35 Best Romance Movies of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb 

Thanks to users on IMDb, it's easy to determine the films that top the list of the all-time, most romantic movies to have ever been made. The top 10 romantic movies, in particular, each have an amazing story to tell and do so with masterful grace that shows how truly wonderful love can be. They remind viewers of the importance of cherishing the ones they love, no matter who or what they may be.

35 'Annie Hall' (1977)

IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

The defining romance movie that made Woody Allen a household name and is the clear peak of his career, Annie Hall is the Best Picture-winning romance film that proved to be the quintessential romance film of the 70s. The film stars Allen as Alvy Singer, a New York comedian who has fallen head over heels in love with the titular Annie Hall (Diane Keaton), but sadly, it wasn't meant to be, as they broke up a year ago. Singer is still rattling and attempting to figure out the reasons as to why their seemingly perfect relationship ended, as he embarks on a journey of self-reflection for answers.

While the rest of Allen's filmography hasn't particularly aged the best over the years, it's difficult to deny the striking story and brilliant blending of drama, comedy, and romance that made Annie Hall such a cultural phenomenon. The film can easily be seen as popularizing the style of neurotic, nerdy leads in romance films, with this and many other established tropes still having a place in the modern romance film.

34 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

The Best Picture-winning romantic drama based on a wild real-life story, Slumdog Millionaire follows Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), an impoverished Indian teenager who is soon thrust into the spotlight after being a contestant on the Hindi version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. However, after he ends up miraculously winning the show, he is soon suspected of cheating, having to recount his life story to the police and explain how he was able to answer each question correctly.

Slumdog Millionaire takes a unique and dynamic non-linear approach to its storytelling, working wonders in terms of amplifying both the stakes of the film and the central romance. While its hook of being about Jamal's experiences on the show and with the police helps get audiences through the door, the powerful romance between Jamal and Latika (Freida Pinto) helped the film connect with so many people. Even over 15 years since its release, the film has left its mark on audiences worldwide as one of the defining romantic movie experiences of the 2000s.

33 'The Graduate' (1967)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

One of the most impactful and influential romantic comedies of all time, The Graduate follows Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate who is still attempting to set a course for his future. As if he didn't already have enough on his plate, he finds himself in an unexpected love triangle with the illustrious older woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), and her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). The film was deeply impactful and emblematic of its era in filmmaking and is easily the defining chapter of romance movies of the 60s.

The modern romantic comedy, as it is commonly known, can easily find its origins in The Graduate, a film that completely redefined the human element while providing a mixture of biting commentary and comedy. Over 50 years after its release, there are still many films that can find direct inspiration from this classic of the genre, with its legendary ending still being in contention as one of the most iconic and memorable endings in film history.

32 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

A beloved rewatchable Disney animated masterpiece, 1991's Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara), an intelligent and spirited young woman who finds herself in an enchanted castle as a prisoner in exchange for her father's freedom. Her captor is the Beast (Robby Benson), a prince cursed to remain in his monstrous form until he learns to love and be loved in return. During her stay in the magical castle, Belle learns that not all is as it seems, with the Beast having a tragic story behind his tough exterior.

This classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, with its captivating love story, is a visual delight that tells a fantastical story of unexpected romance. Its stunning animation, coupled with Alan Menken's timeless musical score and iconic characters like the lovable Lumière (Jerry Orbach) and the stern but caring Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers), all create a gorgeous and endlessly rewatchable Disney classic that's still adored by fans today.

31 'Her' (2013)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Director Spike Jonze's Her is an award-winning film that takes place in a not-so-distant future where technology has progressed far enough that artificial intelligence sounds human-like – sound familiar? In that future, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely and introverted writer, finds solace and love in an unlikely place: an operating system named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Especially in a modern world that finds itself more and more reliant on technology as a means to form meaningful connections, Her makes a powerful statement and grows more relevant with each passing year.

The unconventional romance that unfolds between the two leads is surprisingly a poignant depiction of love in the modern age, or rather, the desperation for connection that individuals feel in a world dominated by isolation. Phoenix delivers a mesmerizing performance as the vulnerable Theodore, which is perfectly complemented by Johansson's voice acting, which imbues Samantha with a warmth and charm that make it easy to see why someone could fall for AI.

