Top 10 Romance Movies of the 2000s

#10: “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)

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She may have died almost 200 years ago, but Jane Austen is still making the world tear up with her works of romantic fiction. Adapted for audiences in the mid 2000s, this film follows Elizabeth Bennet as she falls in love with the reserved upper class gentleman, Mr. Darcy. While he initially spurns her advances, Mr. Darcy soon comes to appreciate Elizabeth – with a deep passion burning inside them both. This period piece is filled with universal themes that are sure to connect with even the staunchest of critics. And if historical British romances are your thing, don’t forget to check out “Atonement” - plenty of Keira Knightley in that one, too.

#9: “Lost in Translation” (2003)

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Do you ever feel like an aging movie star falling in love with a much younger married woman during a business trip to Tokyo? Okay, neither do we, but it is the premise of this film from the early 2000s. When Bob begins to fall for Charlotte during his time in Tokyo, it becomes clear that their relationship has an expiration date. Set to the backdrop of jazzy hotel bars and the exciting nightlife of a city caught in a non-stop bustle, this film is really about spontaneous relationships and how we handle them. Beautifully scripted and shot to perfection by Sofia Coppola, you’ll be booking the next flight to Japan to chase down love after seeing this film.

Have you ever broken up with someone and wished that you could erase all memory of him or her from your mind? This film takes that premise and uses it to create a world where deleting bad memories from your brain is on par with a trip to the dentist. Joel is thrilled when he meets a woman during an impulsive trip to the beach. There is only one problem: has he met her before? This love story is about as unconventional as they come. The off-the-wall writing and the mind-bending sets are paired perfectly with the warmth put forward by the two main characters. Definitely a weird one, it’s sure to make you reexamine some of your past relationships.

#7: “Amélie” (2001)

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Don’t be deterred by the subtitles! This beautiful and quirky flick is overflowing with moments that will stick with you long after the credits have rolled. When timid Parisian waitress Amélie makes a concerted effort to improve the lives of those around her, she quickly discovers that her own happiness is diminishing. From there, she decides to pursue an eccentric man prone to collecting photographs. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that love is a two-way street and one must give as much as one takes. A critical and commercial success, this film reminded audiences that love is all around us, and to see it you must simply open your eyes.

#6: “500 Days of Summer” (2009)

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Is Joseph Gordon-Levitt the John Cusack of today? It sure feels like it during this unique love story. This film takes a fresh approach to a tired genre and is chock-full of moments sure to make you smile. When hopeless romantic Tom falls for the titular Summer, things don’t go exactly as planned for either of them. The film takes us on a journey through the 500 days of their relationship, jumping from moment to moment to give audiences a well rounded view of the characters’ time together. At its heart, this romantic flick is about the struggles we all go through when falling in love.

When a passionate connection emerges between two people, it simply cannot be ignored. In the summer of 1963, two cowboys fall in love while herding sheep through the Wyoming mountains. As their lives move in different directions, the two men struggle to balance their affair with their respective marriages. This film is an intimate look into the lives of a two men brought together by love, but kept apart by society. Filled with an array of tender moments that are brilliantly juxtaposed with the wild and untamed nature of the landscape, this love story truly stood out when it was first released, and still stands as a great romance flick today.

#4: “Love Actually” (2003)

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In most romantic films, the action is centered on two – maybe three – people and the various trials and tribulations that go along with falling head over heels. This British rom-com turns things up a notch, focusing on ten different stories that have one thing in common: love. Set in London five weeks before Christmas, this film follows a rock n’ roller, a couple of porn stars, a sexually frustrated graphic designer, and even the Prime Minister. They, along with an array of other characters, suffer through the ups and downs of searching for, finding, and holding onto loved ones. Teeming with endless wit and warmth to match, “Love Actually” reminds us that love is all you need.

#3: “The Notebook” (2004)

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There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when this romance first graced the silver screen. Based on the novel by swoon-inducing writer Nicholas Sparks, this film was the go-to date movie for the mid 2000’s teenager. Taking place in South Carolina in the 1940s, working-class Noah falls hard for Allie, a girl who hails from a family of wealth and privilege. While society attempts to keep them apart, their love slowly blossoms from teenage lust to passionate romance. Filled with tender moments that will inspire both the hopelessly romantic and the stoically reserved, this film is sure to leave you reaching for the tissues.

#2: “Moulin Rouge!” (2001)

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Overflowing with style and packed to the gills with raw sexuality, this classic has more than enough romance to go around. Set in turn of the century Paris and centered on the exploits of the infamous Moulin Rouge cabaret, a young poet falls hard for the club’s most provocative dancer. Brought to life through the mad genius of Australian director Baz Luhrmann, this film pays homage to a high-flying time of eccentric parties and declarations of love that has since passed us by. Playing the roles of star-crossed lovers to perfection, Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman ooze romance from start to finish. Earning wide acclaim, this film had many yearning for a fling in the city of lights. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002) “Bridget Jones's Diary” (2001) “Punch-Drunk Love” (2002)

#1: “Before Sunset” (2004)

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Taking place nine years after the events of its 1995 predecessor, this film once again follows Jesse and Céline as they walk the streets of a beautiful European city while discussing life, love, sex, and the cultural differences that define them. The film feels less like a sequel and more like a chance encounter with an old friend – sprinkled with moments of innocent flirtation, melancholic memories, and hope for the future. Simplistic in its style, “Before Sunset” is overflowing in intimacy, with the connection between the two protagonists pushing and pulling the narrative forward. While the film operates as a realistic portrayal of a fantastical situation, the strong writing and impassioned performances make it a romance for the ages. Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite romance movie of the 2000’s? For more entertaining Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.