Mainstream Viewer's Top 10 Romantic Films

1) Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Directed by: Marc Forster

Written by: Zach Helm

Starring: Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emma Thompson

Plot: An IRS auditor suddenly finds himself the subject of narration only he can hear: narration that begins to affect his entire life, from his work, to his love-interest, to his death.

What We Say: Undeniably original is one way to describe Stranger Than Fiction. Unbelievably likeable is another. It was a film than came out of nowhere. After so many slapstick comedies from Ferrell, who would have thought he could pull off a believable romantic lead? It’s his down to earth and average guy acting style that sells the movie and makes audiences fall in love with him. We love him, so in turn we feel what he feels. Instead of relying on Ferrell to provide the wackiness, he gets to play off of it. His everyday guy character then gets to use his special ability to his own benefit while we as the audience sit with glee. Don’t miss this incredibly inventive film.

2) 50 First Dates (2004)

Directed by: Peter Segal

Written by: George Wing

Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore

Plot: Henry Roth is a man afraid of commitment up until he meets the beautiful Lucy. They hit it off and Henry think he's finally found the girl of his dreams, until he discovers she has short-term memory loss and forgets him the very next day.

What We Say: Like the film above, 50 First Dates succeeds first because of its oddball concept and second because of its lead actor. Sandler, who has quietly becoming the king of romantic films, scores big with 50 First Dates. This sweet tale feels like no other as it explores love at first sight. Fantastically paced with equal parts humor and heart, Sandler has an eye for what works. It’s a celebration of unequivocal love and what is on the inside of a person that makes them special, even in the most difficult circumstances. To top it all off, 50 First Dates has an ending that is too good for words.

3) Moulin Rouge (2001)

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann

Written by: Baz Luhrmann

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor

Plot: A poet falls for a beautiful courtesan whom a jealous duke covets in this stylish musical, with music drawn from familiar 20th century sources.

What We Say: Moulin Rogue is a celebration of love. It embodies its essence and multiplies its effect. From its grand art style and fun modern day love song mash ups, to its playful acting and bittersweet love story, Moulin Rouge is one of a kind. It may not be for everyone mind you, as it requires audiences to leave their comfort zone and experience something they never have before. It’s a exciting film full of magical moments and wonderful wonderments. It’s for anyone that has known blissful love with someone they thought they couldn’t live without. Will we ever see a film like Moulin Rouge again? Don’t need to. It doesn’t get better than this.

4) The Notebook (2004)

Directed by: Nick Cassavetes

Written by: Nicholas Sparks (novel), Jan Sardi (adaptation)

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams

Plot: A poor and passionate young man falls in love with a rich young woman and gives her a sense of freedom. They soon are separated by their social differences.

What We Say: The current gold standard for mainstream romantic movies. The film does right what most mainstream love stories get wrong: it actually makes you feel something for the characters. Year after year audiences are subjected to lifeless romances that are so conventional that they don’t provide anything for the audience to get invested in or challenged by. If you are still someone that hasn’t seen The Notebook by now, take the time to do so. It’s a beautiful tale featuring two fantastic lead actors that hits its mark in all the right places.

5) Annie Hall (1977)

Directed by: Woody Allen

Written By: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman

Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton

Plot: Romantic adventures of neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer and his equally neurotic girlfriend Annie Hall. The film traces the course of their relationship from their first meeting, and serves as an interesting historical document about love in the 1970s.

What We Say: If there’s no better way to celebrate love than Woody Allen’s opus to relationships. Diane Keaton deservedly won an Academy Award for her performance and Allen for direction and writing. Notable too is that Annie Hall beat out Star Wars for Best Picture that year and rightfully so. Annie Hall is a crowning achievement. Allen had the pulse of the 70’s politics, drugs, East Coast/West Coast rivalry, religion, narcissism, and celebrity that still has relevance today. It’s a toss up which Woody Allen film is best. It usually comes down to Annie Hall verses Manhattan, but for mainstream audiences, Annie Hall is the way to go. Everyone needs to see Woody’s gift to cinema history.

6) Bounce (2000)

Directed by: Don Roos

Written by: Don Roos

Starring: Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow

Plot: A man switches plane tickets with another man who dies in that plane in a crash. The man falls in love with the deceased one's wife.

