The Best Romantic Movies of All Time - Part 1

Here you will find the list and reviews of arguably the best romantic movies of all time, but you may ask - what are the criteria used for the estimation? Indeed, tastes differ and it's a common thing when one viewer likes the movie while another seems it to be a usual treat. But there are incontestable facts that prove these films are worth to be named the best romances.

For twelve years Titanic held the status of highest-grossing film in the history of cinematography, making $1,843,201,268 of total gross worldwide. The film was translated into more than 60 languages and shown practically in every country of the world.

Though Amelie can't boast record grossing, but this romantic movie was surely a box office success, a row of nominations and a heap of awards speak for it. This movie got five Academy Awards nominations and seven awards including the Cesar Award for Best Film. It also placed second in the list of "The 100 Best Films of World Cinema" by Empire Magazine and The New York Times called it one of the best 1000 movie ever made.

With comparatively a low budget, without luxury sets and sophisticated plot, a love movie "Dirty Dancing" found millions of fans all over the world and can justly be referred to the list of best romantic movies ever made. There is no one better than dancing Patrick Swayze, as if to prove it the moviegoers made this film a huge box office success.

People enjoy the romantic movies listed here again and again; they are watched to inspire and touch people's hearts; it's impossible to remain indifferent while watching them, probably that is why they are truly considered the best romantic movies of all time.

The Notebook (2004)


Much can be said about this movie by its slogan: "Behind every great love is a great story". Indeed, "The Notebook" is one of the best movie romances that can serve an example of true, devoted, everlasting love. "The Notebook" appeared to be one of those rare screen adaptations of the book, which did really well. Normally, those who read the book used to compare a written story with that shown in the film, and they are initially prejudiced while watching. With this movie romance there is no chance for a fail. The feelings portrayed here appeal to the core of your soul to let you experience the love between Noah and Allie.

Noah (Ryan Gosling) is a young romantic guy who fell in love with a cute Allie (Rachel McAdams). The first date turned into a breathtaking summer romance. But the circumstances weren't so favourable to this couple and they had to carry their tender feelings to each other through difficulties of life. This life long love story is being told by James Garner reading from the book.

Titanic (1997)


To tell "Titanic" is a hit is to tell nothing. This is an iconic movie, a huge box success, highly claimed both by viewers and critics. "Titanic" is not just a regular sentimental movie, this is a great love story in the midst of historical events of April 15, 1912 known as the Titanic shipwreck.

James Cameron is the creator of an epic story where Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) go through romantic adventure on the board of a luxury, magnificent ship "Titanic". With little money in his pocket but with big hopes for better future, Jack seemed to be much happier in his third-class rather than Rose, a rich girl from upper class, who is absolutely dissatisfied with her life. Was it just a luck or a whimsy of fate, but Rose and Jack managed to meet each other, but they didn't know yet they would have to separate forever.

Amelie (2001)


Many people think they are unable to make other people happy, but the movie "Amelie" showed that even a delicate young girl can do good deeds to alter people's lives. Probably, one of the reasons most of us love this movie romance is that it inspires us for good to change the world around us for better.

"Amelie" is one of those romantic movies where story of love between main characters is not the central part. What you really enjoy is Amelie's playful, whimsical, kind nature. Amelie (Audrey Tautou) was brought up isolated from other children due to father's phobia of heart diseases. She is twenty-tree now and she is a waitress in a little cafe. One day a girl finds a metal box full of boy's memorabilians hidden behind the tile in her kitchen. What would you do if you find such a "childish treasure"? The easiest thing is to enjoy the belongings and throw them away. Living in her own world of fantasies, Amelie thought about that boy, who is a man already, and decided to give the box back to its master. Here the story starts! If such a trifle as an old forgotten metal box can make a person happy, than Amelie is about to devote her life to make people around her happy.

Dirty Dancing (1987)


Though this movie romance was shot more than twenty years ago, this love story is timeless. There is something magical about this movie, so that you can't stop watching it. "Dirty Dancing" has everything: incredible dancing, summer love story, painful problems of that time and, of course, Patric Swayze.

Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) is a dance instructor in a sanatorium, where Frances "Baby" Housman (Jennifer Grey) and her parents came for a summer holidays. In spite of a big age difference and huge gap between their social positions, Johnny and Baby pretend not to notice the obstacles that separate them. Their relationships are cloaked in the atmosphere of romance, warmth of summer, and dancing. Incredible dancing by the way! The final dance of Johnny and Baby is awesome and absolutely worth seeing.

Gone With the Wind (1939)


"Gone With the Wind" is one of the best romantic movies in the whole history of cinema. This is a perfect screen adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's novel of the same name. Ten Academy Awards and the forth place in the list of top movies of all time stand for it. Even the most freakish viewer will size up amazing actor acting, great scenery, story line, music score, and on and on.

This is the story of Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), so obstinate, resolute, purposeful young lady. It seems the only thing she can't get in her life is Ashley's (Leslie Howard) love. Ironically, this is Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) who better matches for Scarlett, but she is not interested in a man with a bad reputation. This love story is rather complicated, full of passion and despair and, while film progresses, you become more involved in it.

A Room With a View (1985)


The beginning of the 20th century. Miss Lucy Honeychurch (Bonham Carter) and her cousin goes to Italy. Both brought up in traditions of Victorian times, the girls meet the Emersons, who are also English but with more contemporary views. Lucy falls in love with young George Emerson (Julian Sands), but when she comes back to England she faces an incredibly difficult choice: to marry a respectable man and be approved both by her mother and society, or surrender to sudden affection for a strange but sincere guy who is not from her circle.

This is the atmospheric movie romance, close adaptation of E.M. Forster novel except its final part. The film director, James Ivory, decided to alter final events his own way. Nevertheless, "A Room With a View" appeared to be a top love movie with just-for-this-movie awesome star cast, scenery and sets. Italy is an ideal place for lonely hearts to meet each other, especially when everything around them is steep in romance, easiness and unconcern.

The Holiday (2006)


If everything is against you, you are depressed and disappointed, then it's time to take a vocation! Who knows, maybe it will be just the first step for better changes in your life, like in the romance comedy "The Holiday".

Star cast including Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black will surely get you in high spirits. Amanda Woods (Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Winslet) are both longing for changes and in a search of the latter they make friends over the Internet. The girls decided to exchange their apartments for two weeks and see what happens. Are you interested in their adventures? You should be, as this love comedy is in the list of best romantic movies of all time, thus it's undoubtedly worth seeing.

Notting Hill (1999)


While the whole world envies the fame of film stars, the latter think about more measured life without paparazzi. Those who really want to know a bit more about celebrities' routine should watch "Notting Hill", a top romantic movie that immerses you in the atmosphere of fame and vanity.

Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) is the most renowned movie star, it's a usual thing for her to be seen on the covers of known glossies. Her entire life is like an open book, where she can hide nothing, even the most secret and intimate things. William Thacker (Hugh Grant) is the owner of a travel book store. The life is not a piece of cake for him: he's recently divorced and his flatmate is rather strange and annoying in his desire to become an artist. So different at first sight, Anna and Will have something in common: they both think their lives lack somebody or something. But when they meet in Notting Hill, the last thing they dream about is the love affair. Still, they have to decide whether it is possible for a couple to love each other and lead a life in the open or not.

Legends of the Fall (1994)


"Legends of the Fall" is a drama movie that shows the opposite side of love – it can be devastating. Colonel William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) moved to Montana to raise his three sons: Alfred (Aidan Quinn), Tristan (Brad Pitt) and Samuel (Henry Thomas), the youngest. There is a strong friendship and bond between three brothers that nothing seems to jeopardize it, but as it turned out the bond can't resist woman's charms. When Samuel brings his fiance Susanna to meet his family, the eldest Alfred finds he falls in love with a beautiful girl, while she has a passion for Tristan.

A plot is rather complicated but the most interesting thing is that the end is unpredictable. While watching the movie you are getting involved both in a love story and historical situation of that time, and you can't help but admire beautiful landscapes. One should give the music its due, as it is used to deliver the slightest hints of the mood of the whole movie.

Grease (1978)


If you admire John Travolta's dancing and acting, but you don't know the film that made him a star, then this is it - "Grease", the musical. Just watch it, if: you want to re-live the life of American youth of 1950th, for two hours forget about political and economical instability, to see Travolta's iconic hairdo, to listen to stirring music or just get a good mood.

"Grease" is a screen adaptation of Broadway musical telling about the life of high school students in the United States in the middle of XX century. Danny Zuko (Travolta) is a local American boy who meets Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John), an Australian holidaymaker, at the beach. Predictably, they fall in love with, but while Sandy considers it's only a summer love affair, Danny is sure it's only the beginning of their relationships.

See Also: