The 40 Best Romantic Movies on Netflix
Updated: May 03, 2022From rom-coms to love dramas, these swoon-worthy romantic movies on Netflix are guaranteed to give you butterflies. Happy streaming!
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Ready to binge watch these romantic movies on Netflix?
Let’s be real: We all have soft spots for romantic movies, and there’s a reason some of the best movies of all time happen to be romances. Sure, thrillers and funny movies keep us entertained, but a good romantic movie takes entertainment up a notch. We live vicariously through characters navigating the twists and turns of love, feeling everything they do along the way. We laugh, we get butterflies, and we root for everyone to get their happily ever after. If you’re looking for a good love story to indulge in, these romantic movies on Netflix will do just the trick.
You’ll find romantic comedies, dramas, teen romances, and feel-good flicks on this list. Some are well-known romance hits, while others are lovely Netflix gems you may not have watched yet. Ready to swoon? Grab the popcorn, get comfy on the couch, and start streaming these flicks for a love-filled marathon. Oh, and don’t forget to bookmark these Netflix codes that reveal tons of hidden titles.
About Time
Released: 2013
Rated: R
Director: Richard Curtis
About Time tells the story of a man named Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) who, on his 21st birthday, learns the men in his family can time travel. So, he decides to use this unique gift to get a girlfriend. Along the way (and through time), he meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), and the two fall in love…with some help from Tim’s special ability, of course. Start streaming now to see if their love stands the test of time.
The Holiday
Released: 2006
Rated: PG-13
Director: Nancy Meyers
Looking for a romantic Christmas movie? Netflix has you covered with The Holiday. It’s about Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslet), two women who swap houses for much-needed holiday breaks. Iris heads to California, while Amanda crosses the pond to England. While on holiday, both Iris and Amanda find themselves enjoying their new surroundings—and the new men that come into their lives.
Always Be My Maybe
Released: 2019
Rated: PG-13
Director: Nahnatchka Khan
Hilarious and refreshing, Always Be My Maybe is a love movie on Netflix you won’t soon forget. It’s about two childhood friends (Ali Wong and Randall Park) who run into one another after not speaking for 15 years. They went down different paths in life, but after spending time together, they realize there’s still a spark between them. Can that spark last as they try to fit in to each other’s current lives? Start streaming to find out. Then, start streaming one of these best TV shows on Netflix.
Safe Haven
Released: 2013
Rated: PG-13
Director: Lasse Hallström
Adapted from Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name, Safe Haven follows the story of a woman (Julianne Hough) who moves to a small North Carolina town to escape her past. There, she meets a kind and charming widower (Josh Duhamel), and it’s not long before the two fall in love. Her past catches up to her, though, and the two must band together if their love is to survive. It’s a heck of a story filled with thrills, drama, and plenty of romance.
Irreplaceable You
Released: 2018
Rated: TV-MA
Director: Stephanie Laing
You’ll want to grab the tissues for this one. Irreplaceable You is about Abbie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Sam (Michiel Huisman), childhood friends-turned-lovers whose lives are turned upside down when Abbie is diagnosed with cancer. Not wanting to leave Sam alone, she starts looking for a future girlfriend for him. It’s a comical-yet-sad romantic flick that’s guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings.
Runaway Bride
Released: 1999
Rated: PG
Director: Garry Marshall
Runaway Bride reunites Julia Roberts and Richard Gere post-Pretty Woman for a funny romantic flick. Maggie (Roberts) has left three men at the alter—a story that grabs the attention of a reporter named Ike (Gere). He runs a story about the “runaway bride” and travels to her hometown just as she’s set to walk down the aisle a fourth time. In trying to get the scoop on the runaway bride, he starts falling for her. Will she make it down the aisle, or run away into Ike’s arms? You’ll have to watch to find out. Side note: Watching back-to-back Gere/Roberts movies with your special someone is a great Valentine’s Day idea.
After
Released: 2019
Rated: PG-13
Director: Jenny Gage
After is another one of those romantic movies on Netflix based off a young adult book series. It’s about a girl named Tessa (Josephine Langford) who meets a brooding, rebellious guy named Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) during her freshman year of college. She’s drawn to Hardin and they quickly fall for another, but their tumultuous relationship proves to be a challenge. If you like your romance with a dash of drama, After will keep you entertained.
