Looking for a good love story? We've put together the best romance movies streaming on Netflix right 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 the Best Movies on Netflix, Best Rom-Coms on Netflix, the Sexiest Movies on Netflix, the Best Netflix and Chill Movies Right Now, or if you're not finding it on Netflix at all, head over to our list of the Best Romantic Comedies of the 21st Century So Far.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
- Release Date
- June 26, 2020
- Director
- David Dobkin
- Cast
- Will Ferrell , Rachel McAdams , Dan Stevens , Melissanthi Mahut
- Runtime
- 2 hr 3 min
A goofy yet poignant Netflix Original comedy, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga stars Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell as a pair of Icelandic singers with dreams of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Directed by David Dobkin (Shanghai Knights), the film was written by Will Ferrell and Harper Steele. Besides the two leads, Eurovision Song Contest also stars Dan Stevens, Graham Norton, Demi Lovato, and Pierce Brosnan.
You might not expect Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga to be one of the most touching and romantic movies of 2020, but one should never underestimate the power of Rachel McAdams. The Mean Girls and Game Night star 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 not just because of the love story, but that's sure a big part of it.
Love Is in the Air
Rotten Tomatoes: 25% | IMDb: 5.6/10
Love Is in the Air
- Release Date
- September 28, 2023
- Director
- Adrian Powers
- Cast
- Delta Goodrem , Joshua Sasse , Roy Billing , Simon Brook McLachlan
- Runtime
- 88 minutes
Directed by Adrian Powers from a script by Caera Bradshaw and Katharine McPhee, Love Is in the Air is 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 of Mia Grunwald (Romance at the Vineyard) and Roy Billing (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader).
In Love 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 Air is a gentle flight with little turbulence, with its great cast helping to ease the film into its satisfying landing.
Greenberg
Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Greenberg
- Release Date
- March 26, 2010
- Director
- Noah Baumbach
- Cast
- Greta Gerwig , Koby Rouviere , Sydney Rouviere , Chris Messina , Susan Traylor , Merritt Wever
- Runtime
- 100
With Greenberg, writer and director Noah Baumbach delivers a grounded slice-of-life story about a neurotic man who has to learn to embrace the world around him. The film is based on a story originally co-written by Baumbach with his then-wife, Jennifer Jason Leigh. The movie stars Ben Stiller (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) as the titular Roger Greenberg, who’s brought to Los Angeles by his brother after being released from a mental hospital, and he hates everything about the situation. The only saving grace he has is his reluctant connection to a woman named Florence, played by Greta Gerwig (Frances Ha), who sees through his abrasive exterior to the hurting man inside.
Greenberg is a spectacular showcase for Stiller as he dives deep into a troubled and often unlikable character to give a nuanced and engaging performance. The film had its world premiere at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival. Though the movie didn’t do too well at the box office, it was critically acclaimed and received numerous accolades.
Happiness For Beginners
Rotten Tomatoes: 33% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Happiness for Beginners
- Release Date
- July 27, 2023
- Director
- Vicky Wight
- Cast
- Ellie Kemper , Luke Grimes , Blythe Danner , Shayvawn Webster
- Runtime
- 103 minutes
Adapting the popular novel by Katherine Center, Vicky Wight’s Happiness For Beginners is 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 by Luke 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 Beginners is 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
Rotten Tomatoes: 69% | IMDb: 5.1/10
The Perfect Find
- Release Date
- June 23, 2023
- Director
- Numa Perrier
- Cast
- Gabrielle Union , Keith Powers , Gina Torres , La La Anthony
- Runtime
- 99 minutes
Written by Leigh Davenport, directed by Numa Perrier, and based on the novel by Tia Williams, The Perfect Find is a romantic comedy following Gabrielle 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 by Keith 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 Find premiered 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, then The Perfect Find is, well, the perfect find.
A Tourist’s Guide to Love
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 5.7/10
A Tourist’s Guide to Love
- Release Date
- April 21, 2023
- Director
- Steven K. Tsuchida
- Cast
- Rachael Leigh Cook , Scott Ly , Ben Feldman , Missi Pyle
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That) and Scott Lý star in A Tourist’s Guide to Love by director Steven Tsuchida. The movie follows 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, including Ben Feldman and Missi Pyle.
Through a delightful story of resilience written by Eirene Donohue, A Tourist’s Guide to Love dives headfirst into themes of heartbreak and second chances. While the movie received mixed reviews from critics, its charismatic, likable characters and catchy soundtrack make A Tourist’s Guide to Love an entertaining journey.
