The list of best romantic movies covers the love stories in the realm of various subgenres such as Science Fiction, comedy, or even zombie-apocalypse romance.
Romantic films are love stories that focus on passion, emotion, and the journey of the main characters, and that their love takes them through courtship, marriage or sometimes the story takes place overnight.
The first featuring a romantic scene was created by Thomas Edison, which was about 18 seconds long, so it’s safe to say that it was the first romantic movie ever made. The best romantic movies from all basic film genres. From romantic comedies like Friends With Benefits to romantic dramas like Meet Joe Black.
10. The Adjustment Bureau
The Adjustment Bureau (2011) is a romantic science fiction thriller film. Directed by George Nolfi, Starring Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt. It is based on the 1954 Philip K. Dick short story “Adjustment Team”.
The story follows David Norris, a United States congressman who discovers that what appear to be chance events in his life are controlled by a mysterious group. After an event not planned by the mysterious group, David falls in love with a dancer and he fights against their manipulation despite their promise of a great future for him.
- Initial release: March 3, 2011 (Russia)
- Director: George Nolfi
- Based on: “Adjustment Team” by Philip K. Dick
- Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery
- Music by: Thomas Newman
- Budget: 50.2 million USD
- Box office: 127.9 million USD
9. This Means War
This Means War (2012) is a spy-action romantic-comedy directed by McG, produced by Will Smith, and starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, and Tom Hardy.
The story follows Frank and Tuck, two best friends working as CIA agents who discover that they are in love with the same girl. Each of them then decides to win her over using his own skills.
- Initial release: February 14, 2012 (Australia)
- Director: McG
- Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Til Schweiger
- Music by: Christophe Beck
- Budget: 65 million USD
- Box office:156.5 million USD million USD
8. Warm Bodies
Warm Bodies (2013) is a romantic-zombie comedy film directed by Jonathan Levine and based on Isaac Marion’s novel of the same title, starring Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Analeigh Tipton, and John Malkovich.
The story follows Julie, a young woman, and “R”, a zombie, and how their eventual romance develops throughout. The is the love story being told from a zombie’s perspective
- Initial release: January 16, 2013 (Italy)
- Director: Jonathan Levine
- Based on: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
- Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry, Dave Franco
- Analeigh Tipton, Cory Hardrict, John Malkovich.
- Music by: Marco Beltrami, Buck Sanders
- Budget: 117 million USD
- Box office: 117 million USD
7. Friends With Benefits
Friends with Benefits (2011) is a romantic comedy directed by Will Gluck. Starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis.
The story follows Dillion Harper and Jamie Rellis, friends who believe adding sex to their friendship will not lead to complications.
- Initial release: July 22, 2011 (Canada)
- Director: Will Gluck
- Starring: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman
- Bryan Greenberg, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson
- Budget: 35 million USD
- Box office: 150.4 million USD
6. Before we Go
Before We Go (2014), an independent romantic drama movie directed by Chris Evans in his directorial debut. Starring Chris Evans and Alice Eve.
The story takes place overnight and it follows Nick, a street musician, who meets Brooke in the subway when she misses her last train home. As he tries to help her to get home, the two form an unusual emotional connection.
- Initial release: September 10, 2015 (Russia)
- Director: Chris Evans
- Starring: Chris Evans, Alice Eve
- Music by: Chris Westlake
5. Before Sunrise
Before Sunrise (1995) is a romantic drama movie directed by Richard Linklater. It is the first part of the “Before” Trilogy, Starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
The story follows Jesse, a young American man, and Céline, a young French woman, who meet on a train and disembark in Vienna, where they spend the night walking around the city and getting to know and falling in love with each other.
- Initial release: January 27, 1995 (USA)
- Director: Richard Linklater
- Film series: ‘Before’ Trilogy, Before Sunset, Before Midnight
- Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy.
- Music by: Fred Frith
- Budget: 2.5 million USD
- Box office: 5.5 million USD
4. A Star Is Born
A Star Is Born (2018) musical romantic drama movie, the directorial debut of Bradley Cooper. Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, and Sam Elliott.
The follows an alcoholic musician who discovers and falls in love with a young singer. It is the fourth filmed version of the 1937 film, after 1954 musical and the 1976 musical.
- Initial release: October 3, 2018 (France)
- Director: Bradley Cooper
- Film series: A Star Is Born (1954 screenplay) by Moss Hart A Star Is
- Born (1976 screenplay) by John Gregory Dunne Joan Didion Frank Pierson
- A Star Is Born (story) by William Wellman Robert Carson
- Starring: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle
- Featuring songs: “Shallow”, “Always Remember Us This Way”, “I’ll Never
- Love Again”
- Budget: 36million USD
- Box office: 436.2 million USD
3. Meet Joe Black
Meet Joe Black (1998) is a romantic fantasy film directed by Martin Brest, starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Claire Forlani.
The story follows Joe Black, a human manifestation of The death that comes to Earth to escort back the soul of media tycoon William Parrish. But Joe’s fascinating journey ends with him falling in love with William’s daughter.
- Initial release: November 2, 1998 (USA)
- Director: Martin Brest
- Starring: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani, Jake Weber
- Music by: Thomas Newman
- Budget: 90 million USD
- Box office: 142.9million USD
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) is a sci-fi drama film, directed by Michel Gondry. Starring Jim Carrey, and Kate Winslet.
The story follows Joel and Clementine begin a relationship post a train journey together, unaware that they had previously been in a relationship, the memories of which were clinically erased.
- Initial release: March 19, 2004 (USA)
- Director: Michel Gondry
- Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo
- Music by: Jon Brion
- Budget: 20 million USD
- Box office: 74 million USD
10 . William Shakespeare’s Romeo+Juliet
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (often shortened to Romeo + Juliet) is a 1996 romantic tragedy film directed by Baz Luhrmann. William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy of all time, Romeo and Juliet. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes
The battle between Verona’s two families, the Capulets, and the Montagues, affects the relationship of their children Romeo and Juliet.
- Initial release: October 27, 1996 (USA)
- Director: Baz Luhrmann
- Based on: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
- Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, Brian Dennehy, John Leguizamo,
- Pete Postlethwaite, Paul Sorvino, Diane Venora
- Music by: Nellee Hooper, Marius de Vries, Craig Armstrong
- Budget: 14.5 million USD
- Box office: 151.8 million USD