It’s romance week on Addicted to Writing!
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and as a romance writer, what better week than this to talk about romance? Today’s post is about my favorite romantic movies: romantic comedies and romantic dramas.
I’ll talk about my favorite movies, give a bit of a plot summary, link to my entertainment blog if I’ve reviewed them in detail before, and of course, talk about why these movies come before others.
I’ve watched them in their entirety several times. I’ve seen some of them probably more than 10 times. I frequently revisit my favorite scenes.
For this list, I’ve included romcoms, romantic dramas, and the occasional romance with other genre elements, like fantasy or sci-fiction.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase through them, I might earn a little something.
Ready? Let’s roll!
Pride and Prejudice (2005) starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen: Romance, Comedy
It really is my favorite romantic movie of all time.
What’s not to like? We have a strong, smart, modern, and gorgeous female lead who is her own person. Our male lead is well, Mr. Darcy, the ultimate epitome of tall, dark and handsome. He is also adorably flawed, but a total romantic at heart.
Pride and Prejudice Plot Summary:
Living in the early 19th century England, Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) doesn’t quite belong. She loves to read and take long walks. She is perfectly happy wearing plain clothes, is opinionated, and will not settle for anything less than true love.
Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is shy, rich, and he hates parties.
During a ball, Elizabeth and her sisters meet Mr. Darcy and his best friend Mr. Bingley. But when Darcy acts cold and Elizabeth overhears him saying not-so-great things about her, she speaks his mind and astounds him.
From then on, Elizabeth is on a mission to be even more herself and not impress Darcy. Darcy does his hardest to avoid crushing on Elizabeth: this strong, confident, extroverted woman. Of course, to no avail.
We end up with the greatest romantic comedy of all time.
And if you need more reasons to watch, the cast includes Donald Sutherland, Brenda Blethyn, Carey Mulligan, and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl).
Forget Me Not (2010) starring Tobias Menzies and Genevieve O’Reilly: Romance, Drama
I usually prefer romantic comedies over romantic dramas because life is bleak enough and romcoms guarantee a happy ending.
But some romantic dramas are so good that you forgive them for any tears they might cause you.
Forget Me Not is one such movie.
I have covered it in detail here:
Forget Me Not: Will Not Be Forgotten Any Time Soon
But here’s the plot in a nutshell:
Musician Will (Tobias Menzies) is struggling with a horrible condition and wants to end his life. One night, he saves bartender Eve’s life, and as he accompanies her to a party. They end up staying up all night in London and becoming closer by the minute. But Will’s secret threatens to blow up the magic.
The acting is top-notch, and a 24-hour love story set in contemporary times in a big city makes us believe in love and connection again.
It’s a definite must-watch.
A Royal Affair (2012) starring Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Set in 1700s Denmark.
A young queen is set in a loveless marriage. So, she gets close with the royal physician, where there is a meeting of the minds. They don’t only fall in love, but they also try to change the country for the better together.
Unfortunately, others aren’t exactly rooting for enlightenment, and this – along with a pregnancy – brings tragic consequences.
It’s a beautiful period piece and turned me into a Mads Mikkelsen fan for life.
What makes A Royal Affair so powerful and remarkable is that there is a meeting of the minds, and that makes it way more appealing than most opposites attract sort of stories out there. They think alike, and that’s what draws them together.
For more details, check out:
Review for A Royal Affair starring Mads Mikkelsen: Denmark’s Submission to the Oscars
Forever Young (1992) starring Mel Gibson: Romance, Drama, Sci-fi
Forever Young is a different kind of romance movie. It follows the male protagonist’s journey, and the love of his life doesn’t get that much screen time, and for solid, logical plot reasons.
It’s 1939, and pilot Daniel (Mel Gibson) is in love with his childhood sweetheart Helen. But just when he is about to propose, Helen is hit by a car and goes into a coma.
Not knowing how to handle his grief, Daniel does something drastic: He persuades his scientist friend to freeze him. He will be woken up if Helen wakes up.
But things don’t go according to plan. Two kids playing where they shouldn’t be wake up Daniel up accidentally – in 1992. Daniel is still in his 30s.
With the help of one of the kids (Elijah Wood) and his mom (Jamie Lee Curtis), Daniel tries to adjust to a life five decades later than his own.
Unfortunately, the side effects of the experiment catch up with him. As he starts to age rapidly, he also finds out that Helen is still alive.
A race against time begins to reunite Daniel with the love of his life.
While you won’t be watching two people falling in love, it is a sweet and quality testament to love and friendship. And it was written by none other than J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost).
Dirty Dancing (1987) starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey: Drama, Romance, Music
And of course, the classic. Set in the early 60s, Dirty Dancing is the love story between Johnny and Baby.
In Dirty Dancing, Baby (Jennifer Grey) goes on a vacation with her parents and sister and is bored out of her mind until she meets the resort’s dance instructor Johnny (Patrick Swayze). Dealing with his problems and his best friend’s, Johnny doesn’t exactly take a liking to Baby at first sight. But when she replaces his dancing partner and they start practicing together, they fall for each other.
