If you’re a fan of the classic 2002 romantic drama “A Walk to Remember”, you know there’s something special about a movie that can make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love all at the same time. Starring Shane West and Mandy Moore, this beloved film tells the story of two very different high school students – rebellious Landon and devoutly religious Jamie – who unexpectedly fall for each other and embark on a life-changing journey together.
What makes “A Walk to Remember” so enduring is its poignant exploration of young love, personal growth, and the way relationships can transform us. It captures both the joy and heartbreak that come with opening your heart to another person. And it reminds us that love has the ability to bring out the best in people, even in the face of immense challenges.
If you adore “A Walk to Remember” and are looking for more moving films in the same vein, you’re in luck. Here are 15 of the best movies like “A Walk to Remember” that are sure to give you all the feels:
1. The Notebook (2004)
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, this sweeping love story stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as Noah and Allie, two young lovers separated by class differences and World War II. Flashing between the 1940s and present day, “The Notebook” chronicles the couple’s passionate but tumultuous relationship over six decades.
Like “A Walk to Remember,” it’s an epic, heart-wrenching romance that explores love’s ability to overcome any obstacle. Gosling and McAdams’ chemistry is off the charts, making you root for them every step of the way. Have the tissues ready, because the ending will destroy you in the best way possible.
2. Dear John (2010)
Another Nicholas Sparks adaptation, “Dear John” stars Channing Tatum as John, a soldier who falls for college student Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) while home on leave. Over the next seven years, the couple keeps their love alive through letters as John’s military service repeatedly delays their reunion.
“Dear John” shares several themes with “A Walk to Remember,” from young love and long distance relationships to personal growth and the way trauma can impact a person. It also features a male lead going through a transformative journey as a result of the love he shares with an extraordinary woman. Tatum and Seyfried give heartfelt performances that will have you invested in John and Savannah’s bittersweet story.
3. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Based on the beloved John Green novel, this teen romance made a whole generation ugly cry with its portrayal of two cancer-stricken teens who fall in love. Shailene Woodley stars as Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old with thyroid cancer who meets Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort) at a cancer support group. Despite their health struggles, Hazel and Gus embark on an unforgettable love story that includes a romantic trip to Amsterdam.
Like “A Walk to Remember,” “The Fault in Our Stars” doesn’t shy away from the realities of illness and loss. But it balances the heavy subject matter with humor, joy, and most of all, a life-affirming love story. Woodley and Elgort bring Hazel and Gus to life with raw authenticity, creating a central romance that feels larger than life yet achingly real.
4. Me Before You (2016)
Based on the Jojo Moyes novel, “Me Before You” stars Emilia Clarke as Lou, a quirky 26-year-old who becomes the caregiver for Will (Sam Claflin), a wealthy quadriplegic. Will was paralyzed in an accident two years earlier and has grown bitter and depressed. But as he and Lou develop a close bond, they both challenge each other to live life to the fullest.
“Me Before You” shares some key themes with “A Walk to Remember,” including an unlikely romance that inspires personal growth and a renewed appreciation for life. It also features a male lead going through both a physical and emotional transformation as a result of the love he finds with an optimistic, compassionate woman. While the ending is quite different than “A Walk to Remember,” the central love story is just as moving and memorable.
5. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
Based on the Audrey Niffenegger novel, this unique love story stars Eric Bana as Henry, a librarian with a genetic disorder that causes him to involuntarily time travel. Rachel McAdams plays Clare, an artist who meets Henry at various points throughout her life as a result of his time traveling. Despite the constant challenges and heartbreak caused by Henry’s condition, the couple share a deep, unbreakable bond.
“The Time Traveler’s Wife” is similar to “A Walk to Remember” in the sense that both couples must overcome seemingly impossible circumstances to be together. The story spans decades, chronicling Clare and Henry’s relationship from childhood to marriage to parenthood. While the time travel element adds a sci-fi twist, at its core this is a beautifully acted, emotionally raw love story about the lengths we go to for the ones we love.
