Romantic Movies on Amazon Prime Video

Romantic movies are a timeless escape from all things weary and dreary. Starting from the tender intimacy of Notting Hill (1999) or the love-prevails-over-all spirit of DDLJ (1995), romantic movies of all kinds have the power to transport us to love stories that traverse a range of emotions, eras, transformations, stereotypes, societal pressures, and more. 

From the classics of the 2000s in Hindi cinema, when Karan Johar took over our hearts and screens, to the beloved enemies-turned-lovers trope that manifests itself in creative ways, here’s a variety of romantic movies on Amazon Prime Video to watch this week.

Hum Tum (2004)

Known as the Indian version of When Harry Met Sally (1989), this romantic movie on Amazon Prime Video won our hearts during the peak of the 2000s era of romantic films.

This is the story of Karan Kapoor (Saif Ali Khan), a cartoon illustrator, and Rhea (Rani Mukerji), a fashion major — two individuals who could not be more different in their approaches to life. The representation of enemies turned to lovers is comforting. Rhea finds him annoying, and Karan loves annoying her. 

Karan’s boyish charm clashes with Rhea’s resilience in diverse circumstances throughout the movie. The supporting cast of Kirron Kher, Rishi Kapoor, and Jimmy Sheirgill do their bit to add sage advice and lots of laughs, and the upbeat songs by Jatin-Lalit keep you engaged throughout.

Up in the Air (2009)

Based on the novel of the same name by Walter Kirn, this movie is about Ryan (George Clooney), a downsizing expert, whose job is to make firing a pleasant experience. When that’s the only thing that gives his life some purpose, and it’s his core excuse to travel all over the country to talk to (and fire) people face-to-face, he will protect this job ferociously.

Ryan's suitcase, his business suits, and random rendezvous in airport lounges  — the one with Alex (Vera Farmiga) is the one to look out for — are under siege because Natalie (Anna Kendrick) is about to make his job redundant by introducing the practice of firing people through video conferencing (remember that it’s a 2010 film, please!).

Ryan wants Natalie to know how vital his job is in ensuring the human touch during employee termination to avoid them going down a spiral, and his boss (Jason Bateman) asks him to show her the ropes.

The subtlety in this movie, whether in the romance or the humour, is refreshing. The actors go on a journey of unpacking each other’s feelings, traumas, and intrusive thoughts—you know, those things that come out only during a long trip and leave you drained yet stronger.

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)

Ranveer Singh as Ranveer Singh is always a joy to watch, and Ranveer Singh as Rocky has the same extra vibe the actor exudes in interviews.

This romantic movie on Amazon Prime Video explores generation gaps and conflict, tumultuous family relations based on gender inequity issues, and repressed dreams and desires. It revolves around the lives of Rocky (Singh) and Rani (Alia Bhatt) as they try to convince their parents to approve of their marriage by living in each other’s houses for a few weeks.

Rani’s side of the family is soft, intellectually inclined, and always politically correct, while Rocky’s family is opulent, weighed down by sexist practices (and yet they have a matriarch), unabashed and rooted in traditions.

If Amitabh Bachchan was intimidating in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2000), Jaya Bachchan as Dhanlakshmi Randhawa, Rocky’s daadi (grandmother), the captain of the household and family business, is all the more daunting.

Rani is feisty and smart, Rocky is loud and all heart, and together, they help each other and their families embark on a journey of growth in different ways. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani beautifully captures the complexity of relations. With fun songs and even funnier Delhi quips and jokes, it’s a layered and entertaining watch.

Upgraded (2024)

Love stories that are set in odd places (or in locations where one of the protagonists should not have been present) have a massive set of supporters. If you fall in that category, this romantic movie on Amazon Prime Video is for you.

Ana (Camila Mendes), a struggling art intern at a famous art gallery in New York, gets upgraded to first class on a work trip and meets William (Archie Renaux).

Well, actually, she spills her first-class lounge drinks on William and then later gets seated next to him on the plane, too (of course). Thinking this is going to be the last time she meets him, she cooks up a story about how she is the art director of the company she is interning at.

But meet cutes won’t be cute if the meeting happens once, so Ana and Will meet again, and as their bond deepens, so do Ana’s lies. If you are looking for a groundbreaking romantic saga, this is not it. But its simplicity, the chemistry between Mendes and Renaux, and the overall fanfiction vibe to every interaction they have make it a fun romantic movie to get lost in on a self-care night.

The Idea of You (2024)

No one is more perfect for a May-December romance (love story between someone old and someone young) than Anne Hathaway, who has aged like fine wine. Even in 2024, she looks like she is just getting done with her duties as the Queen of Genovia from the The Princess Diaries franchise.

And when you pair her up with a young (and attractive) actor, the sparks fly.

The Idea of You is a romantic movie on Amazon Prime Video that explores the story of Solène (Hathaway), a divorced art gallery owner and mother to Izzy (Ella Rubin)

When Solène’s ex-husband Daniel (Reid Scott) is unable to take Izzy and her friends on a trip to Coachella, she decides to take Izzy instead, leading to an adorable meet-cute with Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of a boy band.

The romance and conversations between Hayes and Solène in The Idea of You will transport the millennial generation to their Wattpad days. (We mean this as the sincerest compliment to the film). The simplicity of their bond, with no attempt to sanitise the backlash such relationships get from society, or the need to make their romance an example for the rest of the world, will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy by the end.