2025 was a fantastic year for film, and 2026 is looking even better. We saw great movies across all genres – horror, comedy, sci-fi, romance, and everything in between – proving there’s something for everyone. It’s especially great to see romance getting the attention it deserves.
Despite all the great movies released in 2025, some of the very best are romances, or films where love is the central focus. This year’s top romantic movies are diverse, ranging from films by famous directors to independent productions, international animated features, and even sequels fans have been waiting for.
The Map That Leads To You
Many romantic movies often feature actors who first became popular on teen TV shows. For example, The Map That Leads to You stars KJ Apa, known for Riverdale, and Madelyn Cline, famous from Outer Banks.
This film is based on J.P. Monninger’s novel and tells the story of Heather, who embarks on a European adventure with friends before beginning her carefully laid-out future. During her travels, she meets Jack, and a romance blossoms, unexpectedly disrupting all her plans.
While reviews were somewhat mixed, The Map That Leads to You delivers in its romantic scenes, largely thanks to the strong connection between stars Cline and Apa. Fans of the romance genre should enjoy it.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
Kagonda is a remarkably talented filmmaker who doesn’t get the recognition he deserves in Hollywood. He made a strong start with his first film, Columbus, and continued to impress with After Yang. For his third project, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, he explored a different style and approach.
Okay, so this movie is seriously romantic, but it’s got this cool fantasy twist too! It’s about two people who meet at a wedding and then, get this, they end up on this crazy adventure where they basically get to revisit big moments from their lives. It’s really sweet and imaginative!
Despite not being a big hit with critics or at the box office, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is worth watching thanks to the fantastic chemistry between its lead actors, Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell (both Oscar nominees). It has the potential to become a beloved cult film.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
The Bridget Jones movies deserve more recognition for how great they are. The first film, which came out in 2001 and was based on a book from 1996, was a big success with both critics and audiences. But no one could have predicted it would become a long-running series lasting over twenty years.
For years, audiences have loved Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and in 2025, the fourth movie, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was released. The film follows Bridget as she navigates life after becoming a widow, juggling everything and looking for love again.
It’s unusual for a fourth movie in a series to be so popular, but Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is actually the best-rated film in the series, with an 89
The Threesome
Romance movies don’t always end with happily ever afters. Sometimes, they show the more complicated and realistic parts of relationships, and that’s exactly what the film The Threesome explores.
The Threesome follows Olivia, Jenny, and Connor after a one-night encounter brings them together. When Olivia and Connor begin dating and she becomes pregnant, Jenny reappears with a surprise of her own – she’s also expecting. This sets off a chain of events that challenges their relationships, friendships, and loyalties.
This isn’t your typical love story, and though it starts with a bit of a scandal, it’s ultimately very heartfelt. Zoey Deutch and Ruby Cruz give fantastic performances as Olivia and Jenny, making their characters feel both real and lovable.
Lost In Starlight
Custom image by Cesar Garcia
For years, South Korean cinema has been highly regarded, and it’s wonderful that more people are now recognizing its quality. Each year, several excellent films come out of the country, and in 2025, Lost in Starlight stood out as one of the best.
It’s rare to find truly great animated romance movies, but Lost in Starlight definitely qualifies. The film, set in the year 2050, tells the story of a Mars-bound astronaut and a musician who’s given up on their dreams, and how they find love with each other. It’s a beautiful combination of science fiction and a heartwarming love story.
The animation in Lost in Starlight is stunning, and some might even find it more captivating than the plot. Director Bong Joon Ho, known for his Oscar-winning work, described it as “a masterpiece that takes you around the universe,” which really captures the film’s essence.
Love, Brooklyn
Among the standout independent films is Love, Brooklyn. It’s a truly engaging movie, driven by a compelling story, a fantastic cast, and the skillful direction of Rachael Abigail Holder, who makes an impressive debut as director.
Love, Brooklyn is a story set in the vibrant borough of New York. It follows the lives of three friends – Roger, Nicole, and Casey – as they deal with the ups and downs of their careers, friendships, and love lives. When two of them face romantic difficulties, the third friend selflessly puts their own happiness aside to support them.
This movie is a heartfelt romance focused on its characters, and it feels remarkably genuine. The actors – André Holland, Nicole Beharie, and DeWanda Wise – deliver outstanding performances and truly make the film shine. Critics loved it, and it’s definitely worth watching.
Materialists
Celine Song is a rising star in the world of modern romance films. She gained recognition with her first feature, Past Lives, which received critical praise and an Oscar nomination. Her new film, Materialists, is her second feature.
The show Materialists quickly attracted viewers thanks to its talented actors. Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans all delivered compelling performances as their intricate characters, earning positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Materialists centers around Lucy, a professional matchmaker who’s great at helping others find romance, but struggles with her own love life. She’s caught between her former boyfriend—an actor working as a waiter—and a new, financially secure man. It’s a captivating story filled with passion and relatable moments that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.
A Nice Indian Boy
Although A Nice Indian Boy had a limited release at South by Southwest in 2024, it became widely available in early 2025 and quickly gained recognition as one of the best romantic comedies of recent years.
I just finished watching this movie, and it’s really special! It’s based on a play and tells the story of Naveen, an Indian-American doctor, bringing his fiancé Jay home to meet his family. Jay is also Indian – he was adopted by an Indian family – so it’s a really interesting mix of cultures. There’s definitely some tension and a lot of heartwarming moments as everyone gets to know each other. Honestly, it’s a really lovely story and I think a lot of people will connect with it.
The movie A Nice Indian Boy succeeds because it feels authentic and heartwarming. The connection between Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff is truly enjoyable, and that’s likely why it has a remarkable 97
Eternity
Similar to many films on this list, Eternity blends romance with another type of story. Here, that other genre is fantasy – most of the movie takes place in the afterlife, after the main characters die.
Eternity tells the story of Joan, who has passed away from cancer and arrived in the afterlife. Soon after, her husband Larry joins her, but she also reunites with her first husband, Luke, who died in the war. Now, Joan faces a unique choice: deciding which of her two husbands she wants to spend forever with.
Eternity received positive reviews, with many praising the actors. Elizabeth Olsen is particularly impressive, and Miles Teller and Callum Turner also give noteworthy performances. The film centers around a compelling mystery, making it one of the year’s most captivating releases.
Hamnet
Chloé Zhao is making a strong return to filmmaking. She gained significant recognition after winning Best Director for the acclaimed film Nomadland, but her subsequent project, Eternals (2021), wasn’t as well-received, and she’s been quieter since.
It’s great to see her back with Hamnet, a film that proves she remains a truly gifted director. The movie is inspired by the novel Hamnet, and explores a fictionalized account of William Shakespeare and Agnes Hathaway’s marriage, focusing on the grief they experience after the loss of their son.
Although the film centers on the death of Hamnet, at its heart it’s a love story between Agnes and William. Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal give stunning performances, making their connection feel deeply real and captivating. “Hamnet” is a beautiful and moving film, though it can be emotionally difficult to watch.
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2026-01-03 17:48