Break-ups are very difficult. This can make us feel alone, unhappy, and hostile. But how do we get over the loss of somebody that meant everything to us? Some people believe in cutting off all contact with their partner, staying away from alcohol, or going to the gym. However, sometimes, we need a good cry while watching a worthwhile breakup movie.
Movies are one of the best ways to help one heal from break-ups. They let us know that we are not alone in such situations and there is hope for tomorrow because others have experienced them, too. In addition, they bring out fits of laughter, smiles, and inspiration. Everyone has a movie for their mood or situation, be it a happy ending, revenge plot, or realistic portrayal.
Netflix offers an array of break-up movies catering to different tastes and preferences that people have. It could be anything from classic romcoms to modern dramas or tear-drippers to comedies, though there is something for everyone. This article explores 21 must-see Netflix break-up films that will help you forget about your ex and move forward with your life.
Top 10 best breakup movies on Netflix – Quick list
- Malcolm & Marie: A moviemaker and his partner have a heated discussion following the debut of his film. They expose their fears and grievances. This night challenges their relationship.
- How to Get Over a Breakup: A girl becomes single after a split. She becomes part of a supportive circle of ladies. She encounters past romances and novel experiences.
- Seriously Single: A woman, fond of companionship, is abandoned. Her confidante guides her in embracing solitude. A charismatic man appears, altering her perspective.
- The Breaker Upperers: Two pals operate a business – they split couples for money. But things go haywire when one begins to fancy a client. They must mend their friendship and rethink their futures.
- Nappily Ever After: A lady with a flawless life finds herself without a boyfriend and hair. Choosing to see her true self, she finds a new sense of beauty. New love and opportunities emerge for her.
- Irreplaceable You: A lady battling cancer seeks a new partner for her future husband. In a companionship circle, she finds solace and new bonds. This journey helps her release and savor life.
- Gaga: Five Foot Two: Explore Lady Gaga’s adventure. This tale portrays her highs, lows, and the creative passion behind her music. Additionally, it discloses her fight with fame and private life troubles.
- Ready to Mingle: A lady desiring marriage enrolls in a class for the unattached. She gathers wisdom on romantic interactions. On her journey, she encounters various gentlemen, leading to complicated situations.
- I’m Thinking of Ending Things: A girl visits her partner’s folks with him. Strange, unreal things happen to her. She begins to doubt what’s real and if her relationship is too.
- When We First Met: A guy returns to charm his dream girl. Modifying his deeds, he shifts the results. Finally, he understands he’s meant for a different person.
Best breakup movies on Netflix – Detailed list
1. Malcolm & Marie
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 46min | Drama, Romance | Sam Levinson | John David, Washington Zendaya | 6.0 | 2021 |
“Malcolm & Marie” spins a tale of a couple, a moviemaker, Malcolm, and his partner, Marie. Coming back from a hit film debut sparks fly when Marie’s thanks are missing from Malcolm’s speech. Arguments flare that night, mixing old hurts and doubts into their relationship’s conversation.
Malcolm and Marie chat into the night. They talk about love, art, and who they are. Each talk and argument uncovers more about who they are and how their relationship is. The movie uses direct talk and strong feelings to examine how love is complicated and the control within a couple’s lifestyle.
2. How to Get Over a Breakup
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 44min | Comedy, Romance | Bruno Ascenzo, Joanna Lombardi | Gisela Ponce de Leon, Karina Jordan | 6.1 | 2018 |
How to Get Over a Breakup is a film about Sarah, a girl. Unexpectedly, her longtime boyfriend breaks up with her. Heartbroken and confused, Sarah looks to her unique friends. They share funny, heartfelt escapades to aid Sarah in getting past her pain.
Post-breakup, Sarah began experiencing life’s roller coaster. She stumbled upon the power of liking herself and leaning on friends. She laughed it off, found toughness, and understood that she had to release yesterday to welcome tomorrow. Sarah discovered that recovery is a process, but eventually, it paved the way for a stronger, happier her.
