TV & Movies

15 Romantic Movies On Netflix That Are Perfect For Snuggling Up On The Couch

From musicals to gothic romance, there’s something for everyone.

by Rachel Simon and Grace Wehniainen
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Rachael Leigh Cook and Damon Wayans Jr. star in original streaming romance 'Love, Guaranteed.' Photo...
Ricardo Hubbs/Netflix

Whether you’re looking for a summer date night idea, or simply want to curl up with a sweet movie solo, why not try streaming romance movies on Netflix? There’s no shortage of choices when it comes to romantic films that will appeal to every kind of mood. Maybe you want a classic rom-com or Hallmark-esque romance that ensures a happy ending — or perhaps you’re craving a musical, action thriller, or straight-up gothic horror. And of course, sometimes, you just want to cry. Either way, romance can definitely be found in all of these genres, many of which are available to watch right now. But don’t feel the need to spend all your time scrolling, because the list ahead has you covered with a wide range of options.

And hey, if you already happen to be a big romance movie lover and have seen a bunch of these films before, there's nothing wrong with streaming a go-to favorite! In fact, there’s something special about going with a well-worn comfort title (like, say, the 1989 Nora Ephron film you’ll find at No. 2). So grab your comfiest blanket, pop some popcorn, and stream a few of these romantic movies on Netflix for the ultimate movie marathon.

The Lovebirds

Skin Bolen/Netflix

If you like your rom-coms with a side of thrills, Lovebirds is for you. Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani star as Leilani and Jibran, a couple on the brink of breaking up when they find themselves tangled up in an evening of murder and sex cult drama. Sure, it’s a little more chaotic than your average date night, but consider all the mayhem a metaphor for the other ways a relationship can crystallize under pressure.

When Harry Met Sally

If you’re a rom-com lover, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen When Harry Met Sally once or twice (or, you know, rewatch it every year). In case you haven’t had the pleasure yet, the film follows Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) as their relationship evolves from reluctant acquaintances to close friends to, well, you’ll see. Come for the cozy sweaters and New York fall landscapes — stay for the thoughtful (and hilarious) approach to love, sex, and friendship.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga

Aidan Monaghan/Netflix

For romance fans who love a good musical, too, add Eurovision to the top of your list. On their quest for international acclaim, small-town Icelanders Lars and Sigrit (played by the hilarious duo of Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams) face the music and fall in love — but not before belting out some truly iconic songs, from the heartfelt Oscar-nominated “Husavik” to the relentless earworm that is “Jaja Ding Dong.”

Loving

If you enjoy historical dramas with a bit of romance, you can’t go wrong with Loving — the critically acclaimed 2016 true story about Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple who fought for their right to be married and have a family in 1960s Virginia. Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton star as the titular couple in this must-see streaming romance pick.

Resort To Love

David Bloomer/Netflix

Set at a dreamy island resort, this Netflix original delivers the vacation vibes in a major way. Christina Milian stars as Erica, an unlucky-in-love singer who is tasked with performing at her ex’s destination wedding. There, she faces old feelings for her ex (Jay Pharoah) and new ones for his retired Special Forces brother (Sinqua Walls), all while rekindling her relationship with herself and her music, too.

Crimson Peak

If you crave something warm, fuzzy, and feel-good — well, maybe save Crimson Peak for another day. But if passionate, tragic love and gothic horror sound like the perfect night in, this 2015 film can’t be beat. Helmed by Guillermo del Toro, Crimson Peak revolves around a Victorian-era aristocrat (Tom Hiddleston) who marries an American writer (Mia Wasikowska) and brings her abroad to his old family mansion. Sounds like a richly romantic period piece, right? It is, until ghosts get involved…

Always Be My Maybe

Ed Araquel/Netflix

In this delightful Netflix original, Ali Wong and Randall Park star as a pair of childhood best friends who reconnect as adults. She’s a big-time chef, while he’s a musician who’s wary of leaving home and moving on. Together, they confront their tricky past and explore the idea of their future and a relationship. Not only does Always Be My Maybe boast one of the best celebrity cameos (maybe ever), but it also feels like a love letter to the rom-coms that came before. In conversation with Bustle in 2019, Nahnatchka Khan cited When Harry Met Sally, Bridget Jones's Diary, and Notting Hill as creative influences.

Love, Guaranteed

Lack of success on Hinge or Bumble getting you down? This original streaming romance totally understands. It also posits the pivotal question you probably never thought to ask: What if you just, well, sued the app? New Girl’s Damon Wayans Jr. and She’s All That’s Rachael Leigh Cook star as plaintiff and lawyer in this charming rom-com, perfect for those days when you crave a short, sweet, “they-lived-happily-ever-after” kind of vibe.

Holiday In The Wild

Sure, this may be one of Netflix’s holiday offerings, but its timeless themes of love and discovering your purpose can be enjoyed any time of year. Two longtime TV faves, Kristin Davis (Sex and the City) and Rob Lowe (Parks and Recreation), star as an unlikely pair who bond while caring for injured elephants on a Zambian holiday.

The Half Of It

KC Bailey/Netflix

This sweet coming-of-age romance stars Leah Lewis as Ellie Chu, a student who a classmate hires to scribe letters to his crush only to develop her own crush on Aster, the girl on the other end. In evaluating their feelings for each other, Ellie and Aster also get to know themselves and their ambitions a little better, making this a truly heartwarming Netflix original.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

Speaking of sneaky letters...

The endless charm of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before spills out into a three-movie saga about love, family, and growing up. If it’s been a while since you caught the original, now is the time for a rewatch. Lana Condor stars as Lara Jean Covey, a shy student who usually prefers daydreaming about love to the real thing. Until, of course, her private, never-meant-to-be-read love letters are sent to her past crushes, catalyzing an actual romance with one of the recipients.

Malcolm & Marie

Netflix

Netflix will be the first to tell you that Malcolm & Marie isn’t a happy, feel-good romance — as was so perfectly put in the film’s trailer, “this is not a love story.” But a tiny cast (Zendaya and John David Washington) and lonely, closed-off setting help make the fight(s) between a filmmaker and his muse feel even more thought-provoking.

Really Love

In Angel Kristi Williams’ directorial debut, an artist, Isaiah (Kofi Siriboe) and law student, Stevie (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing) strike up a dreamy slow-burn romance. Their budding relationship is tested, though, as they’re both on the brink of some pretty serious career moves and aren’t necessarily on the same path (or pace). But hey, romance movies about artists are always guaranteed to get a little complicated, right?

The Last Letter From Your Lover

Parisa Taghizadeh/Netflix

Good news for fans of the 2016 tear-jerker Me Before You: There is yet another Jojo Moyes adaptation available to stream, and it’s brand-new to Netflix. The Last Letter From Your Lover stars Felicity Jones as Ellie, a journalist investigating a curious decades-old love story — one whose twists and turns eventually inspire her own story-in-the-making alongside archivist Rory (Nabhaan Rizwan).

Holidate

Like its name might suggest, this is a holiday movie in the most literal sense — covering not only Christmas and New Year’s but the Fourth of July, Halloween, and any other occasion you might be tired of showing up single for. At least, that’s the predicament Sloane (Emma Roberts) finds herself in — hence, her decision to enlist a pretend boyfriend, Jackson (Luke Bracey) to appease her family. (Of course, as is the case with most fake romance plots, Sloane and Jackson fall for each other along the way.)

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