Summary
- Love stories in period romance movies are universal, whether set in Regency or World War eras.
-
Bridgerton
‘s success shows TV’s take on period romance, but movies truly define the genre. - From
Brokeback Mountain
to
The Notebook
, iconic period romances touch hearts and captivate.
Period romance movies are some of the most astounding pieces of cinema, and many are universally understandable, no matter what time period they are set in. Period romances make up a large chunk of the best movies of all time, and while they are often remembered for their beautiful visual styling and powerful cast performances, the element of romance is what makes them so popular. Generally, the best period piece movies typically include some form of relationship storyline, although this isn’t an exclusive rule.
No matter when a film is set, there is always the potential for a love story. A lot of these frequently take place in the Regency era or during one of the World Wars, and while these are very successful, several others use a varied range of settings and chunks of history. TV shows have recently taken over the period romance, too, and titles like Bridgerton have become raging successes, drawing audiences in with tales of passion in the face of adversity. However, it’s the movies that truly define the genre.
Related The 15 Best Period Romance TV Shows Ever Made
The period romance genre is full of some of the greatest TV shows in general, but the best within the niche are masterworks of story & visual beauty.
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15 Brokeback Mountain (2006)
A Secret Relationship Between Two Shepherds
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Brokeback Mountain RDramaRomance Where to Watch
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Director Ang Lee Release Date December 9, 2005 Cast Jake Gyllenhaal , Heath Ledger , Michelle Williams Runtime 134 minutes Studio(s) Focus Features Writers Larry McMurtry , Diana Ossana Expand
Brokeback Mountain is an iconic period title and a groundbreaking piece of LGBTQ+ representation in movies. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal both offer brilliant performances as the two cowboys, and the emergence of their love story during a trip together is groundbreaking. As the decades pass and the two try to move on from one another, marry women, and carry on with their lives, it’s hard not to be heartbroken for them. The complexity of their relationship in a Western backdrop is beautifully unique, and Brokeback Mountain will forever be a timeless classic.
14 Titanic (1997)
Society & Class Can’t Stand In The Way Of Love
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Titanic PG-13DramaRomance Where to Watch
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Director James Cameron Release Date December 19, 1997 Cast David Warner , Kathy Bates , Billy Zane , Bill Paxton , Bernard Hill , Kate Winslet , Leonardo DiCaprio , Gloria Stuart , Frances Fisher , Victor Garber Runtime 3h 14m
The Oscar-winning Titanic combines a true story and fiction to create a legendary tale of class divide and romance. Many are jealous of Jack and Rose’s blossoming love, but the film’s devastating end simply makes their relationship even more precious.
Titanic’s incredible special effects are also worth mentioning, and James Cameron’s skills are absolutely spectacular throughout. The contrast between the working class and the wealthy is an important theme in Titanic, but Jack and Rose’s whirlwind romance, which is free of judgment or expectations, is the true motivator of the film.
13 Pearl Harbor (2001)
A Love Triangle Like No Other
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Pearl Harbor (2001) PG-13ActionDramaRomanceWar Where to Watch
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Director Michael Bay Release Date May 25, 2001 Runtime 183 minutes Studio(s) Touchstone Pictures , Jerry Bruckheimer Films Writers Randall Wallace Main Genre Drama Expand
It’s not unusual for period romance films to focus on a love triangle, but Pearl Harbor stunningly tackles the topic. The war drama movie is set during the titular event, but despite being surrounded by death and destruction, the complicated relationship between best friends and first lieutenants Rafe and Danny and nurse Evelyn takes center stage. Even though Pearl Harbor isn’t the most historically accurate, it is praised for its beautiful visual effects and enthralling story about balancing feelings and duty, set during one of World War II’s worst attacks.
12 The Notebook (2004)
Letters From The Past
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The Notebook PG-13DramaRomance Where to Watch
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Director Nick Cassavetes Release Date June 25, 2004 Runtime 124 Minutes Distributor(s) New Line Cinema
The Notebook is the ultimate example of enemies-to-lovers in movies. Noah and Allie’s turbulent relationship in the lead-up to World War II is extremely profound, especially considering that audiences already know what their future will look like.
The Notebook
continues to be one of the best movies ever.
The Notebook spans several decades as Noah and Allie grow older, and Noah recounts their story to the residents of their nursing home. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, as the younger versions of the characters in this cult classic, are absolutely astounding throughout and are the main reason why The Notebook continues to be one of the best movies ever.
Related The Notebook Setting & Timeline Explained: Where & When The Romance Movie Takes Place
The Notebook is a classic romance movie and uses flashbacks to tell of Allie and Noah’s tumultuous journey, setting the main story in the past.
11 A Room With A View (1986)
A Holiday Romance
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A Room with a View (1985) Not RatedDramaRomance
Director James Ivory Runtime 117 Minutes Release Date December 13, 1985 Distributor(s) Curzon Film Distributors Writers Ruth Prawer Jhabvala , E.M. Forster Main Genre Drama Expand
A Room with a View is one of Helena Bonham Carter’s best movies, and her breakthrough role as Lucy Honeychurch is an excellent example of her varied talents as an actress. Lucy’s difficulty in choosing between her fiancéin England and the handsome new vacationer she meets is a compelling narrative, but the picturesque cinematography throughout A Room with a View makes it even more romantic. A Room with a View also has an especially strong cast outside of Carter, including titans of the film industry like Maggie Smith and Daniel Day-Lewis.
10 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
A Martial Arts Love Story
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon PG-13ActionAdventureDramaFantasy
Director Ang Lee Release Date December 8, 2000 Runtime 120 Minutes Distributor(s) Sony Pictures Classics Writers Wang Hui-ling , James Schamus , Tsai Kuo-jung Main Genre Action Expand
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon looks at the passion between warriors Li and Yu in Qing Dynasty China. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is much more than a romance film, however, and it also has a focus on martial arts and swordsmanship.
Li and Yu’s romance isn’t all positive, though, but the conflict they face after losing the 400-year-old Green Destiny sword raises the stakes for them hugely. The movie is the recipient of an astonishing three Academy Award wins, which is no surprise, considering its action-packed sequences and profound and delicate scenes between the main characters.
Related 10 Great Martial Arts Movies Like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a staple martial arts film with similar fight sequences found in other films using wire-fu techniques.
9 My Fair Lady (1964)
The Power Of A Makeover
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My Fair Lady GMusicalDramaFamily Where to Watch
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Director George Cukor Release Date December 25, 1964 Runtime 170 Minutes Writers Alan Jay Lerner , George Bernard Shaw Main Genre Musical
Eight-time Oscar winner My Fair Lady stars one of the greatest classic Hollywood actors ever, Audrey Hepburn, as Eliza Doolittle. The highly successful Broadway adaptation focuses on Eliza’s transformation into a member of high society, thanks to the assistance of Professor Henry Higgins. Eliza and Henry don’t click immediately; if anything, they clash at first, but that’s why their love story is so realistic. While their romance is important, My Fair Lady is one of the best musical movies of all time because of Alan Jay Lerner’s legendary soundtrack and well-planned song and dance numbers.
8 Little Women (2019)
Sibling Rivalry Standing In The Way Of Love
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Little Women PGRomanceDrama Where to Watch
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Director Greta Gerwig Release Date December 25, 2019 Runtime 135 minutes Studio(s) Sony Writers Greta Gerwig
There have been several adaptations of Little Women, but Greta Gerwig’s 2019 version is the best. The film jumps across a non-linear narrative to show the lives of four sisters in the aftermath of the Civil War, and while romance isn’t the primary focus, it’s a big factor. Laurie and Amy’s interactions are often awkward, but they’re easy to invest in. One of the best scenes is Amy’s desperate monologue about her place in society, which doesn’t seem to be very romantic initially, but it highlights how she wants Laurie to love her for her, not because of Jo’s rejection.
Greta Gerwig also directed
Lady Bird
(2017) and
Barbie
(2023)
7 Carol (2015)
Fighting Back Against The Times And Prejudice
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Director Todd Haynes Release Date November 20, 2015 Runtime 119 minutes Distributor(s) The Weinstein Company Writers Phyllis Nagy , Patricia Highsmith Main Genre Drama Expand
Carol is a period romance film that differs from many other titles because of its focus on a relationship between two women. Set in the 1950s, Carol follows department store worker Therese and her affair with the titular character.
Carol and Therese’s feelings are controversial because of the film’s era and the fact that they’re homosexual, which makes the consequences of their actions even more risky, and that’s even before Carol’s custody battle is taken into account. Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Carol is particularly notable, especially as it has resulted in one of her four Oscar nominations for Best Actress.
Related Carol Ending Explained
Carol follows the ups and downs of the love affair between Carol Aird and Therese Belivet, but the 2015 movie’s ending leaves room for interpretation.
6 The English Patient (1996)
The Memory Of Love Is Just As Good As The Real Thing
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The English Patient RRomanceDramaWar
Director Anthony Minghella Release Date December 6, 1996 Runtime 162 Minutes Writers Michael Ondaatje , Anthony Minghella Main Genre Romance
Anthony Minghella’s The English Patient is about Ralph Fiennes’ Laszlo Almásy and his struggle to remember his identity after his plane is shot down during World War II. The power of flashbacks is a crucial element in The English Patient, and as the enigmatic man starts to remember and share the intricate details of a long-forgotten love affair to his nurse, Hana, a sweet bond between the pair begins to form. The English Patient is the first film ever to win an Oscar for Best Editing, which makes sense, considering how powerful the story is.
