Who doesn’t like romantic films? With the aura of love in the air, HBO Max has several romantic films that will set your mood for love. HBO Max has romantic movies for all your moods, from heart-wrenching stories to stories full of love and laughter.
You can cry your heart out and roll on the floor laughing; the choice will always be yours.
We have curated a list of the 30 best romantic movies on HBO Max for you and your loved ones, including some classics, timeless romances, and new audience favorites.
30. Maid in Manhattan (2002)
- Director: Wayne Wang
- Writer: Kevin Wade
- Cast: Jeniffer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci, Bob Hoskins
- IMDb Ratings: 5.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%
The story revolves around Marisa Ventura, a domestic helper in a top-class hotel in Manhattan. Marissa meets a political heir called Christopher Marshall, who mistakes her to be a guest there, and the two end up having one of the most romantic lives.
However, things take an unfavorable turn when the true identity of Marisa is revealed, and the two realize how much their worlds are apart. What is in store for the lovers here?
29. Marry Me
- Director: Kat Coiro
- Writer: John Rogers, Tami Sagher, Harper Dill
- Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma, John Bradley
- IMDb Ratings: 6.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 61%
Marry Me, starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez, is one of the newest 2022 films you can see.
The film has received many positive reviews thanks to its incredible plot and stellar ensemble. Here, the film focuses on the love journey between music superstars Kat Valdez and Bastian, which led to their public marriage in front of a large global audience.
However, things started to shift once Bastain cheated on her with her assistant and her marriage collapsed.
28. The Lost City
- Director: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
- Writer: Oren Uziel, Dana Fox, Adam Nee
- Cast: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da’Vine Joy Randolph
- IMDb Ratings: 6.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
The Lost City is a love story that Nee’s brothers, Aaron and Adam Nee, will be directing in 2022. This new film’s most notable aspects are its great cast of stars and its incredible storyline.
Speaking of the cast, Daniel Radcliffe, who is most known for playing the lead character in the Harry Potter series, appears in this new film.
The movie’s premise tells the incredible tale of a romance novelist who decides to embark on a book tour with her cover model, which leads to her attempt to kidnap the model and the beginning of an extraordinary new adventure.
As you follow the adventure, you may observe the cover model and the author’s instantaneous love connection.
27. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
- Director: Nora Ephron
- Writer: Nora Ephron, Della Ephron
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle, Steve Zahn, Greg Kinnear
- IMDb Ratings: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%
You’ve Got Mail is one of the best romantic comedies that depicts the love story of two people, Katherine Kelly and Joe Fox, who meet anonymously on the internet and begin to fall in love.
Things get complicated when the man realizes that the woman he is in love with is none other than his business rival in real life. Both the people who are in love virtually are enemies in real life.
How will both the young lovers take the truth when they realize who they fell in love with? Is it the end or the beginning of a beautiful story?
26. Pretty in Pink
- Director: Baz Luhrmann
- Writer: William Shakespeare, Craig Pearce, Baz Luhrmann
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Harold Perrineau
- IMDb Ratings: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%
You can watch an older romance film from the 1990s to get a sense of what old romance movies are like if you enjoy viewing them.
You get to see some incredible Hollywood icons from the past, such as Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Harry Dean Stanton, and many more, in addition to the more dated plotline.
The plot of the film centers on the life of a teenage character named Andie (played by Molly Ringwald), who attends a popular girls’ high school but isn’t so fantastic.
25. William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet
- Director: Baz Luhrmann
- Writer: William Shakespeare, Craig Pearce, Baz Luhrmann
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Harold Perrineau
- IMDb Ratings: 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%
Suppose you’re among the Gen Z kids. In that case, we recommend you watch William Shakespeare’s way of defining a love story between the famous characters since the late 1800s, Romeo and Juliet.
When it comes to watching some amazing romance movies, the story of Romeo and Juliet will come to our heads.
It gets hotter to watch this movie because it features some incredible Hollywood actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. There are no such alterations to the plot, but the entire film will take place in a contemporary metropolis where Romeo and Juliet’s love tale is told.
24. Supernova
- Director: Harry Macqueen
- Writer: Harry Macqueen
- Cast: Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci, Pippa Haywood
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Supernova, starring Colin Firth, features a fantastic plot along with fantastic cast performances. The plot of this new film centers on the tale of its two protagonists, Sam and Tusker, who have been traveling around England in their old RV and cherishing their experiences with their loved ones.
