The romance genre might have a reputation for telling sentimental and sweeping stories, but it’s easy to forget that there are typically exciting subplots that feature additional thematic tension. This is especially true with movies that blend the best parts of adventure films into the structure of a romance movie, or vice versa. While daring chase scenes, action-packed fight sequences, and races to unearth buried treasure have enough built-in drama on their own, this can only be elevated through a romance plot. That extra layer of tension and intrigue makes for a relentlessly compelling movie that’s worth rewatching.
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Though many adventure films make the love story the side plot, some of these action-packed romance movies have complex relationships at the heart of the narrative. Films that tackle both love and action understand that what propels these plots forward is the character development and the dynamics between them. It’s common for both adventure and romance films to rely on tropes and formulas to craft the narratives, and there’s nothing wrong with this, as it opens the door for these projects to subvert audience expectations.
10 Fool’s Gold (2008)
Directed by Andy Tennant
Fool’s Gold PG-13AdventureComedyRomanceThriller
Fool’s Gold is an adventure romantic comedy directed by Andy Tennant, featuring Matthew McConaughey as treasure hunter Benjamin Finnegan and Kate Hudson as his estranged wife, Tess. Released in 2008, the film follows the estranged couple as they reunite in a quest to locate a legendary treasure while contending with dangerous adversaries and rekindling their relationship.
Director Andy Tennant Release Date February 7, 2008 Cast Matthew McConaughey , Kate Hudson , Donald Sutherland , Alexis Dziena , Ewen Bremner , Ray Winstone Runtime 113 minutes
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The little-known and critically panned rom-com Fool’s Gold might have been a hit in another lifetime. Starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey as a pair of lovers torn apart by their treasure-hunting obsession, Fool’s Gold doesn’t hide the fact that it relies on tropes and the built-in chemistry between frequent collaborators Hudson and McConaughey. However, this doesn’t make the film any less entertaining, as Fool’s Gold doesn’t shy away from putting the central pair in dangerous circumstances within the plot.
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While Fool’s Gold might never rank among the best rom-coms of the golden age of the genre or even the best collaboration between Hudson and McConaughey, it’s the kind of campy fun that adventure movies thrive on. There’s no question that Hudson and McConaughey are a central reason to watch Fool’s Gold, but the supporting cast has funny moments, and every actor is willing to put themselves in hilarious situations. With a treasure map, sunken ships, and an undeniably explosive main couple, Fool’s Gold has everything.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Fool’s Gold (2008) |
11% |
48% |
9 A Knight’s Tale (2001)
Directed by Brian Helgeland
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8/10 A Knight’s Tale PG-13ActionAdventureDocumentaryDramaRomance
A Knight’s Tale is an action-comedy film written and directed by Brian Helgeland. Heath Ledger stars as William Thatcher, a young apprentice of a knight who dies during a jousting tournament. To prove himself, he masquerades as the fallen knight and strives to win the tournament with the help of his friends.
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*Availability in US Director Brian Helgeland Release Date May 11, 2001 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Escape Artists , Finestkind Productions Writers Brian Helgeland Cast Heath Ledger , Rufus Sewell , Mark Addy , Shannyn Sossamon , Paul Bettany , Laura Fraser , Alan Tudyk Runtime 132 Minutes Expand
The endlessly charming Heath Ledger leads A Knight’s Tale as William, the unlikely peasant who slowly proves himself as a knight throughout the story. Set in medieval times, A Knight’s Tale uses the setting and period to poke fun at the tropes of classic tales of knights and kings. Shannyn Sossamon joins Ledger as Jocelyn, the lady who makes William realize that there’s more to life than winning jousts, even though he is more than capable of taking down anyone who challenges him.
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Very loosely inspired by The Canterbury Tales, A Knight’s Tale doesn’t concern itself with period anachronisms, leaning into the comedic moments and budding romance between William and Jocelyn. A Knight’s Tale is a typical underdog story in many ways, with William tasked to compete against the rich and powerful and demonstrate that he doesn’t need a title or rank to deserve Jocelyn’s hand. While it’s clear that love and justice will win out in the end, it’s enormously fun watching the story get there.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
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A Knight’s Tale (2001) |
59% |
79% |
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8 The Lost City (2022)
Directed by Aaron Nee & Adam Nee
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10/10 The Lost City PG-13ActionRomanceComedy
Originally titled The Lost City of D, The Lost City is a romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. Bullock stars as Loretta Sage, a novelist, as well as Dr. Angela Lovemore, the heroine of her successful romance series. Together they try to escape from a billionaire who is hell-bent on discovering an ancient burial chamber that is described in one of Sage’s books.
