Love has been described as everything from a simple chemical reaction to a powerful, life-altering experience. Throughout history, love andromancehave been idolized as the pinnacle of the human experience. Media and literature throughout the ages have contributed to the enjoyment, yearning, and deep analysis of romance. Most of the time, they typically resonate with the contemporary beliefs of their respective audiences. However, once in a while, a risk-taking creative or a collective of imaginative talent produces a work of art that challenges existing norms.
Instead of depicting a common love story, these select films have either expounded on the idea of a happily ever after or reframed romance as a stepping stone towards one’s personal growth. Some films have even framed a romance between two characters as part of a greater movement, encompassing millions of souls.
Other films have also incorporated or solely focused on the love life of marginalized folks, with refreshing narratives surrounding difficultly beautiful stories to submerge audiences in. While some attempts lose themselves in walking viewers through the lives of their characters, teaching them basic decency by way of very real experiences, the clear successes capture the normalcy and the nuances of their subject’s everyday lives. Without further delay, these are our selections forromance films ahead of their time.
Updated Jun 30, 2025: In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, we’ve updated this list of romance movies ahead of their time with additional entries, more information, and a plethora of useful features.
15Before Sunrise (1995)
Before Sunrise
The first film in what would become an iconic trilogy for director Richard Linklater,Before Sunrisepairs Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) together on a single romantic evening in Vienna. The film’s title is literal, with the majority of its events taking place over the course of a single night. As for the events themselves, they’re deliberately minimalist: a series of monologues and one-off encounters explore how the two view the world differently. The film was famously based on atragic true storyexperienced by Linklater.
A Postmodern Romance
Via Richard Linklater’s direction,Before Sunrisetook an eclectic spin on the romance genre in the 1990s, twisting the genre’s typical conventions on their head in exchange for a unique exploration of romance. It was as if the two characters on screen were truly alive, with their realistic relationship development being a subject of universal praise. On a budget of around $2 million, it would make more than ten times that back at the box office, setting the stage for the ensuing trilogy while also elevating the romance genre to exciting heights.Watch the trailer forBefore SunriseonYouTube
Buy or Rent Before Sunrise on Apple TV
14Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Punch-Drunk Love
Most will immediately associate Adam Sandler with his comedy career, but his genuine talent for dramatic roles has been showcased in films likeUncut GemsandPunch-Drunk Love. A romantic dramedy directed by Paul Thomas Anderson,Punch-Drunk Lovetells the story of Barry Egan (Adam Sandler), a man whose troubled family life led to an adulthood lined with rage-filled anxiety. However, when a budding relationship with a woman named Lena (Emily Watson) mixes with his tumultuous personal life, the two worlds clash in the most unexpected of ways.
While Sandler would similarly dazzle as a gambling addict inUncut Gems, the overall quality ofPunch-Drunk Lovecaught many off guard when it initially debuted in 2002. It was famously a box office bomb, and yet,Adam Sandler’s performancewas the subject of near-universal acclaim, depicting a character whose emotional and psychological troubles were layered and nuanced. Emily Watson was no slouch either, with the film’s relationship as a whole developing in a way that felt natural and compelling.Watch the trailer forPunch-Drunk LoveonYouTube
Buy or Rent Punch-Drunk Love on Apple TV
13Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Brokeback Mountain
In today’s world, where queer cinema is becoming more and more commonplace in Hollywood, a movie likeBrokeback Mountainmight not be something groundbreaking. But when it came out in 2005, with two mainstream actors like Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal starring as the main protagonists, it indeed was a pioneering movie. Based on a 1997 short story of the same name,Brokeback Mountaintells us the story of Ennis and Jack, their burning romance, and their tragic ending.
