Summary

• Unrequited love movies showcase one-sided romantic feelings that aren't always reciprocated, adding depth to the drama and conflict.
• Love triangles, star-crossed lovers, and unrequited crushes are popular sub-genres in romantic dramas that captivate audiences.
• Some of the lesser-known unrequited love stories provide unique and artistic perspectives that can be found on various streaming platforms.

The subject of unrequited love remains consistently popular in both romantic comedies and romantic dramas. Unrequited love movies aren't just about romantic feelings that aren't reciprocated. Often, love is one-sided because it isn't openly acknowledged or labeled as such. This often makes for a very entertaining movie, because conflict is the very essence of drama and romance stories. Though these kinds of stories aren't fun for the characters, they are often some of the most touching for viewers to enjoy.

Whether it's a love triangle, a lover who can't let go of their ex, or a star-crossed love story, tragic or rocky love stories are one of the most widely viewed sub-genres. Many of the most popular unrequited love stories, but also some of the more artistic, lesser-known ones, can now be found across different streaming services. Many romantic comedies and other romantic movies miss the mark, but these are some of the best in this niche.

The Breaker Upperers (2018)

Stream on Netflix

This movie is about the exact opposite of matchmakers, which are more common in romantic comedies. Cynical after their past breakups, best friends Jen (Jackie van Beek) and Mel (Madeleine Sami) establish an agency designed to break couples up in unsuspecting ways. However, their hilariously over-the-top schemes are more of a reflection of their own personal problems and histories. They once dated the same guy, and one of them is still nursing feelings for him despite it being years earlier.

While not one of the more well-known unrequited love movies out there, critics loved the New Zealand romantic comedy, certifying it fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The two stars of the movie also co-wrote the movie and co-directed it, pulling triple duty for the comedy.

The Breaker Upperers became the top-selling movie in New Zealand for 2018

John Tucker Must Die (2006)

Stream on Hulu

While each of the girls want to hurt him, they also all clearly want him back.

Jesse Metcalfe is the titular John Tucker, a teenage boy who finds himself the target of a revenge plot when he dates three girls at the same time without telling him. Sophia Bush, Arielle Kebbel, and Ashanti team up with the new girl in school, Brittany Snow, to make him fall for her just so they can break his heart. While each of the girls want to hurt him, they also all clearly want him back, and each have moments of considering reconnecting with him.

Snow's character emulates the best traits from each of the girls he dated to pretend to be his perfect girl, and he does fall for her while she’s falling for his brother. John Tucker learns exactly what it’s like to fall and have his heart broken, but he's not the only character who learns a lesson at the end of this movie. The movie remains so popular among those who were teens in the 2000s that a sequel has been in development with the original cast.

There’s Something About Mary (1998)

Stream on Starz

In the late 1990s, Cameron Diaz starred in two iconic movies about unrequited love. There’s Something About Mary is the raunchier of those two comedies. Diaz stars as Mary, an orthopedic surgeon who finds herself pursued by several different men. One of them is her high school prom date who couldn’t end up going with her but hires a private investigator to find her years later when he’s still in love with her. Another is the private investigator. Yet another is someone who pretends to be her friend but has really been stalking her.

Each of the men in the movie lies and tricks Mary - supposedly in the name of love - highlighting the dangers of obsession in a comedic way. The cast all have stellar comedic timing, making for what would be alarming scenes in a drama leave the audience hilariously entertained.

When We First Met (2018)

Stream on Netflix