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*Availability in US Director Adam Nee , Aaron Nee Release Date March 25, 2022 Studio(s) Fortis Films , 3dot Productions , Exhibit A Writers Aaron Nee , Oren Uziel , Adam Nee , Dana Fox Cast Sandra Bullock , Channing Tatum , Brad Pitt , Danielle Radcliffe , Patti Harrison , Da’Vine Joy Randolph Runtime 112 Minutes Expand
The Lost City doesn’t try to break the mold of the rom-com but does incorporate some fun contemporary updates, making its story familiar but compelling. Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum star as the opposites-attract couple Loretta and Alan, who end up on an adventure inspired by the iconic 1980s movie Romancing the Stone. Though The Lost City isn’t quite as synonymous with the romance-adventure genre as its inspiration, it effectively updates some of the more dated elements of the original film.
The Lost City
subverts audience expectations about what the real treasure is.
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Also featuring Daniel Radcliffe in a hilarious turn as the villain Fairfax, The Lost City subverts audience expectations about what the real treasure is. Each uncertain and unlucky in love in their own way, it takes getting out of their comfort zone and away from the pressures of everyday life for Loretta and Alan to let their guard down and acknowledge their chemistry. Garnering solid reviews and a strong box office performance, The Lost City demonstrated that the demand for love stories in modern cinema has not diminished.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
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The Lost City (2022) |
79% |
83% |
7 Get Smart (2008)
Directed by Pete Segal
Get Smart PG-13ComedyActionAdventure
Get Smart (2008): In this action-comedy film, Maxwell Smart, a bumbling analyst at the secretive U.S. agency Control, is unexpectedly promoted to field agent. Tasked with stopping the crime syndicate KAOS alongside the competent Agent 99, the duo races against time to thwart KAOS’s world-domination scheme.
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*Availability in US Director Peter Segal Release Date June 20, 2008 Writers Tom J. Astle , Matt Ember , Mel Brooks Cast Steve Carell , Anne Hathaway , Alan Arkin , Dwayne Johnson , Terence Stamp , Terry Crews , David Koechner , James Caan Runtime 110 Minutes
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Steve Carell might not be the first actor who comes to mind when casting a romantic leading man or action star. However, this makes him the perfect choice to play Maxwell Smart, the charming and well-meaning spy getting his first chance to prove himself out in the field. Unlike many classic spy movies, Get Smart turns the tables on the typical romantic dynamic, seeing Max’s love interest, Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), being the more competent agent who saves the day.
As much a comedy as it is romance or adventure, Get Smart is based on the earlier TV series of the same name, which pokes fun at the reliance on gadgets and the self-serious attitude of characters in espionage movies. Though Agent 99 and Max make an unlikely pair, the chemistry between Carell and Hathaway is strong in both their romantic dynamic and their comedic one. Even as many of the action and chase scenes are played for laughs, Get Smart provides some engaging thrills.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Get Smart (2008) |
51% |
67% |
6 Excalibur (1981)
Directed by John Boorman
Excalibur RAdventureFantasy
Excalibur is a 1981 film directed by John Boorman, which retells the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Starring Nigel Terry as Arthur and Nicol Williamson as Merlin, the movie covers the mystical origins of Excalibur, Arthur’s rise to power, and the eventual betrayal by his closest allies. The film is notable for its striking visuals and adherence to the traditional Arthurian mythology.
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*Availability in US Director John Boorman Release Date April 10, 1981 Studio(s) Orion Pictures , Cinema 84 , Warner Bros. Pictures Writers John Boorman , Rospo Pallenberg Cast Nigel Terry , Helen Mirren , Nicholas Clay , Cherie Lunghi , Paul Geoffrey Runtime 141 Minutes Expand
It comes as no surprise that high fantasy movies have contributed greatly to this niche of cinema since heroic and tragic romances are such key pieces of speculative fiction. One of the definitive film adaptations of the legends of King Arthur, Excalibur doesn’t shy away from the doomed nature of so many of the relationships in the story. The central love triangle between King Arthur (Nigel Terry), Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi), and Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) is beautiful and inevitably heartbreaking.
