10 Best Romance Shows Of The Decade (So Far)

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Connell (Paul Mescal) and Marianne (Daisy Edgar Jones) looking at each other in Normal People.

Published Aug 31, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

Shealyn Scott is a Senior Writer at Screen Rant. She has been writing for the site since 2024, focused on network, reality, streaming, and classic television.
A creative writer, journalist, and lover of the written word in all its forms, Shealyn enjoys deconstructing scenes from her favorite shows, using context clues and historical precedent to predict major plot points (which, due to her successful track record, has sparked rumors of clairvoyance).
As an award-winning student journalist, Shealyn spent her college years advocating for the humanities while studying English Literature. Her love of storytelling propelled her to expand her degree with minors in Writing and History, believing life to be a mere collection of stories that can be framed in as many ways as a movie scene.
As a Senior member of the TV Team, Shealyn treats the series she covers like books, analyzing every line, camera angle, and lighting choice. Thankfully, her personal mission statement lines up perfectly with Screen Rant: every creative work deserves just as much thought from the viewer as it received from its creator.

The past six years have been amazing for romance fans. For a genre far older than television itself, watching love stories play out on the small screen never gets old. Yet, while there have always been slow-burns, swoon-worthy first kisses, and star-crossed lovers, romance shows of the 2000s and before are typically remembered as the genre's best. From the HR-violating halls of Grey's Anatomy's hospital to the supernatural intrigue of True Blood and everything in between, there's no denying that the tropes popularized at the turn of the century remain in circulation, for better or worse.

Nevertheless, the romance genre has continued evolving with each passing year, allowing the 2020s to be a decade of experimentation and fine-tuning; classic formulas are being re-examined through a modern lens while new, cutting-edge ideas are playing out for millions of subscribers on the world's leading streaming services. Furthermore, though it's too early to call any recent entry the best romance show of all time, there are certainly some titles that already feel like instant classics.

Off Campus

Despite releasing less than six months ago, Off Campus is undeniably one of the most bingeable young adult romance series in recent memory. Based off the novel series of the same name by Elle Kennedy, Off Campus follows aspiring musician Hannah Wells (Ella Bright), who forms an unlikely friendship with Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli)— the captain of Briar University's hockey team.

Whether you love or hate the hockey romance craze, Off Campus is a surprisingly cozy watch. Its clichés feel comforting rather than contrived, and there's real chemistry between the show's diverse ensemble cast. Luckily, the hit show's worldbuilding will only grow more intricate in the coming years, as Kennedy has plenty of novels left to adapt.

My Lady Jane

In stark contrast, My Lady Jane is one of the best shows Prime Video ever made— and it was canceled after a single season. Regardless, the historical fantasy retains a cult following that demands a renewal, over two years later. Even if the Tudor romance remains at 8 episodes in perpetuity, however, My Lady Jane is absolutely still a must-watch.

Based incredibly loosely on the lives of real 16th century royals, My Lady Jane centers on Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) as she navigates her arranged marriage to Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel). Yet, there's one fascinating phenomenon that separates My Lady Jane from the hordes of contemporary period dramas: society is split between ordinary people (Verity) and shape-shifters who can turn into animals (Ethians). Despite the absurdity of its premise, the series works, which makes its fate as a one-season wonder all the more tragic.

Like Water for Chocolate

Like Water for Chocolate also has a distinct fantasy element, but the HBO Max original series bakes its magical realism into the show's narrative— literally. At the heart of the story is Tita (Azul Guaita), the youngest daughter in her family who is forbidden to marry. Of course, that doesn't stop her from falling in love with neighbor Pedro (Andres Baida).

In a world that expects her to be docile and forgiving, Tita is forced to use food as an outlet for her emotions. Consequently, the dishes she serves transmits every feeling— grief, lust, wrath, etc.— to whoever eats it. While it took a few major creative liberties, Like Water for Chocolate is a stunning book adaptation that deserves to be more than a hidden gem.

Nobody Wants This

Netflix is renowned for its high drama, thrilling action, and dark true crime, but Nobody Wants This took the world by storm as a straight-to-streaming rom-com series. As the title suggests, the central love story is, in theory, forbidden. Strapping male lead Noah (Adam Brody) is a young but devout rabbi, while protagonist Joanne (Kristen Bell) is a hot-tempered podcast host with no designated faith.

