If you’re a hopeless romantic who loves a good tearjerker, then you’ve undoubtedly watched the 2004 classic The Notebook more times than you can count. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as star-crossed lovers Noah and Allie, this sweeping romance follows their tumultuous love story over six decades. With a perfect blend of passion, tragedy, and unwavering devotion, it’s no wonder The Notebook has earned its reputation as one of the most beloved romantic dramas of all time.
But if you’ve already watched Noah and Allie’s epic love unfold more times than you care to admit, you may be craving some fresh tales of heart-wrenching romance. Luckily, there are plenty of other movies out there that capture the same magic as The Notebook, with stories of love that conquers all obstacles. From classic period pieces to modern tearjerkers, here are 20 movies like The Notebook that are guaranteed to give you all the feels:
1. Titanic (1997)
No list of epic romances would be complete without James Cameron’s Titanic. Set aboard the ill-fated ocean liner, this sweeping drama follows the forbidden love affair between penniless artist Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and upper-class passenger Rose (Kate Winslet). Despite the rigid social expectations and Rose’s looming engagement to a wealthy man she doesn’t love, she and Jack fall deeply in love during the ship’s maiden voyage. But their romance is cut tragically short when the Titanic collides with an iceberg, forcing the young lovers to fight for survival as the ship slowly sinks into the icy depths of the Atlantic. With its tragic ending and unforgettable “I’m flying!” scene, Titanic is the ultimate tearjerker.
2. A Walk to Remember (2002)
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, A Walk to Remember follows the unlikely romance between rebellious teenager Landon Carter (Shane West) and bookish minister’s daughter Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore). When Landon gets in trouble and is forced to participate in community service activities, he begins to fall for Jamie as she helps him rehearse for the school play. But Landon’s friends and father disapprove of Jamie’s humble background, and their budding relationship is further tested when Jamie reveals that she has a life-threatening illness. This coming-of-age drama beautifully captures the innocence of first love and the way it can change us forever.
3. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Get your tissues ready, because this YA adaptation is a serious tearjerker. The Fault in Our Stars tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), two witty and sarcastic teenagers who fall in love after meeting at a cancer support group. Hazel is reluctant to get too close to Augustus at first, not wanting him to get hurt when her terminal illness progresses. But as they bond over their shared love of books and zest for life, they develop a deep and meaningful relationship. The Fault in Our Stars is a heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting story about the transcendent power of love in the face of hardship and loss.
4. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
Based on the bestselling novel by Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler’s Wife stars Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana as Clare and Henry, a couple whose love is complicated by Henry’s rare genetic disorder that causes him to spontaneously travel through time. The story unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, chronicling the ups and downs of their passionate but turbulent relationship. Despite the challenges posed by Henry’s frequent and unpredictable absences, the love between him and Clare remains a constant throughout their lives. This unique sci-fi romance is a poignant meditation on love, loss, and the enduring human spirit.
5. Dear John (2010)
Another Nicholas Sparks adaptation, Dear John follows the long-distance love story between young soldier John Tyree (Channing Tatum) and idealistic college student Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried). After a whirlwind two-week romance, John is deployed to Afghanistan, and the couple must rely on letters to stay connected. But as the years pass and the distance takes its toll, their relationship is put to the ultimate test. With a bittersweet ending that deviates from the novel, Dear John is a moving portrait of the sacrifices we make for love and country.
6. The Vow (2012)
Inspired by true events, The Vow 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 awakens with no recollection of the past five years of her life, including meeting, falling in love with, and marrying Leo. As Leo endeavors to win Paige’s heart all over again, The Vow becomes a heartfelt testament to the enduring power of true love, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
7. The Lucky One (2012)
Zac Efron stars as U.S. Marine Logan Thibault, who finds a photograph of a smiling young woman in the rubble while serving in Iraq. Believing the photo to be his good luck charm, Logan sets out to find the woman after returning home from his third tour of duty. His search leads him to Beth (Taylor Schilling), a single mother struggling to keep her family’s dog kennel afloat. As Logan and Beth grow closer, he wrestles with how to tell her about the photo and his real reason for seeking her out. Based on yet another Nicholas Sparks novel, The Lucky One is a heartwarming story of fate, redemption, and the healing power of love.
8. The Longest Ride (2015)
In this multi-generational romance based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, the lives of two couples are intertwined through an elderly man’s memories of his own decades-long love story. Luke (Scott Eastwood), a former champion bull rider, and Sophia (Britt Robertson), a college student about to embark on her dream job in New York, fall in love despite coming from very different worlds. As their relationship is put to the test, Sophia befriends Ira (Alan Alda), an elderly man whose great love for his late wife Ruth inspires the young couple to fight for their own happy ending. The Longest Ride is a touching reminder that true love is worth fighting for, no matter the obstacles.
9. Me Before You (2016)
Based on the bestselling novel by Jojo Moyes, Me Before You tells the story of the unlikely relationship between quirky small-town girl Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke) and wealthy quadriplegic Will Traynor (Sam Claflin). When Louisa takes a job as Will’s caregiver, she becomes determined to show him that life is still worth living despite his disability. As they grow closer, Louisa learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, forcing her to reexamine her own hopes and dreams. With its controversial ending and poignant message about living life to the fullest, Me Before You is a thought-provoking tearjerker that will linger with you long after the credits roll.
