Romantic movies come in all shapes and sizes. Some are designed to provide you with the stereotypical happy ending, while others throw you for a loop with a sad twist of fate that proves love doesn’t always conquer all. Some have comedic undertones while others focus on how sometimes, love simply isn’t meant to be.
Romance movies sometimes get pigeonholed into the sappy category, but they can be much more. Here on this list, we have highlighted an interesting cross-section of the best romance movies on Netflix right now. There are options that will suit any fan of the genre and even unconventional ones for those who aren’t particularly fond of traditional romantic films.
Looking for something else? Check out our list of the best rom-coms on Netflix, the best rom-coms on Hulu, and the best rom-coms on Amazon Prime Video.
Recently added to Netflix
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The Best of Me2014 -
Along for the Ride2022
117m
Genre
Drama, Romance
Stars
Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Luke Bracey
Directed by
Michael Hoffman
When a romantic movie is based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, you can be fairly confident that it’ll be worth a watch for fans of the genre. The author behind books like Dear John and The Notebook that inspired those movies of the same names is also behind The Best of Me. James Marsden and Michelle Monoghan star as Dawson and Amanda, former high school sweethearts who are reunited by tragedy decades later. But there’s one problem: Amanda is married with a family, and Dawson’s troubled life involves a family filled with hatred and violence. While critics were generally not a fan of The Best Of Me, the predictably sappy story and great casting make it worth a watch if you’re into cliched tearjerkers. Note that due to licensing restrictions, The Best Of Me is not available to Netflix Basic with Ads subscribers.
114m
Genre
Drama, Romance
Stars
Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro Nivola
Directed by
Sebastián Lelio
Based on the 2006 Naomi Alderman novel of the same name, Disobedience tells the story of a woman named Ronit (Rachel Weisz) who is ostracized from her strict Jewish Orthodox family and community. She returns for her father’s funeral and catches back up with two old friends, Dovid (Alessandra Nivola) and Esti (Rachel McAdams), who are now married to one another. Drama unfolds as it becomes clear that there’s a spark between Ronit and Esti that would not be approved by the culture. Once their secret romance is detected, the two become entangled in a tall tale of forbidden love. Weisz also serves as producer of Disobedience, which has been praised by critics for being “thought-provoking,” “beautifully acted” and “emotionally nuanced.”
124m
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Drama
Stars
Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, Gina McKee
Directed by
Roger Michell
Julia Roberts and romance movies (or just about any genre, really) typically spell cinematic gold. That’s the case with this romantic flick that sees Roberts play famous actress Anna who falls for a London bookstore owner, William (Hugh Grant). They come from very different worlds, but can a romance blossom and survive between them despite their very different lifestyles and with Anna constantly under scrutiny by fans and paparazzi? This is a story about the difficulties of maintaining love while in the public eye, especially when one-half of the relationship is an average Joe and the other is a huge star. Notting Hill has elements of fairy tale and fun, propped up by its top-notch lead cast. Note that Notting Hill is not available to stream for those with Netflix Basic with Ads.
120m
Genre
Romance, Drama
Stars
KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King
Directed by
Barry Jenkins
Based on James Baldwin’s book of the same name, If Beale Street Could Talk follows 19-year-old Tish Rivers (KiKi Layne) and the bond she forms with her childhood friend, Fonny (Stephan James). Set in 1970s Harlem, the couple is making big plans when Fonny is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Tish knows Fonny is innocent and goes to work with her family to fight the charge and create a community of love and support for Tish’s unborn child. Tish’s hope and resilience are made possible only by the love she and Fonny share.
113m
Genre
Drama, Family, Romance, Music
Stars
Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington
Directed by
Thomas Carter
Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas star as Sara and Derek, two dancers from different worlds who are drawn together after Sara transfers to a majority-Black school on Chicago’s South Side following her mother’s death. Despite her fish-out-of-water status, Sara finds a kindred spirit in Derek, who shares her passion for dance. As Sara heals through her art, she draws closer to Derek.
