35 Movies Like ‘The Notebook’ That’ll Give You All the Feels

Critics had mixed feelings about The Notebook when it first premiered in 2004, but that didn’t stop fans from flocking to theaters. The Nicholas Sparks adaptation, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, developed a massive cult following and even spawned a musical. But as much as we enjoy swooning over Noah and Allie’s love story, there are plenty of movies like The Notebook that’ll give you all the feels. 

From The Fault in Our Stars to The Time Traveler's Wife, keep scrolling for 35 must-watch titles that explore love, heartbreak and more.

1. Titanic (1997)

• Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates
• Rating: PG-13

Set in 1912, the epic romance follows Rose, an upper-class 17-year-old who meets and falls in love with a poor artist named Jack while traveling aboard the ill-fated Titanic. When the ship suddenly hits an iceberg, the teens are forced to fight for their lives. Fans of The Notebook will be drawn to this heartbreaking love story and how it tackles class differences. 

2. A Walk to Remember (2002)

• Cast: Mandy Moore, Shane West, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah
• Rating: PG

Popular bad boy Landon Carter is sentenced to community service after a high school prank gone awry. As a result, he falls for the local Baptist minister's daughter, Jamie. Based on Nicholas Sparks’s book of the same name, the film includes some tear-jerker moments—so keep your tissues handy.

3. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

• Cast: Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, Craig Sheffer
• Rating: PG-13

High schooler and outcast Keith is harboring a major crush on Amanda, the most popular girl in school. When she dumps her wealthy boyfriend, he's thrilled to get a chance. Unfortunately, Amanda’s ex isn’t ready to let go of her just yet. And unbeknownst to Keith, his tomboy BFF, Watts, is secretly crushing on him. 

4. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

• Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Willem Dafoe
• Rating: PG-13

Woodley is Hazel Grace, a 16-year-old who is battling thyroid cancer. After meeting Gus Waters in her support group, the teens fall in love and embark on an exciting journey to meet their favorite author. The movie tackles deep themes like mortality, religion and the meaning of life.

5. The Choice (2016)

• Cast: Benjamin Walker Travis, Teresa Palmer Gabby, Maggie Grace Stephanie
• Rating: PG-13

An unlikely romance develops between Travis, a ladies' man, and Gabby, a determined medical student, when they become neighbors. Despite Gabby having a long-term boyfriend and Travis being opposed to serious relationships, the pair can't resist their growing attraction to each other.

6. Sweet November (2001)

• Cast: Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs
• Rating: PG-13

When Nelson, an advertising executive, meets Sara at the DMV, they agree to have a month-long fling before going their separate ways. However, that plan quickly goes down the drain when they start to develop romantic feelings for each other.  

8. La La Land (2016) 

• Cast: Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, John Legend, J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt
• Rating: PG-13

Sparks fly when an aspiring actress and an up-and-coming musician cross paths one night. But the more they pursue their dreams, the more it affects their relationship. Can they compromise and make things work? Or will they be forced to choose between love and their dreams? 

9. The Longest Ride (2015)

• Cast: Britt Robertson, Scott Eastwood, Jack Huston
• Rating: PG-13

When Luke, a bull rider, falls for a college student named Sophia, he’s hopeful about their future together. That is, until they realize they want different things in life. This prompts Sophia to befriend an elderly man, who opens up about his decades-long relationship with his wife.

10. P.S. I Love You (2007)

• Cast: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow
• Rating: PG-13

Holly is devastated when her husband, Gerry, dies from a brain tumor. But lucky for her, Gerry planned ahead. Beginning on her 30th birthday, she starts to receive letters he wrote prior to his death with words of encouragement to help her move on. Like The Notebook, critics weren't too impressed with the romantic film, but it turned out to be a big box-office hit.

11. The Last Song (2010)

• Cast: Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Bobby Coleman
• Rating: PG

Miley stars as Ronnie, a troubled teen and skilled pianist who is sent to live with her estranged father over the summer. While her dad tries to reconnect through their mutual love of music, Ronnie strikes up a new romance with the popular and ambitious Will Blakelee. 

