35 Best Romance Movies on Hulu That Hopeless Romantics Should Stream
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Whether you're looking for steamy relationships, '90s rom-coms, period dramas or swoonworthy smooches, you'll fall in love with these romance movies on Hulu
Love-filled romances to stream on Hulu
There’s nothing like love and romance on the silver (streaming) screen to ignite passion, fill your heart or comfort the soul. And lucky for us, streaming platforms abound, which means watching romance movies on Hulu has never been easier. Whether you’re revisiting the love stories among the best movies of all time, looking for a Valentine’s Day movie to stream or are desperately in need of a romantic comedy movie to lighten the mood, love-filled films are flourishing in both mainstream Hollywood and indie film circuits.
To help those wondering how to be romantic (or those planning what to watch once they’re home from the most romantic Valentine’s Day restaurants), we’ve compiled 35 of the best romantic movies available to watch on Hulu. From personal portraits, period pieces and laugh-out-loud comedies to dramas new and old, straight and queer, these films span a lot of things, but they have one thing in common: They’re filled with love and sure to warm the heart.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more entertainment, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Released: 2019
Rated: R
Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami
A young woman arrives at an island commissioned with painting the portrait of a reluctant fiancée-to-be. As both women spend hours staring at each other, of course, passionate feelings arise. Set in a bucolic seascape of 18th-century France, Portrait of a Lady on Fire depicts a world not without men’s influence but without a man’s influence. This sensuous period film was met with worldwide critical acclaim as one of the best drama movies of all time.
Fire Island
Released: 2022
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho
A modern-day twist on Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice, the titular getaway is an annual haven for five queer friends. In Fire Island, Yang is this version’s Lizzy Bennet, and his prejudice is directed at the white gay elite of the island, one of whom is attracted to his dear friend. This adaptation’s treatment of contemporary race and sex politics (and heartfelt ode to Fire Island) made it an instant hit.
Picture Perfect
Released: 1997
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jay Mohr, Kevin Bacon
In this classic ‘90s movie, Aniston stars as an advertising career woman confronted with the quandary of a woman trying to have it all. To convince her boss she leads a stable enough life and is ready for a promotion, she convinces a man she appeared in a photo with to pretend to be her fiancé. This romantic comedy is a Picture Perfect representation of its genre and one of the most classic romance movies on Hulu.
Psst! If you’ve ever watched The Vow, you’ll be interested in the true story that inspired it.
How to Be Single
Released: 2016
Rated: R
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Allison Brie
The mid-2010s rom-com How to Be Single follows a few women navigating love and dating apps in New York City. Featuring an ensemble cast of Hollywood stars, this film shows the opposite of what you should consider for romantic date ideas but balances its cynicism with laughs.
Trust
Released: 2021
Rated: NA
Starring: Victoria Justice, Matthew Daddario, Katherine McNamara
Following the marriage between high school sweethearts Brooke and Owen, Trust is told in a nonlinear narrative that gradually reveals many secrets and plots. Gallery owner Brooke balances advances from a visual artist (Lucien Laviscount from the Netflix TV show Emily in Paris) with growing suspicions that her husband is cheating on her.
Say Anything
Released: 1989
Rated: PG-13
Starring: John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney
Set in the summer after high school graduation, Say Anything follows the lingering clash of social circles as underachiever Lloyd (Cusack) develops a crush on valedictorian Diane (Skye). As they get to know each other, tensions between Diane and her father (Mahoney) jeopardize not only the relationship but Diane’s future. This film has endured as a classic movie in American cinema in part thanks to that infamous scene with Lloyd blasting “In Your Eyes” on a boom box outside Diane’s bedroom window.
