Top 30 Movies About Young Love

#30: “All the Bright Places” (2020)

There are a lot of movies about high school romances, but few that tell their stories with so much hurt, grief and loss. “All the Bright Places” rips our hearts out and puts them back together again. And there is something about this tragic love story that is intoxicating. Violet is mentally recovering from her sister’s death when she meets Finch, who has struggles of his own. Throughout the film, we’re endeared to them as they try to help each other heal their traumas and see the bright side of life. It’s not a happy ending for all involved, but it’s possibly a more realistic one this way, tragic as it seems.

#29: “Lucas” (1986)

We can’t resist a teen film from the ‘80s. This is one that often gets overlooked, despite the fact that it’s full of memorable performances from up-and-coming actors. Corey Haim stars in the titular role, and his pursuit of Maggie is both adorable and heartbreaking. We see them share funny and heartfelt moments over a summer, all for it to crash down when Maggie starts dating Cappie, played by a young Charlie Sheen. If you’re feeling nostalgic for that high school, young love, and a good slow-clapping scene that makes it clear that the outcast finally belongs, this one is for you.

#28: “Little Manhattan” (2005)

Way before he was helping Katniss defeat the Capitol in “The Hunger Games” franchise, Josh Hutcherson was a little heartbreaker playing opposite Charlie Ray. They play Gabe and Rosemary, pre-teens in the Big Apple navigating their mutual crushes and dealing with issues that only kids could understand. “Little Manhattan” is an adorable example of how much fun first love is, even if it doesn’t end up being your last love. This movie reminds us that no matter how old you are, the first cut is the deepest, and that it really is better to have loved and lost.

#27: “Summer of Mesa” (2020)

You don’t need a big budget or a stereotypical romance to pack a punch with an audience. “Summer of Mesa” is living proof of that. With the backdrop of a 1980s summer in Cape Cod, we see Lily, John and Mesa navigate their feelings and confront their true desires. Lily discovers her feelings for Mesa, and has to let go of the love she thought she felt for John. Did we mention that this movie’s budget was a whopping $400? It was also shot in just six days, and there was only one crew member. It’s a painfully authentic production, which really feels like you’re going along this journey of self-discovery alongside them.

#26: “Goodbye First Love” (2011)

This film is in the language of love and takes place in Paris, so it’s already got the setting for a great love story. But it’s the performances, plot and chemistry of the characters that carries this film. Camille loses her first love, Sullivan, when he moves to South America, but she finds love again years later in Lorenz. What follows is a love triangle that tears her in two different directions. It’s heartbreaking and gripping to watch her navigate it all. If you’ve been heartbroken, particularly at a tender age like Camille, this film hits particularly close to home. But it still leaves you with fleeting feelings of hope and happiness.

#25: “The Way He Looks” (2014)

This artier coming-of-age takes us on a journey with Leonardo as he unsuspectingly falls for Gabriel. It’s the quiet moments in this film that really leave a lasting impact. Leo eloquently deals with his friendships and romantic relationships as the tides change in his world, his sight impairment acting as a symbol. He learns more about who he is and what he wants, which is endearing to witness. This film isn’t just about young romantic love, as we also see platonic love between Leonardo and his best friend Giovana. “The Way He Looks” proves that stories of young love don’t need to be tragic, harrowing, or full of rejection and hard lessons learned. It can instead be fun, light and meaningful.

#24: “Pretty in Pink” (1986)

After hitting home runs with “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” it’s clear that John Hughes and Molly Ringwald were a pair to be reckoned with. In Ringwald’s personal favorite of her own films, she plays Andie, who’s best friends with a young Jon Cryer as Duckie. They both come from the wrong side of the tracks. But when Blane falls for Andie, their class divides loom until they bubble to the surface, and the film takes a turn from fun love to mature revelations. Still, the ending is polarizing but beloved, as Andie and Blane are eventually able to come together with Duckie’s blessing of course. At least there’s potential with a girl he meets at prom.