Silver Lining’s Playbook
Released: 2012
Rated: R
Director: David O. Russell
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence’s chemistry is undeniable in Silver Lining’s Playbook. Cooper plays Pat, a man who’s living with his parents after spending time in a mental institution. He’s trying to get back together with his wife, but his efforts aren’t working. He meets Tiffany (Lawrence), who he obviously has chemistry with. The two work out a deal where Tiffany helps Pat get back with his wife, and Pat participates in a dance competition with Tiffany. They can only dance around their feelings for so long, though. While this isn’t a movie musical, the dance scene between Cooper and Lawrence is one you won’t forget.
As Good As It Gets
Released: 1997
Rated: PG-13
Director: James L. Brooks
As Good As It Gets is the story of an author with OCD (Jack Nicolson) who finds his life changing after forming unlikely friendships with his neighbor (Greg Kinnear) and a waitress (Helen Hunt). This Academy Award-winning film has a little bit of everything: comedy, drama, and romance. Start streaming now to see if it really is as good as it gets.
Love, Guaranteed
Released: 2020
Rated: TV-PG
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
This romantic movie on Netflix is about a lawyer (Rachael Leigh Cook) who takes on a client (Damon Wayans, Jr.) looking to sue a dating website that guarantees love. As they build a case, they also build a bond with one another that could lead to something really great. Will they win the case—and each other’s hearts? Speaking of online dating—these Tinder pick up lines make great conversation starters.
The Last Letter From Your Lover
Released: 2021
Rated: TV-MA
Director: Augustine Frizzell
The Last Letter From Your Lover is one of the most romantic movies on Netflix, and you’ll understand why once you start watching. It’s about a journalist (Felicity Jones) who sets out to solve the mystery of a love affair between two people (Shailene Woodley, Callum Turner) after she discovers their secret love letters (some of which could seriously be love poems) from the 1960s. As she learns more about these lovers, she learns more about herself—and her own budding romance.
Dear John
Released: 2010
Rated: PG-13
Director: Lasse Hallström
Another one of Nicholas Sparks’ passionate love novels is brought to life with Dear John. It’s about a soldier (Channing Tatum) who falls for a college student (Amanda Seyfried) while home on leave. They fall deeply in love, but certain circumstances (like John’s deployments) challenge their love. They keep in contact through letters, but as the years go on, their love is challenged. Tatum and Seyfried’s chemistry sizzles as they play two torn lovers.
Set It Up
Released: 2018
Rated: TV-14
Director: Claire Scanlon
Set It Up is about two executive assistants (Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell) who work together to set up their overbearing bosses (Taye Diggs, Lucy Liu). Sure, they hope romance blooms between their bosses…but will romance bloom between them, too?
Someone Great
Released: 2019
Rated: R
Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
If you’re looking to smile, laugh, and maybe even shed a tear or two, Netflix’s Someone Great is the movie for you. A music journalist (Gina Rodriguez) lands her dream job in San Francisco and must move there from New York City. Not wanting to do long distance, her longterm boyfriend (LaKeith Stanfield) breaks up with her right before the move. To help get over the sudden breakup and celebrate her last night in The Big Apple, she and her best friends (DeWanda Wise, Brittany Snow) go out for one last hurrah. Friendship, growth, love, and loss are all themes that make this flick memorable and relatable.
Something Borrowed
Released: 2011
Rated: PG-13
Director: Luke Greenfield
Love and friendship are tested again and again in Something Borrowed. Lawyer and loyal friend Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) finds herself in bed with her best friend Darcy’s (Kate Hudson) fiancé Dex (Colin Egglesfield)—a man she’s had a crush on since before Darcy even met him. Rachel and Dex can’t deny their feelings for one another, so what are they to do? Start watching now to see what happens.
Holidate
Released: 2020
Rated: TV-MA
Director: John Whitesell
This is another romantic holiday movie to add to your streaming list. Holidate is about two singles (Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey) who agree to be each other’s dates for the holidays, and nothing else. Sounds easy enough, right? It is…until you add feelings to the mix.
Home Again
Released: 2017
Rated: PG-13
Director: Hallie Meyers-Shyer
Home Again tells the story of a freshly 40 single mom (Reese Witherspoon) who lets three young men (Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff, Jon Rudnitsky) live with her in Los Angeles. There’s a spark between her and one of the guys, but things get complicated when her ex (Michael Sheen) shows up. Complicated? Yes. Entertaining to watch? Absolutely.
By the Sea
Released: 2015
Rated: R
Director: Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie wrote, directed, and starred in this film alongside Brad Pitt. The two play a couple who, sensing their marriage is in trouble, escape to a French seaside town. There, they learn about the town, the locals, and themselves.