Brokeback Mountain Broke Our Hearts
This cowboy romance delves into the themes of internal homophobia, social stigma, and acceptance, making it a movie that was way ahead of its time. It shows that for humans, breaking away from the norms is not something we can achieve easily, even if it’s something we really want. Because of this, the film has since gained a reputation of being one of thesaddest romance moviesever made. But it shows us the reality of being homosexual in a hetero-normative society.Watch the trailer forBrokeback MountainonYouTube
Buy or Rent Brokeback Mountain on Prime Video
12Happy Together (1997)
Director Wong Kar-wai’s beloved romantic drama, starring actors Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, chronicles the tumultuous romance of Ho Po-Wing (Cheung) and Lai Yui-Fai (Chiu-Wai): two gay Hong Kong men visiting Argentina in hopes of witnessing the Iguazu Falls. While lost in Argentina, the two live seemingly separate lives, never leaving too long before an eventual yet eventful reconciliation. Throughout the film, Ho Po-Wing and Lai Yiu-Fai routinely break away from one another despite the clear longing both possess for one another. It is during their reconvening that audiences witness just how distinct the two are, and how their priorities play into the lifespan of their relationship.
Happy Together Examines LGBTQ+ Relationships
The film has been commended for its excellent acting, breathtaking cinematography, and its experimentation with time and plot structure, conveying the story through unconventional yet impactful means. Nevertheless, the film stands as one of the most captivating romances of all time due to the many subtleties sprinkled across the film.Happy Togethertouches on topics ranging from the handover of Hong Kong to China, neo-Confucianist values, and cultural exile, all while examining their peculiar dynamic.Watch the trailer forHappy TogetheronYouTube
Stream Happy Together on Max
11When Harry Met Sally (1989)
When Harry Met Sally
Can a man and a woman just be friends?When Harry Met Sallyattempts to answer this question by following the titular duo’s romantic adventure, subverting late 80s norms about love while taking viewers on a decade-spanning journey. The duo in question are Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan). Harry and Sally are introduced as recent graduates of the University of Chicago, as they begin to chase after opportunities in New York City.
During one fateful ride-sharing experience, the inquiry comes up and the two sit at opposite sides, literally and figuratively. The film follows Harry and Sally’s scattered reunions over the years. Slowly but surely, the question is no longer the anchor of the narrative.
A Classic Rom-Com
By no exaggeration,When Harry Met Sallyis one of thebest rom-coms of all time. Its memorable scenes, unique premise, and compelling relationship crafted by the leads' performances would gradually lay the groundwork for the feel-good romance film formula. Its influence is nothing to scoff at, as you can find traces of ideas first established in this film in just about every romantic comedy released since. If Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal’s portrayals were not enough to convince audiences to reconsider their outlook on love, then what will?Watch the trailer forWhen Harry Met SallyonYouTube
Buy or Rent When Harry Met Sally on Prime Video
10Maid in Manhattan (2002)
Maid in Manhattanis not only a movie about interracial romance, but it also involves the themes of single motherhood. Jennifer Lopez plays the role of Marisa Ventura, who works as a maid in a hotel. She is also a single mother, raising her son Ty by herself. One day, Marisa meets Chris Marshall (Ralph Fiennes) while trying on an expensive coat that belongs to another patron of the hotel. Chris mistakes her as a socialite and starts to pursue her, thus setting off Marisa on a journey of living a double life.
Maid in Manhattan Focues on Lower Class Struggles
The movie progresses and ends just as any other rom-com does and everyone lives happily ever after. But while it does not delve too deep into the problems of being a single mother, it does present them in front of a wider audience. Not only does the movie show us a couple who belong to very different social classes, but it also shows us the struggles of being a working single mother in a big city, which many can arguably relate to more than two decades later. This is made more effective by the convincing performances of Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. Suffice to say, this rom-com from 2002 was definitely ahead of its time.Watch the trailer forMaid in ManhattanonYouTube
Stream Maid in Manhattan on Paramount+
Romance Movies That Should Be Remade
Some romance movies are perfect. Others should be remade with current actors and a modern point of view. Here are a few remakes we would like to see.
9(500) Days Of Summer (2009)
(500) Days of Summer
Noted for its nonlinear narrative,(500) Days of Summerfinds Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel in one of the most peculiar yet satisfying romance films. Audiences wake up with Tom (Levitt), a writer for a greeting card company with aspirations of being a career architect. Following the New Year, he meets Summer (Deschanel), a new employee, and the two bond over music and insightful conversations about love. Their relationship blossoms into an odd yet formative relationship.
