The Best Movies About Tragic Love

Alex Alvarez
Updated April 15, 2024 50 items
Ranked By
1.7K votes
155 voters

There are few things more tragic than a love story that doesn't stand a chance. These new and classic movies feature star-crossed lovers or simply a romantic plot that ends in tragedy. The one-sided nature of the emotion can lead to feelings of loneliness, desperation, and even the loss of a soulmate. While these emotions may be difficult to experience in real life, they can make for some of the best movies about tragic love. So if you're in the mood for some heartbreaking romantic movies, you've come to the right place.

From The Notebook to Brokeback Mountain, these films explore the dark side of love, and the lengths that people will go to for the object of their affection. While they may not always have happy endings, these movies offer a glimpse into the power that love can have over us. But which one of these movies deserves to be at the top of the list? You can help decide by voting up your favorites and voting down the ones that you think other fans should skip. Thanks to great streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Apple TV+ you can start streaming most of these movies right away.

Most divisive: Pearl Harbor
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies About Tragic Love
  • Titanic
    1

    Titanic

    Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
    135 votes
    In the 1997 epic romance-disaster film Titanic, Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a penniless artist, and Rose Dewitt-Bukater (Kate Winslet), a young upper-class woman, meet aboard the ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic. Their unexpected companionship unfolds into a poignant love story that transcends their starkly different social standings. Directed by James Cameron, the film intertwines their narrative with the historical events of the ship's doomed maiden voyage. The movie won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, underlining its monumental cinematic achievement. Titanic remains an enduring testament to the human spirit amidst catastrophe.
    More TitanicRight Arrow
  • My Girl
    2

    My Girl

    Anna Chlumsky, Macaulay Culkin, Dan Aykroyd
    118 votes
    In the heartwarming drama My Girl, precocious 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) navigates the trials of adolescence in 1972 Pennsylvania. Living with her widowed mortician father, Harry (Dan Aykroyd), Vada's world is colored by death and grief. Her best friend, the sweetly allergic Thomas J. Sennett (Macaulay Culkin), offers a ray of joy in her life. As Vada grapples with first love, loss, and growing up, she learns valuable lessons about life. The film beautifully captures the innocence and confusion of childhood amidst profound themes of mortality and transformation.
    More My GirlRight Arrow
  • Ghost
    3

    Ghost

    Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg
    102 votes
    In Ghost, banker Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is tragically murdered, but his spirit remains earthbound. Through a psychic, Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg), he seeks to communicate with his distraught fiancé, Molly Jensen (Demi Moore). His mission becomes twofold: conveying his undying love for Molly and uncovering the truth behind his untimely death. The film, a blend of romance and supernatural thriller, won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Goldberg. As an intricate plot unfolds, audiences are left grappling with themes of love, loss, and justice beyond the grave.
    More GhostRight Arrow
  • The Notebook
    4

    The Notebook

    Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner
    112 votes
    The Notebook, a romantic drama, sweeps us into the tale of Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) and Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling). Set in the backdrop of 1940s South Carolina, it follows the couple's fervent love story from their youthful summer romance to the trials of old age. The narrative unfolds through an elderly man's recollections, Duke (James Garner), reading from his faded notebook to fellow nursing home resident, Miss Hamilton (Gena Rowlands). Directed by Nick Cassavetes and based on Nicholas Sparks's novel, The Notebook won eight Teen Choice Awards in 2005.
    More The NotebookRight Arrow
  • A Walk to Remember
    5

    A Walk to Remember

    Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote
    109 votes
    In A Walk to Remember, a poignant tale of love and redemption unfolds. Landon Carter (Shane West), a rebellious teenager, finds himself unexpectedly smitten by Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), the town's preacher's daughter. Set in North Carolina, this coming-of-age drama, directed by Adam Shankman, sees their worlds intertwining in ways they couldn't have imagined. Their relationship evolves against all odds, facing societal pressures and life-altering revelations. This adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's novel won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Drama Movie. The film is notable for its exploration of faith, transformation, and resilience in the face of adversity.
    More A Walk to RememberRight Arrow
  • A Star Is Born
    6

    A Star Is Born

    Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott
    108 votes
    In the critically acclaimed film A Star Is Born, seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She's just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, their relationship is tested as Jack battles his internal demons. Directed by Bradley Cooper, this romantic drama is a raw and passionate tale of two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Garnering numerous awards, it remains a poignant exploration of love and fame.
    More A Star Is BornRight Arrow
  • The Fault in Our Stars
    7