All the Bright Places
Released: 2020
Rated: TV-MA
Director: Brett Haley
This teen romance movie is sure to make your heart flutter. All the Bright Places is about two students (Elle Fanning, Justice Smith) who grow close during a school project. They help one another with their struggles while forging a bond that changes their lives in a powerful and meaningful way.
Life As We Know It
Released: 2010
Rated: PG-13
Director: Greg Berlanti
This is one of the love movies on Netflix you’ll want to watch repeatedly. Life As We Know It combines romance, comedy, and drama to tell the story of two polar opposites (Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel) who live under one roof to care for their best friends’ baby following their sudden passing. Adjusting to their new life isn’t easy, but they do what it takes to create a great life for their goddaughter. Could that life include them getting together despite their differences?
Our Souls At Night
Released: 2017
Rated: TV-14
Director: Ritesh Batra
Legendary actors Robert Redford and Jane Fonda reunite in Our Souls At Night, one of the most romantic movies on Netflix. Redford and Fonda play a widower and widow who, despite being neighbors for years, don’t know each other well. What starts out as an innocent friendship turns into something much more. Redford and Fonda’s chemistry is undeniable as their characters navigate feelings of loneliness, grief, and love.
Five Feet Apart
Released: 2019
Rated: PG-13
Director: Justin Baldoni
Five Feet Apart tells the story of a teen (Haley Lu Richardson) with cystic fibrosis who falls for another CF patient (Cole Sprouse). The catch? They can’t have physical contact with one another because of their illness. Their connection is undeniable, but how can their romance bloom when they have to be at least five feet apart at all times? Well, they have their ways.
The Ugly Truth
Released: 2009
Rated: R
Director: Robert Luketic
If you like an enemies-turned-lovers romance, this is the movie for you. The Ugly Truth is about a television producer (Katherine Heigl) who agrees to take the advice of a macho TV host (Gerard Butler) to see if it helps her land the guy of her dreams. Start streaming now to see if it works…or if there’s a different man of her dreams right under her nose.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Released: 2018
Rated: TV-14
Director: Mike Newell
This post-World War II romantic drama will stick with you long after its final scene. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (based on the historical fiction novel of the same name) is about a British writer (Lily James) who starts communicating with people on the island of Guernsey, a place that was occupied by the Germans during the war. She travels to the island to document what life was like during occupation and finds that, in many ways, the war isn’t over for its residents. She also forms a bond with one resident (Michiel Huisman) that undoubtedly changes her life.
The Wedding Singer
Released: 1998
Rated: PG-13
Director: Frank Coraci
When you think of romantic movies on Netflix, an Adam Sandler movie may not be one of the first to come to mind. Make no mistake, though—The Wedding Singer delivers both comedy and romance. Sandler and Drew Barrymore star as Robbie and Julia, two friends with different love woes—he’s heartbroken over being left at the altar, and she’s planning a wedding to a man who may not even be right for her. As Robbie helps Julia plan her wedding, he falls for her…but what’s he to do when she’s engaged to another man? Just wait until you get to the airplane scene—talk about romantic!
The Half of It
Released: 2020
Rated: PG-13
Director: Alice Wu
The Half of It is the story of a teen (Leah Lewis) who is enlisted by a jock (Daniel Diemer) to help write a love letter to his crush (Alexxis Lemire). As she helps him woo his crush, they form a friendship—but that friendship is tested when she falls for the same girl. This coming-of-age teen romance features themes of sexuality, friendship, and what it means to have a real connection with someone.
Malcolm & Marie
Released: 2021
Rated: R
Director: Sam Levinson
Malcolm & Marie gives us an intimate look into a heated night between a filmmaker (John David Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) after his movie’s premiere. Their love is questioned and put to the test, and in the end, it will either sink or swim. Washington and Zendaya’s performances are raw and magnetic as they play a couple in the midst of a life-defining moment.
The Lost Husband
Released: 2020
Rated: PG-13
Director: Vicky Wight
The Lost Husband tells the story of a widow (Leslie Bibb) who moves her family to her aunt’s goat farm in Texas to get back on their feet. She works on the farm along with the ranch manager (Josh Duhamel), who, despite butting heads with her, helps her adjust to country life. And, as they say, opposites attract. We think you know how the rest goes.
