Romance has been a leading genre in cinema, giving us countless memorable stories that warm our hearts. With that said, any story of romance certainly comes with some drama. Love is always complicated and there are always going to be ups and downs. Luckily, these types of drama and conflict usually make for good cinema. A romantic film can be comedic, inspiring, and sometimes even traumatic. In many stories about love, there comes a story about loss. Death, break-ups, and drifting away from one another can easily result in a romance crumbling into pieces. Love and loss are a part of life, and there have been several great films depicting that subject matter.
In recent years, there have been many films depicting very realistic portrayals of relationships. Derek Cianfrance, for instance, gave us a story showing the bright beginning and the tragic end of a relationship with Blue Valentine. Although we wish that the characters in some of our favorite romantic films stay together, real life can take its toll on any relationship. Death plays a major factor in several of these films. It is something that no one can escape, and it has been the tragic ending to many of our favorite love stories. Alfred Lord Tennyson once stated, "'tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Grab a box of tissues, and let's dive into the saddest romantic films of all time.
Updated on October 6th, 2023, by Timothy Lindsey: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
14 A Star Is Born (2018)
Bradley Cooper took this classic story into the modern age with his rendition of A Star Is Born. The film follows Ally (Lady Gaga in her feature film debut), an aspiring singer who rises to fame while falling in love with successful musician, Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper).
Although their love blossoms into something beautiful, Jackson's alcoholism and drug addiction cause chaos and slowly destroy their relationship. In the tragic ending, Jackson is unable to cope with his problems, so he commits suicide, leaving Ally behind.
13 West Side Story (1961)
In a modern-day Romeo and Juliet twist, West Side Story showcases forbidden love on the streets of New York City. As two gangs – the Sharks and Jets – battle for turf on the Upper West Side of New York City, the rivalry is filled with even more bad blood as Tony (Richard Beymer), a former member of the Jets, falls in love with Maria (Natalie Wood), the younger sister of Bernardo (George Chakiris), the leader of the Sharks. Tony and Maria discover that their love is stronger than the hate that has separated their groups.
But how does that go over with everyone else when they discover the relationship? The film would go on to win 11 Academy Awards, as well as other Golden Globe and Grammy Awards. It is regarded as one of the greatest films and musicals of all time. A remake of the film, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, was introduced to audiences in 2021.
12 P.S. I Love You (2007)
P.S. I Love You follows Holly (Hilary Swank) dealing with intense grief after her beloved husband, Gerry (Gerard Butler), passes away. On her 30th birthday, Holly begins to receive letters from Gerry that he had written before his death.
The letters send Holly on a series of adventures to help her find a new lease on life. She discovers the importance of friendship, family, and moving on. It is a touching and heartbreaking story that teaches you the importance of living your life to the fullest, even after loss.
11 Atonement (2007)
An adaptation of the novel of the same name by Ian McEwan, Atonement is a love story that takes place over the course of decades. It follows two lovers, Robbie (James McAvoy) and Cecilia (Keira Knightley), who are separated due to Cecilia's sister (Saoirse Ronan) accusing Robbie of a crime he did not commit.
Through years of war and separation, the two are only able to see each other for brief periods of time, preventing their relationship from ever reaching its full potential. In the end, the two die separated from each other, and we are left with only a false imagining of a happy ending.
10 Ghost (1990)
Ghost is a classic movie following Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore), whose relationship is cut short after Sam is murdered. Soon after, Sam finds that he is actually a ghost, and he uses his time to figure out how to communicate with the living.
His goal is to talk to Molly and warn her of potential danger. After the task is complete, we are left with a heartbreaking ending where Sam says his final goodbyes before going to the afterlife, leaving Molly to move on without her protector.
These Are 5 Romance Movies For People Who Hate Romance Movies
For those cynics who are still looking for something sweetly subversive to watch, consider these five very different types of romance films.9 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Yes, this is a mouthful. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society involves a London author (Lily James) discovering the story of a book club on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel during World War II.
Not only does she discover the hardships on the island during the Nazi occupation, but she discovers how the book club became a real family despite losing one of their own. For fans of period dramas and romances, this heartfelt film is the motion picture for them. It has a very solid score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes.