Critics and audiences alike raved over the bold first season, but Nobody Wants This' divisive season 2 garnered mixed reviews. Nevertheless, a third season is already in the works, and the romance will hopefully learn from its mistakes as it continues.

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Chances are, even if you've never seen The Summer I Turned Pretty yourself, you knew someone who devoted each Wednesday to the teen drama. Based on the bestselling novel trilogy by Jenny Han, the coming-of-age romance series was more than a mere show; it grew into a generation-defining staple.

Without question, it had one of the most infamous love triangles in modern television history, leading countless fans to watch The Summer I Turned Pretty's finale with bated breath to see which love interest Isabel "Belly" Conklin (Lola Tung) would ultimately end up with. Thankfully, there's still much to look forward to, as a film epilogue has been confirmed.

Heartstopper

Similarly, the Heartstopper movie serves as the final chapter to a half-decade story, but the four-season show stands up perfectly on its own. Adapted from a series of graphic novels by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper is a familiar tale of first love that is equal parts wholesome and, at times, realistically devastating.

Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) may be the show's main couple, but Heartstopper explores the lives, loves, and growing pains of every character in its delightful ensemble. With the majority of queer representation in romance either ending in heartbreak or death, the Netflix original series is a breath of fresh air that gives its cast obstacles but never allows them to give up.

Normal People

Granted, not every love story ends with a happily ever-after. Ironically, romantic tragedies often have the best storytelling, which makes the harsh realities and somber twists cut that much deeper. As such, it's unsurprising that Normal People is considered a cult classic, but that doesn't make its final scene any easier to watch.

Regardless of the tear-jerking moments, the relationship between Connell (Paul Mescal) and Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is a reminder that it is always better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. The sentiment is nothing new, but the way Normal People conveys it will stick with you forever.

Heated Rivalry

Heated Rivalry may have only come out in late 2025, but the sports romance is so ubiquitous, you couldn't escape it if you tried. Created by Jacob Tierney and released internationally by HBO Max, Heated Rivalry draws inspiration from the Game Changers novel series by Rachel Reid.

Although there are many beloved characters in the source material, the series mainly focuses on Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams), the eponymous rivals who gradually fall in love between secret rendezvous and stolen glances. Each change Heated Rivalry made from the book only further enriched the captivating story, but the upcoming second season will no doubt cement the series as a defining sports romance.

When Life Gives You Tangerines

When Life Gives You Tangerines is an uncontested K-drama masterpiece, but its 16-episode narrative of love through the ages transcends any language barrier. The 2025 drama tells the life story of Oh Ae-sun (IU), a bristly poet who begrudgingly falls for her devoted suitor, Yang Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum).

Together, the couple navigate the unpredictable and often cruel winds of fate, moving from Jeju Island to metropolitan Seoul with their children and unrealized dreams in tow. In turn, the series moves between the mid 20th century and the early 2000s, but what truly makes When Life Gives You Tangerines so indomitable is its artistic identity. Be it the snippets of poetry woven into the narration or the heavily symbolic nature imagery, the Korean romance is a whirlwind of emotion you won't soon forget.

Bridgerton

Yet another book-to-television adaptation that surpassed its original format, Bridgerton is a full-blown cultural phenomenon. Since the Regency romance's 2020 debut, fans have flocked to cheer on the titular family, composed of eight bachelors and debutantes who must contend with the draining social season, the fearsome marriage mart, and the anonymous gossip rag penned by a writer known only as Lady Whistledown.

Plus, if you don't resonate with one Bridgerton love story, all you have to do is wait for the next installment. Each season focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling finding their soulmate, and every romance checks the box of a different trope. Season 1 will appeal to fake dating fans, while the enemies-to-lovers plot of season 2 is guaranteed to enthrall. With potentially four seasons left in its legendary run, it's obvious that Bridgerton is a wildly popular romance show, and it will surely be remembered for decades to come.

Release Date 2020 - 2026-00-00

Network Netflix

Directors Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson

Writers Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin