20 Romance Movies By Decade, Ranked
We can’t get enough of the romance genre of movies, but have you seen the best that every decade has had to offer? Well, we’ve rounded up a list of the best ones from the 1950s to the early 2000s and ranked them! Check out some of our favorites and see if they align with yours!
1950s
This decade, many of the romance movies appeared in the form of comedies and musicals, and the results were some true classics.
1. Roman Holiday (1953)
Starring Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday follows European Princess Ann, who meets an American reporter and ends up falling in love with him.
2. A Star is Born (1954)
This 1954 version of A Star is Born, starring Judy Garland, is considered the best of the multiple remakes of the story. When actor Norman Maine (James Mason) meets aspiring actress Esther Blodgett (Garland), he provides the inspiration she needs for her career.
3. An Affair to Remember (1957)
Cary Grant stars as Nickie Ferrante, a man who has an affair with Terry (Deborah Kerr) while on a cruise and then agrees to meet six months later. But when she doesn’t show up, he wonders whether or not she still loves him.
4. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
A silent film star, Don (Gene Lockwood), falls for a chorus girl as he and his scene partner are trying to transition to “talkies” in the 1920s.
1960s
An exciting time for romance movies! The “New Hollywood” era saw a fresh generation of filmmakers that challenged the status quo and brought a whole new approach to filmmaking for everyone to enjoy!
1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) meets Paul Varjak (George Peppard) when he moves into her apartment building. Holly is in search of a wealthy man to marry and becomes interested in Paul, but she is threatened by her past.
2. Cleopatra (1963)
Starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Cleopatra details the love between the Egyptian Queen and Mark Antony. This film was also where the years-long romance of Taylor and Burton began.
3. The Graduate (1967)
A college graduate (Dustin Hoffman) falls for an older woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), who is a friend of his parents. But things become complicated when he begins to fall for her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross).
1970s
The 1970s gave us Grease — enough said!
1. Grease (1978)
“You’re the one that I want!” and other songs from Grease got us hooked and it soon became one of our favorite films. Danny and Sandy, who come from two different worlds, fall for each other and must figure out how to make it work without messing up their social lives.
2. The Way We Were (1973)
Starring Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand, two complete opposites come together and marry during World War II, but soon realize their attraction might not be enough to overcome their own societal beliefs.
1980s
1980s romance movies had a unique twist that makes them so easy to enjoy over and over again! Check out some of our favorites!
1. Say Anything (1989)
As Lloyd (John Cusack) tries to win the affections of the beautiful Diane (Ione Skye), her overly possessive father soon gets in the way and expresses his disapproval.
2. Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)
A high school nerd, Ronald (Patrick Dempsey), secretly pays a popular cheerleader (Amanda Peterson) $1,000 to go out with him for a month. But as they grow closer, Ronald realizes popularity might not be worth it if it means leaving his real life behind.
3. Splash (1984)
Allen (Tom Hanks) falls for a beautiful mermaid, Madison (Daryl Hannah), after she saves his life, not realizing her secret. But when she comes to find him 20 years later, Allen must decide whether to follow Madison into the sea or remain solo on land.
4. Pretty in Pink (1986)
Andie (Molly Ringwald) is surprised when the rich, popular Blane (Andrew McCarthy) asks her out and soon realizes dating someone from another social circle isn’t very easy.
1990s
These ‘90s romance movies brought us major stars — specifically Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts — as well as delightfully predictable storylines that we loved so much!
1. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) finds herself stuck as she can’t begin dating until her older, uninteresting sister, Kat (Julia Stiles), does. An elaborate plan sets Patrick (Heath Ledger) in motion to ask Kat out so that Bianca can date, but soon Kat and Patrick end up actually falling for each other.
2. Pretty Woman (1990)
Wealthy businessman Edward (Richard Gere) hires Vivian (Julia Roberts), a prostitute, while he’s on a weekend business trip, and finds himself falling for her. But he soon discovers that there just may be too many differences between the lives they lead for it to work out.
3. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Adapted from An Affair to Remember, this film follows widower Sam (Tom Hanks), who moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Malinger). When Jonah calls into a radio show to find his father a new wife, reporter Annie (Meg Ryan) hears him and ends up falling for Sam, even though she is engaged. Annie writes Sam a letter, asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day.
4. Notting Hill (1999)
William (Hugh Grant), a bookstore owner, meets actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), and the two soon begin an affair. However, the differences in their lifestyles threaten to get in the way.
2000s
The 2000s were responsible for some of the most iconic rom coms ever, full of romantic clichès, adorable meet-cutes and heartwarming love stories.
1. How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Journalist Andi Anderson (Kate Hudson) is tasked with writing a story about how to lose a guy in just 10 days, while Ben (Matthew McConaughey) bets that he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. The two happen to choose each other for their respective experiments, but their plans are foiled when they actually start to develop feelings for one another.
2. The Notebook (2004)
Wealthy Allie (Rachel McAdams) and mill worker Noah (Ryan Gosling) fall desperately in love, but Allie’s parents don’t approve. After Noah goes off to war, seemingly without a word, their romance ends. Years later, the two meet again and realize their feelings for each other never faded.
3. 27 Dresses (2008)
Jane (Katherine Heigl), a woman obsessed with weddings and who is always the go-to bridesmaid, finds herself stuck when her younger sister gets engaged to the man of her dreams. Meanwhile, reporter Kevin (James Marsden) begins writing a story about Jane’s unusual life to get his own column.
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