Looking for a romance to get lost in? There are a lot to be found on Stan. Whether you’re after a good cry or something to give you that warm, fuzzy feeling, here are the best picks of the bunch…
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)
Watch on StanIf the title didn’t give it away, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging is a very funny British teen rom-com. It’s simultaneously painfully real and ridiculously over-the-top, following main character Georgia Nicolson as he embarks on her quest to throw an epic birthday party and kiss teen rock god Robbie (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson with an extremely 2000s haircut).
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Watch on StanOne of the most well-loved rom-coms of all time, Bridget Jones’s Diary is a modern take on Pride and Prejudice, with Colin Firth reviving his dreamiest Darcy self, Hugh Grant shining as a charming rogue, and Renee Zellweger pulling the whole thing together with her comedic timing and mostly passable British accent. If you don’t swoon at, “I like you very much, just as you are” then what are you even doing watching romance?
Carol (2015)
Watch on StanSet in the 1950s, Carol tells the story of a young photographer and her affair with an older woman who is going through a divorce. Starring Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, Carol is based on the semi-autobiographical novel The Price of Salt (later re-released as Carol) by Patricia Highsmith. From direction and performances to cinematography and costumes, it’s a beautiful movie all around.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Watch on StanOne of the most iconic romances of all time, Dirty Dancing is the ultimate comfort viewing: funny, escapist, and just a bit sexy. The chemistry between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in the lead roles of Baby and Johnny is electric, despite (or maybe because of) the fact they reportedly hated each other. And all the dancing is just so fun.
The Duff (2015)
Watch on StanThe Duff is not without its problems, but there’s something about it that makes it compulsively rewatchable. That something is most likely Mae Whitman, who plays Bianca, an outsider who makes a deal with her next door neighbour Wesley (Robbie Amell) to get help with nabbing the boy of her dreams in exchange for tutoring. It goes exactly how you expect, which is rather comforting.
Emma (1996)
Watch on StanThis 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel is not the best version of Emma, but it makes for light and pretty viewing. While Gwyenth Paltrow is just fine as Emma, Jeremy Northam is positively dreamy as Mr Knightley and Toni Collette is hilarious as the clumsy, poor Harriet. Juliet Stevenson and Alan Cummings as the snobbish Eltons are also highlights.
Ghost (1990)
Watch on StanPatrick Swayze and Demi Moore are wonderful as a young couple separated by his untimely death, but brought back together in spirit thanks to medium Oda Mae Brown, played by a show-stealing Whoopi Goldberg. Thanks to THAT Unchained Melody scene, this movie saw enrollment in pottery classes rise by 570% (this is a totally made-up fact, but it sounds right, doesn’t it?).
Holding the Man (2015)
Watch on StanHolding the Man was directed by Neil Armfield and adapted from Timothy Conigrave’s 1995 memoir, as well as the play by Tommy Murphy based on it. It tells the love story of Tim and John, who meet in high school and are together for 15 years, during which they both test positive for HIV. Ryan Corr and Craig Stott offer memorable, heart-wrenching performances in the lead roles.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Watch on StanA must-watch at Christmastime but good at any point in the year, Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is a bit messy and overly sentimental in places, but has a great big heart that’s hard to resist even over 70 years later. The love story between George Bailey (James Stewart) and Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) has given us some of the most iconic scenes in the romance canon, most especially George’s offer to “lasso the moon” for Mary.
Jersey Girl (2004)
Watch on StanRemember Bennifer, the circus that was Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship in the ‘00s? It put a lot of people off this movie (in which the two played a married couple), especially after the disaster that was their earlier movie Gigli. But this is actually a really sweet story of a widower (that’s right—J.Lo isn’t in the movie for long) raising his daughter and learning to love all over again.
Just Like Heaven (2005)
Watch on StanWhat’s a guy to do when he moves into an apartment that is haunted by the ghost of the still-alive-but-perpetually-unconscious former occupant? Fall in love with her, of course. You wouldn’t think a movie where the lead spends the bulk of it in a coma would be a rollicking good time, but thanks to the charm of Reese Witherspoon and her love interest Mark Ruffalo, Just Like Heaven is exactly that.