Your Place or Mine
Rotten Tomatoes: 30% | IMDb: 5.7/10
Your Place or Mine
- Release Date
- February 10, 2023
- Director
- Aline Brosh McKenna
- Cast
- Reese Witherspoon , Ashton Kutcher , Zoe Chao , Jesse Williams
- Runtime
- 109 minutes
Aline Brosh McKenna’s directorial debut film Your Place or Mine follows 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 by Jesse 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 of Zoë Chao, Tig Notaro, and Steve Zahn.
Though it didn’t quite capture the hearts of critics, Your Place or Mine has proven to be fairly popular with audiences, bringing in over 80 million views since its debut on Netflix. Reminiscent of iconic romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally and You’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
Rotten Tomatoes: 50% | IMDb: 5.6/10
Good on Paper
- Release Date
- June 23, 2021
- Director
- Kimmy Gatewood
- Cast
- Iliza Shlesinger , Ryan Hansen
- Runtime
- 1 hr 32 min
Written by and starring comedian Iliza Shlesinger, Good on Paper is 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 legend Margaret Cho and GLOW alum Britney Young.
The film’s delightfully charming premise is based on an unfortunate real occurrence in Schlesinger’s life. Good on Paper is 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 to Good on Paper has been mixed, the unconventional plot and genre-breaking elements make it an entertaining watch.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Rotten Tomatoes: 35% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Where the Crawdads Sing
- Release Date
- July 15, 2022
- Director
- Olivia Newman
- Cast
- Daisy Edgar-Jones , Taylor John Smith , Harris Dickinson
- Runtime
- 125
Based on the novel by Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing offers some mystery and thriller aspects along with the romance. The movie follows the story of a girl named Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones) from childhood to young adulthood. Neglected yet determined, Kya raises herself in a poor North Carolina marshland. When a prominent local man is found dead, however, Kya finds herself the prime suspect and is tried for his murder. She also finds herself in a love triangle with the town’s golden boy, Chase (Harris Dickinson), and the supportive Tate (Taylor John Smith). This fascinating book-to-screen movie was directed by Olivia Newman and written by Lucy Alibar.
Where the Crawdads Sing is a great example of a movie that was more successful with audiences than critics. Despite generally negative reviews, the film was well-received by moviegoers and grossed far more at the box office than anyone expected. With beautiful cinematography and a compelling story, Where the Crawdads Sing is a solid romance with a dark twist.
Holidate
Rotten Tomatoes: 45% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Holidate
- Release Date
- October 28, 2020
- Director
- John Whitesell
- Cast
- Emma Roberts , Frances Fisher , Kristin Chenoweth , Andrew Bachelor , Luke Bracey , Jessica Capshaw
- Runtime
- 104
Emma Roberts (American Horror Story) stars alongside Luke Bracey (Elvis) in the Netflix original holiday rom-com Holidate, directed by John Whitesell and written by Tiffany 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, Holidate also features a stellar supporting cast that includes the likes of Jake Manley (The Order), Jessica Capshaw (Grey’s Anatomy), and the incomparable Kristin Chenoweth (Schmigadoon!).
A classic romantic comedy to the core, Holidate brilliantly 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, Holidate builds 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
Rotten Tomatoes: 62% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Look Both Ways
- Release Date
- August 17, 2022
- Director
- Wanuri Kahiu
- Cast
- Lili Reinhart , Danny Ramirez , Aisha Dee
- Runtime
- 110 minutes
Directed by Wanuri Kahiu and written by April Prosser, Look Both Ways is a romantic dramedy starring Lili 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 Ways is 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.
Persuasion
Rotten Tomatoes: 31% | IMDb: 5.8/10
Persuasion
- Release Date
- 2022-00-00
- Director
- Carrie Cracknell
- Cast
- Dakota Johnson , Richard E. Grant , Suki Waterhouse , Henry Golding , Cosmo Jarvis , Nikki Amuka-Bird
Based on the Jane Austen novel, Persuasion is a post-modernist historical romance starring Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey) as Anne Elliot, a heartbroken woman who is presented with a second chance at true love. Directed by Carrie Cracknell and written by Ron Bass and Alice Victoria Winslow, the film features a brilliant British supporting cast — including the incomparable Richard E. Grant (Loki) and Crazy Rich Asians’ heartthrob Henry Golding — in a classic romance story set in a bygone era.
Gorgeously costumed and filled with breathtaking scenery and landscapes, Persuasion is a feast for the eyes, revealing a grounded story intended to tug on the heartstrings and warm the soul. The movie’s use of modern elements like fourth-wall breaks has polarized audiences and critics; you’ll either love it or hate it, but those very elements are what add a fresh touch to Persuasion’s well-tread story.
