No matter when a film is set, there is always the potential for a love story. A lot of these frequently take place in the Regency era or during one of the World Wars, and while these are very successful, several others use a varied range of settings and chunks of history. TV shows have recently taken over the period romance, too, and titles like Bridgerton have become raging successes, drawing audiences in with tales of ion in the face of adversity. However, it’s the movies that truly define the genre.

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15 Brokeback Mountain (2006)

A Secret Relationship Between Two Shepherds

Brokeback Mountain is an iconic period title and a groundbreaking piece of LGBTQ+ representation in movies. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal both offer brilliant performances as the two cowboys, and the emergence of their love story during a trip together is groundbreaking. As the decades and the two try to move on from one another, marry women, and carry on with their lives, it’s hard not to be heartbroken for them. The complexity of their relationship in a Western backdrop is beautifully unique, and Brokeback Mountain will forever be a timeless classic.

14 Titanic (1997)

Society & Class Can't Stand In The Way Of Love

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Titanic

PG-13

Drama

Romance

10/10

27

8.9/10

Release Date

December 19, 1997

Runtime

3h 14m

Director

James Cameron

Cast

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  David Warner
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  Kathy Bates

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The Oscar-winning Titanic combines a true story and fiction to create a legendary tale of class divide and romance. Many are jealous of Jack and Rose’s blossoming love, but the film’s devastating end simply makes their relationship even more precious.

Titanic’s incredible special effects are also worth mentioning, and James Cameron’s skills are absolutely spectacular throughout. The contrast between the working class and the wealthy is an important theme in Titanic, but Jack and Rose’s whirlwind romance, which is free of judgment or expectations, is the true motivator of the film.

13 Pearl Harbor (2001)

A Love Triangle Like No Other

It’s not unusual for period romance films to focus on a love triangle, but Pearl Harbor stunningly tackles the topic. The war drama movie is set during the titular event, but despite being surrounded by death and destruction, the complicated relationship between best friends and first lieutenants Rafe and Danny and nurse Evelyn takes center stage. Even though Pearl Harbor isn’t the most historically accurate, it is praised for its beautiful visual effects and enthralling story about balancing feelings and duty, set during one of World War II’s worst attacks.

12 The Notebook (2004)

Letters From The Past

The Notebook is the ultimate example of enemies-to-lovers in movies. Noah and Allie’s turbulent relationship in the lead-up to World War II is extremely profound, especially considering that audiences already know what their future will look like.

The Notebook spans several decades as Noah and Allie grow older, and Noah recounts their story to the residents of their nursing home. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, as the younger versions of the characters in this cult classic, are absolutely astounding throughout and are the main reason why The Notebook continues to be one of the best movies ever.

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11 A Room With A View (1986)

A Holiday Romance

A Room with a View is one of Helena Bonham Carter’s best movies, and her breakthrough role as Lucy Honeychurch is an excellent example of her varied talents as an actress. Lucy’s difficulty in choosing between her fiancé in England and the handsome new vacationer she meets is a compelling narrative, but the picturesque cinematography throughout A Room with a View makes it even more romantic. A Room with a View also has an especially strong cast outside of Carter, including titans of the film industry like Maggie Smith and Daniel Day-Lewis.

10 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

A Martial Arts Love Story

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon looks at the ion between warriors Li and Yu in Qing Dynasty China. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is much more than a romance film, however, and it also has a focus on martial arts and swordsmanship.

Li and Yu’s romance isn’t all positive, though, but the conflict they face after losing the 400-year-old Green Destiny sword raises the stakes for them hugely. The movie is the recipient of an astonishing three Academy Award wins, which is no surprise, considering its action-packed sequences and profound and delicate scenes between the main characters.

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9 My Fair Lady (1964)

The Power Of A Makeover

Eight-time Oscar winner My Fair Lady stars one of the best musical movies of all time because of Alan Jay Lerner’s legendary soundtrack and well-planned song and dance numbers.

8 Little Women (2019)

Sibling Rivalry Standing In The Way Of Love

There have been several adaptations of Little Women, but Greta Gerwig’s 2019 version is the best. The film jumps across a non-linear narrative to show the lives of four sisters in the aftermath of the Civil War, and while romance isn’t the primary focus, it’s a big factor. Laurie and Amy’s interactions are often awkward, but they’re easy to invest in. One of the best scenes is Amy’s desperate monologue about her place in society, which doesn’t seem to be very romantic initially, but it highlights how she wants Laurie to love her for her, not because of Jo’s rejection.

7 Carol (2015)

Fighting Back Against The Times And Prejudice

Carol is a period romance film that differs from many other titles because of its focus on a relationship between two women. Set in the 1950s, Carol follows department store worker Therese and her affair with the titular character.

Carol and Therese’s feelings are controversial because of the film’s era and the fact that they’re homosexual, which makes the consequences of their actions even more risky, and that’s even before Carol’s custody battle is taken into . Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Carol is particularly notable, especially as it has resulted in one of her four Oscar nominations for Best Actress.

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6 The English Patient (1996)

The Memory Of Love Is Just As Good As The Real Thing

Anthony Minghella’s The English Patient is about Ralph Fiennes’ Laszlo Almásy and his struggle to his identity after his plane is shot down during World War II. The power of flashbacks is a crucial element in The English Patient, and as the enigmatic man starts to and share the intricate details of a long-forgotten love affair to his nurse, Hana, a sweet bond between the pair begins to form. The English Patient is the first film ever to win an Oscar for Best Editing, which makes sense, considering how powerful the story is.