What makes a romance movie so great and easy to watch are the tropes that go into each film. Two strangers can fall in love any old way, but when there’s some type of problem, or they’re enemies at first, or there’s an unrequited deal, that makes the watch that much better. A trope that rules the screen is the age-old slow-burn romance that takes more than half the movie for the characters to realize they’re in love with each other and make something happen.
While this trope is typically found in television shows with season-long flirtation of will-they-won’t-they romance teases in series like The Office, Psych, and The O.C., to name a few, it is popular in films as well. It can be found in a wide array of romances, from period pieces to contemporary set films. The audience gets to experience the pair falling for each other without it being rushed, and things naturally progress between the love interests. Take a look at the fifteen best slow-burn romance movies of all time.
Update February 13, 2024: This article has been updated by Soniya Hinduja with more heartwarming and satisfying slow-burn romance movies.
15 The Remains of the Day (1993)
Set in the summer of 1958 in rural England, The Remains of the Day is a historical period drama based on the novel of the same name, written in 1989. Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson are subject to a slow-burn romance that builds between a butler named Stevens and housekeeper Miss Kenton, and their timeline spans from the ’30s to the ’60s. Thompson and Hopkins’ chemistry is great as they deal with the man they work for and his possible involvement in the Nazi party.
The One That Ends On A Bittersweet Note
Stevens and Miss Kenton are two stiff characters, but in the hands of Hopkins and Thompson, they reveal their repressed longing, subtle volumes, and elegant desires with such grace that it is hard to look away. The romance in this story is very sweet and quiet, as they’re both going through hard times with the war, and having to cater to a man whose values they don’t share. Playing out under the understated direction of James Ivory, The Remains of the Day finds profundity in routine. At the end of the film, there is a very bittersweet goodbye as the two part ways, and the audience can only imagine if the two linked up after the credits rolled. Rent on Apple TV
14 Me Before You (2016)
Fair warning: You should only watch this romance if you need to shed some tears and want to be absolutely devastated by the time the credits roll. Me Before You centers around Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a successful businessman who traveled all over the world and made quite a bit of money doing so but is now confined to a motorized chair after he was in an accident. He’s determined to end his life in Switzerland, claiming that he doesn’t see much use for his life now that he can’t do anything for himself. Before the appointment comes, a woman named Lou (Emilia Clarke) is hired as his new caretaker, and in the weeks they spend together before he passes, they quickly fall in love in a reserved manner.
Hearts That Learn To Soar
Winner of the People’s Choice Awards in the category of Favorite Dramatic Movie, Me Before You is a fan favorite, and for good reason. Emilia Clarke and Sam Clafin completely plunge into the roles, showcasing the depth of their characters in every struggle and triumph. Clafin’s Will is a complicated and self-effacing one, so for him to learn how fully he can be loved and embrace each moment as a gift was a journey that came alive under Thea Sharrock’s direction quite brilliantly. Moreover, the dazzling backdrops, the build-up toward character arcs, and the moving finale all lead toward an ending that is truly sad but beautiful nonetheless. Rent on Apple TV
13 Set It Up (2018)
Set it Up is one of the best modern rom-coms that has been made in the past ten years, and if you enjoy a romance that starts in the workplace and has a dash of an enemies-to-lovers vibe, then you have to check this one out. Talk about sizzling on-screen chemistry, and we have Harper and Charlie, two overworked assistants with bosses that are extremely anal and high maintenance. Desperate to escape the routine, the duo decides to hook them up to make life easier. Of course, complications arise, and as the two struggle to keep the bit up, they start to fall for each other.
Entertaining Workplace Romance
Glen Powell, who has only recently returned to the rom-com game with Sydney Sweeney in Anyone but You, stars alongside Zoey Deutch in this film that could eventually become a classic in the romance genre. In the movie, the stars share a connection that sneakily steals the show from the primary romance, which is supposed to be one between their bosses. Overall, Set It Up is a breath of fresh air. Stream on Netflix
12 Emma (2020)
Emma.
