If you’re a fan of romantic dramas like To the Wonder, you’re in for a treat. This genre beautifully explores the complexities of human relationships and emotions, often leaving a lasting impression on the audience. Here are 15 movies that capture the essence of romantic drama.
1. Blue Valentine
Blue Valentine stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams as a couple navigating the highs and lows of their relationship. The film juxtaposes their romantic beginnings with their troubled present, creating a poignant narrative about love and loss.
2. Before Sunrise
In Before Sunrise, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy play two strangers who meet on a train and decide to spend a night together in Vienna. The film delves into deep conversations and fleeting moments, making it a beautiful exploration of connection and intimacy.
3. The Tree of Life
Starring Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and Sean Penn, The Tree of Life is a visually stunning film that explores themes of family, memory, and the meaning of life. Directed by Terrence Malick, it shares a similar contemplative tone to To the Wonder.
4. Her
Her features Joaquin Phoenix as a lonely writer who falls in love with an artificial intelligence, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. The film is a unique take on modern relationships and the nature of love in the digital age.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a film about a couple who undergo a procedure to erase memories of each other. The movie explores the pain and beauty of love, and the lengths we go to forget or remember it.
6. Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as two Americans in Tokyo who form an unlikely bond. The film beautifully captures the feeling of loneliness and the comfort of finding a kindred spirit in an unexpected place.
7. A Ghost Story
In A Ghost Story, Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara star in a hauntingly beautiful film about love and loss. The story follows a recently deceased man who returns as a ghost to watch over his grieving wife, exploring themes of time and memory.
8. Like Crazy
Like Crazy features Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin as a couple struggling with the challenges of a long-distance relationship. The film captures the intensity and fragility of young love, making it a heartfelt romantic drama.
9. The Light Between Oceans
Starring Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender, The Light Between Oceans tells the story of a couple who find a baby adrift at sea and decide to raise her as their own. The film explores themes of love, loss, and moral dilemmas.
10. Call Me by Your Name
Call Me by Your Name stars Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer in a coming-of-age story set in Italy. The film beautifully portrays a summer romance between a young man and his father’s research assistant, capturing the essence of first love.
11. The Spectacular Now
In The Spectacular Now, Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley play high school students who form an unexpected bond. The film explores themes of self-discovery and the impact of relationships on personal growth.
12. The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars features Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort as teenagers who fall in love while battling cancer. The film is a touching exploration of love, loss, and the preciousness of life.
13. Brooklyn
Brooklyn stars Saoirse Ronan as a young Irish immigrant navigating life in 1950s New York. The film beautifully captures the challenges and triumphs of starting anew and finding love in a foreign land.
14. Carol
In Carol, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara star in a romantic drama set in the 1950s. The film tells the story of an aspiring photographer and an older woman who fall in love, challenging societal norms and personal boundaries.
15. Atonement
Based on Ian McEwan’s novel, Atonement stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. The film follows a young couple whose love is torn apart by a lie, spanning decades and exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the power of storytelling.