112m
Genre
Romance, Fantasy, Drama
Stars
Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford
Directed by
Lee Toland Krieger
Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has a secret: She’s remained 29 years old for nearly 80 years, which forces her to lead a solitary existence out of fear that someone might discover her strange immortality. But when Adaline meets philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman), she can’t stay away. For the first time in decades, she feels a passionate draw toward someone. When a weekend with Ellis’ parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) nearly reveals her secret, Adaline must decide between security and love. This movie is not available with Netflix Basic with Ads.
149m
Genre
Romance
Stars
Akhil Akkineni, Pooja Hegde, Jayaprakash
Directed by
Bhaskar
Harsha is a young Indian man whose parents set him up for an arranged marriage. But during his time flipping through the photos of the various prospective brides, he ends up meeting a stand-up comedian named Vibha with whom he falls in love. By then, however, he is already set to marry someone else. It’s a story of forbidden love that has been told again and again. But Most Eligible Bachelor, offered in the Indian Telugu language, struck a chord with viewers and became a box office success. Breezy and emotional, the film is lauded as much for its soundtrack and cinematography as it is for the story.
106m
Genre
Romance, Drama
Stars
Emma Pasarow, Belmont Cameli, Kate Bosworth
Directed by
Sofia Alvarez
Looking for a high school romance? Look no further than Netflix’s original adaptation of Sarah Dessen’s novel of the same name. In the summer before college, insomniac Auden (Emma Pasarow) meets Eli (Belmont Cameli), another teen insomniac wandering the seaside town of Colby at night. Drawn to one another, they embark on nightly quests to discover themselves and one another as the ambitious Auden finally experiences the laidback teen life she didn’t know she yearned for.
130m
Genre
Drama, Romance
Stars
Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps, Lesley Manville
Directed by
Paul Thomas Anderson
Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps are an explosive chemistry experiment in Paul Thomas Anderson’s drama about Reynolds Woodcock, a fashion designer at the epicenter of British fashion in 1950s London. With his sister Cyril, he dresses royalty, movie stars, and all of the world’s most famous people while women come and go through his life like leaves on the wind. But when he meets Alma (Krieps), his carefully tailored existence begins to unwind as he finds himself succumbing to love. Unfortunately, if you have Netflix Basic with Ads, you will not be able to stream this title.
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116m
Genre
Romance, Drama
Stars
Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse, Moisés Arias
Directed by
Justin Baldoni
Five Feet Apart is right up the alley of John Green fans. Stella (Haley Lu Richardson) is a teenage cystic fibrosis patient who lives in a hospital, bound by routines and self-control that literally keep her alive. But she starts wondering what that kind of life really is when she meets Will (Cole Sprouse), a charming teen with the same illness and less inclination to follow the rules. Despite the instant attraction, restrictions say they must maintain a safe distance between one another, so as the connection intensifies, it becomes a lot harder to stay 5 feet apart. This title is not included with Netflix Basic with Ads.
92m
Genre
Romance, TV Movie
Stars
Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige
Directed by
Alex Zamm
A surprise holiday romance hit, A Christmas Prince spawned a trilogy with a devoted fanbase. In the original, a young journalist (Rose McIver) is sent abroad to cover a foreign prince who is poised to become king. Traveling and working over the Christmas holiday, the journalist and prince receive a surprising Christmas gift when they immediately click and fall in love.
106m
Genre
Romance, Drama
Stars
John David Washington, Zendaya
Directed by
Sam Levinson
While Malcolm & Marie may be a bit soapy for some, it will very likely hit all the right tones for the hopeless romantics. After the premiere of his new movie, a filmmaker (John David Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) return home with the expectation of an imminent windfall of critical and financial success. As they celebrate, the night takes a turn when revelations about past relationships arise, testing the strength of their bond in the face of an incoming, drastic change.
