As we mark St Valentine’s Day, traditionally pushed as the most romantic day of the year, Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights has finally hit cinemas.
Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the eyebrow-raising bold take on Emily Brontë’s classic novel has also been noted for its sexy, swoony and more yearning interpretation of Cathy and Heathcliff’s doomed love.
So to mark this release and today’s special occasion, here’s a carefully-picked selection of films you can fall in love with, with similar vibes.
What’s even better is they’re all streaming, so you can watch and enjoy without having to leave the comfort of your own home.
Let the longing commence…
Titanic
The go-to of romantic movies, my list must start with James Cameron’s epic crowd-pleaser about a rich girl (Kate Winslet) and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks (Leonardo DiCaprio), destined not to be together.
Beautiful music, period costumes and the high stakes of a sinking ship boosted Titanic to its mega box office and record Oscars haul.
It’s been nearly 20 years since a powerful love story like this got proper attention.
Streaming now on Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video.
The English Patient
There’s always a spot for some top-tier British stiff upper lip romance in my movies, which The English Patient delivers in spades.
Ralph Fiennes is the titular protagonist, burned in a plane crash during WW2 and cared for by a nurse, played by Juliette Binoche. His life is gradually pieced together in flashbacks, revealing the love affair he embarked upon with Kristin Scott Thomas’s character in the past.
Its war setting adds urgency and unpredictability.
Streaming now on Paramount Plus.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
This French film gently hypnotised me the first time I saw it with its undeniable style and tenderness.
It follows the affair between an aristocrat (Adèle Haenel) and the female painter (Noémie Merlant) commissioned for her portrait in the late eighteenth century.
Genuinely able to tug on the heartstrings, Céline Sciamma’s film stands out as a piece of cinematic art – especially in the spine-tingling bonfire scene which introduces music for the first time with chanting.
Streaming now on ITVX.
A Royal Affair
A woefully underseen gem which sparked my ongoing love for Mads Mikkelsen, this Danish film is based on the scandalous true story of Caroline Matilda of Great Britain (Alicia Vikander), wife to the mentally ill Christian VII of Denmark-Norway (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard), who embarked on an affair with her husband’s royal physician (Mikkelsen) amid great reform in the eighteenth century.
This is a sumptuous and accessible Oscar-nominated foreign language film that’s among my very favourites.
Streaming now on ITVX.
Romeo + Juliet
Identified by Emerald Fennell as an inspiration for her approach to adapting Wuthering Heights in a similarly rule-breaking fashion, Baz Luhrmann’s take on Shakespeare’s famous star-crossed lovers (DiCaprio again, with Claire Danes) famously cranked up the shock and tragedy of those final scenes.
Alongside a banging soundtrack and updated hip setting of ‘Verona Beach’, suddenly the Bard’s 400-year-old words could resonate with, devastate and transport audiences all over again.
It’s lingered with me since childhood.
Streaming now on Netflix and Disney Plus.
The Notebook
Alongside the sweeping romance between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams’ characters Noah and Allie in the past, The Notebook finds a lot of its emotional wallop in the dedication of their older versions, played by James Garner and Gena Rowlands.
A powerful reminder that love isn’t just for the youngsters, and you don’t know what you’re doing.
It also includes one of my favourite unrealistic kissing-in-the-rain scenes (you’d never be that unbothered by British drizzle).
Streaming now on Prime Video.
All of Us Strangers
Devastating in a soul-cleansing way, All of Us Strangers has the immediate pull of Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott.
A nuanced study of grief, Scott’s character visits his childhood home to find his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) still living there, just as they were on the day they died 30 years ago.
Meanwhile he’s embarking on a tentative romance with his neighbour (Mescal). A generational love story that 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, slowly falling in love (although initially he’s only gunning for an exclusive interview).
Peck’s charming ease has always marked him as one of classic Hollywood’s finest leading men in my eyes. And he pushed for Hepburn to get equal billing for her first major American film role. Swoon.
It’s superior to the overrated Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Streaming now on Paramount Plus and NOW.
Past Lives
If ever a film made you nostalgic for what might have been – no matter the pain that brings (as well as beauty) – Past Live is it.
Celine Song’s directorial debut follows two childhood friends (Greta Lee and Teo Yoo) and their lives over 24 years as they consider the consequences of paths taken – and not – and where it’s led them today.
If you’re ready to feel all the feelings and then wallow after, I highly recommend.
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
An undisputed Bollywood classic, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is also an excellent place to dip your toe into Indian cinema for the first time, like I did.
Featuring Shah Rukh Khan, the definitive mega-star of the genre, alongside other huge names, it follows a son adopted into a wealthy family who defies his parents and marries for love, moving to London.
Made with an unprecedented budget in 2001, it’s also one of the highest-grossing Indian movies.
Streaming now on Netflix and Prime Video.
Rye Lane
A modern British romcom that doesn’t shy away from the lows of dating, David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah star as two youngsters reeling from bruising break-ups, thrown together over a day in south London.
It’s truly a walk-and-talk for the ages after their iconic meet-cute in the gender-neutral toilets of an art gallery.
Rye Lane combines grit, poignancy and cheekiness in the type of romance that maybe, actually, could happen I think? But with less sunshine.
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer and Disney Plus.
Still yearning for more? 10 further romantic movies
- Emily (2022) (BBC iPlayer)
- The Crying Game (1992) (BFI Player – available to rent)
- La La Land (2016) (ITVX)
- The Way We Were (1973) (Rent on Apple TV, Prime Video & Sky Store)
- Pride & Prejudice (2005) (Netflix)
- An Affair to Remember (1957) (Rent on Prime Video, Sky Store & Apple TV)
- Brief Encounter (1945) (Rent on Apple TV & Prime Video)
- We Live in Time (2024) (Netflix)
- The Bridges of Madison County (1995) (Rent on Sky Store, Prime Video & Apple TV)
- When Harry Met Sally (1989) (MUBI)
The Piano
A three-time Oscar winner, this historical romance launched filmmaker Jane Campion’s career internationally 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 (Anna Paquin) to marry Sam Neill’s settler – but Harvey Keitel’s neighbour rather gets in the way when they bond over her love of music.
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 the novel by Margaret Mitchell – Gone with the Wind certainly has problematic aspects, which should be acknowledged.
But it’s also a blueprint for sweeping, epic love stories on the big screen thanks to its volatile central relationship between spoiled southern belle Scarlett (Vivien Leigh) and the roguish Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), lavish spectacle and grand orchestral score.
Frankly my dear, I think you should give a damn.
Rent on Apple TV and Sky Store.
About Time
Everyone loves Four Weddings and a Funeral, but I am a strong advocate for this 2013 Richard Curtis gem, all about a young man (Taylor Swift’s new bestie, Domhnall Gleeson) with the ability to time travel trying to change his past to land the love of his life (Rachel McAdams).
Obviously, lessons are learned along the way. And with Bill Nighy as his wise dad, alongside an enjoyably storied cast, it also has the ability to make you weep.
Streaming now on NOW (cinema membership) and Sky Go.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.