Here Are the Most Romantic Movies of All Time (in No Particular Order)

The 1998 romantic drama Shakespeare in Love depicts a fictional relationship between playwright William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) and a merchant's daughter named Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow). The pair meet in 1593 London and develop a romance while Shakespeare works on creating Romeo and Juliet. Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench, Ben Affleck, and Colin Firth are a few of the celebs who appear in the award-winning British-American film, which took home a total of seven Academy Awards.

Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star as Joel and Clementine, a couple who have recently broken up. Not wanting to remember the heartache, they each undergo a common procedure that can erase all memory of their relationship. During the process, viewers get insight into the couple's relationship and learn where it all went wrong. Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, David Cross, and more star in 2004 sci-fi rom-com Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Nominated for eight Academy Awards, 1942's Casablanca follows Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), an American freedom fighter living in exile in Casablanca, Morocco, during WWII. Now running the hottest nightclub in town, he's taken by surprise when his former flame, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), walks through the door asking for help. As Blaine works to help Ilsa and her rebel husband (Paul Henreid) leave the country, old feelings come rushing back, threatening everything.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star as jazz aficionado Sebastian and aspiring actress Mia. The two develop a romantic relationship and encourage each other to pursue their respective Hollywood dreams. However, living the LA life begins to take a toll, threatening to tear the lovers apart. A 2016 romantic musical, La La Land received critical acclaim and broke numerous records during award season, with 14 Academy Award and seven Golden Globe nominations, winning 13 between the two.

Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) first meet in 1977 when they agree to share a ride to NYC after graduating from the University of Chicago; after sharing their differing ideologies on the relationships between men and women, the two part ways on unfriendly terms. Over the course of the next several years, they continue to have chance encounters, each time divulging their current relationship status and change in perspective. Finally, they decide to avoid coincidence and pursue a friendship, becoming extremely close. However, after an unexpected romantic evening, the pair's ideologies go out the window and they're forced to confront the reality of their feelings in order to save their relationship.

Julia Roberts plays a hooker with a heart of gold in 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman. Millionaire business mogul Edward (Richard Gere) picks up Vivian (Roberts) late one night in Hollywood, simply looking for directions. When they arrive at his upscale hotel, he hires her to be his date for the week, accompanying him on business dinners and social outings. As they begin to spend time together, they both realize that there is more to the other than meets the eye.

Blue Is the Warmest Color is an award-winning 2013 French coming-of-age romantic drama. The erotic film tells the story of Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos), a shy high school student questioning her sexuality. Adèle encounters Emma (Léa Seydoux), a captivating artist with blue hair; the two become friends, later developing an intense romance. Their relationship has its ups and downs but ultimately teaches them both about themselves and the hardships that accompany falling in love.

Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand star in 1973's romantic drama The Way We Were. The pair star as Katie and Hubbell, a young couple who find love despite their drastic differences in personality and beliefs. Their story is told in a series of flashbacks, reflecting on their time in college and first romantic encounter post-WWII to their eventual marriage and family life. However, as time goes on, the differences that once brought them together begin to tear them apart.

Nominated for four Academy Awards, An Affair to Remember is a 1957 romance film. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star as Nickie and Terry, two strangers who have a love affair after meeting on a cruise ship. Both being involved with other people, they agree to meet six months later should they still have feelings for one another. However, a tragic accident puts a halt to their rendezvous.

In 1987 romantic drama Dirty Dancing, Jennifer Grey portrays "Baby" Houseman, a 17-year-old girl vacationing in the Catskills with her family in 1963. During her stay, she's exposed to the world of "dirty dancing," something much more outrageous than the formal dancing taught in the strict early 1960s. Intrigued, Baby begins taking lessons from the resort's sexy dance instructor, Johnny (Patrick Swayze). As they grow closer, class difference, a pregnancy scandal, and jealous partners cause problems for the young lovers.

Nominated for a whopping 10 Academy Awards, 1960's The Apartment tells the story of a well-to-do bachelor who tries to work his way up the office ladder by letting a few executives borrow his Upper West Side apartment for their romantic trysts. Everything goes according to plan until a beautiful elevator operator catches his eye and gets caught in the middle of his scheme. Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon are a few of the iconic stars featured in the classic romantic comedy.

Based on the short story of the same name by Annie Proulx, 2005's Brokeback Mountain is a romantic drama and modern Western following the lives of Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal), two sheep herders who develop a passionate romantic relationship in 1963 Wyoming. Despite their feelings for each other, they go on to live separate lives, each marrying women and having children. Over the course of 20 years, they struggle to understand their feelings, which drastically differ from the societal male expectations of the mid-20th-century American West. The film received widespread acclaim upon its release, garnering four Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and four BAFTAs, in addition to numerous other nominations.

Based on the novel of the same name, 1996 romantic drama The English Patient tells the fictional story of Count László Almásy (Ralph Fiennes), a critical patient receiving care in an Italian monastery. He explains to the nurse how he came to receive such fatal injuries, recounting the tragic love affair between himself (a famous Hungarian cartographer) and Katherine Clifton (Kristin Scott Thomas), a married woman on an expedition in the Libyan desert with her husband (Colin Firth).

The 2001 rom-com Serendipity follows Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsale), two strangers who share an immediate romantic connection after a chance encounter. Both involved with other people, they decide to go their separate ways. However, over the course of a few years (and a few serious relationships), fate continues to bring the two together. In order to reunite, the pair must follow the signs . . . and their hearts.

Stella (Angela Bassett) is a middle-aged workaholic and single mother in desperate need of a vacation. At the behest of her best friend (Whoopi Goldberg), Stella ventures on a first-class trip to Jamaica, where she is romantically pursued by an island native (Taye Diggs) 20 years her junior. As they fall into a relationship, Stella lets loose for the first time in years, helping her examine what will really make her happy. Based on the novel of the same name, How Stella Got Her Groove Back was released in 1998.

Romantic drama Ever After is a 1998 adaptation of the classic fairy tale Cinderella. The film, which is presented as historical fiction rather than fantasy, stars Drew Barrymore as Danielle de Barbarac, an 18-year-old working as a housemaid in her late father's estate in 16th-century Renaissance France, serving her unloving stepmother (Anjelica Huston) and two jealous stepsisters (Megan Dodds and Melanie Lynskey). To save the life of a friend, Danielle pretends to be a noblewoman; while disguised, she encounters Prince Henry (Dougray Scott), who takes an immediate liking to her. As the two fall in love, Danielle struggles to keep her secret, fearing it will tear them apart forever.

The 1987 Academy Award-winning romantic drama An Officer and a Gentleman stars Richard Gere as Zack Mayo, an aspiring naval aviation officer. While at training school, Zack clashes with his strict drill sergeant, which is an unwelcome reminder of his strained relationship with his father. However, he finds comfort in local factory worker Paula Pokrifki (Debra Winger). The two develop a romance, but his worldwide view begins to conflict with her small-town hopes, putting their love to the test.

Brat Pack darling Molly Ringwald stars in John Hughes's 1984 rom-com, Sixteen Candles. The coming-of-age film centers on Sam Baker (Ringwald), a high school student whose friends and family forget that it's her 16th birthday. Feeling completely forgotten, it takes her by surprise when hot senior, and her crush, Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling) begins to notice her. Through a string of random, hilarious, and semimortifying events, Sam's birthday turns into one she'll never forget.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams portray star-crossed lovers Noah and Allie in 2004's romantic drama The Notebook. Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, the film follows the couple's 1940s Summer romance, the hardships of their relationship, and the obstacles they have to overcome to find true love. You'll want to grab the tissues for this award-winning tearjerker!

High school senior Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) is content marching to the beat of her own drummer, spending her days with her best friend, Duckie (Jon Cryer), and taking care of her unemployed father. When one of the popular prep kids, Blaine (Andrew McCarthy), starts paying attention to her, it causes a shift in the high school dynamic, which is clearly segregated by not only popularity but also class. Throw in the fact that Duckie, as well as one of the meaner preppy boys (James Spader), is secretly in love with her, and Andie has her hands full trying to keep her head above water long enough to figure out her own feelings in John Hughes's 1986 rom-com, Pretty in Prink.

Amélie is a 2001 French romantic comedy starring Audrey Tautou. Tautou plays Amélie, a young girl who grew up in isolation with her protective father. After leaving home, Amélie dedicates her newfound freedom to finding happiness for others. She changes the lives of strangers and makes many new friends. Along the way, she meets Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz), a quirky young man who helps her find happiness, and love, of her own.