What We Say: Surprised? Few took notice of this film when it was released, as it seemed like another predictable studio love story. Yet, there are some scenes in it that are some of the most genuine heartfelt moments out of any film on this list. The scene where Paltrow and Affleck are on their first date and a girl comes out of the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to her shoe and Paltrow secretly removes it without the girl knowing, is incredibly sweet. It’s these little moments that make Bounce so special. Many have argued over the director’s choice to mute the scene where Paltrow’s characters finds out the truth about her husband connection with Affleck’s character. Since the audience already knows what happened, it’s the reaction the director wants us to focus on and the impeding pain she feels. There’s a lot more to the film than appears at first glance. Don’t overlook what Bounce has to offer.

7) The Apartment (1960)

Directed by: Bill Wilder

Written by: Bill Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond

Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine

Plot: A man tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.

What We Say:  The Apartment is a clever, perceptive and timelessly relevant story about everyday people and how they get tangled up in love, jealousy money and infidelity. It’s an adult comedy with great performances and the kind of depth hardly seen in today’s formulaic romantic comedies. This isn’t a tale of love at first sight. It’s about people concerned about getting what they think they want and can’t see what is right there in front of them. It’s filled with brilliant one-liners delivered by one of the best comedy actors of his period. The movie will make you feel good by the end and it’s impossible not to fall head over heels for.

8) Ghost Town (2008)

Directed by: David Koepp       

Written by: David Koepp, John Kamps

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear,

Plot: Bertram Pincus, is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts.

What We Say: Ghost Town is a fantastic straight up film that feels like it was made in the wrong decade. Not enough films are made these days that balance charm and good old fashion storytelling with strong down to earth acting. Ghost Town knows what it is and never tries to over do itself. It works within its own parameters to maximum effect. Funny, heartfelt and touching, it’s surprising how well put together this gem is. Its love story isn’t over the top or tries to be more than it is. It entertains with razor sharp precision.

9) Twilight (2008)

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke

Written by: Melissa Rosenberg (screenplay), Stephenie Meyer (novel)

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson

Plot: A teenage girl risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire.

What We Say: Twilight had a lot of hype going with it, as well as a large pre-existing fan base, but even people who knew nothing about it prior to seeing the movie, were equally enthralled. The movie is set in Washington, which was a perfect backdrop for the film. The mist, endless pine trees and wet, gray climate created dreary, but alluringly beautiful scenery, as well as generating a very distinct feel for the movie. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have undeniable chemistry and pull us into a very unique kind of romance. Their love of each other surpasses all other kinds, to a level where it’s no longer a ‘want,’ but an absolute need at whatever the cost. There’s a seemingly pre-destined quality about it, as if they instantly recognized each other and felt an innate need to love each other for forever, even against better judgment and perilous obstacles. At one point in the movie when it looks as though they might have to separate, the shear panic in Bella’s eyes says it all. Their addictive love is unconditional and instinctual and Pattinson and Stewart really bring it to life. The camera work is specific and creates an amazing menagerie of deliberate and thought out shots. Every frame of the movie envelops you in a world of hidden danger, subtle beauty and a pulling charisma, which is the essence of the story itself.

10) You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Directed by: Nora Ephron

Written by: Nora Ephron

Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan

Plot: Two business rivals hate each other at the office but fall in love over the internet.

What We Say: Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks make a great on screen couple and when we are denied it throughout much of You’ve Got Mail, we want it even more. There is something very charming about You’ve Got Mail. It’s the tale of big bookstore owner putting little bookstore owner out of business. They detest each other in the professional sense; yet fall for each other in the anonymity the internet provides. This cat and mouse love circle plays out with such joy for the audience we forget we’re watching a movie about people emailing each other. At the time of release, Ryan and Hanks were at the height of their popularity and moviegoers were dieing to see their favorite movie couple back on the big screen together and for good reason. Their onscreen chemistry feels so real it couldn’t be created from a script alone. They’re a couple that feels like you’re watching a real couple and therefore forget your watching a movie. You’ve Got Mail has aged well over the years and is good enough to make this list.

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These lists aren’t supposed to be the “be all, end all” designed for you by a higher authority. The specific rankings, to a degree, are arbitrary and subjective for everyone. The lists merely provide, in our opinion, a handful of films that hit their mark and satisfy you with a few hours of blissful entertainment. We try and supply you with films from different decades to different countries, from old classics to contemporary hits, and from ones forgotten to other more recent standouts. We find our picks to be the best of their breed and believe that you will enjoy them too.

Feel free to post your comments or suggestions on our Mainstream Viewer's Top 10 Romantic Films list below.

Check back soon for our Deeper Cuts #11-20.