#23: “Juno” (2007)

We love Juno and Paulie Bleeker, and we really love them together. But marriage coming before the baby carriage isn’t exactly how their relationship goes down. Their unique path is nonetheless fitting for their personalities and dynamic. Even though they complement each other’s traits perfectly, high school drama, pregnancy, and Juno’s complicated relationship with her baby’s adoptive parents stirs things up. Juno and Paulie start off as quirky teens who are just close friends, but seeing them having to navigate becoming potential expectant parents is gut-wrenching, endearing, and even relatable. We’re so happy that they get to end up together in the end as a true adolescent couple.

#22: “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)

We love a good modern-take on a Shakespearean classic, and this one has us in all of the feels. As Cameron tries to win over Bianca, he has to find someone to date her sister Kat in order to respect their father’s rule that Bianca can date when Kat does. This leads to hijinks between Kat and Patrick, who is initially paid to be with her but eventually they fall hard for one another. Their relationship is adorable and playful, but it becomes more heartfelt and deep as their true selves and their real intentions reveal themselves. Who could forget Patrick serenading Kat to a Frankie Valli tune? We swoon every time.

#21: “Before Sunrise” (1995)

It’s a night that most young folks dream of – exploring the city of Vienna with a new love interest, unpacking each other’s layers, and then leaving the rest in fate’s hands. That’s what we see with Celine and Jesse, whose impending romance and future leaves us on the edge of our seats. It’s amazing to watch them go from complete strangers to people who understand the other so deeply that it’s like they’ve known each other all of their lives. It sets the scene for the two sequels that tug at our heartstrings just as much as this one. We can’t help but fall for this mesmerizing couple throughout Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy.

#20: “The Half of It” (2020)

Netflix has clearly found that their audience has an interest in movies about young love, because lately they have been producing tons of great original films on the topic. One of the most recent is “The Half of It”, which employs a unique concept with a fresh and modern-feeling twist. High school jock Paul has a crush on a girl named Aster, but isn’t exactly a wordsmith. So he hires smart girl Ellie to pen a love letter to her. There’s an added level of complication though because it turns out that Ellie is in love with Aster too. The movie explores the meanings of true love, which are relevant no matter how old you are.

#19: “Brooklyn” (2015)

“Brooklyn”, released in 2015, stars Saoirse Ronan as Eilis, a young Irish girl who moves to New York in order to carve out a better life for herself. She secretly gets married there, to an Italian American man named Tony, but then life unexpectedly brings her back to her home country. She has to make the difficult decision between staying in the small town where she grew up with an Irishman she meets or going back to Brooklyn to be with the one she loves. These are difficult decisions to make at her age, but in the end she decides to follow her heart.

#18: “Five Feet Apart” (2019)

Fans of “The Fault in Our Stars” - more on that one later - will inevitably enjoy this 2019 film. It’s a tearjerker though, so get your tissues ready. “Five Feet Apart” centers on Stella and Will, two young people who are both suffering from cystic fibrosis. Due to their disease, they are not allowed to get within six feet of one another because of the risk of cross-infection. The couple has to decide what risks are worth it and face big questions about what actually makes life worth living. Meanwhile, this movie feels all the more relevant now because of the global pandemic!

#17: “The Spectacular Now” (2013)

For some reason, this 2013 movie flew under the radar, despite starring YA darling Shailene Woodley. It may be underrated, but you don’t want to miss this quiet and tender romance flick. Focusing on a pair of high school seniors who initially seem supremely mismatched, it has a darker edge and addresses some serious issues that aren’t your typical rom com fodder. Sutter is popular but struggles with alcoholism, while Aimee is more of the typical girl next door, but both face issues that they realize they’re better primed to deal with together than apart.

#16: “Blue is the Warmest Color” (2013)

“Blue Is the Warmest Colour” tells the story of two young women, Emma and Adèle, as they grow fond of each other, make lots of love, and begin a life together. However, outside factors and conflicting ambitions soon get in the way of their romantic and domestic bliss. While stories like this have been told for centuries, this movie comes with a sprawling three-hour runtime and attempts to immerse the viewer in long, complex scenes concerning various aspects of first relationships. It’s a very relatable story of young love, growing up, and complacent domesticity that may or may not come between two passionate lovers.

