Henry Miller once said, “The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.” While his quote implies real life and relationships, it’s more resonant when you consider romance as a genre and the human capacity to guzzle down timeless tales of happiness and heartbreak. It’s never enough. Romance movies have been a part of film history for as long as movies have existed. They take us on sweeping journeys, evolving with time but still managing to give us that little glimpse of the one universal emotion we cannot help but feel. Whether it is a classic likeCasablancaor a contemporary likeMoonlight, movies explore love in all forms and eras.
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Yet somehow, certain movies touch everyone’s heart regardless of when they were made or who they were made for. There is an enchanting alchemy to their storytelling that takes us by the hand and guides us away from the present and into a timeless world where emotions feel true, choices feel real, and love prevails against all odds. These romancesfuel our daydreams and delusions and hopesby being passionate and whimsical and tragic and unexpected. When you watch them, it feels like you are diving straight into a perfectly calibrated reverie, one with a spellbinding plot and characters so endearing you root for them just as much as for the joy and comfort that love promises us all. Romance movies on the big screen are proof that beauty and happily ever afters truly do exist, if only for a precious couple of flickering hours.
20Roman Holiday (1953)
Ah, the ever-lasting charm of Audrey Hepburn. InRoman Holiday, a fairytale comes to life when a bored, rebellious princess, Princess Anne, escapes her royal duties fora whirlwind of a day in Romewith an attractive reporter, Joe Bradley, who familiarizes her with the simple joys of life. Being an escapist romantic comedy, the film takes pride in portraying the giddy experience of love at first sight, as Hepburn’s princess discovers for the first time the allure of gelato, rides on motor scooters, and all of this, she does in Gregory Peck’s company. The ease with which these two strangers connect and delight in each other’s unique backgrounds, dreams, sensitivities and spontaneities, holds the magic of two hearts open to love.
19The Princess Bride (1987)
True love triumphs in this valiant fairy tale that has created history and captured the hearts of many generations.The Princess Bridefollows farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes), who leaves his small town to seek his fortune, following which Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) has a realization. She loves him. But in their way are pirates, giants, and princes who seek revenge. Against all these obstacles, reuniting with one another becomes an adventure. The simple three word declarations from Westley in the form of “as you wish” oozed the kind of romance that makes your toes curl. As these star-crossed lovers journey towards one another, the film shows love is strongest when forged in fire. No wonder The Princess Bride is an enduring romance for the ages.
18A Walk To Remember (2002)
Jaime and Landon find love in the most unlikely of places – in each other’s company. While most love stories leave you warm and fuzzy in the heart,this one is a pure tearjerker. After a school prank leaves Landon to get punished by the dean, he is assigned community service and is forced to join theater practice for the upcoming spring play. Landon asks Jaime, the shy, old-fashioned reverend’s daughter, if she would run lines with him and before you know it, their lives spin onto a new path marked with melancholy, first love, and the power of sharing life’s fleeting moments together.A Walk To Rememberis a poignant romance that explores not the joy of superficial pleasures, but the very beauty of two souls connected amid life’s sorrows.
17Dirty Dancing (1987)
A life-altering summer of romance and self-discovery unfolds when innocent Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman meets bad-boy dance instructor Johnny Castle at a lavish resort while holidaying with her parents. Against the stunning backdrop of the 1960s uprising, these two masters of two different worlds find common ground (and so much more) on the dance floor. Through the spice of salsa and the sensual soup of their dance dynamic, the chemistry between Patrick Swayze’s Johnny and Jennifer Grey’s Baby builds and builds. Breaking free of social barriers and her father’s disapproval, together they prove how love transcends all.Dirty Dancingdrips with a lot of emotion, leading to a timeless unconventional romance.
