Romance Movie Primer

With Valentine's Day in a couple of days, I thought this would be a good time to do part 2 of my genre primer series with a Romance Movie Primer. This was a bit tougher than the Action movie primer as I have not seen as many romance movies so I had to rely a lot more on research and general movie knowledge instead of basing it solely on what I have seen. I will confess that I have only seen 5/10 movies on this primer but just because I haven't seen it doesn't make it not an essential of the genre, it just means I don't care that much about the romance genre. With all that said, here is my Romance Movie Primer.

1. Gone with the Wind (1939)

Gone with the Wind was the first big romantic historical epic. It may not have aged super well in today's culture but it is still a classic of the genre and is widely viewed as the biggest movie ever made at the time. Adjusting for inflation, this movie is also the highest-grossing movie ever made bringing in over $4 billion in today's money. The movie is famous for its classic love triangle story, historical setting, and quotable lines such as "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn". Gone with the Wind is rated G.

2. Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca is another early film classic. This is another iconic war romantic drama and is widely viewed as a true classic film. This one takes place during WWII. This film is viewed by many film experts as essential viewing for any movie fan and is also credited as one of the best-made movies of all time. Casablanca explores conflicting ideas of love and sacrifice as the main character must choose between his love for a woman and helping her husband. The movie also has many memorable moments and lines such as "Here's looking at you, kid" and Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." The movie also has many themes that are still relevant today making it a timeless film. Casablanca is rated PG.

3. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Dirty Dancing is one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s. It is just a classic teen summer romance story. Patrick Swasey is one of the romantic icons of the 80s and was a major celebrity crush for many people during that time. The movie delivers many classic lines such as "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" and of course has the iconic Time of My Life dance number that is still referenced in pop culture today. The movie is also one of the first major films to institute the whole different lives romance with one character being brought up super conservative while the other is a "bad boy" type character. Many people still deem this one of the staple films of the 80s. Dirty Dancing is rated PG-13

4. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

When Harry Met Sally is another iconic late 80s romantic comedy. This is a film that mixes up the typical romantic formula as it keeps the 2 main characters apart for years as just friends and gradually builds to their relationship coming together. This movie features one of the most iconic lines in movies "I'll have what she is having". This is also one of the many films made by Nora Ephron who is a staple of romantic comedy writing. The movie stars Meg Ryan who is a mainstay of the romantic genre with this film being her launching pad into the genre. When Harry Met Sally is rated R.

5. Pretty Woman (1990)

Pretty Woman is my Julia Roberts representative on this list. Julia Roberts is one of the icons of the romantic movie genre as she has several iconic films such as Eat Pray Love, My Best Friend's Wedding, and Notting Hill. However, Pretty Woman is the film that got Julia Roberts to that next level of stardom. This is also the movie that got her nominated for an Oscar. The film itself is a classic of the romantic movie genre with a solid rags-to-riches-type story. The movie is also permanently paired with the classic song Pretty Women by Roy Orbison. Pretty Woman is rated R.

6. Titanic (1997)

Titanic is the highest-grossing romance movie of all time. Aside from being an iconic romance movie, it is also a staple in the disaster and historical movie genres. This was a movie that pretty much everyone saw when it came out in theaters and has several aspects to it that are still in discussion today such as if Rose could have made room for Jack on the wood. This movie also gives us the ever-prevalent song, My Heart Will Go One, that, even 20 years later, is still being used in memes and on TikTok. It was so big at the time, that to this day, it still remains the 4th highest-grossing movie of all time. Titanic is just one of those movies that is forever imprinted in the cultural zeitgeist. Titanic is rated PG-13

7. You've Got Mail (1998)

You've Got Mail is one of the definitive rom-coms during an era where rom-coms were coming out all the time. It also deserves a spot on the list as it is such a classic story that has been remade multiple times starting with the play Parfumerie, The Shop Around the Corner in 1940, and In the Good Old Summer Time in 1949. The movie features a staple couple of the 90's rom-com, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, who would also star together in Sleepless in Seattle and Joe Versus the Volcano. The movie is also a timeless story and aside from the 90s technology, could still work as a story today.

8. The Notebook (2004)

The Notebook is the movie everybody refers to when romantic movies are brought up so of course it had to be on the list. This movie is the epitome of the classic love story as it spells both love and tragedy in the same relationship. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams will forever be known for their roles in this film. The scene in the rain is one of the most iconic scenes in any romantic movie and is constantly parodied in other media. This is a movie that every couple has at least watched once and is the staple of the romantic genre.

9. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Brokeback Mountain was quite a groundbreaking film. It was one of the first films to feature a love story between two men. It may not seem like all that groundbreaking today but back in 2005 this type of romantic story was very uncommon. Brokeback Mountain was the movie that brought it to mainstream cinema and lay the groundwork for the LGBTQ romance sub-genre that exists today. Aside from laying groundwork, the movie also received much critical and awards acclaim and is widely viewed as being robbed of the Best Picture Oscar.

10. A Star is Born (2018)

A Star is Born is a once-in-a-generation kind of love story. Literally, there is a version of this film that comes out in every generation starting in 1937 and then releasing in 1954,1976, and finally 2018. It deserves its spot on this list because of its prevalence in culture over time with its many different versions. The movie features a classic tale of a man leading a young girl to fame and stardom. The movie also features the starring debut of Lady Gaga and got her nominated for an Oscar.