After backdrop

Films like After (2019)

Published: Feb 27, 2026

Romantic movies similar to After, centered on forbidden love, undeniable passion, toxic relationships, growing up, conflict, and life-defining choices.

My Fault

1. My Fault

Drama Romance Thriller
6.1

2023 · 1h 57min

Spain

Director: Domingo González

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tension, Pacing, Tone, Tropes

Notable differences: Darkness (+30%), Action (+40%), Romance (-15%)

Style

Romance
80%
Pacing
75%
Tension
70%

Three Steps Above Heaven

2. Three Steps Above Heaven

Romance Drama
6.8

2010 · 2h 2min

Spain

Director: Fernando González Molina

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Pacing, Tension, Romance, Tropes, Tone

Style

Romance
85%
Pacing
68%
Tension
62%

Purple Hearts

3. Purple Hearts

Romance Drama
6.7

2022 · 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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tension, Pacing, Themes, Tone

Notable differences: Romance (-15%)

Style

Romance
80%
Pacing
60%
Tension
55%

The Idea of You

4. The Idea of You

Romance Drama Comedy
6.3

2024 · 1h 56min

United States

Director: Michael Showalter

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Romance, Tone, Tropes

Notable differences: Tension (-20%), Pacing (-25%)

Style

Romance
95%
Pacing
45%
Tension
45%

The Choice

5. The Choice

Drama Romance
6.5

2016 · 1h 51min

United States

Director: Ross Katz

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Romance, Tropes, Setting

Notable differences: Tension (-15%), Pacing (-25%)

Style

Romance
85%
Bleakness
55%
Tension
50%

The First Time

6. The First Time

Drama Comedy Romance
6.8

2012 · 1h 35min

United States

Director: Jon Kasdan

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Romance, Conflict, Themes

Notable differences: Tension (-30%), Pacing (-25%)

Style

Romance
85%
Pacing
45%
Humor
40%

The Last Song

7. The Last Song

Drama Family Romance
6.0

2010 · 1h 47min

United States

Director: Julie Anne Robinson

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tropes, Themes


Through My Window

8. Through My Window

Romance Drama Comedy
5.5

2022 · 1h 52min

Spain

Director: Marçal Forés

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tension, Romance, Conflict, Tropes

Notable differences: Pacing (-15%)

Style

Romance
90%
Tension
65%
Pacing
55%

Love, Rosie

9. Love, Rosie

Romance Drama Comedy
7.1

2014 · 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...

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Pacing, Romance, Conflict, Tropes

Notable differences: Tension (-20%), Humor (+45%)

Style

Romance
85%
Pacing
65%
Humor
60%

Endless Love

10. Endless Love

Drama Romance
6.2

2014 · 1h 43min

United States

Director: Shana Feste

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Romance, Tension, Setting, Tone

Notable differences: Pacing (-25%)

Style

Romance
90%
Tension
55%
Pacing
45%

The Spectacular Now

11. The Spectacular Now

Comedy Drama Romance
7.0

2013 · 1h 35min

United States

Director: James Ponsoldt

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Tension, Setting, Conflict

Notable differences: Pacing (-25%), Romance (-25%)

Style

Romance
70%
Tension
55%
Complexity
55%

The Kissing Booth

12. The Kissing Booth

Romance Comedy
5.9

2018 · 1h 45min

United Kingdom

Director: Vince Marcello

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Pacing, Romance, Tone, Tropes

Notable differences: Tension (-20%)

Style

Romance
90%
Pacing
65%
Humor
55%

A Walk to Remember

13. A Walk to Remember

Drama Romance
7.3

2002 · 1h 41min

United States

Director: Adam Shankman

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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Romance, Tropes, Tone

Notable differences: Tension (-25%), Pacing (-25%)

Style

Romance
85%
Bleakness
55%
Pacing
45%

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

14. To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Comedy Romance
7.0

2018 · 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.

Similarity

Closest characteristics: Pacing, Romance, Themes, Conflict

Notable differences: Tension (-30%)

Style

Romance
85%
Pacing
60%
Humor
55%

About the movie After (2019)

After 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.

Style characteristics: Romance, Pacing, Tension