10. The Choice (2016)
In this Nicholas Sparks adaptation, neighbors Travis (Benjamin Walker) and Gabby (Teresa Palmer) get off to a rocky start, constantly butting heads despite their obvious attraction to each other. But as they slowly let their guards down and fall in love, their relationship is put to the ultimate test when a car accident leaves Gabby in a coma. Faced with an impossible choice, Travis must decide how far he’s willing to go for the woman he loves. The Choice is a heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful story about the power of love to overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
11. Atonement (2007)
Based on Ian McEwan’s acclaimed novel, Atonement follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Robbie (James McAvoy), whose budding romance is shattered by a tragic misunderstanding that will haunt them for decades to come. On the eve of World War II, a terrible lie told by Cecilia’s jealous younger sister Briony (Saoirse Ronan) tears the couple apart and alters the course of their lives forever. Spanning six decades, this sweeping period drama is a haunting meditation on love, regret, and the devastating consequences of a single moment in time.
12. The Photograph (2020)
When famed photographer Christina Eames dies unexpectedly, her estranged daughter Mae (Issa Rae) is left hurt, angry, and full of questions. But when Mae discovers a photograph tucked away in a safe deposit box, she sets out on a journey to learn the truth about her mother’s secret past. Along the way, she unexpectedly finds herself falling for Michael (LaKeith Stanfield), a rising journalist tasked with writing Christina’s obituary. Weaving together two parallel love stories, The Photograph is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of art to connect us across time and space.
13. The Light Between Oceans (2016)
Based on the bestselling novel by M.L. Stedman, The Light Between Oceans tells the story of Tom (Michael Fassbender), a lighthouse keeper, and his wife Isabel (Alicia Vikander), who live on a remote island off the coast of Australia in the years following World War I. After suffering two miscarriages and a stillbirth, the grieving couple’s prayers are answered when a rowboat washes ashore carrying a baby girl. They decide to raise the child as their own, but their happiness is threatened when they meet the child’s biological mother on the mainland. This heartbreaking tale of love, loss, and the impossible choices we make is a testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit.
14. The Age of Adaline (2015)
Blake Lively stars as Adaline Bowman, a young woman who gains eternal youth after a freak accident in the 1930s. Afraid to reveal her secret, Adaline withdraws from the world, living a solitary existence and never allowing herself to get too close to anyone. But when she meets the charming and persistent Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman), Adaline’s carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. Torn between her fear of discovery and her desire for true love and connection, Adaline must decide whether Ellis is worth the risk of revealing her true self. This sweeping romance spans decades and generations, reminding us that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.
15. Somewhere in Time (1980)
Starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, Somewhere in Time follows the story of Richard Collier, a young playwright who becomes obsessed with a photograph of a beautiful actress from the early 1900s. Using self-hypnosis, Richard travels back in time to meet the woman, Elise McKenna, and the two fall deeply in love. But as Richard’s time in the past runs out, he must find a way to stay with Elise forever. This classic romantic fantasy is a timeless tale of love that transcends the boundaries of time itself.
16. Nights in Rodanthe (2008)
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, Nights in Rodanthe stars Diane Lane and Richard Gere as Adrienne and Paul, two wounded souls who find solace in each other during a weekend at a remote inn on the North Carolina coast. As a powerful storm rages outside, Adrienne and Paul share their heartaches and begin to heal old wounds. But when the weekend ends, they must decide whether their love is strong enough to weather the challenges that lie ahead. This poignant romance is a testament to the transformative power of love and the courage it takes to open our hearts to second chances.
17. The Illusionist (2006)
Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, The Illusionist stars Edward Norton as Eisenheim, a talented magician who uses his powers to win back the love of his life, Sophie (Jessica Biel), a woman far above his social standing. But when Sophie becomes engaged to the powerful Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), Eisenheim must use all his skills to outwit the prince and fight for his true love. This romantic period drama is a mesmerizing tale of love, magic, and the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.
18. The Painted Veil (2006)
Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham, The Painted Veil stars Naomi Watts and Edward Norton as Kitty and Walter, a young British couple who marry for the wrong reasons and find themselves in a loveless marriage in 1920s China. When Kitty has an affair with a dashing diplomat, Walter decides to punish her by forcing her to accompany him to a remote village ravaged by a cholera epidemic. As they work together to fight the disease, Kitty and Walter slowly begin to fall in love and discover a newfound respect for each other. This lush period drama is a poignant exploration of love, forgiveness, and the power of second chances.
19. P.S. I Love You (2007)
Based on the novel by Cecelia Ahern, P.S. I Love You stars Hilary Swank as Holly, a young widow struggling to move on after the death of her husband Gerry (Gerard Butler). But before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters designed to guide her through her grief and help her rediscover herself. As Holly embarks on a journey of self-discovery, she learns that love never truly dies. This heartwarming tale is a testament to the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.
20. The Lake House (2006)
Starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, The Lake House follows the story of Kate and Alex, two lonely hearts who live in the same lake house two years apart and begin exchanging letters through a mysterious mailbox. As they fall in love across time, they must find a way to bridge the gap between their worlds and be together. This romantic fantasy is a poignant meditation on the power of love to transcend time and space.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic tearjerker or a more modern take on love and loss, these 20 movies like The Notebook are sure to satisfy your craving for sweeping, emotional romance. So grab some tissues, curl up on the couch, and get ready to swoon and sob your way through these unforgettable love stories.
