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There’s nothing quite like getting swept up in the tale of two people falling in love. Whether it’s a charming, laugh-a-minute rom-com or a lush melodrama, the romance genre has something for every kind of film lover.
2026 has shaped up to be a strong year for romance enthusiasts, who are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to movies that have landed in theaters and what's coming down the pipeline. There’s a buzzy new take on Emily Brontë’s classic gothic novel Wuthering Heights, the very first adaptation of an Emily Henry novel, and an intriguing Robert Pattinson and Zendaya-led A24 joint. There’s even a BDSM “dom-com.” Below, we’ve rounded up the best romance films of 2026 so far, and what’s coming soon. (And if you’re looking for something to watch right now, check out our list of the best romance movies of 2025.)
The Best Romance Movies of 2026 So Far
'People We Meet on Vacation'
Release date: January 9
Starring: Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, Jameela Jamil, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Lukas Gage
Why it’s worth seeing: Over the past five years, Emily Henry has become a household name in the romance genre thanks to her witty, emotionally cogent storytelling. Now, one of her beloved novels, 2021’s People We Meet on Vacation, is finally headed to a Netflix account near you. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes star Tom Blyth and My Lady Jane’s Emily Bader play unlikely besties Alex and Poppy, whose friendship slowly grows into something more over their many travels together.
'Pillion'
Release date: February 6
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Harry Melling, Jake Shears, and Anthony Welsh
Why it’s worth seeing: Pillion has made a name for itself as a one-of-a-kind BDSM romance film. In filmmaker Harry Lighton’s directorial debut, dom daddy biker Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) recruits a timid British bloke named Colin (Harry Melling) as his submissive. What starts as a very specific arrangement soon takes a turn for the romantic as both men begin to come into their own.
'Wuthering Heights'
Release date: February 14
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Margot Robbie, Hong Chau, Ewan Mitchell, Alison Oliver, and Shazad Latif
Why it’s worth seeing: Between Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, Emerald Fennell has proven that her films are water-cooler conversation starters. This year, she took on Emily Brontë’s iconic gothic novel Wuthering Heights, with Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. Fennell faced controversy, with some fans accusing the director of whitewashing Heathcliff and oversexualizing the source material. Still, it's a feast for the eyes—and who can resist a score by Charli xcx?
'Reminders of Him'
Release date: March 13
Starring: Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, Rudy Pankow, and Lainey Wilson
Why it’s worth seeing: Over the past few years, several of the #BookTok phenomenon Colleen Hoover’s novels have received the big-screen treatment, such as It Ends With Us and Regretting You. That cinematic universe grew in 2026 with Reminders of Him. This tale of second chances opens as Kenna (Maika Monroe) is released from prison. Desperate to reconnect with her estranged young daughter despite objections, Kenna’s path toward redemption coincides with an unexpected romance with a local bar owner, Ledger (Tyriq Withers).
'The Drama'
Release date: April 3
Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Hailey Gates, and Sydney Lemmon
Why it’s worth seeing: Two of the internet’s celebrity crushes together in one movie? Say less. In The Drama, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson play a couple about to walk down the aisle when a stunning revelation makes them question their future together. Considering the film is helmed by Norwegian auteur Kristoffer Borgli and produced by Eddington filmmaker Ari Aster, expect the A24 to be filled with existential dread, in the best possible way.
'You, Me & Tuscany'
Release date: April 10
Starring: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Lorenzo de Moor, and Nia Vardalos
Why it’s worth seeing: Nearly three years after stealing audiences’ hearts as Princess Ariel, Halle Bailey is leading another romance film: You, Me & Tuscany. Set in the gloriously sunny Italian region of the same name, Bailey stars as a young woman who impulsively flies to stay at a stranger’s villa without permission. When the owner’s (Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page) mother catches her, she saves face by pretending they’re engaged. A white lie and beautiful vistas? That’s the stuff rom-coms are made of.
'Office Romance'
Release date: June 5
Starring: Brett Goldstein, Jennifer Lopez, Betty Gilpin, Amy Sedaris, Edward James Olmos, and Jackie Sandler
Why it's worth seeing: J-Lo is back in her rom-com bag. The multi-hyphenate plays a workaholic office employee who becomes entangled in a not-safe-for-work romance. Ol Parker’s Netflix film co-stars Brett Goldstein as her love interest—and the Ted Lasso alum certainly hasn't kept his IRL crush on Jenny From the Block a secret. So, yes, you can assume their chemistry is palpable.
'Voicemails for Isabelle'
Release date: June 19
Starring: Zoey Deutch, Nick Robinson, Ciara Bravo, Iris Everly, Alice Comer, Harry Shum Jr., Lukas Gage, and Nick Offerman
Why it's worth seeing: This film from Leah McKendrick will make you cry—and reignite your Tumblr era crush on Nick Robinson. The heartthrob stars as a man on the receiving end of voicemails left by a young woman (Zoey Deutch), who continues to call her late sister's phone number amid her grief. Well-written, sincere, and an equally powerful story of sisterhood and loss, it feels like the rom-coms you grew up on and miss.
'The Invite'
Release date: June 26
Starring: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton
Why it's worth seeing: After making a splash at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Olivia Wilde’s latest film arrived in theaters this summer to spark juicy conversation between your couple friends. Wilde and Seth Rogen star in The Invite as Joe and Angela, a struggling couple who reluctantly agree to host a dinner party for their neighbors (Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton). Soon enough, it swings into a completely different direction, if you catch my drift.
'Heartstopper: Forever'
Release date: July 17
Starring: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Jenny Walser, and Rhea Norwood
Why it’s worth seeing: The sweet queer teens at the heart of Heartstopper returned for one last adventure. In place of a fourth season, Heartstopper: Forever brings Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie’s (Joe Locke) stories to a close. Based on the sixth and final installment of Alice Oseman’s web comic of the same name, expect to see Nick and Charlie dealing with long-distance after Nick goes to university. Will they truly last forever? We’ll have to tune in to find out, but expect plenty of tear-inducing moments and cartoon leaves in the process.
Romance Movies Coming Soon in 2026
'One Night Only'
Release date: August 7
Cast: Monica Barbaro, Callum Turner, Maya Hawke, Julia Fox, Molly Ringwald, and King Princess
Why it’s worth seeing: Okay, so, this movie has come to be known as the summer blockbuster that's like The Purge except premarital sex for single people. And while that may sound silly or at least logically questionable, it seems to be the latest unconventional rom-com with bite that's bound to charm us. It'll follow rising stars Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner running through the streets of N.Y.C. and likely flirting with each other (and maybe even doing the deed!) over the course of one night. What else could you want?
'Finding Emily'
Release date: August 28
Starring: Angourie Rice, Spike Fearn, Minnie Driver, Ella Maisy Purvis, and Yali Topol Margalith
Why it’s worth seeing: This wholesome British comedy feels like a callback to quirky rom-coms of yesteryear. When an indie musician (Spike Fearn) fails to give his number to his dream girl (Yali Topol Margalith) in a bit of a mix-up, he asks a psychology student (Angourie Rice) to help find her. Hailing from the team behind Love Actually, this one looks like it's full of laughs and heart—and we'd bet the soundtrack is one to remember.
'Practical Magic 2'
Release date: September 18
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, Joey King, Xolo Maridueña, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, and Solly McLeod
Why it’s worth seeing: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are getting into more cozy, magical shenanigans as the Owens sisters at the heart of Practical Magic. Although details about the long-awaited sequel are scarce, seeing these two iconic actresses cast spells on moviegoers in sleepy New England sounds like the perfect way to kick off spooky season. Fingers crossed for more midnight margaritas.
'The Love Hypothesis'
Release date: September 23 on Prime Video
Starring: Lili Reinhart, Tom Bateman, Rachel Marsh, Jaboukie Young-White, Nicholas Duvernay, and Arty Froushan
Why it’s worth seeing: If you're at all tapped into #BookTok, you know that an Ali Hazelwood novel is worth swooning over (and brings the spice!). This marks the first adaptation of one of her STEM-romance books, and it's a fake-dating story that'll have you giddy, kicking your feet. Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman play two scientists who pretend to date to test their theories...and, inevitably, their relationship.
'Sense and Sensibility'
Release date: October 16
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Frank Dillane, Herbert Nordrum, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, George MacKay, and Fiona Shaw
Why it’s worth seeing: There's a reason Jane Austen's works have been adapted to the screen so many times—both faithfully and remixed, contemporary versions. Her romances and stories of class are timeless—and few can compare to the power of her pen. This year sees a new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, her first-ever novel about the Dashwood sisters who must relocate to a small property on the grounds of a distant relative's estate amid financial ruin. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet previously starred in a beloved 1995 rendition, so we're looking forward to Daisy Edgar-Jones and rising star Esmé Creed-Miles taking the reins.
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