The Best Romantic Movies To Watch On Netflix

Culture / 4 days ago

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As a self-defining rom-com connoisseur – specialising particularly in the 90s/00s teen rom-com variety – I’m always on the lookout for my next favourite flick, alongside constantly rewatching the heavy hitters. But sadly, in this modern streaming age, we don’t all have access to every film at all times – long gone is my collection of neatly stacked DVD cases – meaning my favourite romantic films and I are often separated for months at a time while they dance across other streaming sites and I watch (or, crucially, don’t watch) forlorn from the sidelines. Goodbye Clueless (1995; currently on Prime Video), so long Easy A (2010; available to rent on Prime Video), farewell John Tucker Must Die (2006; currently residing on Disney+). If Netflix is your streaming service of choice, too, here are the best romantic movies to watch right now.

The Best Romantic Movies To Watch On Netflix Right Now

Little Women (2019)

Like your romantic movies with a side of historical dress and a sprinkling of sisterhood? Greta Gerwig’s Little Women is the one for you. Transporting us to 1860s Massachusetts, we follow Jo March, a spirited writer who pushes back against love in pursuit of a career. A star-studded affair, expect the likes of Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson and Laura Dern to grace your screen.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2022)

Another relatively new kid on the block, Netflix’s original Lady Chatterley’s Lover was released toward the end of 2022. It’s simple – based on the old classic D. H. Lawrence novel – but effective, based almost entirely on one sprawling country estate, with very few characters, and love (and lust) at the fore.

(L-R) Emma Corrin as Lady Constance, Jack O’Connell as Oliver in Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Parisa Taghizadeh/Netflix © 2022.

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

Yes, Renée Zellweger’s iconic Bridget Jones is back on Netflix. Playing a British singleton, Zellweger is joined by Colin Firth and Hugh Grant to form one of romantic movie history’s most notorious love triangles.

She’s The Man (2006)

Remember that period of the 00s when a strangely large number of teen films were based on Shakespearean comedies? Experiencing somewhat of a renaissance on TikTok at present, She’s The Man is a teen rom-com classic, starring Amanda Bynes opposite Channing Tatum in a Twelfth Night retelling with a football twist.

Friends With Benefits (2011)

Led by Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, Friends With Benefits is one of many romantic movies on this topic – but, I would argue, the best (my apologies to Ashton Kutcher’s version). Dylan (Timberlake) and Jamie (Kunis) meet in New York City and commence a friends-with-benefits situation, naively believing they won’t develop feelings for each other. We all know how it goes – but, though predictable, the ending is surprisingly tender and un-cringe.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

It’s cute, it’s wholesome, it’s (dare I say it) funny. It’s based on a book (by Jenny Han), it’s the film that shot Noah Centineo to stardom, and it honestly holds up five years after it debuted on Netflix. With two sequels – romantic movie marathon, anyone? – To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before follows Lara Jean Covey, a hopeless romantic who has never been in a relationship, but has written a heartfelt love letter to every boy she’s ever had a major crush on. But what should happen if these letters were mysteriously posted to their addressees? 

(L-R) Noah Centineo and Lana Condor in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Netflix © 2018.

Footloose (2011)

Sadly, the 1984 original isn’t on Netflix at present. Call me crazy, but I think the 2011 remake is a really fun edition, starring Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough and Miles Teller with a supremely foot-tapping soundtrack to boot. It’s slightly modern, but the southern twist roots Footloose (2011) in the original’s timelessness. Kenny Wormald is magnetic. 

All streaming now on Netflix.

Featured image: Lady Chatterley’s Lover. (L-R) Jack O’Connell as Oliver, Emma Corrin as Lady Constance in Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Parisa Taghizadeh/Netflix © 2022.