- Release Date
- February 13, 2020
- Director
- Autumn DeWilde
Set in 1800s England, Emma tells the story of the titular character, a girl who’s spoiled but parentless and spends most of her time helping her friends fall in love with other people. Despite her reputation, she’s remarkably and resolutely unattached to anyone herself. On the other hand, Mr. Knightley is helplessly in love with Emma and makes plenty of efforts to make it known, but it’s not until the end of the movie that the two are finally married and get their happily ever after.
Miss Matchmaker Meets Her Match
Jane Austen has two adaptations of her work featured on this list, and while Emma has been done before in both a miniseries and a movie, the 2020 version has something truly special about it. This one brims with both adventure and romance as the characters develop over time. Staying true to the period, the movie features scenic locales and stunning costumes. And if you’ve seen Bridgerton, then you know the intensity of love felt during this time, especially when Simon told Daphne, “I burn for you.” In Emma, Mr. Knightley burns for Emma so brightly that it’ll make just about anyone blush. Stream on Peacock
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11 The Sound of Music (1965)
Who would have thought that one of the most classic love stories would be set against the backdrop of the rise of Nazi fascism? Indeed, it did with The Sound of Music, a tale that almost everyone knows, with Julia Andrews singing through fields of flowers and taking care of seven children. It takes place during World War II, and Maria (Andrews) is hired to care for Captain George Von Trapp’s children as his wife dies, and the kids need someone to look after them. Eventually, they face the hardest choice of all – one between loyalty, freedom, and following their hearts.
Timeless Classic
In The Sound of Music, Andrews is a beacon of hope and joy. She has this infectious spirit that breathes light into a period overshadowed by war. Paired with von Trapps, her beauty and legacy only fleshed out as more iconic than ever. The movie is a true slow burn, as the kids first fall in love with Maria, long before George even feels a lick of affection towards her. And when they finally do get together, it’s very sweet, as they quickly become married before having to flee because of the Nazis. Overall, it is an acclaimed, timeless, and gorgeous story about love. Stream on Disney+
10 While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman star in this drama/romance that centers around Lucy (Bullock), who works at a train station and is secretly in love with a passenger who takes the train every single day. One day, Peter (Petter Gallagahar) gets mugged and pushed onto the train tracks, but before anything tragic can happen, Lucy rescues him and brings him to the hospital. It’s there that she meets his entire family and pretends to be Peter’s fiancé, as he’s in a coma, unable to speak for himself. As she continues to lie, Lucy starts to become close with Peter’s brother, Jack (Pullman), and over time, they fall for each other; all the while, Peter is still in a coma.
Iconic ‘90s Slow-Burn Romance
While You Were Sleeping has a magic and feel-good quality to it, partly due to it being set at Christmas time, which makes it a great watch for the holiday season. Bullock and Pullman are, without a doubt, marvelous as Lucy and Jack. With one insecure and the other charming, the script leaves a lot of room for them to evolve through self-realization in unlikely circumstances. While You Were Sleeping is also very humorous and clever, which is why it also finds a place among the most rewatchable romantic movies of all time. Stream on Disney+
9 Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Despite looking like a typical rom-com on the surface, Always Be My Maybe really manages to play with the audience’s expectations. It centers around Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcas (Randall Park) who were childhood friends. After a fallout as teens, they went their separate ways. Flash forward fifteen years, and Sasha is a famous celebrity chef while Marcas is not only an unsuccessful musician but also haunted by their past. When a chance reunion brings them face to face, old feelings begin to surface. They must either bury the hatchet or address the intense chemistry between them.
Setting Standards For Modern Rom-Coms
Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, Always Be My Maybe perfectly captures the complexity of having an old flame and bumping into them over a decade later. Wong and Park are fantastic in their roles, and they bring relatability to their characters as they grapple with past mistakes and present yearning. The film peels back the layers slowly; it lets the characters relive their memories and understand their feelings, building anticipation for their inevitable second shot at a relationship. A rare gem with a witty script, Always Be My Maybe is a must-watch. Stream on Netflix
8 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
In How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson play two characters who fall for each other while also despising each other as they’re at odds and have something to prove to each of their workplaces. Andie (Hudson) is a writer for a women’s magazine, and after she expresses that she’s bored, she decides to get a man to break up with her in 10 days so she can write about it. She sets her sights on a man named Ben Barry, who also made a bet that he could get any woman to fall in love with him, and the two don’t suspect a thing about each other’s intentions.
