7 Romantic Movies That Will Renew Your Faith in Love
Whatever your mood this February 14th, watching one of these films will warm your heart and raise your spirits
Focus Features02.08.2017
Whether your Valentine’s Day plans involve confessing your deepest feelings to a longtime love or holing up at a friend’s for a night of popcorn and support, now is the time to queue up a romantic movie or two on your home screens. But not just any movie will do – nothing too sweet or sappy will satisfy you. After all, true love is serious business.
We've selected seven of our favorite films which tackle the grand subject of love in thoughtful and provocative ways. They could hardly be more varied in subject matter or setting – spanning everything from institutional racism to theoretical physics, everywhere from 1950s Virginia and 18th-century England to 1830s France and contemporary Los Angeles. As different as these films are, they all remind us that regardless of the circumstances, love will prevail.
Loving
The most romantic films often feature lovers who are tragically kept apart due to circumstances beyond their control. In the case of Mildred and Richard Loving, the young couple was arrested for being in an interracial marriage in 1958 Virginia, a state in which the union between people of different races was banned. Directed by Jeff Nichols, Loving, the fictionalized version of the Lovings' story, stars Joel Edgerton as Richard and Ruth Negga as Mildred in an Academy Award-nominated performance. The politically relevant film shows the couple as they tackle the unjust law. But what’s most inspiring is the quiet, tender devotion they show one another, despite their difficult circumstances.
Loving is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD.
Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga in Loving
The Theory of Everything
For the brainy Valentine, look no further than the Academy Award-nominated The Theory of Everything, which tells the heart-wrenching story of Stephen Hawking, the renowned astrophysicist, as he falls madly in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. In an Academy Award-winning performance, Eddie Redmayne plays Hawking, who learned at age 21 that he has a debilitating motor neuron disease. Despite the medical odds, Hawking pursues his ambitious study of time with Jane (Felicity Jones), now his wife, by his side. Based on Jane Wilde Hawking's memoir, Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, the film doesn't sugarcoat the ups and downs of the couple's tumultuous relationship. But nobody ever said true love would be easy.
Watch The Theory of Everything now on iTunes.
Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything
Beginners
From the plot description alone, you might not peg Beginners as a love story at all. Yet, it's deeply romantic.Mike Mills’s autobiographical feature stars Ewan McGregor as Oliver, a lonely guy unlucky in love, who learns that his elderly father, Hal, played by Christopher Plummer in an Academy Award-winning performance, is gay. As Oliver watches his father embrace his new identity and battle with terminal cancer, he makes peace with his own past. Hal's relationship with his young lover (Goran Višnjić) shows Oliver that it's never too late to find love. When he meets the beautiful and impetuous Anna (Mélanie Laurent), he allows himself to open up to romantic love and the result is transcendent.
Watch Beginners now on iTunes.
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
We realize that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is not an obvious pick for Valentine’s Day, especially since the first line of the film trashes Cupid's holiday. As the hapless Joel (Jim Carrey) says, it's "a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap." But soon after, Joel meets Clementine (Kate Winslet), a kooky girl with blue hair, and the chemistry between them can't be denied. It's almost as if they've met before…Without giving away too much about the inventive plot, we can say that even social misfits can find true love and even if you try to erase someone from your life, the heart remembers. Ultimately, with all of its imperfections, disappointments, heartache and boredom, love is still worth the effort. As Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly put it in his review of the film, "Watching Eternal Sunshine, you don't just watch a love story – you fall in love with what love really is."
Watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind now on iTunes.
Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Les Miserables
There are many types of love on display in Tom Hooper’s 2012 adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel Les Misérables: parental love, love of God and romantic love. Set in France during the early 19th century, the sweeping drama tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who sets out to redeem himself.His love for his adoptive daughter, Cosette, gives him purpose. Played by a wide-eyed Amanda Seyfried, Cosette finds love at first sight with Marius, the dashing young student revolutionary brought to life by Eddie Redmayne. Though circumstances conspire to keep them apart, the two young lovers are meant to be together. A perfect movie to watch with your history-loving partner. Just be sure to keep tissues handy.
Watch Les Miserables now on iTunes.