Stars at Noon
Released: 2022
Rated: R
Starring: Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, Nick Romano
Adapted from the 1986 novel of the same name by Denis Johnson, this modern version of Stars at Noon is set in COVID-era Nicaragua, where an American journalist (Qualley) has her passport confiscated. She seduces an Englishman (Alwyn, who also appears in the Hulu TV show Conversations with Friends), whom she suspects is an intelligence agent and who might be able to help her. Of course, their tryst only puts her at greater risk. This romantic thriller won the prestigious Grand Prix award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
Love, Simon
Released: 2018
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner
Within the genre of high school rom-coms, not many feature queer protagonists. Love, Simon‘s titular character is a closeted gay teen having a tender email courtship with another boy. A classmate discovers the messages and blackmails Simon into helping a classmate win over one of his friends. The success of this film prompted the spinoff LGBTQ show Love, Victor, also on Hulu.
The Fabulous Filipino Brothers
Released: 2021
Rated: NA
Starring: Dante Basco, Liza Lapira, Dionysio Basco
Told in four vignettes, each following one of the four titular brothers, this diasporic love story travels from the Bay Area to the Philippines. The Fabulous Filipino Brothers is a raucous romantic comedy that draws from the life of director Dante Basco (who voiced Zuko on Avatar: The Last Airbender, a classic show on Netflix), who stars alongside his three real-life brothers.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Released: 2012
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller
Awkward high school freshman Charlie (Lerman) gets taken under the wing of upperclassmen Sam (Watson) and her stepbrother Patrick (Miller). Of course, as he comes into his own, he develops feelings for Sam. Filled with star actors from beginning to end, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was adapted from the cult-classic and frequently banned novel by Stephen Chbosky and acquired its own cult following in the early 2010s for its on-screen depiction of youthful nonconformity.
Just Friends
Released: 2018
Rated: NA
Starring: Jenny Arean, Tanja Jess, Majd Mardo
In this Dutch film, Yad is a Syrian refugee who finds work helping an elderly woman with household tasks. When Yad meets her grandson Joris, the two hit it off easily and become friends, despite their differences in race and class. But before it develops into something more, their mothers threaten to tear them apart. While these disagreements offer memorably stark love messages, Just Friends is loved for bringing simple, fun escapism to your streaming screens.
Crush
Released: 2022
Rated: TVMA
Starring: Rowan Blanchard, Auli’i Cravalho, Isabella Ferreira
In Crush, a 2022 high school rom-com, a young visual artist has trouble making work more personal. She joins the track team to explore a longtime crush but eventually develops feelings for someone else. The all-girl love triangle that emerges in one of the newest romance movies on Hulu has lovable, cringe-worthy moments and earnest chemistry to spare.
No Eres Tú, Soy Yo
Released: 2011
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Eugenio Derbez, Alejandra Barros, Martina García
When a surgeon’s wife leaves him for another man, he’s completely undone. And while you might think this is a breakup movie, it’s not. One of the comedy-focused romance movies on Hulu, it follows his trials and tribulations from old flames to new ones. No Eres Tú, Soy Yo happens to be one of the highest-grossing films ever in Mexican cinema and is beloved for both its earnestness and subtlety. Also, here are some more funny movies on Hulu to stream right now.
Premature
Released: 2019
Rated: R
Starring: Zora Howard, Joshua Boone, Michelle Wilson
Ayanna is a 17-year-old poet ready to go to college when she meets Isaiah, an older man. This contemporary drama movie follows their passionate summer fling as Ayanna comes of age. Set in a humid Harlem summer, Premature received acclaim for its tender performances and brilliantly written script.
After
Released: 2019
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Selma Blair
Tessa Young is a college freshman balancing her high school boyfriend and a newfound attraction to a brooding classmate. While After‘s treatment of abusive relationships and predictable plot have drawn criticism, its popularity among audiences has spurred an entire film franchise based on the original book series.
Elena Undone
Released: 2010
Rated: NA
Starring: Necar Zadegan, Traci Dinwiddie, Gary Weeks
Drawing loosely from writer-director Nicole Conn’s real-life romance with fellow filmmaker Marina Rice Bader, Elena Undone follows the affair between a pastor’s wife and an out-and-proud lesbian writer. As their secret relationship unfolds, its repercussions definitely don’t go unnoticed.
