What Is The Best Romantic Movie On Netflix Today
- 01. What Is the Best Romantic Movie on Netflix Today?
- 02. Top Romantic Movies on Netflix Compared
- 03. Why The Half of It Stands Out as Netflix's Best Romance
- 04. Top 5 Romantic Movies on Netflix by Critical Score
- 05. Popular But Critically Divided Netflix Romance Films
- 06. Best Romantic Comedy Options on Netflix
- 07. How to Choose Your Perfect Netflix Romance
What Is the Best Romantic Movie on Netflix Today?
The best romantic movie on Netflix today is The Half of It, which holds an exceptional 97% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes from 103 critics reviews. This intelligent coming-of-age romance directed by Alice Wu outperforms all other Netflix romance films in critical acclaim, offering a fresh Cyrano de Bergerac adaptation that balances humor, tenderness, and LGBTQ+ representation with emotional authenticity.
Top Romantic Movies on Netflix Compared
| Movie Title | Release Date | Rotten Tomatoes | IMDb Rating | Runtime | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Half of It | May 2, 2020 | 97% (103 reviews) | 6.9/10 | 1h 45m | Alice Wu |
| Set It Up | June 15, 2018 | 92% (critics) | 6.5/10 | 1h 45m | Claire Scanlon |
| Always Be My Maybe | May 31, 2019 | 89% | 6.8/10 | 1h 42m | Nahnatchka Khan |
| Look Both Ways | August 17, 2022 | 62% | 6.3/10 | N/A | Wanuri Kahiu |
| Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga | June 26, 2020 | 63% | 6.5/10 | 123 min | David Dobkin |
| Purple Hearts | July 29, 2022 | 32% (25 reviews) | N/A | 2h 3m | Ben Lewin |
Why The Half of It Stands Out as Netflix's Best Romance
The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes states that for viewers seeking an uncommonly smart, tender, and funny coming-of-age story, The Half of It has everything. Unlike formulaic Netflix rom-coms that cater to算法-driven predictions, this film disrupts genre tropes while maintaining comforting familiarity, creating a fresh yet accessible romantic experience. The shy introverted student Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) helps school jock Paul (Daniel Diemer) woo girl Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire) whom both secretly love, exploring themes of self-acceptance, identity, and expansive love beyond just romance.
Alice Wu's masterful screenplay puts text back in texting, brilliantly marrying words with technology in a rare film that handles digital communication with authenticity. The performances are understated but powerful, with chemistry between the three main characters providing believability lacking in many genre films. Audience reviews consistently rate it 10/10 for sincerity, emotional depth, and refreshing storytelling that avoids exaggerated drama.
Top 5 Romantic Movies on Netflix by Critical Score
- The Half of It - 97% Tomatometer: A smart, tender LGBTQ+ coming-of-age romance
- Set It Up - 92% Tomatometer: Classic workplace rom-com with Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs
- Always Be My Maybe - 89% Tomatometer: Ali Wong and Randall Park's childhood sweethearts reunion
- Look Both Ways - 62% Tomatometer: Lili Reinhart's parallel-life romantic dramedy
- Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga - 63% Tomatometer: Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell's touching musical romance
Popular But Critically Divided Netflix Romance Films
Purple Hearts starring Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine has a controversial 32% Tomatometer despite 69% audience score from 1,000+ ratings. Critics cite stereotype-riddled script and misguided approach to serious themes, while audiences praise the emotional richness and beautiful music. The false marriage plot between struggling singer Cassie and Marine Luke explores love across political divides, though some viewers find it right-wing propaganda.
My Oxford Year (August 1, 2025) dominates Netflix's Global Top 10 in over 40 countries including Canada, France, Argentina, and Australia despite only 29% critics score. This Sofia Carson romantic comedy based on Julia Whelan's novel proves that audience appeal doesn't always align with critical acclaim, taking the top spot days after premiere.
Best Romantic Comedy Options on Netflix
- Set It Up: Two assistants trick workaholic bosses into falling love - 92% RT, perfect for lighthearted viewing
- Always Be My Maybe: Celebrity chef returns home after 15 years, reunites with struggling musician - 89% RT
- Someone Great: Gina Rodriguez's breakup adventure with best friends in NYC - fun romantic comedy
- Happiness For Beginners: Ellie Kemper's post-divorce Appalachian Trail hike with Luke Grimes - cute chemistry
- A Tourist's Guide to Love: Rachael Leigh Cook in Vietnam tourism romance with Scott Lý - 67% RT
How to Choose Your Perfect Netflix Romance
For critical acclaim and depth, choose The Half of It (97% RT) for intelligent storytelling about identity and self-acceptance. For classic rom-com comfort, Set It Up (92% RT) delivers laugh-out-loud moments with perfect chemistry. For cultural representation, Always Be My Maybe (89% RT) offers smart social commentary with Ali Wong and Randall Park. For popular audience appeal despite mixed reviews, Purple Hearts or My Oxford Year dominate viewing charts.
The best romantic movie depends on your mood: The Half of It for thoughtful coming-of-age, Set It Up for workplace rom-com fun, or Purple Hearts for emotional melodrama with music. All are available on Netflix US as of May 2026.
Everything you need to know about What Is The Best Romantic Movie On Netflix Today
What is the #1 romantic movie on Netflix?
The #1 romantic movie on Netflix is The Half of It with a 97% Tomatometer score from 103 critic reviews, making it the highest-rated romance film currently streaming on the platform.
What is the best romantic comedy on Netflix right now?
Set It Up is the best romantic comedy on Netflix with 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as assistants who matchmake their bosses Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs.
Is Purple Hearts worth watching on Netflix?
Purple Hearts has divided audiences: 32% critic score but 69% audience score from 1,000+ ratings. If you enjoy emotional melodrama with music and political tension between opposites-attract characters, it's worth watching despite criticism.
What romantic movies are new on Netflix in 2025?
My Oxford Year premiered August 1, 2025, starring Sofia Carson and is currently #1 in Netflix's Global Top 10 across 40+ countries including Canada, France, and Argentina. Mother of the Bride (May 9, 2024) with Brooke Shields and Benjamin Bratt is also a recent Netflix original rom-com.
Does Netflix have good LGBTQ+ romance movies?
Yes, The Half of It is an award-winning LGBTQ+ romance exploring queer teenage identity with 97% critical approval, making it one of the strongest queer coming-of-age films available on streaming. Happiest Season (82% RT) is another popular LGBTQ+ holiday romance on Netflix.
