From happy stories to cathartic cry-fests, here are some of the best romantic movies you can stream right now on Netflix, picked by Jenna Guillaume.
Alex Strangelove (2018)
Watch on NetflixA teen rom-com that kind of slipped under the radar back in 2018, Alex Strangelove is a sweet story about boy called Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny) who is trying to figure out his sexuality, as he finds himself torn between the love he feels for his best friend/girlfriend Claire (Madeline Weinstein) and his crush on his new friend Elliot (Antonio Marziale).
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Watch on NetflixCo-written and starring Ali Wong and Randall Park (with Michael Golamco also serving as a co-writer), Always Be My Maybe is a funny rom-com about a pair of childhood friends who meet again as adults and act upon their long pent-up feelings—but not without complications and challenges. It’s worth watching just for the spectacle of Keanu Reeves playing himself.
The Bodyguard (1992)
Watch on Netflix“And IIIIIIIIII-IIII-IIIII will always…” Ah, the movie that spawned one of the best cover songs of all time. Whitney Houston shines in her first acting role as a superstar who is being stalked and hires a bodyguard named Frank (Kevin Costner). The two, naturally, fall in love, which complicates their client/bodyguard relationship. It’s kind of cheesy and over-the-top, which is sometimes just what you need.
Candy Jar (2018)
Watch on NetflixCandy Jar is another under-rated 2018 teen rom-com (with a side of drama—warning: this movie might make you cry). It’s about two ambitious, nerdy students who are debate team rivals with more in common than they at first realise. It’s not a perfect movie, but it gets under your skin in a really lovely way.
Carol (2015)
Watch on NetflixSet in the 1950s, Carol tells the story of a young photographer and her affair with an older woman who is going through a divorce. Starring Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, Carol is based on the semi-autobiographical novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith. From direction and performances to cinematography and costumes, it’s a beautiful movie all around.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Watch on NetflixOne of the most iconic romances of all time, Dirty Dancing is the ultimate comfort viewing: funny, escapist, and just a bit sexy. The chemistry between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in the lead roles of Baby and Johnny is electric, despite (or maybe because of) the fact they reportedly hated each other. And all the dancing is just so fun.
First Daughter (2004)
Watch on NetflixFirst Daughter stars Katie Holmes as the daughter of the president of the United States who just wants to go to college and live a normal life—and who of course falls for a regular student (Marc Blucas). It has to be said that First Daughter is not a particularly good movie, but it sure is fun, and offers a great nostalgic escape.
Grease (1978)
Watch on NetflixHello! It’s Grease! The original high school musical, starring no-one who remotely looks like they’re actually in high school. All part of the charm, of course. The colours are bright, the dance scenes are impeccably choreographed, and the songs themselves are guaranteed to have you singing along and forgetting all your cares for at least an hour or two.
The Half Of It (2020)
Watch on NetflixA Netflix teen movie that went mostly under the radar, this is a tender coming-of-age tale based loosely on Cyrano de Bergerac. Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) is a shy student who makes money by doing her classmates’ homework for them. When she’s approached by jock Paul (Daniel Didmer)—a sweet himbo—to write love letters to popular girl Aster (Alexxis Lemire), things get complicated, as Ellie has feelings for Aster too. The romance is lovely, but the friendship that develops between Ellie and Paul is the true heart of the story.
Holding the Man (2015)
Watch on NetflixHolding the Man was directed by Neil Armfield and adapted from Timothy Conigrave’s 1995 memoir, as well as the play by Tommy Murphy based on it. It tells the love story of Tim and John, who meet in high school and are together for 15 years, during which they both test positive for HIV. Ryan Corr and Craig Stott offer memorable, heart-wrenching performances in the lead roles.
Isn’t it Romantic (2019)
Watch on NetflixAn affectionate parody of rom-coms, this Rebel Wilson vehicle sees her character wake up after an accident to find her world has been turned into a rom-com—complete with the requisite wardrobe, musical numbers, and censored sex scenes. The real highlight of the movie is Liam Hemsworth, who lets his comedic talents free as Wilson’s generic rom-com love interest.
Jersey Girl (2004)
Watch on NetflixRemember Bennifer, the circus that was Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship in the ‘00s? It put a lot of people off this movie (in which the two played a married couple), especially after the disaster that was their earlier movie Gigli. But this is actually a really sweet story of a widower (that’s right—J.Lo isn’t in the movie for long) raising his daughter and learning to love all over again.
A Knight’s Tale (2001)
Watch on NetflixA Knight’s Tale is a completely silly but utterly joyful adventure-comedy. Heath Ledger is at his most playful and charming as a peasant with big dreams to become a knight. It’s the soundtrack that really sets this movie apart though. Featuring modern hits from Queen, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, AC/DC and more, this is not the place to come for historical accuracy—just a good time.
Last Holiday (2006)
Watch on NetflixA retail worker with dreams of becoming a chef discovers she has weeks to live, so she quits her job and jets off on a luxurious holiday where her generous and spontaneous attitude draws admirers, friends, and an enemy or two. Meanwhile, one of her former co-workers is trying to track her down to declare his love before it’s too late. It’s a pretty predictable movie, but thanks to leading lady Queen Latifah’s charm, Last Holiday is an irresistible comfort watch. Happy ending guaranteed.
