10 Best-Looking Romance Movies, Ranked

With the release of Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights — a divisive watch that isn't exactly the most faithful book-to-screen translation, yet is undeniably beautiful — it's hard not to think about how much visual language matters in romance. However divisive an interpretation may be, when a love story looks right, it stays with audiences in one way or another.

The truth is that romance is deeply cinematic by nature, whether it's longing stretching across painterly landscapes or the glances and momentary touches (we're looking at you, Pride and Prejudice) that carry more weight than words ever could. Visual language is essential to every genre of cinema — it's what makes the experience immersive in the first place — but in romantic films, stunning imagery adds an extra layer of intimacy that beautifully complements how emotionally charged these stories are. Here, we revisit some of the most beautiful romance films of all time and examine what makes each so distinctive.

10 'Call Me by Your Name' (2017)

With nostalgic 35mm film grain and stunning compositions that almost beg to be screenshotted, Luca Guadagnino's Call Me by Your Name evokes a perfectly nostalgic 1980s Italian summer, earning a place among the most aesthetically pleasing films in recent memory (one scroll through Pinterest will confirm it). Starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, the film follows 17-year-old Elio Perlman as he falls for Oliver, a 24-year-old American scholar interning for his father.

Call Me by Your Name has established itself as a memorable story in queer cinema, but a large part of its universal appeal lies in how visually stunning a romance film it is to look at— sun-drenched villas, ripe peaches, languid afternoons; it's got all the markings of a daydream. In fact, the film seems to be specifically tailored for audiences who appreciate sensory dimensions and European countryside landscapes. For anyone susceptible to these wonders— and who hasn't yet been swept up in it — Guadagnino's tender, deliberate romance might be a worthy contender.

9 'Moulin Rouge!' (2001)

One of the most iconic musicals of its time, Moulin Rouge! follows a poor poet (Ewan McGregor) in late 1890s Paris who falls for a beautiful courtesan and nightclub star, Satine (Nicole Kidman). Amidst the vibrant night landscape, they begin a dangerous love affair fighting against a jealous Duke and Satine's fatal illness.

Bold, glittery, and undeniably unforgettable, Baz Luhrmann's beloved musical stands out as a vibrant showcase of maximalist design, blending modern pop with 1900s Paris through its revolutionary jukebox musical score with known hits from Nirvana, Madonna, and even The Beatles. The heartbreak and romance — with two fantastic performances at its center — are certainly a huge part of what makes it such an unforgettable film, but it's arguably the energetic atmosphere that keeps viewers, especially those with a keenness for excess, utterly engaged.

8 'La La Land' (2016)

Although not as ambitious as Moulin Rouge!, La La Land also struts its stylistic technicalities with confidence — it is bold, dazzling, and certainly impossible to ignore. With its old-school charm and Technicolor-inspired palette, Damien Chazelle's film is elevated by the fantastic chemistry between Emma Stone, who plays aspiring actress Mia, and Ryan Gosling, the jazz musician with dreams and ambitions of his own that she falls for.

Some jokingly call Chazelle's picture an "excellent horror movie," and honestly it's easy to understand why. La La Land stands out as a striking and heart-wrenching meditation on missed opportunities that pairs and contrasts hauntingly well with its vibrant, whimsical, almost dreamlike visuals. While this is, at its core, a bittersweet story about the realities of pursuing ambition and financial struggles, La La Land hypnotizes with its breathtaking color that makes its story feel undeniably alive.

7 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' (1964)

This French musical must-see starring French legend Catherine Deneuve has understandably charmed critics and audiences alike, even taking home the top Palme d'Or at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival and securing multiple Oscar noms. At its core, Jacques Demy's romantic tragedy musical illustrates the bittersweet story of star-crossed lovers separated by war.

For audiences who can't get enough of hyper-saturated visuals, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a full-on, all-sung Technicolor masterwork — a candy-colored fairytale impossible not to get lost in. Michel Legrand's score also adds to its visually striking narrative, where every shot is meticulously framed and could easily stand alone as a photograph. Fundamentally, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is pure delight for genre enthusiasts, whether thanks to the music, the characters, or the emotional melancholy.

6 'The Handmaiden' (2016)

Park Chan-wook is a cinema genius in his own right, and while he has crafted a handful of unforgettable works, The Handmaiden possibly takes the crown for his most visually striking. The movie follows a con man who hires pickpocket Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri) to become the maid for a wealthy Japanese heiress, Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee), intending to seduce her, steal her fortune, and lock her away. But in a wild turn of events, the two end up falling for each other.

