Best Love Story Movies: Pick One for Your Mood

Maybe it’s a date night, a quiet solo evening, or a post-breakup watch. Whatever the situation, “best love story movie” means different things on different nights. This guide sorts the picks by feeling, then shows which ones are worth owning on disc.

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What “Best” Means for Love Story Movies

No single list settles it, because every list uses different voters and different rules. So the “best” film depends on who made the ranking.

Time Out asked more than 100 filmmakers, writers and actors to vote, and Brief Encounter (1945) came out on top [S2]. AFI’s 100 Years…100 Passions puts Casablanca (1942) first and Roman Holiday (1953) fourth [S3].

Why do critic lists disagree?

Here’s the catch: the criteria differ. AFI’s selection rules include English-language features with U.S. production elements, so it isn’t a worldwide ranking [S3]. Treat each list as one lens, not the final word.

Quick Picks by Mood

Start with the feeling you want tonight, then pick from the table.

Classic Love Stories That Still Hold Up

If you want the benchmark classics, start with Casablanca or Roman Holiday. Both sit near the top of AFI’s list [S3].

AFI’s romance guide also points to An Affair to Remember and Moonstruck [S4]. Together, these four make a solid classic-romance weekend.

Which classic should a first-timer watch first?

Go by list authority. Casablanca is AFI’s top-ranked title, so it’s the safest first step [S3]. If you’d rather begin with the film that topped Time Out’s poll, try Brief Encounter [S2].

Love Stories Where the Couple Doesn’t End Up Together

Yes, endings that hurt are a core part of the genre. AFI says 7 of the top 10 films on its list end with the couple apart [S3].

So if you want a lasting ache rather than a tidy bow, you’re in good company. These are the films people remember for how they feel afterward.

Falling in Love in One Night: Before Sunrise

Before Sunrise (1995) is a conversation-driven romance about two young people who spend one day together in Vienna [S5, S7]. It’s a good fit for early-romance glow.

It runs 101 minutes and is in English [S5]. That makes it easy to start on a weeknight.

Longing in Close Quarters: In the Mood for Love

In the Mood for Love (2000) suits viewers who like slow, restrained romance. Two neighbors in Hong Kong grow close after learning of their spouses’ affair [S6].

It runs 98 minutes [S6]. It’s a Cantonese-language film, so subtitle quality matters if you plan to buy a disc.

Realistic Couples and Long-Term Love: The Before Trilogy

The trilogy follows a first meeting, a reunion and the friction of long-term intimacy. The films are Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013) [S5].

Do you need to watch them in order?

Release order is the natural way to go, since the films follow one relationship across time [S5]. Watching in order lets each film land as a step in the story.

Which film suits a couple who have been together for years?

Start with Before Midnight, the third film, since the trilogy’s later chapters deal with the conflicts of long-term intimacy [S5]. If it clicks, go back to the first two.

Modern and Genre Picks: Rom-Coms, Period Pieces and Beyond

Good Housekeeping organizes its picks by genre, including rom-com and period romance, which helps if your mood is more specific than “love story” [S1].

For a recent title, Past Lives was a nominee for original screenplay at the 96th Academy Awards [S8]. Check a current listing for where to watch it, since availability varies by country.

Solo Night or Date Night: Does the Pick Change?

Yes. A solo watch can handle heavier endings, while a date night usually works better with something you can talk about afterward.

• Tone: glowing, restrained or bittersweet?
• Ending type: together, apart or open?
• Runtime: 98 and 101 minutes fit a weeknight [S5, S6].
• Subtitles: decide before the movie starts, not during.

Collector Editions Worth Considering

If a film becomes a favorite, Criterion offers director-approved restorations. The price below is what the U.S. site showed when checked; taxes, shipping and local pricing may differ.

Single film or the full trilogy?

If you love just one film, a single disc keeps things simple. If you already like the first, the 3-disc set covers the whole story and the extras in one purchase [S5].

Before You Buy: Playback, Subtitles and Availability

A quick check now saves a returned box later. Run through this list first:

• Confirm your player supports the disc’s region and format.
• Check subtitle support, especially for the Cantonese-language In the Mood for Love [S6].
• Note whether you’re buying a set or a single film [S5, S7].
• Add taxes and shipping to the listed U.S. price.
• Check streaming availability in your own country before buying.

FAQ

What is the best love story movie of all time?

It depends on the list. Time Out’s poll ranks Brief Encounter first [S2], while AFI’s U.S.-linked list ranks Casablanca first [S3].

Are sad love stories still worth watching?

Yes. AFI notes that 7 of its top 10 end with the couple apart, so bittersweet endings are central to the genre [S3].

Where should I start if I like classic romance?

Try Casablanca or Roman Holiday, then An Affair to Remember and Moonstruck [S3, S4].

Which love story suits a long-term couple?

The Before Trilogy, especially its later films, deals with the friction of long-term intimacy, so Before Midnight is a good conversation starter [S5].

Is the Before Trilogy worth owning?

If you expect to rewatch all three, the set is one purchase with restorations and extras [S5]. If you only want one film, a single disc may suit you better.

Do Criterion discs play everywhere?

Not necessarily. Playback depends on your region and player, so check compatibility before you order.

Your Next Step

Pick one mood from the table and watch that film this week. If you end up wanting to own it, check playback and subtitles first, then choose the edition.

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