When Games Get Too Real
You’d have to be living under a rock if you haven’t at least heard of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. And you would have to be a complete cynic to not be absolutely in love with Andie and Ben’s meet-cute and the scene of the final declaration of love on the bridge. But it is what comes in between – as they fight and essentially gaslight each other, get frustrated over each other’s flaws, meet the parents, share some sweet moments, and unknowingly fall head over heels for each other – that makes it a beloved slow-burn romance movie. Plus, Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are irresistible in their roles. Stream on Paramount+
7 Sleeping with Other People (2015)
Refreshingly funny, Sleeping with Other People is a modern-day romantic comedy. The main characters are Lainey and Jake, who accidentally reunite at a sex addict’s meeting and look back 12 years when they’d cut ties after a one-night stand in college and lost their virginity to one another. As they reconnect, they vow to be strictly platonic despite their growing intimacy and the fact that Lainey is strung up on Matthew, who is engaged, and Jake is a serial cheater. Only after hitting emotional rock bottoms alone do they come to understand that they are finally ready for a real relationship.
Refreshing And Honest
Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie portray flawed characters who must find the courage to push past their self-destructive patterns and embrace what’s in front of them. The two stars have a sparking chemistry that develops by subtle degrees. From having a safe word (‘Mousetrap’) to stop themselves from throwing themselves at each other to declaring their love over the phone from the police station, they slowly reveal layers of humor, hurt, and humanity. Under the clever direction of Leslye Headland, this witty, rebellious, honest, imperfect, and wise movie becomes one worth watching. Stream on Hulu
6 You’ve Got Mail (1998)
You’ve Got Mail is a fantastic romance movie if you can get over the way they got together in the first place, becoming pen pals while they were both in relationships and emotionally attached. It isn’t as shocking today as it was in the ‘90s. Joe and Kathleen seemingly fall for each other, exchanging emails daily, becoming good friends, and emotionally involved with each other’s lives. However, in real life, they can’t stand each other as they’re both in the bookstore business. Joe finds out that Kathleen is his pen pal before she does, and he has to deal with the reality of their situation, putting aside their rivalry before admitting that they really do love each other.
Love In The Age Of Computers
Not only does this movie have a slow-burn romance, but it also delves deep into the enemies-to-lovers trope that any romance lover knows and loves. Starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in the lead roles, the movie is nothing short of a gem that still finds a special place in the hearts of the ‘90s kids. Sentimental and predictable, the Nora Ephron-directed romantic comedy embraces its witty and poignant will-they-won’t-they narrative while also commenting on technology’s potential for connection. Overall, witnessing Ryan and Hanks fall for each other without awareness is the sweetest thing ever. Stream on TruTV
5 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
A ‘90s classic that uses the fun and relatable backdrop of a high school to weave a sophisticated romance, 10 Things I Hate About You focuses on two sisters who are starkly different, and the family rule is that when Kat dates, which is unlikely, Bianca will be allowed to go out with a boy as well. Bianca, who just wants to experience a high school relationship, makes a plan to have the school’s bad boy, Patrick, date Kat as a bet. Patrick accepts the bet and finds it harder than expected for Kat to fall for him, but the more effort he puts out, the harder they begin to fall for each other.
Swoon-Worthy Coming-Of-Age Story
Heath Ledger is completely swoon-worthy, charming, and a jerk in this teen romance that also features Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Larisa Oleynik. Directed by Gil Junger, this modern adaptation of a Shakespeare tale is so sharp and entertaining that you find yourself getting restless when the romance begins to fade. It is devastating when Kat finds out the real reason Patrick pursued him, but in return, the iconic scene where she reads her poem to the class is born, eliciting tears from Patrick, Kat, and the audience. Stream on Disney+
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4 Before Sunset (2004)
The second installment in Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy is Before Sunset. It is set nine years after the fateful encounter between Celine and Jesse in Vienna. Jesse is on a book tour in Europe, and he’s doing a book reading at Shakespeare and Company when Celine appears. They agree to spend the afternoon together, revisiting their first date and opening up deeply about their lives since then. As hours pass, their conversations grow intimate, and the connection they shared almost a decade ago is still palpable. But will their perfect evening recapture the magic?
