Top 10 Best Romance Movies of All Time

It’s not often that your 8-year-old son tries to set you up, but that’s what happens in this intercity love story. When widower Sam’s son Jonah convinces him to talk about his deceased wife on the radio, it melts the hearts of women all over the country and they start writing to him. However, Jonah thinks that the baseball-loving Annie is the woman of his father’s dreams and tries to bring them together, though wires get frustratingly crossed. While it was a difficult choice between this and the other Hanks and Ryan rom-com masterpiece, “You’ve Got Mail,” “Sleepless in Seattle” wins out because of its truly epic final rooftop scene. All the feels for this one!

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when this romance first graced the silver screen. Based on the novel by swoon-inducing writer Nicholas Sparks, this film was the go-to date movie for the mid 2000s teenager. Taking place in South Carolina in the 1940s, working-class Noah falls hard for Allie, a girl who hails from a family of wealth and privilege. While society attempts to keep them apart, their love slowly blossoms from teenage lust to passionate romance. Filled with tender moments that will inspire both the hopelessly romantic and the stoically reserved, this film is sure to leave you reaching for the tissues.

Having the time of your life has never been so sexy. Spending the summer at a lavish resort in the Catskill Mountains, Frances “Baby” Houseman becomes enamored with bad-boy dance instructor Johnny Castle. Together with her new passionate lover, Baby rebels against the authority figures dominating her life and experiences the ultimate summer fling. Filled with scenes of unbridled emotion and downright steamy dance scenes, this ‘80s romance flick shocked the movie world by becoming a box office smash. With both leads earning high praise for their performances and the film winning an Oscar for Best Original Song, “Dirty Dancing” left a lasting impression on the romance genre and film as a whole and continues to do so today.

Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke’s chemistry in this steamy tale of love at first sight is absolutely supercharged. Sparks fly as strangers Jesse and Céline meet on a train in Europe and spend a day getting to know each other. The only problem? They’re both set to leave Vienna for two different destinations and will probably never see each other again. Seeing these two grow more and more attached over the span of the whirlwind day they spend together is seriously magical, and this tale of impulsive, crazy love still gives us chills. In this film, as well as the other two entries in the trilogy, director Richard Linklater chronicled this beautiful – and perfectly imperfect – love story.

During the ‘70s Diane Keaton and Woody Allen were practically inseparable. However, when people reminisce about their body of work, one film stands above the rest. In this seminal romantic comedy, Allen plays comedian Alvy Singer with Keaton in the titular role of Annie Hall. The movie traces the ups and downs of their relationship; offering glimpses into the minds of two people unsure of what they truly want. The film delves into and revolves around the themes of love and sexuality, dipping and diving through them seamlessly. “Annie Hall” is a testament to the fact that being in a relationship is hard work and sometimes letting go is the only answer.

A bumping soundtrack, two charismatic young leads and an indelible romance – such was “Grease’s” recipe for success. Surprised to learn that they are attending the same school for senior year, greaser Danny and good girl Sandy must cast aside their established identities in order to ignite the flame of passion that burned so deeply during their summer holiday. This musical was an instant hit with fans and critics alike. The chemistry between the two leads, as well as their respective friend groups, connected with audiences in a profound way. At the core of the film is a message that yells, “Love cannot be denied”! Hilarious, sexy and downright fun, this ‘70s romance will never be forgotten.

Take William’s Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy “Romeo and Juliet,” add some dangerously catchy music, place it against the backdrop of Manhattan’s West Side, and you’ve got this Oscar-winning musical. Tony and Maria, the film’s star-crossed lovers, are played by Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood in performances that capture the affections and obsessions of young love despite having divided loyalties and being attached to rival gangs. The choreography and heartfelt lyrics of songs like “Tonight” and “Somewhere” will be sure to stir the cockles of your heart upon viewing this beautifully-filmed romantic drama.

This seminal take on the romance genre spit the raw truth of what it is like when a man and women attempt to be “just friends”. The titular characters first start to really get to know each other while sharing a ride from Chicago to New York in the late ‘70s. From there, they weave in and out of each other’s lives at random, sharing lengthy conversations about their views on sex and relationships. Played to perfection by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, these two unique personalities clash at nearly every turn. However, beneath their hard exteriors lies a profound love and admiration for one another. Bitter and sweet at all the right moments, this film gave new meaning to the phrase, “I’ll have what she’s having.”

The love story that’s almost as big as the titular ship, this film never ceases to melt our hearts. If you haven’t seen “Titanic,” prepare to be teary-eyed after that heart-wrenching goodbye between Jack and Rose. And if you are familiar with the film, you know the waterworks are coming. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s chemistry is striking, and is complemented perfectly by the absolutely gorgeous set design and cinematography. No matter how many times we watch it, we’ll still scream at Jack to keep holding on, just like we keep holding onto this timeless love story after all these years.



Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

· “Say Anything…” (1989)

· “Crazy, Stupid, Love” (2011)

· “Brokeback Mountain” (2005)

Was there ever any doubt? Showcasing the potential a film has to profoundly impact its audience, this romantic drama is still just as powerful and moving today as the year it came out. The film stars Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, a cynical nightclub owner in Morocco during the Second World War, who tries to put his tragic past behind him before Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa Lund walks back into his life. The two former lovers are forced to confront their unresolved issues and passion for each other, and the result is a cinematic masterpiece and a romance for the ages.


Do you agree with our list? Which romance film makes you believe in love? For more lovable top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo