Top 15 Must-Watch Romance Movies Between 2010 and 2025
ENTERTAINMENT
The past 15 years have delivered an extraordinary collection of romance films that span every emotion imaginable—from heartwarming comedies to emotionally devastating dramas. Whether you're in the mood for star-crossed lovers, enemies-to-lovers narratives, or intimate character studies, this curated list showcases the best romance movies that have captivated audiences between 2010 and 2025.
1. La La Land (2016)
Damien Chazelle's masterpiece follows Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a passionate pianist, as they fall in love in Los Angeles. Their romance becomes a poignant exploration of ambition versus love, asking the devastating question: can you truly have it all? With a stunning visual palette, memorable musical numbers, and genuine chemistry between the leads, La La Land is a modern romantic epic that leaves viewers emotionally wrung out—in the best way possible. The film's bittersweet ending subverts romantic tropes and offers something far more realistic and touching.
2. Her (2013)
Spike Jonze's audacious film reimagines romance for the digital age when lonely writer Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) develops an unlikely relationship with Samantha, an artificial intelligence operating system designed to meet his every need. While the premise sounds unconventional, the film is genuinely romantic in its exploration of connection, loneliness, and what it means to be in love. The tender voice acting by Scarlett Johansson combined with Phoenix's vulnerable performance creates an unexpectedly moving love story that questions the nature of human intimacy. Her stands out as one of the most innovative romance films of the decade.
3. Phantom Thread (2017)
Paul Thomas Anderson's meditative masterpiece follows the complex relationship between obsessive fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Alma (Vicky Krieps), a woman who becomes his muse. This is not a traditional romance—instead, it's a psychological power play where love and dependency blur together. The film's deliberate pacing, exquisite cinematography, and deeply committed performances create an intoxicating romance that's as unsettling as it is compelling. It's a romance for viewers who appreciate complexity and subtlety.
4. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Luca Guadagnino's sumptuous coming-of-age romance unfolds in 1983 Italy, where Elio (Timothée Chalamet), a seventeen-year-old musician, encounters Oliver (Armie Hammer), a charming graduate student working for Elio's father. Over the course of one transformative summer, they discover the intoxicating beauty of first love and awakening desire. The film is suffused with sensuality, literary references, and achingly tender moments. Timothée Chalamet's breakthrough performance alongside the film's gorgeous Italian setting creates a romance that lingers long after the credits roll.
5. Marriage Story (2019)
Noah Baumbach's emotionally shattering film chronicles the dissolution of a marriage between stage director Charlie (Adam Driver) and actor Nicole (Scarlett Johansson). While technically a story about a relationship ending, Marriage Story is profoundly romantic in its depiction of intimacy, history, and the complex love that remains even as two people grow apart. The chemistry between Driver and Johansson is electric, and the film's portrayal of commitment and vulnerability redefines what romance can mean. This is essential viewing for anyone who believes true romance goes beyond happy endings.
6. Carol (2015)
Todd Haynes' sophisticated romance tells the story of Carol (Cate Blanchett), a wealthy housewife, and Therese (Rooney Mara), an aspiring photographer, who develop a tender and forbidden relationship in 1950s New York. The film's restrained elegance, meticulously composed cinematography, and the exquisite chemistry between its leads create a deeply romantic portrait of women discovering themselves and each other. Despite the societal pressures of the era, the love between Carol and Therese feels utterly real and achingly beautiful.
7. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
David O. Russell's uplifting rom-drama follows Pat (Bradley Cooper), a man recently released from a mental institution, who meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious woman with emotional struggles of her own. Both are damaged, both are searching for redemption, and their connection becomes a powerful testament to finding love in unexpected places. With its infectious energy, genuine humor, and heartfelt performances, Silver Linings Playbook proves that sometimes the best love stories are forged between two people trying to fix themselves.