    The Fault in Our Stars

    Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Willem Dafoe
    88 votes
    The Fault in Our Stars is a poignant tale of love and loss, crafted within the genre of romantic drama. The narrative revolves around Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), an intelligent teenager battling cancer, and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a charismatic boy she meets at a support group. Their shared experiences and resilience weave an extraordinary love story that transcends the ordinary. This critically acclaimed movie, based on John Green's best-selling novel, won the 2014 MTV Movie Award for Movie of the Year. It explores themes of mortality, love, and sacrifice with raw authenticity, delivering a compelling cinematic experience.
    More The Fault in Our StarsRight Arrow
  • Brokeback Mountain
    8

    Brokeback Mountain

    Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Cardellini
    90 votes
    Brokeback Mountain, a captivating drama that's won three Academy Awards, is set against the sweeping landscapes of Wyoming and Texas. The film tells the story of two young men - Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal). They first meet as sheepherders in summer 1963. Over time, they forge a deep bond that spans years, marked by complex emotions and societal constraints. Ang Lee's nuanced direction coupled with Larry McMurtry's adept screenplay transforms Annie Proulx's novella into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Amidst all its raw beauty and quiet intensity, Brokeback Mountain remains a poignant exploration of love and longing.
    More Brokeback MountainRight Arrow
  • Love Story
    9

    Love Story

    Ali MacGraw, Ryan O'Neal, Ray Milland
    61 votes
    In Love Story, Harvard Law student Oliver Barrett IV (Ryan O'Neal) and music student Jennifer Cavilleri (Ali MacGraw) share a chemistry they cannot deny. Their romance blooms, challenged by the stark contrast of their backgrounds - Oliver's wealthy upbringing against Jenny's working-class roots. This 1970 classic, directed by Arthur Hiller, explores the depths of young love and sacrifice. It won an Academy Award for Best Original Score, with its iconic line - "Love means never having to say you're sorry" - immortalizing the film in popular culture. A tale as old as time, yet fresh with each viewing.
    More Love StoryRight Arrow
  • Atonement
    10

    Atonement

    James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai
    59 votes
    Atonement, a compelling drama set against the backdrop of World War II, explores the complexities of love and betrayal. The story revolves around Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), a young girl with a vivid imagination, her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley), and their housekeeper's son Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). A single act of youthful misunderstanding alters their lives forever, as Briony's false accusation lands Robbie in prison and war. Directed by Joe Wright, this film won an Oscar for Best Original Score and was nominated for six others, including Best Picture.
    More AtonementRight Arrow
  • Leaving Las Vegas
    11

    Leaving Las Vegas

    Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands
    53 votes
    In the profound drama Leaving Las Vegas, Ben Sanderson (Nicholas Cage) is a Hollywood screenwriter whose addiction to alcohol has cost him everything - his job, family, and self-respect. He decides to drink himself to death in Las Vegas. There, he meets Sera (Elisabeth Shue), a hardened prostitute with her own cross to bear. They form an unconventional relationship based on mutual desperation rather than love. This poignant tale earned Cage an Academy Award for Best Actor, underscoring the film's raw exploration of human frailty.
    More Leaving Las VegasRight Arrow
  • Dear John
    12

    Dear John

    Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins
    55 votes
    When soldier John Tyree (Channing Tatum) meets an idealistic college student, Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), it's the beginning of a strong romance. Over the next seven tumultuous years and separated by John's increasingly dangerous deployment, the lovers stay in touch through their letters, meeting in person only rarely. However, their correspondence triggers consequences that neither could foresee.
    More Dear JohnRight Arrow
  • P.S. I Love You
    13

    P.S. I Love You

    Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow
    63 votes
    In P.S. I Love You, a romance-meets-drama film, Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank) finds herself navigating the choppy waters of widowhood after her husband Gerry's (Gerard Butler) untimely death. But Gerry, in his love and foresight, has left Holly a series of letters designed to ease her grief and guide her towards reclaiming life. The movie weaves through these poignant moments as Holly discovers each letter. Directed by Richard LaGravenese, this film is an exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of Ireland's awe-inspiring landscapes.
    More P.S. I Love YouRight Arrow
  • Five Feet Apart
    14

    Five Feet Apart

    Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse, Moises Arias
    52 votes
    Seventeen-year-old Stella spends most of her time in the hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. Her life is full of routines, boundaries and self-control -- all of which get put to the test when she meets Will, an impossibly charming teen who has the same illness. There's an instant flirtation, though restrictions dictate that they must maintain a safe distance between them. As their connection intensifies, so does the temptation to throw the rules out the window and embrace that attraction.
    More Five Feet ApartRight Arrow
  • Moulin Rouge!
    15

    Moulin Rouge!