16Romeo + Juliet (1996)
What better tale of a tragic romance than that involving Shakespeare’s most iconic work. In this fresh take, we’re taken to Verona Beach, where two authoritative families, the Capulets and the Montagues, are constantly vying to bring the other trouble. star-crossed lovers collide as teenage Juliet falls for the gorgeous Romeo, member of a rival clan. Their fiery love ignites rebellion against ages of hatred. Modern verve and vibrant 1990s style breathe new life intoRomeo + Juliet, and under Baz Luhrmann’s impeccable direction, the chemistry between Leonardo DiCaprio is truly enchanting, even if it is short-lived. Their love affair unfurls as machine guns go off, fatal family dramas ensue, and impossible odds wait ahead. Yet, the film sparks a new revolution into the age old story, teaching us the power of young love to change the world.
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15Say Anything (1989)
The iconic image ofJohn Cusack blasting ‘80s rock on his boomboxoutside Ione Skye’s window is probably stuck in the head of every romance fanatic. If not, let’s get you up to speed. InSay Anything, a sky kickboxer named Lloyd and a valedictorian, Diane, collide in what turns out to be one of young love’s most remarkable moments. Diane is a straight-A student and daddy’s princess, while Lloyd is a rebellious underachiever, who shows up at Diane’s graduation party only to lead her to open a Pandora’s box of magic, heartbreak and the highs and lows of first love. Throughout the movie, one thing remains constant – Lloyd’s big heart and the romantic conviction that true love is worth fighting for. Because sometimes, the person who changes everything and flips your entire life around also teaches you how to start over - and fall in love all over again.
14It Happened One Night (1934)
It Happened One Nightis a marvelous Best Picture winner directed by Frank Capra. As any irresistible romantic comedy, the story unfolds when a bubbly runaway heiress Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) meets a handsome but smug reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable) on a bus trip. At first Ellie only seeks Peter’s help in reuniting with her husband King Westley, but as they hold tight amidst their clashing personalities and meddling relatives, they find themselves falling for each other. From the witty banter and playful flirting to the screwball humor, every aspect of the movie is entertaining enough to get you swooning and rooting. Ellie and Peter not only taught couples the joy of living in the moment but also set real high standards for any romantic comedy that followed suit.
13Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Breakups don’t get any messier, more creative, or emotionally profound than in this sci-fi mind trip. When Joel discovers that his ex-girlfriend Clementine has erased all her memories of their rocky relationship, he decides to undergo the same procedure in a desperate attempt to move on from her immediately. But theirs was a passionate, once-in-a-lifetime love affair, and as Joel’s memories start fading away, he changes his mind and embarks on a journey into his subconscious to hold on to Clementine.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mindis a rollercoaster of a romance because it explores the elastic nature of memory and love and shows how heartbreak is part of the package when two mismatched souls decide to give it a shot. The portrays romance as an imperfect andmaddening yet ultimately transformativeand beautiful part of life.
12Atonement (2007)
InAtonement, epic truths about loyalty, sacrifice, and the force of love across time unravel in spectacular fashion through one young girl’s lie. The movie revolves around the events that conspire when 13-year-old Briony Tallis, an aspiring novelist, misunderstands her sister’s love Robbie and accuses him of a crime he did not commit. Briony’s lie sets in motion a chain of events with tragic consequences for every person involved. But even in separation and suffering, Robbie and Cecilia’s love endures, inspiring Briony to atone for his mistakes. Ian McEwan’s metafictional novel springs to life through Joe Wright’s intelligent, sweeping direction. The romance examines how love both enables and survives the longest eons of separation.
11Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Jane Austen’s classic 1811 novel gets adaptedinto a gorgeous period drama film by director Ang Lee. It follows two sisters, two loves, and one tale of the heart that endures. To elaborate, the sensible Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson) and passionate Marianne Dashwood (Kate Winslet) face dire financial hardship after their father’s death. The two have divergent approaches to romance, which inevitably collide. Elinor suppresses her feelings and silently yearns for the honorable Colonel Brandon while Marianne falls, quite unapologetically, for the dashing but unreliable John Willoughby. As both sisters navigate the complexities of love and loss, they come to realize that true affection is built not on fleeting emotions but on steadfast virtue.Sense and Sensibilityserves a gentle reminder of the two sides that make us most human – logic and feeling.
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