What makes a romance movie so great and easy to watch is the tropes that go into each film. Two strangers can fall in love any old way, but when there’s some type of problem, or they’re enemies at first, or there’s an unrequited deal, that makes the watch that much better. A trope that rules the screen is the age-old slow-burn romance that takes more than half the movie for the characters to realize they’re in love and do something about it.
While this trope is typically found in television shows with season-long flirtation of will-they-won’t-they romance teases in series like The Office, Psych, and The O.C., to name a few, it is popular in films as well. It can be found in a wide array of romances, from period pieces to contemporary set films. The audience experiences the pair falling for each other without it feeling rushed, and their relationship progresses naturally. These types of romance movies are undeniably infectious, and we wanted to celebrate them with a big list of some of the greatest.
‘People We Meet on Vacation’ (2026)
Two friends with vastly different personalities, Poppy Wright (Emily Bader) and Alex Nilsen (Tom Blyth), have kept in touch through annual plans to vacation together for over a decade. Yet a falling-out hinders their plans for two years, until the duo decides to make one last trip when Poppy invites Alex to a wedding in Barcelona. It is here they reflect on their past travels and slowly realize they have been harboring feelings for each other all these years.
People We Meet on Vacation received mixed reviews from fans; those who loved the book found the movie lacking. Still, for those who don’t care about the source material and just want to jump into an endearing love story where friends realize their feelings years later, it is utterly charming. The multiple locations also add an extra layer of romanticism to this one for those who fall in love with places as much as people. The great Netflix Original movie is an utterly charming slow-burn romance that will appeal to those with wanderlust.
‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989)
Slow-burn romances that last more than a decade are a delight to watch. And there’s few movies that nail the narrative as well as play with an enemies-to-lovers trope quite like When Harry Met Sally… does. The titular characters have been friends for years, but their male-female dynamic is intense and challenging. Harry believes men and women can never be just friends. Sex always gets in the way. Sally disagrees. When fate brings them back into each other’s lives, they grow and transform and eventually risk ruining their friendship by betting on the possibility of a relationship.
With a screenplay written by Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron and brought to life on screen under the careful and naturalistic direction of Reiner, When Harry Met Sally… was destined to become a classic. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are incredibly charming as Sally and Harry. From their first banter and their tiny disagreements to their simple routine hangouts and sensational fights, they prove that romance can bloom in places you’d never expect. The film also has a deft pacing that focuses on the entire slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they routine, building up to the memorable Christmas declaration.
‘The Remains of the Day’ (1993)
Set in the summer of 1958 in rural England, The Remains of the Day is a period drama based on the 1989 novel of the same name. Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson are subject to a slow-burn romance that builds between a butler named Stevens and housekeeper Miss Kenton, and their timeline spans from the ’30s to the ’60s. Thompson and Hopkins’ chemistry is great as they deal with their boss and his possible involvement in the Nazi Party.
Stevens and Miss Kenton are two stiff characters, but in the hands of Hopkins and Thompson, they reveal their repressed longing, subtle volumes, and elegant desires with such grace that it is hard to look away. The romance in this story is very sweet and quiet, as they’re both going through hard times in the war, and having to cater to a man whose values they don’t share. Playing out under the understated direction of James Ivory, The Remains of the Day finds profundity in routine.
‘Lost in Starlight’ (2025)
Nan‑young is a determined scientist who wants to honor her mother’s legacy by participating in a space mission. Before she heads off to space, however, she wants to fix an artifact from her childhood, a record player. Her mission leads her to musician and audio whiz Jay, who goes out of his way to fix the record player. The two slowly fall for each other, but Nan’s determination to go into space keeps her tentative about fully committing to her feelings.
The South Korean animated film Lost in Starlight received critical and fan acclaim upon its release on Netflix. Its lush visual direction, blending sci-fi and retro-nostalgia, created the perfect setting for a picturesque love to bloom between two opposites. While that initial spark between the two protagonists comes on pretty early, the movie takes a slow-burn approach, letting them realize the true depth of their feelings. Fans of sci-fi romance movies will especially appreciate the film’s aesthetic and space travel elements.
‘Me Before You’ (2016)
Fair warning: You should only watch this romance if you need to shed some tears and want to be absolutely devastated by the time the credits roll. Me Before You centers on Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a successful businessman who traveled the world, but is now confined to a motorized wheelchair after an accident. He’s determined to end his life in Switzerland, claiming that he doesn’t see much use for his life now. Before the appointment comes, a woman named Lou (Emilia Clarke) is hired as his new caretaker, and in the weeks they spend together before he passes, they quickly fall in love in a reserved manner.
