Who doesn’t love a good romance movie? Whether it’s an entertaining romantic comedy, a tear-jerking heartbreaker, or an ultimate cheese fest, we’re all suckers for a good love story. We love to learn how people find that extraordinary feeling we call love, and we love to engulf ourselves in these stories.
Not only do romance movies take us on the journey of their characters, but they also leave us with wise words, sometimes words we will never forget. We may often find ourselves watching these movies in search of some reason or meaning behind love.
From Nicholas Sparks’ heartbreaker The Notebook, to the current hit blockbuster The Fault in Our Stars, romance movies often have certain lines that truly resonate with viewers, and stick with them for the rest of their lives. Though they may be cheesy, sappy, or sometimes downright foolish, these words have a way of reaching viewers on an extremely personal level.
We have compiled a list of the top 10 romantic movie quotes. Whether you’re into timeless stories of star-crossed lovers, sappy love fests, or you’re the sarcastic romantic comedy type, there’s something here for everyone!
[ new page = Jerry Maquire ]
10. Jerry Maguire: “You had me at hello.”
What’s not to love about Jerry Maguire? It’s got comedy, drama, romance, and the hunk himself, Tom Cruise. Cruise plays an enthusiastic, young sports agent, named Jerry Maguire. He experiences a revelation about his life. In realizing the importance of the role he plays in the lives of the people around him. He changes his work tactic, but is unfortunately fired by his superiors.
Along his journey, he touches the lives of a professional football player and a single mother, played by Renee Zellweger, who falls madly in love with him. In one of the most famous romance scenes of all time, Jerry confesses his love to this woman. Stuttering, he nervously tells her he loves her, when she interrupts him with the famous line, “Shut up, just shut up. You had me at ‘hello.’ You had me at ‘hello.’”
[ new page = Notting Hill ]
9. Notting Hill: “After all… I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
In this 1999 romantic comedy, Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant bring viewers along for the ride of their unexpected love story. Roberts plays Anna, a famous movie star. Grant plays William, a shy Brit who runs a modest bookstore in London. After a charming meeting in the bookstore, romance blossoms between the two characters.
Toward the end of the movie, Anna realizes that her destiny is to be with William. In her confession of her love for him, she strikes a chill down the spines of audiences with the famous line, “After all… I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
[ New page = The Vow ]
8. The Vow: “I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love. And to always know in the deepest part of my soul that no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find our way back to each other.”
The 2012 romance The Vow is about a husband’s effort to win back his wife’s love after she loses her memory in a tragic car accident. Channing Tatum plays Leo, and Rachel McAdams plays Paige. Leo struggles to win Paige back, as her controlling parents encourage her to distance herself from Leo. We are all on Leo’s side, as he does everything he can to rekindle the passion with his wife.
During a spontaneous marriage scene in the beginning of the film, Channing’s character brings a tear to everyone’s eye with his marriage vows. He tells his soon-to-be wife, “I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love. And to always know in the deepest part of my soul that no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find our way back to each other.”
[ new page = Dirty Dancing ]
7. Dirty Dancing: “I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you.”
In this 1987 romantic drama, Jennifer Grey plays 17-year-old “Baby” Houseman, a teenage girl whose curiosity and current dissatisfaction with life draw her toward Patrick Swayze’s character Johnny Castle. Johnny is a dancer and worker at the resort Baby is staying at with her family. Baby is struck by Johnny’s handsome looks and his suave dance moves. When Jonny’s dance partner is unable to perform with him, Baby volunteers to step in and take her place. Not only does she learn the steps to a raunchy dance, she also falls madly in love with Johnny. Convinced that Johnny is not suitable for his daughter, Baby’s father does not tolerate her dancing, or her affection for Johnny.
Baby is unable to ignore her love for Johnny. When she comes to the realization that she needs him, she delivers the heart wrenching line, “I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you.”
[ new page = Sleepless in Seattle ]
6. Sleepless in Seattle: “Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic.”
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star in the 1957 romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle. The movie follows the life of Sam Baldwin (Hanks), who struggles to move on from the pain of his wife’s death. His son, Jonah, wants his dad to move on and marry again, for he longs for a mother figure in his life. Sam ends up pouring his heart out about his wife on a national radio talk show. Annie Reed (Ryan) hears his story, and immediately falls in love with Sam, despite the fact that she is already engaged to another man.
