14 Yearning Films to Stream and Fall in Love with This Valentine's Day
As St. Valentine's Day arrives, traditionally celebrated as the most romantic occasion of the year, Emerald Fennell's bold adaptation of Wuthering Heights has premiered in cinemas. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, this provocative interpretation of Emily Brontë's classic novel offers a sexy, swoony, and deeply yearning portrayal of Cathy and Heathcliff's doomed love. To commemorate this release and today's special day, here is a meticulously curated selection of films with similar emotional vibes that you can fall in love with. The best part is that all these movies are available for streaming, allowing you to enjoy them without leaving your home. Let the longing begin.
Titanic
The quintessential romantic movie, this list must start with James Cameron's epic crowd-pleaser about a wealthy young woman, portrayed by Kate Winslet, and a boy from humble beginnings, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who are tragically destined not to be together. With its beautiful music, period costumes, and the high-stakes drama of a sinking ship, Titanic soared to mega box office success and record Oscar wins. It has been nearly two decades since a love story of this magnitude captured such widespread attention. Streaming now on Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video.
The English Patient
There is always room for top-tier British romance with a stiff upper lip, and The English Patient delivers this in abundance. Ralph Fiennes stars as the titular protagonist, severely burned in a plane crash during World War II and cared for by a nurse, played by Juliette Binoche. Through flashbacks, his life is gradually reconstructed, revealing a passionate love affair with Kristin Scott Thomas's character. The wartime setting adds layers of urgency and unpredictability to the narrative. Streaming now on Paramount Plus.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
This French film gently hypnotizes viewers with its undeniable style and tenderness. It chronicles the affair between an aristocrat, portrayed by Adèle Haenel, and the female painter, played by Noémie Merlant, commissioned to create her portrait in the late eighteenth century. Genuinely heart-wrenching, Céline Sciamma's film stands out as cinematic art, particularly in the spine-tingling bonfire scene where chanting music is introduced for the first time. Streaming now on ITVX.
A Royal Affair
A woefully underseen gem that sparked my enduring admiration for Mads Mikkelsen, this Danish film is based on the scandalous true story of Caroline Matilda of Great Britain, portrayed by Alicia Vikander. As the wife to the mentally ill Christian VII of Denmark-Norway, played by Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, she embarks on an affair with her husband's royal physician, Mads Mikkelsen, during a period of significant reform in the eighteenth century. This sumptuous and accessible Oscar-nominated foreign language film remains among my personal favorites. Streaming now on ITVX.
Romeo + Juliet
Identified by Emerald Fennell as an inspiration for her rule-breaking adaptation of Wuthering Heights, Baz Luhrmann's take on Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, famously amplifies the shock and tragedy of the final scenes. With a dynamic soundtrack and the updated setting of 'Verona Beach', the Bard's 400-year-old words resonate, devastate, and transport audiences anew. This film has lingered with me since childhood. Streaming now on Netflix and Disney Plus.
The Notebook
Alongside the sweeping romance between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as young lovers Noah and Allie, The Notebook derives much of its emotional impact from the dedication of their older versions, portrayed by James Garner and Gena Rowlands. It serves as a powerful reminder that love is not exclusive to the young and that life's paths are often unpredictable. The film also includes one of my favorite unrealistic kissing-in-the-rain scenes, where characters remain unbothered by what would typically be British drizzle. Streaming now on Prime Video.
All of Us Strangers
Devastating in a soul-cleansing manner, All of Us Strangers immediately captivates with Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott. This nuanced study of grief follows Scott's character as he visits his childhood home to find his parents, played by Claire Foy and Jamie Bell, still living there as they were on the day they died thirty years ago. Simultaneously, he embarks on a tentative romance with his neighbor, portrayed by Mescal. This generational love story has truly stayed with me. Streaming now on Disney Plus.
Roman Holiday
Gregory Peck's journalist Joe and Audrey Hepburn's Princess Ann spend one fateful day together in the Eternal City, gradually falling in love, though Joe initially seeks an exclusive interview. Peck's charming ease solidifies him as one of classic Hollywood's finest leading men in my view, and he advocated for Hepburn to receive equal billing in her first major American film role. This film is superior to the often overrated Breakfast at Tiffany's. Streaming now on Paramount Plus and NOW.
Past Lives
If ever a film evoked nostalgia for what might have been, embracing both pain and beauty, Past Lives is it. Celine Song's directorial debut follows two childhood friends, portrayed by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo, over twenty-four years as they contemplate the consequences of paths taken and not taken, and where those choices have led them. If you are prepared to experience a full spectrum of emotions and then wallow in reflection, I highly recommend this film. Streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
An undisputed Bollywood classic, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is also an excellent introduction to Indian cinema for first-time viewers, as it was for me. Featuring Shah Rukh Khan, the definitive mega-star of the genre, alongside other prominent names, the film follows a son adopted into a wealthy family who defies his parents to marry for love and moves to London. Made with an unprecedented budget in 2001, it remains one of the highest-grossing Indian movies. Streaming now on Netflix and Prime Video.
Rye Lane
A modern British romantic comedy that does not shy away from the lows of dating, Rye Lane stars David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah as two young individuals reeling from bruising break-ups, brought together over a day in south London. Their iconic meet-cute in the gender-neutral toilets of an art gallery leads to a walk-and-talk for the ages. The film combines grit, poignancy, and cheekiness in a romance that feels authentic and plausible, albeit with less sunshine than depicted. Streaming now on BBC iPlayer and Disney Plus.
The Piano
A three-time Oscar winner, this historical romance launched filmmaker Jane Campion's international career in 1993 when she became the first woman director to win the Palme D'Or at Cannes. Holly Hunter's mute Ada travels to colonial New Zealand in the nineteenth century with her young daughter, played by Anna Paquin, to marry Sam Neill's settler, but Harvey Keitel's neighbor intervenes as they bond over her love of music. This is the perfect hot-under-the-collar period drama. Streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
Gone with the Wind
Perhaps the most famous romantic movie ever, based on Margaret Mitchell's novel, Gone with the Wind has problematic aspects that should be acknowledged. However, it also set the blueprint for sweeping, epic love stories on the big screen, thanks to the volatile central relationship between spoiled southern belle Scarlett, portrayed by Vivien Leigh, and the roguish Rhett Butler, played by Clark Gable, along with lavish spectacle and a grand orchestral score. Frankly, my dear, I think you should give a damn. Available for rent on Apple TV and Sky Store.
About Time
While many adore Four Weddings and a Funeral, I am a strong advocate for this 2013 Richard Curtis gem. It follows a young man, played by Domhnall Gleeson, who has the ability to time travel and attempts to alter his past to win the love of his life, portrayed by Rachel McAdams. Lessons are learned along the way, and with Bill Nighy as his wise father and an enjoyably storied cast, the film also possesses the power to evoke tears. Streaming now on NOW (cinema membership) and Sky Go.
10 Additional Romantic Movies for Further Viewing
- Emily (2022) – Streaming on BBC iPlayer
- The Crying Game (1992) – Available to rent on BFI Player
- La La Land (2016) – Streaming on ITVX
- The Way We Were (1973) – Rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Sky Store
- Pride & Prejudice (2005) – Streaming on Netflix
- An Affair to Remember (1957) – Rent on Prime Video, Sky Store, and Apple TV
- Brief Encounter (1945) – Rent on Apple TV and Prime Video
- We Live in Time (2024) – Streaming on Netflix
- The Bridges of Madison County (1995) – Rent on Sky Store, Prime Video, and Apple TV
- When Harry Met Sally (1989) – Streaming on MUBI