(500) Days of Summer Focuses on Maturity
Rather than painting a typical workplace love story, the film examines a relationship as a marker of maturity. Through its experimental approach, the film deconstructs the relationship and hones in on both Tom and Summer’s motivations for their romance. For those in search of a stimulating rom-com withan excellent soundtrack,(500) Days Of Summermay just be the film for optimal viewing pleasure.Watch the trailer for500 Days of SummeronYouTube
Stream 500 Days of Summer on Hulu
8Fanfic (2023)
If you have been on the internet recently, you have definitely come across the term “fanfic”, which is shorthand for “fan fiction”. The Polish Netflix movieFanficfeatures fan fiction as one of its main plot points, though that is not all that makes it a romance ahead of its time.
The two central characters of this movie are Tosiek (Alin Szewczyk) and Leon (Jan Cieciara). Tosiek is a teenager who is trying to cope with the various problems in their life through stolen medication and writing fan fiction. Leon, on the other hand, is the new student in their school, and they meet during a chance encounter via neighboring bathroom stalls. From this encounter, an unlikely friendship and teenage love slowly emerges.
A Film for the Future
Based on Natalia Osinska’s novel, this 2023Netflix coming-of-age moviedelves deep into themes of self-harm, gender dysphoria, queer identity, and much more in a very enjoyable package. The movie handles these topics in a way that feels truly nuanced and balanced, setting a stage for future films to tackle similar themes in a comparable fashion. In a way,Fanficfeels ahead of its time for this reason, standing above its contemporaries due to its palpable sincerity.Watch the trailer forFanficonYouTube
Stream Fanfic on Netflix
7La Cage aux Folles (1978)
Eerily relevant to the political landscape of today,La Cage aux Follesis aquirky romantic comedythat actively broadcasts the beauty of gay culture whilst simultaneously combating homophobia. Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault star as Renato Baldi and Albin Mougeotte respectively, a couple who own a nightclub in Saint-Tropez. The club offers drag entertainment with Albin starring as the illustrious “Zaza Napoli.” The film gives audiences an up-close look at the community cultivated by the nightclub, decorating screens with bright, campy, and delightful performances.
A surprise visit from their son Laurent (Rémi Laurent), however, sends the couple on a comical adventure of sorts. Not only does he return with his new fiancé, Andrea (Luisa Maneri), but Renato and Albin learn that she just so happens to be the daughter of two conservative parents. With their impending marriage on the line, Renato, Albin, and Laurent hatch a ridiculous yet cunning plan to ensure that the night brings nothing but serenity.
A Masterful Blend of Comedy and Queerness
The film masterfully juggles both hard-hitting comedy and poignant commentary on the hypocrisy that defines conservative stances on queerness, one that sadly remains true to this day. Its technical qualities were so impressive, it would even go on to earn several nominations at the Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Costume Dersign.La Cage aux Follesis an amusing masterpiece that has brightened the hearts of millions since its release.Watch the trailer forLa Cage aux FollesonYouTube
Stream La Cage aux Folles on Prime Video
6Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca
Heralded as one of the greatest movies of all time,Casablancalaid the foundation for theclassical romantic dramamoving forward. Taking place against the backdrop of World War II, the film centers on the influential expatriate Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart). His silent intervention in conflicts such as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and the Spanish Civil War earned him the prestige necessary to impress refugees, state officials, and predatory figures alike.
One fateful day, his former lover, Isla Lund (Ingrid Bergman), and her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), arrive in hopes of a safe pathway to America. The storyline unfolds, revealing one of the most riveting and iconic romance storylines in the history of film.
Casablanca Is an All-Time Classic Film
Providing romance lovers with fleshed-out characters and an intriguing series of storylines, the film uses both romantic and platonic relationships to provide hope and good-faith unity against fascism during a time when an Allied victory was not guaranteed. It’s a film whose basis in real-life events makes its emotional beats hit much harder, with many of its individual elements — specifically iconic scenes and characterizations — being either referenced or parodied in many films to come.Casablancawould later go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, with additional wins for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.Watch the trailer forCasablancaonYouTube
Stream Casablanca on Max
10 Best 80s Romance Movies, Ranked
From Dirty Dancing to When Harry Met Sally, these are the best romance movies of the 80s.
