Key Takeaways
- Remember classic '90s romances like "Titanic" and "Pretty Woman" for a nostalgic movie night full of emotion.
- Use the mix of comedic and dramatic love stories from the '90s to lift your spirits.
- Discover a wide range of storytelling, from misunderstandings in "While You Were Sleeping" to epic romances like "The Bodyguard."
Picture this: It’s a cold and dreary winter night. You’ve put on your coziest sweatpants or pajama bottoms and curled up on the couch with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. All you want to do is relax and escape—and what better way to do that than with a dramatic love story or adorable romantic comedy? Maybe you hit play on your go-to comfort movie that you’ve seen dozens of times, or perhaps you’re looking for a new-to-you treasure to get swept away in.
Though some may claim we’ve been in a bit of a romance desert lately, the rom-com does seem poised for a return; for example, Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s 2023 movie Anyone But You was a box-office success, and Netflix’s Nobody Wants This with Kristen Bell and Adam Brody proves there’s still a market for an "opposites attract" plot. But there’s no disputing it: The ‘90s were definitely the modern heyday of the genre. When you get the itch only a rom-com or love story can scratch, travel back a few decades and revisit these classic picks.
Here, we've rounded up 24 of our favorite ‘90s romance movies.
01 of 24
The Bodyguard
Courtesy of IMDB
Consider watching the film that brought us Whitney Houston’s iconic cover of “I Will Always Love You.” The Bodyguard is about a mega-famous singer who hires a bodyguard (Kevin Costner) and, as you may be able to guess, they quickly fall in love. While the movie is packed with plenty of thrilling action, it’s the compelling love story between Houston and Costner that will capture your heart.
02 of 24
Ghost
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Even if you haven’t seen Ghost, you’re probably familiar with the famous pottery scene between Demi Moore and her ghostly lover, played by Patrick Swayze. However, there’s a lot more to this film. Swayze plays Sam, a ghost who is trying to protect his girlfriend Molly from beyond the grave, and their connection is strong enough that it transcends the divide between the living and the dead.
03 of 24
While You Were Sleeping
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A classic tale of a simple misunderstanding that ultimately changes someone's life, Sandra Bullock’s While You Were Sleeping is about a woman named Lucy, who saves the life of Peter (played by Peter Gallagher) and becomes part of his family while he’s in a coma—only to find herself falling in love with his brother, not him. Who does she choose when he eventually wakes up? You’ll have to watch to find out.
04 of 24
You've Got Mail
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A Nora Ephron classic, this movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is a remake of The Shop Around the Corner, a 1940 film. The two play booksellers who are having a secret online flirtation, not knowing who the other is. Even though Hanks’s family megastore eventually puts Ryan’s charming kids bookshop out of business, you’ll still root for them to get together because that’s how adorable they are as a pair—and how good Ephron was as a director.
05 of 24
Pretty Woman
Courtesy of IMDB
Perhaps the ultimate rom-com, Pretty Woman is beyond iconic. The wardrobe. The shopping scene. The jewelry box prank. The “she saves him right back” closer. This 1990 movie, directed by Gerry Marshall, set the stage for so many great rom-coms to come in the decade and, of course, introduced us to the beloved pairing of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
06 of 24
Runway Bride
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Gere and Roberts teamed up again for this 1999 movie, essentially bookending the decade with hits. Roberts plays the titular runaway bride while Gere is the journalist who decides to figure out why she keeps ditching her partner at the altar—and ultimately falls for her in the process.
07 of 24
Notting Hill
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Yes, that is three Julia Roberts films in a row, but she’s the undisputed queen of the genre and released so many classics during the ‘90s. Notting Hill needs no introduction; it gave us the iconic “just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her” speech—and is always worth a watch.
08 of 24
Legends of the Fall
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Two words: Brad. Pitt. This Western drama-romance is about three brothers: Samuel, Alfred, and Tristan. When Samuel dies in the war, Alfred and Tristan both vie for the affections of his fiancée. Legends of the Fall’s vast, breathtaking Montana setting makes the story even more epic, and you really can’t beat Brad Pitt in the ‘90s.
09 of 24
10 Things I Hate About You
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The ‘90s wasn’t just a great time for romantic comedies; it was also the peak of the teen rom-com, so consider revisiting some of your old favorites. Many of them, including 10 Things I Hate About You, hold up surprisingly well. Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles have undeniable chemistry in this Shakespeare retelling, and it’s just as enchanting today as it was then.
10 of 24
The Wedding Singer
Courtesy of IMDB
Speaking of chemistry, Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler kicked off a long-running partnership starting with this 1998 movie set in the ‘80s. She’s a waitress in an unhappy relationship, and he’s a wedding singer who got ditched at the altar. Spoiler alert: They fall in love. As an added bonus, there are so many good jokes about the time period woven in, as well as a few fun cameos.