With its mix of opulent 1930s Japanese-Korean architecture and Gothic aesthetics, The Handmaiden is a bona fide visual feast. Every frame delights with intricate costumes and painterly lighting, making the film stand out as a non-conventional and awe-inspiring period piece with unparalleled design. The sensualism woven through its narrative is on par with its visuals, ultimately turning Chan-wook's film into an intoxicating erotic dance.

5 'Pride and Prejudice' (2005)

Grounded by two unforgettable performances by Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden, who arguably set the blueprint for the contemporary period drama duo, Pride and Prejudice follows the young and spirited Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates societal pressure, family issues, and her troubled bond with the proud and wealthy Mr. Darcy.

Roman Osin BSC's cinematography is a scene-stealer in Joe Wright's splendid adaptation of Jane Austen's iconic novel. With its down-to-earth charm that contrasts the chaotic daily routine with quiet and grand, natural, picturesque landscapes, Pride and Prejudice has naturally bewitched many viewers' bodies and souls. The musical score by Dario Marianelli also adds to the rich atmosphere, resulting in a comfort watch as beautiful as it is moving — it's no wonder viewers keep coming back for more.

4 'Phantom Thread' (2017)

No matter the genre, Paul Thomas Anderson's body of work has always been visually rich. That said, the filmmaker arguably outdid himself in Phantom Thread, taking the reins on cinematography himself, with the lighting cameraman Michael Bauman assisting. The Daniel Day-Lewis-led movie is set in 1950s London and follows a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young woman (Vicky Krieps in an evenly matched performance) who becomes his muse and lover.

Beyond its stellar acting talent and captivating twisted romance, Phantom Thread etches itself into the viewer's mind and heart thanks to its sophisticated visuals that are as elegant and meticulously polished as the story itself. Whether it's the actual cinematography — textured film that pleases both eye and spirit — or the painstaking costume and production design that breathe life into every frame, Anderson's movie is a true, refined delight of color and mood.

3 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' (2019)

If there is a contemporary romance film that absolutely excels in making its visuals painterly, it's Céline Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire, an utterly stunning meditation on forbidden love and desire set on an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the 18th century. At its center are Noémie Merlant, who plays painter Marianne, and Adèle Haenel, the aristocrat whose wedding portrait she was commissioned to paint.

With a profound focus on silence and quietly intimate moments, Portrait of a Lady is anchored by Claire Mathon's stunning cinematography and Sciamma's precise eye for detail. Every shot is carefully composed, drawing inspiration from 18th-century art and favoring natural light and precise framing for a more authentic look. Add in deliberate pacing and close-ups that feel deeply personal, and it's no wonder Sciamma does such a great job breaking our hearts in the end.

2 'Days of Heaven' (1978)

Before the visually mesmerizing The Tree of Life graced our screens with its philosophical meditation on life and mortality, Terrence Malick had already gifted cinema with the stunning Western romance Days of Heaven, set in 1916 and following Bill (Richard Gere), his lover Abby (Brooke Adams), and sister Linda (Linda Manz) as they flee Chicago to work on a Texas farm, posing as siblings. While they plot, Abby marries the wealthy, sickly farmer (Sam Shepard) for inheritance, jealousy and tragedy follow.

For Days of Heaven, Malick and cinematographer Néstor Almendros (who rightfully won an Oscar for his efforts) shot almost exclusively during the magic hour — the fleeting window at dawn and dusk. By leaning almost entirely on the natural, soft light that it provided, they crafted landscapes that feel almost ethereal and otherworldly. It's tough to argue that Days of Heaven does not deliver an impossibly poetic atmosphere that is easily among the most compelling in romance films. Ultimately, though, the film is not just eye candy: Malick lets the story breathe and unfold at a meditative rhythm that feels meaningful and engaging.

1 'In the Mood for Love' (2000)

Directed by the talented Wong Kar-wai, In the Mood for Love has not only cemented its place among the most bewitching — with an unmatched depiction of yearning — but also among the most visually striking. This slow-burning Asian masterpiece follows neighbors Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung), who form an intimate bond after discovering their respective spouses are having an affair.

With its warm-toned, saturated color palette of reds and golds and beautiful costumes that mirror the characters (especially Su Li-zhen's show-stopping dresses), In the Mood for Love might just be the ultimate visual love letter in romance cinema. You can always count on Kar-wai to make a scene unforgettable, whether through slow motion, lingering shots, or... well, basically, anything he touches. This 2000 gem is, of course, no exception. Backed by brilliant cinematographers Christopher Doyle and Mark Lee Ping-bin, In the Mood for Love's sophisticated, lush visuals have captured the attention of global audiences and critics alike, proving that sometimes romance is in the details, too.