5 Shakespeare In Love (1998)
The Fictional Story Of How Romeo & Juliet Was Written
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Shakespeare in Love RComedyDramaRomanceHistory Where to Watch
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Director John Madden Release Date December 11, 1998 Runtime 123 minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Tom Stoppard , Marc Norman
Shakespeare in Love provides one of the best performances of Gwyneth Paltrow’s career as Viola, the fictional mistress of literary genius William Shakespeare. The film is set in 1593 London and focuses on the titular character suffering from writer’s block, but Viola proves to be a worthy distraction. Shakespeare in Love’s relationship storyline relies on humor just as much as theatrics, which is refreshing. Viola and William’s narrative is heartwarming, but the film’s true love story is really Shakespeare reigniting his passion for writing. Despite its controversial Oscar campaign, Shakespeare in Love is a charming rom-com overall.
Related Shakespeare In Love & The 9 Worst Best Picture Winners, According To IMDb
The Academy Awards are notorious for handing out the Best Picture win to the wrong movie. IMDb certainly agrees with these ten worst winners.
4 The Sound Of Music (1965)
Singing Can Be A Great Distraction
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The Sound of Music GDramaMusical Where to Watch
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Director Robert Wise Release Date March 2, 1965 Runtime 174 minutes Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Ernest Lehman , Howard Lindsay , Russel Crouse
The Sound of Music presents romance in multiple ways: romantic, familial, and even love for oneself. Julie Andrews’s most memorable role is as Maria, the governess of a group of rowdy yet adorable children. Amongst the chaos of World War I and the keeping of the von Trapp kids in line, Maria falls for their father, Georg. The Sound of Music’s legendary soundtrack plays a big part in the story too, and while it seems odd to sing when facing a Nazi invasion, Maria’s beautiful voice reassures everyone around her and woos Georg.
Related Every Song In The Sound Of Music, Ranked
“The hills are alive with the sound of music!” All the music is superb, so we’re ranking the songs sung in the movie.
3 Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Old School Love With A Modern Score
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Moulin Rouge! PG-13MusicalDramaRomance Where to Watch
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Director Baz Luhrmann Release Date June 1, 2001 Cast Nicole Kidman , Ewan McGregor , John Leguizamo , Jim Broadbent , Richard Roxburgh , Garry McDonald Runtime 127 Minutes Writers Baz Luhrmann , Craig Pearce Main Genre Musical Expand
Set in Paris at the start of the 20th century, Moulin Rouge! is best remembered for its brilliant scoring, but also for its intriguing story about a poet and cabaret star who fall in love. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are unusual choices to be the leads of a musical, but the pair are fabulous as Satine and Christian. Kidman’s performance is especially strong, and she is very deserving of her Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Watching their feelings blossom is great fun, but it’s even better with Moulin Rouge!’s modern soundtrack, remixed to reflect the era.
Set in Paris at the start of the 20th century,
Moulin Rouge!
is best remembered for its brilliant scoring, but also for its intriguing story about a poet and cabaret star who fall in love.
2 Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Enduring Mutual Respect And Love
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Pride & Prejudice (2005) PGDramaRomance Where to Watch
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Director Joe Wright Release Date November 23, 2005 Runtime 129 Minutes Writers Deborah Moggach , Jane Austen , Emma Thompson Main Genre Romance
Pride & Prejudice introduces the original grumpy male romantic lead, and in the 2005 version of Jane Austen’s novel, Matthew Macfayden fantastically encapsulates Mr. Darcy’s energy. His rapport with Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet is spectacular and true to the film’s source material, and both actors receive significant applause for their chemistry.
The tension and conflict that arise as their relationship progresses is heavy, but the repetitive bickering and clashing between the two make their eventual love worth it. Although there are many movie and TV adaptations of Pride & Prejudice, Knightley and Macfayden are definitely the best Bennet and Darcy.
1 Sense And Sensibility (1995)
Heartbreak Is Temporary
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Sense and Sensibility (1995) PGDramaRomance
Director Ang Lee Release Date December 13, 1995 Runtime 136 minutes Distributor(s) Columbia Pictures Writers Emma Thompson Main Genre Drama Expand
Sense and Sensibility is written by and stars the extremely talented Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood. However, the true love story is Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood and her desperate hope that Greg Wise’s John Willoughby will marry her.
19th-century relationships are complicated enough because of societal standards, but the pressure Marianne and Elinor face to marry for financial security makes things even harder for the sisters. While Marianne and Willoughby don’t end up together, which is an unusual ending for a period romance movie, their time together, most importantly, teaches Marianne that heartbreak isn’t permanent.