For the tender-hearted souls and hopeless romantics (although not exclusively) there is nothing quite as satisfying as sitting through a well-written romance movie that will fully immerse them in its narrative and bring them closer to their characters. Often dealing with very touching themes, films that fit into this category can appeal to a wide range of audiences.
While it is true that many iconic romance films have captured the attention of many from the get-go, others have achieved mainstream success over time, becoming fan-favorites after garnering a passionate following and fanbase. Today,we look back at some of the best cult classic romance movies, ranking them by overall greatness and their impact on worldwide cinema.
15'500 Days of Summer' (2009)
Directed by Marc Webb
Directed byMarc Webb,500 Days of Summeris a quirky romantic comedy that centers aroundJoseph Gordon-Levitt’s hopeless romantic “nice guy” Tom who, after being dumped by the girl of his dreams, reflects on their relationship in an attempt to find out where things went wrong (and how he can win her back).
Filled with memorable scenes and quotable dialogue,500 Days of Summerprovides audiences with a realistic approach to relationships, presenting a nuanced depiction of the highs and lows that love includes and highlighting that not everything is meant to last and that is okay. Thanks to its refreshing take on the romantic comedy category,Webb’s charming film has quickly become a cult classic romantic movie, appealing to audiences all over the globe with its non-linear narrative and three-dimensional characters.
500 Days of Summer
14’Blue Valentine' (2010)
Directed by Derek Cianfrance
Derek Cianfrance’s heart-wrenching psychological drama starsRyan GoslingandMichelle Williamsas ill-fated lovers, depicting the relationship of a married modern-day couple through the years and charting their evolution over a span of years by cross-cutting between time periods.
Blue Valentineis the right pick for anyone looking for aromance film that will break their hearts.Never shying away from showcasing both the beautiful and the painful sides of love, the 2010 picture has, ever since its release, gathered cult classic status, with its brutally honest portrayal of a deteriorating relationship capturing the attention of many — including those who can relate to its layered characters in one way or another. Featuring standout performances by its two leads and a compelling nonlinear structure,Blue Valentinestands apart for its grounded and realistic approach to depicting love and relationships, avoiding romanticizing its protagonists and offering an unvarnished look at the emotional turmoil they face.
Blue Valentine
13’Buffalo ‘66’ (1998)
Directed by Vincent Gallo
Starring the polarizingVincentGallo(who also directed the film) andChristina Ricci, the controversial but treasured dark dramedyBuffalo ‘66illustrates thirty-something Billy’s intriguing journey to meet his parents with his wife five years after being released from prison for a crime he did not commit. The issue is he does not actually have a wife, so he kidnaps a dance student named Layla and forces her to act as his partner for the visit.
Thanks to its distinctive visual style and Gallo’s unique and unconventional vision, which combines offbeat humor with a dark romance tale,Buffalo ‘66has become a staple when it comes to cult classic romance films. While the film is not to everyone’s taste (especially because of the power imbalance between the two characters and thewhole Stockholm Syndrome narrative, which may be uncomfortable to get through even if Layla ends up falling for Billy), this compelling movie provides viewers with an original story that criticizes societal norms, family dynamics, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
Buffalo ‘66
12’Harold and Maude’ (1971)
Directed by Hal Ashby
Directed byHal Ashby, the controversialHarold and Maudeoffers viewers an out-of-the-box coming-of-age story with quirky comedy elements. The story follows a young, rich, and death-obsessed (Bud Cort) boy who finds his life changed after meeting septuagenarian Maude (Ruth Gordon) at a funeral.
While a somewhat controversial story, given the unconventional bond between its two central characters (it is worth noting, however, that both Cort’s character and the star himself were of age when filming took place),Harold and Maudeis a landmark in cinema that did what it intended to do: challenged societal norms and was thought-provoking enough to sparkle discussion.All of these attributes contribute to its status asan undeniable cult classicthat has garnered a huge cult following over the years.
Harold and Maude
11’The Lovers on the Bridge’ (1991)
Directed by Leos Carax
Originally titledLes Amants du Pont Neuf,Leos Carax’s compelling character studysees a homeless addict (Denis Lavant) and a younger painter (Juliette Binoche) with failing eyesight forge a romantic connection on the streets of Paris and the city’s oldest bridge.
The Lovers on the Bridgeis almost poetic in execution, weaving together its characters’ raw emotions with the beauty of its setting and cinematography. For those who enjoy visually captivating movies, Carax’s direction, particularly in this feature, is definitely worth checking — it serves as a language of its own, elevating the narrative to higher ground. Despite not being a mainstream hit,The Lovers on the Bridgehas earned a passionate following for its nonconformist approach to romanceand its fearless experimentation in every aspect of filmmaking.