I don’t remember my first viewing because I was three. No, really. Mom and dad discovered their hyperactive child loved the movies and stayed quiet there. So they took me to see this. Of course, I have seen it many, many times since then. Dirty Dancing is responsible for a lot of things: my love for dancing, my love for Patrick Swayze, and my taste in men.
Amazing soundtrack too.
If you are a romantic, you need to see this (again).
Iconic Line: Nobody puts Baby in a corner.
What Women Want (2000) starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
What Women Want is a romcom with a fantasy element, and arguably, it is funnier than it is romantic. But written and directed by Nancy Meyers (The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give), it’s a wonderful and original story about one man’s transformation from a selfish, womanizing, career-oriented advertising executive into a better lover, parent, and human being.
Nick (Mel Gibson) thinks he is god’s gift to women. After an accident, he gains the ability to hear their thoughts. Initially, he uses his gift for selfish gains, like one-upping his co-worker Darcy (Helen Hunt) and bedding the cute barista (Marisa Tomei). But as he gets to know women better, including Darcy and his own daughter, he starts to become a better man.
What Women Want is the kind of romcom that guys should never complain about being dragged to. After all, it’s comedy gold first and a romantic treat second.
The Ugly Truth (2009) starring Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl: Comedy, Romance.
Romantic and uptight television producer Abby (Katherine Heigl) isn’t a fan of Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), the handsome but misogynistic TV host of The Ugly Truth. But when her network forces her to work with him and she seems to be getting nowhere romantically with her cute doctor neighbor Colin, she accepts Mike’s help. As Mike helps her become desirable for her crush, he starts falling in love with the real Abby.
The Ugly Truth is a hilarious romcom with ultimately two great messages: The person will love you as you are. And you shouldn’t let your past disappointments turn you into a cynical asshole.
Some of you will be baffled that I chose The Ugly Truth over P.S. I Love You, Gerard Butler’s other great romantic hit. Arguably, Gerry (Butler’s character in P.S. I Love You) is a much better partner than Mike.
And you’d be right. Gerry is adorable, goofy, hot, fun, romantic, nice, and if he has flaws, we don’t quite see it in the film. He is a musician to boot, too.
And while it is indeed one of my favorite romantic movies, I prefer The Ugly Truth because laughter is more fun than pain. I love that the protagonists live and get a happy ending.
27 Dresses (2008) starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden: Comedy, Romance
Jane (Katherine Heigl) is potentially the world’s best PA and bridesmaid. She’s been a bridesmaid 27 times. She’d love to get married, but her handsome boss George (Edward Burns) isn’t aware of how she feels about him. Things get a lot worse when her sister starts dating him. Wedding journalist Kevin (James Marsden) wants to do a piece on her, and things get even more complicated.
27 Dresses is endearing and funny. I love how Kevin and Jane’s relationship progresses, and I like how the “wrong” guy is also a pretty decent guy.
The Holiday (2006) starring Cameron Diaz and Jude Law
Yes, I love writer/director Nancy Meyers as you can see from me featuring two movies from her in a top 10 list.
But what kind of romantic would I be if I didn’t include the lovely and funny The Holiday?
The Holiday is about two women who are stuck in different places in their lives, though they are both unlucky with men. So, movie trailer maker Amanda from Los Angeles (Cameron Diaz) and English Iris (Kate Winslet) swap their houses for the holidays.
While they were planning to stay away from men, they both meet someone that will change their lives for the better: Amanda falls for Iris’ brother Graham (Jude Law), and Iris gets close with Amanda’s friend Miles (Jack Black). But there will be a lot to figure out before we can get our happy ending.
While You Were Sleeping (1995) starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman: Romance, Comedy
Yes, I am a 90s kid, can you tell? 🙂 This gem is from 1995 and has always been one of my favorites to (re)watch.
Starring Bill Pullman and Sandra Bullock, While You Were Sleeping is a wholesome romcom with a crazy concept that can be enjoyed with your entire family.
Hopelessly romantic Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is in love with Peter, a man (Peter Callagher) she has never met but sees on his way to work every day. One day, she saves his life but he goes into a coma. People at the hospital think she is his fiancée, so she doesn’t correct them to be able to see him. But when his family gets there, the situation spirals out of control before Lucy can correct them. Now, Peter’s handsome brother Jack is convinced Lucy is lying and is out to prove it. But as Jack and Lucy end up spending time together, romantic feelings emerge.
Can Lucy get her happy ending with the right brother without losing the family she has come to love as well?
If you are a romantic, you need to watch While You Were Sleeping. It will have you watch it with a big smile on your face, and making you wish you could meet your own Jack.
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Because I had to pick 10, I had to leave some darlings out. Check these out if you are looking for more suggestions.
– Ghost starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg. Comedy, romance, drama, fantasy.
– The Last of The Mohicans starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe. Action, adventure, drama. But the romantic storyline is one of the best. It’s the second highest-rated on IMDB of all the movies I’ve suggested.
– Cold Mountain starring Nicole Kidman and Jude Law. Adventure, drama, history, romance.
– 10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Comedy, romance.
– Jane Eyre starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. Drama, romance.
– Before Sunrise starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Drama, romance. The highest-rated on IMDB of all the movies I’ve suggested and the first movie of the trilogy.
– Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Drama, romance, fantasy.
– Chocolate starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.
