Romance Movies to Fall in Love With

I became a mother with the birth of twins so I have never known what it is like to have just one baby. From the beginning it was two of everything. First it was two times the clothing, furniture and doctor visits, now more driver's ed classes.

Overall I didn't mind the two-sies of everything but the one thing I didn't want double of, especially when they were younger, was double tears. So I had a rule, crying was only allowed in one of three circumstances: at the loss of a loved one, when a bone is broken, or when your heart is broken. Those all seemed fair and, honestly, worked wonders to minimize the tears when there were minor knees cuts and toy sharing issues. Now with my girls older, and my son not far behind, I realize there is another circumstance which can command a box of tissues: a romantic movie!!

It's February, the time for all types of love and romance movies. But let's face it, it is a complicated task to put together any type of comprehensive list of love story favorites. There are countless varieties to choose from, be it classics, to period pieces, to kids, to comedy. This blog could go on ad nauseum with various titles across all types of sub-categories and still not come close to being complete. So instead, consider the below a list of movie "highlights," a Valentine's Day composition of old favorites or new discoveries. To round it out, please add your own heart-felt favorites in the comments below

Historical Romance

Sure, Bridgerton is all the rage right now but historical romance has been with us for a while. Here are a few historical romance stories that were around before Lady Whistledown's Society Papers.

• Pride and Prejudice
• Jane Eyre
• Atonement
• Little Women
• Moulin Rouge
• A Room with a View
• Titanic

Netflix Romance

When it comes to romance, Netflix has something for everyone. The selection is much too comprehensive to capture reader favorites and sure you can watch them on Netflix but here are some I think you should personally own as part of your romantic DVD or Blu-ray movie library.

• About Time
• Silver Linings Playbook
• A Walk to Remember
• Stardust
• My Best Friend's Wedding

1980s

The greatest decade ever had its fill of all types of romantic movies, from high school crushes, to summer vacation romances, to best friend loves. Now is a great time to relive some favorites from the past.

• Dirty Dancing
• When Harry Met Sally
• The Princess Bride
• Pretty in Pink
• Say Anything

Love in the Face of Adversity and Loss

The strength of a love story, whether a newfound love, or a lifelong one, provides hope when there is little other hope to be found.

• Me Before You
• Five Feet Apart
• The Fault in our Stars
• Breakthrough

Rom-Com Favorites

The perennially favorite, romantic comedies have something for everyone.

• You've Got Mail
• It Happened One Night
• Sleepless in Seattle
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall
• Pretty Woman
• Hitch
• (500) Days of Summer

Quotable Classics

I would be remiss if I didn't include a selection of quoatable classics which have memorable phases that live on in any romantic setting.

• Jerry Maguire
• The Notebook
• Dirty Dancing
• Notting Hill
• Serendipity

Unconventional Romances

In case there was doubt about the many ways love can present itself, here are some unexpected shapes, forms, and environments where a good love story unfolds.

• The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
• Warm Bodies
• Her
• The Shape of Water
• Edward Scissorhands
• Benny & Joon

Disney Love Stories

No one creates a love story like Disney. These classic fairy tales are timeless with soundtracks we all know by heart

• The Little Mermaid
• Beauty and Beast
• Aladdin
• Cinderella

Read more by Barbara Hagen