8 The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
If you are looking for a film that makes you feel all the emotions of a romantic film, this could be your choice. The Fault in Our Stars is a movie about two teenagers, who both have cancer. After becoming close friends through their cancer support group, the two realize they have a passion for reading.
They later embark on a journey to Amsterdam to visit the author of a book that tells the story of a young girl with cancer. The two fall in love despite the level of each of their conditions. There is nothing more romantic and sweet than two sick people who realize their love for one another before it is too late. The award-winning film was the No. 1 movie in North America on its opening weekend in 2014.
7 Revolutionary Road (2008)
Sam Mendes' Revolutionary Road tells a tragic tale of a couple unable to bear the weight of the mundane routine of suburbia. Although their relationship began with love and passion, after having children and moving to a suburban home, things changed.
They start to live the life that they swore would never happen, the two turn against each other. It is a story of broken dreams and fading love, with several intense conflicts along the way that are delivered perfectly by Leonardo DiCaprio.
6 Brokeback Mountain (2005)
In Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal play two cowboys who fall in love in the 1960s. We watch them, over the course of decades, living separate lives but always coming back to each other for short moments of bliss.
They are unable to be with each other due to society's standards, and their pain and heartbreak are shown throughout the film. Unfortunately, in the end, Jack (Gyllenhaal) is beaten to death, and Ennis (Ledger) must live the rest of his life in quiet desperation.
5 Blue Valentine (2010)
Blue Valentine looks at two pivotal points of a relationship: the beginning and the end. Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) are two young, yet complicated, individuals who fall in love.
The film cuts back and forth from this time to many years later when there is barely any love between the two. It is a tragic story showing how people change and how love can sometimes fade away. The film is an extremely realistic, yet heartbreaking, tale of a modern relationship over the course of many years.
These Are Some of the Most Destructive Couples In Movie History
For fans of wild on-screen couples, crimes aren't necessarily a deal-breaker. Here's a list of some of the most destructive couples in movie history.4 La La Land (2016)
In one of the best musical films of the last decade, La La Land tells the story of Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling). Two people trying to make it in Hollywood. Mia, while working in a coffee shop, continues to search for her big break as an actress.
Sebastian, who takes part-time gigs as a pianist, is trying to open up his own jazz club. The two fall in love with one another, but they must decide what is most important between their relationship and their career. This film is a great lesson in never giving up on your dream, even if it is tough to let go of a relationship. It set a record at the 74th Golden Globes after winning seven awards in the seven categories it was nominated for, including Best Score and Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
3 Love Story (1970)
Love Story is a classic romance telling the story of Oliver (Ryan O'Neal), a wealthy Harvard student who falls in love with a working-class woman named Jenny (Ali MacGraw). Despite their differences, the two have a beautiful relationship, but unfortunately, it is cut short.
Jenny becomes terminally ill, and we watch as the two try to carry on. Unfortunately, Jenny dies in the end, leaving behind a broken Oliver. It is a heartbreaking tale of love and loss and one of the greatest romantic films of all time.
2 Titanic (1997)
This was the movie that put both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet on the map. Titanic follows the story of two passengers of different social classes on a cruise ship who grow to fall in love with one another. After being in a hapless engagement, a wealthy girl named Rose (Kate Winslet) thinks about committing suicide on the ship. But after Jack, a poor artist, prevents her from doing that, they grow very fond of one another. However, when the cruise ship crashes into an iceberg, their lives become endangered.
This movie is powerful because it portrays two people from opposite sides of society who overcome those societal boundaries to be with one another. After winning awards upon awards, including 11 Academy Awards and four Golden Globes, James Cameron's movie is considered to be one of the best films and love stories ever.
1 The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook is unquestionably one of the most iconic love stories of all time. The film follows Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams), who fall in love one summer. Unfortunately, the two are separated due to war and Allie's parents' disapproval.
Years later, they find their way back to each other, giving us a great story of love. The film cuts back and forth to an elderly Noah and Ally, and unfortunately, Ally has Alzheimer's and is unable to remember anything. In the end, Ally remembers their love and the two die in each other's arms, giving us one of the saddest endings in romance history.