Top 21 Romantic Movies on Netflix That are Worth Watching
Romance movies have this magical way of pulling you into worlds where every emotion feels exciting, loving, comforting, and sometimes tear-jerking. Whether you like the fluffiest, funniest romantic comedies on Netflix or one of those love stories that never leave your head, Netflix always has plenty of romance films up its sleeve. It turns out the romance genre is the most-streamed on the platform worldwide, with Netflix noting strong engagement with 'date night' content and even the classic feel-good love story. From sweet teen romance tales to heartbreaking dramas and modern classics, we've curated a solid selection for every mood.
In this guide, we cover 21 of the best romantic films on Netflix, love movies to watch, including their cast, director, release year, how to watch them, and why each film earned its spot on this list. If you are looking to create a perfect movie night or simply find yourself searching for the best romance films, this is the place to start. Here are the best Netflix romance movies:
1. To all the Boys I've Loved Before
The charm of this teen romance instantly made it one of Netflix's biggest breakthrough hits. The movie follows Lara Jean as her secret love letters to her crushes are accidentally mailed. The warmth, humor, awkward young love, and tender feelings within this movie make it incredibly relatable and connect directly with younger audiences worldwide.
Year: 2018
EW grade: A-
Director: Susan Johnson
Cast: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo
Watch on: Netflix.
This romance took center stage as a major date-night film when it was released, largely due to the incredible chemistry shared between the leads.
2. Purple Hearts
The mixture of love, sacrifice, and personal hardship creates an emotional journey in this military romance. When a struggling musician and a Marine enter into a fake marriage that soon blossoms into genuine romance, it takes viewers on a journey through financial difficulties, health complications, personal healing, and even modern warfare.
Year: 2022
EW grade: B+
Director: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
Cast: Sofia Carson, Nicholas Galitzine
Watch on Netflix.
The soundtrack and storytelling kept the movie trending globally for many weeks.
3. Set It Up
Netflix workplace romantic comedies are a joy to watch, and 'Set it Up' lives up to the hype. Two overworked assistants set up their respective bosses with each other in an attempt to earn themselves some leisure time. The dialogue moves at breakneck speed, with a very smart take on office humor and captivating leads.
Year: 2018
EW grade: A-
Director: Claire Scanlon
Cast: Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Lucy Liu
Watch on Netflix.
The film's quick dialogue and modern, funny take on rom-com tropes make it highly rewatchable.
4. The Notebook
Even though many years have passed since it first came out, this still holds up as one of the most enduring love stories to watch. Noah and Allie's tumultuous relationship continues to pull in audiences around the world. The highly emotional story, memorable rain scene, and poignant ending have defined modern romantic cinema for millions.
Year: 2004
EW grade: A
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams
Watch on: Netflix (availability varies)
The heartbreaking ending remains one of the most iconic moments in any romance film.
5. Always Be My Maybe
This is a funny, heartfelt rom-com about childhood best friends who bump into each other again as grown-ups! A great mixture of laughter, reminiscing, and growing up. Beyond the romance, the film also explores career success, the importance of the past, cultural identity, and how enduring friendships can evolve into long-lasting romantic relationships.
Year: 2019
EW grade: B+
Director: Nahnatchka Khan
Cast: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves
Watch on Netflix.
The brief appearance by Keanu Reeves as himself was a standout and went viral.
6. Love at First Sight
It's an interesting romance drama adapted from the book series of the same name, about two strangers who meet on a plane and feel instant love. This feel-good, emotional, and hope-filled movie is ideal for anyone who loves tales of instant romance and true love.
Year: 2023
EW grade: B
Director: Vanessa Caswill
Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Ben Hardy
Watch on Netflix.
This film's gentle, emotional storytelling will really appeal to romance lovers looking for something with heart.
