Top 30 Most Realistic Romance Movies

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most true to life romantic films of all time.

#30: “The Spectacular Now” (2013)

Based on a novel by Tim Tharp, “The Spectacular Now” is a grounded depiction of young love. In the film, Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley play two teens, Sutter and Aimee. After Aimee finds Sutter asleep on a lawn, the two embark on a friendship that eventually turns into something more. Faced with the uncertainties around college and family trauma, their budding romance faces hurdles that even adults would find challenging. An honest and heartfelt coming of age story, “The Spectacular Now” is a beautiful film that lives up to its title.

#29: “Something New” (2006)

2006’s “Something New” offers its audience an up close depiction of the dynamics that race plays in romantic relationships. Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker play Kenya and Brian, who are set up on a blind date by the former’s co-worker. Despite Kenya's hesitations she falls for him. As their relationship develops, they are forced to navigate friends’ and families’ opinions about their interracial coupling. Eventually, these perspectives take their toll on them. Facing the subject head-on, the movie asks viewers to face some uncomfortable truths about the intersection between race and love.

#28: “This Is 40” (2012)

Somewhat of a sequel to his 2007 comedy, “Knocked Up,” Judd Apatow’s “This is 40” is a rom-com that could induce a midlife crisis. Returning to their respective roles, Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd again play Debbie and Pete, a married couple both approaching the big four-oh. As their thirties come to a close, they are met with middle-aged trials and tribulations. From financial straits to familial dramas, their marriage is at an all time low. An earnest depiction of aging and the hurdles of everyday life, the film could almost be mistaken as a documentary.

#27: “Mahogany” (1975)

A love letter to fashion, Berry Gordy’s “Mahogany” is a visual feast for the eyes, and a warm hug for the heart. In it, Diana Ross plays an aspiring fashion designer from Chicago, Tracy, who is caught between the affections of two men. One is a community activist played by Billy Dee Williams and the other is a photographer, played by Anthony Perkins. Her life turns upside down when the latter transforms her into a successful model. A stunning portrayal of ambition and how it can affect relationships, “Mahogany” doesn’t shy away from depicting hard truths.

#26: “The Last Five Years” (2014)

Adapted from the Jason Robert Brown musical, “The Last Five Years” is a tearjerker that you can sing along to. In the screen version, Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan play a married couple, Cathy and Jamie. Their relationship is depicted through a narrative device that frames their perspectives in opposing timelines. Cathy is a struggling actress, and Jamie is an up and coming author, the two artists struggle to balance out their successes and failures. Envy, cheating and miscommunication cause their once solid union to crumble in a devastatingly realistic manner.

#25: “Past Lives” (2023)

Celine Song’s feature debut, “Past Lives” took the film world by storm upon its release in 2023. Receiving widespread public and critical acclaim, the poignant portrayal of two souls reconnecting struck a major chord with audiences. In the movie, Greta Lee and Teo Yee play childhood friends from Korea who meet again in New York City. Deeply intimate and naturalistic, watching the film almost feels voyeuristic due in large part to Lee and Yee’s grounded performances. A devastating depiction of the question “what if?”, this story echoes in the hearts of many.

#24: “What If” [aka “The F Word”] (2013)

Depending on where you live, you might know this film by the title of “What’s If? or “The F Word.” Either way, it is a delightful rom-com that balances both humor and drama effortlessly. Co-starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, the film is based on a play by TJ Dawe and Michael Rinaldi. Taking place in Toronto, Zakan and Radcliffe play Wallace and Chantry, who start a friendship after meeting at a party. Despite a connection, Chantry already has a boyfriend, so the two decide to become friends, which invites a whole set of complications.

#23: “Love Jones” (1997)

One of the most beloved romantic films of the 90s, “Love Jones” tells an all too relatable story. Based in Chicago, the story follows Darius Lovehall, a poet who falls for a photographer, Nina Mosley. Despite their attraction to one another, reservations and past relationships complicate things. However, real life is the true antagonist of the story, creating obstacles that they both struggle to fight off. Luckily for fans of stars Nia Long and Larenz Tate, they are set to reunite for an upcoming Netflix project. It’s not a sequel, but it will hopefully help heal the sting of “Love Jones.”