Based on Truman Capote's novella of the same name, romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany's was released in 1961 to critical acclaim. The award-winning film stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a farm girl-turned-Manhattan socialite determined to maintain her luxurious style of living. She develops a friendship with her neighbor, Paul (George Peppard), a young writer who grows to love her, forcing Holly to make a choice between risking her heart and living a rich life empty of love.

In 1996, Baz Luhrmann cowrote and directed an adaptation of Shakespeare's most tragic love story. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the titular characters, Romeo + Juliet tells the story of forbidden love between the youngest members of two rival families. While the film maintained the classic Shakespearean dialogue, aspects were modernized, such as the inclusion of guns and cars, as well as making the rival families warring mafia organizations.

Baz Luhrmann's 2001 romantic musical, Moulin Rouge!, tells the story of Christian (Ewan McGregor), a writer living in late 18th-century France. When he is commissioned to write a show for the stage at the popular cabaret Moulin Rouge, he falls for the star, Satine (Nicole Kidman). However, their love angers the show's jealous financier, throwing everything they've worked for into jeopardy.

Based on the 1939 Broadway play of the same name, The Philadelphia Story centers on a Philadelphia socialite whose impending nuptials are hindered by the unexpected arrival of her ex-husband and an aggressive journalist hoping to cover the wedding. Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart star in the six-time Academy Award-nominated 1940 romantic comedy.

The 1987 fantasy-adventure The Princess Bride follows Wesley (Cary Elwes), a farm boy-turned-pirate who goes on a quest to reunite with his long-lost love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright). His journey includes everything from battling bandits in sword fights to fighting off giant rodent creatures in a "fire swamp" to defeating the cocky Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), Buttercup's betrothed. Based on the 1973 novel of the same name, the fairy-tale film is included on the American Film Institute's list of greatest film love stories.

Listed as one of the films that inspired La La Land, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a romantic French musical first released in 1964. Nominated for numerous Academy Awards, the movie centers on Geneviéve, the daughter of an umbrella-shop owner who is very much in love with Guy, a car mechanic. Sadly, the two lovers are split apart when Guy is drafted in the war. Spanning seven years, the two go on to live separate lives, finding love and happiness along the way, only to be unexpectedly reunited after time has passed.

Both a Christmas movie and romantic comedy, 2003's Love Actually follows 10 different stories, all focusing on a unique type of love, such as unrequited love, first love, familial love, and more. The British film comprises an ensemble cast, featuring stars like Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Andrew Lincoln, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Rodrigo Santoro, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, January Jones, and many others.

In 1953, Audrey Hepburn won an Academy Award for best actress for her breakout performance in Roman Holiday. Hepburn stars as Ann, a foreign princess longing to temporarily escape her regal duties. After fleeing her embassy to spend a brief holiday in Rome, she encounters journalist Joe Bradley, played by award-winning actor Gregory Peck. As they spend the weekend together, he finds a story, she finds her freedom, and they both find an unexpected love.

In 2805, Earth has become uninhabitable; all humans reside on ships in space, while trash-compacting robots work to clean up the destroyed planet. So much time has passed that a sentient (and hopeless romantic) WALL-E is the only robot left, befriending only a cockroach. One day, a new robot named EVE arrives from space to inspect Earth for signs of life, which WALL-E has unknowingly stumbled upon. Having developed an attachment to her, he follows EVE back to space to help save the planet, falling in love in the process. Disney Pixar's WALL-E premiered in 2008, receiving numerous awards and nominations upon its release.

While their girlfriends are away on vacation, best friends Julio (Gael García Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna) meet Luisa (Maribel Verdú), the wife of Tenoch's cousin; the boys persuade her to take a road trip to a rumored secluded beach. While on the road in Mexico, Luisa seduces both boys. While exciting at first, this creates tension among the group, and the increasingly sexual environment forces the boys to take a closer look at their relationship in 2001's Mexican drama Y Tu Mamá También.

Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story follows modern star-crossed lovers Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer). Set in the west side of Manhattan's Lincoln Square in 1957, Tony is the cofounder of the Jets, a white American gang, while Maria is the sister and fiancée to two members of the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang. As the gangs' feuding escalates, Maria and Tony get caught in the crosshairs. The romantic musical drama won 10 Academy Awards after its 1961 release and currently holds the record for most wins for a musical picture.

