Valentine’s Day might be in the rearview mirror but that doesn’t mean people aren’t looking for the best romantic movies to check out. A great place to find a slew of romance films is Prime Video, which is home to romantic comedies, intense emotional dramas, and heartbreaking tragedies.
When trying to pick out the best romance films to recommend on Prime Video, there’s something for everyone. Critically acclaimed movies that are among the most iconic in the genre, beloved LGBTQ+ romances, Prime Video original films, Academy Award winners, and more.
I Want You Back (2022)
I Want You Back is an underrated Prime Video original that doesn’t have an overly unique premise, yet it works because of the charisma of its stars. The film features Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, Manny Jacinto, Scott Eastwood, Gina Rodriguez, and Clark Backo.
That makes up one of the better ensembles in any modern romantic comedy. I Want You Back sees Emma (Slate) and Peter (Day) as two people who, after each gets dumped, try to help the other win back their ex, only to ultimately fall for each other.
It’s a classic rom-com setup, yet the chemistry of the cast is great and the laughs are legitimate. Together, it makes for one of the more endearing films on the platform.
Red, White, And Royal Blue (2023)
Based on the 2019 novel of the same name, Red, White, & Royal Blue was a pretty big hit for Prime Video upon its release. The story centers on the romance that develops between a British prince and the son of the President of the United States.
The scandalous affair brings the intrigue to the story, while the performances of Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine make sure the romantic side of things is heartfelt. Critics appreciated the film to the tune of a strong 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
On top of that, Red, White, & Royal Blue was nominated for Outstanding Television Movie at the Emmy Awards and is so popular that a sequel is on the horizon. The main cast are all returning as well.
50 First Dates (2004)
The premise of 50 First Dates is pretty wacky on the surface, yet it’s also incredibly romantic. The movie sees Henry (Adam Sandler) fall for Lucy (Drew Barrymore), only to learn that a car accident caused her to no longer have short-term memory, as she only remembers everything up to the crash.
The audience watches as Henry decides to pursue the relationship anyway, wooing Lucy each day as if they had never met. His gestures range from romantic to way over the top, yet there’s always romance behind them.
While reviews for 50 First Dates weren’t great, the movie has withstood the test of time, even getting remakes in other countries. Sandler and Barrymore also bring their chemistry from The Wedding Singer over to give us the goods on the screen.
Imagine Me & You (2005)
Imagine Me & You is a hidden gem from 2005 that should’ve been a much bigger hit than it was. The romantic comedy centers on Rachel and Luce, two women who meet when Luce is the photographer for Rachel’s wedding.
The two hit it off and fall for each other, despite Rachel being unsure about her sexuality, which causes a rift in her own new marriage. Luce attempts to stay away for the sake of the marriage, yet the two are constantly drawn back to each other.
Imagine Me & You is another romance film that works so well because Piper Perabo and Lena Headey show off remarkable chemistry as the lead actors. Critical reviews for it were middling, but it’s one of those films that has gotten better with time.
The Idea Of You (2024)
Nicholas Galitzine wasn’t done delivering quality romance films for Prime Video after Red, White, & Royal Blue. A year later, he was right back at it, this time across from a modern Hollywood legend in Anne Hathaway.
The Idea of You follows Hathaway’s Solène Marchand, a single mother who takes her daughter to see their favorite band at Coachella. While there, Solène forms a bond with the band’s lead singer, August (Galitzine), who is much younger than her. Between the age gap and his fame, it’s a scandalous romance.
Romance films with significant age gaps aren’t new, yet not many handle it with as much grace as The Idea of You. Critics responded with positive reviews as Hathaway and Galitzine were electric on screen together.
Sylvie’s Love (2020)
Another Prime Original film, Sylvie’s Love has been unjustly overlooked since its release. It hit the streaming service at the tail end of 2020, when people were still focused on the pandemic and how that impacted their lives.
It makes sense that a lot of people looked past Sylvie’s Love, yet they should go back and watch it now. The movie follows the titular Sylvie and the up-and-down affection she feels for a saxophone player named Robert. Alas, their lives take them down different paths, bringing them apart.
We watch as Robert tries to find success in music and Sylvie’s struggles in a loveless marriage until the two come back together, only to find that things aren’t all that easy when they’re together. It’s a realistic portrayal of love and Tessa Thompson is masterful as the lead character.
Música (2024)
Of all the streaming services, it seems like Prime Video might be the one with the best original romance films. Música is a great modern rom-com and a hidden gem, as not many people bring it up when discussing the genre.
Música is Rudy Mancuso’s baby, as he stars in it while also acting as the director, co-writer, and composer. The movie follows him as he’s plagued by synesthesia, which allows him to see the music around him.
While dealing with that and trying to figure out his place in life, as well as his connection to his Brazilian roots, he meets Isabella. Played by Camila Mendes, she steals the show and the chemistry displayed by the two, who are now engaged in real life, is palpable.
The Graduate (1967)
The Graduate is one of the most iconic romance films ever released. Despite coming out way back in 1967, The Graduate is still mentioned consistently when discussing the best of the genre.
The Graduate tells the story of Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate who is seduced by an older woman who happens to be married. However, he actually falls for her daughter, complicating everything.
Selected for preservation by the National Film Registry, The Graduate is an important piece of cinema. On top of its glowing reviews and multiple Oscar nominations, it also features an intriguing ending.
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
There aren’t many on-screen pairings that can compete with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The two are electric together, yet in Sleepless in Seattle, they almost never share the screen.
Despite that, the romance they build in this film is endearing and believable, which is a testament to their level of chemistry. Sleepless in Seattle follows a journalist (Ryan) who becomes interested in a man (Hanks) after his son calls into a radio show in search of a new wife for his father.
Sleepless in Seattle is engaging and sweet throughout, before it all culminates in a fantastic final moment where you finally get Hanks and Ryan together. Nora Ephron’s film ended up nominated for two Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay.
La La Land (2016)
Most often associated with the unfortunate gaffe at the 2017 Oscars, La La Land is so much more than that. Rightfully in the conversation for Best Picture, the Damien Chazelle film follows Mia and Sebastian as they fall in love while in Los Angeles.
Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz pianist, love the city they’re in as much as they end up loving each other. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who could compete with the aforementioned Hanks and Ryan, are perfect together.
From the beautiful shots of the city to the delightful musical numbers, La La Land is a stunning movie. It might not have the happiest of endings but that’s part of love sometimes, making it an all-time great romance movie.