The Lovers on the Bridge
10’True Romance' (1993)
Directed by Tony Scott
Blending the romance and crime genres with engrossing results,Tony Scott’sTrue Romancetakes viewers back to Detroit, where a pop-culture enthusiast (Christian Slater) steals cocaine from his new wife’s (Patricia Arquette) pimp (Gary Oldman) and attempts to sell it in Hollywood. However, this incites mobsters to pursue the couple and a complicated adventure begins.
Featuring a top-notchQuentin Tarantinoscreenplay that will attract fans of the acclaimed filmmaker,True Romancefurther proves that cinema can be simultaneously dark, wicked, fun, and romantic.Scott’s iconic feature ranks high among the best cult classics of all time, with its creative and bold storytelling as well as memorable characters, often being the subject of praise. It is undeniable thatTrue Romancehad an impact on the genre, influencing other movies in the category. It is worth noting that it was heavily inspired by the belovedTerrence Malick’s 1973 movieBadlands, which deserves a nod, too.
True Romance
9’Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' (2010)
Directed by Edgar Wright
Edgar Wright’s unconventional teen comedy is perfectly fit for magical realism enthusiasts, illustrating a fun take on Toronto where society is a giant computer system video game. The story follows an unemployed bass guitarist (Michael Cera) who must defeat his new girl friend’s (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) seven evil exes who control her love life in order to win her heart.
Based on the comic books byBryan LeeO’Malley,Scott Pilgrim vs. the Worldis frequently celebrated for its innovative take on the genre, memorable characters, and fantastic worldbuilding, which make it an incredibly immersive experience with a strong and distinctive visual style. What’s more,Wright’s cult classic romance film also benefits from its unique romantic narrativeand the amazing chemistry between the two leads. At its heart lies a believable self-discovery and personal growth arc that makes the story all the more appealing.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
8’The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' (1964)
Directed by Jacques Demy
Although there are plenty of iconic movie musicals — particularly in the romance genre —The Umbrellas of Cherbourgstands apart for its unique blend of visual style and emotionally charged narrative. It is also one of the earliest and most famous examples of a film in which every line of dialogue is sung. The story followsCatherine Deneuve’s Geneviève, a beautiful young French woman whose romance with dashing mechanic Guy (Nino Castelnuovo) is interrupted when he is drafted to serve in the Algerian War.
This incredible cult classic distinguishes itself through its striking use of color, with its vibrant color palette serving an aesthetic purpose but also heightening the film’s emotional atmosphere. Despite initially being a commercial risk,Jacques Demy’slegendary French New Wave essentialhas gained recognition after its release, winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes, and earning a spot in film history. Over time, it has, too, become a loved and highly referenced film by cinephiles and music lovers alike.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
7’The Princess Bride' (1987)
Directed by Rob Reiner
It would be impossible not to mentionRob Reiner’s adventure epicThe Princess Bride, a fantasy tale that follows the adventures of a farmboy-turned-pirate (CaryElwes) met with challenges, enemies, and allies in an intense quest to reunite with his one true love (RobinWright). The fascinating story of perseverance, true love, and determination is narrated by a little boy’s (Fred Savage) grandfather (Peter Falk).
The Princess Bride’s timeless appeal and charm remains, whether because of the universal themes of friendship, bravery, and true love that it deals with or the memorable and heartwarming characters that it features.It’s not difficult to grasp why this would be such a fan-favorite film that has garnered a devoted cult following, especially when the childhood classic has captured the hearts of so many, holding a high rewatchability value to this day and evoking that bittersweet wave of nostalgia.
The Princess Bride
6’Amélie' (2001)
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
This whimsical magical realism feature, originally titledLe fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, is guaranteed to provide anyone with a great serotonin boost.Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s beloved, quirky, feel-good romance follows a young waitress named Amélie (Audrey Tautou in her most memorable role). Despite being caught in her imaginative world, Amélie decides to help others find happiness. She ends up finding true love somewhere along the way.
It’s not surprising thatthe dreamyAméliehas earned a cult classic status over time: the dreamy filmis the kind of picture that instantly feels like a warm hug, captivating global cinephiles before they even press play. Its unmatched allure comes from its beautiful visual style painted in stunning vibrant color, the picturesque Paris locations, the immersive soundtrack, and, of course, the uplifting themes of generosity, kindness, and finding beauty in the mundane that it deals with.