While Sam’s son is all for his dad meeting Annie, Sam is much more traditional, and does not have much interest in meeting this stranger. However, Sam finds himself captivated by a woman he has seen several times in Seattle.
In describing his love for his deceased wife, Sam hits the hearts of audiences. He says, “Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic.”
[ new page = When Harry Met Sally ]
5. When Harry Met Sally: “I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
When Harry Met Sally is a classic romantic comedy. Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the movie tells the story of the complicated web of emotions that exists between two friends, Harry and Sally. The two road trip from Chicago to New York together, revealing a lot about one another’s character. After going their separate ways after the road trip, they find themselves meeting several times later in life, and form a deep friendship.
They finally meet again at a New Year’s Eve party, and discuss the complex relationship they share. Harry opens his heart to Sally with his famous confession, “I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
[ new page = Pride and Prejudice ]
4. Pride and Prejudice: “If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”
Pride and Prejudice is a 2005 British romance based on the 1813 novel by Jane Austen. Keira Knightley plays Elizabeth Benne, and Matthew Macfadyen plays her romantic interest, Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth’s parents are in search of husbands for their beautiful daughters. They take the girls to a ball, to pursuit of suitable men for their girls. While Jane takes an immediate dislike to Mr. Darcy, she finds herself crossing paths with him frequently throughout the movie. She can’t seem to stop thinking about Mr. Darcy, and soon realizes her love for him.
Mr. Darcy opens his heart to Jane with his emotional line, “If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”
[ new page = A Walk to Remember ]
3. A Walk to Remember: “Jamie saved my life. She taught me everything. About life, hope and the long journey ahead. I'll always miss her. But our love is like the wind. I can't see it, but I can feel it.”
The 2002 romance A Walk to Remember tells the story of two 18-year-olds who unexpectedly fall head over heels in love with each other. Singer Mandy Moore plays Jamie Sullivan, the beautiful daughter of the town minister. Shane West plays Landon Carter, a popular boy whose character takes a complete 180 after he grows closer to Jamie.
As Landon develops strong feelings for Jamie, he learns a lot about the meaning of love and destiny. Jamie’s tragic illness ends up taking her life, and Landon discovers what life is really about. After her death, he tells viewers what he’s learned. He says, “Jamie saved my life. She taught me everything. About life, hope and the long journey ahead. I'll always miss her. But our love is like the wind. I can't see it, but I can feel it.”
[ new page = The Fault in Our Stars ]
2. The Fault in Our Stars: “As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
Based on John Green’s number one bestselling novel, the 2014 hit romantic tragedy The Fault in Our Stars tells the story of two teenagers who embark on an unforgettable journey together. Shailene Woodley plays Hazel, a 16-year-old girl struggling with cancer. She meets 17-year-old Augustus Waters, played by Ansel Elgort, at a cancer support group.
From the day Hazel and Augustus meet, the two are practically inseparable. As they grow closer and closer, Hazel reveals her passion to Augustus, a novel. Her and Augustus share the desire to find out how the novel ends. They embark on a trip to visit the author of the novel.
The two face unimaginable obstacles, as they are both terminally ill. Although they are tragically only able to share a brief amount of time together, that brief amount of time brought them both the deepest love they’ve ever known, and the greatest happiness they’ve ever known.
In describing her love for Augustus, Hazel says, “As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
[ new page = The Notebook ]
1. The Notebook: “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever”
The Notebook is most certainly one of the most famous romance movies of all time. Nicholas Sparks took audiences by storm with this beautifully tragic love story. The 2004 film tells the story of 17-year-olds Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams), and their endlessly passionate love for one another.
The two meet at a carnival when they are just teenagers, and quickly fall in love. Allie comes from quite a wealthy family, and they do not approve of her affair with Noah, a local boy who works in the lumberyard. They take Allie to New York, far away from Noah.
Years later, Allie meets handsome army man Lon Hammond, and eventually agrees to marry him. Her past constantly on her mind, Allie decides to visit Noah before she marries Lon. She quickly realizes that she cannot simply leave Noah in the past, because her love for him entirely consumers her present.
As Allie grows old and ill, Noah is at her side every second. They live in a nursing home together, and day in and day out, Noah reads her the story of their love, hoping to jog her memory. He describes their love in a famous ending scene, saying, “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever.”