Looking for a romance to get lost in? There are a lot to be found on Prime Video. Whether you’re after a good cry or something to give you that warm, fuzzy feeling, here are the best picks of the bunch, chosen by Jenna Guillaume.
17 Again (2009)
Watch on Prime VideoZac Efron shows off his comedic timing, playing a 37-year-old man who wakes up to find he’s back in his 17-year-old body. While initially it seems like a second chance at life, it turns out to be an opportunity to reconnect with his children and remember all the things he loves about his wife. Thankfully, the movie uses the quirky premise for humour without ever crossing too far into ‘creep’ territory, and the romance plot is rather sweet.
The Big Sick (2017)
Watch on Prime VideoA quiet kind of rom-com starring Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. Co-written by Nanjiani and his wife Emily V Gordon, and based on their real love story, The Big Sick is about two people enjoying the honeymoon phase of their relationship when one of them gets very, very sick. As you’d expect from such a story, there’s a lot of emotional moments, but it’s the warm humour and affection infused in every scene that makes it really special.
Brokeback Mountain (2006)
Watch on Prime VideoFeaturing incredible performances from Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams, Ang Lee’s tearjerker about the relationship between two men in America’s west in the ‘60s through to the ‘80s was not only commercially successful but critically acclaimed when it was released in 2005, winning three Academy Awards. Make sure you watch with tissues handy.
Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
Watch on Prime VideoThis 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.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Watch on Prime VideoOne 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.
Down with Love (2003)
Watch on Prime VideoThis quirky, candy-coloured pastiche of ‘60s rom-that is just a really good time. The sets and costumes are dazzling, and Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor hit the right amount of goofy as a pair of rival writers whose opinions on gender and relationships differ greatly. Until they start falling for each other, of course.
The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981)
Watch on Prime VideoBased on the novel of the same name by John Fowles and telling two love stories simultaneously, The French Lieutenant’s Woman remains a beautiful and compelling movie nearly four decades after its release. The performances are a particular highlight, with Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons playing both sets of lovers.
His Girl Friday (1940)
Watch on Prime VideoCary Grant and Rosalind Russell star as an editor and journalist who were formerly married and who reconnect while investigating a big story involving a murderer. Known for its fast, snappy dialogue and screwball comedy, His Girl Friday is one of the most significant classic rom-coms and a must-watch for any romance fan.
A Knight’s Tale (2001)
Watch on Prime VideoA 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.
Legend (1985)
Watch on Prime VideoLegend is whimsical, deeply bizarre and kind of terrible in places—but also kind of amazing in a very specific, very 1985 way. You’ve got Tom Cruise before he got his teeth done, Mia Sara as a princess, unicorns, fairies, and Tim Curry as a disturbingly sexy devil-type figure. At its heart is a love story, and around it is chaos. It’s a real ride.
Life As We Know It (2010)
Watch on Prime VideoFor some reason it’s quite a popular romance trope to play with the tragic godparents-have-to-actually-become-parents-due-to-horrific-death idea. Considering the rather dark premise, this rom-com, with Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel as the godparents in question, is surprisingly sweet.
Love, Rosie (2014)
Watch on Prime VideoBased on the popular novel Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern, Love Rosie follows the titular Rosie (Lily Collins) and her best friend Alex (Sam Claflin) over a number of years. Their lives go on different paths when Rosie unexpectedly gets pregnant straight out of high school, and Alex moves to America. Their story is full of the kind of yearning and warmth that makes it the ultimate comfort watch.
The Lucky One (2012)
Watch on Prime VideoBased on a Nicholas Sparks novel, you know what you’re going to get off that fact alone: pretty, white people falling in love, with a good dose of angst, some steamy scenes, and probably a death or two. The Lucky One checks all the boxes, and it’s not a particularly great movie, but it’s perfect for when you’re in the mood to cry and/or ogle Zac Efron, who plays a US marine who tracks down the woman in a photo he finds while in duty in Iraq.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
Watch on Prime VideoThis is kind of like Groundhog Day for angsty teens. Mark (Kyle Allen) thinks he’s the only one experiencing the same day over and over again, caught in a time loop that’s slowly driving him mad, until he runs into Margaret (Kathryn Newton), who is experiencing it too — and who, unlike Mark, isn’t particularly keen for it to end. It’s a bit heavy-handed in its messaging at times, but it’s also a sweet teen romance that explores deeper topics like grief.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)
Watch on Prime VideoA playful, sensual and occasionally very silly take on Shakespeare’s iconic play, this movie is worth watching for the incredible cast alone: Michelle Pfeiffer, Stanley Tucci, Christian Bale, Rupert Everette and Calista Flockhart. It’s a fantastical delight that perfectly distracts from the real world.
The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
Watch on Prime VideoProduced 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.
The Notebook (2004)
Watch on Prime VideoFor better or worse, The Notebook is one of the most popular romance movies of all time. The chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams is scorching hot, the pair playing teenage sweethearts who are kept apart by her meddling family. and reunite years later. It’s definitely the best movie based on a Nicholas Sparks novel (of which there are many).
Sylvie’s Love (2020)
Watch on Prime VideoThe kind of classic romance that’s about yearning and impossible choices and second chances; Sylvie’s Love is a sweet and tender movie starring Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Eva Longoria, and Regé-Jean Page. Thompson plays the titular Sylvie, who dreams of being a TV producer and falls for an up-and-coming jazz player despite being engaged to another man. As the years pass, she must navigate her conflicting dreams and responsibilities in her search for true love—and herself.
Top End Wedding (2019)
Watch on Prime VideoThe delightful Miranda Tapsell not only stars in but also co-wrote and executive produced Top End Wedding, a heartfelt Aussie rom-com about an ambitious lawyer named Lauren who heads to her hometown Darwin to get married, only to discover her mother has gone missing. Cue a roadtrip to search for her which doubles as Lauren’s own journey to discover herself.
Twilight (2008)
Watch on Prime VideoTwilight 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.