#22: “The Way We Were” (1973)

The ultimate opposites attract pairing, Katie Morosky and Hubbell Gardiner from “The Way We Were” are hardly couple goals. They disagree, break up, and get back together - and how they move through the world couldn’t be more different. Yet we still root for their romance. Played by Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, the film is a sweeping romance that takes place over decades. Like the title implies, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. “The Way We Were” depicts love at its most raw and vulnerable. More than fifty years since its release,that last scene still has us reaching for the tissues.

#21: “Always Be My Maybe” (2019)

Randall Park and Ali Wong are a match made in rom-com heaven. In “Always Be My Maybe,” the dynamic duo play childhood pals Sasha and Marcus. After an awkward encounter as teens, they go their separate ways before reuniting 16 years later. As their friendship begins to mend, old wounds are reopened. Marcus in particular is forced to face the personal grief of his mother’s passing. Of course, Park and Wong bring plenty of laughs, but they also offer a deeply touching representation of love, friendship and life after loss.

#20: “Once” (2007)

A musical starring the members of The Swell Season, “Once” tells the story of Guy and Girl. The unnamed protagonists are young and hopeful musicians, with Guy working as a street performer/vacuum repair man and Girl as a flower seller. The movie beautifully and realistically captures the plight of struggling artists, like taking out a bank loan to secure time at a recording studio. It also tells a complex love story that sees the characters dealing with ex-girlfriends and secret husbands. It even ends on a somber note, with Guy leaving Dublin for London without saying goodbye to Girl - their friendship and musical fling nothing but a good memory.

#19: “High Fidelity" (2000)

Often regarded as one of the greatest rom-coms ever made, “High Fidelity” stars John Cusack as Rob Gordon, a man who hunts down his old girlfriends to better understand his failings as a boyfriend. Rob works at a record store and often goofs around with his friends in a fun slice of everyday life. Part of this goofing around includes making top five lists - something we here at MsMojo can greatly relate to. Rob’s relationship with Laura is also cute and realistic, stemming largely from Rob’s self-awareness as a flawed boyfriend. Flawed characters are a must for any relatable movie, and “High Fidelity” has a great one.

#18: “Marriage Story” (2019)

It’s been reported that half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. It’s a tragic statistic, and it’s one that has resulted in many broken hearts. And also many great movies. “Marriage Story” is one of them. The vague and everyday nature of the drama’s title is symbolic - Noah Baumbach wants to tell a relatable story about marriage, and he greatly succeeds. The flick follows divorcing couple Nicole and Charlie, but they could stand in for any couple going through a messy and emotional breakup. The movie has it all - the awkward shock of the declaration itself, the messy legal battles, the vicious fights, and ultimately, the reluctant acceptance. “Marriage Story” is both touching and tragic, beautiful and horribly sad.

#17: “One Day” (2011)

Starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, “One Day” follows a platonic-turned-romantic couple who spend every July 15 together. The movie contains many realistic struggles for its characters. For example, Emma is an aspiring writer who takes a job teaching to make money and lives with a man she is not happy with. Dexter becomes a successful talk show host, but he succumbs to drugs, is branded “the most annoying man on telly,” and doesn’t get along with his family. But the romantic drama also contains a shocking bit of unfortunate realism, and that is the death of Emma. Only a few years after they get married, Emma dies and leaves Dexter despondent, and the cause of her death - being hit by a truck - is shockingly anticlimactic, but also tragically steeped in realism.

#16: “Call Me By Your Name” (2017)

This brilliant film is based on a 2007 novel by André Aciman. The romantic drama is the last film in director Luca Guadagnino’s so-called “Desire” trilogy. This is certainly a fitting title, as “Call Me By Your Name” is all about desire. It concerns a 17-year-old named Elio who pines after his father’s assistant. The film is a beautiful and often melancholic portrayal of first love, steeped in the bright and summery atmosphere of Northern Italy. The sunny and colorful visuals serve as a physical representation of the warmth of young love, and the summer setting is sure to generate nostalgic memories of days during the season that were spent with secret crushes. It’s gorgeous - both visually and thematically.

