Love films come in every flavor, from Hollywood classics to Asian dramas and animation. We picked 15 films that are already out, from different decades and countries: from Casablanca (1942) to Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019). Each has a year, a director and a reason to watch it. No spoilers: only the setup. The facts come from Wikipedia pages checked on October 18, 2026. We do not list age ratings: they differ between countries and services, so check the rating on the film’s page before watching.
Casablanca
Official trailer · “Casablanca” (1942)An American named Rick in wartime Casablanca has to choose between his love for a woman and helping her husband, a leader of the Czechoslovak resistance movement. The film won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, and its lines and main song became iconic. Why watch: a classic that is easy to compare everything later against.
Roman Holiday
Official trailer · “Roman Holiday” (1953)A princess sets off to see Rome on her own and meets a journalist. Audrey Hepburn won an Oscar for this role, and the film was shot in Rome, including at the Cinecittà studios. Why watch: a light story for one evening.
Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors
Official trailer · “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” (1965)Hutsul lovers find themselves on opposite sides of a family feud in the Carpathians. The film is based on Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky’s 1911 work, and Wikipedia calls it the most celebrated Ukrainian film abroad in history. Why watch: our classic about love, shot in Ukrainian.
When Harry Met Sally…
Official trailer · “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)Two characters meet in Chicago, drive together to New York, and then for twelve years keep running into each other by chance and arguing about whether a man and a woman can just be friends. Nora Ephron’s screenplay received an Oscar nomination. Why watch: the conversations matter more here than the events.
Pretty Woman
A wealthy businessman hires a companion for a week for business and social events, and a connection develops between them. Julia Roberts won a Golden Globe for this role. Why watch: a romantic comedy about two people from different worlds meeting.
Before Sunrise
Official trailer · “Before Sunrise” (1995)An American and a Frenchwoman meet on a train and get off in Vienna to spend the night together. The action consists mostly of conversations, and the film was shot in Vienna. It has two sequels, from 2004 and 2013. Why watch: almost all of the action is conversation between the two characters, and that is what holds your attention.
Notting Hill
Official trailer · “Notting Hill” (1999)The owner of a bookshop in the London district of Notting Hill falls for a famous American actress who walks into his shop. The screenplay was written by Richard Curtis, and the film received Golden Globe nominations in three categories. Why watch: a warm British comedy with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
In the Mood for Love
Official trailer · “In the Mood for Love” (2000)Hong Kong, 1962: a man and a woman discover that their spouses are having an affair, and gradually grow close. Tony Leung Chiu-wai became the first Hong Kong actor to win the Best Actor prize at Cannes. Why watch: a restrained, visually refined drama.
Amélie
Official trailer · “Amélie” (2001)A shy waitress from Montmartre decides to secretly change the lives of those around her for the better, even though she is lonely herself. The film won the European Film Award for Best Film and four Césars. Why watch: a fairy-tale romance combined with warm humor.
Lost in Translation
Official trailer · “Lost in Translation” (2003)An American actor in a midlife crisis arrives in Tokyo, where he befriends a young American woman named Charlotte. Wikipedia notes that the romantic storyline here is atypical. Sofia Coppola won an Oscar for the screenplay. Why watch: a story about loneliness and unexpected closeness.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
After a breakup, a couple decide to erase their memories of each other. The screenplay by Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth won an Oscar, and Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in the lead roles. Why watch: a science-fiction plot about what we do with love and memory.
Pride & Prejudice
Official trailer · “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)An adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1813 novel about the five Bennet sisters, marriage and false impressions. Keira Knightley received an Oscar nomination for the role of Elizabeth, and for Wright this is his directorial debut. Why watch: a classic story in a more realistic, less polished style.
La La Land
Official trailer · “La La Land” (2016)A jazz pianist and an aspiring actress fall in love while chasing their dreams in Los Angeles. The film received 14 Oscar nominations (a record) and won six statuettes, including Best Director and Best Actress. Why watch: a musical about love and choice.
Your Name.
Official trailer · “Your Name.” (2016)A Japanese animated film about high-school students Taki and Mitsuha, who suddenly swap bodies even though they have never met. The music was written by the band Radwimps, and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association named it the best animated film of the year. Why watch: for those who want romance in animation.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Official trailer · “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019)France in the late 18th century: a painter who has been commissioned to paint the portrait of an aristocrat, and the model herself. The film competed at the Cannes Film Festival, where Céline Sciamma won the award for Best Screenplay. Why watch: a quiet story about gaze and choice.
What to choose by mood
| What you want | What to pick |
|---|---|
| Light comedy | When Harry Met Sally…, Notting Hill, Pretty Woman |
| Classics, where it all started | Casablanca, Roman Holiday |
| One night and conversations | Before Sunrise, Lost in Translation |
| Strange and tender | Amélie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind |
| Musical | La La Land |
| Not in English | Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, In the Mood for Love, Your Name, Portrait of a Lady on Fire |
If you want tears in particular, see our selection of films about love that make you cry, and for series there is an overview of Turkish series about love.
Tip. It’s good to start the first evening with a comedy (“When Harry Met Sally…” or “Notting Hill”), and save more restrained dramas such as “In the Mood for Love” for a quieter night.
Frequently asked questions
Where to start if you haven’t watched classics before?
Start with Roman Holiday or Casablanca: these are the oldest films in the selection, and Roman Holiday is also lighter in mood.
Which film should I choose for an evening together?
For a light evening, Notting Hill and Pretty Woman will do; for conversation after the film, Before Sunrise or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Does the selection include films in Ukrainian?
Yes, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965) was shot in Ukrainian. Look for the rest on the pages of services that offer a choice of voice-over or subtitles.
Where can I watch these films?
Streaming catalogs change, so we do not list them. Check the page of the film you want on a service available to you.
Sources
- Casablanca (film) (Wikipedia)
- Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (Wikipedia)
- Before Sunrise (Wikipedia)
- Amélie (Wikipedia)
- La La Land (film) (Wikipedia)
Data was checked against Wikipedia on October 18, 2026.
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