If you’re a fan of the 2023 romantic drama Beautiful Disaster, chances are you enjoy a good college romance with plenty of drama, angst, and of course – the classic “bad boy” trope. The film, based on the popular novel by Jamie McGuire, follows the tumultuous relationship between underground fighter Travis and good girl Abby as they navigate love, secrets, and the complexities of young adulthood.
After watching Beautiful Disaster, you may be craving more movies with similar themes and vibes. Look no further – we’ve compiled a list of 15 must-watch films for fans of this new-adult romance genre. From beloved classics to hidden gems, these movies deliver all the feels with their emotional love stories, memorable characters, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. Let’s dive in!
1. After (2019)
One of the most well-known entries in the new adult romance genre, After is another book-to-movie adaptation that bears many similarities to Beautiful Disaster. The story centers around Tessa Young, an innocent college freshman who falls for rebellious Hardin Scott. As their intense relationship unfolds, Tessa discovers new desires and a side of herself she never knew existed.
Like Travis in Beautiful Disaster, Hardin is the quintessential “bad boy” – brooding, mysterious, and initially resistant to love. Tessa and Hardin’s romance is full of push-and-pull tension, steamy encounters, and angsty drama. If you enjoyed the dynamic between Abby and Travis, After offers a similar rollercoaster of emotions.
2. A Walk to Remember (2002)
For a slightly more wholesome take on the bad boy/good girl trope, look no further than the early 2000s classic A Walk to Remember. Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, the film tells the story of Landon Carter, a popular but aimless high school senior who falls for shy, religious Jamie Sullivan after they are cast opposite each other in a school play.
While the setting is high school rather than college, A Walk to Remember shares themes of an unlikely romance blossoming between two people from very different worlds. Landon, like Travis in Beautiful Disaster, has a reputation as a rebel while Jamie is seen as a “goody two-shoes.” But as they grow closer, both challenge each other’s worldviews in life-changing ways.
3. The Kissing Booth (2018)
The Kissing Booth is a Netflix original movie that kickstarted a trilogy of teen romances. Elle Evans is a quirky, rule-following high school junior who has never been kissed. But when she decides to run a kissing booth at the school carnival, she ends up locking lips with Noah Flynn – her best friend Lee’s older brother, and ultimate bad boy.
Chaos and drama ensue as Elle and Noah try to keep their budding romance a secret, especially from Lee. Like Abby and Travis, they are an unlikely pair with undeniable chemistry. The Kissing Booth has the same fun, flirty energy of Beautiful Disaster while still packing an emotional punch.
4. Cruel Intentions (1999)
For a darker, more twisted take on the bad boy trope, Cruel Intentions is a must-watch. A modern retelling of the classic novel Dangerous Liaisons, the movie follows wealthy step-siblings Kathryn and Sebastian as they make a sadistic wager. Sebastian must bed Annette, the headmaster’s virginal daughter, before the start of the school year. If he succeeds, he gets to sleep with Kathryn. But if he fails, Kathryn gets his vintage Jaguar.
While Sebastian is undoubtedly cruel and manipulative, he begins to develop real feelings for Annette, who makes him want to change his ways. Their romance is as passionate as it is toxic. If you like your love stories with a side of scandal and seduction, Cruel Intentions delivers.
5. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Another 90s teen classic, 10 Things I Hate About You offers a charming spin on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. New student Cameron is smitten with popular sophomore Bianca. But Bianca isn’t allowed to date until her older sister Kat does. So Cameron schemes to set up Kat with school rebel Patrick Verona.
Like Travis and Abby, Kat and Patrick seem to despise each other at first. She’s an antisocial feminist, he’s a mysterious loner rumored to have eaten a live duck. But as they’re forced to spend time together, their verbal sparring turns to real affection. With its witty dialogue, sweet romance, and iconic Heath Ledger performance, 10 Things I Hate About You is infinitely rewatchable.
6. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
For a real tearjerker, queue up The Fault in Our Stars, based on the bestselling novel by John Green. Hazel Grace Lancaster is a 16-year-old cancer patient whose life changes when she meets Augustus Waters, a fellow survivor, in her support group. The two quickly bond over their shared dark humor and zest for life in the face of death.
While no one would call Augustus a “bad boy,” he and Hazel definitely experience the kind of whirlwind, life-changing romance depicted in Beautiful Disaster. Their love story is tragic yet beautiful, reminding us to cherish every moment we have with those we love. Just be sure to have tissues on hand.
7. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
For a period piece with plenty of romantic tension, you can’t go wrong with Pride & Prejudice. The 2005 film adaptation of the Jane Austen novel centers on the spirited Elizabeth Bennet and the haughty Mr. Darcy, who overcome their own biases to fall deeply in love.
Darcy may not be a “bad boy” in the traditional sense, but he starts out as a snobbish, judgmental bachelor who looks down on Elizabeth’s lower social standing. Like Abby in Beautiful Disaster, Elizabeth is strong-willed and refuses to compromise her values for a man. Watching these two slowly let down their walls and open their hearts to each other is immensely satisfying.