    Nicole Kidman, Ozzy Osbourne, Kylie Minogue
    90 votes
    Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 Australian–American pastiche-jukebox musical film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. It tells the story of a young English poet/writer, Christian, who falls in love with the terminally-ill star of the Moulin Rouge, cabaret actress and courtesan Satine. It uses the musical setting of the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, France. At the 74th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Nicole Kidman, winning two: for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. It was the first musical nominated for Best Picture in 10 years, following Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
    More Moulin Rouge!Right Arrow
  • Message in a Bottle
    16

    Message in a Bottle

    Kevin Costner, Robin Wright, Paul Newman
    57 votes
    During her morning jog on the beach, journalist Theresa Osborne (Robin Wright Penn) discovers a bottle protruding from the sand. Inside it, she finds a heartbreaking, anonymous love letter. After her paper publishes the letter, Osborne tracks down the letter's reclusive author, world-weary widower Garret Blake (Kevin Costner), in the Carolinas. But, as Osborne finds herself falling hopelessly in love with Blake, she becomes wracked with guilt over the real impetus for her visit.
    More Message in a BottleRight Arrow
  • Jane Eyre
    17

    Jane Eyre

    Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell
    43 votes
    As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester (Michael Fassbender). Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.
    More Jane EyreRight Arrow
  • Blue Valentine
    18

    Blue Valentine

    Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Faith Wladyka
    56 votes
    In Blue Valentine, we are presented with an intricate tapestry of love and loss. The film's central characters are Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams), a couple whose relationship oscillates between the unbridled passion of their early days and the crushing reality of their present struggles. Set in suburban Pennsylvania, the narrative is largely driven by flashbacks that reveal how their once idyllic romance has transformed into a bitter and heartbreaking ordeal. This intense drama, directed by Derek Cianfrance, was recognized for its raw portrayal of love, earning Michelle Williams an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
    More Blue ValentineRight Arrow
  • Untamed Heart
    19

    Untamed Heart

    Christian Slater, Marisa Tomei, Rosie Perez
    48 votes
    Caroline (Marisa Tomei), a young waitress who seems to have bad taste in men, is on her way home one night when thugs attempt to rape her. Adam (Christian Slater), the mysterious busboy who works at the same diner, helps fight off the assailants, and she begins a relationship with him -- but not all their fellow Minnesotans are happy for them. Meanwhile, the couple face their own difficulties when Caroline finds about Adam's past, including his unique health condition.
    More Untamed HeartRight Arrow
  • One Day
    20

    One Day

    Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clarkson
    51 votes
    On July 15, 1988 -- the day of their college graduation -- two people from opposite sides of the tracks begin a lifelong friendship. Emma (Anne Hathaway), an idealist from a working-class family, wants to make the world a better place. Dexter (Jim Sturgess), a playboy, thinks the world is his oyster. For the next 20 years, the two friends reunite on the 15th of each July, sharing dreams, tears and laughter -- until they discover what they've been searching for, each other.
    More One DayRight Arrow
  • The English Patient
    21

    The English Patient

    Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe
    41 votes
    Set against the backdrop of World War II, The English Patient is a compelling narrative of love and loss. The central character, Count Almásy (Ralph Fiennes), is a severely burnt man who finds solace in the care of nurse Hana (Juliette Binoche). As she tends to his wounds in an abandoned Italian monastery, Almásy recounts his past life as a cartographer and his passionate affair with Katharine Clifton (Kristin Scott Thomas) in the North African desert. This film, directed by Anthony Minghella, won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. With its sweeping vistas and intricate storyline, The English Patient is a poignant exploration of human connection amidst the chaos of war.
    More The English PatientRight Arrow
  • Pearl Harbor
    22

    Pearl Harbor

    Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale
    64 votes
    Pearl Harbor (2001) is an epic war film that masterfully blends romance and action. Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) and Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett), are childhood friends turned Army Air Corps pilots, who find themselves in a love triangle with the beautiful nurse Evelyn Johnson (Kate Beckinsale). As their personal drama unfolds, the harrowing events of December 7, 1941 - the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor - catapult our protagonists into the throes of World War II. Directed by Michael Bay, this film won an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing.
    More Pearl HarborRight Arrow
  • The Best of Me
    23