Tusker, who was just diagnosed with dementia, finds it difficult to recall the memories he has shared with his admirers.
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23. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
- Director: Jon M Chu
- Writer: Peter Chiarelli, Adele Lim
- Cast: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Michelle Yeoh
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
This modern romance movie available on the streaming service HBO Max is one of the recent most loved rom-com dramas.
Crazy Rich Asians depicts the relationship between Rachel, a young professor, and her boyfriend, Nick. When she meets his family, Rachel discovers that her boyfriend belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Singapore.
The film is full of light-hearted and love-filled moments that make it worth the watch. How will Rachel adjust in the family, or will she eventually bow to the hardships?
22. Straight Up
- Director: James Sweeney
- Writer: James Sweeney
- Cast: Randall Park, Katie Findlay, Betsy Brandt
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Straight Up is another romantic comedy you can watch right now on HBO Max. It follows the romance of two well-known actors, Todd and Rory, who dominate the screen by portraying themselves as intellectual soulmates.
However, when Todd comes out as homosexual, their relationship experiences ups and downs, but Rory never really gives a damn about it because they stay together, Todd’s gay qualities face new difficulties, and they go on a new adventure.
21. Two Lovers (2008)
- Director: James Gray
- Writer: Richard Manello, James Gray
- Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas, Moni Moshonov
- IMDb Ratings: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
Joaquin Phoenix plays the role of Leonard Kraditor, who faces a broken engagement and decides to move in with his parents. Leonard soon falls in love with a young woman named Sandra, and they seem like a match made in heaven.
However, their happiness is short-lived when a manipulative woman called Michelle enters their lives.
She is married, has a boyfriend, and yet does everything she can to keep Leonard wrapped around her fingers. What will Leonard decide for himself, and will he be able to realize what is good for him?
20. Moonstruck (1987)
- Director: Norman Jewison
- Writer: John Patrick Shanley
- Cast: Cher, Nicholas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello
- IMDb Ratings: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
The story revolves around an Italian-American woman who is a widow and who is looking for a partner to remarry.
She finds her friend Johnny suitable for marriage as he is stable and nice. However, Loretta is drawn to Ronny, Johnny’s brother, who is moody and passionate.
Who will Loretta choose as she fights her dilemma over the two men? Will Loretta be able to reach a conclusion and put a rest on her complicated feelings?
19. Desert Hearts (1985)
- Director: Donna Deitch
- Writer: Natalie Cooper
- Cast: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley, Andra Akers, Gwen Welles, Dean Butler
- IMDb Ratings: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
This off-beat love story in a time like the 90s has gained much attention due to its amazing plotline and characterizations.
The film Desert Hearts depicts a woman named Vivian who seeks divorce from her husband. She travels to Reno for the divorce, where she meets Cay, a young girl, and the two eventually fall in love.
The two have their share of hardships, and whether they end up together is something to be seen. The story is a beautiful tale of love set against the rocky backdrops that make it worth watching.
18. Where The Crawdads Sing
- Director: Olivia Newman
- Writer: Delia Owens, Lucy Alibar
- Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson, David Strathairn
- IMDb Ratings: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 35%
Where the Crawdad Sings traveled before its 2022 release. The movie’s plot focuses on the life of a woman raised amid the Deep South marshes.
But as the woman becomes a key suspect in the death of a man she was associated with, the plot dramatically changes. Thanks to its incredible plot and stellar actors, the film has received some rather good reviews.
17. Good Luck To You, Leo Grande
- Director: Sophie Hyde
- Writer: Katy Brand
- Cast: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack, Isabella Laughland, Les Mabaleka
- IMDb Ratings: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
One of the most recent romantic comedies with an intriguing plotline is Sophie Hyde’s Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, which you can watch right now on HBO Max.
Nancy Stokes, a retired schoolteacher, is the tale’s main character. She has been involved in several extraordinary adventures, beginning with her exploration of men—particularly young sex workers—and culminating in intense sex.
Leo Grande, a young sex worker, was even recruited by her. However, the relationship between the sex worker and the client merely changes and develops into a wonderful, loving one.
