I Think We’ve Been In A Down Period For Good Romance Movies, But There Are Still 7 That Came Out In 2025 That I’d Recommend

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Growing up with the amazing rom-coms of the 90s and 2000s, I have to say, I’ve been a little disappointed with what the genre became in the last decade or so. There have been a few good ones here and there, but it just hasn’t felt the same for someone who loves a good romantic story. Still, I’m always hopeful, so I checked out the 2025 movie lineup and was happy to find a bunch of promising romances I think other fans will really enjoy.

I watched a lot of romance movies last year – around 20 in total! I especially loved films like We Live In Time, Lisa Frankenstein, and Challengers. I mentioned before that my favorite romances often break the mold for the genre, and this year’s picks are a bit more traditionally romantic – and there are even more of them, which is great! Let’s dive into my favorites.

Eternity

Surprisingly, a romance film—called Eternity—made it onto our list of the best movies of 2025! It’s currently ranked at number six, which shows how much our team enjoyed it. It might even have reminded us why we love romantic comedies. The movie centers around an elderly man who dies and finds himself in a sort of limbo between life and the afterlife.

He’s soon reunited with his wife after 65 years of marriage, but a surprising revelation occurs when she arrives: her first husband, who was presumed dead, has been waiting for her. Now, she must choose between the idealized memory of her first love and the man she’s shared her life with. Beyond being a unique take on the romantic comedy genre, the film’s message about the true meaning of enduring love really touched me and brought tears to my eyes.

Rent/Buy Eternity on Amazon.

A Nice Indian Boy

One of the best romantic comedies of 2025 is the independent film, A Nice Indian Boy. It’s a truly moving story—few movies have made me cry as much! Starring Karan Soni (from Deadpool) and Jonathan Groff, the film centers on Naveen, an Indian-American doctor, who falls for Jay, a white photographer raised by Indian parents who have passed away. As their relationship deepens, Naveen struggles to navigate his family’s expectations, balance their traditions with his own desires, and come to terms with his sexuality. It’s both incredibly funny and a deeply touching portrayal of the immigrant parent experience.

Stream A Nice Indian Boy on Hulu.

The Wedding Banquet

Like A Nice Indian Boy, the film The Wedding Banquet offers a fresh perspective on a gay couple navigating family expectations as immigrants. It’s a reimagining of a 1990s movie that follows two queer couples facing distinct challenges. Lily Gladstone and Kelly Marie Tran star as Lee and Angela, who are trying to start a family but struggling with the cost of fertility treatments. Meanwhile, Bowen Yang and Han-Gi-chan play Chris and Min, with Min facing the potential expiration of his U.S. visa.

To solve their respective problems, they devise a plan for Min and Angela to get married and pretend to be a couple, especially for Min’s Korean grandmother. In my review of The Wedding Banquet, I gave it four stars, praising it as both a “celebration of queer joy” and a “truly genuine” film.

Stream The Wedding Banquet on Paramount+.

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

The Bridget Jones films were hugely popular romantic comedies in the early 2000s, and often sequels don’t live up to the original. However, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect much, but I found it to be a charming and enjoyable movie, just like the first films. While it’s a bit jarring that Colin Firth’s character is written out, the movie is ultimately a heartwarming and relatable story about Bridget finding love again and dealing with loss in a touching way, as Renee Zellweger carries the film beautifully.

Stream Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy on Peacock.

Heart Eyes

So, is Heart Eyes a horror film? It is, but surprisingly, it’s also a really enjoyable romantic comedy – and it was released right before Valentine’s Day for a reason! It’s probably the silliest movie on this list, considering it’s about a serial killer targeting couples on the holiday. However, I found myself genuinely enjoying both the romantic and the horror aspects. I recommend checking it out.

Stream Heart Eyes on Netflix.

Oh, Hi!

Molly Gordon, known from The Bear, co-created Oh, Hi! with Sophie Brooks, who wrote and directed the film. It’s a really fresh take on the romantic comedy genre. Gordon stars as Iris, one half of a new couple – along with Logan Lerman as Isaac – who go on a weekend getaway to a secluded house.

In the movie, Isaac and Iris playfully explore bondage, which leads to a revealing conversation about their relationship. When Iris discovers Isaac doesn’t see their connection as serious and has been seeing other people, she unexpectedly leaves him handcuffed to the bed, hoping to change his mind and prove they’re meant to be together. Beyond its humor, the film offers insightful observations about the complexities of dating today.

Stream Oh, Hi! on Netflix.

Materialists

Celine Song’s Materialists is another excellent romantic comedy released this year. I seem to be one of the few who really enjoyed it! I’ve watched it twice now and still believe it’s a classic romantic comedy – the kind we don’t see enough of. It thoughtfully explores how money impacts relationships, and features charming scenes with Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans.

Stream Materialists on HBO Max.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, there’s plenty of exciting romance coming to the big screen. Several adaptations and new stories, including films based on Emily Henry’s People We Meet On Vacation, Wuthering Heights, and a new movie starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson called The Drama, promise a great year for the genre – even though the classic rom-com era might be over.

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2026-01-01 02:12