11 of 24
Emma
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Gwyneth Paltrow is absolutely perfect in the titular role of this delightful Jane Austen retelling. Paltrow plays Emma Woodhouse, who’s an aspiring matchmaker getting so caught up in her mission to make others fall in love that she forgets to let romance in for herself. If you love Clueless, you’ll love the original Cher: Emma.
12 of 24
Four Weddings and a Funeral
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You can’t have a ‘90s rom-com list without a few Hugh Grant movies. He, like Roberts, practically defined the genre. In this ‘94 favorite, Grant falls for Andie MacDowell’s American character Carrie. Despite the ocean between them, they keep bumping into each other at the titular weddings and funerals.
13 of 24
The Best Man
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In this 1999 classic, Taye Diggs plays a writer who uses his friend group for inspiration—without their knowledge. Of course, the drama is set to be revealed at one of their weddings, so Diggs’s character Harper has to try and clean up the mess and his own love life. The Best Man is also a story about early adulthood, coming of age, and how friendships evolve and change over time—with a romantic subplot, of course.
14 of 24
There's Something About Mary
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If you like your rom-coms with a side of quirky humor, this movie from the Farrelly brothers is your best bet. Ted, played by Ben Stiller, attempts to woo his high school crush Mary (Cameron Diaz), but it doesn’t totally go as planned.
15 of 24
The Cutting Edge
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A former hockey star is forced to share the ice with a rigid skater in this 1992 enemies-to-lovers film. The Olympics are on the line, so they have to learn to work together to find success in each of their respective sports. And along with their skates, sparks start to fly. The Cutting Edge is one of those “IYKYK” romantic comedies with a legion of dedicated, longtime fans.
16 of 24
Before Sunrise
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The first movie in the Before trilogy is so poignant and romantic that there's no denying its place on this list. (There’s a reason we still revisit Celeste and Jesse’s love story decades later.) Sometimes you’re in the right place at the wrong time, but your connection remains—despite the distance.
17 of 24
Waiting to Exhale
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Waiting to Exhale isn’t just a movie about romantic relationships; it’s also a love story about friendship. The foursome at the center, Gloria, Savannah, Bernadine, and Robin, navigate the ups and downs of affairs, divorce, and new love, but they stick by one another’s sides along the way, proving that, sometimes, the greatest loves of your life are your friends.
18 of 24
French Kiss
Courtesy of IMDB
There’s nothing better than an airplane meet-cute—unless your potential soulmate is a thief. Kate (Meg Ryan) is heading to Paris after a devastating betrayal and gets involved with her seatmate, Luc (Kevin Kline). She helps him smuggle a necklace, as they banter and fall in love along the way. Ahh, l’amour!
19 of 24
Fools Rush In
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Alex (Matthew Perry) thought he had a fun one-night stand with Isabel (Salma Hayek), but a few months later, she’s back in his life, and she’s pregnant with his baby. Despite their differences, the two marry and attempt to make it work, as well as try to figure out what they really want from life and love. Perry and Hayek have great chemistry, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them throughout the film.
20 of 24
It Could Happen to You
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What would you do if you and a stranger shared a winning lottery ticket—and a romantic connection? That’s the premise of this 1994 Bridget Fonda-Nicolas Cage movie; he’s a cop who tips his waitress by promising he’ll share the profits of his lottery ticket if he wins. As it turns out, it was a winner, and now the two are thrown together by fate.
21 of 24
Love Jones
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Sparks fly between Nina (Nina Long) and Darius (Larenz Tate) when they meet at a club. He’s a poet, and she’s a photographer. They meet, flirt, and fall in love—but then she decides to reconnect with her ex. Love Jones will make you consider the importance of timing in a relationship, and while it may not have the stereotypical “happily ever after” ending, it feels very true to real life love.
22 of 24
Sabrina
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This ‘90s remake of the 1954 Audrey Hepburn film is just as delightful; Julia Ormond plays Hepburn’s role of Sabrina, the chauffeur’s daughter all grown up and glamorous, and Harrison Ford and Greg Kinnear play the two wealthy brothers vying for her affection.
23 of 24
Titanic
Courtesy of IMDB
You didn’t think we’d make a list of ‘90s romance movies and not include Titanic, did you? Even if you’ve seen it a thousand times (guilty!), it’s hard not to get caught up in the epic story of Jack and Rose, and utterly impossible not to tear up at the end when they finally reunite.
24 of 24
Ever After
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Many movies are considered a “modern Cinderella story,” but 1998’s Ever After keeps her in her actual time period. In this adaptation, Cinderella is Danielle, and she passes time with Leonardo da Vinci, but the heart of the tale is the same. Watch it for the gorgeous costumes, enchanting story, and acting by Drew Barrymore.
