Best Planetary Romance

Michael Curtiz's 1942 'Casablanca' is a timeless romantic drama set against the backdrop of World War II. The film follows Rick Blaine, an American expatriate running a nightclub in Casablanca, as he grapples with his past and a difficult choice involving a former lover and a resistance leader. It...

“When Life Gives You Tangerines” is a 2025 Korean drama series available on Netflix. The show features IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon in a historical romance set during the Japanese colonial period of Korea. It explores themes of love, sacrifice, and national identity appealing to vi...

Hundreds of years ago, the Chinese zodiac spirits and their god swore to stay together eternally. United by this promise, the possessed members of the Souma family shall always return to each other under any circumstances. Yet, when these bonds shackle them from freedom, it becomes an undesirable bu...

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans is a 1927 romantic drama directed by F.W. Murnau. The film depicts a farmer’s attraction to a city woman, complicated by her attempt to incite him to harm his wife. It utilized Movietone's synchronized sound-on-film process with a musical score and sound effects, based...

Now in his second year of high school, Rei Kiriyama continues pushing through his struggles in the professional shogi world as well as his personal life. Surrounded by vibrant personalities at the shogi hall, the school club, and in the local community, his solitary shell slowly begins to crack. Amo...

Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) explores themes of obsession and identity through the story of John Halsted, a former detective struggling with debilitating vertigo. Stewart portrays a man consumed by a dangerous fantasy as he attempts to recreate his client's deceased wife, leading to a complex p...

The elite members of Shuchiin Academy's student council continue their competitive day-to-day antics. Council president Miyuki Shirogane clashes daily against vice-president Kaguya Shinomiya, each fighting tooth and nail to trick the other into confessing their romantic love. Kaguya struggles within...

Children of Paradise is a significant 1940 French film exploring love and ambition within Paris’s theatrical world during the 1830s. Shot across multiple years amidst World War II, it portrays a courtesan's complex relationships with four men involved in the city's vibrant performances. The producti...

War and Peace is a monumental Soviet film adaptation of Tolstoy’s sprawling novel. Sergei Bondarchuk's production meticulously portrays the lives of Russian aristocracy during Napoleon’s invasion. Featuring iconic characters like Pierre Bezukhov and Andrei Bolkonsky, it offers a significant cinemati...

Three Colours: Red is a 1994 psychological drama film from Krzysztof Kieślowski, concluding the “Three Colours” trilogy. The film explores themes related to French Revolutionary ideals, following a narrative that builds upon the preceding films "Blue" and "White." It’s a mystery-driven story within...

La Dolce Vita depicts the experiences of Marcello Rubini, a journalist navigating the extravagant lifestyle of Rome over seven days. The film’s narrative unfolds through a series of interconnected scenes exploring themes of superficiality and the pursuit of fulfillment. It is structured with a prolo...

My Liberation Notes is a South Korean drama series featuring Lee Min-ki, Kim Ji-won, Son Suk-ku, and Lee El. The 16-episode show aired on JTBC from April 9 to May 29, 2022, with broadcasts occurring every Saturday and Sunday at 22:30 KST. It is currently accessible for streaming through Netflix in c...

L’Atalante is a 1934 French silent film directed by Jean Vigo. The movie portrays the intertwined lives of a barge owner and his daughter through a visually poetic narrative. Its dreamlike atmosphere and melancholic tone established Vigo as a significant figure in art-house cinema. It resonates with...

The Red Shoes is a 1948 British film directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It centers on Victoria Page’s struggle with her artistic ambitions at Ballet Lermontov, alongside her romantic involvement with Julian Craster. The narrative draws upon Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale and inc...

Following an encounter with oddity specialist Izuko Gaen, third-year high school student Koyomi Araragi wakes up in a strange, deserted void only to be greeted by a joyfully familiar face in an alarmingly unfamiliar place. Araragi, with the help of his girlfriend Hitagi Senjougahara, maneuvers throu...

The second season of 3-gatsu no Lion. Now in his second year of high school, Rei Kiriyama continues pushing through his struggles in the professional shogi world as well as his personal life. Surrounded by vibrant personalities at the shogi hall, the school club, and in the local community, his s...

Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa have graduated from high school, and together, they experience the emotional rollercoaster of growing up. Unable to decide on a course for his future, Tomoya learns the value of a strong work ethic and discovers the strength of Nagisa's support. Through the couple'...

In the Mood for Love is a 2000 romantic drama set in 1962, exploring the burgeoning connection between two neighbors after discovering their respective spouses’ infidelity. The film, a Hong Kong-French co-production, depicts their evolving relationship as they spend increasing time together. It repr...

As a wild youth, elementary school student Shouya Ishida sought to beat boredom in the cruelest ways. When the deaf Shouko Nishimiya transfers into his class, Shouya and the rest of his class thoughtlessly bully her for fun. However, when her mother notifies the school, he is singled out and blamed...

The Earrings of Madame de... is a 1953 romantic drama film directed by Max Ophüls. It centers on the complicated relationships involving an aristocratic family and a set of valuable earrings. The narrative explores themes of infidelity and personal stakes surrounding the jewelry's significance.

Before Sunset is a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater, continuing the story of Jesse and Céline nine years after their initial meeting. The sequel to *Before Sunrise*, it depicts the couple’s reunion in Paris and their subsequent interactions. It was produced by Warner Independen...

Nora Ephron's masterpiece remains the gold standard for romantic comedies. The film explores the age-old question of whether men and women can truly be 'just friends' through the witty and insightful interactions of Harry and Sally over several years. Its sharp dialogue, realistic portrayal of relat...

Apparitions, oddities, and gods continue to manifest around Koyomi Araragi and his close-knit group of friends: Tsubasa Hanekawa, the group's modest genius; Shinobu Oshino, the resident doughnut-loving vampire; athletic deviant Suruga Kanbaru; bite-happy spirit Mayoi Hachikuji; Koyomi's cute admirer...

Let the Right One In is a chilling Swedish horror drama released in 2008. It centers on Elias, a lonely boy who forms an unusual bond with “Anna,” a seemingly childlike visitor. The film’s notable aspect lies in its slow-burn exploration of isolation and dependency through a fantastical narrative in...

The Handmaiden is a 2016 South Korean film exploring intricate relationships during Japanese colonial Korea. It depicts a young woman's role as handmaiden to a wealthy heiress, interwoven with layers of deception and a developing queer romance. The visually stunning production highlights psychologic...

Before Midnight is a 2013 American drama romance film directed by Richard Linklater. The movie follows Jesse and Céline as they navigate their evolving relationship during a summer holiday in Greece with their children. It’s notable for its realistic portrayal of a long-term couple's challenges and...

My Dearest is a Korean historical romance drama inspired by *Gone with the Wind*. Set in Joseon Dynasty Korea, it tells the story of a nobleman and a commoner’s forbidden love. The series features actors Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin. It's intended for viewers interested in Korean television, particu...

Brief Encounter is a 1945 British drama film adapted from Noël Coward’s 1936 play. It features Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard as leads within a story of an unexpected connection between two married individuals. The film includes supporting performances by Stanley Holloway and other actors, marking...

Sholay is a 1975 Indian action-adventure film centered on two criminals, Veeru and Jai, tasked with apprehending the bandit Gabbar Singh under the direction of Ramesh Sippy. Hema Malini and Jaya Bhaduri co-star as romantic interests within the narrative. The film’s soundtrack was composed by R D Bur...