Nothing screams a cozy night in quite like a good Romance movie. With so many streaming platforms at our disposal, each with their own select user fee, it’s hard not to spend an arm and a leg to tame that love story fix. However, viewers who know where to look can find some of their favorite go-tos free of charge if they know where to look. Fortunately, the number of no-charge streaming options has soared in recent years. Those willing to sit through an ad or five will find their options ripe for watching.
Oldie, but goodie, YouTube just so happens to be one of these options. YouTube has a plethora of free movies to choose from. While obvious favorites like The Twilight Saga and forgotten cult classics like Cry, Baby abound, there are far more options for those looking for a classic screwball or drama.
9
The Accidental Husband (2008)
- Release Date
-
February 29, 2008
- Runtime
-
90
The Accidental Husband is a romantic comedy from 2008 that starred Uma Turman as Emma and The Walking Dead‘s own Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Patrick. In this film, radio host and relationship advice guru Emma’s world is turned upside down when her upcoming marriage to Richard (Colin Firth) is delayed because she is still technically married to a man named Patrick. Patrick is a firefighter and the cunning mastermind behind Emma’s troubles. He fabricates an elaborate plan for revenge that eventually leads to an unintentional and unexpected love story.
A Classic 2000s Delight
The title alone practically guarantees a formulaic, feel-good time. Uma Thurman provides a knock-out performance worthy of screwball originals, and her co-stars aren’t too shabby either. Colin Firth is notorious for his leading roles in romcoms like Bridget Jones’ Diary, so his casting is perfect. Jeffrey Dean Morgan shows a familiarly scheming, but far more wholesome side to his acting repertoire. The film is chock-full of the typical screwball plot devices, from overly complicated problem-solving to impractically dramatic stakes, and has all the makings of a comfortable rom-com binge.
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The fake dating trope remains an absolute favorite for romance lovers. And here are some of the best films that feature pretend couples.
8
Penelope (2006)
- Release Date
-
March 1, 2006
- Runtime
-
101
Penelope tells the story of a family cursed by the decisions of their ancestors not to accept a pair of young lovers. In the present day, Penelope (Christina Ricci), an aristocratic heiress, is born with a pig snout as a result. The only way to break the curse is to find her true love, someone who will wholeheartedly accept her, snout and all. Her well-meaning, but utterly misguided parents hide her from the world for years… that is until, sometime after her 18th birthday, when they decide to take her love life into their own hands. Their attempts to set her up with a fellow blueblood, however, go horribly awry, leading Penelope to strike off on her own in search of acceptance.
Elevated by a Brilliant Ensemble Cast
Released during the height of fable fantasy fervor, this modern take on classic fairy tale tropes is nothing short of delightful. There is a message of acceptance hidden deep beneath the overtures of classism. Plus, this cast reads like an understated who’s who, from Catherine O’Hara as Penelope’s mother, to James McAvoy as a kind, but subterfuging suitor, to Peter Dinklage and Reese Witherspoon as newfound friends Penelope finds along the way. And, with a PG rating, the film is wholesome enough to binge with some younger loved ones in tow.
7
Ball of Fire (1941)
Ball of Fire
- Release Date
-
December 2, 1941
- Cast
-
Barbara Stanwyck
, Gary Cooper
, Oskar Homolka
, Henry Travers
, S.Z. Sakall
, Tully Marshall
, Leonid Kinskey
, Richard Haydn
, Aubrey Mather
, Allen Jenkins
, Dana Andrews
, Dan Duryea
, Ralph Peters
, Kathleen Howard
, Charles Lane
, Charles Arnt
, Elisha Cook Jr.
, Mary Field
, Alan Rhein
, Eddie Foster
, Aldrich Bowker
, Addison Richards
, Kenneth Howell
, Tim Ryan
, Gene Krupa - Runtime
-
111 minutes
Ball of Fire is a classic screwball comedy featuring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper. The story centers around a group of bachelors (and one widower) who live and work together in a prim and proper pad. Desperate to understand and learn some more modern colloquialisms to add to the work, the youngest of them, Professor Potts, a grammarian in American slang, turns to Katherine “Sugarpuss” O’Shea for advice. A nightclub performer by trade, she only agrees to stay after finding herself on the run from police as a result of her mob boyfriend’s shenanigans. The pair, of course, take a liking to each other, but are forced to put their feelings aside momentarily for the sake of the book and their lives after Sugarpuss’ angry boyfriend comes a’calling.
A Screwball Comedy that Stands the Test of Time
This title perfectly encapsulates Stanwyck’s character, a firecracker with a silver tongue for ‘modern’ American colloquialisms. Obvious references to the fable of Snow White aside, this juxtaposition of stuffiness and flamboyance makes for some incredible screwball shenanigans. The chemistry between the two leads is rife, though they are at times outmatched by those of their academic companions. A common matter in romantic comedies, the couple’s attempts to save each other are, of course, what ultimately keep them apart for so long. Viewers will have to refrain from yelling at the screen for more open and honest communication, which would have solved just about all the woes of these two lovebirds to begin with.
6
A Walk to Remember (2002)
- Release Date
-
January 25, 2002
- Runtime
-
102 Mins
The iconic teen drama A Walk to Remember is based on an early Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name. The film stars Shane West as Landon and Mandy Moore as Jamie. What starts out as a classic ’50s Romeo and Juliet story meets 10 Things I Hate About You takes a hard turn into reality as forces beyond their control serve to push them apart. Will Jamie’s illness push them apart? Love, understanding, and passion are constants as they navigate their youth with what time they have left.