The Last Song
Released: 2010
Rated: PG
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Greg Kinnear
Wondering how to wish someone a Happy Valentine’s Day? A Nicholas Sparks movie might do the trick. In the legacy of The Notebook, The Last Song features many hallmarks of a Sparks adaptation. Miley Cyrus stars as Ronnie, a rebellious New York City teenager stuck in Georgia with her estranged father for the summer. There, she meets beach volleyball player Will, but is initially put off. This film is remembered for the pivotal performance from Cyrus, as well as for the off-screen relationship it ignited.
Anaïs in Love
Released: 2021
Rated: NA
Starring: Anaïs Demoustier, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Denis Podalydès
This French romantic-comedy centers around 30-year-old Anaïs, who falls in love with Daniel—as well as his wife Emilie. A light-touch romance with fast-talking young adults in a love triangle is a familiar setup, but the sharp balance of Anaïs in Love‘s dialogue makes for a hilarious film.
One Fine Day
Released: 1996
Rated: PG
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, George Clooney, Alex D. Linz
A divorced mother and divorced father both miss the school field trip and must watch their kids for the day. Add an accidental cell phone swap, and One Fine Day has all the requisite inconveniences of a perfect rom-com meet cute. Plus, this family-approved romance movie features magnetic performances from Pfeiffer and Clooney.
We Broke Up
Released: 2021
Rated: NA
Starring: Aya Cash, William Jackson Harper, Sarah Bolger
In We Broke Up, Cash and Harper play a recently broken-up couple who pretend to still be together for a wedding. Between the humorous hallmarks of a rom-com wedding are deeper questions about romantic relationships. Cash and Harper’s joint charisma holds the screen in this indie romance on Hulu.
A La Mala
Released: 2015
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Aislinn Derbez, Mauricio Ochmann, Aurora Papile
A down-on-her-luck actress has a side hustle helping other women test the faithfulness of their boyfriends in A La Mala. Of course, she develops deeper feelings for her latest target and problems arise. This Mexican romantic comedy has style and charisma to spare.
The Worst Person in the World
Released: 2021
Rated: R
Starring: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Herbert Nordrum
Over the course of four years, a young woman changes careers and begins an affair with an artist 15 years her senior in The Worst Person in the World. While the setup may seem familiar, this Norwegian film averts predictable tropes with its smart script and brilliant performance that received worldwide critical acclaim.
He’s Just Not That Into You
Released: 2009
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johannson, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin
One of the most star-studded romance movies on Hulu, He’s Just Not That Into You follows a loosely connected ensemble of Baltimore singles figuring out their love lives. They try to interpret each other’s mixed signals and, hopefully, find a connection. Across all the relationships portrayed, this box office smash has something for everyone.
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Released: 2022
Rated: R
Starring: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack, Isabella Laughland
Recently retired from teaching, Thompson’s character recalls the sexual experiences she hasn’t yet experienced. She meets with a sex worker in a hotel, and as they get to know each other over a few sessions, their emotional intimacy stirs new complications. Praised for its portrayal of empowered sexuality for older women, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is one of those romance movies on Hulu that proves awakenings can come at any age.
Amira & Sam
Released: 2015
Rated: NA
Starring: Martin Starr, Dina Shihabi, Paul Wesley
Amira & Sam follows the unexpected romance between an American veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and an undocumented Iraqi immigrant. While the film attempts to address many complex issues in pre-2008 New York City, what keeps it together is the earnest relationship between its stars.
Ammonite
Released: 2020
Rated: R
Starring: Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, Fiona Shaw
Kate Winslet stars as a poor fossil hunter charged with looking after Charlotte, the ill wife of a wealthy geologist. As they walk England’s southern coast together, chemistry develops. But can it last beyond Charlotte’s recovery? Ammonite‘s all-star cast and bucolic backdrop make for another excellent selection among the period sapphic romance movies on Hulu.