Stardust
Released: 2007
Rated: PG-13
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Romance meets fantasy in Stardust, a flick with a star-studded cast and a heck of a story. A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) travels to a magical land to get a fallen star for his love (Sienna Miller). The fallen star isn’t what he expects it to be, though, and as a result, he’s thrown into an adventure that goes beyond his wildest dreams.
Chocolat
Released: 2000
Rated: PG-13
Director: Lasse Hallström
This delicious romantic movie on Netflix was nominated for five Academy Awards and features a great cast of talent. Chocolat is about a mysterious single mother (Juliette Binoche) who moves to a prim French village and opens up a chocolate shop. After she arrives, the morality of the town starts to lax and passions start to fill the air. Drama, romance, and chocolate—what’s not to love?
Elisa & Marcela
Released: 2019
Rated: TV-MA
Director: Isabel Coixet
Based on a true story, Elisa & Marcela is a riveting movie about an early 20th century woman in Spain (Natalia de Molina) who takes on a man’s identity to marry her longtime love (Greta Fernández). The movie is beautifully shot, and you’ll be hooked from the beginning as you see their love story unfold. The lengths they go to in order to be with each other is truly astounding.
The Lovebirds
Released: 202o
Rated: R
Director: Michael Showalter
Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae are undeniably delightful in Lovebirds, a comedic story about a couple who, on the cusp of a breakup, are thrown into a murder mystery. As they work to clear their names, they reconnect in meaningful (and hilarious) ways. You’ll laugh, smile, and root for them to make it up until the last scene.
Sabrina
Released: 1995
Rated: PG
Director: Sydney Pollack
Sabrina is the story of a woman (Julia Ormond) who decides to pursue her longtime crush (Greg Kinnear). The only hiccup? Her crush’s older brother (Harrison Ford) thinks the relationship is bad for business…but things get complicated when he falls for her, too. Start streaming now to see how this love triangle shapes up.
Destination Wedding
Released: 2018
Rated: R
Director: Victor Levin
Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder reunite on screen for Destination Wedding, a romantic comedy about two generally unhappy people who travel to the same destination wedding. While they may not like a lot of things (including each other at first), they soon grow to tolerate—and perhaps even like—each other after a while. Sure, opposites attract, but sometimes two sides of the same coin attract, too.
The Sweetest Thing
Released: 2002
Rated: R
Director: Roger Kumble
The Sweetest Thing is about a woman (Cameron Diaz) who believes she’s found her Mr. Right (Thomas Jane). The only problem? He was only in town for one night…and she has no clue who he is. So, she embarks on a road trip with her best friend (Christina Applegate) to find him. Is it a long shot, or will fate (and a really good map) bring them together?
When We First Met
Released: 2018
Rated: TV-14
Director: Ari Sandel
If you’re looking for a romantic movie on Netflix that’ll make you laugh and think about fate, When We First Met is the one to watch. When Noah (Adam Devine) meets Avery (Alexandra Daddario) at a Halloween party, he thinks she’s the girl of his dreams. She, however, thinks of him as a friend. Fast-forward three years later and Avery is engaged to another man. Noah, heartbroken and wishing things could have been different, unexpectedly travels back in time to when they first met. He’s gets multiple chances to change the future, but quickly realizes that things happen for a reason…and that reason is pretty wonderful.
Little Italy
Released: 2018
Rated: R
Director: Donald Petrie
Romeo and Juliet meets top-notch pizza in Little Italy, one of the most romantic movies on Netflix. It’s about two people (Emma Roberts, Hayden Christensen) who, in addition to being the kids of two rivaling pizzeria owners, have been lifelong friends. That friendship turns romantic when Roberts’ character returns to town. Yep, they find themselves falling for the “enemy.” You’ll laugh, say “aww”, and crave a good slice of pizza while watching this one.
Falling Inn Love
Released: 2019
Rated: TV-PG
Director: Roger Kumble
Falling Inn Love is the story of a woman (Christina Milian) who, after losing her job and boyfriend, wins an inn located in New Zealand’s countryside. It’s a lot to take on and fix up, so she enlists the help of a contractor (Adam Demos) to help with the restoration. Together, they fix up the inn—and each other’s hearts. Start streaming now and let the swooning begin.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Released: 2018
Rated: TV-14
Director: Susan Johnson
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is one of those romantic movies on Netflix you can’t help but watch again and again. It’s about a teen girl named Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and the chaos that ensues in her life after soul-bearing private letters to her crushes are sent out. It even leads to a fake relationship with one of those crushes, Peter (Noah Centineo), but things get complicated when real feelings start to blossom. This teen romance will have you hooked from beginning to end.