Late Night (2019)
Watch on NetflixLike Bridesmaids, Late Night isn’t a romance as such, but has a strong (enemies-to-lovers!) romantic element. The brainchild of Mindy Kaling, who also stars, Late Night takes aim at sexism, ageism and racism within the entertainment industry with a light and clever touch. Kaling is wonderful as budding comedy writer Molly, but Emma Thompson’s portrayal of complicated late-night host Katherine Newbury is the real highlight.
Love Actually (2003)
Watch on NetflixRichard Curtis’ ode to love and Christmas is divisive, with many haters—but even more fans. While some parts of the film haven’t aged well, it’s hard not to smile (and occasionally cry) as the interconnected love stories of a group of Londoners unfold. It features one of the most iconic British casts of all time—with Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Liam Neeson and even Mr Bean (aka Rowan Atkinson).
Love & Other Drugs (2010)
Watch on NetflixWhile the story is uneven in places, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway turn in some of their finest work in Love & Other Drugs. They star as a pharmaceutical sales rep and a woman with early-onset Parkinson’s disease, respectively, who start a casual relationship that soon deepens and complicates both their lives.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Watch on NetflixMamma Mia! is as over-the-top, absurd, colourful, and fun as a movie based on a musical based on the catalogue of ABBA should be. With an incredible cast featuring Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie Waters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, and Dominic Cooper, it’s almost impossible to watch Mamma Mia! and not have a good time.
The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
Watch on NetflixProduced and directed by, as well as starring, Barbra Streisand, with Jeff Bridges as her love interest, The Mirror Has Two Faces explores one of the most beloved romance tropes: a marriage of convenience. In this iteration, two professors get married on the condition their relationship stays entirely platonic — predictably, and delightfully, they’re quickly drawn to each other on a whole other level.
Monte Carlo (2011)
Watch on NetflixAnother cute, rather cheesy, mostly forgotten teen rom-com from 2011! This one stars Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy as a group of friends who travel to Europe for a post-graduation trip. A case of mistaken identity propels them on a ridiculous, hijinks-y adventure full of luxury suites and cute guys (what else?). It’s pure popcorn escapism.
The Princess Switch (2018)
Watch on NetflixAn utterly absurd, completely cheesy Christmas romance (aka the best kind), The Princess Switch sees Vanessa Hudgens take on two roles: ordinary Chicago baker Stacy, and Margaret, the Duchess of Montenaro. When the identical women cross paths, they of course switch places to get a taste of another kind of life — and love. It’s double the hijinks, double the romance, and double the fun.
Set It Up (2018)
Watch on NetflixSet It Up plays with familiar rom-com tropes in interesting ways. Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell sparkle as two overworked assistants who set up their bosses (Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu) in an attempt to make their own lives easier. Of course, they only make their lives more complicated—and romantic.
Shrek (2001)
Watch on NetflixThe Disney princess movies might get all the attention when it comes to animated romances, but Shrek actually offers a touching love story about the importance of finding a “true love” who sees and appreciates you exactly as you are. When it was released, it was a refreshing antidote to the standard cheesy Disney fare, and if over the years it’s been memed into ridiculousness, it’s still a very funny and endearing movie.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Watch on NetflixWhile the premise of Slumdog Millionaire—based on the book Q&A by Vikas Swarup—is that of a young Indian man being accused of cheating on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, it’s actually a deeply romantic story. Main character Jamal, played by Dev Patel, will do anything for the love of his life, Latika (Freida Pinto). It’s the ultimate feel-good movie.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
Watch on NetflixReminiscent of the golden age of teen rom-coms (ie the ‘80s and ‘90s), To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a sweet story of an introverted girl, Lara Jean Covey, who pretends to date one of the most popular boys in school and inevitably falls in love with him. While Noah Centineo garnered a lot of attention for his dreamy portrayal of love interest Peter Kavinsky, it’s really Lana Condor’s warmth and light comedic touch as Lara Jean that elevates the movie to an instant classic.
Twilight (2008)
Watch on NetflixTwilight really needs no introduction. You either love it or you hate it, but either way you definitely know about this tortured teen vampire romance. Twelve years on, it’s time we all admitted this movie was unfairly maligned. Sure, it’s very bad in places, but there’s still something incredibly compelling and fun about it. The cast are great and the soundtrack is especially a highlight.
What Men Want (2019)
Watch on NetflixA remake of 2000’s What Women Want, this time the brilliant Taraji P. Henson replacing Mel Gibson in the lead role as someone who wakes up one day with the ability to read the thoughts of the opposite sex. The humour here feels less like it is punching down than its predecessor, and honestly placing women of colour in roles that used to belong to white men is never going to be a bad decision. Especially when they’re Taraji P. Henson.
What’s Your Number? (2011)
Watch on NetflixAn underrated gem from 2011 starring Anna Faris as a woman in her 30s who, after deciding she’s slept with too many men, vows to be celibate until she meets “the one”. The movie is actually far more sex positive than it sounds, and overall it’s a very enjoyable ride—helped along by Chris Evans’ charming (and yes, often shirtless) performance as the love interest.