Winner of the People’s Choice Awards in the category of Favorite Dramatic Movie, Me Before You is a fan favorite, and for good reason. Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin completely immerse themselves in their roles, showcasing the depth of their characters in every struggle and triumph. Clafin’s Will is a complicated and self-effacing one, so for him to learn how fully he can be loved and embrace each moment as a gift was a journey that came alive under Thea Sharrock’s direction quite brilliantly. Moreover, the dazzling backdrops, the build-up to the character arcs, and the moving finale all lead to an ending that is truly sad yet beautiful nonetheless.
‘Set It Up’ (2018)
Set it Up is one of the best modern rom-coms that has been made in the past ten years, and if you enjoy a romance that starts in the workplace and has a dash of an enemies-to-lovers vibe, then you have to check this one out. Talk about sizzling on-screen chemistry, and we have Harper and Charlie, two overworked assistants with bosses who are extremely anal and high-maintenance. Desperate to escape the routine, the duo decides to hook them up to make life easier. Of course, complications arise, and as the two struggle to keep the bit up, they start to fall for each other.
Glen Powell,inAnyone but You, stars alongside Zoey Deutch, and itis a modern romance movie that is set to become a classic. In the movie, the stars share a connection that sneakily steals the show from the primary romance, which is supposed to be one between their bosses. Overall,Set It Upis a breath of fresh air.
‘Emma’ (2020)
Set in 1800s England, Emma tells the story of the titular character, a spoiled, parentless girl who spends most of her time helping her friends fall in love. Despite her reputation, she’s remarkably and resolutely unattached to anyone herself. On the other hand, Mr. Knightley is helplessly in love with Emma and makes plenty of efforts to make it known, but it’s not until the end of the movie that the two are finally married and get their happily ever after.
Jane Austen has two adaptations of her work featured on this list, and while Emma has been done before in both a miniseries and a movie, the 2020 version has something truly special about it. This one brims with both adventure and romance as the characters develop. Staying true to the period, the movie features scenic locales and stunning costumes. And if you’ve seen Bridgerton, then you know the intensity of love felt during this time, especially when Simon told Daphne, “I burn for you.” In Emma, Mr. Knightley burns for Emma so brightly that it’ll make just about anyone blush.
‘Spellbound’ (2011)
Struggling street magician Ma Jo‑goo (Lee Min‑ki) finds inspiration in a gloomy observer in Kang Yeo‑ri (Son Ye‑jin) to use a horror/supernatural angle to help sell his show. Ma also ends up bringing Kang under his wing as an assistant, not realizing that she harbors a secret; since an accident when she was young, she has been haunted by ghosts. Kang, actually squeamish when it comes to anything scary, finds his blooming interest in Kang hindered by the horrors that follow her.
While Spellbound won’t rank among the best Korean Rom-Coms on aggregate sites like IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes, it fills a special niche in both slow-burning and its spooky edge. Every couple has one more squeamish member when it comes to horror movies, and Spellbound celebrates that special connection while interjecting supernatural elements alongside romance. Moreover, the movie is about overcoming differences, even within its fantastical premise, a theme many couples can relate to.
‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)
Who would have thought that one of the most classic love stories would be set against the backdrop of the rise of Nazi fascism? Indeed, it did with The Sound of Music, a tale that almost everyone knows, with Julia Andrews singing through fields of flowers and taking care of seven children. It takes place during World War II, and Maria (Andrews) is hired to care for Captain George Von Trapp’s children as his wife dies, and the kids need someone to look after them. Eventually, they face the hardest choice of all – one between loyalty, freedom, and following their hearts.
In The Sound of Music, Andrews is a beacon of hope and joy. She has this infectious spirit that breathes light into a period overshadowed by war. Paired with von Trapps, her beauty and legacy only fleshed out as more iconic than ever. The movie is a true slow burn, as the kids first fall in love with Maria, long before George even feels a lick of affection towards her. And when they finally do get together, it’s very sweet. Overall, it is an acclaimed, timeless, and gorgeous story about love.
‘While You Were Sleeping’ (1995)
Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman star in this drama/romance that centers around Lucy (Bullock), who works at a train station and is secretly in love with a passenger who takes the train every single day. One day, Peter (Petter Gallagahar) gets mugged and pushed onto the train tracks. Lucy rescues him and takes him to the hospital. It’s there that she meets his entire family and pretends to be Peter’s fiancée, as he’s in a coma, unable to speak for himself. As she continues to lie, Lucy grows close to Peter’s brother, Jack (Pullman), and over time, they fall for each other.
While You Were Sleeping has a magical, feel-good quality, partly because it’s set during Christmas, making it a great watch for the holiday season. Bullock and Pullman are, without a doubt, marvelous as Lucy and Jack. With one insecure and the other charming, the script leaves a lot of room for them to evolve through self-realization in unlikely circumstances. While You Were Sleeping is very humorous and clever, which is why it ranks among the most rewatchable romantic movies of all time.
Source link
Add Comment