Summer is the season for love, and that extends to your watch list, too. Netflix has a lot to offer with its library of movies to get your heart going pitter-patter, including several exclusive Netflix Originals that have seen overwhelming popularity among viewers.
I’ve searched high and low onNetflixfor the best summery romance movies that include rom-coms and coming-of-age flicks that deliver emotional narratives, as well as the light, sunny vibes you need this summer to help you unwind and out you in the mood for love.
2018
Runtime
1 hour 39 minutes
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Beforeis a staple on every Netflix romance movie list you can find, given both its success and strong performances. Based on Jenny Han’sNew York Timesbestselling young adult romance novel of the same name,All the Boysunfolds the story of high school junior Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), whose life is turned upside-down when her little sister mails the secret letters Lara Jean wrote to the five boys she’s ever had crushes on. The rest of the plot follows her romance with her former middle school crush, Peter (Noah Centineo), and the consequences of the letter being mailed.
It’s no surprise that Han’s book made for such good teen romance (she also penned theThe Summer I TurnedPretty trilogy), and if you like this film, you can check out more from theAll the Boys film franchise—its two other sequel films, includingP.S. I Still Love You(2020) andAlways and Forever(2021) are also on Netflix. A spin-off show,XO, Kitty, was also released as a Netflix Original series in 2023 and has recently been renewed for a third season.
2024
1 hour 30 minutes
Mother of the Brideis a perfect, chill rom-com for a lazy summer’s day, set on the breezy island of Phuket, Thailand. This romance is a mother-daughter story at its heart, following Emma’s (Miranda Cosgrove) wedding and the drama it brings, with her mother, Lana (Brooke Shields), at the eye of the storm. After being engaged to her boyfriend, RJ, Emma goes to a Phuket resort for her wedding, where it is revealed that RJ’s father, Will, was Lana’s ex-boyfriend who wronged her years earlier. Lana’s coping with the situation drives a wedge between her and Emma, causing problems during the nuptials.
Mother of the Bridegarnered over 77 million views within a month of its release on Netflix. It’s a feel-good film that may not have the most complex plot out there, but it’s still worth a watch if you’re looking for something summery, beachy, and laid back.
1 hour 34 minutes
Want to watch a more emotional romance film with the bonus of good music?Find Me Fallingmight be a snug fit for your watch list. Starring singer Harry Connick Jr. as John Allman, a rockstar whose latest release did not go as planned, the film sees John move to a remote house on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, only to discover that the place is a famous suicide hotspot. He builds new friendships with the locals and reconnects with Sia (Agni Scott), a woman he had met in Cyprus many years ago. Their romance is rekindled while old secrets come to light, and John’s life becomes entangled with those of the locals.
Find Me Fallingis a pleasant watch with a few surprising twists, made enjoyable through its romantic and dreamy setting. Despite its dark undertones, the film maintains an overall light-hearted feel and delivers a solid summer vibe.
1 hour 45 minutes
The Kissing Booth, based on the novel of the same name by Beth Reekles, is a classic Netflix rom-com that gained quick popularity on its release and was rewatched several times by viewers. Despite being filled with romance clichés, the movie develops into a sweet watch. The teenage romance between Elle (Joey King) and her best friend Lee’s older brother, Noah (Jacob Elordi), is at the core of the film, and begins after Elle and Lee set up a fundraising kissing booth. Meanwhile, Elle and Lee’s friendship is threatened by this new development. Sparks fly and emotions run high.
Two sequel films,The Kissing Booth 2andThe Kissing Booth 3(also on Netflix) follow Elle, Lee, and Noah as they navigate senior year and college, respectively.
2021
1 hour 37 minutes
A Week Awayis a faith-based musical romance that’s worth a look if you enjoy a light story with good music. The story and soundtrack are a mix of upbeat and emotional tones, bringing a good balance to what I’d consider a simple and predictable plot.
A Week Awayfollows Will (Kevin Quinn), a troubled teenager and orphan who is given a second chance after stealing a police car. He attends a summer church camp, where he falls in love and discovers new friendships, while his past threatens to haunt him, and he tries to move on and better himself. With 12 songs performed by the cast spread across the film, the soundtrack definitely adds to the movie’s charm.