3. Seriously Single
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 47min | Comedy, Romance | Katleho Ramaphakela, Rethabile Ramaphakela | Fulu Mugovhani, Tumi Morake | 4.6 | 2020 |
Dineo, a lovely woman, highly values relationships. She strongly thinks her joy comes from finding a spouse. On Valentine’s Day, she meets Lunga and feels attraction. In her mind, she pictures him as her life partner. However, Lunga hides the truth that ruins Dineo’s dream; he already has a wife. Extremely upset and angry, Dineo finds herself in unfamiliar territory as a single woman.
Dineo’s friend Noni differs much from her. Noni avoids commitments, preferring casual dates and fun times. Notions of love and marriage aren’t part of her views. She argues single life beats all. When Dineo leaves Lunga’s home, Noni supports her. She teaches Dineo to be independent, showing the positives of being single without relying on men. Dineo matures. She learns self-love, appreciating her life as it is. She realizes a husband isn’t the key to happiness. Her confidence grows, and she becomes a strong, resilient woman.
4. The Breaker Upperers
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 30min | Comedy | Madeleine Sami, Jackie van Beek | Madeleine Sami, Jackie van Beek | 5.9 | 2018 |
Jen and Mel, buddies, assist folks in ending their relationships. They employ humorous tactics to lighten the separation process. Their shared experience of dating a deceitful man sparked the idea for this venture.
Jen and Mel encounter a woman, Anna, who believes her spouse is still lost. Pity fills them as they navigate their falsehoods with her. A boy, Jordan, catches Mel’s eye; he’s their client. Discord seeps into Jen and Mel’s friendship, shaking its foundation.
5. Nappily Ever After
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 38min | Comedy, Drama, Romance | Haifaa Al-Mansour | Sanaa Lathan, Ricky Whittle | 6.4 | 2018 |
Violet enjoys a pretty good life. She’s got a solid job, decent friends, and a charming boyfriend. However, her hair is a continuous source of worry for her. She yearns for it to be straight and sleek. Then, one day, her boyfriend doesn’t pop the question. She’s quite upset and heated. Her decision to transform her hair multiple times.
Violet encounters Will and his girl, Zoe, owners of a hairdresser’s shop. They admire Violet’s untouched hair. Their aid towards her self-acceptance becomes invaluable. Violet evolves, content with herself, no longer craving perfection. Through her journey, she realizes her life aspirations. Reconciliation with her parents ensues, their pride in her evident.
6. Irreplaceable You
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 36min | Drama, Romance | Comedy, Drama, Romance | Gugu Mbatha-Ra, Michiel Huisman | 6.4 | 2018 |
Abbie and Sam share a strong bond. They became friends during childhood. Marriage is in their plans. However, Abbie is diagnosed with cancer. Overwhelmed with fear, she wants Sam’s happiness even if she isn’t around. She sets out to find him a new companion. Along the way, she encounters humorous individuals battling cancer, too. They contribute to her courage.
Sam doesn’t wish for another companion; Abbie is his sole desire. Overwhelmed with sorrow and frustration, he grapples with life sans her. Every effort is poured into making Abbie joyous. He backs every decision she makes and confesses his love daily. Their remaining time together is spent in each other’s arms before they part ways. Abbie passes away serenely, leaving Sam in deep yearning.
7. Gaga: Five Foot Two
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 40min | Documentary | Chris Moukarbel | Lady Gaga | 6.0 | 2017 |
Gaga: Five Foot Two highlights Lady Gaga’s life. As a renowned singer and songwriter, we watch a year unfold for her. This includes creating her album, Joanne, and a performance at the Super Bowl.
Gaga’s struggles are highlighted in the film. Physical pain plagues her. Romantic troubles culminate in a breakup. A dear, ill friend is missed dearly. Despite these trials, she puts in effort to maintain joy and resilience. Her affection for her fans and family is evident. She shines on stage as a star and humbly remains human.
8. Ready to Mingle
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 37min | Comedy, Romance | Anais Pareto | Cassandra Ciangherotti, Gabriela de la Garza | 5.9 | 2019 |
Ana dreams of a wedding in the near future. A boyfriend, however, isn’t in the picture. She signs up for a class aiming to help find a spouse. Lucila, the instructor, guides Ana on dating. She interacts with several men, yet none fit her fancy. This leaves her feeling sad and directionless.