30 'The Princess Bride' (1987)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

A timeless classic set in a whimsical fairytale world, Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride takes viewers on a humorous adventure alongside the heroic Westley (Cary Elwes), who is on a quest to rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), from an arranged marriage to the nefarious Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). The film's endless charm and witty sense of humor have quickly cemented it as one of the quintessential romantic adventure films, not just of the 1980s, but of all time.

The quotable film cleverly subverts traditional fairytale tropes through Westley's hilarious journey, where he also meets comical yet unforgettable characters like Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and Vizzini (Wallace Shawn). The Princess Bride is the perfect movie, earning that rare reputation for its seamless combination of an exciting quest, humor, and romance. Of course, the chemistry between Elwes and Wright lends a genuine and enduring charm to their characters' love story, which has stood the test of time.

29 'La La Land' (2016)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

La La Land is a musical masterpiece that pays homage to Hollywood's golden age but adds a modern twist. It's centered on the different stages of the romance between aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) and jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), who go through the highs and lows of pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles as best they can. As they inch closer to their goals, however, they realize that they are on entirely different paths and must soon make a tough decision.

With elaborate set pieces and a vibrant color palette, director Damien Chazelle's La La Land tells its heartbreaking love story against a gorgeous backdrop. Not to mention, the film's songs like "City of Stars" likely have a permanent place in fans' playlists, reminding them of the breakup film's emotional message about what people would do for love (and what they wouldn't). The film has continued to surmount an effective legacy in the years since its release to be a modern-day romantic musical on the same level as the all-time greats of the past.

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

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

An instant classic LGBTQ+ romance movie directed by Céline Sciamma, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a deeply emotional masterpiece set in 18th-century France. It tells the story of a forbidden love affair between Marianne (Noémie Merlant), a painter, and Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), her initially reluctant subject. Although Héloïse is about to be married off to a man she has never met, the connection between the two women deepens as they spend more time together on a remote island.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire's slow-burning romance is portrayed with authenticity and full of tension that viewers can feel through the screen. Sciamma's direction is masterful, capturing the unspoken desires and emotions that simmer beneath the surface. Merlant and Haenel have an electric chemistry that proves they were impeccable cast for the movie. A meditation on love, art, and the nature of desire, it's a hauntingly beautiful film that any fan of the genre should see at least once.

27 'Titanic' (1997)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Combining top-of-the-line technical craft and scale to bring to life its powerful story of tragic romance amidst a real-life tragedy, Titanic has been an icon of romance blockbusters ever since its release. James Cameron's romantic masterpiece, once even heralded as the highest-grossing movie of all time, completely reshaped and redefined the level of success that romance movies could achieve, becoming a cultural phenomenon that would define the '90s in romance filmmaking.

While its blockbuster prowess has certainly kept it in the cultural zeitgeist and in the hearts of many IMDb users, the film's continued brilliance and impact within the romance genre are what have helped it maintain its high rating on the site. Even all of these years after the film's release, no other romance film comes close to its sheer level of scale and technical craft, perfectly utilizing said scale to amplify the emotional weight of its romance.

26 'In the Mood for Love' (2000)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

In the Mood for Love is a visually stunning and evocative masterpiece by Wong Kar-Wai. Set in 1960s Hong Kong, the film revolves around the lives of Mr. Chow (Tony Leung) and Mrs. Chan (Maggie Cheung), two neighbors who find solace in their newly formed and somewhat strange bond after discovering that their spouses are having an affair. What soon unfolds is a beautiful tale of finding love and connection from the fallout of a loss of connection, beautifully delving into the pain, guilt, and lust that go into their growing connection.

The film follows as the two begin to fall for each other, all subtly captured through small gestures and stolen glances. Despite the clear connection, they're bound by societal norms and their own inhibitions. They want what they cannot have, and that tense atmosphere and desperation are perfectly complemented by the stylistic visuals that seem to reflect the characters’ predicaments. It’s a spell-binding film that should be considered essential viewing for fans of Asian cinema and romance in general.