Best Romance Movies In Netflix: The Forgotten Classics Worth Rewatching

Last Updated: Written by Ana Luiza Ribeiro Costa
best romance movies in netflix the forgotten classics worth rewatching
best romance movies in netflix the forgotten classics worth rewatching
Table of Contents

Best Romance Movies on Netflix: The Complete 2026 Guide

The best romance movies on Netflix right now include To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Purple Hearts, People We Meet on Vacation (released January 9, 2026), Set It Up, and The Kissing Booth. These films span teen rom-coms, military dramas, and friends-to-lovers stories, with audience scores ranging from 7.0/10 on IMDb to massive streaming viewership numbers.

Top 10 Romance Movies Streaming on Netflix in 2026

Based on critical ratings, audience scores, and Netflix viewership data compiled through May 2026, here are the definitive top picks for romantic content on the platform.

best romance movies in netflix the forgotten classics worth rewatching
best romance movies in netflix the forgotten classics worth rewatching
Rank Movie Title Release Year IMDb Rating Rotten Tomatoes Genre
1 To All the Boys I've Loved Before 2018 7.0/10 78% Teen Rom-Com
2 Set It Up 2018 6.5/10 90% Workplace Rom-Com
3 People We Meet on Vacation 2026 7.0/10 N/A (New) Friends-to-Lovers
4 Purple Hearts 2022 6.7/10 33% Military Drama
5 The Kissing Booth 2018 5.8/10 15% Teen Rom-Com
6 Fifty Shades of Grey 2015 4.2/10 25% Adult Romance
7 Pride & Prejudice (2005) 2005 7.8/10 86% Period Romance
8 Someone Great 2019 6.3/10 77% Breakup Drama
9 Our Little Secret 2024 6.1/10 N/A Holiday Rom-Com
10 The Lost Daughter 2021 6.7/10 92% Psychological Drama

Why Number 3 (People We Meet on Vacation) Is Your Hidden Gem

People We Meet on Vacation, released exclusively on Netflix on January 9, 2026, is the standout surprise that most viewers haven't discovered yet. This adaptation of Emily Henry's bestselling 2021 novel follows best friends Poppy and Alex, who take annual vacations together for a decade before questioning whether their bond is something more.

The film stars Emily Bader as the free-spirited Poppy and Tom Blyth as the organized Alex, capturing a will-they-won't-they dynamic that resonates with One Day fans. Despite receiving mixed critical reviews calling it a "Netflix original movie misfire," it maintains a solid 7.0/10 IMDb rating from early viewers.

Netflix Romance Movies Coming in 2026

Netflix is aggressively expanding its romance catalog with three high-profile originals scheduled for release between June and July 2026.

  1. Office Romance - Release date: June 5, 2026; Directed by Ol Parker; Written by Brett Goldstein and Joe Kelly
  2. Voicemails for Isabelle - Release date: June 19, 2026
  3. Heartstopper Forever - Release date: July 17, 2026; Directed by Wash Westmoreland

Additional notable mentions include In a Holidaze, Guarding Stars, Saturn Return, and Why Did I Get Married Again.

Classic Romance Films Still Available

For viewers seeking timeless period romance, the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice remained on Netflix through May 2025, celebrating its 20th anniversary with a theatrical re-release before returning to streaming. This Joe Wright-directed film starring Keira Knightley holds an 86% Tomatometer score and 7.8/10 IMDb rating.

The Lost Daughter, Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut starring Olivia Colman, offers a darker psychological drama approach to romance and motherhood, with a 92% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film premiered on Netflix on December 31, 2021, after a limited theatrical run.

Teen Romance Favorites

The To All the Boys trilogy remains Netflix's most successful teen romance franchise, with To All the Boys: Always and Forever concluding the series by capturing the bittersweet transition from youthful infatuation to adult love. The original 2018 film stars Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, adapting Jenny Han's New York Times bestselling novel.

The Kissing Booth, despite its 15% Rotten Tomatoes score, became a cultural phenomenon among teen audiences, starring Joey King and Jacob Elordi. The film follows high school student Elle as she confronts her secret crush at a spring carnival kissing booth.

Workplace and Modern Rom-Coms

Set It Up stands out as Netflix's critically acclaimed workplace rom-com, with a 90% Tomatometer score starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell. Two overworked assistants in New York City devise a plan to set up their demanding bosses on dates to reduce their workload.

Someone Great redefines romance by illustrating how healing is part of loving someone deeply, featuring Kerry Washington in a career-defining role. This modern breakup story infuses friendship and self-discovery themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Choose Based on Your Mood

  • For tear-jerker drama: Purple Hearts or The Lost Daughter
  • For light-hearted fun: Set It Up or Our Little Secret
  • For teen nostalgia: To All the Boys I've Loved Before or The Kissing Booth
  • For period elegance: Pride & Prejudice
  • For friends-to-lovers: People We Meet on Vacation

Netflix's romance catalog continues evolving with global phenomenons and local favorites arriving weekly, ensuring you'll never run out of love stories to discover.

Everything you need to know about Best Romance Movies In Netflix The Forgotten Classics Worth Rewatching

What is the best romance movie on Netflix right now?

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is widely considered the best romance movie on Netflix, combining a 7.0/10 IMDb rating with 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and massive franchise popularity.

Are there new romance movies coming to Netflix in 2026?

Yes, three major romance films arrive between June and July 2026: Office Romance (June 5), Voicemails for Isabelle (June 19), and Heartstopper Forever (July 17).

What romance movie has the highest critical rating on Netflix?

The Lost Daughter holds the highest critical score at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, followed by Set It Up at 90% and Pride & Prejudice at 86%.

Is Purple Hearts worth watching despite low critic scores?

Yes-while Purple Hearts has only 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, viewers have been "emotionally wrecked" in the best way, with the film topping Netflix's film rankings upon its July 28, 2022 release.

What is the hidden romance gem most people haven't seen?

People We Meet on Vacation (released January 9, 2026) is the standout unknown title, with critics calling it "seriously sizzling" with a "perfect cast" that One Day fans shouldn't miss.

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Curriculum Designer

Ana Luiza Ribeiro Costa

Ana Luiza Ribeiro Costa is a curriculum designer and consultant with 14 years specializing in Marist pedagogy integration. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Assessment from Fundação Getulio Vargas and a graduate certificate in Catholic Education Leadership.

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