Cheerful Diego teams up with Ana, showing great fondness towards her. He extends helping hands, bringing smiles to her face with his integrity and kindness. Although Ana appreciates Diego, she is unaware of her blooming feelings. In her mind, he’s merely a friendly figure. Can she recognize that Diego is her perfect match? Find out in Ready to Mingle.
9. I’m Thinking of Ending Things
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 2h 14min | Drama, Thriller | Charlie Kaufman | Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons | 6.6 | 2020 |
I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a story about a young woman. She goes on a road trip with her boyfriend. The trip is to meet his parents. They travel through places covered in snow. Weird stuff starts to happen. This makes her uneasy. She starts worrying about being with her boyfriend. His family seems spooky, too.
As things get unclear and the truth about life and self gets fuzzy, it’s troubling. The suspense grows and comes to a spooky peak. It makes people wonder about the real world and how deeply people can bond. This deep mental movie is sure to make you think.
10. When We First Met
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 37min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance | Ari Sandel | Adam Devine, Alexandra Daddario | 6.4 | 2018 |
At a Halloween party, Noah meets Avery. They enjoy the festivities. He harbors a deep affection for her, but the feelings aren’t mutual. She’s happy to be friends, nothing more. Then she meets Ethan, they bond, and engagement follows. Noah, heartbroken, yearns to rewrite history.
A photo booth with a twist: it teleports him back in time. His heart is set on charming Avery, and he uses this odd booth. He returns to the Halloween bash, attempting various tactics to win her. Yet, each alteration leads to a future shift. Avery isn’t his destiny. He notices a bond with Carrie, Avery’s pal. His heart opens to letting Avery and Ethan find happiness together.
11. Love in the Villa
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 40min | Romance | Carlos Baena | Andrea Martínez, Xavier Páez | 5.4 | 2022 |
Julie, a teacher, is passionate about Romeo and Juliet. A trip to Verona, Italy, the play’s setting, is in her plans. Unexpectedly, her boyfriend ends their relationship before the journey. Julie feels blue, yet she chooses to go solo. She aims to discover love in Verona.
Julie gets to the villa only to find out she’s not alone. Charlie, a grumpy English wine lover, is also living there. Julie doesn’t particularly like him. But they have to share the villa anyway. As they explore the town, things get better. They see beautiful places and begin to understand one another. They cope with the help of local folks. Feelings grow between Charlie and Julie. However, challenges lie ahead. Will they stay together or say their goodbyes?
12. The Incredible Jessica James
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 23min | Comedy, Romance | Jim Strouse | Jessica Williams, Chris O’Dowd | 6.0 | 2017 |
Jessica James loves to write and enjoys theater. She is dealing with a breakup. Just like her, Boone has been gloomy since his wife left him. They strike up a friendship and support each other in moving forward.
Jessica is engaged with children who are fond of theater. She travels to Ohio for her sibling’s baby welcoming event. She encounters her beloved playwright, Sarah Jones. Jessica seizes an opportunity to stage her play in London. Boone provides her assistance to make the trip. Their connection deepens into more than friendship.
13. The First Wives Club
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 43min | Comedy, Romance | Hugh Wilson | Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton | 6.0 | 1996 |
The First Wives Club showcases three pals. They chase payback against their former husbands who dumped them for fresh faces. Their story is fun yet touching. It spotlights relighting the flames of friendship and boosting each other to start fresh.
When they join forces, they build funny plans to get what’s theirs, growing closer as friends in the process. They laugh together, stand as a unit, and realize they can handle deceit. They find happiness in standing on their own two feet.
14. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 51min | Comedy, Drama, Romance | Nicholas Stoller Levinson | Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis | 7.1 | 2008 |
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” has Peter Bretter shocked when his love, Sarah Marshall, suddenly breaks up with him. Broken and confused, Peter turns to a Hawaiian resort, looking for comfort. Yet, his plan goes wrong when he finds out Sarah and her new guy are also at the resort.