Love Actually (2003)
Watch on StanRichard Curtis’ ode to love and Christmas is divisive, with many haters—but even more fans. While some parts of the film haven’t aged well, it’s hard not to smile (and occasionally cry) as the interconnected love stories of a group of Londoners unfold. It features one of the most iconic British casts of all time—with Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Liam Neeson and even Mr Bean (aka Rowan Atkinson).
Practical Magic (1998)
Watch on StanThe most important love story in this movie is that between sisters (and actual magical witches) Sally and Gillian, played by icons Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. But the romance for Sally’s character isn’t also really lovely, if a little weird, arriving in the form of a spellbound cop Aidan Quinn (after Sally suffers an earlier, devastating heartbreak thanks to a family curse).
Pretty in Pink (1986)
Watch on StanWhat better way to escape the current world than by diving into a John Hughes classic? Set to an iconic soundtrack, Pretty in Pink is a love triangle between poor girl Andie (Molly Ringwald), her best friend Duckie (Jon Cryer) and rich boy Blane (Andrew McCarthy). It’s one of better Brat Pack movies, and is worth watching (or rewatching) purely for the lip synching scene if nothing else.
She’s the Man
Watch on StanAmanda Bynes is at her comedic best in this modern take on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, in which Bynes plays a high school soccer star who disguises herself as her twin brother in order to compete in a boy’s tournament. Along the way she falls in love with Duke, played by Channing Tatum in one of his first movie roles.
She’s All That (1999)
Watch on StanNostalgia makes for great comfort viewing, especially when teen rom-coms are involved. She’s All That stars a ‘90s dream cast of Rachael Leigh Cook, Freddie Prinze Jr, Paul Walker, Matthew Lillard, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Anna Paquin, and Usher. It’s a modern Pygmalion story with the perfect teen movie soundtrack and a memorable dance scene to boot.
Sliding Doors (1998)
Watch on StanGwyneth Paltrow plays two parts — well, the same part in two different timelines. In one, her character, Helen, discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her after being fired from her job. In another, she misses her train, and subsequently doesn’t learn her boyfriend is cheating. It’s an interesting — and emotional — exploration of the way small things can have huge consequences, with John Hannah providing a hilarious and charming love interest.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Watch on StanWhile the premise of Slumdog Millionaire—based on the book Q&A by Vikas Swarup—is that of a young Indian man being accused of cheating on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, it’s actually a deeply romantic story. Main character Jamal, played by Dev Patel, will do anything for the love of his life, Latika (Freida Pinto). It’s the ultimate feel-good movie.
Step Up (2006)
Watch on StanThe chemistry between Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan was so great in this dance-romance extravaganza, they wound up getting married in real life. And sure, they’ve since separated, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy their characters falling in love (and really sexily dancing) over and over again forever.
Suddenly 30 (2004)
Watch on StanAlso known as 13 Going on 30, Jennifer Garner is delightful in this fizzy rom-com as a teenager who wakes up in the body of her 30-year-old self and discovers she’s living her dream life, but has not become her dream person. Mark Ruffalo is at his most endearing as her childhood best friend-turned-love interest.
The Wedding Singer (1998)
Watch on StanThis affectionate satire of the 80s (made when the decade was surprisingly close to the present, in hindsight) is perhaps Adam Sandler’s best movie, and certainly his best pairing with Drew Barrymore (they’ve done three movies together in total). Here the duo play Robbie, the titular wedding singer who has just been dumped, and Julia, a waitress who is engaged to the wrong man. What better way to heal their hearts than with one another? The movie gets bonus points for the alarmingly sweet song Robbie sings at the end that has since become a staple at actual, real-life weddings.
This guide is regularly updated to reflect changes in Stan’s catalogue. For a list of capsule reviews that have been removed from this page because they are no longer available on the platform, visit here.