The Proposal
Released: 2009
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen
A classic in the pretend-lovers-to-actual-lovers genre, this rom-com stars Bullock as an executive in need of a visa who blackmails her assistant into marrying her. The Proposal became a box office hit that thrived for the chemistry of its two leads, as well as for its Betty White featured role.
Vacation Friends
Released: 2021
Rated: R
Starring: John Cena, Lil Rey Howery, Yvonne Orji
In Vacation Friends, two couples meet on a romantic getaway in Mexico, and after a hotel fiasco, they’re required to spend their vacation together. After they part ways and are back at home, the old pals turn up unannounced days before one couple’s wedding. This comedy of errors is led by a charismatic cast and offers some raunchy humor.
Mamma Mia!
Released: 2008
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth
Mamma Mia!, the Hollywood adaptation of the Broadway musical, has become a modern classic and is certainly considered one of the fan-favorite romance movies on Hulu. Accompanied by ABBA’s greatest hits (and Greece’s stunning islands as the backdrop), a young woman on the brink of her wedding tries to discover which of three men is her father. Like others in its genre, the star appeal of the ensemble cast is a major draw, inspiring a sequel released a decade after.
Together
Released: 2021
Rated: R
Starring: James McAvoy, Sharon Horgan, Samuel Logan
Written, filmed and set in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, this bottle film (set in a single location) shows a nameless couple re-evaluating their relationship while raising their son. By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Together captures lockdown uncannily. While this kind of realism may not be everyone’s taste, the sharp dialogue and compelling performances make for a charming film.
Naz & Maalik
Released: 2015
Rated: NA
Starring: Curtiss Cook Jr., Kerwin Johnson Jr., Annie Grier
Two Muslim teen boys hide their situationship in secluded alleys in Naz & Maalik. Other schemes bring their dalliances to the attention of the FBI, jeopardizing their safety and the true nature of their relationship. Praised for the leads’ mature performances as well as the gorgeous cinematography set in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, this indie film depicts complexities of a post-9/11 New York.
Tell It to the Bees
Released: 2018
Rated: TV-MA
Starring: Anna Paquin, Holliday Grainger
Tell It to the Bees follows a doctor and the mother of a patient exploring feelings for each other in rural 1950s Scotland. When the patient is invited to tell his secrets to the titular bees, his mother and the doctor develop secrets of their own. While the bee imagery and slow pacing may detract, watch for many a heartfelt yearning glance from the two leads.
Paris, 13th District
Released: 2021
Rated: R
Starring: Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba, Noémie Merlant
In Paris, 13th District, a Parisian woman reluctantly takes in a male roommate to keep up with rent. When they begin sleeping together, they agree to keep it casual, but inevitably, she develops feelings. Soon, her jealousy incites unexpected ramifications. After Portrait of a Lady on Fire, writer Céline Sciamma and actress Noémie Merlant collaborate again in this millennial story of young people just trying to get by.
Flower
Released: 2017
Rated: R
Starring: Zoey Deutch, Kathryn Hahn, Tim Heidecker
Deutch stars in Flower as a righteous and witty teenager who ensnares pedophilic men in a vigilante version of To Catch a Predator. She makes her next plan with the son of her mother’s new boyfriend, and unexpected feelings emerge. This dark comedy-drama confronts many difficult topics with questionable humor, but undeniable is the earnest performance of its star.
The Happiest Season
Released: 2020
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Dan Levy
Sure, Christmas is in December, but the best romantic Christmas movies are timeless. This more recent entry stars Stewart, who reluctantly agrees to go home with her girlfriend for the holidays, only to discover she has to keep their relationship a secret because her girlfriend isn’t out to her family. Every character in The Happiest Season provokes a laugh.
Originally Published: January 20, 2023
