10 Best Romantic Films on HBO Max

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004, directed by Michel Gondry)

How long is the film: 1 h and 48 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 8,5 / 10

Starring in the film: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo

Jim Carrey plays the introverted Joel, who survives a tumultuous relationship with the impulsive Clementine (Kate Winslet). However, Clementine wants to forget about him, so she undergoes an operation after which she has no memories of him. Joel misses her very much, so he does the same and they both lose their memories of each other. But can they really live without each other?

This drama is a fusion of the perfect screenplay by Charlie Kaufmann and the great direction of Michel Gondry, who perfectly understood the vision of the screenwriter. This created a funny and at the same time extremely emotional drama about love and relationships.

There are several hidden references and less clear scenes in the film, which give much more meaning at its end. So you will enjoy the film more with each new viewing. This is another in a series of dramatic films in which Jim Carrey has proven to be a great complex actor who can portray much more than crazy comedy characters.

2. Her (2013, directed by Spike Jonze)

How long is the film: 2 h and 6 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 8,5 / 10

Starring in the film: Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson (voice)

Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is having a difficult after breaking up with his beloved girlfriend (Rooney Mara). He reads on the Internet about an application that is a real being with feelings and thoughts. The sensitive Theodore thus gets to know Samantha (the beautiful voice of Scarlett Johansson) and despite the fact that Samantha does not have a physical form, they fall in love.

The film is a complex relationship drama that discusses the classic, but also quite unconventional problems of people who decide to fully open up to the other. Since the only contact between the main characters is through headphones, the screenwriters had to write top-notch dialogues.

Therefore, every conversation between Theo and Sam will captivate you. The ending is a bit overwhelming, but it reflects the cruel and painful reality that relationships often bring.

3. A Good Year (2006, directed by Ridley Scott)

How long is the film: 1 h and 58 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 8,5 / 10

Starring in the film: Russell Crowe and Marion Cottilard

Director Ridley Scott proved himself in a somewhat unconventional role when he made a romantic film set in the French Riviera. He is known for making mainly action movies, sci-fi and historical epics. A good year is a pleasant comedy from the feel-good genre, so the audience liked it despite the occasional cliché scenes.

This is mainly due to the organic dialogues, entertaining scenes and sympathetic, authentic characters performed by actors Russell Crow (Gladiator) and Marion Cottilard (The Dark Knight Rises), full of charisma and excellent chemistry.

A big plus of this picture is its "village" environment full of beautiful sunsets and sunny comfort in cafes. For all this and for one beautiful woman, the rich businessman (Russell Crowe) decides to exchange the stress of his current life for a smile on his face. A good year is a pleasant melancholic film that will put a smile on your face.

4. Gone with the Wind (1939, directed by Victor Fleming)

How long is the film: 3 h and 58 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 8,8 / 10

Starring in the film: Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh

Gone with the Wind is one of the greatest film classics and has repeatedly appeared in the charts of the best films of all time. It was shot in the late 1930s and the film immediately became a beloved hit. The film won 8 Oscars and, after inflation, it is also the most successful film in history. However, given the time in which it was created, you must take into account, that it also contains a racist undertone.

The story of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara is a work showing the possibilities of filmmaking at the time. The film depicts love, passion, fatality, violence, but you will also enjoy a great deal of humour.

What can be a problem for today's viewers, is that the film is almost four hours long. Nevertheless, we are convinced that every major film fan should see this picture.

5. You've Got Mail (1998, directed by Nora Ephron)

How long is the film: 1 h and 59 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 6,3 / 10

Starring in the film: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan

Another in a series of likable romantic films, which benefits mainly from its cast. Tom Hanks is simply a nice guy , and that's exactly what he portrays in this film. Her story is a bit unconventional and it is its originality that has allowed the creators to win the audience over with dialogues and build relationships between the main characters.