12. Pride & Prejudice (2005) 

• Cast: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn
• Rating: PG

Inspired by the classic Jane Austen novel, this period romance follows Elizabeth Bennet as she faces growing pressure from her mother to get married in 18th-century England. Meanwhile, Elizabeth gets involved with the handsome Fitzwilliam Darcy, but several things threaten their relationship, from Elizabeth's prejudice to Darcy's prideful nature.

13. The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

• Cast: Rachel McAdams, Eric Bana, Ron Livingston
• Rating: PG-13

Can you imagine being married to someone who unexpectedly time travels? That’s the life of Clare Abshire, an artist whose husband, Henry, has a paranormal genetic disorder that causes him to time travel sporadically. Naturally, this proves to be a major challenge.

14. Me Before You (2016)

• Cast: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer
• Rating: PG-13

After losing her job, 26-year-old Louisa applies to become the caregiver of a wealthy quadriplegic named Will. Unfortunately, Will has completely lost his zest for life, and Louisa is determined to lift his spirits. Over time, their awkward relationship turns into a charming romance. Expect stellar chemistry between Clarke and Claflin and a major plot twist.

15. Dear John (2010)

• Cast: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins
• Rating: PG-13

John, a Special Forces Army Sergeant, meets a college student named Savannah while on leave, and it’s love at first sight. The pair start to plan a future together, but when John reenlists after the 9/11 attack, their relationship is put to the test.

16. Say Anything… (1989)

• Cast: John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney
• Rating: PG-13

If you have a soft spot for romance stories that are honest and realistic, try Say Anything. The '80s flick follows Lloyd, an underachiever who’s determined to win the heart of his school’s valedictorian, Diane Court, before she heads to England. Similar to The Notebook, this film focuses on a romance between people from different social groups.

17. Irreplaceable You (2018) 

• Cast: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michiel Huisman, Brian Tyree Henry
• Rating: TV-MA

Childhood BFFs Abbie and Sam are engaged to be married, but their plans come to a sudden halt when Abbie is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Determined to help her fiancé move on, Abbie embarks on a mission to help him find a new life partner.

18. The Way We Were (1973)

• Cast: Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford, Bradford Dillman
• Rating: PG

Katie, a Jewish secretary and political activist, finds herself drawn to Hubbell, a carefree writer who couldn’t be more different from her. Despite her doubts, she decides to pursue a romantic relationship with Hubbell that eventually leads to marriage. But the pair’s married life is far from perfect.

19. Safe Haven (2013)

• Cast: Josh Duhamel, Julianne Hough, David Lyons
• Rating: PG-13

Katie Feldman escapes her abusive husband and moves to a small town in North Carolina to get a fresh start. While there, she meets and falls in love with a kind widower and father named Alex. When Katie finally settles into her new life, her husband pays her a surprise visit. It's not the most realistic story line, but Safe Haven has its fair share of swoon-worthy moments. Plus, it touches on a few important themes, like domestic violence and family relationships.

20. Five Feet Apart (2019) 

• Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse, Moises Arias
• Rating: PG-13

Justin Baldoni's directorial debut stars Richardson and Sprouse as two patients with cystic fibrosis. They fall in love with each other and pursue a relationship, but it’s far from easy because they must stay at least five feet apart. Prepare for a roller coaster of emotions.

21. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

• Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Marc Michel
• Rating: PG-13

Set during the late ’50s, this musical drama chronicles young Geneviève’s romance with a handsome mechanic named Guy. After the latter gets drafted into the Algerian War, Geneviève learns that she’s pregnant with Guy’s child. However, at the advice of her mother, she decides to move on—much to the dismay of Guy.

22. Definitely, Maybe (2008)

• Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher
• Rating: PG-13

Reynolds shines in this charming, light-hearted rom-com. He portrays a divorced dad who, throughout the film, tells his daughter Maya about his past romantic endeavors. The catch? Maya must figure out which character is her mom. 

23. Bright Star (2009)

• Cast: Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider
• Rating: PG

Inspired by the life story of famed poet John Keats, Bright Star depicts his passionate romantic relationship with Fanny Brawne before his death in 1821. FYI, the title was inspired by one of Keats's popular sonnets, called "Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art."