100m
Genre
Comedy, Romance
Stars
Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish
Directed by
Susan Johnson
Based on the novel of the same name, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is about a teenager named Lara (Lana Condor), whose life is turned upside down when love letters she has written to her crushes — meant for her eyes only — are mailed out. Each of her five previous loves confronts her one by one in an awkward, cringe-worthy fashion. Lara, normally a shy girl, must face the reality that her secrets are now out. She breaks through her shy exterior and lets herself have extraordinary experiences, and maybe she even finds love? This Netflix original will solidify your notions that high school was a rough time for all, but not without pulling at your heartstrings first.
102m
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Stars
Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Jordan Fisher
Directed by
Michael Fimognari
Loved To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before? Good news, there’s a sequel! Lana Condor returns as awkwardly in love Lara and, turns out, she’s still reaping the fall out from the love letters she never meant to send. You may recall, the last movie left off with Lara and Peter (Noah Centineo) happily in a relationship but when another recipient of her old love letters — a crush from way back — enters the picture, there’s trouble brewing in paradise.
115m
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Drama
Stars
Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish
Directed by
Michael Fimognari
Finally, cap off the trilogy with the newest release in the To All the Boys series! It’s senior year, and after returning from a family trip to Korea, Lara Jean has a lot on her mind. Primed to make the first major decision of her life, Lara Jean begins to weigh the pros and cons of attending college both with or without Peter.
111m
Genre
Romance, Drama, War
Stars
Ben Kingsley, Paul Barrett, Josh Hartnett
Directed by
Joseph Ruben
This period drama set just before the First World War centers on two Americans falling in love in the Ottoman Empire. Strong-willed Lillie (Hera Hilmar) is infuriated by injustice in the United States, so she leaves to join an intriguing American doctor (Michiel Huisman) on his remote medical mission in the Ottoman Empire. On the brink of war, Lillie finds her loyalty tested to both Jude and the mission when she finds herself surprisingly falling in love with the enemy: A lieutenant in the Ottoman imperial army. Netflix Basic with Ads subscribers will not be able to watch this movie.
Genre
Romance, Drama, History
Cast
Lily James, Jessica Brown Findlay, Matthew Goode
If you’re wondering about the name, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is the improvised title of a group that was breaking curfew in German-occupied Guernsey in World War II. In 1946, author Juliet Ashton (Lily James) journeys to Guernsey to learn more about the society and its missing co-founder, Elizabeth McKenna (Jessica Brown Findlay). Along the way, Juliet develops feelings for a Guernsey resident, Dawsey Adams (Michiel Huisman), even though her boyfriend, Mark (Glen Powell), has already asked her to marry him. This film deftly balances its romantic elements with the mystery, and it’s very well-made.
137m
Genre
Drama
Stars
Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern
Directed by
Noah Baumbach
Marriage Story was one of four Netflix original films to be nominated for the 2020 Golden Globes and is yet another thought-provoking, deeply moving offering about real life from celebrated director Noah Baumbach. Baumbach, who has built his reputation on down-to-earth films about relatable characters like The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha, and another Netflix original, The Meyerowitz Stories, delivers perhaps his most profound work yet in Marriage Story. Starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver as a couple who genuinely love one another yet can’t make their marriage work, Marriage Story is one of the most honest, complex analyses of love and marriage you’ll ever see. “Marriage is hard” is the platitude we always hear but this film takes that saying to its absolute logical and philosophical extent.
102m
Genre
Comedy, Romance
Stars
Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves
Directed by
Nahnatchka Khan
After a teenage fling, childhood friends Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) go their separate ways. She grows up to be a celebrity chef, engaged to a successful businessman, while Marcus stays in San Francisco to help out with his father’s air conditioner installation business. When Sasha’s boyfriend keeps putting off their wedding, she breaks up with him and moves back to San Francisco, where fate reunites her with Marcus. The two start hanging out again, and Marcus’s old feelings for Sasha reignite, but he has to deal with his feelings of inadequacy as well as her new boyfriend, Keanu Reeves (playing himself). Always Be My Maybe doesn’t reinvent the rom-com formula, but it executes it well, and all the actors involved give it their all (especially Reeves, delightfully over-the-top).