#15: “Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)

Stephen Chbosky’s novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” created a legion of fans when it was released, and a whole new generation got to experience the story when he adapted it for the big screen. “Perks” deals with a lot of serious issues, including mental illness and sexual abuse, but it also portrays a young boy falling in love for the first time. In many ways, this isn’t your typical romance, with many levels of complication coming between Charlie and Sam. But it definitely does a good job of showing what happens when you love someone who doesn’t seem to feel quite the same way about you. Although in this case, she comes around in the end!

#14: “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018)

Lara Jean Covey mostly keeps to herself, penning love letters to the boys she has crushes on without ever intending on actually mailing them. When her box of letters mysteriously gets sent out however, her life is turned upside down. She ends up getting into a mutually beneficial fake relationship with one of the recipients, but their charade gets real very quickly. This is a high school romance that feels reminiscent of the John Hughes classics, with the brightly colored aesthetic to match. If you’re looking for a lighthearted tale of young love, this one is just perfect.

#13: “The Princess Bride” (1987)

Hey, it doesn’t all have to be cool indie flicks - we like corny, silly rom-com-adventure-fantasy movies, too! “The Princess Bride” is a classic fairy tale-esque movie about a farmhand, Westley, and his lover, the Princess Buttercup. However, as is often the case in fairy tales, things get in the way of happily ever after, including Buttercup’s betrothed, Prince Humperdinck, giant, screaming eels, and a six-fingered man. You know, the usual stuff. The movie is a touching story about love in one’s youth and the childish magic of fairy tales. It’s a love story mixed with Rob Reiner’s signature hilarious satire, and it’s an undeniable classic.

#12: “Like Crazy” (2011)

We all know long distance relationships are awful, and that’s perfectly exemplified in this film. Felicity Jones stars as Anna, a British exchange student who falls in love with Anton Yelchin’s American Jacob. “Like Crazy” perfectly captures the electric first moments of a relationship, when consequences seemingly don’t matter… like a student visa. Because she is too caught up in their romance, Anna makes a misstep with her expired student visa and is subsequently deported, which understandably puts a strain on their relationship. It’s a relatable story about the sheer joy, desperation, and ultimate carelessness that comes with falling deeply in love as a young adult.

#11: “Moonrise Kingdom” (2012)

“Moonrise Kingdom” is a very touching story about childhood love and innocence told through the lens of Wes Anderson’s specific aesthetic. The movie tells the story of two introverted 12-year-olds, Sam and Suzy, as they run away and explore the wilderness together. Hot on their trail are Sam’s Scoutmaster, Suzy’s parents, and the local police. Given that this is a Wes Anderson project, the story is wonderfully told through escapist fantasies, and of course gorgeous uses of color. It’s a movie that nails the feelings of childhood summers and epic adventures, and it allows us to recapture our more imaginative, stress-free, and innocent youths, if only for ninety-something hopelessly nostalgic minutes.

#10: “Call Me By Your Name” (2017)

This movie tells the story of the blossoming friendship and eventual relationship of the introverted Elio and the older, more confident Oliver. The story beautifully captures the hesitant initial steps of a relationship, including the painful “do-they-like me” period of questioning each other’s motives and feelings. When the two finally get together, they peel away each other’s layers to discover a more intimate and personal connection. And yet, there’s that persistent lingering feeling that this relationship probably will not last. It’s a perfect cinematic example of the initial hesitations, sexual and emotional connections, and undercurrents of tragedy that litter everyone’s early forays into love.

#9: “Love, Simon” (2018)

While we’ve seen more and more diverse representation in film as the years have gone on, this movie, released in 2018, was actually the first film put out by a major studio that features a romance between gay teenagers. “Love, Simon” broke boundaries bringing this LGBTQ love story to the screen, and showcased the experience of coming out for a modern adolescent. The relationship between Simon and “Blue” is one for the ages, bringing us a rom-com that feels at once fresh and modern and simultaneously like an inevitable classic.

#8: “Titanic” (1997)

Considering the harrowing journey they find themselves on, Jack and Rose are forced to act mature beyond their years, making us forget that Rose is just 17 years old when she boards the “Ship of Dreams”. Despite her young age, Rose knows exactly what she wants (and doesn’t want) her life to look like. Her engagement to the wealthy but cruel Cal makes her feel trapped, so she strikes up a romance with the itinerant Jack Dawson, who makes her feel alive. “Titanic” is about many things, but it’s Rose’s willingness to pursue her dreams and do anything for the man she loves that makes it so powerful. If only it had a happier ending...