8. The Big Sick (2017)
Written by and starring Kumail Nanjiani and based on true events, this romantic drama follows the cultural collision between Pakistani-born comedian Kumail and grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan). When Emily falls into a mysterious illness, Kumail must navigate the complexities of his traditional family's expectations while fighting for their relationship. The film balances laugh-out-loud comedy with genuine pathos, creating a romance that celebrates love, family, and cultural identity in nuanced ways.
9. About Time (2013)
Richard Curtis' time-travel romance about a young man who discovers he can time travel, uses his newfound ability to chase romantic happiness—only to learn that true love isn't about changing the past. Starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams, About Time unexpectedly shifts from a feel-good rom-romance to an emotionally profound meditation on family, fatherhood, and what matters most in life. It's a film that makes you want to hug your loved ones and call your parents.
10. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Jon M. Chu's dazzling romantic comedy celebrates representation by introducing audiences to Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), an American economics professor who discovers her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) is secretly one of the richest men in Asia. The film dazzles with opulent cinematography, infectious charm, and genuine comedy, but at its heart, it's about family dynamics, identity, and whether love can withstand the pressure of wealth and tradition. With a diverse, primarily Asian cast, Crazy Rich Asians became a cultural phenomenon and proved audiences were hungry for inclusive romance.
11. To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)
Susan Johnson's Netflix rom-com follows Lara Jean (Lana Condor), a shy high schooler whose secret love letters are accidentally sent to her crushes, including her childhood best friend Peter (Noah Centineo). What unfolds is a charming, refreshingly respectful romance where consent and communication matter, and where a young woman of color gets to be the romantic lead. The film's cozy aesthetic, genuine humor, and honest portrayal of teen romance made it a streaming sensation and spawned beloved sequels.
12. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Céline Sciamma's visually stunning French period romance follows a portrait artist Marianne (Noémie Merlant) who is commissioned to paint a young aristocrat Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) destined for an arranged marriage. Over five transformative days, artist and subject fall in love in a romance infused with creativity, desire, and female agency. The film's deliberate pacing, intimate cinematography, and rich exploration of the female gaze make it a modern classic that redefines historical romance.
13. Purple Hearts (2022)
Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine star in this Netflix romantic drama about a bartender and aspiring singer Cassie who enters into a fake marriage with Luke, a Marine, to secure benefits and insurance. What begins as a pragmatic arrangement evolves into genuine love as their political differences clash but their hearts connect. While the film tackles serious themes like healthcare and military culture, it ultimately celebrates the transformative power of unexpected love.
14. Hit Man (2024)
Richard Linklater reunites with his signature romance style in this 2024 rom-com where a psychology professor poses as a hit man and falls for a client. Starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, the film balances comedic chaos with genuine chemistry and the kind of intellectual, dialogue-driven romantic tension that defines Linklater's best work. It's a reminder that great romance films are as much about witty conversations as they are about passion.
15. We Live in Time (2024)
Directed by John Crowley, this non-chronological romance follows an up-and-coming chef Almut (Florence Pugh) and a man Tobias (Andrew Garfield) as their relationship unfolds across three distinct time periods. The film weaves together moments of blissful connection with the harsh reality of cancer and mortality, creating one of the decade's most emotionally devastating yet ultimately life-affirming romance stories. It's a film that reminds viewers why romance matters—because love is what makes life meaningful in the face of loss.
Why These Films Stand Out
The romance films of 2010-2025 demonstrate remarkable diversity in storytelling, aesthetics, and representation. From intimate character studies to sweeping epics, from diverse love stories celebrating LGBTQ+ relationships to culturally specific romances, this era has expanded what romance cinema can be. These films prove that the genre isn't limited to predictable formulas—instead, it encompasses complex human connections, unconventional relationships, and love stories that challenge viewers' assumptions about what romance should look like.
Whether you're seeking escapism, emotional catharsis, or a thoughtful meditation on love and commitment, these 15 films offer something for every romantic sensibility.