    The Best of Me

    Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Luke Bracey
    36 votes
    Amanda (Michelle Monaghan) and Dawson (James Marsden) were once high-school sweethearts. They have a bittersweet reunion when they return to their hometown for the funeral of a mutual, beloved friend. Seeing each other again after 20 years apart reignites the love they've never forgotten, but Amanda and Dawson soon discover that the forces that drove them apart when they were younger pose even more threats today. Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.
    More The Best of MeRight Arrow
  • Bram Stoker's Dracula
    24

    Bram Stoker's Dracula

    Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins
    62 votes
    Bram Stoker's Dracula is a chilling journey into the heart of darkness, masterfully directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The tale unfolds with Count Dracula (Gary Oldman), an ageless vampire haunted by a tragic love story. He leaves his castle in Transylvania and ventures to Victorian England, lured by a photograph of Mina Murray (Winona Ryder), who bears an uncanny resemblance to his long-lost beloved. In this grim world, Professor Abraham Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins) emerges as a beacon of light. A scholar with profound knowledge about vampires, he becomes the chief adversary to the Count's unholy plans. The movie cascades through a series of hauntingly beautiful scenes that paint a vivid picture of love, loss, and horror. Winner of three Academy Awards, this Gothic horror film reinterprets Bram Stoker's classic novel, offering viewers an intricate tapestry of passion and terror. It stands as a testament to Coppola's cinematic genius and the enduring allure of the Dracula legend.
    More Bram Stoker's DraculaRight Arrow
  • Sweet November
    25

    Sweet November

    Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs
    45 votes
    Nelson Moss (Keanu Reeves) and Sara Deever (Charlize Theron) have nothing in common except an hour spent in DMV hell. Intrigued by each other, but not quite ready to commit, they settle on a rather unconventional courtship: a one-month trial, after which they'll go their separate ways. No expectations. No pressure. No strings attached. What neither of them counts on is falling in love.
    More Sweet NovemberRight Arrow
  • Mourning Becomes Electra
    26

    Mourning Becomes Electra

    Kirk Douglas, Rosalind Russell, Eugene O'Neill
    21 votes
    Mourning Becomes Electra is a 1947 American film by Dudley Nichols adapted from the 1931 Eugene O'Neill play of the same title. The film stars Rosalind Russell, Michael Redgrave, Raymond Massey, Katina Paxinou, Leo Genn and Kirk Douglas. It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actress in a Leading Role. Originally released by RKO Radio Pictures at nearly three hours, it was eventually edited down to 105 minutes after it performed poorly at the box office and won no Oscars. It has since been restored to its full length and shown on Turner Classic Movies. An Oscar upset occurred in connection with the film. All who saw it had taken it for granted that Rosalind Russell would win for her performance as Lavinia, to the point that Russell actually began to rise from her seat just before the winner's name was called. However, it was Loretta Young, and not Russell, who was named Best Actress for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter. The movie recorded a loss of $2,310,000, making it one of RKO's biggest financial disasters.
  • The Face of Love
    27

    The Face of Love

    Annette Bening, Ed Harris, Robin Williams
    24 votes
    A lonely widow (Annette Bening) begins a romance with an art teacher (Ed Harris) who looks just like her late husband but does not tell him of the resemblance.
  • The Bridges of Madison County
    28

    The Bridges of Madison County

    Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Annie Corley
    46 votes
    A moving love story about a photographer on assignment to shoot the historic bridges of Madison County. He meets a housewife, whose husband and children are away on a trip, and the film traces a brief affair that is never sordid but instead one of two soul mates who have met too late.
    More The Bridges of Madison CountyRight Arrow
  • Now Is Good
    29

    Now Is Good

    Dakota Fanning, Kaya Scodelario, Rose Leslie
    32 votes
    Now Is Good is a 2012 British teen drama film directed by Ol Parker. Based on the 2007 novel Before I Die by Jenny Downham, it was adapted by Parker who had recently written the screenplay for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The film, which stars Dakota Fanning, Jeremy Irvine and Paddy Considine, centres on Tessa, a girl who is dying of leukaemia and tries to enjoy her remaining life as much as she possibly can. The first trailer for the film was released on 5 March 2012.
  • A Year of the Quiet Sun
    30

    A Year of the Quiet Sun

    Maja Komorowska, Scott Wilson, Hanna Skarzanka
    24 votes
    In post--World War II Poland, American soldier Norman (Scott Wilson) serves as a driver for a United Nations war-crimes commission examining Nazi mass graves. Norman falls in love with war widow Emilia (Maja Komorowska) and, in spite of language and cultural differences, a meaningful romance blossoms between them. But Emilia's loyalty to her ailing mother (Hanna Skarżanka) threatens to separate the couple when Norman finally receives his papers to return home.