#7: “Say Anything” (1989)

This one is a classic for a reason. “Say Anything” is about Lloyd Dobler, an average high school student with little ambition, and Diane Court, the school’s valedictorian whose father pressures her into continuing a prestigious academic career. However, these two seemingly incompatible individuals fall in love at high school graduation and commence a summer full of disapproving parents, good music, and stolen cash. It’s a classic not only for its stellar performances and famous boombox scene, but also because it stunningly captures the idealism that often comes with first loves. Diane’s father may be right when he tells her that Lloyd is unambitious, but we don’t care. Young love conquers all.

#6: “A Walk to Remember” (2002)

Released in 2002, this movie (based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks), struck a chord with a generation of teens. “A Walk to Remember” tells of a tragic and doomed romance between bad boy Landon and minister’s daughter Jamie. While the two already have obstacles to overcome, none is bigger than the fact that Jamie is living with terminal cancer. This tale is a devastating one, as we watch Landon grasp onto the final months of Jamie’s life before he has to spend the rest of his existence without her. Before she met him, Jamie had kept herself closed off to the world, but the love they share lets her truly live her life to the fullest while she can.

#5: “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)

The concept of “The Fault in Our Stars” may seem maudlin, but underneath the dreary premise is a beautiful love story. The movie tells the story of cancer-stricken teenagers Hazel and Augustus as they fall in love, travel to Amsterdam, and find comfort in their situations through each other. While most of us hopefully can’t relate to the cancer aspect, the movie nevertheless tells a deeply heartfelt and identifiable story about the powers of first love and the feelings of safety we get from companionship. It’s not only about young love, but friendship, hope, and the power of optimism.

#4: “My Girl” (1991)

In this movie, Macaulay Culkin plays Thomas J. Sennett, an 11-year-old boy who suffers from severe allergies. He befriends and later grows an attachment to Vada Sultenfuss, a neglected hypochondriac. The two help with each other’s troubles, and their relationship soon blossoms after a cute first kiss. However, tragedy strikes, and the budding romance is cut short. “My Girl” is a great movie about childhood innocence and learning about some painful facts of life. We all had that one childhood friend who helped us grow into the people we are today, and “My Girl” is the perfect embodiment of those feelings and that particular time in our lives.

#3: “The Notebook” (2004)

You just can’t go wrong with Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Talk about the most #couplegoals couple on the face of the Earth! “The Notebook” (as we’re sure you all know) tells the story of the poor Noah Calhoun falling in love with the rich Allie Hamilton. What follows is a great representation of the optimism of a new relationship and the outer forces that can seemingly conspire against a happy young couple, like disapproving and invasive parents. And unlike most of the movies on this list, their romance succeeds and blossoms into maturity and old age, proving that sometimes young loves can become our true loves.

#2: “Flipped” (2010)

We don’t know what went wrong with the marketing of this movie, but despite the fact that the book on which it was based had a serious fanbase, “Flipped” only managed to bring in a little over $4 million at the box office. But despite its poor financial showing, “Flipped” is an extremely heartwarming and tender story of a young couple consisting of Bryce and Juli, who meet as children and experience a roller coaster of feelings for one another. It seems as though their timing will never be right, with one of them being in love while the other seems indifferent. It’s a relatable portrayal of a phenomenon that we’ve all experienced at one time or another.

#1: “Romeo and Juliet” (1968 & 1996)

What better pick for number one than the most classic story ever told about young love? You’ve all read Shakespeare’s play in school, so there’s no need to go over the plot. Some of you may think the story old and stale, especially if you saw the 1968 classic. But give Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 adaptation a try and you’ll see how Shakespeare can be brought into the modern world. It’s funny, touching, and tragic, and it imbues Shakespeare’s words with new life to make them work for a mainstream modern audience. Whether you watch an older version or a later one, there exists no better story about the electric, senseless emotions and fallibility of first, or young, love than “Juliet and her Romeo.” Well, okay “West Side Story”, which is also a riff on the Bard’s play, was pretty cool, too.

Which young love story has you swooning? Let us know in the comments!