Love is timeless, and so are my opinions—these are the best romance films from each decade in my expert opinion as a rom-com connoisseur
1940s – Casablanca
If all’s fair in love and war, Casablanca proves that sometimes, love loses. This movie is old Hollywood at its finest with Bogart and Bergman delivering masterclasses in longing, reminding you that they’ll “always have Paris.”
1950s – Roman Holiday
There’s something undeniably magical about Roman Holiday, captured in Vespa rides, gelato stops and the iconic background of the city. However, it’s the chemistry between Hepburn and Peck that cements this movie as one of the classics.
1960s – West Side Story
If falling in love within five minutes was an Olympic sport, Tony and Maria would take gold. But it’s the music that really gets me—Maria, Tonight, Somewhere—each song better than the last. Absolute emotional carnage.
1970s – The Way We Were
Some love stories aren’t meant to last, but that doesn’t make them any less powerful. The Way We Were proves that sometimes love isn’t always enough—and Streisand’s heartbreaking “Your girl is lovely, Hubbell” never fails to bring tears.
1980s – The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is one of my all time favorites—equally hilarious and romantic, and the most quoted film in my house. Inigo and Fezzik may steal the show, but Westley and Buttercup’s love story remains at the heart of the story.
1990s – Romeo and Juliet
The 1990’s were a golden age for romance films, and Romeo and Juliet is the best of the best proving that even 400 years later, no one quite writes doomed romance like Shakespeare.
2000s – Bridget Jones’ Diary
Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you—Bridget Jones is my icon: clumsy, wine-fueled, and constantly embarrassing herself. A perfect film, made even better in the climax scene by Hugh Grant and Colin Firth brawling to “It’s Raining Men.”
2010s – About Time
“I just try to live every day as if it were the full final day of my ordinary, extraordinary life.” About Time isn’t just about love—it’s about cherishing the ordinary. Bill Nighy’s charmingly awkward role as Tim’s dad only further cements this as my favourite film.
2020s – Emma
I’ve always been a lover of period dramas and Anya Taylor Joy’s Emma packs all the charm in 120 minutes of beautiful dresses, dancing and Mr Knighley’s endearing awkwardness and profession of “if I loved you less I might be able to talk about it more.”
“BE061377” by Sabatu is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.