If you've already explored all the nooks and crannies of the platforms, but still yearn for a heart-warming story, we have the perfect selection for you. The romantic films of recent years have revealed countless new perspectives on love, from touching tales of lost loves and intimate journeys, to the eternal questions of "what if..." Here are ten top romance movies that have received high reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb. They are sure to warm your heart and prove that love still lives and inspires on the silver screen.
When it comes to love on the big screen, recent years have brought unique and innovative stories that go beyond conventional romantic frameworks and reveal hidden layers of emotional connections. Romance films are no longer just sweet escapes into the world of idealized relationships – contemporary stories explore the many different aspects of love, from its triumphs and defeats to intimate questions of identity and belonging. In an era where love is often portrayed through the lens of cultural and social diversity, these films shed light on how love crosses borders and how important it is even in complicated circumstances.
At the heart of this article is a selection of films that will not only warm your heart, but will also inspire you with their freshness, emotional depth and unexpected stories. Here are ten of the best romantic movies of the last three years, rated by both critics and audiences, and suitable for viewing on your favorite streaming platforms.
List of the best romantic movies
Past Lives (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.1 | Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The movie Past Lives, the work of Korean director Celine Song, brings a sophisticated and emotional story about the reunion of two childhood friends whose paths have diverged, but who still secretly yearn for the unspoken. The film draws the audience into deep introspective thinking about lost opportunities and secret desires, making it one of the most moving romantic dramas of recent years.
Joyland (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.8 | Platform: Hulu
Joyland, directed by Saim Sadiq, explores a patriarchal Pakistani society where a family wants a male offspring, but a young man's life takes a different path when he becomes involved in an unusual love story. With a subtle depiction of sexual fluidity and personal growth, the film redefines love and dignity and raises many important questions about society, identity and freedom.
Licorice Pizza (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.3 | Platform: Apple TV+
Paul Thomas Anderson with the film Licorice Pizza offers a nostalgic journey to the Californian 70s, where two young souls explore the limits of friendship and first love. The film captures the youthful optimism and simplicity of that period, intertwining moments of first love and maturation with humor and nostalgia. Anderson's light but thoughtful direction makes the film a time capsule of carefree love.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.5 | Platform: Disney+
Director Andrew Haigh w All of Us Strangers creates a deep and moving love story of a fantasy but emotionally authentic encounter. Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal embody love and loss in an emotional interplay that shows how memories of love accompany us through life. The film bravely explores the boundaries of love and grief, leaving audiences with a lasting sense of compassion and connection.
The Blue Caftan (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.7 | Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The Blue Caftan, directed by Maryam Touzani, is set in a traditional Moroccan kaftan shop, where an unusual love story unfolds, intertwined with silent and mysterious glances. Touzani masterfully explores intimacy and hidden emotional bonds and shows us how love is expressed and lived even through the smallest gestures and hidden glances. It is a film that celebrates love with tenderness and attention to detail.
Bones and All (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 6.9 | Platform: Netflix
Luca Guadagnino s Bones and All tells the raw but moving story of first love between two outcasts who explore survival and belonging through the story. Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell shine in the lead roles, whose performances are intense, while the dark atmosphere adds a unique depth to the film. This is no ordinary romance, but at the same time a romantic and dark story of survival and love.
What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.2 | Platform: Criterion Channel
The movie What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?, the work of Georgian director Alexander Koberidze, brings magical realism to the story of two strangers who constantly meet in the Georgian town of Kutaisi. The film is an ode to chance encounters and the mysterious attraction that love can have even without words. This is a story of fateful meetings that resembles a fairy tale, but remains realistic and everyday.
Bro (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 6.4 | Platform: Peacock
Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane are the first couple in a romantic comedy that explores the dynamics of same-sex love. Bro combines humor and a fresh perspective as it brings an LGBTQ+ romantic story from a Hollywood production for the first time. Comedic moments and sincere emotions make it one of the most groundbreaking romantic comedies of recent years, while at the same time bringing a fun and refreshing look at modern love.
I Want You Back (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 6.6 | Platform: Amazon Prime Video
V I Want You Back Jenny Slate and Charlie Day join forces in a complex tale of love and revenge. Their unusual decision to win back their ex-partners leads to many amusing twists. With a fresh script that weaves between comedy and romantic moments, the film offers viewers plenty of laughs and warm moments.
Anaïs and Love (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 6.4 | Platform: Hulu
French comedy Anaïs and Love followed by vivacious young Anais, who explores love with mischievous curiosity and playfulness. Director Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet portrays young love and casual adventure with a precise sense of lightness and beauty, creating a lighthearted yet emotionally rich story about finding love and accepting yourself.
Conclusion
These ten films are proof that love is still alive on the screen and brings different stories that evoke different emotions in each one. If you're looking for something that will warm your heart, make you laugh, inspire or even tear you up, you're sure to find the right love story for you in this list.