Samantha Barks and Eddie Redmayne in Universal Pictures' Les Miserables
Moonrise Kingdom
When we think "young love," we don’t usually have pre-teens in mind. Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of 12-year-old Sam (Jared Gilman), an orphaned junior khaki scout, and Suzy (Kara Hayward), a juvenile delinquent in a mini dress. The misfit pen pals hatch a plan to run away together. Evading a troop of khaki scouts, Suzy's feuding parents, the local police, and Social Services, the two have a makeshift wedding ceremony and spend a romantic night in a tent on a beach. With their undying dedication to each other, the two young lovebirds manage to find their own small piece of paradise while teaching the adults to be better people. As Suzy says, "We're in love. We just want to be together. What's wrong with that?" As far as we can tell, nothing.
Watch Moonrise Kingdom now on iTunes.
Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward in Moonrise Kingdom
Pride & Prejudice
You've seen the romantic comedy where two people meet and instantly hate each other and you know at once they’ll end up together. It's the opposite of love at first sight, but the attraction can be just as strong. In director Joe Wright's , based on Jane Austen’s classic tale of love and misunderstandings in class-conscious England at the end of the 18th century, Keira Knightley plays the strong-willed, quick-witted Elizabeth Bennet, who is determined to marry for love, and takes an immediate dislike to a certain Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen). You'll be rooting for the two of them to realize they're meant to be together and you'll swoon when Darcy finally woos her with one of cinema's most romantic speeches ever. "You have bewitched me body and soul," he tells her. We're bewitched too.
Watch Pride and Prejudice now on iTunes.
Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in Pride & Prejudice
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FAQs
Which is the No 1 romantic movie in the world? ›
1. “Casablanca” (1942)
What movies teach us about relationships? ›- As Good as it Gets – Love can bring out your best. ...
- Be My Valentine Charlie Brown – Just because you don't get a Valentine, doesn't mean you aren't lovable.
- Casablanca. ...
- Casper: Don't let go. ...
- Cinderella. ...
- Dan in Real Life. ...
- Don Juan DeMarco. ...
- Ghost.
- The Notebook (2004) Courtesy. ...
- Love Jones (1997) Everett. ...
- Casablanca (1942) Courtesy. ...
- Pride & Prejudice (2005) Courtesy. ...
- In the Mood for Love (2000) Courtesy. ...
- When Harry Met Sally (1989) Courtesy. ...
- Titanic (1997) Courtesy. ...
- The Best Man (1999) Grab a plus-one for Malcolm D.
- Amelie.
- Control (Ian Curtis biopic)
- Free Solo.
- The wind that shakes the barley.
- Dead mans shoes.
Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor were joined at the lips for their film 'Befikre'. The two shared 23 on-screen kisses that is among the most we've ever seen in Bollywood.
What to watch when you want to be in love? ›- 500 Days of Summer (2009) PG-13 | 95 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance. ...
- About Time (I) (2013) R | 123 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy. ...
- Titanic (1997) ...
- La La Land (2016) ...
- Hepta: The Last Lecture (2016) ...
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012) ...
- Pride & Prejudice (2005) ...
- The Notebook (2004)
You're not alone. We've all gotten emotionally attached to fictional characters or lost ourselves in the world of a TV show or movie, especially when we binge watch.
What are some healthy relationships in movies? ›- Landon Carter & Jamie Sullivan.
- Dylan Harper & Jamie Rellis.
- Patrick Verona & Kat Stratford.
- Derek Reynolds & Sara Johnson.
- Pride and Prejudice (1813) by Jane Austen. ...
- Wuthering Heights (1847) by Emily Brontë ...
- Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Brontë ...
- Anna Karenina (1877) by Leo Tolstoy. ...
- Gone With the Wind (1936) by Margaret Mitchell. ...
- Doctor Zhivago (1957) by Boris Pasternak. ...
- Love Story (1970) by Erich Segal.
- 8/10 The Notebook.
- 7/10 Eyes Wide Shut.
- 6/10 Fargo.
- 5/10 The Godfather.
- 4/10 Se7en.
- 3/10 Psycho.
- 2/10 Titanic.
- 1/10 The Shawshank Redemption.
Whats is your number? ›
What's Your Number? is a 2011 American romantic comedy film directed by Mark Mylod and starring Anna Faris and Chris Evans. Written by Gabrielle Allan and Jennifer Crittenden, it is based on Karyn Bosnak's book 20 Times a Lady.
How can I be romantic to my boyfriend? ›- Hide a love note in his wallet.
- Send a sweet text message for no reason at all.
- Send a sexy text message for a very good reason.
- Invite him on a date for a change.
- Let him talk without interrupting.
- Cook his favorite dinner.
- Make sure his favorite clothes are clean and ready to wear.
- 'the Photograph' (2020) ...
- 'love & Basketball' (2000) ...
- 'crazy Rich Asians' (2018) ...
- 'sylvie's Love' (2020) ...
- 'crazy, Stupid, Love' (2011) ...
- 'to All The Boys I've Loved Before' (2018) ...
- 'love Jones' (1997) ...
- 'the Big Sick' (2017)
- The Godfather. ...
- Casablanca. ...
- Rear Window. ...
- Boyhood. ...
- Vertigo. ...
- Three Colors: Red. ...
- Notorious. ...
- Citizen Kane.
Star classification is a type of rating scale utilizing a star glyph or similar typographical symbol. It is used by reviewers for ranking things such as films, TV shows, restaurants, and hotels. For example, a system of one to five stars is commonly used in hotel ratings, with five stars being the highest rating.
What is the longest kiss for? ›The longest kiss lasted 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds, achieved by Ekkachai Tiranarat and Laksana Tiranarat (both Thailand) at an event organized by Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Who kissed first in the world? ›While the true origin of kissing remains a mystery, historians have found in India the earliest references to the practice. Four major texts in the Vedic Sanskrit literature suggest an early form of kissing. Dating from 1500 B.C., they describe the custom of rubbing and pressing noses together.
What's the longest makeout? ›After 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds, Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat of Thailand were the last couple still kissing -- beating the competition and holding the new Guinness World Record for world's longest continuous kiss.
How do I fall in love? ›- Be aware of your headspace. ...
- Change up your methods for attracting a mate. ...
- Look for someone for the right reasons. ...
- Stop putting so much pressure on the situation. ...
- Be okay with the reality that might not work out. ...
- Take a break if you need it.
...
- Incendies, 2010, 2011. ...
- The Hunt, 2012, 2013. ...
- A Separation, 2011. ...
- The Handmaiden, 2016. ...
- Fallen Angels, 1995. ...
- Yi Yi, 2000. ...
- The Salt of the Earth, 2014. ...
- The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, 2011.
What should I watch while in bed? ›
- The World's Most Extraordinary Homes. ...
- The Universe. ...
- Gilmore Girls. ...
- Headspace Guide to Sleep. ...
- Forensic Files. ...
- Queer Eye. ...
- Cabins In the Wild. ...
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Gauntlet.
An emotional attachment is a strong, loving connection between two people. It can be between friends, family members, or romantic partners.
How do you know if you are emotionally attached or in love? ›Love evokes fond feelings and actions toward the other person, particularly. Attachment is driven by how you feel about yourself with the degree of permanence and safety someone gives you, based on your past relationships. In other words, with love, your person is “the one” you have feelings for.
Does emotionally attached mean love? ›Yes, you need a healthy emotional attachment to have love, but emotional attachment does not mean you are in love. Again, emotional attachment is needs-based, and we seek to be with others to get our specific needs met.
What are the 5 things healthy relationships are based on? ›- 1: Open communication. One hallmark of a healthy relationship is the ability to communicate openly. ...
- 2: Listening and feeling heard. Having someone listen to us and feeling heard is important. ...
- 3: Working through disagreements. ...
- 4: Mutual intimacy. ...
- 5: Trust.
Healthy relationships involve honesty, trust, respect and open communication between partners and they take effort and compromise from both people. There is no imbalance of power. Partners respect each other's independence, can make their own decisions without fear of retribution or retaliation, and share decisions.
What is the most vital thing in a relationship? ›Communication
Good communication is one of the most important aspects to having a healthy relationship. When starting a new relationship, it's important to be able to talk about what you both want and expect.
A boy and a girl sit in the center of the world on a train going 98.8 miles per hour. Girl wonders if everyone can see her heart pounding out of her chest as she imagines him approaching her. Boy nervously taps against the train window, hopelessly wishing she would speak to him.
What is a true love? ›True love is a unique and passionate bond that connects you as a couple that wants the best for the other person regardless of what that means for them. It is the foundation for a healthy, loving relationship. True love is authentic and genuine.
What movie has the best surprise ending? ›- 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn — Part 2' (2011) ...
- 'The Mist' (2007) ...
- 'The Departed' (2006) ...
- 'Fight Club' (1999) ...
- 'Dragonfly' (2002) ...
- 'Gothika' (2003) ...
- 'The Others' (2001) ...