16. Punch Drunk Love (2002)
- Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzman
- IMDb Ratings: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
The story revolves around Barry Egan, a bathroom supplies store owner who is shy and timid by nature.
He is under the jurisdiction of his seven sisters and has an uneventful life. His life takes an interesting turn when he falls in love with one of his sister’s co-workers, Lena.
Things are seemingly unfavorable for him when an extortionist blackmails him. Will Barry be able to save his love and change his life?
15. A Room With a View (1985)
- Director: James Ivory
- Writer: Ruth Prawer Jhabvata
- Cast: Maggie Smith, Denholm Eliott, Judi Dench, Simon Callow, Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Sands, Daniel Day-Lewis, Fabia Drake, Patrick Godfrey, Rupert Graves, Joan Henley, Rosemary Leach
- IMDb Ratings: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The film depicts the story of Lucy, a young woman, who is touring Italy with her cousin. She meets a young man named George Emerson, with a magnetic charm and is free-spirited.
Although there are some sparks between the two, Lucy returns to London and thinks about settling down with Celil, a wealthy man.
Things turn complicated when George returns to Lucy’s life, and Lucy has to make a decision that might change three lives forever.
14. Blue Valentine
- Director: Derek Cianfrance
- Writer: Derek Cianfrance, Joey Curtis, Cami Delavigne
- Cast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, John Doman, Faith Wladyka
- IMDb Ratings: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
One of the romance films you may see right now is Blue Valentine, written and directed by the legendary Cianfrance.
The film has several fantastic and well-known actors, including Ryan Gosling, who most recently appeared as the lead in the movie Named Barbie.
The relationship tale of a modern married couple navigating marriage life together is the topic of this new romantic film.
13. Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
- Director: Glenn Ficara, John Requa
- Writer: Dan Fogelman
- Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, John Caroll Lynch, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
The story is an interesting romantic film depicting the life of Cal Weaver, a man above 40 years of age with a perfect life, a good job, a beautiful wife, and children.
But suddenly, his life comes to a standstill when his wife files for divorce, and he learns that she has been unfaithful all through.
With his dating game at nil, he meets Jacob Palmer, who teaches Cal how to hot it off in the dating world. Will Jacob succeed in his mission, and will Cal finally meet someone?
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12. Wonder Woman (2017)
- Director: Patty Jenkins
- Writer: Allan Heinberg, Jason Fuchs
- Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Despite being a film of the action-adventure genre, Wonder Woman also fits perfectly into romantic films.
The film depicts the life of a princess from Amazon named Diana, who meets an American Pilot played by Chris Pine. Both the characters have their destinies, but their chemistry is commendable.
As the world falls into chaos, Wonder Woman has to take charge as she goes on to fight the threats and discover her true self.
11. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
- Director: Howard Hawks
- Writer: Dudley Nichols, Hagar Wilde
- Cast: Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Charles Ruggles, Barry Fitzgerald, May Robson, Walter Catlett, Fritz Feld
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
The story revolves around David Huxley, a paleontologist who does his best to impress the society matron, Mrs. Random, as she is interested in donating a million dollars to his museum, However, things get complicated when Mrs. Random’s niece meets David, and she falls in love with him.
As he tries to manage things with Susan, a dinosaur bone that goes missing along with a pet leopard, adds to the chaos that has already been created in love.
10. West Side Story (1961)
- Director: Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins
- Writer: Ernest Lehman
- Cast: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris
- IMDb Ratings: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
The film is a romantic musical drama that depicts a modern version of the infamous love of Romeo and Juliet. However, the twist here is that Romeo and Juliet are involved in the street gangs of New York who fight for control on the turf.
Things become complicated when a rival gang member falls in love with the sister of another rival gang’s leader.
09. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Writer: Nora Ephron
- Cast: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby
- IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Considered as one of the best romantic movies, When Harry Met Sally depicts the story of two young college graduates who share a ride to New York. Meg Ryan stars as Sally, and Billy Crystal stars as Harry.
They talk about everything on the ride, from friendships to love to politics. The two meet 10 years later in a bookstore with their best friends.
However, things start to get complicated as feelings coincide. What new turn will their friendship take as these young flames meet after ten years?