6. The Vow (2012)
Inspired by true events, this romantic drama stars Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum as Paige and Leo, a happily married couple whose lives are turned upside down when a car accident leaves Paige with severe memory loss. She can’t remember Leo or their marriage, and reverts back to the person she was before they met. Determined not to lose her, Leo attempts to win Paige’s heart all over again.
“The Vow” shares some DNA with “A Walk to Remember” in its depiction of a life-altering event that challenges a couple’s love. It also features a devoted male lead who refuses to give up on the woman he loves, no matter how difficult the circumstances. McAdams and Tatum have fantastic chemistry that sells the central relationship. While not a direct adaptation, “The Vow” has the same earnest, heart-on-its-sleeve approach to romance as a Nicholas Sparks film.
7. Five Feet Apart (2019)
Starring Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson, “Five Feet Apart” tells the story of two teens with cystic fibrosis who fall in love while being treated at the same hospital. Due to their illnesses, Will and Stella must maintain a safe distance from each other at all times. But that doesn’t stop them from forming an unbreakable connection that challenges the boundaries of their reality.
Like “A Walk to Remember,” “Five Feet Apart” is a tearjerker that doesn’t shy away from the realities of living with a chronic illness. But it’s ultimately an uplifting story about two people who find hope, love and the strength to truly live in the face of a devastating prognosis. Sprouse and Richardson give star-making performances, imbuing Will and Stella with equal parts vulnerability and resilience.
8. The Lucky One (2012)
Yet another Nicholas Sparks adaptation, “The Lucky One” stars Zac Efron as Logan, a Marine who attributes his survival in Iraq to a photo of a woman he’s never met. When he returns home, Logan sets out to find the mystery woman, who turns out to be Beth (Taylor Schilling), a single mom struggling to keep her family’s dog kennel afloat. As Logan and Beth grow closer, he wrestles with how to tell her the truth about what brought him into her life.
“The Lucky One” hits a lot of the same beats as “A Walk to Remember” – a handsome loner, a kind-hearted woman, and a secret that threatens to tear them apart. Efron proves his dramatic chops as a young veteran battling PTSD and survivor’s guilt. His chemistry with Schilling feels authentic and grounded. While not as iconic as some other Sparks movies, “The Lucky One” is a solid entry in the romance genre.
9. Now Is Good (2012)
Based on the Jenny Downham novel “Before I Die,” this British drama stars Dakota Fanning as Tessa, a terminally ill teen who composes a bucket list of things she wants to experience before she dies. At the top of that list? Losing her virginity. Enter her new neighbor Adam (Jeremy Irvine), who helps Tessa embrace life and love during her last months.
“Now Is Good” shares obvious parallels with “A Walk to Remember,” from its terminally ill teen heroine to its carpe diem message. But it sets itself apart with raw, unsentimental performances from Fanning and Irvine. It’s a more mature, grounded take on the “dying girl” trope that doesn’t shy away from the messy realities of Tessa’s condition. Bring tissues, because this one is a tearjerker from start to finish.
10. The Last Song (2010)
Starring Miley Cyrus in her first dramatic role, “The Last Song” is – you guessed it – based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. Cyrus plays Ronnie, a rebellious teen sent to spend the summer with her estranged father (Greg Kinnear). Along the way, she falls for Will (Liam Hemsworth), a rich kid with a heart of gold. But their budding romance is tested by family drama and a tragic secret.
If you love “A Walk to Remember” for its themes of redemption, first love, and finding your place in the world, “The Last Song” will be right up your alley. Cyrus proves her acting chops as a misunderstood teen learning to open her heart. Her chemistry with then-boyfriend Hemsworth is palpable. And Kinnear gives a heartbreaking performance as a father trying to make up for lost time. “The Last Song” hits all the classic Sparks beats, for better or worse.
11. Keith (2008)
This overlooked indie gem stars Jesse McCartney as the titular Keith, an enigmatic high school senior who takes an interest in Natalie (Elisabeth Harnois), a straight-A student with a seemingly perfect life. As Natalie and Keith grow closer, she begins to see the cracks in her overachiever facade. But Keith is harboring a secret of his own that will change everything.
