Top Ten Romance Movies to Watch on Netflix Right Now
Jenna Haskins ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff
Romance films are a necessary aspect of life. Whether you’re an ardent fan, or occasional viewer, sometimes you just have some days in life where you need to watch a movie about love. You might cry, or feel bad about your single status (it happens), or watch it with your significant lover (uhh, other) for movie night. Whatever the situation you find yourself in, the solution will 1 time out of ten probably be to watch a romance film, so read on for your options!
10. The Decoy Bride (2011)
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, David Tennant, Alice Eve
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 4/10
Doctor Who fans take note, David Tennant is an adorable in this film (even though it’s kind of in a narcissistic jerk way for a good part of it…). Set on a spectacularly gorgeous Scottish island, actress Lara Tyler (Eve) is eager to marry away from the spotlight. In order to throw off snooping paparazzi, a local girl Katie, (Macdonald, who was the voice of Merida in Brave) is hired as a decoy to keep them away from the real wedding. However, in a disastrous mix-up, Katie ends up married to Lara’s fiance, James. A cute, fun, and slightly unrealistic film, The Decoy Bride gives you the entertaining movie romance you want in a quick 89 mins.
9. Maid in Manhattan (2002)
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 5.1/10
Keeping with the romance plot tool of the major mix-up, senatorial candidate Christopher Marshall (Fiennes) falls for single mother and hotel maid Marisa Ventura (Lopez) when he mistakes her for a socialite after catching her trying on a wealthy woman’s dress. Though he is smitten with her, the social differences between the two threaten any possibility of a relationship. A charming romantic fantasy, it’s not the most memorable film, but Maid in Manhattan will deliver with a hollywood take on old school Cinderella style.
8. Benny & Joon (1993)
Starring: Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 5.8/10
Benny (Quinn) runs a car repair shop and cares for his mentally ill sister Joon (Masterson). After Benny loses a bet, he s forced to take in Sam (Depp), the cousin of a friend, and a very eccentric character. Sam and Joon form an instant connection and soon fall in love, leaving Benny wallowing in jealousy at their companionship. With Johnny Depp at top form, Benny & Joon provides magic and wonder, while breaking the rules of typical romance films.
7.Eagle vs. Shark (2007)
Starring: Loren Taylor, Jemaine Clement, Craig Hall
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 5.6/10
After bonding at a theme party where attendees were instructed to come as their favorite animal, two misfits attempt to find love through a bizarre number of ways. Fans of Flight of the Conchords will love watching Jemaine Clement in one of the starring roles, and lovers of dry humor and wit everywhere will enjoy the script and acting of Eagle vs. Shark. Sweet, awkward, and a little absurd, it’s altogether unconventional and fun.
6. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 6.2/10
After a humiliating birthday party, thirteen year old Jenna is over the idea of adolescence. Wishing she could skip straight to adulthood, she wakes up the next morning just weeks away from her 30th birthday. Though her body and lifestyle has changed, her mind hasn’t matured, and Jenna must cope with what her future has become as she seeks out her former best friend, Matt (Ruffalo). A fun, “Big”-esque plot and the enthusiasm of Garner keeps the 13 Going on 30 going, and it’s innocence makes for an endearing comedy romp.
5. Keep The Lights On (2011)
Starring: Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth, Julianne Nicholson
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 7.6/10
Filmaker Erik (Linhardt) bonds with closeted lawyer Paul (Booth) after an impassioned fling. As a relationship between the two develops, Erik struggles to stay true to himself despite his boundaries. Keep The Lights On is a more realistic love story, and therefore can be harsher than the others on this list. However, it’s dedication to staying brutally honest and thought provoking makes it a stand out film in this genre.
4. I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (2008)
Starring: Su-jeong Lim, Rain, Hie-jin Choi
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 6.4/10
Young-goon believes is admitted into a mental institution due to her belief that she is a cyborg. When she refuses to eat, believing she can “charge herself up” with a transistor radio, Il-soon, a fellow inmate who believes that he has the ability to steal souls, takes it upon himself to help her. A quirky, charming, playful film, but I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK is worth a watch if you’re after something completely different.
3. Runaway Bride (1999)
Starring: Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Joan Cusack
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 5.3/10
Maggie (Roberts) is known for leaving prospective husbands at the altar, and soon attracts the attention of a reporter sent to cover a story on her. When the reporter, Ike (Gere), tracks her down, she is in a small town with her fiance, getting ready to give marriage another try. However, as she bonds with Ike she begins to once again have cold feet. Immensely likable, if a tad predictable, Runaway Bride is an ultimately satisfying romantic comedy.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 8.4/10
When Joel (Carrey) discovers that his ex-girlfriend, Clementine (Winslet), has had her memories of him erased through an experimental procedure, he decides to have the same process done to him. However, as the process begins, Joel realizes too late that he doesn’t want to forget what they had, and he must fight against his own mind to save his memories of her from being deleted. An incredibly moving and shockingly underrated film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind will stick with you long after the final credits.
1.Titanic (1997)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 7.8/10
Rose (Winslet), a strong willed aristocrat falls in love with sweet but poor Jack Dawson (DiCaprio) aboard the ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic. The ultimate epic of star crossed lovers, rivaled only by Romeo and Juliet, Titanic remains a classic favorite in the romance genre. With gorgeous cinematography and flawless acting by the two young stars, it sucks you in to the story even though you know it won’t end well. This is not a particularly uplifting romance movie, but if you’re in the mood for some crying, it is an absolute must see film.