Plot focuses on Kathleen (Meg Ryan) and Joe (Tom Hanks). Both are bookstore owners who start corresponding anonymously over the Internet. Although they have partners, they are not completely happy with them. They grow to like each other more and more, but they have no idea that they are competitors and that they hate each other in their professional lives. How will their relationship develop when they meet and realize that they have to decide whether their love or hate is stronger?

6. Little Fish (2020, directed by Chad Hartigan)

How long is the film: 1 h and 41 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 7,4 / 10

Starring in the film: Jack O'Connell and Olivia Cooke

Little Fish is about Emma (Olivia Cooke) and Jude (Jack O'Connell). The film jumps in time and retrospectively presents us with the beginnings of their relationship. When the story shows scenes in the present, we watch their happy marriage, which, however, is disrupted by a new disease. Something reminiscent of Alzheimer's is beginning to spread around the world.

Anyone can get this disease and there is no cure for it yet. It causes a person to slowly forget parts of their life. At one point, everything is fine, and the next second, people have no idea who they are or what they are doing.

As Jude and Emma begin to notice the first signs in Jude, their relationship begins to face a huge challenge that negatively affects their mental health. They decide to try experimental treatment, but it is not at all certain that it will help. The film is extremely emotional - especially in scenes where two people in love find that one of them is starting to forget who the other is and why they loves them.

7. Atonement (2007, directed by Joe Wright)

How long is the film: 2 h and 3 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 7,5 / 10

Starring in the film: James McAvoy, Kate Knightley, Saoirse Ronan

The fantasy world of the twelve-year-old future writer Briona Tallis is the trigger for a series of tragic events that will forever change the fate of three people. When she falsely accuses the young gardener Robbie of raping her cousin, the young man ends up in prison and both him and her cousin, who loved Robbie, are ruined.

By the time Briona realizes what she's done, it's too late to make amends. A significant part of the film takes place during the Second World War, which has a great influence on the film's events.

8. Pride and Prejudice (2005, directed by Joe Wright)

How long is the film: 2 h and 8 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 7,7 / 10

Starring in the film: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Judi Dench, Rosamunde Pike

The five Bennet sisters remained under the influence of their mother and her desperate quest to find each husband for a long time. Only the confident Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) goes against her mother's ideas. When the elegant Mr. Darcy, who is interested in Elizabeth, appears on the scene,  big problems emerge within the family.

The 18th century story is a bestselling book that director Joe Wright brought to theaters with a great camerawork, likeable characters and a period atmosphere. This is a must for fans of romance and historical film. After Atonement, Wright proved that he can tell romantic stories very sensitively and that he can dig deep with his characters.

9. The Shape of Water (2017, directed by Guillermo del Toro)

How long is the film:  2 h and 3 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 8,4 / 10

Starring in the film: Doug Jones, Octavia Spencer, Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon

The Oscar-winning film from the director of Hellboy is an unconventional sci-fi / romantic film. At its center is a cleaner in a special research facility. She falls in love with a creature that scientists study in the laboratory.

Director del Toro does not focus on his origins, but rather on his feelings for the cleaner, who reciprocates. The Shape of Water is a story about strong love, which forces the characters in the film to make dangerous and risky decisions. The director was also able to create a thrilling atmosphere. The resolution of the story is not predictable at all, thanks to which the viewer will not be sure how it will end until they see the very end.

10. A Star is Born (2018, directed by Bradley Cooper)

How long is the film:  2 h and 15 min

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 8 / 10

Starring in the film: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliot

Actor Bradley Cooper's directorial debut was a success. The remake of the classic A Star is Born offered a slightly different story than in previous versions, but it was particularly well-directed and well-played.

The quality of singing and acting was very high in both actors. Proof of this is the song Shallows, which has become the world's biggest hit for a while.

The story shows a veteran musician who comes across a talented singer and decides to make her a star. They fall in love and soon find out that they can't handle psychological pressure that appears between their relationship and their singing careers. The film has strong ending and amazing musical moments.