Romantic Tragedy Films
I’ve always been a sucker for romance and love a happy ending. But let’s face it, love doesn’t always wrap up neatly. That doesn’t make those stories any less real or touching. In fact, sometimes the love stories that end in tragedy leave a deeper impression. As the poet Alfred Tennyson said, it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
So, I’ve put together a list of romantic tragedy films, both old and new. Some are based on novels, plays, or real-life events. While not all of these films are outright tragedies, they all feature couples whose love stories end in separation. I’ve excluded film noir and suspense genres to focus on the core romantic stories.
Sixty Romantic Tragedies (Alphabetically Listed)
1. 21 Days Together (1940)
– Why Watch: Featuring Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, this movie shows a couple savoring their last days together before facing a murder trial.
– Content: Not rated. Discusses murder and an affair subtly.
– Where to Watch: TCM on May 22, DVD purchase.
2. Above and Beyond (1952)
– Why Watch: Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker explore the emotional impact of war on marriage and family.
– Content: Not rated. No objectionable content.
– Where to Watch: Rent/buy on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, or DVD.
3. Algiers (1938)
– Why Watch: Charles Boyer is captivating as a doomed jewel thief. Co-stars the beautiful Hedy Lamarr.
– Content: Not rated. No explicit content.
– Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Epix, Tubi, DVD purchase.
4. Anna Karenina (Various Adaptations)
– Why Watch: Tolstoy’s complex characters and storylines packed with societal expectations make this a fascinating study of relationships.
– Content: Varies by adaptation. Adultery and off-screen suicide are themes.
– Where to Watch: Various platforms based on the adaptation year, from TCM to DVD purchase.
5. Atonement (2007)
– Why Watch: This Oscar-nominated film showcases love lost through a tragic betrayal with excellent performances and period-perfect costumes.
– Content: Rated R for sexuality, strong language, and war violence.
– Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, DVD purchase.
6. Autumn in New York (2000)
– Why Watch: A rare positive portrayal of a May-December romance featuring Richard Gere’s character’s growth through his relationship with a dying young woman.
– Content: Rated PG-13 for language and sensuality.
– Where to Watch: Amazon, Vudu, DVD purchase.
7. Becoming Jane (2007)
– Why Watch: Explores Jane Austen’s early years, potential romance, and inspirations for her beloved novels.
– Content: Rated PG. Includes mild profanity and sensuality.
– Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, DVD purchase.
8. Brief Encounter (1945)
– Why Watch: This classic film about a love affair between two married individuals is a masterpiece of understated performances.
– Content: Unrated; the film centers on an affair but shows nothing explicit.
– Where to Watch: Amazon, iTunes, DVD purchase.
9. Bright Star (2009)
– Why Watch: Chronicles the brief life and sad romance of poet John Keats with heartfelt performances.
– Content: Rated PG for mild profanity and references to sensuality.
– Where to Watch: Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, DVD purchase.
10. Bonjour Tristesse (1958)
– Why Watch: Depicts selfishness and hedonism with masterful use of black and white vs. color to distinguish past from present.
– Content: Unrated; themes unsuitable for young children.
– Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, DVD purchase.
11. Camille (Various Adaptations)
– Why Watch: The story of a courtesan who falls for a young man highlights the transformative power of love.
– Content: PG.
– Where to Watch: Varies by adaptation, details on specific platforms.
12. Casablanca (1941)
– Why Watch: An iconic film featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman with inspirational themes rather than pure tragedy.
– Content: Unrated; little objectionable content.
– Where to Watch: YouTube, Google Play, DVD purchase.
13. City Lights (1931)
– Why Watch: One of Charlie Chaplin’s masterpieces blending humor and pathos as his character helps a blind flower girl.
– Content: Rated G.
– Where to Watch: Kanopy, Amazon, DVD purchase.
14. City of Angels (1998)
– Why Watch: A quintessential ’90s romance about a supernatural being falling for a human, exploring love’s sacrifices.
– Content: Rated PG-13 for language and sexuality.
– Where to Watch: Google Play, YouTube, DVD purchase.