08. The Notebook (2004)
- Director: Nick Cassavetesas
- Writer: Jeremy Leven
- Cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands, James Marsden, Kevin Conolly, Sam Shepard, Joan Allen
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53%
This classic romantic film is one of the most loved films ever. The story depicts the lives of two young people, Noah, a country boy, and Ally, a rich girl, who meet fate and are separated by fate but have had the greatest love story ever.
The love story spans decades and endures several adversities. Will Noah and Ally defy fate to be together, or will fate have its own plans for them?
07. Brief Encounter (1945)
- Director: David Lean
- Writer: Noel Coward, Anthony Havelock Allan, David Lean, Ronald Neame
- Cast: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond, Everley Gregg, Margaret Barton
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
This rom-com depicts the story of Laura Jesson, a bored suburban housewife who meets an old acquaintance, Dr. Alec Harvey.
As the two start meeting quite often, the accidental meet-up turns out to be something more emotional with each passing day. Both of them fall in love with each other, unsure of what is going to happen.
As the two keep falling in love more, what havoc will this create on their families and lives makes it worth the watch?
06. In the Mood for Love (2000)
- Director: Wong Kar Wai
- Writer: Wong Kar Wai
- Cast: Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
In the Mood for Love depicts the story of Chow Mo Wan, who is lonely as his wife is often away for business.
After they move into a new apartment in Hong Kong, he befriends Su Li Zhen, who is in the same situation. The two begin falling in love; they discover their partners are cheating on them.
As they do not want to stoop to the level of cheating, what will the two friends do to sort out their complicated relationship with their partners and themselves?
05. Portrait Of A Lady On Fire
- Director: Céline Sciamma
- Writer: Céline Sciamma
- Cast: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
The extraordinary romantic love story Portrait of a Lady on Fire by Céline Sciamma takes place in the eighteenth century on a remote island in Brittany.
The focus of the film is a young female painter by the name of Marianne.
The main plot is about how the young artist was hired to create a bridal portrait of Heloise without her knowledge. This created a significant task for her because she had to pay attention to, retain, and then use the traits of her model in her painting.
04. Gone With The Wind (1939)
- Director: Victor Fleming
- Writer: Sidney Howard
- Cast: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia De Havilland
- IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 9o%
Gone With the Wind is the story of a Southern woman, Scarlett O’Hara, who leads an idyllic life in the plantations.
Set against the backdrop of the Civil War and Reconstruction, the film depicts the complicated relationship that Scarlett shares with the two men named Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler.
This war and romance drama depicts a tragic picture of the war as well, and there are certain themes and characterizations that might not be what the contemporary audience expects. But even so, the film is a must-watch.
03. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
- Director: Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen
- Writer: Adolph Green, Betty Comden
- Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debby Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchelle, Cyd Charisse
- IMDb Ratings: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The film depicts a time when there was a transformation happening in the world of entertainment when talkies were taking over the silent film. Singin’ in the Rain tells the story of Don and Lina, who are cast as a romantic couple in movies.
However, when a talkies film is made, Don gives the voiceover for his character, but Lina is not selected for recording.
An aspiring actress is given the role of voicing Lina, and this is something that will create trouble in paradise for Lina as well as Don.
02. City Lights (1931)
- Director: Charlie Chaplin
- Writer: Charlie Chaplin
- Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Cherill, Florence Lee, Harry Myers, Al Earnest Garcia
- IMDb Ratings: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
This classic romantic comedy film revolves around the life of a tramp who falls in love with a flower girl who is blind.
To support her financially, the tramp, played by none other than Charlie Chaplin, ends up in embarrassing and funny situations. However, things might change for them when Chaplin saves a wealthy man.
The wealthy man offers Charlie a huge amount of money that he can use to help his blind friend out.
01. Casablanca (1942)
- Director: Michael Curtiz
- Writer: Julius J. Epstein
- Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre
- IMDb Ratings: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
Considered one of the best romantic films, Casablanca is about Rick Blaine, the owner of a nightclub in Casablanca.
He meets his old love Lisa, only to realize that she is in town with her husband, who is a renowned rebel. Lisa needs Rick’s help to get her husband out of the country.
This classic film delivers the beautiful message of doing things more significant than yourself. Will Rick help Lisa to get her husband out of the country and lose the love of his life or is there something else in store?
