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.

All the Real Girls

1601. All the Real Girls

Drama Romance Passionate Romance Relationship Drama
6.7

20031h 48min

United States

Director: David Gordon Green

In a sleepy little mill town in North Carolina, Paul is the town Romeo. But when his best friend's sister returns home from boarding school, he finds himself falling for her innocent charm. In spite of her lack of experience and the violent protests of her brother, the two find themselves in a sweet, dreamy and all-consuming love.

Themes

Virginity and trust, Reputation vs commitment, Small-town romance expectations, Past trauma and scars, Rumors and social pressure, Moving on after heartbreak

Available on

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

Remember Me, My Love

1602. Remember Me, My Love

Drama Comedy Romance
6.4

20032h 5min

Italy

Director: Gabriele Muccino

A middle-class Italian family is tore apart when the father meets an old flame, the mother—a frustrated onetime actress—auditions for a play, their insecure son tries to make friends through drugs, and their underaged daughter—who has already figured out how to use sex to her advantage—does what she does best to appear on TV.


How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

1603. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy High-Concept Comedy
6.5

20031h 56min

United States

Director: Donald Petrie

A journalist is working on an unusual assignment—a piece about the tricks women use to get rid of a man. To do it, she picks a random guy, plans to make him fall for her, and then test every trick in real life. Unfortunately for her, she chooses a man who has just made a bet with his boss that he can make a girl fall in love with him in ten days.

Themes

Deception in romance, Battle of the sexes, Dating as performance, Media influence on romance, Professional ambition and affection, Social image vs genuine feelings

Available on

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

The Sleeping Dictionary

1604. The Sleeping Dictionary

Drama Romance Historical Drama Passionate Romance
6.5

20031h 49min

Germany, United Kingdom

Director: Guy Jenkin

In the 1930s, British officer John Truscott journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he's introduced to the lovely Selima. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with Truscott and teach him the native language and customs. But when they fall in love, both colonists and natives object to their plans to marry.

Themes

Loyalty and betrayal, Tradition versus individual choice, Forbidden cross-cultural romance, Colonial power dynamics, Cultural assimilation pressure, Authority and coercion

Available on

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

The Classic

1605. The Classic

Drama Romance Passionate Romance Relationship Drama
7.7

20032h 13min

South Korea

Director: Kwak Jae-yong

Ji-hae's friend is having problems expressing her feelings to the boy she loves, so she asks Ji-hae to write e-mails to him in her name. As the boy falls in love with her letters, Ji-hae discovers the story of her mother's romance which is remarkably similar to her own circumstances.

Themes

Duty vs desire, Love letter, Love at first sight, Impossible love, Bittersweet memory, Necklace symbolism


Dot the I

1606. Dot the I

Comedy Drama Romance Thriller Passionate Romance
6.7

20031h 32min

Spain, United Kingdom

Director: Matthew Parkhill

Young lovers in London are wrapped up in a love triangle that may not be exactly what it seems. Carmen, a beautiful Spanish woman with a tendency to lose her temper at the drop of a hat, is about to be married to Barnaby, a caring, wealthy, but slightly boring Englishman. While out with friends on her 'hen night' she encounters a stranger who suddenly sparks a passion that has been sleeping within her. As her wedding date approaches, she finds herself struggling to put this newcomer out of her mind, but his effect on her keeps growing stronger. What is it that he sees in her, and why does she feel like she's being pushed inevitably into his arms?

Themes

Power dynamics in relationships, Deception within romance, Love triangle dynamics, Performance and manipulation, Publicity-driven romance, Blurred reality and artifice

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

1607. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

Comedy Crime Drama Romance Thriller
7.0

20021h 53min

Germany, United Kingdom

Director: George Clooney

Television made him famous, but his biggest hits happened off screen. Television producer by day, CIA assassin by night, Chuck Barris was recruited by the CIA at the height of his TV career and trained to become a covert operative. Or so Barris said.

Themes

Television producer ambition, Double life tension, Mole risk, Show business pressure, Assassination fame, Secret agent risk

Available on

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

Antwone Fisher

1608. Antwone Fisher

Drama History Romance Psychological Drama
7.3

20022h

United States

Director: Denzel Washington

A sailor prone to violent outbursts is sent to a naval psychiatrist for help. Refusing at first to open up, the young man eventually breaks down and reveals a horrific childhood. Through the guidance of his doctor, he confronts his painful past and begins a quest to find the family he never knew.

Themes

Trauma and resilience, Search for belonging, Care system tensions, Identity through family ties, Guidance versus resistance, Healing through confrontation

Available on

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

Two Weeks Notice

1609. Two Weeks Notice

Romance Comedy Romantic Comedy Workplace Comedy
6.2

20021h 41min

United States

Director: Marc Lawrence

Dedicated environmental lawyer Lucy Kelson goes to work for billionaire George Wade as part of a deal to preserve a community center. Indecisive and weak-willed George grows dependent on Lucy's guidance on everything from legal matters to clothing. Exasperated, Lucy gives notice and picks Harvard graduate June Carter as her replacement. As Lucy's time at the firm nears an end, she grows jealous of June and has second thoughts about leaving George.

Themes

Wealth vs advocacy, Professional ethics under pressure, Power dynamics in the workplace, Dependence and indispensability, Community interests vs development, Loyalty and compromise

Available on

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

Drumline

1610. Drumline

Drama Romance Comedy Music Coming-of-Age Drama
6.0

20021h 58min

United States

Director: Charles Stone III

A talented street drummer from Harlem enrolls in a Southern university, expecting to lead its marching band's drumline to victory. He initially flounders in his new world, before realizing that it takes more than talent to reach the top.

Themes

Class inequality, Talent versus discipline, Institutional pressure, Teamwork and unity, Mentorship and growth, Competition culture, Honor and loyalty

Available on

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