- 'Memento' (2000)
What movie has the biggest twist ending? ›
- 8/20 Se7en (1995)
- 7/20 Saw (2004)
- 6/20 Arrival (2016)
- 5/20 Fight Club (1999)
- 4/20 The Usual Suspects (1995)
- 3/20 Psycho (1960)
- 2/20 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- 1/20 The Sixth Sense (1999)
Some games have bad endings, good endings, and one shining, wonderful Golden Ending; the best possible ending out of all the good ones.
What is your life number? ›Sunday explains, "The life path number arrives through a simple calculation of adding up all the numbers of your birthdate. This includes the month, day, and year. When they're added together, a number 0-9, or 11, 22, or 33 will result, and it is referred to as your life path number."
What is your number in Japan? ›An Individual Number (個人番号, kojin bangō), also known as My Number (マイナンバー, mai nambā), is a 12-digit ID number issued to all citizens and residents of Japan (including foreign residents in Japan) used for taxation, social security and disaster response purposes.
How do I cuddle with my boyfriend? ›When you're the “big spoon,” you wrap your arms around your partner while you're both lying close on your side; your stomach rests against their back. When you're the “little spoon,” your partner wraps their arms around you and your back rests against their stomach.
How can I make my relationship last 2022? ›- Leaning on family members and friends for emotional support from time to time.
- Supporting your partner's outside friendships.
- Enjoying a respite from the demands of a relationship when you're not together.
As of October 2022, the most popular English-language Netflix TV show of all time was the fourth season of American science-fiction series "Stranger Things," based on number of hours viewed in the show's first 28 days on the platform. It counted over 1.3 billion hours viewed.
How can I make my boyfriend deeply in love with me? ›- Dress up confidently. Save. ...
- Make him smile. Who doesn't want to be around someone who makes them laugh? ...
- Take a stand for him. ...
- Smell great. ...
- Take an interest in his hobbies and interests. ...
- Carry your style. ...
- Try to be his friend. ...
- Be yourself.
Just show him that you are really into him and want him as much as he wants you. Leaving something on your body, for him to remove can be very arousing. When you are at it just make sure you are near a mirror so that you can see yourselves in action.
How do you intimate a man? ›Touch him frequently. Physical contact can actually help the two of you feel closer. Start small—even casual touches can help build intimacy. For instance, you might give him a long hug when you see him or put your hand on his arm when he says something funny.
How can I set my mood to romance? ›
- Foolproof ways for fooling around.
- Light a candle. The flicker of candlelight immediately makes things seem more intimate (not to mention bathes our bodies in a rather flattering glow). ...
- Emphasize connection and communication. ...
- Run a bath. ...
- Cue the playlist. ...
- Nix the tech.
1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
What is the number 1 films in the world? ›Rank | Year | Movie |
---|---|---|
1 | 2009 | Avatar |
2 | 2019 | Avengers: Endgame |
3 | 1997 | Titanic |
4 | 2015 | Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens |
Avatar, directed by James Cameron, is the highest grossing movie of all time, having a lifetime gross of over $2.8 billion, according to Box Office Mojo by IMDbPro.
What is the most popular movie today? ›- #1. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) 93% 89% ...
- #2. Strange World (2022) 74% 39% ...
- #3. The Menu (2022) 89% 76% ...
- #4. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) 84% 85% ...
- #5. Spirited (2022) 69% 82% ...
- #6. Bones and All (2022) ...
- #7. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) ...
- #8. The Wonder (2022)
On the film review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, films that every surveyed critic considered bad have a 0% rating. As of 2022, 43 films have received this rating.
Is there a 100% rated movie? ›To date, Leave No Trace holds the site's record, with a rating of 100% and 251 positive reviews.
Which movie has 5 5 rating? ›1. Laal Singh Chaddha (2022)
What is the top 10 best movie? ›- The Godfather (1972) R | 175 min | Crime, Drama. ...
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) R | 142 min | Drama. ...
- Schindler's List (1993) ...
- Raging Bull (1980) ...
- Casablanca (1942) ...
- Citizen Kane (1941) ...
- Gone with the Wind (1939) ...
- The Wizard of Oz (1939)
What was the biggest movie flop of all time? ›
- "Turning Red" (2022)
- "Mulan" (2020) ...
- "47 Ronin" (2013) ...
- "Mars Needs Moms" (2011) ...
- "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" (2017) ...
- "Mortal Engines" (2018) ...
- "Cats" (2019) ...
- "Town and Country" (2001) ...