10 Best Romantic Movies Based on Books

These movies brought the magic, romance, and butterflies from well-loved novels like Pride & Prejudice to life on the silver screen.

Star-crossed lovers, electrifying chemistry, and charged moments are something that books and movies have in common. Some of the most dizzying romance movies have been adapted from books to the delight of readers who can see their beloved couples come to life on the silver screen. These couples reinforce the power of undying love with their angst-filled but satisfying happy endings.

From Jane Austen's classics to contemporary romances like Red, White and Royal Blue, romance novels have provided fodder for riveting cinema for centuries. For book readers who want to see the magic and romance from page to screen, these romance movies are the best to curl up with and feel all the butterflies.

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10. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Jane Austen's classic has been adapted numerous times, but Joe Wright's Pride & Prejudice adaptation is considered one of the best romances of all time. Starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth and Matthew MacFadyen as Darcy, this adaptation gave audiences a number of heart-stopping moments, like their simmering chemistry, passionate dances, and the well-loved proposal in the rain (which Elizabeth rejected, refreshingly.)

Pride & Prejudice famously stripped down the frills of the Regency era, honing in on the core emotion between the two protagonists and their love story. Their dislike and eventual love were built up consistently, leading to the most satisfying payoff when they both looked beyond what they were taught for each other.

9. To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

Jenny Han has been a stalwart of young adult fiction and love stories, but the Netflix adaptation of To All the Boys I've Loved Before skyrocketed her enchanting novels to fame. Peter Kavinsky and Lara Jean Covey's high school romance was utterly adorable, birthing the "Internet Boyfriend" phenomenon. The focus on Korean culture, along with the heartwarming romance, made this movie special.

Peter and Lara Jean embodied the fake dating trope, taking the audience on a tender journey of adolescent love and self-discovery with them. This movie was so impactful that it redefined the teen genre.

8. Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

The newest book-to-screen romance adaptation, Red, White & Royal Blue, followed the sparkling romance between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the first son of the United States, and Prince Henry, second in line to inherit the British throne. While the two men who started as enemies did not doubt their eventual feelings for one another, their places in the public eye prevented them from committing to each other fully.

Henry had the weight of generational traumas and the monarchy thrust upon him, which almost torpedoed Alex and his relationship. The movie captured the steaminess, warmth, and belonging between the leading pair, satisfying audiences completely. Even the supporting characters of Red, White & Royal Blue were interesting and well-developed.

7. The Notebook (2004)

Noah Calhoun and Allison "Allie" Hamilton's legendary story in The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks came to life in an equally engrossing 2004 adaptation. Played by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, Noah and Allie's relationship spanned decades, beginning with their meet-cute at the carnival in 1940, where sparks flew.

Unfortunately, external forces (Allie's parents) were at play, compelling the young lovebirds to part ways and never see each other again. However, their feelings for each other came rushing back right before Allie married someone else. Emotional and heart-wrenching, their love was beautiful and continued in sickness and health. Noah and Allie also had the best chemistry as a couple in the movies.

6. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Helen Fielding penned Bridget Jones's Diary as a reinterpretation of Pride & Prejudice, but the romantic comedy managed to be absolutely authentic in its own way. Adapted to the silver screen in 2001, the titular character was played by Renée Zellweger, who captured the eccentricities and quirks of the 32-year-old spinster trying to find love. Things changed drastically when Bridget was pursued by not one but two gentlemen.

Her affair with Daniel Cleaver was short-lived but a necessary stepping stone towards her ultimate pairing with the gruff Mark Darcy, who actually had a heart of gold. Bridget brought her own flavor to this love story, which was never cloying or cliched but original and electrifying.

5. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

Based on the novel of the same name by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society tells a sweet story about London-based author Juliet Ashton, who gets a letter from Dawsey, a resident of the German-occupied island of Guernsey. Their correspondence deepened, and Juliet took off to the island in the aftermath of World War II.

The attraction between Dawsey and Juliet was evident, but the big hurdle in their romance was that she was engaged already. Interwoven with the gravity of the Guernsey residents and their past, the two managed to find love in a delightful way in the historical romance.

4. Emma (2020)

Emma is another Jane Austen novel with a few book-to-screen adaptations, but this Anya Taylor-Joy leading film was the most engaging. Emma followed wealthy and alluring Emma Woodhouse, who lived with her father. With nothing better to do, she started matchmaking for her friends and family, ultimately taking young Harriet under her wing as a project. Her intentions were always pure, but the outcomes never worked out how they should have.

Within her own machinations, Emma realized that she had been in love with Mr. Knightley, her sister's husband's brother, all along. In an instance of typical Austenian feminism, Mr. Knightley moved in with Emma and her father to assuage her fears of leaving the aging patriarch alone.

3. P.S. I Love You (2007)

Cecilia Ahern's P.S. I Love You came to life on the screen with Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler playing Holly and her deceased husband Gerry, respectively. Knowing his wife, Gerry prepared a series of letters and surprises for her so that she could cope with his loss, but more importantly, move on with her life and find new love.

Gerry appeared in flashbacks and voiceovers, but viewers got to see their delightful love story from start to end. Despite their tragic romance, P.S. I Love You managed to endear the audience even to Holly's new journey with William. There was enough love to go around for everyone.

2. Little Women (2019)

Louisa May Alcott wove her magnum opus, Little Women, with familial love as well as romances, which reflected masterfully in the Greta Gerwig-directed movie. Primarily the story of the four sisters and their life with their family, the varied love stories of Meg, Jo, and Amy also played an important role in the tale, especially Jo and Amy's interest in Laurie.

Sisterly love, social standing, and community played a huge role in the final outcomes of every sister (except Beth) and her love story. Amy and Laurie found love in second chances, Jo fell for Professor Bhaer after overcoming her hesitations, and Meg understood how important love was more than riches in her marriage.

1. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Kevin Kwan's eponymous novel about Asian opulence and fantastical lifestyles came to life in the 2018 movie by Jon M. Chu. However, underlying the indulgence was the heart of the movie: the relationship between Rachel and Nick, which is tested when Rachel finds out just how wealthy Nick is when they attend his best friend's wedding in Singapore.

Crazy Rich Asians subverted the genre by describing obstacles to love that weren't the usual. Here, social status, American upbringing, and family matters almost destroyed Rachel and Nick's almost-perfect relationship. This was why it was even more vindicating when Nick still chose to be with Rachel, and she managed to earn his stubborn mother's respect to get her happy ending.