2023
1 hour 35 minutes
Love in Taipeiis a rom-com soaked in summer, based on Abigail Hing Wen’s novelLoveboat, Taipei,and originally released by Paramount+. The film depicts the story of a young premed student, Ever Wong (Ashley Liao), who attends a cultural immersion program in Taipei the summer before she starts medical school. Nicknamed “Loveboat,” this program brings new friendships and potential love to Ever’s life, including a secret admirer and a star student who is often compared to Ever for his academic achievements. While navigating her love life, Ever must search for what she really wants for her future.
Love in Taipeiis a solid romance steeped in culture and identity. The story sticks to Ever’s journey to find herself while being absolutely clueless, making it as realistic a plot as they come. Since Netflix picked up a one-year streaming license forLove in Taipeiin 2024, the film will be leaving the platform on August 9 this year.
1 hour 52 minutes
I’ve loved Netflix’s offering of non-English-language films and shows in the past few years, and this film is one of them.I am the Secret in Your Heartis a Taiwanese romance film based on Macchiato’s novel of the same name, focusing on a love triangle trope that plays out beautifully. This teenage romance puts high school student Wang (Moon Lee) in a complicated triangle between her childhood friend and a new transfer student. Their friendships, promises, and lives after high school play out in this simple yet cute story.
For fans of classic romance,I Am the Secret in Your Heartis a refreshing coming-of-age watch that will prove to be different from your everyday romance film.
2020
1 hour 44 minutes
The Half of Itis a coming-of-age film that has been recognized for its incredible screenplay and direction. Loosely based on Edmond Rostand’s play,Cyrano de Bergerac, the film takes us on a rollercoaster of a romance, with a queer twist. Ellie (Leah Lewis), a high schooler trying to financially support her father by ghostwriting essays for her classmates, helps her neighbor, Paul (Daniel Diemer), ghostwrite a love letter to Aster (Alexxis Lemire).
Their correspondence, with Ellie posing as Paul, leads to complications due to the mismatch between Paul’s writing and his real personality. Meanwhile, Ellie and Paul develop a strong bond, which is threatened when Ellie finds herself falling for Aster.
The Half of Ithas been highly praised by critics for its themes of self-acceptance and queer love. The tender plot of the film, combined with heartfelt performances from the cast, makes it a warm watch for the summer.
1 hour 31 minutes
Another addition to Netflix’s recent rom-com releases isLove at First Sight,which is based on the 2011 Jennifer E. Smith novel,The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. Narrated by Jameela Jamil (The Good Place), the movie is about the unlikely romance between the clumsy Hadley (Haley Lu Richardson) and the overly rational Oliver (Ben Hardy), complete strangers who meet at the airport and share a flight to London together and have an instant connection.
But as luck would have it, their exchanging of numbers is thwarted by a broken phone, and their budding love may never be. The grief that Oliver is carrying, which he cannot rationalize using numbers, is explored, while he grapples with his new feelings.Love at First Sightis a necessary inclusion to your watch list if you’re looking for a deeply emotional narrative and a will-they-won’t-they nail-biter.
2019
1 hour 50 minutes
If you like to watch interconnected stories that tie into an overarching plot, giveThe Last Summera shot. This young adult romance explores the stories of a group of high school grads as they enjoy the last summer before they move on to college, and deal with personal issues and blossoming love. At the center of the story is Griffin Hourigan’s (Riverdale’sKJ Apa) romance with his childhood friend, which is complicated by their parents' involvement and long-distance.
The Last Summeris a teenage romance made interesting by its sub-plots and good performances from the cast. The film has been praised for being a realistic romance, with its setting and timeline making it an essential summer watch.
If you want to discover Netflix’s vast collection of romance films, you can try the Netflix secret code 8883 in your app’s search bar and filter out romantic films. You can find specific codes for sub-genres and tropes using thecomplete Netflix Codes list.
Watch these summer romance films and more on Netflix, now.