A Timeless Tearjerker
There’s nothing like young love and a coming-of-age romance, particularly when that film is as highly rewatchable as this one is. Melodramatic to its core, A Walk to Remember features iconic performances by both Shane West and Mandy Moore in one of her earliest roles. Moore’s musical performance is expected but stellar. Perhaps more poignant for fans of tearjerkers are their matrimonial scenes. Be prepared to break out the tissues for this one.
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5
Once in a Summer (2006)
Set during a tumultuous time in Korea’s history, Once in a Summer follows Suk-young, the politically apathetic son of a successful businessman, who volunteers to avoid working under his father. His volunteer work brings him to a small village, where he meets the local librarian, Jung-in, who faces heavy prejudice from the community coming from a family who fled North Korea. The two begin a slow courting, with the political chaos and Jung-in’s troubled past making them hesitant to realize their feelings for each other.
Love During Political Turmoil
Romance blooming in difficult times is always guaranteed to pull at the heartstrings, and Once in a Summer captures the unsteady environment of 1960s South Korea while weaving a believable relationship. At the same time, the movie also balances the political turmoil with the natural beauty of Korea but places its story in a visually idyllic small village. Combined with the phenomenal performance from Lee Byung-hun as Suk-young, the romance feature carries a weight that will pull at the heartstrings.
4
Listen to Your Heart (2010)
Listen to Your Heart
- Release Date
-
August 14, 2010
- Runtime
-
102 minutes
In Listen to Your Heart, struggling songwriter Danny Foster has a chance meeting with a deaf woman working at a diner who he instantly falls in love with. Protective of her daughter and not trusting Danny, Sam’s mother, Victoria, pushes back and tries to set Sam up with someone she sees as more suitable for her needs. Yet, the two slowly become inseparable and soon become companions during the most challenging moments of their lives.
The Universal Language of Love
There is something to be said about a romance movie that can capture an entire lifetime of love; it is one of the main reasons The Notebook remains a fan favorite 20 years after its release. Listen to Your Heart presents a wide swathe of a remarkable romance, but it also approaches it with positivity and authenticity that is as infectious as it is gut-wrenching. A lot transpires in Matt Thompson’s Listen to Your Heart, and viewers are best to go in blind to ensure the maximum impact of its highly emotional twists and turns.
3
Unforgettable (2016)
Also known as Pure Love, Unforgettable follows five friends on vacation together on a small fisherman’s island, with one of them narrating aspects of the story decades later. The primary focus is on Soo-ok, a young girl with mobility issues who sees her friends taking care of her, and Beom-sil, who has harbored feelings for her for a long time leading up to the trip.
Thoughtful Reflections on Youth and Love Lost
If you need a good cry, Unforgettable deals with themes of grief told through the highly emotional coming-of-age period of life. The film is less an affirmation of the power of love and more a mediation on losing out of what could have been. Still, leading up to a rather tragic conclusion, the movie has that idyllic setting, emotional performances, and thoughtful dialogue that has made Korean romance/drama movies such a fan-favorite.
2
Shirin in Love (2014)
- Release Date
-
March 14, 2014
- Cast
-
Nazanin Boniadi
, Riley Smith
, Amy Madigan
, Marshall Manesh
, Maz Jobrani
, Anita Khalatbari - Runtime
-
104
Shirin (Nazanin Boniadi) is going through the steps expected by her and her family as a mid-twenty-something Iranian-American woman living in Los Angeles. Expected to marry a wealthy surgeon, Shirin finds that her life is missing something. It is a chance to meet up with a man named William, the son of her most recent interview subject, a famous author named Rachel Harson, that begins to open the young woman’s eyes to another world outside of her forced expectations. Rachel’s reclusive nature forces her to get closer to William to understand the creative better, and love begins to bloom, much to the disdain of Shirin’s family.
Foregoing Tradition to Find Happiness
While Shirin in Love highlights the skills of actor Nazanin Boniadi, the movie also touches on deeper universal themes of community and expectations that will resonate with many viewers. At the same time, the movie offers an authentic and engaging view of the Iranian-American community in Los Angeles, which gives the film a unique edge over others. Shirin in Love also shucks some expected rom-com tropes through its exploration of traditions and witty script.
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1
Charade (1963)
Charade
- Release Date
-
December 5, 1963
- Runtime
-
113 minutes
Regina “Reggie” Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) is not left with much time to mourn the death of her husband after she learns he was involved in stealing a considerable sum of gold along with three other men. While unaware of her husband’s riches, the remaining three men hunt her down for the share of money they want to claim for themselves. Peter Joshua (Cary Grant), one of her husband’s war buddies, seems to be an empathetic and helpful ally to Reggie, and the two begin to have feelings for each other. However, Peter’s motives remain questionable as Reggie struggles to find her husband’s money.
Mystery and Romance
Fans of classic cinema will adore the pairing of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, whose on-screen chemistry helps push the caper forward. For those wanting a few extra thrills and intrigue, with romance incorporated, Charade is the perfect mash-up of genres certain to please. Capturing the aesthetic of the 60s, the movie also boasts a witty script that still charms decades after its release.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