15. Dark Victory (1939)
– Why Watch: Bette Davis shines as a wealthy woman who changes her outlook on life after learning she’s terminally ill.
– Content: Unrated; nothing objectionable.
– Where to Watch: YouTube, Google Play, DVD purchase.
16. Doctor Zhivago (1965 & 2002 Adaptations)
– Why Watch: Boris Pasternak’s novel set in early 20th-century Russia focuses on love amidst upheaval.
– Content: Rated PG-13 and TV-14; includes sexuality, mild language, and moderate violence.
– Where to Watch: Netflix, Britbox, DVD purchase.
17. The Duchess (2008)
– Why Watch: Chronicles the life of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and her quest for freedom in a restrictive society.
– Content: Rated PG-13 for sexuality, nudity, and language.
– Where to Watch: Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, DVD purchase.
18. The English Patient (1996)
– Why Watch: This nine-time Oscar-winning film weaves romance, drama, and sacrifice into a touching story.
– Content: Rated R for sexuality, violence, and language.
– Where to Watch: Netflix, YouTube, DVD purchase.
19. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
– Why Watch: John Greene’s novel comes to life, capturing the love and struggles of two teenagers battling serious illness.
– Content: Rated PG-13.
– Where to Watch: Amazon, YouTube, DVD purchase.
20. Forrest Gump (1994)
– Why Watch: Tom Hanks shines as an innocent man witnessing historical events while steadfastly loving his childhood friend.
– Content: Rated PG-13.
– Where to Watch: Amazon, YouTube, DVD purchase.
21. The Great Gatsby (Various Adaptations)
– Why Watch: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tale of ambition and doomed romance remains a poignant commentary on class and desire.
– Content: Varies by adaptation.
– Where to Watch: Starz, Amazon, DVD purchase.
22. Gone With the Wind (1939)
– Why Watch: Featuring a complex anti-heroine during the Civil War, this film makes viewers empathize with a selfish protagonist.
– Content: Rated PG.
– Where to Watch: TCM, iTunes, Google Play, DVD purchase.
23. He Who Gets Slapped (1924)
– Why Watch: Lon Chaney stars as a clown secretly in love, bringing great pathos to his role in this silent film.
– Content: Unrated; some scenes of menace and violence.
– Where to Watch: DVD purchase.
24. Humoresque (1946)
– Why Watch: John Garfield and Joan Crawford’s intense drama about a toxic affair is compelling and emotional.
– Content: Unrated; includes affair and an implied suicide off-screen.
– Where to Watch: YouTube, Google Play, DVD purchase.
25. Hunchback of Notre Dame (Various Adaptations)
– Why Watch: Victor Hugo’s story of an unrequited love set in 15th-century Paris addresses the impacts of societal marginalization.
– Content: Varies by adaptation.
– Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, TCM, DVD purchase.
26. La Boheme (1926)
– Why Watch: Told through silent film, this tale of starving artists in 1830s Paris features moving performances by Lillian Gish and John Gilbert.
– Content: PG-like.
– Where to Watch: TCM, DVD purchase.
27. La La Land (2016)
– Why Watch: This modern musical captures the highs and lows of a couple’s journey together, feeling true to life despite its sadness.
– Content: Rated PG-13.
– Where to Watch: Amazon, YouTube, DVD purchase.
28. Love Actually (2003)
– Why Watch: This modern holiday classic features intertwined stories, not all with happy endings, yet always moving.
– Content: Rated PG-13 or R, depending on the version.
– Where to Watch: Starz, Amazon, DVD purchase.
29. Love Story (1970)
– Why Watch: The tale of a rich boy meeting a poor girl is timeless, making stars of Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal.
– Content: Rated PG.
– Where to Watch: Kanopy, Amazon, DVD purchase.
30. Madame Bovary (Various Adaptations)
– Why Watch: Watching the protagonist’s self-destruction in pursuit of happiness is heart-wrenching and a potent life lesson.
– Content: Varies from PG to R.
– Where to Watch: Various platforms based on the adaptation year, from TCM to DVD purchase.