Love & Gelato
Rotten Tomatoes: 22% | IMDb: 5.2/10
Love & Gelato
- Release Date
- June 22, 2022
- Director
- Brandon Camp
- Cast
- Susanna Skaggs , Tobia De Angelis , Valentina Lodovini , Darren Boyd Owen McDonnell
- Runtime
- 110 minutes
Based on the best-selling novel by Jenna Evans Welch, Brandon Camp’s Love & Gelato follows 17-year-old Lina (Susanna Skaggs) as she tries to fulfill her mother’s last wish by venturing to Rome the summer before heading off to college. Although she’s a socially awkward and introverted person who would much rather spend the time back home, Lina takes on the challenge and finds more than she bargained for.
Love & Gelato is an adorable rom-com sure to appeal to Emily in Paris fans or anyone just looking for a lighthearted watch. The movie employs many beloved tropes of the genre – love triangles! Insta-love! An endlessly supportive bestie! – making it as sweet as its name. Bonus points for the beautiful cinematography showcasing Italy in all its glory.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.0/10
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
- Release Date
- August 17, 2018
- Director
- Susan Johnson
- Cast
- Lana Condor , Noah Centineo , Janel Parrish , Anna Cathcart
- Runtime
- 99 minutes
Based on the novel by Jenny Han, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a young adult rom-com directed by Susan Johnson and written by Sofia Alvarez. The movie follows Lara Jean (Lana Condor), a teenager whose worst nightmares are realized when five letters she wrote to her secret crushes are sent out without her knowledge. When she’s confronted by her old crush, Peter (Noah Centineo), she’s afraid it could get in the way of her current crush, Josh (Israel Broussard). Lara Jean and Peter resolve to fake a relationship so they can get with the people they really want to be with. Naturally, pretending to be together starts to create real feelings between the two.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has received near-universal praise from both critics and fans, and it’s now developed into a franchise with two sequels and a prequel series. Easily one of the most popular romance films of the 2010s, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a joy from start to finish, letting you relive a time when who “liked” you was the most important thing in the world without any of the trauma high school entails. If you’re looking for a fun, sweet YA romance to brighten your day, you can’t do much better than this.
Set It Up
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Set It Up
Two corporate executive assistants hatch a plan to match-make their two bosses.
- Release Date
- June 15, 2018
- Director
- Claire Scanlon
- Cast
- Zoey Deutch , Glen Powell , Lucy Liu , Taye Diggs
- Runtime
- 105 minutes
Claire Scanlon’s charming rom-com Set It Up follows two beleaguered assistants (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) who decided to set up their bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs, respectively) so they can get some precious free time away from their demanding jobs. However, with all their scheming, they start to fall for each other instead.
Written by Katie Silberman, Set It Up received generally favorable reviews from critics. If you’re looking for a charming romantic comedy but don’t want to rewatch something from yesteryear for the umpteenth time, you should definitely give this movie a shot. You can see the rom-com beats coming from a mile away, but they’re done so well and so effectively that you won’t mind. Plus, the film sizzles thanks to the outstanding performances from the dazzling Deutch and Powell, who should be the streaming generation’s Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.
Let It Snow
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 5.8/10
Let It Snow
- Release Date
- November 8, 2019
- Director
- Luke Snellin
- Cast
- Isabela Merced , Odeya Rush , Kiernan Shipka , Joan Cusack , Mitchell Hope , Shameik Moore
- Runtime
- 92 minutes
Adapted from the YA novel of the same name by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle, Let It Snow is a breezy holiday rom-com that follows a series of overlapping love stories on one fateful Christmas season snow day. Directed by Luke Snellin, the movie stars Isabela Merced (Dora and the Lost City of Gold), Shameik Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), and Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and was written by Kay Cannon, Victoria Strouse, and Laura Solon.
A bit of a Love Actually for the teen set, Let It Snow is a sweet film from top to tail, as interested in the dramas of teen friendship and domestic struggles as it is the blossoming romances. Even more, it's filled with delightful performances from a knockout cast of young up-and-comers. A lot of the Netflix Christmas romances follow in the Hallmark Channel vein, and absolutely no judgment if that's your preferred thing, but for those who want an old-fashioned feel-good holiday romance, Let It Snow is just the ticket.
