Let’s be honest — almost every girl has a sweet spot for the occasional romantic movie. Whether it be a cheesy high school love story or a rom-com, a good romantic film can bring out the sappy in almost everyone. Finding a film that fits your romantic tastes is half of the fun!
If you are searching for a film for an upcoming girls night or simply want to have a good cry in your room, I have created a list of 10 must-watch romantic movies I think everyone should experience at least once in their lives!
Note: although the personal summaries made of these films are brief, they may contain minor spoilers regarding film story lines.
- Endless Love (2014)
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Starring: Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde
This film follows the classic story of a privileged girl, Jade Butterfield, and a rebel boy, David Elliot, from two completely different “worlds.” Following their high-school graduation, Jade and David quickly fall in love. Despite their blossoming love affair, their parents attempt to keep the two characters apart as they feel they are no good for each other. However, their parents’ disapproval only makes the love-struck teenagers more determined to prove them wrong.
Personal Opinion: Since this is a remake of the 1981 film, I personally believe the filmmakers did a great job of reviving and modernizing this movie. I am a sucker for super sappy romantic films and Endless Love definitely fills that role for me. Not to mention Alex Pettyfer is very easy on the eyes, and the soundtrack for this film is one of my favourites as well! If you are looking for a whimsical “young love” film, this one is worth the watch!
Rating: 9/10
- The Best of Me (2014)
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Starring: James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, this movie follows the story of once upon a time of high school sweethearts Amanda and Dawson. Due to an unfortunate event that affects both of their lives, the characters reunite after 20 years of being apart. Although seeing each other again after so long reignites many feelings for the characters, they still face many of the challenges that drove them apart when they were younger.
Personal Opinion: This movie is hands down one of my favourite romantic films. I really liked this one, as the film is half flashbacks of the couple in their younger years and half where they are now. The love story focuses a lot on the power of choices we make in our younger years and if second chances are worth giving. If you are a sucker for movies that promote the “if it’s meant to be, it will be” idea, this one is for you!
Rating: 10/10
- Stuck in Love (2013)
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Starring: Lily Collins, Nat Wolff and Logan Lerman
This story follows a year in the lives of the Borgen family — an acclaimed writer, his ex-wife and their teenaged children. It is a “hyperlink” film, in which each of the characters have their own personal love stories, but are somewhat connected. It looks at the complexities of love in all its forms, and how different individuals handle it.
Personal Opinion: Although this is an independent romantic drama, this film was pleasantly surprising. The writer in me was in intrigued by this movie since the father is a published writer and the two teenaged children are aspiring as well. I personally believe the actors do a really good job of playing their given roles and connecting to the viewers. I found this to be a very lighthearted, easy watch too.
Rating: 8/10
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
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Starring: Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey
This film is a light but efficient romantic comedy that follows Andie Anderson, an advice columnist, and Ben Berry, a ladies man. Andie pitches an article idea on how to make a man leave you in 10 days, while Ben is confident in the fact that any woman will fall for him in the same amount of time. When the characters meet, their plans are halted as they begin to fall for one another.
Personal Opinion: This movie is the perfect mix between laughing and crying all at once. I have seen this so many times and will recommend it to anyone who needs a good romantic movie but can’t emotionally commit to two hours of waterworks. The main characters do a great job of pulling at your heart strings while making you laugh at the same time. Plus, this is the film that sparked my serious celebrity crush for Matthew McConaughey.
Rating: 8/10
- He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
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Starring: Jennifer Anniston, Ben Affleck, Ginnifer Goodwin, Drew Barrymore, Bradley Cooper, Justin Long and Scarlett Johansson
As you can see by the extensive main character list, this film is another hyperlink cinema. It follows a group of friends and lovers with overlapping love stories, attempting to navigate their way through relationships. Each of the relationships have their own upsides and challenges that ultimately reinforce the idea that “he seriously may just not be that into you.”
Personal Opinion: I really like films with hyperlinked story lines, as they keep me interested in the big “reveal.” I think this film has a lot of good lessons, along with an extensive cast who do a phenomenal job of promoting them. Plus, the ending is worth waiting for — seriously, I tear up every time.
Rating: 9/10
- The Notebook (2004)
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Starring: Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, this film is set in 1940s South Carolina, following the forbidden love story of Noah and Allie. The two fall madly in love, but Allie’s parents strongly disapprove of the couple. Since Noah must go to serve in World War Two, their love story seems to come to an end, although Noah writes letters to Allie for 365 days. When Noah returns to town, he learns Allie has remarried in his absence — but despite all of this, it’s clear that their romance was never over.
Personal Opinion: This movie is a classic, and I think most people have seen this one. However, it holds a special place in my heart to this day. I love these two actors together, and I don’t think I could have seen anyone else playing Noah and Allie so well. If you haven’t seen this one and are in search of a good tear-jerker, this is for you!
Rating: 8/10
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
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Starring: Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Julia Stiles
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Taming of The Shrew, this 1999 film is a romantic movie classic, following two sisters Katarina and Bianca Stratford. Bianca can’t go out on a date until her ill-tempered older sister Katarina does. The film follows their lives, and Katarina’s eventual falling for Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger).
Personal Opinion: The first time I watched this one, I did not think I would enjoy it since I have a hard time getting into older films — however, this movie is crazy good. I recommend this one to everyone since it is both funny, dramatic and heartfelt.
Rating: 9/10
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
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Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence
This film follows Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper), who, after losing his job and wife and spending time in a mental institution, winds up living with his parents. He wants to rebuild his life and reunite with his wife; however, things get complicated when Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who offers to help him reconnect with his wife if he will do something important for her in exchange.
Personal Opinion: The focus of this movie is on the idea of silver linings — that there is a brighter side to the problem each person is facing — and that every rain cloud has a silver edge. Both Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper do a phenomenal job of portraying their mentally ill characters and have created a film that is not simply sappy romance, but outlines a number of important issues too. I very much recommend this film to viewers looking for drama, comedy and romance all wrapped into one.
Rating: 8/10
- The Spectacular Now (2013)
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Starring: Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller
This movie follows high school senior Sutter Keely and the tale of how he unexpectedly falls for good girl Aimee Finecky. It explores youth and how they confront the funny, thrilling and exhilarating ride of love and adulthood. The unlikely romance will make you believe in young love and explore the hardships of it also.
Personal Opinion: Just watch it, that is all I have to say about this one. I promise you won’t regret it.
Rating: 9/10
- A Cinderella Story (2004)
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Starring: Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray
A Cinderella Story is a romantic comedy film that follows Sam, a teenager who is obliged to work in the diner of her stepmother after her father’s passing. Sam begins an anonymous email relationship with an unknown boy. She later finds out that her secret pen pal is Austin Ames, one of the popular boys at school. The movie follows Sam and Austin’s love story, influenced by the Disney princess Cinderella, her stepsisters, and the lost glass slipper.
Personal Opinion: Although this film is a classic high school love story, many of us girls lived for this film when we were growing up. I personally enjoy it now because it gives me serious nostalgia vibes! If you’re interested in going back to your younger years, this one is all for you!
Rate: 8/10