It’s well known that the romance genre features many movies that have become iconic for their tragic stories and tear-jerker narratives. Often centering on unrequited love and the horror of couples being torn apart by circumstance, these films don’t have to feature death and loss to make the audience cry. There’s something just as emotionally resonant about seeing two people who were destined to be together slowly torn apart by the larger problems with the world that are out of their control.

While movies like The Notebook are well known for making audiences bawl their eyes out, some of these projects have flown under the radar but are just as tragic. Even when these films chronicle stories about faraway places and experiences that viewers can’t relate to, the emotional journeys of the characters are timeless, immersing the audience in the ups and downs of the plot. These movies are worth watching not only for the emotional reaction they spark but also because they’re visually stunning and are committed to portraying the complexity of their themes.

8

Legends Of The Fall (1994)

Directed by Edward Zwick

The star-studded cast of Legends of the Fall includes Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Julia Ormond, blending elements of the romance and Western genres. Legends of the Fall is a sweeping epic that chronicles decades of conflict and change in the United States in the 20th century. Full of explorations of familial ties and dynamics, Legends of the Fall sees hearts broken and mended as generations fall in love and sacrifice themselves for the causes they care about.

One of the best period romance movies ever made, Legends of the Fall is often overlooked when compared to more famous projects, but it’s just as memorable. The messy, twisting lives of the characters result in many tragic deaths and unrequited love stories that will rock the audience to their core. As the movie progresses, Legends of the Fall becomes more action-packed and unbelievable, making the viewers just as enraptured by the plot as they are devastated by the losses.

7

If Only (2004)

Directed by Gil Junger

The romantic fantasy drama If Only is all about second chances, as Ian (Paul Nicholls) gets to redo the day his girlfriend, Samantha (Jennifer Love Hewitt), dies. Beginning with the tragedy of Samantha’s death is a bold choice for If Only, but it soon becomes clear that Ian has the opportunity to relive this day and make different choices, learning not to take her for granted. Throughout this day, Ian and Samantha reconnect and have their bond reaffirmed.

Things are looking up by the end of If Only, as it’s a testament to appreciating the little things and putting the work into a relationship. Ian and Samantha learn a lot throughout the story, but the audience still has a knawing sense of anxiety that the day might end badly. We see that the balance of life and death can’t be avoided in If Only, even with divine intervention. However, there’s still something beautiful about using the time we have with the people we love to the fullest extent.

6

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

A young Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes star in Romeo + Juliet, an updated take on the classic play by William Shakespeare. Set in Los Angeles in the 1990s, Baz Luhrmann ups the story’s connection to the crime and thriller genres, making the love between the тιтle characters appear all the more doomed. Since the tale has been told so many times, it was critical that Romeo + Juliet distinguished itself from the other adaptations, and the explosive look and sound of the movie achieves this.

Like much of Luhrmann’s work, Romeo + Juliet is bombastic and over-the-top, but this makes the quiet moments when time stops and Romeo and Juliet fall in love unmissable. Even knowing how the story will unfold and the tragic end that these characters will face doesn’t make it easier when it happens. Though the film owes a lot to the timeless nature of the plot, Romeo + Juliet makes it feel new and doesn’t shy away from tugging on the audience’s heartstrings.

5

La La Land (2016)

Directed by Damien Chazelle

La La Land isn’t just a love story between people but also an exploration of the pᴀssion and love of art that drive people to dedicate their lives to it. The tale unfolds through the lens of the relationship between Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), who meet by chance in Los Angeles and soon balance their budding romance with their dreams of becoming an actress and musician. However, La La Land sees the characters realize that sometimes success and ambition come at the cost of personal dreams.

It’s unsurprising that Stone and Gosling have worked together many times throughout their careers, as their chemistry is undeniable, making Mia and Sebastian feel like a real couple you’re desperate to see end up together. The director, Damien Chazelle, has a clear love and respect for the classic movie musical and the city of LA, which is infused into the heart of La La Land. Anyone who has ever been in love or been driven by a foolish dream will be moved by the film.

4

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Directed by Barry Jenkins

Based on James Baldwin’s iconic novel of the same name, If Beale Street Could Talk tests its audience and characters with the sadness of the tale. However, even as the viewer will find themselves sobbing over the injustice that Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James) face, there’s a sliver of optimism hidden inside the film. Though the movie is a romance, it’s also in conversation with larger social and political issues, as the racism of the criminal justice system is what tears the couple apart.

If Beale Street Could Talk is a book you should read before seeing the movie, as this strengthens the connection the audience feels with Tish and Fonny. The director, Barry Jenkins, is also well-known for the heartwrenching project Moonlight, which touches upon similar themes. However, If Beale Street Could Talk focuses more deeply on the experience of being a couple who fight together against all odds. Tish and Fonny, and the love they share, pour out of the screen, immersing the viewer in the story.

3

The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg (1964)

Directed by Jacques Demy

There are few movies as visually perfect and perfectly heartbreaking as Jacques Demy’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg​​​​​​. The French original movie musical features performances from iconic stars like Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo. It’s almost entirely sung by the actors as it tells the story of Geneviève (Deneuve) and Guy (Castelnuovo), the star-crossed lovers. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a colorful explosion of sets and costumes, juxtaposing the tragedy of its tale.

The young lovers begin the story full of hope and excitement about their futures together, but they’re torn apart by the world and forced to choose lives out of practicality instead of pᴀssion. Throughout the story, you hope that something will bring the pair back together and stop Geneviève and Guy from drifting further from each other, but this never happens. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is well-remembered and highly regarded because it tells an emotionally real story in a magical package.

2

Atonement (2007)

Directed by Joe Wright

Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, Atonement is a stylish and atmospheric period romance drama that sucks the viewer into the narrative of Robbie (James McAvoy) and Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Set during World War II and in touch with the way war tears families and lovers apart, Atonement creates more obstacles for Robbie and Cecilia than the global conflict. Class and the difference in their families force the pair to keep their affections a secret, which ultimately leads to their undoing.

While the attempts of Robbie and Cecilia to find each other in the midst of chaos are sad enough, it’s the final twist of the story that crushes the viewer. The central performances from Knightley and McAvoy ground the scale of the plot in a sense of realism and immediacy, as we don’t doubt the gravity of their love for a second. It’s not always easy to witness the pain on display throughout Atonement, but getting to be part of Robbie and Cecilia’s lives feels worth it.

1

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Directed by Ang Lee

The chemistry between Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain only makes the tragedy of the movie more poignant as the story of Jack and Ennis unfolds. Tackling complex issues of the LGBTQ+ experience in the 1960s and ’70s, as well as how this fits into the rugged cowboy archetype popularized in the American West, Brokeback Mountain says a lot about the larger world through its intimate story. Though the sadness mounts as the film progresses, devastation and longing are woven into the DNA of the project.

Circumstances and the fear of hatred and prejudice keep Jack and Ennis apart throughout Brokeback Mountain, giving them only a few moments of their lives to express the depth of their love. Thanks to the beautiful direction by Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain feels sweeping and relevant, even within the confines of the stolen periods of life that Ennis and Jack share. Their romance is vivid and relatable, making it impossible to watch Brokeback Mountain without feeling their pain.