Christmas decorations are already popping up in stores, but the year in movies isn't anywhere near over. There are plenty of holiday tentpole releases like Moana and Star Wars: Rogue One. Studios certainly saved their Oscar hopefuls for the next couple of months, if they're smart. So that's animated musical; big fantasy franchise; and scenery-chewing performances covered. What's left? The love stories, of course. Keep reading to learn about eight romantic movies coming out before the end of 2016.
I'm talking love stories of all types. They are indie dramedies and big budget sci-fi. They are historical romances with political legacies and musicals with a tap-dancing Ryan Gosling. There are as many relationship-themed movies coming out before New Year's as there are ways to fall in love. Well...okay, not quite, but there is a nice variety. If you're looking for a date night movie, a girls' night movie, or a family-sized-candy-and-I'll-cry-alone solo movie, one of these eight romantic releases will probably do the trick.
1. Blue Jay
This indie stars Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson as old high school flames who find themselves back in their hometown at the same time. Something tells me that real life will very rudely intervene. Out Oct. 11.
2. First Girl I Loved
Two teenage girls work through their feelings for one another, while attempting to dodge the bias and meddling of classmates, parents, and teachers. The leading ladies are both on the rise of First Girl I Loved are both on the rise: Brianna Hildebrand scowled her way through Deadpool as Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Dylan Gelula is Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's sullen Xanthippe. Out Oct. 18.
3. Loving
This romantic drama tells the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving (Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton), a couple who fought for interracial marriage rights in the late '50s. This movie and the important story it preserves will probably be remembered come Oscar season. Out Nov. 4.
4. Rules Don't Apply
Warren Beatty came out of a long hiatus away from the camera to write, direct, and play reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes in this romantic drama centering on the flirtation between his personal driver and an aspiring actress. This movie will road test the charm of Alden Ehrenreich, who's been tapped to play the young Han Solo in an upcoming Star Wars film. Out Nov. 23.
5. Allied
Marion Cotillard and Brad Pitt play sexy French spies who do a little diplomatic work of their own, if you know what I'm saying. For better or for worse, this movie is now tied forever to the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt split, even though Cotillard laughed off rumors that she and her co-star had an affair. Out Nov. 23.
6. La La Land
Whiplash filmmaker Damien Chazelle picked softer subject matter for this movie than he did for his high-stakes music drama. The Crazy Stupid Love dual charm machine of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone reunite in this romantic musical, which turns Los Angeles into a dreamland. Out Dec. 16.
7. The Space Between Us
Every time I see this trailer, I cry. Asa Butterfield of Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children plays Gardner Elliot, famous for being born on Mars and required to stay there for the first 16 years of his life. When the sheltered boy arrives on Earth, he seeks out his online pen pal, Tulsa (Britt Robertson). Can he survive reentry? I bet he'll learn what it means to love first. Out Dec. 16.
8. Passengers
More space romance, yay! In this sci-fi romance, Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence are two passengers put in stasis for long flight to a far planet. Due to an error, they wake up long before the rest of their companions and spend the rest of the trip getting to know each other. Fate or necessity? You decide. Out Dec. 21.
2016 is in its final throes, but there are still plenty more opportunities to fall in love at the movies this year.
Image: Columbia Pictures