#15: “Annie Hall” (1977)

This Woody Allen rom-com has been widely touted as a masterpiece. Most of the praise is aimed at the intelligent screenplay and Allen and Diane Keaton’s performances as Alvy Singer and Annie Hall. The movie opens with heartbreak, with Alvy contemplating his failed relationship with Annie. What follows is a wonderfully realistic and hilariously awkward glimpse into their romantic relationship. This includes many true-to-life scenarios and discussions that viewers can easily relate to, a testament to Allen and Marshall Brickman’s Oscar-winning screenplay. It was released in the mid ‘70s, but “Annie Hall” will forever remain timeless and universal.

#14: “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan share sparkling chemistry, and they make for one of the most charismatic couples in movie history. Like “Annie Hall,” much of the success of “When Harry Met Sally…” stems from the performances of its leads and the Oscar-nominated screenplay from Nora Ephron. The movie concerns Harry Burns and Sally Albright, two conflicting people who have opposing views on male-female relationships. Harry firmly believes that men and women cannot have platonic relationships owing to sexual tension, and this belief is repeatedly tested as Harry and Sally meet at various points in their lives. The romantic comedy is a touching, smart, and hilarious examination of relationships - both platonic and romantic - and it is sure to prove relatable for many.

#13: “Celeste and Jesse Forever” (2012)

This movie starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg serves as an attempted subversion of the romantic comedy genre and its numerous tropes. It follows high school sweethearts Celeste Martin and Jesse Abrams going through a divorce and facing adulthood without the love and support of the other. Like “Marriage Story,” “Celeste and Jesse Forever” concerns the bitter and conflicted feelings that often accompany a sudden divorce. This includes feelings of jealousy and regret, both of which are felt deeply by Celeste throughout the film. Sometimes loving couples grow apart, and sometimes people regret their decisions in love. “Celeste and Jesse Forever” explores those themes to hilarious and sorrowful success.

#12: “The Break-Up” (2006)

As its title suggests, “The Break-Up” serves as an anti-romantic comedy, detailing the messy split between Gary Grobowski and Brooke Meyers. The movie begins with each character growing tired of the other, and their motivations are both understandable and realistic. Brooke is disillusioned with Gary’s immaturity and lack of intimacy, and Gary is finding Brooke too controlling and clingy. They proceed to embark on the titular break up, each childishly attempting to make the other upset. And unlike many movies of this ilk, “The Break-Up” doesn’t have a happy ending. Despite one last ditch effort by Gary, Brooke turns him down. They both move out of their condo and on with their lives, the relationship having been permanently tarnished.

#11: “Revolutionary Road” (2008)

This romantic drama is based on Richard Yates’s novel of the same name and languished in development hell for over forty years. Reuniting Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, “Revolutionary Road” is yet another somber glimpse into love, this one concering 1950s suburbanites Frank and April. The story subverts the idea of the American Dream, suburban bliss, and the idealistic notion of the 1950s, painting a more complex depiction of the time period. Despite living through a great time in American history, Frank and April are not happy - both with each other and themselves - and they feel stuck in the tedium of day-to-day life. Their marriage eventually crumbles under the stress, with each holding opposing views towards life, their relationship, and suburban monotony.

#10: “Juno” (2007)

A film that spoke to an entire generation, Jason Reitman's sharp comedy tackles the sensitive topic of teenage pregnancy while throwing in a surprisingly genuine portrayal of puppy love. While the pregnancy storyline does not seem too preoccupied with realism, Juno and Bleeker's confusing relationship hits nearly all of the right notes. Largely depicted as a witty and in-control teenager, Juno's complex feelings for Paulie Bleeker leave the 16-year-old feeling vulnerable, so the high schooler pushes him away but then gets upset when he moves on. Terrified of the responsibility that comes with parenthood, the married couple who plans to adopt Juno's baby is also pretty relatable.

#9: “The Big Sick” (2017)

Comedy and tragedy are just opposite sides of the same coin, and this is rarely more apparent than in this 2017 rom-com about a couple from different walks of life. "The Big Sick's" central conflict rests on Kumail's reluctance to get involved with a non-Muslim partner, as this goes against his family’s wishes. Whether questioning if a blooming romance is worth the risk of being disowned, or trying to move past a mistake that put a serious strain on a marriage, "The Big Sick's" relationships go up against genuine issues that cannot be solved by a sugary declaration of love.

