Top 10 Romance Movies of the 1940s-1960s

While Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart did capture our hearts in 1954’s “Sabrina,” we had to give the #10 spot to this other Hepburn classic for its witty dialogue, memorable songs, and beautiful setting in early 1900s Edwardian London. The movie quickly introduces us to Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower seller who runs into the haughty professor Henry Higgins, played by Rex Harrison. What begins as a wager to turn her into a proper lady begins blossoming into something else in this eight-time Academy Award-winning musical, where Eliza must choose between a charming young man and the older professor that changes her life.

In the critically-acclaimed comedy-drama based on the romance novel of the same name, a young Dustin Hoffman plays Benjamin Braddock, a bored college graduate that quickly finds something to do after meeting the older, seductive Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft. Matters are complicated when Benjamin discovers that Mrs. Robinson’s daughter Elaine is the girl he’s been waiting for his entire life. Chronicling the pursuit of the younger Ms. Robinson by Hoffman’s lovelorn graduate, the captivating performances and climactic wedding-crashing scene make this a memorable romantic flick that inspired generations of filmmakers (and lovers) to come.

This could be called the mother (or should we say, mistress) of all movies about extramarital love affairs. Disillusioned housewife Laura Jesson goes about business as usual until she has a run-in with a helpful married doctor in an encounter that leaves both wanting more. The movie captures the intensity and emotions of a couple who must decide between consummating what has begun as a passionate emotional affair and a return to their normal routines, leaving all recollection of their love behind. The black-and-white setting, the backdrop of a train station, and the feelings as portrayed by Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson all lead to a film that captures love with all its pleasures and pains.

Take exotic actor Omar Sharif, add blonde bombshell Julie Christie, and throw in the tumultuous, war-torn Soviet Union, and you’ve got this Academy Award-winning, box-office smashing epic. Starring Sharif as a mild-mannered doctor and poet who meets and falls in with a battlefield nurse during the February Revolution of 1917, the story follows the two as they come together and fall apart multiple times over the course of many years. Graced with beautiful art direction, emotionally-charged performances, and a haunting soundtrack, this romantic drama keeps you reaching for the Kleenex as it dances on the fine line between love, devotion, and tragedy.

In one of her most unforgettable roles, Audrey Hepburn here plays the extroverted New York socialite Holly Golightly who struggles with the memories of a difficult childhood, but doesn’t let it stop her from dreaming big. It doesn’t take her long to meet Paul Varjak, played by George Peppard, an unaccomplished writer with some demons of his own. Directed by comedy legend Blake Edwards and enhanced by lively dialogue and a beautiful score, especially with the Oscar-winning original song “Moon River,” the film chronicles the highs and lows of a relationship that’ll pull at your heartstrings.

In the film that won her an Oscar and garnered her international fame, Audrey Hepburn here plays Ann, a bored crown princess who decides to leave off her touring duties by escaping her embassy. Cue the introduction of the always-dashing Gregory Peck playing news reporter Joe Bradley, who quickly realizes her true identity. Although initially excited to do an exclusive interview on which he has riding money and recognition, a day in Rome with the Princess begins to ignite unexpected feelings in both. Will their love overcome what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle? Only time will tell with this romantic classic.

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.

Nominated for six Oscars and usually ranked as one of the best movies of all time, this Broadway-based comedy is a must-see for all fans of classic romances. The film stars Katharine Hepburn as a feisty socialite who finds herself in, not a love triangle, but a love quadrilateral—stuck between her ex-husband, played by Cary Grant, a tabloid journalist, played by James Stewart, and the man she’s due to marry, played by John Howard. The dialogue is quick, the performances are sharp, and the cute factor runs high in this film that’ll make you go, “awwwww.”

Although this classic musical spends much of its running time showcasing the transition a few actors must make going from silent to talking pictures, the romance between film star Don Lockwood and humble chorus girl Kathy Selden, played by Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, adds the perfect spice to this film. After jumping into Kathy’s life (literally), the smitten actor must work to make the talented but stubborn dancer fall in love with him and then work to make her dreams come true. Warm, funny, and lively, the movie’s comedy, music, and dance numbers make this a great date movie.


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

“Some Like It Hot” (1959)

“The Apartment” (1960)

“Marty” (1955)

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 romances of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s stirred the cockles of your heart? For more enchanting top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.