Peter is wrestling with his feelings. The hotel’s eclectic crew and a girl named Rachel become his unanticipated companions. His healing journey is dotted with funny accidents and deep reflections, teaching him to release old baggage. New starts look promising. He discovers that the remedy lies in himself and that real love may not be far off.
15. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 48min | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi | Michel Gondry | Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson | 6.0 | 2004 |
The 2004 movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” stars Jim Carrey as Joel. Joel decides to get a treatment that wipes out memories of Clementine, his former girlfriend. Kate Winslet brings Clementine to life. But then Joel discovers he doesn’t want to forget. Their relationship wasn’t perfect, but the memories mattered. He tried to save the love as his past swiftly faded.
Joel’s techs find special times shared with Clementine in his mind. These tell us about their strong bond. The tale tells itself in memories and dreamy parts. It shows hard relationship stuff and how love fights back. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” talks about feeling sad about what’s gone, wishing for things, and always remembering to be strong.
16. Legally Blonde
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 36min | Robert Luketic | Cathy Yan | Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair | 6.3 | 2001 |
Elle Woods, a blond fashion enthusiast, adores her boyfriend Warner. She anticipates a marriage proposal, but he ends their relationship instead, claiming she lacks the seriousness needed for his impending law career. Heartbroken but determined, Elle endeavors to disprove his judgment. After diligent studying, she gains admission to Harvard Law School, Warner’s school.
In Harvard, Elle encounters numerous obstacles. Some folks judge her and assume she’s not intelligent, all because of her blonde hair. Yet, Elle’s intellectual and cordial presence earns her a few good friends. Along the way, Elle meets Emmett, a supportive friend who assists her with academics. Her hard work puts her in an influential court case. Utilizing her wisdom and abilities, she defends her client, who is faced with a murder accusation. Elle proves to everyone that her talent in law surpasses all preconceived notions about blondes.
17. Dear Zindagi
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 2h 51min | Drama, Romance | Gauri Shinde | Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan | 7.4 | 2021 |
In the film “Dear Zindagi,” Kaira’s story unfolds. Kaira, a camera enthusiast based in Mumbai, aspires to create her films. Despite a multitude of friendships, she’s unsatisfied. Kaira regularly experiences sadness and rage. She ends her relationship with Sid, her boyfriend, and shares a moment with Raghuvendra, a film producer. Still, any hint of romantic love from him is absent. He becomes engaged to someone else. Kaira is evicted from her apartment due to the landlord’s disapproval and faces returning to Goa, her parental home. Her relationship with her parents is strained because she believes they remain indifferent to her feelings.
Kaira, in Goa, meets Jug. He’s a psychologist, good at problem-solving. Known for his kindness and wisdom, he speaks to Kaira and truly listens. Jug opens her eyes to fresh perspectives, teaching her to embrace joy and letting her know that life, despite its flaws, sparkles with beauty. He aids her in pardoning her parents and, importantly, herself. His guidance leads her to rediscover her movie-making passion. Their relationship matures into friendship and mentorship.
Kaira begins to heal, her confidence and cheerfulness returning. She creates a short film, a reflection of her story. She crosses paths with Rumi, a musician. His fondness for her is evident; he rallies behind her. Kaira discovers she has plenty of reasons to cherish her life.
18. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 39min | Comedy, Drama, Romance | Susan Johnson | Lana Condor, Noah Centineo | 6.0 | 2018 |
Meet Lara Jean, a reserved young lady fond of love stories. She holds an intimate secret: she pens affectionate notes to boys she admires, yet they never see the light of day. They’re safely tucked away in a hidden box. One unexpected day, her curious little sister Kitty stumbles upon these letters and sends them to the boys. Upon facing the boys who’ve received her letters, Lara Jean is taken aback and blushes with mortification.
Peter, the well-liked school guy, has just split with his girl, Gen. Gen, and Lara Jean used to hang out with. Peter hatches a plan for him and Lara Jean to act like they’re together. He aims to spark Gen’s envy. Lara Jean’s aim? Flee from Josh, a boy she wrote a letter to and her sister’s former flame. They pen a ‘pretend couple’ agreement and start going through the motions of dating. Yet, genuine emotions soon bloom. Can they acknowledge what’s budding, or will the charade continue?