Even as the audience knows that Arthur will be crowned king and Guenevere will always betray him, it never gets old to witness this unfold.
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Helen Mirren also stars as Morgana, Arthur’s half-sister and the antagonist of the tale, whose backstory helps to make her a multidimensional character the audience can sympathize with while despising her. Praised for its gorgeous cinematography, sets, and costumes, Excalibur doesn’t take many liberties with the source material, but this doesn’t make the story less engaging. Even as the audience knows that Arthur will be crowned king and Guenevere will always betray him, it never gets old to witness this unfold.
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Excalibur (1981) |
71%80% |
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5 Stardust (2007)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
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7.3/10 Stardust PG-13AdventureComedyFantasyRomance
Stardust is a fantasy-based romantic adventure-comedy by director Matthew Vaughn and based on the original novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess. In the film, Tristan, a young man who lives in an English town near a magical border wall, decides to catch a fallen star to win the affection of a woman named Yvaine. However, Tristan soon learns what – or who – the star is, and a grand adventure back to England begins.
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*Availability in US Director Matthew Vaughn Release Date August 10, 2007 Studio(s) Marv , Ingenious Film Partners Writers Jane Goldman , Matthew Vaughn Cast Claire Danes , Charlie Cox , Sienna Miller , Ricky Gervais , Jason Flemyng , Rupert Everett , Peter O’Toole , Michelle Pfeiffer , Robert De Niro Runtime 128 Minutes Expand
The difference between love and infatuation plays a large role in Stardust, the film adaptation of the book of the same name that changes the narrative slightly to provide a coveted happy ending. Charlie Cox and Claire Danes might not be best known for their turn as the romantic leads in Stardust, Tristan and Yvaine, but once they’re seen together, it’s unforgettable. Thrust together because of circumstances and forced to journey across a magical land in search of their heart’s desires, the pair end up finding it in each other.
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As one of the best fantasy romance movies of the past few decades, Stardust blends many more genres than just adventure and love but manages to balance them all successfully. The magic system and setting of Stardust, the realm beyond the wall, make for a mystical background presenting obstacles and delights to Tristan and Yvaine throughout their quest. With cameos and featured roles for iconic actors like Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, Stardust lets its cast have fun while telling a touching story.
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Stardust (2007) |
77% |
86% |
4 The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938)
Directed by Michael Curtiz & William Keighley
The Adventures of Robin Hood
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*Availability in US Director Michael Curtiz Release Date May 14, 1938
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There have been many film adaptations of the stories of Robin Hood, but few are as timeless as the 1938 iteration, The Adventures of Robin Hood. Starring Errol Flynn as the titular hero and Olivia de Havilland as his love interest, Lady Marian,The Adventures of Robin Hood brings the story to life in vivid technicolor and presents one of the most beloved takes on the character. Though he’s slightly roguish and rough around the edges, this Robin Hood is ultimately a gentleman and the kind of hero worth rooting for.
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Basil Rathbone is unforgettable as Guy of Gisbourne, Robin’s antagonist, who engages with him in some of the best swordplay ever put on screen. Though Robin and Marian’s romantic arc is the heart and soul of The Adventures of Robin Hood, it’s their connection over their mutual sense of injustice over how the government is treating the people that makes their love so pure and beautiful to witness. Fortunately, this cause gives them plenty of opportunities to engage in epic fight scenes about what they believe in.
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The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) |
100% |
89% |
3 Romancing The Stone (1984)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
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8/10 Romancing the Stone ComedyActionRomanceAdventure
Romancing the Stone follows romance novelist Joan Wilder, who travels to Colombia to rescue her kidnapped sister. Alongside rugged adventurer Jack Colton, Joan navigates a perilous journey involving treasure maps, dangerous criminals, and unexpected romance. The film stars Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, blending action and comedy in a jungle setting.
