Let’s be real for a second—2025 was a lot. While the rest of the internet was busy spiraling over the Stranger Things Season 5 release date or trying to mentally prepare for the emotional damage of the Stranger Things Season 5 ending, I was doing something arguably more important: sinking into my couch with a glass of wine to find the best love stories of the year.
I’ve spent the last 12 months diligently streaming my way through Netflix’s entire US catalog. To be honest, it was a busy year. I counted well over 18 respectable romantic feature films released between January and December! Because that’s a bit too much for one weekend (even for me), I’ve filtered out the flops to bring you the definitive list of the Top 10 Best Romantic Movies of 2025.
Side note: If you prefer aliens over soulmates, you might want to switch lanes to my ranking of the 10 Best Netflix Sci-Fi Movies of 2025 instead. But if you’re here for the romance, stay put.
Whether you want a good cry, a cheesy laugh, or a ticket to Italy, here are the ones actually worth your time.
Table of Contents
1. La Dolce Villa
The Vibe: Under the Tuscan Sun meets a dad-joke comedy.
Release Month: February 2025
My Honest Review: This was hands down the most charming release of the year. It stars Scott Foley as a protective dad trying to stop his daughter from blowing her savings on a crumbling Italian villa, only to fall for the town—and a local woman—himself. Is it predictable? Absolutely. But the scenery is so gorgeous you can practically smell the basil through the screen. It avoids the cringey “mid-life crisis” tropes for something sweeter. It’s warm, low-stakes comfort food for the soul—a stark contrast to the intense Land of Sin ending that stressed us all out earlier this year.
Who Should Watch: Anyone who fantasizes about quitting their job to renovate a house in Europe.
2. The Life List
The Vibe: A glossy, tear-jerking journey of self-discovery.
Release Month: March 2025
My Honest Review: Sofia Carson returns to the genre she dominates, but this one hits harder than Purple Hearts. Based on the novel, the plot follows a woman whose mother passes away but leaves her a “life list” of goals she wrote as a teenager. I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes initially, but by the third act, I was a mess. It’s polished, emotional, and genuinely inspiring. If you missed this one, it’s definitely one of the 7 Underrated Netflix Gems You Probably Missed in 2025.
Who Should Watch: People who need a good cry and a motivation boost.
3. The Wrong Paris
The Vibe: The Bachelorette gone hilariously wrong in France.
Release Month: September 2025
My Honest Review: Finally, a rom-com that knows it’s ridiculous and leans into it! Miranda Cosgrove plays a girl who tries to get a free trip to Paris by joining a dating reality show, only to get kicked off and stranded in the wrong Paris (a small, unglamorous village). The banter here is top-tier. It’s glossy, cheeky, and the “stranded with a hot local” trope works perfectly. It’s not winning an Oscar, but it was the most fun I had watching a movie this fall.
Who Should Watch: Fans of reality TV dating shows and early 2000s rom-com energy.
4. A Copenhagen Love Story
The Vibe: Raw, intimate, and beautifully messy.
Release Month: February 2025
My Honest Review: If you’re tired of American gloss, this Danish film is a must-watch. It tracks a relationship tested by fertility struggles and self-image issues. Unlike the other entries on this list, this isn’t a fairy tale; it’s a deep dive into how hard love actually is. The chemistry is electric but painful. It’s stunning art, but maybe don’t watch it on a first date.
Who Should Watch: Couples in long-term relationships and indie movie lovers.
5. Champagne Problems
The Vibe: A cozy, boozy holiday hug.
Release Month: November 2025
My Honest Review: Minka Kelly heads to Paris (yes, Netflix loved Paris this year) to acquire a family-owned champagne brand, only to clash with the owner’s son. It’s the classic “corporate shark meets small-town artisan” trope, but festive. What makes this stand out is the “Christmas in Paris” aesthetic—it is visually sparkling. The plot is standard fare, but the execution is classy.
Who Should Watch: Hallmark movie graduates looking for slightly higher production value.
6. Jingle Bell Heist
The Vibe: Ocean’s Eleven but make it flirtatious and festive.
Release Month: December 2025
My Honest Review: This was the surprise hit of December for me. Instead of baking cookies, the leads are trying to rob a London department store on Christmas Eve. The high stakes make the romance sizzle. Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells have this “rivals-to-lovers” dynamic that really works. It’s breezy and fun—much lighter than the year’s gritty thrillers, like the mind-bending The Rip ending.
Who Should Watch: People who are bored to death by standard “save the bakery” Christmas movies.
7. Kinda Pregnant
The Vibe: Messy, chaotic adulting with a side of heart.
Release Month: February 2025
My Honest Review: Amy Schumer stars in this one, so you know it’s not going to be polite. She plays a woman who fakes a pregnancy because she’s jealous of her best friend, only to meet a guy who falls for her “mom-to-be” glow. It explores the pressure women feel to have it all “figured out” by a certain age. It’s funny, cringe-inducing, and eventually very sweet.
Who Should Watch: Anyone who feels like a mess in their 30s.
8. My Secret Santa
The Vibe: A Mrs. Doubtfire-style twist on holiday romance.
Release Month: December 2025
My Honest Review: This concept is wild—a single mom disguises herself as an older man to get a Santa job at a ski resort, then falls for the resort owner while out of costume. It sounds like a disaster, but Alexandra Breckenridge is so likable that she sells it. It’s the definition of a “guilty pleasure” watch.
Who Should Watch: Virgin River fans and anyone who loves a good disguise trope.
9. Umjolo: My Beginning, My End!
The Vibe: A vibrant, dramatic rollercoaster from South Africa.
Release Month: January 2025
My Honest Review: Netflix has been investing heavily in South African content, and this franchise is the crown jewel. It’s messy, loud, and full of drama. The movie follows a couple trying to navigate the modern dating scene in Cape Town. It feels very current, dealing with ghosting and situationships.
Who Should Watch: Viewers who want a break from Hollywood and love high-energy relationship drama.
10. The Love Scam
The Vibe: A sexy, suspenseful Italian escapade.
Release Month: January 2025
My Honest Review: Released on New Year’s Day, this one set a high bar. It’s an Italian film about an art thief and a woman who gets tangled in his latest heist. The romance is sultry and dangerous. It’s less “will they kiss?” and more “will they get arrested or kiss?” If you like this blend of crime and emotion, you might also appreciate the heavy themes discussed in our Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart ending explained article.
Who Should Watch: Fans of The Tourist or Focus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I’ve seen all of these! What should I watch next if I want more romance?
If you’ve already binged the 2025 catalog, you are perfectly timed for the 2026 hits. Everyone is currently talking about the new adaptation where friends become lovers. Check out our deep dive into the People We Meet on Vacation ending to see if Poppy and Alex finally get it right.
Are there any movies on this list that aren’t just “fluff”?
Yes! A Copenhagen Love Story is very grounded and emotional. However, if you want something that is purely psychological and leaves you thinking for days, you might want to pivot to a different genre entirely. For example, the Donnie Darko ending is still sparking theories in 2026.
What was the absolute #1 movie of the year across all genres?
While romance had a great year, the competition was stiff. For a broader look at what dominated the charts, check out my full guide to the Top 10 Must-Watch Netflix Movies of 2025.
Conclusion
2025 was the year Netflix finally realized we want variety. We got French vineyards, Danish heartbreak, London heists, and messy American lies. It wasn’t just about “boy meets girl”—it was about thieves, liars, widows, and adventurers finding connection in weird places.
My question for you: Are you Team “Cozy Holiday Romance” (Champagne Problems) or Team “Messy Realism” (Kinda Pregnant)? Let me know in the comments what you’re watching tonight!