#8: “La La Land” (2016)

Sure, the characters may occasionally break into a spontaneous song and dance number, but the feels are all too real! A stark left turn from 2014's "Whiplash," Damien Chazelle's "La La Land" pays homage to Hollywood musicals of yesteryear, but beneath all the fancy lights and jazz tunes, there is a simple love story between two aspiring artists who cannot quite balance their personal and professional lives. Bolstered by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's natural chemistry, "La La Land" is a tour-de-force that suggests happiness still has a place after heartbreak.

#7: “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)

A romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts: there’s no going wrong with “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” The story concerns a food critic named Julianne Potter, who attempts to ruin the wedding of her best friend, Michael O’Neal. Julianne has belatedly realized that she loves Michael, and she doesn’t want him marrying the affluent Kimmy Wallace. Hilarious shenanigans ensue. The movie is obviously rooted in silly comedy, but the concept is very realistic. Many people have felt jealous towards a “best friend” and their romantic love life, and some may have even tried acting on it as Julianne does throughout the film. Furthermore, the flick contains the heartfelt theme of letting go and moving on - something many of us have been forced to do at some point in our lives.

#6: “Like Crazy” (2011)

Even though love can overcome most trials and tribulations, apparently immigration laws are not one of them. Inspired by the director's own personal experience, "Like Crazy" sees Anna and Jacob’s blooming romance cut short by Anna overstaying her student visa and getting banned from entering the US. Separated by thousands of miles and a steadily growing sense of frustration caused by the rift, "Like Crazy" is an occasionally sentimental but always entertaining love story that shows a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by long-distance relationships.

#5: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004)

If there is one writer capable of blending the surreal with the heartfelt, Charlie Kaufman would be that person. With a premise revolving around a company that erases memories, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" ventures into sci-fi territory; nevertheless, anyone who has endured a bad break-up should be able to relate to the movie's emotional core at the very least. Yearning to erase his last relationship, Jim Carrey's Joel undergoes the procedure, but starts regretting the decision once the relationship's more positive memories are targeted. Weird but oddly beautiful, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is ideal for hopeful romantics with broken hearts.

#4: “Blue Valentine” (2010)

Young love is intense, overwhelming, and feels everlasting; unfortunately, marriage requires a lot more than just passion. Aptly titled and opting for a non-linear approach, "Blue Valentine" juxtaposes Dean and Cindy's struggling marriage with moments from the couple's promising earlier days. Caught in a whirlwind of hormones and feelings, Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams' characters decide to start a family after Cindy gets pregnant, but life's responsibilities gradually put a strain on the couple's rushed romance. "Blue Valentine" is far from an easygoing watch and offers no clear-cut solutions, but that merely allows the story to resonate more with viewers.

#3: “500 Days of Summer” (2009)

Relationships are not always fair; occasionally, one person is simply more in love than the other, and that is nobody's fault. Told from the perspective of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Tom, "500 Days of Summer" is a witty but poignant depiction of a romance that was destined for failure, despite the protagonist's sincere efforts to make things work. Usually depicted as a joke or an obsession, movies rarely tackle unrequited love in a way that is respectful to both parties; however, "500 Days of Summer" avoids presenting either Tom or Summer as the bad guy.

#2: “Amour” (2012)

Hailing from the director who blessed the world with the brutal "Funny Games" and the creepy "Caché," Michael Haneke threw critics for a loop with 2012's Academy Award-winning romantic drama about love, life, death, and responsibility. Led by two towering performances from Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva, "Amour" sees an elderly couple dealing with the aftermath of a stroke that leaves one member paralyzed. A deeply human experience that toes the line between heartwarming and devastating, "Amour" feels almost too real and may hit a bit too close to home for anyone who has gone through something similar.

#1: The “Before” Trilogy (1995-2013)

Richard Linklater's minimalist but ambitious set of films comment on many different forms of relationships, and the same couple is at the center of each one. Starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, "Before Sunrise" finds the passionate but inexperienced young adults pondering the meaning of love and opting to live in the moment, even going as far as to not exchange names or phone numbers, while "Before Sunset" sees the couple reuniting in Paris years later. With potential and lost love firmly traversed, "Before Midnight" focuses on the issues associated with long-lasting relationships, as intimacy gives way to familiarity and a fading spark.

Which one of these romantic flicks do you think is the most realistic? Be sure to let us know in the comments!