15 of the Most Romantic Movie Moments of All Time
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Sometimes life gets in the way of romance, even in the happiest and most stable of relationships. The flush and flutters of new love give way to the familiarity and comfort of being with someone for years. Between the kids, house, job, and endless errands, it can be easy to feel like there isn't a whole lot of space for big swoony declarations of love or uncontrollable outbursts of passion. We like the comfort of long-term love, but sometimes it is fun to have a little shot of drama and romance in our lives as well.
Enter the magic of movies! Sometimes just watching a romantic movie with a partner can be a good way to be reminded of all the butterflies and excitement that might be missing in the day-to-day of real life. We’ve rounded up 15 of the most romantic movie moments of all time. We’ve got kissing in the rain, passion, and George Clooney at peak George Clooney. Consider this a guide to finding the right movie to get in the romantic mood for Valentine's Day and beyond.
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Kissing in the Rain in 'The Notebook'
The Notebook is one of the all-time great romances (we still cry at the end, every time!) and this scene is such a turning point in the movie. It makes an effective argument for trying to get some smooching in the rain started. There is a reason this scene won an MTV Movie Award for best kiss back in 2005.
The Truth Is Revealed in 'You've Got Mail'
You've Got Mail is one of our all-time favorite romantic comedies. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are perfect in it, and it is so moving when she finally discovers that he's been her mystery man all along. The romance of the big reveal and their first kiss is awfully hard to beat.
Bewitched in 'Pride and Prejudice'
Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy is one of the enduring romantic leads in a story and the film version of Pride and Prejudice makes it very clear to see why. When he finally confesses his love and tells Elizabeth that she has "bewitched me, body and soul," how can we not swoon?
Grown-Up Love in 'Love & Basketball'
Love & Basketball follows the love and, yes, basketball careers of Monica and Quincy from childhood through life after college. Although there is a big and dramatic moment at the end when their feelings for each other are finally revealed, we think the real romance is in the final scene when we see Monica has gotten her dream of playing professional basketball and has a cheering section that includes her now husband and their baby.
She gets everything she wanted and has a hot man cheering for her and putting her career first? Yes, please! That is some real grown-up love and romance in our book.
Reunited in 'The Princess Bride'
The moment in The Princess Bride when Buttercup finally realizes that Wesley is still alive is also when Wesley realizes that she never stopped loving him. It is sweet and moving and one of the reasons this movie is still such a classic for romantics of all ages.
Happily Ever After in 'Notting Hill'
One of the classic tropes of romance novels is the mad dash at the end so one of the characters can finally make a declaration of love. Notting Hill does this so well, and it is hard to beat the power of a Julia Roberts grin when her character finally shows up.
We also love that the movie shows us that she is able to keep acting but also enjoy a quieter life with her bookselling man. We're suckers for women getting to have all the things they want.
The Hot Tub Scene in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'
Ah, young love. It's pretty hard to beat the butterflies and excitement of the first time someone falls in love and the first time they feel real passion. We can kind of relive those heady days when we watch the steamy (literally!) hot tub scene from To All the Boys I've Love Before where Laura Jean finally lets her guard down a little bit and gets frisky with the charming and adorable Peter.
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The Boombox Serenade in 'Say Anything'
The Peter Gabriel song "In Your Eyes" was release almost 40 years ago, and it still holds up as one of the all-time most romantic songs. That song is part of what makes the boombox serenade scene in the 1989 film Say Anything such a classic and romantic moment.
'Jerry Maguire' and the Power of Hello
Jerry Maguire might be the peak Tom Cruise movie, in terms of him as a romantic leading man. The scene when he finally declares his love for Renee Zellweger's Dorothy character (in front of a room full of her friends) is so romantic that it makes us tear up a little.
Doomed Love in 'Titanic'
We all knew going into watching Titanic that it wasn't likely to have a happy ending for most of the characters, but we still couldn't resist the romance between Jack and Rose. The scene in the car was sexy as heck, but there is real romance in the moment he starts helping her become more freed from the restraints of being a proper lady and starts trusting him, which she does in this classic scene.
Peak Jude Law in 'The Holiday'
Is there a way that a scene of a shirtless Jude Law in bed with the gorgeous Cameron Diaz isn't going to be romantic? We love this scene from The Holiday because, duh, shirtless Jude being peak Jude Law. But we also love that they are having a real conversation about their feelings and fears and hopes for their relationship, and that is what real romance sometimes looks like.
Wordless Romance in 'Up'
Oh goodness, does anyone else remember seeing Up for the first time and being a blubbery, crying mess after the montage of Carl and Ellie's life together? Who knew that an animated movie for kids could capture something so real about the romance of falling in love, making a life with, and then losing a partner? It is tender and romantic and sad, and, oh no, are we about to cry again?
'Dirty Dancing' Is a Classic for a Reason
For moms of a certain age, Dirty Dancing was the slumber party movie of our tween and teen years. A lot of us could relate to the feeling of being an awkward girl who gets a crush on a hot guy who seems out of our league, so it feels so romantic when she finally gets the guy and starts being confident enough with him to have this sexy private dance lesson.
The Plane Scene in 'The Wedding Singer'
We might not have predicted before watching The Wedding Singer that we'd totally buy into Adam Sandler as a romantic lead, but the chemistry between him and Drew Barrymore is terrific. The scene when he makes his bold declaration of love (a classic rom com moment) on a plane with a song he wrote is sweet and silly and perfect.
What If in 'Out of Sight'
Out of Sight features Jennifer Lopez as a federal marshal on the trail of George Clooney's escaped convict character. Their cat-and-mouse game is filled with tension, and it all comes to a boil during this subtle but deeply sexy scene. We promised peak George and this is it!