15 Classic Romance Movies You Can Watch on Netflix Right Now

Romance lies at the heart of many classic movies, which are often best enjoyed while curled up on the couch—alone or with a loved one.

Netflix even devotes an entire sub-genre to romance movies, easily found via code 31272.

Below, Newsweek presents an essential selection you can enjoy watching right now on Netflix.

Legally Blonde

12 ‧ 2001 ‧ Comedy/Romance ‧ 1h 37m

This classic courtroom romantic comedy sees Elle (Reese Witherspoon) search for love at the prestigious Harvard Law School.

Movie aggregator Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus states: “Though the material is predictable and formulaic, Reese Witherspoon’s funny, nuanced performance makes this movie better than it would have been otherwise.”

Moonlight

15 ‧2016 ‧ Drama/Indie film ‧ 1h 51m

This U.S coming-of-age romantic drama won the 2017 Academy Award for Best Picture for its depiction of gay adolescence in the U.S.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus states: “Moonlight uses one man’s story to offer a remarkable and brilliantly crafted look at lives too rarely seen in cinema.”

About Time

12A ‧ 2013 ‧ Romance/Fantasy ‧ 2h 4m

Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) harnesses his family’s hereditary power to travel through time and pursue his romantic interest Mary (Rachel McAdams).

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus states: “Beautifully filmed and unabashedly sincere, About Time finds director Richard Curtis at his most sentimental.”

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

12A ‧ 2010 ‧ Action/Romance ‧ 1h 52m

Rock musician Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) falls for girl Ramona, (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) but must battle all her evil exes to win her heart.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus states: “Its script may not be as dazzling as its eye-popping visuals, but Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is fast, funny, and inventive.”

Stardust

PG ‧ 2007 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 2h 8m

Hollywood’s finest feature in this romantic movie where a lovestruck man attempts to retrieve a fallen star by entering a magical world.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus states: “A faithful interpretation that captures the spirit of whimsy, action, and off-kilter humor of Neil Gaiman, Stardust juggles multiple genres and tones to create a fantastical experience.”

Marriage Story

15 ‧ 2019 ‧ Romance/Drama ‧ 2h 17

Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson star in this innovative and tender romance told in reverse.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus reads: “Observing a splintering union with compassion and expansive grace, the powerfully acted Marriage Story ranks among writer-director Noah Baumbach’s best works.”

50 First Dates

12A ‧ 2004 ‧ Romance/Rom-com ‧ 1h 39m

Lucy (Drew Barrymore) suffers from short-term memory loss, meaning Henry (Adam Sandler) must continually win her affections in this popular romantic comedy.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus reads: “Gross-out humor overwhelms the easy chemistry between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, who bring some energy and yucks to this tale of a girl with short-term memory loss and the guy who tries to get her to love him.”

The Kissing Booth

12 ‧ 2018 ‧ Romance ‧ 1h 45m

A girl’s first kiss leads to a forbidden romance with the dreamiest boy in high school, which risks her relationship with her best friend.

Streaming site Netflix claimed this was the service’s most re-watched movie of 2018.

Howards End

PG ‧ 1992 ‧ Romance/Drama ‧ 2h 23m

Based on the classic E.M. Forster novel, this movie explores romance among different classes in early 20th century England.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus reads: “A superbly-mounted adaptation of E.M. Forster’s tale of British class tension, with exceptional performances all around, Howards End ranks among the best of Merchant-Ivory’s work.”

Effie Gray

12A ‧ 2014 ‧ Romance/Drama ‧ 1h 48m

A love triangle forms between an elderly Victorian art critic, his teenage bride Effie Gray (Dakota Fanning) and a young painter.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus reads: “Effie Gray benefits from its strong cast, elevating a period drama that doesn’t strike quite as many narrative sparks as it could.”

Mystic Pizza

15 ‧ 1988 ‧ Romance/Comedy ‧ 1h 45m

A trio of teen girls encounters romantic crises while working in a pizza parlor in this coming-of-age drama.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus reads: “Mystic Pizza is like its namesake food: it’s cheesy, topped with romance, and rises to the occasion.”

Runaway Bride

PG ‧ 1999 ‧ Romance/Road ‧ 1h 56m

Journalist (Richard Gere) falls for a commitment-phobic bride (Julia Roberts) who has jilted three men at the altar.

Despite Roberts winning a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress for her role in this screwball romantic comedy, Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus reads: “Cliche story with lack of chemistry between Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.”

Loving

12 ‧ 2016 ‧ Drama/Romance ‧ 2h 3m

A couple’s (Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga) interracial marriage triggers a civil case that travels to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus reads: “Loving takes an understated approach to telling a painful—and still relevant—real-life tale, with sensitive performances breathing additional life into a superlative historical drama.”

The Theory of Everything

12A ‧ 2014 ‧ Romance/Drama ‧ 2h 4m

While his work revolutionises physics Stephen Hawking’s (Eddie Redmayne) body is ravaged by ALS, becomes ever-more reliant upon his wife Jane (Felicity Jones).

This movie reportedly made Stephen Hawking cry and Rotten Tomatoes’ critical consensus reads: “Part biopic, part love story, The Theory of Everything rises on James Marsh’s polished direction and the strength of its two leads.”

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

12A ‧ 1993 ‧ Drama/Romance ‧ 2h 8m

A boy (Johnny Depp) in the rural U.S. is torn between taking care of his brother (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a new romantic interest (Juliette Lewis).

Rotten Tomatoes’ critical consensus reads: “[The movie is] sentimental and somewhat predictable, but those are small complaints, given the tender atmosphere and moving performances at the heart of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.”

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