Romance backdrop

Romance movies

Stories of passion, heartbreak, and intimacy that explore the beautiful and complicated nature of love.

Subgenres include: Romantic Comedy, Passionate Romance, Dark Romance.

Once

1011. Once

Drama Music Romance Narrative Musical Passionate Romance
7.8

20071h 25min

Ireland, United States

Director: John Carney

A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

Themes

Romantic collaboration under pressure, Busker life and aspiration, Lovesickness and artistic longing, Creative collaboration dynamics, Bank loan as turning point, Identity through music

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Hunting & Gathering

1012. Hunting & Gathering

Romance Drama Bittersweet Romance Relationship Drama
6.7

20071h 37min

France

Director: Claude Berri

When Camille falls ill, she is forced to live with Philibert and Franck.

Themes

Grandparent grandchild relationship, Aging and dependence, Caregiving and autonomy, Cleaning lady, Romantic tension in shared spaces, Class and living arrangements

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Ultimate Gift

1013. The Ultimate Gift

Romance Drama Family Family Drama Holiday Family
7.3

20071h 54min

United States

Director: Michael O. Sajbel

When his wealthy grandfather finally dies, Jason Stevens fully expects to benefit when it comes to the reading of the will. But instead of a sizable inheritance, Jason receives a test, a series of tasks he must complete before he can get any money.

Themes

Illness as catalyst, Family obligation vs autonomy, Wealth and generosity, Inheritance as test, Trust under trial, Belonging through chosen family

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

5 Centimeters per Second

1014. 5 Centimeters per Second

Animation Romance Drama Anime Bittersweet Romance
7.4

20071h 3min

Japan

Director: Makoto Shinkai

Three moments in Takaki's life: his relationship with Akari and their forced separation; his friendship with Kanae, who is secretly in love with him; the demands and disappointments of adulthood, an unhappy life in a cold city.

Themes

Childhood friends tested, Separation tests devotion, Rocket launch site memory, Train crossing memory, Growing apart over time, Adulthood pressures shaping choices

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Becoming Jane

1015. Becoming Jane

Romance Drama Passionate Romance Historical Drama
7.0

20072h

United Kingdom, Ireland

Director: Julian Jarrold

Though young Jane Austen's financially strapped parents expect her to marry the nephew of wealthy Lady Gresham, Jane herself knows that such a union will destroy her creativity and sense of self-worth. Instead, she becomes involved with Tom Lefroy, a charming but penniless apprentice lawyer who gives her the knowledge of the heart she needs for her future career as a novelist.

Themes

Economic strain, Family pressure, Creative independence, Romance vs ambition, Female empowerment, Literary vocation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Atonement

1016. Atonement

Drama Romance Tragic Drama Bittersweet Romance
7.8

20072h 3min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Joe Wright

A young girl irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.

Themes

Loss and mourning, Wartime disruption, Memory and narration, Deception and consequence, Class privilege and constraint, Misinterpretation and innocence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Cinderella III: A Twist in Time

1017. Cinderella III: A Twist in Time

Animation Romance Family Fantasy Family Animation
6.0

20071h 14min

United States

Director: Frank Nissen

When Lady Tremaine steals the Fairy Godmother's wand and changes history, it's up to Cinderella to restore the timeline and reclaim her prince.

Themes

Deception and loyalty, Memory as catalyst, Power within family, Belonging vs duty, Time manipulation ethics

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Cashback

1018. Cashback

Drama Comedy Romance Bittersweet Romance Awkward Comedy
7.1

20071h 42min

United Kingdom

Director: Sean Ellis

After a painful breakup, Ben develops insomnia. To kill time, he starts working the late night shift at the local supermarket, where his artistic imagination runs wild.

Themes

Memory as catalyst, Insomnia as escape, Time freeze fantasy, Imagination vs reality, Romantic longing and obstacles, Art as coping

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Notes on a Scandal

1019. Notes on a Scandal

Drama Romance Relationship Drama Dark Romance
7.4

20061h 32min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Richard Eyre

A veteran high school teacher befriends a younger art teacher, who is having an affair with one of her 15-year-old students. However, her intentions with this new "friend" also go well beyond platonic friendship.

Themes

Manipulation and control, Extramarital affair, Power dynamics in relationships, Stalker dynamics, Loneliness and companionship, Public exposure consequences

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

200 Pounds Beauty

1020. 200 Pounds Beauty

Drama Comedy Romance Entertainment Industry Drama Romantic Comedy
6.7

20061h 56min

South Korea

Director: Kim Yong-hwa

Hanna, an overweight lip-sync artist who ghost sings for Ammy, a known pop diva, secretly likes Han Sang-jun. When Ammy humiliates Hanna in Han's presence, Hanna decides to undergo a cosmetic surgery.

Themes

Body image pressure, Reinvention for fame, Authenticity vs image, Deception in entertainment, Power dynamics in music industry, Performance under scrutiny

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.