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.
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)
Watch on NetflixIf the title didn’t give it away, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging is a very funny British teen rom-com. It’s simultaneously painfully real and ridiculously over-the-top, following main character Georgia Nicolson as he embarks on her quest to throw an epic birthday party and kiss teen rock god Robbie (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson with an extremely ‘00s haircut).
Baby Driver (2017)
Watch on NetflixWhatever your feelings on the cast (namely Kevin Spacey), there’s no denying Baby Driver is an incredible movie. The romance isn’t even the strongest element — although it is a strong one — and actually, the story overall is secondary to the visual and aural elements of the film. It’s stylish, colourful, and exhilarating, with incredibly choreographed car chases, and scenes synchronised beautifully to a stand-out soundtrack.
Bridesmaids (2011)
Watch on NetflixBridesmaids is more comedy than romantic comedy, but there is a very sweet romantic plot that makes it impossible not to include on this list. Ultimately, though, it’s about a woman’s journey to get her life together, and the complicated, beautiful friendships that exist in her orbit. Oh, and there’s a heavy dose of toilet humour.
Burlesque (2010)
Watch on NetflixNot a particularly good film by any stretch of the imagination, but a damn good time. Starring Cher, Christina Aguilera, Stanley Tucci, and Cam Gigandet, this is a campy musical set in a burlesque club about a small town girl who finds her voice on the stage. Perfect for switching your brain off for two hours.
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.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Watch on NetflixBased on the book by Andre Aciman, Call Me By Your Name is a languorous and exquisite coming-of-age tale set in Italy in 1983. Timothee Chalamet stuns as Elio, a 17-year-old who falls in love with 24-year-old Oliver (Armie Hammer) when he comes to work for Elio’s father for the summer. There are many scenes that stick with you for a long time after the movie is over—with the final shot (set to Sufjan Stevens’ Visions of Gideon)—a particular gut-punch.
Chalet Girl (2011)
Watch on NetflixThis is a cute teen rom-com that largely went under the radar when it was released in 2011. Felicity Jones stars as former skateboarding champion who is grieving the death of her mother. When she gets a job as a ‘chalet girl’ in the Alps, she discovers a love for snowboarding that helps her work through her grief. Naturally, she also finds love of the human variety in the rich son of the family she works for.
Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
Watch on NetflixThis movie features peak rom-com Ryan Gosling alongside one of his favourite collaborators, Emma Stone, in a ridiculously cute opposites-attract love story. But the real heart of it comes from Steve Carell’s portrayal of Cal, a middle-aged man who is dumped by his wife (Julianne Moore) and tries to get his mojo back with the help of Gosling’s ultra suave Jacob. It’s not perfect, but it’s so much 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.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (2018)
Watch on NetflixA visually beautiful period film set in post-World War II Guernsey, based on the popular novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It tells the story of an author who travels to the titular location to meet with a book club that piques her attention, discovering a heartbreaking mystery and a heart-mending love while there. The cast are wall-to-wall charming, including Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Jessica Brown Findlay, Glen Powell and Matthew Goode.
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.
The Holiday (2006)
Watch on NetflixNow this is where you turn when you need nothing but warm, lovely Christmassy cheer. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet play two strangers who swap homes for a much-needed break from their respective lives, each finding new love and a new lease on life along the way. Jude Law and Jack Black round out the cast, with Jude Law in particular at his most British, blue-eyed best.
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.
Little Women (2019)
Watch on NetflixGreta Gerwig’s take on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about four sisters growing up in Civil War America is a stunning exploration of the characters we know and love. The cast including regular Gerwig collaborators is a strength, with Saoirse Ronan offering a strong Jo Marches and Timothée Chalamet believably dreamy as boy-next-door Laurie. Florence Pugh as Amy March is the true highlight, though (even if she doesn’t remotely look like the child she’s meant to be in the younger sequences).
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.
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, hijinksy 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.
She’s The Man (2006)
Watch on NetflixAmanda Bynes is at her comedic best in this modern take on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, in which Bynes plays a high school soccer star who disguises herself as her twin brother in order to compete in a boy’s tournament. Along the way she falls in love with Duke, played by Channing Tatum in one of his first movie roles.
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.
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.
