Top Romantic Movies Similar to After (2019)
Published on Apr 1, 2026This collection brings together films similar to “After” (2019) — romantic dramas and melodramas about intense feelings, toxic relationships, and love stories that seem troubled from the very beginning. These stories revolve around characters drawn to each other despite clashing personalities, painful experiences from the past, and outside forces that keep putting their feelings to the test. Like “After”, most of the films in this selection combine romance with coming-of-age drama, conflict, jealousy, impulsive choices, and the difficult pull between reason and emotion. The lineup includes “My Fault”, “Three Steps Above Heaven”, “Through My Window”, and “Purple Hearts”.
Noah moves into the lavish mansion of her mother’s new husband, where she meets her new stepbrother, Nick. What starts as a clash of personalities slowly turns into intense feelings between them.
Style similarity
Most similar in: fast pacing, high tension, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: much more action-heavy, much more violent, noticeably darker tone
A love story between two young people from different worlds: she’s a modest girl from a wealthy family, and he’s an impulsive rebel who’s always living on the edge.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, fast pacing, high tension
Biggest differences: noticeably more action-heavy, noticeably more violent, slightly darker tone
3. Purple Hearts
Romance Drama2022 · 2h 2min
United States, United Kingdom
Director: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
Facing money troubles, Cassie and Luke enter into a sham marriage in hopes of securing military benefits and health insurance. While pretending to be a real couple in front of others, they unexpectedly start falling for each other.
Style similarity
Most similar in: fast pacing, moderate hopelessness, high tension
Biggest differences: slightly less romantic
The film follows an unexpected romance between Solène, a single mom, and the young frontman of an ultra-popular boy band. Once their relationship goes public, the couple’s normal life starts to fall apart fast.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: noticeably slower pacing, noticeably less tense, noticeably more humorous
Two neighbors—Travis, a veterinarian, and Gabby, a medical student—fall for each other soon after they meet. But their connection is tested right away: Gabby already has a boyfriend, and Travis wants no commitments.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, moderate hopelessness, slightly dark tone
Biggest differences: noticeably slower pacing, slightly less tense, slightly less complex
Dave is hopelessly into the prettiest girl at school, Aubrey, who’s dating a cocky macho guy. After they run into each other at a party, a friendship sparks—one that slowly starts to turn into something more.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: noticeably less tense, noticeably slower pacing, noticeably less bleak
Veronica’s life is turned upside down after her parents’ divorce. Forced to spend the summer with her father alongside her younger brother, she ends up experiencing her first love.
Style similarity
Most similar in: moderate hopelessness, slightly dark tone, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: noticeably less tense, noticeably slower pacing, slightly less romantic
Raquel’s long-standing crush on the boy next door begins to turn into something more when he starts to develop feelings for her—despite her parents’ disapproval.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, high tension, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: slightly slower pacing
9. Love, Rosie
Romance Drama Comedy2014 · 1h 42min
United Kingdom, Germany
Director: Christian Ditter
Rosie and Alex have been best friends since childhood. They’ve loved each other for a long time, but indecision and a twist of fate keep them from admitting their feelings. After finishing school, Alex goes off to a university in Boston, and Rosie unexpectedly becomes pregnant by a classmate...
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, fast pacing, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: much more humorous, noticeably less tense, noticeably less bleak
A girl from a wealthy family falls for an ordinary guy. Her father and the big gap in their families’ social status immediately create serious obstacles for the relationship.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, high tension, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: noticeably slower pacing, slightly less bleak
High school senior Sutter, who lives only for today, unexpectedly connects with a quiet classmate after one messy night of partying—his complete opposite. Even though they seem to have almost nothing in common, they gradually grow closer in a surprising way.
Style similarity
Most similar in: moderate hopelessness, high tension, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: noticeably slower pacing, noticeably less romantic, noticeably more humorous
An ordinary high school girl makes a pact with her best friend to never date each other’s relatives or exes. But everything gets complicated when she accidentally kisses his brother at a school fair.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, fast pacing, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: much more humorous, noticeably less bleak, noticeably less tense
High school star and rebel Landon is forced to stay after school and work as punishment after a bad incident. There he gets to know the unassuming Jamie, and over time feelings grow between them.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, moderate hopelessness, slightly dark tone
Biggest differences: noticeably less tense, noticeably slower pacing, noticeably less complex
14. To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Comedy Romance2018 · 1h 40min
United States
Director: Susan Johnson
High schooler Lara writes secret letters to every boy she’s ever had a crush on and keeps them like a personal diary. But one day someone mails the letters to the boys—and it changes her life completely.
Style similarity
Most similar in: very romantic, fast pacing, moderate complexity
Biggest differences: much more humorous, noticeably less tense, much less bleak
Other films in the series
You might also like
Films like Through My Window (2022)
This selection of films similar to Through My Window includes romantic dramas about complicated and sometimes forbidden relationships, strong attraction between young protagonists, and the trials their feelings must endure. These are passionate, dramatic, and at times toxic stories with a vivid youthful vibe.
Top 10 Movies Like The Kissing Booth (2018)
On this page, we’ve gathered films similar to (“The Kissing Booth”)[movie_id=454983]: light teen rom-coms about first love, school drama, and growing up. The collection explores friendships tested by romantic feelings, relationships between the popular crowd and those outside it, as well as the choice between following your heart and listening to common sense. What ties these films together is a fast pace, plenty of humor, flirtation, and lots of romance. The closest matches are (“To All the Boys I've Loved Before”)[movie_id=466282], (“The Perfect Date”)[movie_id=543540], (“Love, Simon”)[movie_id=449176], and (“Isn't It Romantic”)[movie_id=449563].
16 Movies Like My Fault (2023) You Should Watch Next
If you liked "My Fault", we have selected similar movies about passionate love, forbidden relationships, and feelings between people from different social worlds. At the center of this collection are strong chemistry, intense emotions, and the gradual bond between characters who at first seem completely incompatible. The protagonists of these films face obstacles such as a complicated past, differences in social status, and pressure from family and society. The list includes popular young-adult romantic dramas such as "After", "Through My Window", "Purple Hearts", and "Three Steps Above Heaven", as well as lighter romantic stories.
About the movie After
Year: 2019
Genres: Romance, Drama
Plot: A well-behaved young college student falls for a charming boy from a wealthy family. Despite the intense attraction between them, their clashing personalities and his past make the relationship dangerous for both.
Keywords: Mistrust, Betrayal, Relentless Pursuit, College, Romance, Orchestrated Revenge, Long-Con Revenge