7. Someone Great
Although it centers on the romance story of a couple, 'Someone Great' really blossoms as a story of friendship, heartbreak, and personal healing. The film focuses on a woman recovering from a breakup and navigating the importance of close female friendships as she moves on with her life. It has the emotional resonance and realistic portrayal of modern relationships and healing that appeals to a wide audience.
Year: 2019
EW grade: A-
Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow
Watch on Netflix.
Reportedly, a certain superstar singer even inspired some of the movie's deeply emotional scenes.
8. The Perfect Find
A talented fashion editor, looking to restart her career, falls for a younger man whose mother is her new boss. A contemporary spin on the romance genre, this film oozes style and explores themes of career ambition, insecurity, and established romance, which most can identify with. Perfect for a stylish romance with a grown-up audience.
Year: 2023
EW grade: B
Director: Numa Perrier
Starring: Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers
Where to watch: Netflix
The genre-bending hit seamlessly intertwines romance, career objectives, and style.
9. Your Place or Mine
This long-distance romantic comedy stars Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher as best friends who develop unexpected romantic feelings for one another. The film expertly highlights the beauty of friendship, the importance of timing and individual routines, and how distance can sometimes reveal that two people might just be perfect for each other.
Year: 2023
EW grade: B-
Director: Aline Brosh McKenna
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher
Watch on Netflix.
If you are a fan of those classic, lighthearted rom-coms from the early 2000s, you are going to love the nostalgic vibes of this movie.
10. The Half of It
This unique coming-of-age romance movie takes a fresh approach to love stories. The film centers on friendship, identity, personal growth, and vulnerability, with well-written dialogue and a beautifully honest portrayal of emotions.
Year: 2020
EW grade: A
Director: Alice Wu
Cast: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer
Watch on Netflix.
The movie's intelligence and heartfelt story earned it widespread critical praise.
11. Holidate
Two strangers who meet by chance on Christmas decide to become each other's designated plus-ones for holiday gatherings throughout the year. This movie combines holiday humor, the modern dating world, personal growth, and some really great chemistry between the main characters during each season.
Year: 2020
EW grade: B
Director: John Whitesell
Cast: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey
Watch on Netflix.
Considered to be one of the more entertaining seasonal rom-coms available on Netflix.
12. The Kissing Booth
This teen romance became one of Netflix’s top romantic hits worldwide, and The Kissing Booth proved why: friendship conflicts, first love, and all the tough choices they involve were widely loved among youngsters across the world.
Year: 2018
EW grade: C+
Director: Vince Marcello
Cast: Joey King, Jacob Elordi
Watch on Netflix.
Its massive popularity resulted in a successful trilogy.
13. Marriage Story
Technically, this is a divorce drama, but its raw portrayal of love makes it a must-watch for romance movie fans. The emotional performances from the leads feel incredibly real and painfully honest in their portrayal of a love story's ending.
Year: 2019
EW grade: A
Director: Noah Baumbach
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver
Watch on Netflix.
The movie's incredible emotional performances earned it several award nominations.
14. A Tourist's Guide to Love
It is the best, feel-good movie that combines travel with romance in Vietnam. With its scenic views, culture-filled activities, healing journey, and accidental love story, it is perhaps the most beautiful-looking romance movie to come from Netflix in a while.
Year: 2023
EW grade: B
Director: Steven K. Tsuchida
Cast: Rachael Leigh Cook, Scott Ly
Watch on Netflix.
It makes you feel like you're packing your bags and jetting off on holiday.
15. Along for the Ride
This summer-centered romance with a coming-of-age and healing theme depicts loneliness, the confusion of adolescence, raw emotional honesty, and incredible growth. Spanning across one transformative summer by the sea just before entering adulthood.
Release year: 2022
EW grade: B-
Director: Sofia Alvarez
Cast: Emma Pasarow, Belmont Cameli
Watch on Netflix.
This movie embodies the feeling of being a teenager.
16. Malcolm & Marie
This film depicts one night of raw emotions in black and white. Sharp, sensitive dialogue, intense relationship drama, incredible openness, and breathtaking performances bring an intimate cinematic experience unlike anything you would usually watch.