Ghost features Demi Moore as Molly, a potter whose banker boyfriend, Sam (Patrick Swayze), was recently murdered. Now a ghost, Sam tries to uncover the truth behind his death, as well as protect his former love. He enlists the help of psychic medium Oda Mae (Whoopi Goldberg), and together they not only unmask Sam's killer but also help Molly move on from her heartbreak. Scandal's Tony Goldwyn also stars in the five-time Academy Award-nominated romantic thriller from 1990.

One of the most iconic romantic movies of all time, James Cameron's 1997 film, Titanic, depicts a fictionalized account of the events surrounding the tragic 1912 sinking of ocean liner RMS Titanic. Kate Winslet stars as Rose, a first-class passenger on a luxurious trip with her family and fiancé, Cal (Billy Zane). Heartbroken about her loveless engagement, Rose finds comfort in third-class passenger Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), a poor artist who won tickets to board the ship. Though they only know each other for a short time, Jack encourages Rose to live a life without fear and to take risks on happiness and love.

The 1993 romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle is the second of four films to feature Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks as costars. Hank plays Sam, a widowed father who garners attention after begrudgingly expressing his loneliness on a late-night radio talk show. Ryan portrays Annie, a journalist who reaches out to Sam after being captivated by his story. Despite both being involved in other relationships, things continue to draw Annie and Sam together — including Sam's young son, Annie's best friend (played by Rosie O'Donnell), and the mysterious twist of fate.

Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and the late Debbie Reynolds star in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain. The trio portray performers who struggle to make the transition from silent film to "talkies" in 1920s Hollywood. The award-winning romantic comedy is one of the few films to hold a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, in addition to being ranked the No. 1 musical of all time and the fifth greatest American film of all time by the American Film Institute.

Based on the novel of the same name, The Bridges of Madison County tells the story of Francesca (Meryl Streep), an Italian woman living on a farm in Iowa with her husband and two children. When travel photographer Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) comes to town to capture images of the famed covered bridges of Madison County, the two begin a brief, passionate love affair that changes both of their lives forever. Streep garnered one of her many Academy Award nominations for her stellar performance in the 1995 film, which was also directed by Eastwood.

Based on the 1936 novel of the same name, Gone With the Wind is an epic romance centered on the romantic entanglements of Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), a plantation owner's daughter. Set in the Civil War South, Scarlett pines over aristocrat Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), while gentleman Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) pursues Scarlett, creating a tragic love triangle. Over the course of several years and various relationships, Scarlett struggles to let go of a fantasy, putting her real love in jeopardy.

An adaptation of Jane Austen's famous 1813 romance novel, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley), one of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's five eligible daughters. As her mother works feverishly to marry her off, she encounters a new arrival to town, Fitzwilliam Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), and takes an immediate disliking to him, claiming him to be proud and rude. While the two try to distance themselves, the lives of their friends and family intertwine, forcing them to not only interact but to also overlook first impressions as their feelings change. Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Jena Malone, Brenda Blethyn, and Judi Dench also star in this classic tale of money, marriage, and manners in pre-Victorian Britain.

Ellie Andrews is a spoiled heiress who defies her father's wishes and elopes with King Westley, a handsome young man who is secretly only after Ellie's fortune. Distraught at her father's disapproval, she runs away from her Florida home and hops on a boat headed for NYC. While aboard, she meets down-and-out journalist Peter Warne, who gives her an ultimatum: Ellie can give him a wedding exclusive and he'll help her find Westley or he'll notify her father of her whereabouts. Ellie agrees to the former, and the two go on an adventure to find Westley; what they find, instead, is love. Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable star in 1934 screwball rom-com It Happened One Night.

Written and directed by Boyhood creator Richard Linklater, Before Sunrise follows the passionate romance between Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy). The two strangers meet on a train in Europe and decide to spend the day together, exploring Vienna. After hours of walking around the city and opening up about their deepest feelings, the two develop a profound romantic connection.

The 1994 film, which received critical acclaim, produced two sequels: 2004's Before Sunset and 2013's Before Midnight, both of which were nominated for Academy Awards. Each film takes place nine years after the previous one, showcasing how the characters, and their love, have changed over the years.

Sabrina Fairchild (Audrey Hepburn) has been lovesick over playboy David Larabee (William Holden) her entire life. Sadly, he never gives her a second look —- until Sabrina returns from two years in Paris a more culturally refined lady, gaining the instant affection of David. However, with the difference in their classes and David's current engagement to another woman, the family refuses to give their blessing and enlists David's workaholic older brother, Linus (Humphrey Bogart), to break them up. Linus is prepared to do whatever it takes, but nothing could prepare him for the feelings he develops for his brother's girl in 1954's Sabrina.

