30 Best Romance Films of the 2020s (So Far) You Absolutely Must Watch
Love stories in the 2020s are bold, tender, and full of feeling. Filmmakers are remixing the genre with fresh voices and new settings while still delivering the swoon and ache that make romance timeless. From walk and talk meet cutes to grand epics and bittersweet almosts, there is something here for every mood.
This list gathers standout romances that moved audiences and sparked conversation. Some are fizzy crowd pleasers and some go quiet and deep, yet all of them understand that the heart wants what it wants. Queue them up, press play, and let these stories do their work.
‘Past Lives’ (2023)
This aching story follows childhood friends who reconnect as adults and find themselves weighing a once in a lifetime bond against the lives they built. It treats longing with care and gives small moments the weight of destiny.
The film is gentle and piercing at the same time. It trusts silences, keeps the camera on faces, and lets you feel the space between people who might have been and still could be.
‘The Worst Person in the World’ (2021)
Here is a romantic portrait of a woman sorting out who she is while love arrives, changes shape, and sometimes slips away. It captures messy decisions with warmth and humor.
What makes it sing is how honest it feels. The lead performance invites you in, the writing stays curious rather than judgmental, and the final notes land with real grace.
‘Rye Lane’ (2023)
Two strangers meet on a rough day and wander through a lively city that seems to cheer them on. Their banter pops, the colors glow, and the energy never drops.
It is a modern romantic comedy that remembers to be genuinely romantic. You get laughs, chemistry that sparks from the first exchange, and a joyful sense of place.
‘Challengers’ (2024)
A trio of tennis prodigies grows up together and finds that competition and desire are tangled. The love story moves like a match, full of momentum, strategy, and surprise.
It is sleek, intimate, and charged with feeling. The leads play every look like a rally, and the final stretch leaves you buzzing.
‘All of Us Strangers’ (2023)
A writer grieving the past meets a neighbor who sees him clearly, and their connection opens doors he did not know were still closed. It is tender with both romance and memory.
The film holds a fragile mood with confidence. It treats love as a light in a dim room and asks what it takes to step fully into it.
‘Decision to Leave’ (2022)
A detective falls for a woman who may be part of his case, and the result is a swoony mystery where desire clouds judgment. The glances are charged and the atmosphere is lush.
It is a romance that whispers rather than shouts. Every choice feels precise, and the final images linger like a secret you cannot shake.
‘West Side Story’ (2021)
This reimagined musical brings a classic love story to vivid life with dynamic choreography and heartfelt performances. The emotion pours out of every number.
It honors the original while finding new layers of feeling and context. The romance is big and bold, and the craft is breathtaking.
‘Emma.’ (2020)
Jane Austen’s meddler gets a playful and stylish update, full of knowing smiles and delicious misunderstandings. The sets dazzle and the wit is crisp.
Under the polish sits a beating heart. You feel the characters learn what real care looks like, and the final confessions are pure delight.
‘Palm Springs’ (2020)
A time loop turns a wedding into an endless day, and two lost souls keep finding each other. The premise is high concept, yet the romance keeps it grounded.
It is bright, clever, and sneakily moving. By the end you root for love to break any cycle that tries to hold it back.
‘One Fine Morning’ (2022)
A woman juggling family responsibilities and work stumbles into a complicated affair that brings joy and turmoil. Everyday life feels intimate and true.
The film treats adult longing with patience and honesty. It understands that love can arrive in imperfect seasons and still change everything.
‘Cyrano’ (2021)
The classic tale of hidden words and open hearts becomes a swooning musical filled with yearning. Music carries the feelings that speech cannot.
It is a story about love and language, and how both can save us. The performances glow, and the melodies stay with you.
‘Happiest Season’ (2020)
A couple heads home for the holidays and discovers that honesty is the hardest gift to give. The comedy lands, and the emotions feel earned.
It is warm, funny, and inclusive, with a cozy sparkle that pairs well with true vulnerability. You leave hoping every family can meet love with courage.
‘Ammonite’ (2020)
Two women find a quiet connection by the sea, where work, weather, and secrecy shape their days. The romance unfolds in glances and gestures.
It is a study in texture and touch. The restraint makes every small kindness feel seismic, and the ending hums with meaning.