19. Someone Great
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 32min | Comedy, Romance | Jennifer Kaytin Robinson | Gina Rodriguez, LaKeith Stanfield | 6.2 | 2019 |
“Someone Great” is about Jenny, a music writer who gets a terrific new job in a different city. Suddenly, her lengthy relationship ends, shaking her world. Despite this, she’s persistent about moving on. She and her close pals decide on one last awesome escapade before she departs.
Jenny and her buddies have a fun-filled evening in the Big Apple. They experience the roller coaster that is friendship, love, and adulthood. Jenny discovers powerful things about herself and understands the precious nature of friendship amidst crying, laughing, and many memorable moments. “Someone Great” tells a warm, down-to-earth story about bouncing back after loss and how friends can help us heal.
20. How Stella Got Her Groove Back
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 2h 04min | Comedy, Drama, Romance | Kevin Rodney Sullivan | Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs | 5.7 | 1998 |
“How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)” introduces Stella. She juggles success and stress, leaving for a break in Jamaica. She bumps into Winston there. He’s good-looking, charming, and way younger, making her heart flutter.
Stella starts to love Winston. This renews her enthusiasm for life and love. People around her doubt and judge, but Stella accepts this unexpected love. She starts to listen to her heart. Stella’s journey includes joy, sadness, and deep thinking. It’s a path to discover herself and her strength. “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” is a happy and inspiring story. It’s about unexpected love and the happiness of fully living life.
21. The Break-Up
| Movie link | Duration | Genre | Director | Lead cast | IMDb rating | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Netflix link | 1h 46min | Drama, Romance, Comedy | Peyton Reed | Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston | 5.8 | 2006 |
In “The Break-Up,” Gary and Brooke are two people trying to live together. They hit a roadblock following a big disagreement about household jobs. Irritated by their quarrels, they choose to break up. Yet, both are too stubborn to leave their joint condo. This leads to a funny test of stubbornness.
Gary and Brooke pull funny tricks when things heat up to make the other leave the flat. This brings about a bunch of silly mix-ups and deep-thinking times. In the middle of the mess, they look at their mistakes. They understand big lessons about fondness, bending, and how talking matters in love dealings.
Conclusion
Netflix has a bunch of break-up movies. They show many sides of relationships. You’ll get stories and feelings that you can connect to. The streaming giant has covered you if you want a nice love story or a sad drama. These films are great if you’re struggling or need something to watch on a chill night. Thanks to Netflix’s wide range of choices, no matter what you fancy, there’s a break-up film that’s just right for you.
FAQs
Malcolm & Marie tells the tale of a movie maker and his partner. After the premiere of his movie, they head home. There, a fiery disagreement brings out problems in their relationship.
How to Get Over a Breakup is a funny Peruvian film. It’s about a woman who blogs about her experiences after her breakup. It turns out she becomes a hit online!
Seriously, Single is a fun rom-com. It’s about a social media pro searching for love. She learns to enjoy being single with a little help from her best pal.
The Breaker Upperers is a funny movie. It’s about two ladies running a unique business. Their job is to help folks break up. They do this by setting up pretend scenes. These could be things like affairs, fake deaths, or a pretend pregnancy.
Nappily Ever After is about a black woman’s journey with hair and self-image. After big life changes, she chooses to shave her head. The movie mixes laughs with drama.
Irreplaceable You tells the heartfelt story of a lifelong couple. They confront a grim illness that makes them face their own lives’ finiteness and what lies ahead.
Gaga: Five Foot Two is a film. It’s about Lady Gaga, a famous singer. The movie features her life, which includes her fight with ongoing pain.
Ready to Mingle is a funny Mexican film. It happens at a gathering for solo ladies. They wish to discover love and grasp the new-age dating principles.
The movie ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ is a mind-bending thriller. Charlie Kaufman directed it, and Iain Reid wrote the original book. The plot? A girl goes on a trip with her boyfriend to visit his parents. But things get weird.
When We First Met tells a fun, love-filled story with a twist of time travel. It’s about a man. He leaps back to revisit the night he bumped into his crush. His mission was to alter how their romance unfolded.