In their third film together, 1998's You've Got Mail, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star as Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly, two strangers who develop a friendship by corresponding anonymously online. As it stands, though neither realizes it, Joe is the man trying to put Kathleen's independent bookstore out of business. Online, the pair get along great and even begin to develop feelings for one another, but in person, the two butt heads. Needless to say, things get complicated when their internet personas agree to meet in person!

Weekend is a 2011 British romantic drama starring Tom Cullen and Chris New as Russell and Glen, respectively. Glen is an art student on the brink of moving out of the country; Russell is a lifeguard who is shy about his sexuality. The two meet at a gay bar late one night and spend the evening together. Over the course of the weekend, they spend time getting to know each other, revealing their respective insecurities and fears about relationships. With only a weekend to spend together, the two have a passionate affair that they'll never forget.

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová star as the unnamed leads in romantic musical Once. The Irish film follows the two characters, both of whom are struggling musicians, as they help each other with their creativity, as well as their respective love lives. Together, they're able to create something beautiful. The 2007 film won an Academy Award for best original song and has since been adapted for the stage.

Adapted from the novel of the same name, Chocolat is a British-American romantic drama released in 2000. The film centers on Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche), a woman in 1959 who opens a small chocolate shop in a quaint French village. Used to floating about Europe with her daughter, Vianne's liberal lifestyle clashes with the traditional townspeople, making it hard for her to fit in. This is increased when a group of river gypsies comes into town; while the locals shun them, Vianne welcomes them with open arms — especially an attractive young man named Roux (Johnny Depp).

Loosely based on Marguerite Duras's semiautobiographical novel of the same name, The Lover centers on the scandalous relationship between a young, French teenager (Jane March) and an older, wealthy Chinese businessman (Tony Leung Ka-fai) in 1929. Though passionate and loving, their affair hits numerous bumps in the road, such as their age gap, class difference, and the man's impending arranged marriage.

Based on the book of the same name, 1967's The Graduate follows Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a recent college grad who is seduced by an older woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). However, during the course of their love affair, Benjamin falls in love with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine (Katherine Ross). The romantic drama received numerous award nominations upon its release, including seven Oscar noms; the film is currently one of the highest-grossing American movies of all time.

Directed by and starring Woody Allen, 1977's Annie Hall tells the story of a New York comedian who reflects on his most recent relationship and tries to determine where it all went wrong. The quirky romantic comedy — which addresses issues such as love, sexuality, gender roles, and psychoanalysis — received four Academy Awards, including best actress for Diane Keaton's role as the titular character.

In the Mood For Love is a Hong Kong romantic drama released in 2000. Starring Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung, the film follows Su Li-zhen and Chow Mo-wan, two neighbors living in a Hong Kong apartment in 1962. Though both in separate relationships, the two begin to spend time together and develop a platonic relationship. However, when their friendship blossoms into something more, they must question whether it's the right time to pursue their love.

Bridget Jones's Diary is a 2001 British-American romantic comedy based on the novel of the same name, which is a modern reinterpretation of Jane Austen's most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. The film stars Renée Zellweger as Bridget, a 32-year-old single woman who gets caught in a love triangle with her boss, Daniel (Hugh Grant), and an old family friend-turned-powerful lawyer, Mark (Colin Firth). The film was nominated for a multitude of awards and has spawned two sequels.

As the narrator of the film states, 500 Days of Summer "is not a love story. It's a story about love." The story of the 2009 romantic drama centers on the relationship between Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel), from their meet-cute at a greeting card company to their breakup and everything in between.

Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, coming-of-age romantic drama A Walk to Remember follows the young romance that develops between local bad boy Landon (Shane West) and minister's daughter Jamie (Mandy Moore). Despite their conflicting personalities, the two fall in love and strive for happiness, with Jamie's leukemia diagnosis looming over them.

In one of the most iconic romantic scenes in cinematic history, a trench-coat-clad John Cusack holds a love-song-blaring boombox over his head as a grand romantic gesture. The memorable moment occurs in 1989 comedy-drama Say Anything. Cusack plays Lloyd Dobler, an aspiring kickboxer who falls for class valedictorian Diane Court. During their Summer romance, the recent graduates help each other overcome family obstacles and life's challenges after high school.