92m
Genre
Comedy, Romance
Stars
Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, DeWanda Wise
Directed by
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Gina Rodriguez stars in this Netflix original that marks the directorial debut of Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who is also the screenwriter for Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder. Rom-com to Marvel movie? Yes, and it will make sense once you see this imaginative, unusual, and hilarious flick about love, loss, growth, and the bond of female friendship. Rodriguez plays Jenny Young, a music journalist who is dumped by her long-term boyfriend on the eve of a huge move to San Francisco for her dream job. Despite her sorrow, her two best friends pry Jenny out of her misery for one last outrageous adventure in New York City, determined to help her look forward and not back.
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Cast
Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Lucy Liu
Sick of their domineering bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs), two corporate assistants (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) hatch a plan to make them fall in love with one another so they’ll stop being so darn demanding. Naturally, the assistants fall in love, too. This 2018 Netflix original was written by Booksmart writer Katie Silberman and delivers far more charm than your typical scheme-y rom-com. With engaging performances from the lovable Liu and Diggs as well as the relative newcomers, Deutch and Powell, Set It Up is a feel-good love-fest with plenty of laughs.
Genre
Comedy, Romance
Cast
Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer, Phoebe Robinson
In the Netflix original Ibiza, Harper (Gillian Jacobs) is sent to Spain for a business meeting, so she naturally brings her two best friends, Nikki (Vanessa Bayer) and Leah (Phoebe Robinson), to join along in the merriment. Harper meets a famous DJ, Leo (Richard Madden), and her friends convince her to throw caution — and her meeting — to the wind to go to Ibiza and find this man. It’s different from regular romance plots, but conventional nonetheless. With a trio of hysterical ladies, Ibiza will hit your funny bone, but not tear too hard at your heartstrings.
83m
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Stars
Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, Noël Wells
Directed by
Jim Strouse
Jessica Williams hasn’t quite had a breakout since The Daily Show, but The Incredible Jessica James is the first real chance she gets to show off her rom-com chops … and she succeeds marvelously. Jessica James, the character, may not be quite as incredible as you’d expect but she’s passionate and fun, and Williams plays her with a comedic resolve that makes you fall in love with her. Her chemistry with co-star Chris O’Dowd makes for a goofy, sexy, and refreshingly honest exploration of love after heartbreak. It’s a rom-com simply for lack of a better classification — this cynical but hopeful romp is very much its own thing.
100m
Genre
Comedy, Romance
Stars
Sanaa Lathan, Ricky Whittle, Ernie Hudson
Directed by
Haifaa al-Mansour
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, Nappily Ever After tells the story of Violet Jones, played by Sanaa Lathan, who seemingly has it all — the job, the boyfriend, the hair — until it all falls apart. She comes to realize that the life she thought she wanted isn’t the life for her. At a late-night breaking point, Violet cuts all her hair off, shedding more than just her locks in the process. When she goes on a date with a soulful barber, she begins to understand what true happiness means to her. The Netflix original is a feel-good romance where one woman finds out what is most important to her.
100m
Genre
Drama, Music, Romance
Stars
Michaela Coel, Arinzé Kene, Ronke Adekoluejo
Directed by
Tinge Krishnan
Not all love stories are confined to America. In Been So Long, Michaela Coel (Black Mirror, Chewing Gum) plays Simone, a committed single mother living in London who falls — rather unexpectedly — for a man (Arinzé Kene) who may or may not be living in the shadow of his troubled past. Part musical part romance, the Netflix Original is a pure portrayal of finding love during a time when life is already complicated enough. It’s based on the stage musical by Ché Walker and Arthur Darvill, and as such, you can expect the modern-day tale to incorporate elements of funk and soul, not to mention plenty of mood lighting.
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