On a cold, lonely day when you’re stuck inside, a nice romantic story can be just what you need. When a viewer wants a story filled with twists and turns, as well as a bunch of changing characters, sometimes it’s best to watch a romantic series. Other times, all that’s needed is a simple, one-shot story, calling instead for a romantic movie. Romances with happy endings give viewers the chance to escape into a fantasy, but even stories with sad endings can be meaningful in their own right. After all, even when love is unrequited, it can still be powerful.
Netflix is a platform for a variety of romantic films and television shows, from musicals to anthology films. Some were made for Netflix, while others were later acquired by the streaming service. Even when a film or series leaves Netflix, they can still leave an impression, serving as an honorable mention to the platform’s variety of love stories.
‘Nobody Wants This’ (2024)
Nobody Wants This tells the story of Joanne and Noah. Joanne is a sex-positive podcaster with a knack for oversharing and a history of failed relationships. Noah is a newly single rabbi navigating heartbreak and an overbearing family. When these two collide at a dinner party, an unlikely romance sparks as they try to bridge wildly different worldviews, careers, and cultural baggage.
A Hilarious, Odd-Energy Couple
Thriving on contradiction, this Netflix series is a perfect rainy day binge. Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are magnetic, bouncing between snarky banter and genuine affection. And the writing, courtesy of Erin Foster, is sharp, self-aware, and emotionally rich. The romance is messy in the best way, with late-night confessions and spiritual debates. Critics praised its culture-clash angle and depth, and it has picked up Emmy Nominations for writing and lead performances.
’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)
At Padua High, dating Bianca Stratford comes with one condition, and it is that her older sister Kat must date first. Kat, however, is a fiercely independent feminist with zero interest in high school romance. But when Patrick Verona, a mysterious bad boy hired to woo her, enters the picture, both Kat and Patrick start to slowly peel back each other’s defenses.
Edge Enough to Feel Timeless
The entire school becomes a stage for Shakespearean-level drama, because yes, 10 Things I Hate About You is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Still a comfort watch for many, this late-90s teen romcom is known for Heath Ledger’s iconic serenade on the bleachers, Julia Stiles’ fiery monologues, and the clever script. The romance is layered with sarcasm and rebellion and the Seattle setting adds a moody backdrop that pairs perfectly with a pouring day.
‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ (2023)
After losing her family in a tragic accident, perfectionist Jackie Howard is sent from Manhattan to rural Colorado to live with her guardian and her ten children. Unlike Jackie’s New York life, the Walter household is loud, chaotic, and full of surprises. It doesn’t help that Jackie gets caught up between two different brothers – Cole, the brooding rebel, and Alex, the golden boy.
An Emotional Pick-Me-Up
My Life with the Walter Boys is a YA drama that takes its romantic triangle seriously and infuses a lot of warmth into it. Nikki Rodriguez anchors the series with a performance that’s both fierce and relatable, while Noah LaLonde and Ashby Gentry bring nuance to their respective roles. Directed with a soft touch and set against sweeping Colorado landscapes, it’s the kind of show you watch when you want something soft and a little dramatic.
‘Past Lives’ (2023)
In Celine Song’s Past Lives, Nora and Hae Sung were childhood friends in Seoul. They were inseparable until Nora’s family emigrated to Canada. Decades later, they reconnect in New York for one week, confronting the paths not taken and the love that never quite faded. A meditation of time, identity, and the soft ache of what could have been, the movie is not about grand gestures, but the spaces between them.
An Elegant and Bittersweet Story of Lost Love
Song’s directorial debut is a masterpiece in every way. It boasts a powerful romance that is built on memory, shared history, and emotional honesty. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo deliver performances that are subtle, aching, and nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing the complexities of Nora and Hae Song’s relationship with such authenticity. A critical triumph and one of the best movies of 2023, Past Lives won multiple awards and Oscar buzz.
‘Anyone But You’ (2023)
Inspired by Much Ado About Nothing, this romcom follows Bea and Ben, who hit it off after the perfect first date. But a tiny miscommunication turns their spark into frost. Months later, they are forced to reunite at a destination wedding in Australia, where they pretend to be a couple to avoid awkward questions. But their charade quickly brings back old feelings, leading to a second chance none of them expected.
