Looking for a good love story? We’ve put together the best romance movies streaming onNetflixright now, from rom-coms to tear-jerking dramas to something a little sexier. Netflix has been leaning into their own original romantic content in recent years, so there are plenty of new releases to check out, but there are also some bonafide classics, award-winners, and box office hits in the mix. So without any further ado, settle in for meet-cutes, public professions of love, mind games, romantic gestures, slow dances, seductions, and all the classic romance movie beats.
If you didn’t find quite what you’re looking for here, check out theBest Movies on NetflixorBest Rom-Coms on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.
Editor’s note: This article was updated May 2024 to include Mother of the Bride.
‘Mother of the Bride’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 13% | IMDb: 4.8/10
Mother of the Bride
Directed byMark Watersand written byRobin Bernheim,Mother of the Brideis a romantic comedy film that kicks off when Emma (Miranda Cosgrove) surprises her mother, Lana (Brooke Shields), with the news of her engagement. As mother and daughter head to Phuket, Thailand, for the wedding, things take a turn for the worse when it turns out the groom’s father is Lana’s ex-boyfriend (Benjamin Bratt). The movie also featuresSean Teale,Chad Michael Murray, andRachael Harrisin supporting roles. Cast in the now-familiar mold of theFather of the Bridemovies,Mother of the Bridehas had largely unfavorable reviews from critics, with Shields and Cosgrove’s performances receiving some criticism. However, if you’re in the market for a silly Netflix rom-com,Mother of the Bridedoes not disappoint. Set in a beautiful and lavish setting and just funny enough to keep you amused, it’s a cute movie that’s great for casual comfort watching.
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‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
A goofy yet poignant Netflix Original comedy,Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire SagastarsRachel McAdamsandWill Ferrellas a pair of Icelandic singers with dreams of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Directed byDavid Dobkin(Shanghai Knights), the film was written by Will Ferrell andHarper Steele.Besides the two leads,Eurovision Song Contestalso starsDan Stevens,Graham Norton,Demi Lovato, andPierce Brosnan.
You might not expectEurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Sagato be one of the most touching and romantic movies of 2020, but one should never underestimate the power of Rachel McAdams. TheMean GirlsandGame Nightstar proves once again that she’s one of the most underrated comedic actors of her generation. The movie is sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, but the big surprises here are the fabulously catchy original songs and the unexpected tenderness between the laughs that might just leave you with a tear in your eye and warmth in your heart. That’s notjustbecause of the love story, but that’s sure a big part of it.
‘Love Is in the Air’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 25% | IMDb: 5.6/10
Love Is in the Air
Directed byAdrian Powersfrom a script byCaera BradshawandKatharine McPhee,Love Is in the Airis a laugh-a-minute rom-com about seaplane pilot Dana Randall (Delta Goodrem), who finds love in the unlikeliest of places, with her romantic partner, William (Joshua Sasse), initially intending to bring Dana’s business to the ground. The film’s talented cast also stars the likes ofMia Grunwald(Romance at the Vineyard) andRoy Billing(The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader).
InLove Is in the Air, romance in whimsical abundance is the order of the day as the central pair’s delightful chemistry is brought to life. While the film received largely negative reviews from critics, it’s just the sort of easy story that makes for a fun romantic movie night. Ticking all of the genre’s many boxes,Love Is in the Airis a gentle flight with little turbulence, with its great cast helping to ease the film into its satisfying landing.
‘Happiness For Beginners’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 33% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Happiness for Beginners
Adapting the popular novel byKatherine Center,Vicky Wight’sHappiness For Beginnersis a movie that reminds us that it’s never too late to rediscover and redefine who we are.Ellie Kemper(Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) plays Helen, a recent divorcée who decides to join a survivalist hike along the Appalachian Trail in an attempt to become someone other than the lonely woman she sees in the mirror. On the trip, she reconnects with an old friend of her brother’s (played byLuke Grimes), who gives her a new perspective on the way she wants to live her life.
While the film received a mixed response from critics, this romantic comedy is very cute, and Kemper and Grimes have such easy yet electric chemistry on screen, it sucks you in instantly.Happiness for Beginnersis carried by that chemistry and the performances of the whole cast. If nothing else, this movie is worth watching if you’d like to see Ellie Kemper take on a role that’s drastically different from the cheerful, bright-eyed young women she usually plays.
‘The Perfect Find’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 69% | IMDb: 5.1/10
The Perfect Find
Written byLeigh Davenport, directed byNuma Perrier, and based on the novel byTia Williams,The Perfect Findis a romantic comedy followingGabrielle Union(The Perfect Holiday) as Jenna Jones, a woman in her 40s trying to rebuild her life and career after a very public breakup and firing. On her journey to get a new job and find love, Jenna meets a younger man in his 20s, played byKeith Powers(Before I Fall), who makes her reevaluate what she truly wants out of life. Unfortunately, her new beau turns out to be the son of her domineering new boss (Gina Torres), which forces her to choose between the career she’s always wanted and the man who inspired her to pursue it.