“Keith” flew under the radar upon its release, but it’s worth seeking out for fans of “A Walk to Remember.” McCartney sheds his teen idol image to give a layered performance as a complex young man grappling with heavy circumstances. His chemistry with Harnois feels raw and real. And without spoiling anything, the film’s final act packs an emotional wallop on par with Jamie’s reveal in “A Walk to Remember.”
12. Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
Based on the Ben Sherwood novel, this supernatural drama stars Zac Efron as the titular Charlie, a young man shattered by the death of his younger brother Sam (Charlie Tahan). Charlie abandons his sailing scholarship to work at the cemetery where Sam is buried. There, he realizes he can see and communicate with his brother’s spirit. But when Charlie falls for Tess (Amanda Crew), a young sailor believed to be lost at sea, he must choose between holding onto the past or embracing an uncertain future.
“Charlie St. Cloud” shares DNA with “A Walk to Remember” in both its seaside setting and its depiction of grief and healing. Efron delivers one of his most underrated performances, portraying Charlie’s desperation and eventual acceptance with equal conviction. The central romance with Tess is touching, but it’s the brotherly bond between Charlie and Sam that will really make you reach for the Kleenex.
13. Midnight Sun (2018)
Bella Thorne stars as Katie, a 17-year-old with a rare genetic condition that makes even the smallest amount of sunlight deadly. As a result, she’s spent her entire life inside, sleeping during the day and only venturing out at night. That’s how she meets Charlie (Patrick Schwarzenegger), her longtime crush who’s never noticed her watching him from her window. As the two embark on a summer romance, Katie wrestles with whether to tell Charlie the truth about her condition.
“Midnight Sun” has obvious similarities to “A Walk to Remember,” from its terminally ill teen protagonist to its themes of living life to the fullest. Thorne and Schwarzenegger are an appealing pair, selling both the sweetness and the challenges of Katie and Charlie’s unconventional relationship. Some may find the film sappy, but its earnest approach to love in the face of adversity will win over many “A Walk to Remember” fans.
14. Endless Love (2014)
This remake of the 1981 film stars Alex Pettyfer as David, a working-class teen who falls for sheltered rich girl Jade (Gabriella Wilde). Jade’s parents, especially her overprotective father (Bruce Greenwood), disapprove of the relationship and try to keep the young lovers apart. But David and Jade are consumed by their passion for each other and willing to risk everything to be together.
“Endless Love” has a similar class divide set-up to “A Walk to Remember,” with the poor boy falling for the wealthy girl. Pettyfer and Wilde have decent chemistry, though their characters aren’t as well-developed as Landon and Jamie. The film also amps up the melodrama, with a third act that veers into soap opera territory. Still, it’s an earnest depiction of young love and the lengths we go to for the ones we want.
15. Here on Earth (2000)
This teen weepie stars Chris Klein as Kelley, a rich kid who returns to his deceased mother’s small hometown to work off the damage from a car race gone wrong. There, he falls for Sam (Leelee Sobieski), a local girl with dreams of going to MIT. But their love is complicated by the return of Kelley’s racing rival Jasper (Josh Hartnett), who also has a history with Sam.
“Here on Earth” was a box office bomb upon its release, but it’s gained something of a cult following among fans of teen romances. It shares “A Walk to Remember’s” themes of class differences, small town life, and finding your true self through love. Klein and Sobieski have a sweet chemistry, even if their characters feel a bit one-dimensional. The melodrama is laid on thick, but the film’s earnestness is endearing. If you’re in the mood for a throwback teen tearjerker, you could do worse.
No matter which of these films you choose, you’re sure to feel the same potent mix of swoon and sorrow that made “A Walk to Remember” an instant classic. These movies remind us of the power of love to change lives, to inspire us to be our best selves, and to find beauty in even the darkest of circumstances.
So next time you’re in the mood for a love story that will give you all the feels, queue up one of these 15 movies like “A Walk to Remember.” Grab some tissues, settle in, and prepare to have your heart warmed and broken in equal measure. These films may not be perfect, but they perfectly capture the experience of falling in love and weathering life’s storms with the person by your side. They’re a testament to the enduring appeal of a well-told romance, and to the way certain stories can burrow into our hearts and stay there forever.