Fizzy, Flirty, and Full of Mischief
For fans of enemies-to-lovers, Anyone But You is a total hit. It stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, who share electric chemistry, and their crazy banter carries the movie with ease. Directed by Will Gluck, the movie combines screwball comedy with swoony romance, set against postcard-perfect Australian backdrops. With a box office haul of over $220 million and a soundtrack that slaps, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
‘One Day’ (2024)
In One Day, two university friends, Emma and Dexter, meet on graduation night and spend the next two decades circling each other. Sometimes as friends, sometimes as lovers, but always connected. Each episode of the series revisits their relationship on the same date, year after year, as it captures the evolution of their bond through career changes, heartbreak, and life.
Time, Friendship, and Fate
Adapted from David Nicholls’ novel, this British limited series is a slow-burn romance that’s as much about timing as it is about love. Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall bring so much depth to Emma and Dex that their journey feels heartbreakingly real. Beautifully directed, the series also captures different emotional tones in each episode, from hope to despair to joy. Definitely one of the many romance shows on Netflix that pairs perfectly with a cup of tea and a rainy afternoon.
‘Coming to America’ (1988)
Coming to America is a romantic comedy that starts off in the fictional African country of Zamunda. The nation’s crown prince, Akeem Joffer, dreads the prospect of an arranged marriage. Wanting a wife who will love him for him, Akeem and his aide, Semmi, decide to travel to New York disguised as students, thinking there’d be no better place to find a queen than Queens. While there, the prince falls in love with a woman named Lisa, even getting a job at McDowell’s, a fast-food restaurant run by her father. Thanks to the intervention of the queen, the film gets its fairytale ending with Lisa behind the veil.
Royal Romance Meets Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy
Eddie Murphy’s dual-role performance anchors this classic romcom with equal parts heart and hilarity. The romance between Akeem and Lisa is sweet, built on mutual respect, and filled with tender moments. Directed by John Landis, the film depicts love across class and culture and that’s why it still resonates. With iconic scenes, quotable lines, and a cast that includes Arsenio Hall and James Earl Jones, it is a comfort watch.
‘Falling for Christmas’ (2022)
Falling for Christmas sees wealthy heiress Sierra Belmont get appointed as a “vice president of atmosphere” by her father at his high-profile ski resort. During a mountaintop photo shoot with her influencer boyfriend, Sierra gets into an accident, causing her to get lost and lose her memory. Jake Russell, who recently failed to pitch his ideas to Sierra’s father, offers Sierra a place to stay at his own bed and breakfast. Sierra, going by the name, “Sarah,” helps with the hotel and proves to be a good influence, all the while trying to remember who she is.
Snowy Romance and Flannel Shirts
A holiday romcom that embraces its tropes with full sincerity, Falling for Christmas is beloved for Lindsay Lohan’s comeback performance. It is charming and self-aware, and paired with Chord Overstreet’s Jake, there’s a certain warmth that’s hard to deny. Scenes like decorating trees, baking cookies, and slow dances by the fire complete the romance, making it ideal for rainy-day escapism.
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2’ (2016)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, the follow-up to the 2002 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, starts off after Toula married Ian, now having a teenage daughter, Paris. However, the couple’s relationship has become strained over the years. Ian now works as the principal at Paris’ school, while Toula’s family has been hit hard by the recession, seeing the end of Toula’s travel agency and the family’s dry cleaners. When it is revealed that her parents’ marriage was never legally valid, the Portokalos gear up for another wedding.
Breezy and Sentimental
The follow-up clearly retains its charm through affectionate humor and cultural clashes. There’s more chaos, more traditions, and a lot of heartfelt moments. Nia Vardalos once again leads with her signature presence, and the ensemble cast (especially Andrea Martin as Aunt Voula), brings a lot of laugh-out-loud moments.
‘La La Land’ (2016)
La La Land is a romantic musical drama comedy revolving around two young people trying to make their dreams come true in Los Angeles. Mia wants to be an actress, while Sebastian, or “Seb,” wants to be a jazz musician. They meet during a moment of road rage and soon find themselves constantly running into each other. However, even musicals, as in real life, don’t always promise a happy ending, whether it comes to their ambitions or their relationship, at least not without sacrificing one for the other.
A Story Breaks Your Heart
Damien Chazelle’s movie is a love story wrapped in a love letter to old Hollywood. The direction is bold and lyrical, combining classic musical tropes with modern melancholy. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling have undeniable chemistry, and their performances hit hard. The romance is tender yet tragic, and it’s built on shared dreams and the ache of what might have been. With six Academy Awards and a legacy of iconic moments (hello, planetarium dance), it’s a film that rewards multiple watches.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