The Perfect Findpremiered at the Tribeca Festival in 2023, where it won the Audience Award for Narrative Feature. The film has received positive reviews from critics, especially for the chemistry between the movie’s two leads. If what you’re looking for is a low-key but comfy romance film, thenThe Perfect Findis, well, the perfect find.
‘A Tourist’s Guide to Love’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 5.7/10
A Tourist’s Guide to Love
Rachael Leigh Cook(She’s All That) andScott Lýstar inA Tourist’s Guide to Loveby directorSteven Tsuchida.The moviefollows an executive named Amanda Riley (Cook), who travels to Vietnam to learn about the country’s tourism industry. There, she meets a charming and charismatic tour guide named Sinh Thach (Lý). Rounding out the cast of the cute romantic comedy are hilarious actors, includingBen FeldmanandMissi Pyle.
Through a delightful story of resilience written byEirene Donohue,A Tourist’s Guide to Lovedives headfirst into themes of heartbreak and second chances. While the movie received mixed reviews from critics, its charismatic, likable characters and catchy soundtrack makeA Tourist’s Guide to Lovean entertaining journey.
‘Your Place or Mine’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 30% | IMDb: 5.7/10
Your Place or Mine
Aline Brosh McKenna’s directorial debut filmYour Place or Minefollows long-distance best friends Debbie Dunn (Reese Witherspoon) and Peter Coleman (Ashton Kutcher) as they swap cities and get a taste of the other’s daily struggles. While Peter takes care of Debbie’s son in Los Angeles, Debbie pursues a dream of hers in New York. However, when Debbie falls for the smooth and handsome Theo Martin, played byJesse Williams, it reframes their whole relationship in a way neither Debbie nor Peter could have foreseen. The film boasts a great supporting cast featuring the likes ofZoë Chao,Tig Notaro, andSteve Zahn.
Though it didn’t quite capture the hearts of critics,Your Place or Minehas proven to be fairly popular with audiences, bringing in over 80 million views since its debut on Netflix. Reminiscent of iconic romantic comedies likeWhen Harry Met SallyandYou’ve Got Mail, this coast-to-coast rom-com has a lot of heart and will bust your gut with the incredible cast of comedians sprinkled throughout.
‘Good on Paper’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 50% | IMDb: 5.6/10
Good on Paper
Written by and starring comedianIliza Shlesinger,Good on Paperis a romantic comedy about a stand-up comic named Andrea (Shlesinger) who meets Dennis (Ryan Hansen), a man who seems to check all her boxes. But as she gets to know him, Andrea begins to realize Dennis might not be who he says he is.Kimmy Gatewood’s directorial debut, this awkwardly funny rom-com also boasts a brilliant supporting cast, which includes legendMargaret ChoandGLOWalumBritney Young.
The film’s delightfully charming premise is based on an unfortunate real occurrence in Schlesinger’s life.Good on Paperis a carefully crafted hour-and-a-half film full of chemistry between the entire cast. The story transitions well from a comedy routine to the screen by embracing the unconventional and finding humor in heartbreak and discomfort. Though critical reception toGood on Paperhas been mixed, the unconventional plot and genre-breaking elements make it an entertaining watch.
‘Holidate’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 45% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Emma Roberts(American Horror Story) stars alongsideLuke Bracey(Elvis) in the Netflix original holiday rom-comHolidate, directed byJohn Whiteselland written byTiffany Paulsen. The movie is centered on Sloane Benson (Roberts), who strikes a deal with Jackson (Bracey) to be each other’s holiday dates — without getting into a romantic relationship. As you might expect, this “perfect plan” falls apart when Sloane starts yearning for more. Besides its two talented leads,Holidatealso features a stellar supporting cast that includes the likes ofJake Manley(The Order),Jessica Capshaw(Grey’s Anatomy), and the incomparableKristin Chenoweth(Schmigadoon!).
A classic romantic comedy to the core,Holidatebrilliantly balances hilarity with heartwarming moments, proving itself an adorable movie that charmingly exposes the familial and societal pressures that come with being single. Through a delightful journey of finding love,Holidatebuilds on the iconic and often cringe-worthy holiday movie tropes, allowing the two single strangers at the heart of the movie to find unexpected attraction and genuine chemistry.
‘Look Both Ways’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 62% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Look Both Ways
Directed byWanuri Kahiuand written byApril Prosser,Look Both Waysis a romantic dramedy starringLili Reinhart,Danny Ramirez,Luke Wilson,David Corenswet, and more. After Natalie (Reinhart) spontaneously sleeps with her friend Gabe (Ramirez), she has a pregnancy scare on her college graduation night. The film follows two different paths: what her life would look like if the test was positive and what it would be like if it was negative.
Look Both Waysis a funny, charming film that explores the notion of one decision having the power to change the trajectory of your life forever. The movie received generally favorable reviews from critics, and it has some compelling tales to tell, with the focus on Natalie’s career in addition to the romance providing a refreshing change.
