Top 10 Must-Watch Romance Series in 2025
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Romance television has reached new heights in 2025, delivering an exceptional array of heartwarming, dramatic, and emotionally compelling stories that span multiple genres and platforms. From sweeping historical dramas to contemporary comedies and intense K-dramas, this year's romance offerings provide something for every viewer. Whether you're looking for slow-burn tension, passionate first loves, or complex relationship dynamics, these ten series represent the year's most captivating romantic television.
1. Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
The most surprising hit of 2025, Nobody Wants This returned for its highly anticipated second season on October 23, 2025, and was immediately renewed for a third season. Starring Adam Brody as Noah, an unconventional rabbi, and Kristen Bell as Joanne, an irreverent podcaster who co-hosts a show about relationships, this romantic comedy brilliantly balances witty humor with genuine emotional depth.
The series captures the complexities of interfaith relationships and personal identity with refreshing honesty. Brody and Bell's chemistry is undeniable—their banter crackles with intelligence and charm, and their performances earned multiple Emmy nominations for the first season. Season 2 continues to explore the central tension of their relationship: whether Joanne will convert to Judaism, creating compelling dramatic stakes while maintaining the show's comedic heart. The supporting cast, including Justine Lupe as Joanne's sister Morgan, adds layers of warmth and humor to the proceedings.
2. Forever (Netflix)
Forever, which premiered on Netflix on May 8, 2025, stands as one of the year's most significant achievements in romance storytelling. Created by Mara Brock Akil and loosely adapted from Judy Blume's iconic 1975 novel, this eight-episode series received critical acclaim with a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and universal acclaim on Metacritic with a score of 84 out of 100.
The series presents a beautifully modern take on Black love and first romance through the story of Katherine and Michael, two teenagers who meet at a New Year's Eve party in 2018 Los Angeles. What sets Forever apart is its nuanced exploration of young love, identity, and what it truly means to have a "forever" connection. The show doesn't shy away from depicting realistic teenage experiences, including themes around sexuality and emotional vulnerability. The performances are extraordinary, with the young lead actors bringing authenticity and maturity to their roles. The series was renewed for a second season shortly after its premiere, a testament to its resonance with audiences.
3. The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 (Prime Video)
The final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty concluded this beloved trilogy on September 17, 2025, with an expanded 11-episode run. Based on Jenny Han's bestselling books, the series returned on July 16, 2025, with Belly (Lola Tung) facing a dramatic crossroads between her two loves: Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad (Christopher Briney).
Season 3 is the series' most ambitious chapter, jumping ahead nearly four years to explore adulthood, complex emotions, and the consequences of past choices. Rather than ending as a simple love triangle resolution, the season delivers unexpected twists and emotional growth for all its characters. The show wraps up not just the central romance but also the journeys of Belly's inner circle, including Taylor's PR career and Steven's post-graduation struggles. Notably, a feature-length film is set to continue Belly's story following the series finale, promising extended closure for devoted fans.
4. Maxton Hall—The World Between Us Season 2 (Prime Video)
The German romance sensation Maxton Hall made a triumphant return with Season 2, premiering on November 7, 2025. This second season (which released episodes weekly through November 28) continued the electric romance between Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) and James Beaufort (Damian Hardung), picking up after Season 1's tragic cliffhanger—the death of James' mother.
What makes Maxton Hall particularly special is the undeniable chemistry between its leads and the show's ability to blend social commentary with genuine romantic tension. Ruby remains determined and ambitious, refusing to compromise her values for love, while James works through his trauma and privilege. The series became the most successful non-American Prime Original premiere ever, ranking #1 globally in over 120 regions. Season 2 explores how these two navigates their relationship amid new challenges, with the show already renewed for a third and final season that promises to conclude their love story satisfyingly.
5. Dear X (HBO Max/TVING)
The most recent addition to 2025's romance offerings, Dear X premiered on November 6, 2025, as a gripping K-drama that transcends typical romance conventions. Starring Kim Yoo-jung as Baek Ah-jin, a celebrated actress harboring a dark past and ambitious nature, this twelve-episode series blends romance with psychological thriller elements in a fascinating way.