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*Availability in US Director Robert Zemeckis Release Date March 30, 1984 Writers Diane Thomas Cast Kathleen Turner , Alfonso Arau , Zack Norman , Michael Douglas , Danny DeVito Runtime 106 minutes
Romancing the Stone is a classic nostalgic adventure movie from the 1980s that has been a major inspiration for romcoms to this day. The film itself is directly in conversation with the adventure movies of the 1980s, like the Indiana Jones franchise, poking fun at narratives that see a rakish man and meek woman carve their way through a jungle. Robert Zemeckis, the director, would go on to direct many other films that have become synonymous with the ’80s, like Back to the Future in 1985.
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Kathleen Turner plays Joan, a romance writer, out of her element as one of her stories is brought to life before her, with her in the starring role. Michael Douglas plays Jack, Joan’s foil in every way, who offers to help her traverse the jungle even though they can’t stand each other. Of course, the heat, elements, and danger that dogs them throughout the story don’t allow the pair to be strangers for long. Romancing the Stone lets the characters’ chemistry flourish as their grudging respect blossoms into true love.
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Romancing the Stone (1984) |
86% |
69% |
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2 The African Queen (1951)
Directed by John Huston
The African Queen PGAdventureRomanceDrama
The African Queen is a wartime adventure film directed by John Huston, set during World War I in Africa. It follows a gin-soaked riverboat captain and a determined missionary as they journey downriver to confront a German warship. Produced in 1952, it stars Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.
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*Availability in US Director John Huston Release Date January 7, 1952 Writers C.S. Forester , James Agee , John Huston , Peter Viertel , John Collier Cast Humphrey Bogart , Katharine Hepburn , Robert Morley , Peter Bull , Theodore Bikel , Walter Gotell Runtime 105 minutes
Two of the biggest stars of their time, Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, pair up in The African Queen, a romance adventure film that centers on an older couple. For a long time, romantic comedies rarely touched upon characters in the later stages of life, but thanks to projects like The African Queen, these films have become more popular and successful. Though Charlie (Bogart) and Rose (Hepburn) are sure of themselves and set in their ways, their adventure takes both of them by surprise.
Throughout the story, Rose and Charlie are put in real danger and come close to failing to achieve their mission, but this only adds to the building tension between them.
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Shot on location in The Democratic Republic of the Congo, The African Queen sees its characters spend the majority of the story in a small river boat, as they’re stuck together when war breaks out around them. Both actors were at the height of their achievements and popularity, so it’s no surprise that The African Queen was a success with critics and audiences alike. Throughout the story, Rose and Charlie are put in real danger and come close to failing to achieve their mission, but this only adds to the building tension between them.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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The African Queen (1951) |
96% |
86% |
1 The Princess Bride (1987)
Directed by Rob Reiner
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9/10 The Princess Bride PGFantasyFamilyAdventure
Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a comical fantasy adventure film that tells a swashbuckling tale of a hero and a princess, read to a young, sick boy in bed by his grandfather. The story itself follows farmhand Westley, who embarks on an epic journey to save his beloved princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable companions along the way.
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*Availability in US Director Rob Reiner Release Date October 9, 1987 Studio(s) 20th Century Writers William Goldman Cast Mandy Patinkin , Chris Sarandon , Robin Wright , Cary Elwes , Christopher Guest Runtime 98 minutes Expand
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Based on the beloved novel of the same name by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is one of the most rewatchable romance movies of all time. Robin Wright and Cary Elwes bring Buttercup and Westley to life with a genuine, innocent, true love that every viewer will be envious of. However, The Princess Bride makes its protagonists work for their happily ever after, introducing villains, monsters, and epic fight scenes into their story to keep it endlessly entertaining.
The touching love story and hilarious dialogue are reason enough to watch The Princess Bride, but this doesn’t mean that Rob Reiner or any of the creative team left anything to be desired in the action. Elwes and Mandy Patinkin have a sword fight that ranks among the best in cinematic history, which is rivaled by the battles of wits and feats of strength that Westley performs throughout the narrative. Though The Princess Bride is told through a frame story, this doesn’t make the trials and tribulations of Buttercup and Westley’s love less real.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
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The Princess Bride (1987) |
96% |
94% |