8. The Notebook (2004)
Speaking of period romances, The Notebook is another Nicholas Sparks adaptation that will give you all the feels. In 1940s South Carolina, poor country boy Noah falls for heiress Allie, who is spending the summer in his town. Though her parents disapprove, the two engage in a passionate but short-lived romance before Allie returns to the city.
Years later, Allie is engaged to a wealthy businessman, but can’t stop thinking about Noah. When she learns he has restored the abandoned house they dreamed of living in, she must choose between her first love and the life her parents want for her. With its themes of class differences, familial pressure, and all-consuming love, The Notebook is a sweeping romance in the vein of Beautiful Disaster.
9. Twilight (2008)
Ah, Twilight. Whether you love it or love to hate it, this vampire romance was a cultural phenomenon that launched the careers of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. New student Bella Swan is drawn to the mysterious, brooding Edward Cullen and his adopted family of “vegetarian” vampires.
As Bella and Edward’s forbidden romance blossoms, she is drawn into his dangerous supernatural world. Edward is the ultimate bad boy – not only is he an immortal bloodsucker, but his desire for Bella puts her life at risk. Still, their love is as epic as it is doomed. If you like the high stakes and intensity of Beautiful Disaster, give Twilight a chance.
10. Warm Bodies (2013)
For a quirkier take on the supernatural romance, check out Warm Bodies, which puts a romantic comedy spin on the zombie genre. After a zombie apocalypse, one of the undead, known only as “R,” encounters a living girl named Julie and rescues her from his fellow zombies. As R begins to experience human feelings and memories, he and Julie develop an unlikely bond that could transform the future of their dark, hopeless world.
While R is more of a softboi than a bad boy, he and Julie are certainly star-crossed lovers facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Their sweet, offbeat romance proves that love can bloom in the most unexpected places. Warm Bodies is a fresh, funny, and heartfelt addition to the YA romance canon.
11. The Spectacular Now (2013)
The Spectacular Now is a coming-of-age drama that explores the relationship between Sutter, a charming but aimless high school senior, and Aimee, a shy, bookish classmate. After a chance encounter at a party, the two strike up an unlikely friendship that blossoms into romance.
Like Travis in Beautiful Disaster, Sutter has a devil-may-care attitude and a self-destructive streak. Aimee helps him see the potential for a brighter future. Meanwhile, Sutter encourages Aimee to let loose and stand up for herself. With its raw, realistic portrayal of young love and the challenges of growing up, The Spectacular Now is a must-see.
12. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Another poignant coming-of-age story, The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows Charlie, an introverted high school freshman who is taken under the wing of two charismatic seniors. As he experiences the joys and heartbreaks of first love, new friendships, and creative self-discovery, Charlie must also confront the trauma of his past.
While Charlie’s love interest Sam isn’t a “bad girl,” she does have a troubled history and a free-spirited nature that initially intimidates him. Like Abby and Travis’s relationship, their connection is intense and transformative. With its sensitive exploration of mental health, sexuality, and found family, Perks is a moving portrait of adolescence.
13. Love, Rosie (2014)
Based on the novel Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern, Love, Rosie is a charming British romantic comedy about two childhood best friends whose lives keep pulling them in different directions. Rosie and Alex have been inseparable since they were kids, but a series of missed opportunities and misunderstandings prevent them from admitting their true feelings for each other.
As the years pass and they navigate love, heartbreak, and big life changes, Rosie and Alex must decide whether their friendship can survive romantic entanglement. With its themes of timing, miscommunication, and the complications of adult life, Love, Rosie is a sweet, funny meditation on the enduring power of first love.
14. The First Time (2012)
The First Time is a romantic comedy that follows Dave, a high school senior who meets Aubrey, a junior from a nearby school, at a party. Though Dave is in love with his best friend, he and Aubrey instantly connect over their shared anxieties about relationships and the future.
As they spend more time together and open up about their hopes, dreams, and insecurities, Dave and Aubrey develop a deep bond that challenges their ideas about love and sex. With its honest, awkward, and tender depiction of first romance, The First Time is a refreshing entry in the teen movie genre.
15. The Half of It (2020)
Last but not least, The Half of It is a Netflix original movie that offers a queer twist on the classic Cyrano de Bergerac story. Ellie Chu is a shy, introverted high schooler who makes money by writing her classmates’ essays. When inarticulate jock Paul asks her to write love letters to his crush Aster, Ellie discovers that she has feelings for Aster too.
As Ellie and Paul team up to help each other woo Aster, they develop an unlikely friendship that challenges their ideas about love, sexuality, and identity. With its smart, sensitive exploration of race, class, and queerness in a small town, The Half of It is a beautifully written and acted coming-of-age romance.
There you have it – 15 movies to watch if you loved Beautiful Disaster and crave more angsty, emotional, and utterly romantic stories. Whether you’re in the mood for a tearjerker, a laugh-out-loud comedy, or a supernatural drama, these films offer something for everyone.
So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to swoon, cry, and fall in love all over again. And if you have any other recommendations for fans of Beautiful Disaster, be sure to share them in the comments below!
Happy watching!
