The 50 most romantic movies of all time

Prepare to swoon at our loveliest of lists.

By David Fear, Joshua Rothkopf and Keith Uhlich Thu Mar 31 2011

Romantic movies: Click to the next image to see our 50 most romantic movies of all time
Romantic movies: Certified Copy (2010)
Romantic movies: Starman (1984)
Romantic movies: Happy Together (1997)
Romantic movies: Voyage in Italy (1954)
Romantic movies: Ninotchka (1939)
Romantic movies: Summertime (1955)
Romantic movies: Love Affair (1939)
Romantic movies: Sideways (2004)
Romantic movies: Now, Voyager (1942)
Romantic movies: A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

Romantic movies: Click to the next image to see our 50 most romantic movies of all time

Spring isn't in the air just yet, but we don't need an excuse to get our hearts pumping. Here are TONY's 50 favorite romantic movies—not, mind you, our favorite sex romps (though expect plenty of sizzle), nor our favorite romantic odes to Chinatown or the Old West or whatever. We're talking love love love: the kind of movie that starts up the waterworks and makes you believe again. Naturally, being Time Out Film geeks, we've included some off-the-beaten-path choices you might not have seen. But please don't break up with us if we've left out your favorite. Instead, write us a mash note in the comments below.

Certified Copy (2010)

Yes, the movie came out just a month ago, but we're in the presence of greatness. A sun-dappled Tuscan village is the dreamy setting for Abbas Kiarostami's profound and playful conversation piece. What begins as an intellectual game—two strangers pretending to be married—transforms into emotional territory that leaves you breathless.—Keith Uhlich

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Starman (1984)

Long before winning his Oscar, Jeff Bridges managed to be both out-of-this-world strange and undeniably lovable (particularly to widowed earthling Karen Allen) in this affecting between-the-sheets version of E.T.The unlikely director was horror master John Carpenter, proving capable of far more than bloodletting.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Happy Together (1997)

It's obvious that Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung's relationship is on the skids, and that tooling through Argentina isn't going to fix a thing. But Wong Kar-wai's melancholic gay drama turns the duo's disintegration into one sad, sexy long goodbye. That peppy title pop song never sounded so perversely ironic.—David Fear

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Voyage in Italy (1954)

Roberto Rossellini's heartbreaker follows an unhappily married European couple (Ingrid Bergman and George Sanders) as they visit Naples on family business. Emotions run high and quarrels are constant. Yet the breathtaking Italian landscapes act as a kind of cosmic counterpoint—perhaps their union is more solid than they realize.—Keith Uhlich

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Ninotchka (1939)

"Garbo laughs!" promised posters for this immortal romantic comedy (a tagline riffing on the famous one for her first talkie, Anna Christie: "Garbo speaks!"). But the studio heads might just as well have declared "Garbo melts!"—as in, thaws into a human being. Playing this film's Soviet diplomat warming to Paris and Melvyn Douglas, she's a bonfire.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Summertime (1955)

Ah, Venice—the perfect place for spinster Katharine Hepburn to fall head over heels for a local merchant. David Lean's other extravagant ode to transient love (see also our No. 10) is filled with colorful scenery and woozy innuendos—the pair's first kiss ignites literal fireworks—that make your heart explode.—Keith Uhlich

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Love Affair (1939)

Man meets woman. They fall in love. They part ways, promising to reunite six months later. Fate intervenes. How many movie romances have been influenced by Leo McCarey's classic? There'd certainly be no Sleepless in Seattle without it. Even McCarey himself remade the film as An Affair to Remember. But the original is still the best.—Keith Uhlich

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Sideways (2004)

Love is often about second chances: Alexander Payne's middle-age comedy has a beauty of a flirtation in Paul Giamatti's courtship of the never-so-radiant Virginia Madsen. But isn't the movie bromantic, too? An egocentric Thomas Haden Church, proud yet wounded, nearly steals the show.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Now, Voyager (1942)

The incomparable Bette Davis goes from dowdy to hottie in this consummate Hollywood soaper. She's the introverted Charlotte Vale, who cuts ties with her domineering mother and falls in love with a handsome gent. Trouble is, he's married. Intoxicating twists and turns culminate with one of the greatest final lines in cinema. We're not spoiling it.—Keith Uhlich

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A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

Not even the Great Beyond will keep British RAF pilot David Niven from radio operator Kim Hunter; when you've finally met your true love as you're bailing out of a plane, death is simply a speed bump. Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's fantasy lets a celestial courtroom decide their fate. Take a guess whether the duo's romance wins out.—David Fear

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"It's kind of sweet to be kissed in the middle of Times Square. One of my dates pulled me in and said, 'I bet this has never happened to you before.' And he was right. You wouldn't think it's a romantic spot but it was a great moment."---Justine Peterman,

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(5 ratings)

Enchanted is one of the most romantic movies ever, and its a shame that it didn't make the list.

jericho Mon Oct 29 2012
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What I want to know is, where's Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow?

Tim Sun Oct 21 2012
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The English Patient.

Bones. Fri Sep 28 2012
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Kudos to Before Sunrise/Sunset that high on the list. The former is still in my top five films of all time, although, I personally feel that one needs to be at about the same age as the characters (early to mid twenties) to have the most impact. Also, fully agree with others that Roman Holiday should be on the list. It's my second-favorite romance movie (after Before Sunrise). Although, thank you for not including the overrated Breakfast at Tiffany's. That slightly lessens the indignity of not including Roman Holiday.

Perversion Fri Sep 28 2012
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When George smooches Lucy in the field of poppies in "Room With a View" - wow. And then she rejects him for the rest of the movie until.....

charlottebartlett Thu Sep 20 2012
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Brokeback Mountain #6, Titanic #29? Who would even agree with that? Brokeback Mountain? LOL Top 50 most romantic movies, obviously not ranked in the correct order. Titanic is #1 hands down.

Titanic Wed Sep 19 2012
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I like your all posting pictures and inspired much to see that.....

Solar la Thu Aug 16 2012
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This reads like a best romantic comedy list by someone that doesn't actually like romantic comedies: No Roman holiday, no Harry and no Sally, no Room with a View? no Notebook, no Pretty woman, Doctor Zhivago, nothing by Austen? no Affair to Remember??!! I hate it when people are more concerned with being clever than pointing out movies people love and actually want to watch!

Rosie Wed Aug 8 2012
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Roman Holiday ??? Doctor Zhivago ??? Ryan`s Daughter ??? A Room With a View ??? Why these films are not on the list ???

Goran Thu Aug 2 2012
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the notebook???? water for elephants? twilight series? casanova? love and other drugs? p.s i love you?

megan Mon Jul 30 2012
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