Rather than a straightforward love story, Dear X explores the complexities of human connection through manipulation, ambition, and the masks people wear. The series received overwhelming acclaim from viewers, with many praising Kim Yoo-jung's transformative performance and the show's cinematography. The central triangle involves Baek Ah-jin, her loyal childhood friend Yoon Jun Seo (Kim Young-dae), and Kim Jae Oh (Kim Do-hoon), whose histories intertwine in devastating ways. This is romance for mature audiences who appreciate emotional complexity and moral ambiguity.
6. Bridgerton Season 4 (Netflix)
The beloved period romance juggernaut Bridgerton will return with Season 4 in two parts, beginning January 29, 2026, with Part 1 and concluding on February 26, 2026, with Part 2. While technically spanning 2026, Season 4 is worth anticipating as part of your 2025-into-2026 romance viewing. This season continues the pattern of focusing on different Bridgerton siblings' love stories, moving beyond the initially central characters.
The Bridgerton universe has become a cultural phenomenon for its stunning costumes, witty banter, and surprisingly progressive takes on historical romance. Each season delivers gorgeously staged romantic moments alongside genuine emotional stakes, making it a must-watch for romance enthusiasts of all stripes.
7. One Day (Netflix)
Released on February 8, 2024—just in time for Valentine's Day—One Day remains one of 2024-2025's most lauded romance adaptations. This 14-episode limited series adaptation of David Nicholls' bestselling novel stars Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall as Emma and Dexter, following their relationship across twenty years.
The series' brilliant structure reveals their connection through snapshots of the same day—July 15—each year, allowing the audience to witness their evolution without filler. Mod and Woodall's performances are heartbreaking, bringing layers of vulnerability and authenticity to a love story that ultimately asks profound questions about timing, missed opportunities, and what it means to be truly known by another person. Their chemistry transcends the screen, making even mundane moments feel charged with emotional weight.
8. Heartstopper Season 2 (Netflix)
Heartstopper Season 2 premiered on August 3, 2023 (though it continues to draw viewers in 2025), and stands as one of the most important LGBTQ+ romance series ever created. Based on Alice Oseman's acclaimed graphic novel series and created by Oseman herself, the show follows Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), two British teenagers whose friendship blossoms into romance.
What elevates Heartstopper beyond typical teen fare is its commitment to positive representation, emotional maturity, and genuinely progressive storytelling. Season 2 explores themes including eating disorders, mental health, and coming out with remarkable care and nuance. The show demonstrates that healthy communication, vulnerability, and mutual support form the foundation of real love. The soft color palette and earnest storytelling create an affirming space where queer youth can see themselves reflected with dignity and joy.
9. Ginny & Georgia Season 3 (Netflix)
Ginny & Georgia Season 3 premiered on June 5, 2025, delivering a more dramatically complex season than its predecessors. While the series maintains its rom-com DNA, Season 3 shifts focus significantly as Georgia's arrest for multiple murders threatens to shatter the Miller family unit.
Amid the darker storyline, the romantic elements become more poignant—Ginny finds herself reconnecting with Marcus (Felix Mallard) as they both navigate complicated emotions and personal growth. The season explores how love, loyalty, and family bonds evolve when tested by genuine crisis. Season 3 sets up significant narrative developments, with creators mapping out plans through Season 4, suggesting even more romance and drama ahead.
10. Virgin River Season 6 (Netflix)
Virgin River Season 6 arrived on Netflix on December 19, 2024, and continues into 2025 as a top romance viewing destination. This ten-episode season finally brings Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) to the altar, featuring elaborate wedding preparations and unexpected complications.
Beyond the central wedding narrative, Season 6 explores parenthood, property ownership, and the evolution of long-term relationships—themes that resonate with mature audiences seeking romance with real-world stakes. The series balances small-town charm with genuinely affecting emotional moments, and showrunner Patrick Sean Smith's commitment to character development ensures that secondary romances and relationship challenges feel as significant as the main couple's journey.
Why 2025 Is a Banner Year for Romance Television
This selection of series demonstrates that romance television in 2025 has evolved far beyond traditional storytelling. These shows tackle interfaith relationships, explore Black love and representation, celebrate LGBTQ+ connections, examine the complexities of adult relationships, and present morally ambiguous characters whose romantic arcs challenge viewers' assumptions about love itself.
Whether you're drawn to period pieces, contemporary comedies, K-dramas, or intimate character studies, 2025's romance offerings prove that the genre remains one of television's most vital and varied. These ten series showcase the range of emotions, perspectives, and stories that make romance television essential viewing for anyone who believes in the power of connection and the complexity of human love.