed.
SKYMississippi Masala, 1991
Mississippi Masala, directed by Mira Nair, broke new ground in the early nineties by depicting a loving relationship between a Black man (Denzel Washington) and an Indian woman (Sarita Choudhury). When Mina and Demetrius fall for each other, they are pressured to part ways with their families and communities over their racial differences. As others force them to choose between love and family, the young couple proves they only have eyes for each other as they run away together.
Copyright © Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.Ghost, 1990
Yes, the pottery scene starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze is iconic, but so is the rest of the film. Ghost follows the story of banker Sam Wheat who is murdered by his so-classed friend and corrupt business partner, Carl. When left to roam the earth as a powerless spirit, he learns of Carl's betrayal and does everything in his power to protect the love of his Molly from the evil of Carl and his equally corrupt accomplices.
© Entertainment FilmThe Notebook, 2004
You cannot think about the greatest love stories ever without thinking about Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in 2004's The Notebook. Rewind to 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah Calhoun and wealthy local girl Allie are desperately in love, despite their parents' disapproval. Their relationship ends as Noah goes off to serve in World War II, and Allie moves on with another man (James Marsden). But as her marriage looms closer, Noah returns to their small town and makes Ally realise that their relationship is anything but over. Honestly, this movie is a classic.
SKYDirty Dancing, 1987
If you have been hiding under a rock and have yet to see Dirty Dancing, let us inform you of the plot. Baby, played by Jennifer Grey, spends one summer at a resort in New York's Catskills with her parents, where she falls in love with the dance instructor Johnny (Patrick Swayze). When Baby's father forbids her from seeing Johnny, she secretly carries on her romance while practising to perform the last big dance of the summer with him. And yes, that performance does entail the epic lift to 'I Had The Time Of My Life". Iconic.
© Warner Bros.International Television DistributionBonnie and Clyde, 1967
We don't condone their actions, but Bonnie and Clyde were very much the pioneers of the saying, "us against the world". Played by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, a small-town girl and bank robber fall madly in love during a notorious crime spree extending from Oklahoma to Texas. The film was based on the true story of Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut (Champion) Barrow, whose robbery spree was brought to an end when they were shot to death by police in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, in 1934.
20th Century FoxThe Fault in Our Stars, 2014
A hugely popular coming-of-age romance film, The Fault In Our Stars stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort as two cancer-stricken teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, who meet at a cancer support group. They both bond over their love for books, especially An Imperial Affliction by reclusive author Peter Van Houten. When Augustus bags the opportunity to meet the author, the young lovebirds embark on a sweet adventure to visit him in Amsterdam. This movie, based on the novel of the same name by John Green, was a huge hit when it came out, and upon watching it, you'll understand why.
SKYThe Big Sick, 2017
Another romance centred on medical illness, The Big Sick sees a Pakistani comic Kumail worry about what his conservative Muslim parents would think of his girlfriend, Emily. However, that becomes the least of his concerns when Emily is struck down by an illness that leaves her in a coma, prompting Kumail to develop a strong bond with her devastated parents. The wonderful Kumail Nanjiani stars alongside his real-life wife Emily V. Gordon, and the ever-so-talented Zoe Kazan in this heartbreaking romance film.
SKYWater for Elephants, 2011
Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in a romance movie together? Yes, please! Water for Elephants sees Jacob join a travelling circus as a vet following the death of his parents. He soon finds himself falling in love with the violent boss' wife, Marlena, following their shared compassion for an elephant. Their newfound, secretive romance is undoubtedly at risk of jeopardising their careers and their lives.
DisneyWest Side Story, 2021
It's the romance tale we all know and love and cannot get enough of. There's love at first sight between Tony and Maria when they first meet at a high school dance in fifties New York. However, their blossoming romance fuels the rivalry between two gangs, Jets and Sharks, who battle for control of the streets. With the epic musical numbers and the stunning performances by Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose, this romance is one for the ages.
SKYCarol, 2015
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are absolutely exquisite in the romantic period drama of forbidden love Carol which sees Manhattan department store worker Therese Belive become enamoured with stunning and wealthy older woman Carol, who is in the midst of a difficult divorce. Award season came calling for this movie.
PRIME VIDEOHer, 2013
A different kind of love story, but a love story nonetheless, a sensitive and sweet man Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), is heartbroken after his marriage ends. Trying to find meaning elsewhere, he becomes fascinated with a new operating system where he meets Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), whose cheery and bright voice catches his attention and prompts him to fall in love. Sweetly enough, the set of this movie was also where Joaquin met his future wife, Rooney Mara, and if that doesn't scream true romance, we don't know what does.
Warner Brothers PicturesA Star Is Born, 2018
A Star Is Born had us in tears with its story of struggling artist Ally, who is given a second shot at a music career by acclaimed musician Jackson Maine, with the pair quickly forging a deep romance. However, while Ally's career finally takes off, her personal life begins to suffer with the breakdown of her relationship amidst Jackson's ongoing battle with his inner demons. Lady Gaga, who took on the role of Ally, won a Best Original Song Oscar for the song Shallow and was even nominated at the prestigious award ceremony in the Best Actress category. It's a seriously excellent romance movie, which you'll need to watch with a box of tissues at the ready.
Entertainment OneIf Beale Street Could Talk, 2018
Based on James Baldwin's 1974 novel of the same, If Beale Street Could Talk focuses on the story of Tish, who falls in love with her childhood friend Fonny in seventies Harlem. The devoted couple dream of an epic future together. However, when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit, Tish sets out to prove his innocence. KiKi Layne, Regina King Stephan James star in this moving love story that took over award season in 2018.
MGMBones & All, 2022
Despite the underlying theme, Bones & All is a cinematographically captivating love story starring Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet. It's basically like Titanic, but for weird people. The story focuses on the blossoming love between a young man and a disenfranchised drifter as they journey through the backroads of small-town America while trying to escape the terrifying and deeply painful secrets they have both been harbouring.
WARNERThe Bodyguard, 1992
'I Will Always Love You' will always be one of our favourite love songs, so it's only fitting to include The Bodyguard on our list of favourite romance movies. The late and great Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner star in the story of singer and actor Rachel, who receives death threats for an obsessive stalker. When she hires ex-Secret Service agent Frank to be her bodyguard, she quickly falls in love with him.
SKYThe Age of Adaline, 2015
Blake Lively and Harrison Ford come together in this romantic fantasy film, which sees a young woman named Adaline Bowman stop ageing after being brought back to life after an accident at 29. Her secret comes out eight decades later when she meets a former love, who is surprised at her return.
© 20th Century Fox. All Rights ReservedRomeo + Juliet, 1996
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes were absolutely swoon-worthy in the film adaptation of the Shakespeare romance tragedy, which saw Juliet fall in love with Romeo at the masked ball despite her father arranging her marriage to another man as part of a strategic investment plan. Baz Luhrmann directed this classic which put Danes and DiCaprio on the map, and left us heartbroken.