Alex Strangelove
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Alex Strangelove
- Release Date
- June 8, 2018
- Director
- Craig Johnson
- Cast
- Michael Abela , Brendan Archer , Joshua Barragan , Kai Wes
- Runtime
- 99 minutes
Written and directed by Craig Johnson, Alex Strangelove is a romantic coming-of-age comedy film. Daniel Doheny stars as Alex Truelove, a high school senior and class president who is in a relationship with his best friend, Claire (Madeline Weinstein). The couple sets a date to have sex for the first time. As you can imagine, something happens to derail those plans, and that something is the charming, openly gay teenager Elliot (Antonio Marziale). After meeting him at a party, Alex starts to get closer to Elliot, which leads him to begin questioning his sexuality.
Alex Strangelove premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2018 and received largely positive reviews from critics. While the movie isn't particularly deep, it delivers a funny, enjoyable story about accepting yourself that's worth checking out. Yes, Alex Strangelove is a romantic comedy, which is how it got onto this list, but what makes the movie so endearing isn't so much the romance as it is the personal arc of the lead character.
Someone Great
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Someone Great
After a devastating break up on the eve of her cross-country move, Jenny enjoys one last NYC adventure with her two best pals. Someone Great is a romantic comedy about love, loss, growth and the everlasting bond of female friendship.
- Release Date
- April 19, 2019
- Director
- Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
- Cast
- Gina Rodriguez , LaKeith Stanfield , Brittany Snow , DeWanda Wise , Rebecca Naomi Jones
- Runtime
- 92 minutes
Pitched somewhere between a love story and a wild night-out comedy, Someone Great
is centered on a young woman (Gina Rodriguez) who heads out for one last crazy night with her best friends before leaving town. Oh, and she just got dumped by her boyfriend of seven years (LaKeith Stanfield). Written and directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson in her directorial debut, the movie also stars Brittany Snow, DeWanda Wise, and Peter Vack.
Someone Great received generally favorable reviews from critics, with the performances being hailed as the movie’s highlight. Stanfield, in particular, is in peak charming mode in this film, and the chemistry he has with Rodriguez is a knockout, keeping you wrapped up in their love even though you know it's over. There's plenty of raunchy comedy to go around, but the dynamic between Rodriguez and Stanfield is what gives the film its heart and spark.
The Incredible Jessica James
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 6.5/10
The Incredible Jessica James
- Release Date
- June 28, 2017
- Director
- Jim Strouse
- Cast
- Jessica Williams , Chris O'Dowd , LaKeith Stanfield , Noel Wells
- Runtime
- 85 minutes
An indie rom-com written and directed by James C. Strouse, The Incredible Jessica James follows the fiercely independent title character as she navigates life after a breakup. An aspiring playwright living in New York City, Jessica James is trying (and failing) to get over her ex when she ends up on a blind date with a recent divorcé. Despite an awkward start, they end up hitting it off and set out to make their way through the post-breakup world together as best they can. The movie features the iconic Jessica Williams in the lead role and boasts an ensemble supporting cast that includes Chris O'Dowd, Noël Wells, and Lakeith Stanfield.
Sexy, funny, and decidedly modern, The Incredible Jessica James is a refreshing spin on the rom-com that doesn’t pander to the lowest common denominator, and it received a lot of praise from critics for doing just that. The film was Jessica Williams’ first leading role after her tenure on The Daily Show, and she lights up the screen. Now, the character of Jessica James may not be quite as incredible as the title leads you to believe — she’s pretty selfish and naive — but she’s passionate, raw, and ambitious, and Williams makes you love her despite her faults. A supporting performance from the constantly charming Chris O’Dowd certainly doesn’t hurt, and the two have electric chemistry as they try to navigate the waters of heartbreak together toward something healthy and new.
Always Be My Maybe
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Always Be My Maybe
- Release Date
- May 31, 2019
- Director
- Nahnatchka Khan
- Cast
- Ali Wong , Randall Park , James Saito , Michelle Buteau
- Runtime
- 101 minutes
Starring Randall Park and Ali Wong, Always Be My Maybe follows a pair of teenage best friends who have since drifted apart and are pushed together once more in adulthood, even though their lives have followed very different paths. Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, the film was also co-written by Park and Wong alongside playwright and screenwriter Michael Golamco. Always Be My Maybe’s ensemble cast also includes Michelle Buteau, James Saito, Vivian Bang, Daniel Dae Kim, and Keanu Reeves.
Netflix brought the rom-com back in a big way with 2018’s Set It Up, and Always Be My Maybe is similarly charming and delightful, finding success with both critics and audiences. Park and Wong are dynamite together, and the film takes time to breathe with some well-paced dramatic sequences. It’s also not lacking in scene-stealers, as Michelle Buteau is a hoot, and Keanu Reeves once again proves his talent knows no bounds.