24. Love Affair (1939) 

• Cast: Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Katharine Hepburn
• Rating: PG-13

French artist Michel Marnet is smitten with American singer Terry McKay when they first meet on their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. But there’s just one problem: they’re both engaged to other people. Determined to give their relationship a chance, they agree to reunite on the Empire State Building in six months. When it’s finally time, several things get in the way of their reunion.

25. True Romance (1993)

• Cast: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper
• Rating: R

Written by none other than Quentin Tarantino, True Romance follows Clarence, a comic-book nerd who falls for a prostitute named Alabama. When the unlikely duo accidentally take a suitcase full of cocaine, they’re forced to go on the run. Of course, chaos ensues. 

26. About Time (2013)

• Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy
• Rating: R

Directed by the mastermind behind Love Actually and Bridget Jones’s Diary, this movie revolves around Tim Lake and his ability to time travel. When he meets Mary for the first time, he instantly falls for her and impresses her with his special gift. But over time, he comes to realize that his abilities can only solve so much. 

27. Ghost (1990)

• Cast: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg
• Rating: PG-13

While The Notebook is known for that iconic kiss in the rain, Ghost is credited with the sexiest pottery scene of all time. Swayze plays Sam Wheat, a man who becomes a ghost after getting murdered. The film balances Sam and Molly's swoon-worthy love story with comedy, horror and suspense.

28. Brief Encounter (1945)

• Cast: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Cyril Raymond
• Rating: 7+

We can’t resist a classic story about star-crossed lovers. Set before World War II, Brief Encounter follows Laura, a wife and mother who starts a passionate affair with a married stranger in England, following their chance encounter at a railway station. 

29. The English Patient (1996) 

• Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe
• Rating: R

Laszlo Almásy, a severely burned man, tells his nurse about his life story, including his affair with a married Englishwoman and his journey across the Sahara. Aside from the spine-tingling romantic moments, the movie also does a great job of tackling topics like love, identity, grief and war. (BTW, the film won an impressive nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture.)

30. Message in a Bottle (1999)

• Cast: Kevin Costner, Brenda Sykes, Robin Wright, John Savage 
• Rating: PG-13

We all know that Nicholas Sparks has a knack for crafting love stories that tug at our heartstrings. So, we must include this poignant adaptation of Message in a Bottle, which follows a single mom who embarks on a mission after finding a mysterious letter. When she discovers that it was penned by a widowed writer, she meets and falls in love with him.

31. The Best of Me (2014) 

• Cast: James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan, Luke Bracey, Liana Liberato
• Rating: PG-13

Speaking of Sparks adaptations, this gem will give you all the feels. In the movie, Amanda and Dawson are high school sweethearts who grew apart. When they return to their hometown for a funeral two decades later, they realize that there’s still a connection. 

32. Holding the Man (2016) 

• Cast: Ryan Coor, Criag Stott, Sarah Snook
• Rating: 18+

Based on Timothy Conigrave's 1995 memoir, this romantic drama revolves around two teenagers who fall in love at their all-boys school in Australia. They pursue a serious relationship that lasts for more than a decade, but they face several obstacles along the way.

33. Blue Valentine (2010) 

• Cast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, John Doman
• Rating: R

If you’re drawn to movies that offer an honest and raw glimpse into the highs and lows of marriage, this is a must-watch. Gosling and Williams star as a seemingly happy couple whose marriage starts to crumble over time. (Tissues are highly recommended.)

34. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) 

• Cast: Jim Carrey, Kirsten Dunst, Kate Winslet
• Rating: R

After going through a tough breakup, exes Clementine and Joel undergo a procedure that erases all memory of their relationship. Eternal Sunshine is fascinating, smart and imaginative, expertly tackling themes like destiny, romantic love and the power of memories. 

35. At First Sight (1999) 

• Casting: Val Kilmer, Mira Sorvino, Kelly McGillis 
• Rating: PG-13

While enjoying a vacation in New York, Amy meets and bonds with a blind masseur named Virgil. After starting a romantic relationship, Amy becomes determined to repair his sight, thanks to a new cutting-edge procedure. But will it work?