Netflix’s #1 New Movie Is the Most Heartbreaking Release of 2025

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To prepare for watching Netflix’s top movie of the moment, you might want to have a box of tissues handy. Debuting on Friday as part of August’s new releases, this Netflix original romance is swiftly rising in the streaming rankings and leaving behind a trail of tears. Although it embodies the classic elements of a romantic comedy – featuring an adorable central couple, a meet-cute, and abundant amounts of love and humor – it also delivers one of the most poignantly tragic romances to date, complete with a shockingly sad twist. Adapted from Julia Whelan’s 2018 novel, the film stars Sofia Carson as Anna De La Vega, a New York City native whose life is dramatically changed when she ventures to the UK to pursue her master’s degree in poetry at Oxford University. It is there that she encounters and falls for her captivating and intelligent professor, Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest).

Under the guidance of director Iain Morris, this film has undeniably become one of the saddest movies of the year (thus far), known as “My Oxford Year“. You can now watch it streaming on Netflix.

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead!

The narrative of “My Oxford Year” shares similarities with the romance in “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”, available on Netflix, as both stories revolve around secrets affecting relationships. In “Queen Charlotte”, King George, played by Mylchreest, conceals his illness from Queen Charlotte. Similarly, Anna and Jamie’s bond in “My Oxford Year” is strained due to hidden truths, even though they share a strong connection. As their relationship deepens, it takes an unexpected turn when Jamie starts pulling away and refusing to fully commit. At first, Anna assumes infidelity, but the shocking revelation comes when she intrudes upon Jamie’s home. Instead of finding him with another woman, she learns that he is battling a rare and fatal form of cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

In my own words, I share that the cancer Jamie’s battling is the same affliction that claimed his brother’s life. Overwhelmed by the grief his brother’s wife endured, I found myself growing apart. Yet, I promise to stand by him, and when given the opportunity to pursue a lucrative role at Goldman Sachs in New York, I chose to remain in the UK. In my heart, I firmly believe that you should never have regrets for the decisions you make.

During the movie, their affection deepens, ultimately leading them to share an intimate moment. When Anna awakens the following day, she finds Jamie unconscious in bed. He is urgently taken to the hospital, where doctors diagnose a severe case of pneumonia. Jamie’s father, William (Dougray Scott), declines additional treatment as his son wishes for “nature to take its course.” Tragically, Jamie passes away with Anna by his side, discussing the dream European trip they would have embarked on together.

In contrast to the usual light-hearted and humorous nature of romantic comedies, My Oxford Year offers a poignant tale of heartbreak that transforms into a bittersweet romance, making each moment between Anna and Jamie even more impactful. Although it may leave you with tears in your eyes, the film is becoming increasingly popular among Netflix subscribers, propelling it to the number one spot on Netflix’s Top 10 list worldwide, according to FlixPatrol data. At this time, viewership statistics for the movie have yet to be disclosed.

My Oxford Year is now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-08-05 01:10