‘Supernova’ (2020)
Longtime partners take a road trip as they face a difficult diagnosis together. Love looks like care, patience, and shared history.
The film is simple in form and vast in feeling. It honors devotion without sentimentality and finds beauty in ordinary moments.
‘The Photograph’ (2020)
A discovery in an old picture sparks a contemporary romance that moves with elegance. Past and present speak to each other in quiet ways.
The mood is smooth and soulful. You get grown up conversation, magnetic leads, and a soundtrack that feels like a warm night.
‘The Half of It’ (2020)
A shy student ghostwrites love letters and learns about friendship, identity, and the risk of telling the truth. It is smart, tender, and surprising.
The film respects its characters and lets them be complicated. The romance feels fresh, and the final moments choose honesty over easy answers.
‘The Map of Tiny Perfect Things’ (2021)
Two teens caught in a repeating day collect small wonders and find comfort in each other. The movie notices the magic in ordinary life.
It is charming without being sugary. The romance grows from curiosity and shared adventure, and the payoff is sweet.
‘The Last Letter from Your Lover’ (2021)
A journalist uncovers a hidden affair and a present day love story blossoms alongside the past. Letters, glances, and near misses create a rich tapestry.
It scratches the itch for sweeping melodrama with class. You get glamour, hidden longing, and a final note that satisfies.
‘I Want You Back’ (2022)
Two recent exes plot to win back their former partners and accidentally catch feelings. The jokes land, and the chemistry is easy.
It is a breezy reminder that love often shows up when plans fall apart. The leads sell every awkward scheme and every soft reveal.
‘Marry Me’ (2022)
A pop star makes a spontaneous choice in front of the world and discovers a real connection with an ordinary guy. Fame meets sincerity and sparks fly.
This is glossy comfort food with heart. The songs are catchy, the laughs are kind, and the romance feels like a hug.
‘Purple Hearts’ (2022)
Two people enter a marriage of convenience and slowly build something real. Music threads through their lives and brings them closer.
It leans into classic opposites attract energy while giving the characters room to grow. By the end the feelings feel earned.
‘Anyone But You’ (2023)
Enemies pretend to be in love at a destination wedding and stumble into the real thing. Sun, snark, and undeniable pull keep the pace lively.
It works because the leads spark off each other. The set pieces are playful, the vibe is flirty, and the smiles stick.
‘Elemental’ (2023)
In a city of fire and water and more, two opposites discover common ground and deep connection. The world building is inventive and full of visual jokes.
Beneath the spectacle sits a sincere love story about family, tradition, and choice. It is bright, heartfelt, and welcoming to all ages.
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ (2023)
A prince and a first son start as rivals and find something altogether different. The romance is earnest and joyful.
It balances sparkle with sincerity. The central pair wins you over, and the story champions love with open arms.
‘Love at First Sight’ (2023)
Two travelers meet by chance and spend a few hours that change everything. Fate and timing play a cheeky role.
It is sweet, light on its feet, and surprisingly thoughtful. You believe in these two, and you root for the universe to help out.
‘Bones and All’ (2022)
A road trip romance explores hunger for connection in every sense. It is tender, unsettling, and strangely beautiful.
The film finds poetry in unlikely places. The love story feels defiant and sincere, and it stays with you.
‘Sylvie’s Love’ (2020)
A young couple falls in love through music and meets again as life pulls them apart and back together. The style is lush and the tone is romantic.
It is a classic swoon with modern clarity. The performances glow, and the final stretch feels like a favorite record on repeat.
‘The Hating Game’ (2021)
Office rivals escalate their daily battles until attraction takes over. The banter is sharp and the looks say even more.
It delivers exactly what fans of enemies to lovers crave. The leads commit to every tease and every tender turn.
‘The Broken Hearts Gallery’ (2020)
A collector of mementos turns her breakup baggage into a fresh start and a new connection. The idea is clever and the voice is bright.
It celebrates mess and second chances. The romance blooms through creativity and kindness, and the mood stays sunny.
‘The Idea of You’ (2024)
A single mother meets a younger pop star and discovers an unexpected spark that challenges assumptions. The chemistry is palpable and the intimacy feels lived in.
It is glamorous and grounded at once. The story respects desire at any age and lets romance be both fun and fearless.
Share your favorite modern love stories from the 2020s in the comments so everyone can find their next watch.