Slow-Burn That Relies On Conversation
After the popularity of Before Sunrise grew, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, and directed Richard Linklater wanted to revisit the characters and see how life would have panned out for them. It is just as heavy on easy communication and soul-baring dialogue as the former film, Before Sunset refused to rely on sweeping gestures. Instead, you could feel the slow-burn chemistry between Jesse and Celine through their quiet introspection. The particular scene where Celine has her hand hovering, wanting to caress the back of Jesse’s head when they’re in the car alone, holds so much emotion, longing, insecurity, and love that it is exceptionally good. The movie unfolds in real time and despite only being 90 minutes, the audience is waiting for these two to end up together. Rent on Apple TV
3 When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Slow-burn romances that last more than a decade are a delight to watch. And there’s few movies that nail the narrative as well as play with an enemies-to-lovers trope quite like When Harry Met Sally… does. The titular characters have been friends for years, but the male-female dynamic between them is intense and challenging. Harry believes men and women can never be just friends. Sex always gets in the way. Sally disagrees. When fate brings them back into each other’s lives, they grow and transform and eventually risk ruining their friendship by betting on the possibility of a relationship.
The Blueprint For Enemies-To-Lovers
With a screenplay written by Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron and brought to life on screen under the careful and naturalistic direction of Reiner, When Harry Met Sally… was destined to become a classic. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are incredibly charming as Sally and Harry. From their first banter and their tiny disagreements to their simple routine hangouts and sensational fights, they prove that romance can bloom in places you’d never expect. The film also has a deft pacing that focuses on the entire slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they routine, building up to the memorable Christmas declaration. Stream on Tubi TV
2 Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
- Release Date
- December 6, 2019
- Director
- Céline Sciamma
- Cast
- Noemie Merlant
Selected to compete for the Palme d’Or the year it was released and winning massive international acclaim right after, Portrait of a Lady on Fire takes you to 18th-century France. It introduces you to Marianne, a young woman commissioned to paint the wedding portrait of Héloïse. The latter has only recently left the convent and is a reluctant bride-to-be. Marianne is under strict orders to never let her be suspicious of the portrait and just be around as her companion. As she secretly memorizes Héloïse’s features and paints her at night, the two women grow close, building their own passionate haven on the isolated island.
A Smoldering And Unforgettable Tale
In Portrait of a Lady on Fire, director Céline Sciamma masterfully draws out every heavy glance and thoughtful touch. Almost hypnotic to watch because of its sparse dialogue, the movie is a breathtaking example of how a quiet and slow love can transform two individuals. Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel are truly gorgeous in their roles. With their expert performances, they carve out a romance so subtle, painful, and complex that each new addition to their relationship, every word spoken or not spoken, feels jarring and monumental. Sciamma also understands the repression of their time and weaves the narrative in a way that intensifies it. Overall, it is an unforgettable film. Stream on Hulu
1 Pride and Prejudice (2005)
The slow burn of all slow burns. While there have been other adaptations of this story, just like Emma, the 2005 version that features Matthew McFayden and Kiera Knightly is the one that remains supreme. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth come from two different worlds, and when they meet, both are set in their ways about not falling in love with the other. However, things start to shift as Mr. Darcy starts to become infatuated with Elizabeth, even going so far as to memorize her walking schedule, so he can accompany her on her daily strolls.
Greatest Slow-Burn Romance
Under Joe Wright’s glowing direction and the accuracy with which 18th-century England is brought to the screen, there is a riveting chemistry that develops between the characters played by Knightley and McFayden. Lavish, unforgettable, and truly exquisite, Pride and Prejudice is a wonderful period romance. It is also very beautiful in its cinematography and pacing. And the film is filled with so many heartwarming scenes that will leave you breathless, such as when Mr. Darcy finally stutters out that he loves Elizabeth. Truly, no other slow-burn romance could touch what Pride and Prejudice accomplished. Stream on Peacock
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