Release year: 2021
EW grade: B+
Director: Sam Levinson
Cast: Zendaya, John David Washington
Watch on Netflix.
This movie is one to remember because of its conversation-heavy nature and stunning performances.
17. The Last Letter From Your Lover
This film tells the story of a journalist uncovering old letters from an epic love affair. This is an emotional, beautiful, and exciting film for all romance lovers thanks to its sentimental storytelling, hidden secrets, yearning for love, and a dual timeline.
Release year: 2021
EW grade: B
Director: Augustine Frizzell
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Felicity Jones
Watch on Netflix.
This dual-sided film delivers the most touching and emotive story.
18. Falling Inn Love
A big-city woman inherits a neglected inn in New Zealand, and romance finds her there in unexpected ways. Cozy countryside aesthetics, emotional healing, renovation hijinks, and charming chemistry between the leads make this movie the perfect choice for a weekend when you're looking to relax.
Release Year: 2019
EW Grade: B-
Director: Roger Kumble
Cast: Christina Milian, Adam Demos
Watch on Netflix.
This cozy romance quickly became a fan favorite, with viewers watching it repeatedly.
19. Persuasion
This film is a story about missed opportunities and lost love, based on a well-known book by Jane Austen. Themes of remorse, emotional maturity, societal expectations, and enduring love make this the kind of Austen-inspired romance that continues to be popular with a modern streaming audience.
Release Year: 2022
EW Grade: C+
Director: Carrie Cracknell
Cast: Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis
Watch on Netflix.
This film sparked a good deal of discussion among Jane Austen fans about modernization.
20. Duck Butter
An unusual romance that looks into intimacy and emotional vulnerability over the span of 24 hours. The movie offers an exploration of communication, honesty, personal boundaries, and modern dating through experimental, unique, yet incredibly realistic storytelling.
Release Year: 2018
EW Grade: B
Director: Miguel Arteta
Cast: Alia Shawkat, Laia Costa
Watch on Netflix.
Its approach to romance is unconventional in the best way.
21. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Although the movie is primarily a comedy, there are some underlying romantic feelings between the lead characters that add to its appeal. Musical numbers, hilarious moments, loyal friendship, and a surprisingly tender romance made this movie extremely popular with fans worldwide once it was released.
Release Year: 2020
EW Grade: B+
Director: David Dobkin
Cast: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams
Watch on Netflix.
The score and finale of this romantic comedy brought unexpected love to the movie.
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Conclusion
Romantic movies on Netflix go beyond simple love stories. Many provide laughter, others heartbreak, and some remind you just how important the human connection is. Whether it is a classic such as The Notebook or more modern selections like Purple Hearts or Love at First Sight, there is a strong collection of romance movies to stream that are well-suited for everyone.
Anyone looking for rom-coms on Netflix, a good romantic movie, or modern romantic films will find this list to be quite useful. As new romance films continue to be added, guides like this can save you the time you would otherwise spend searching, letting you spend it with the best romance films ready for your next movie-watching session or date.
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FAQs
What are the Best Netflix Date Night Movies?
The best romance movies on Netflix for a date night are Set It Up, Always Be My Maybe, and Your Place or Mine, as they combine humor with love and good vibes. Couples tend to like movies that make them laugh as much as possible while also making them cry without upsetting them; therefore, romantic comedies will do well.
What are the Best Romance Movies on Netflix for Teenagers?
There are several romance films on Netflix suitable for teenagers; these include To All the Boys I've Loved Before and The Kissing Booth. However, one should check the rating, as some films may contain mature content or nudity.
When Will There Be More Romance Movies on Netflix?
New movies and shows are constantly added to Netflix throughout the year, and many original and purchased romance movies appear on the platform each month; one may also observe that new romances flood the platform in time for holidays like Valentine's Day and winter holidays.
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