The Best Romance Movies Based on Books, Ranked

Based on the Cult Classic Novel by Stephanie Meyer, Twilight and Its Subsequent Films Are a Must-Have on This List of Romance Movies Based on Books. Perhaps a Controversial Take, It’s Safe to Say We’ve Entered the Twilight Renaissance over the Past Few Year's, and the World Is Finally Starting to Come to Their Senses in Terms of Recognizing the Novel and Film’s Influence.

11. the Hating Game (2021)

Based on the Novel by Sally Thorne, the Hating Game Tells the Story of Lucy and Josh, Who Are Forced to Work in Close Proximity When Their Publishing Companies Are Merged. When a Life-Changing Promotion Is at Stake, the Two Rivals Go Head to Head for the Position with a Set of Conditions: Whoever Doesn’t Get the Job Has to Quit.

10. Safe Haven (2013)

A Woman Named Katie (Julianne Hough) Attempts to Escape Her Rocky Past by Traveling to a Small, Coastal Town in North Carolina. It’s There Where She Meets Alex (Josh Duhamel), a Widowed Father to Two Young Children Who Runs the Local General Store. as Their Relationship Starts to Progress and She Becomes More Present in the Lives of Alex and His Children, Her Past Begins to Catch up with Her.

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

P. S. I Love You, Based on the Novel by Cecelia Ahern, Chronicles the Story of Holly, Played by Hilary Swank, Who Loses Her Husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) to a Brain Tumor.

8. Me Before You (2016)

Me Before You Is Based on the Novel of the Same Name by Jojo Moyes. the Book Follows the Character of Lou (Emilia Clarke), Who Jumps Around from Job to Job Before She Finally Settles into a Role as a Caretaker for Will (Sam Claflin), a Man Paralyzed After Being Hit by a Motorcycle.

7. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

Based on the Novel by Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones’s Diary Tells the Story of a 32-Year-Old Woman Named Bridget Jones Who Vows to Turn Her Life Around at the Start of the New Year — from Exercising to Cutting Back on Smoking. Keeping Track of Her Progress and the Ins and Outs of Her Day to Day Life in a Diary, Renée Zellweger‘s Hilarious Take on Bridget Makes This Film an Absolute Classic — and Who Can Resist the Charm of Colin Firth and Hugh Grant?

6. the Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

Based on the Novel by Audrey Niffenegger, the Time Traveler’s Wife Tells the Story of Clare, Played by Rachel Mcadams, and Henry, Played by Eric Bana. Henry Has a Genetic Disorder Which Causes Him to Travel Through Time Randomly. Clare and Henry Cross Paths Throughout His Many Travels Through Time, and While They Eventually Marry, the Complexities of His Disorder Make Their Relationship a Unique One.

Atonement, Based on the Novel by Ian Mcewan, Tells the Story of a Grave Misinterpretation That Has Major Consequences for the Characters Involved. Cecelia (Kiera Knightley) and Robbie (James Mcavoy) Are Two Young Lovers Who Get Ripped Apart When Cecelia’s Younger Sister Briony (Saoirse Ronan) Makes a False Claim Against Robbie After Witnessing an Assault Involving Someone She Thought Was Him. Her Accusation Lands Him in Prison, and the Fate of Him and Cecelia Is Uncertain.

4. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Tish and Fonny Are a Young Couple Living in 1970S Harlem. Despite the Trials and Tribulations of Their Life, Their Love Is Strong and Carries Them Through.

Based on the Beloved Jane Austen Novel, Gwyneth Paltrow Stars as Emma, a Young Socialite Who Entertains Herself by Playing Matchmaker for Those Within Her Community. with Her Sights Set on Finding Love for Harriet Smith, a Not-So-Refined Woman She Knows, Her Constant Meddling Is Cause for Confusion and Comedy Throughout This Classic Film Adaptation.

2. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Another Classic Jane Austen Adaptation, Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen Star as Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth Deals with Nearly Constant Pressure from Her Mother to Marry.

1. the Notebook (2004)

Coming in at First Place on the List Is No Surprise: the 2004 Film Adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ the Notebook. the Story Follows the Epic Love Story of Allie (Rachel Mcadams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling), Two Young Lovers from Different World's. Allie’s Parents’ Disapproval of Their Relationship Causes Them to Go Their Separate Ways and Embark on Their Own Separate Lives Without Each Other — but Fate Steps In, Bringing Them Back to One Another. of All the Romance Movies Based on Books out There, This One Stands the Test of Time.

Romance Movies Based on Books: 12 Best Films, Ranked

By Alexander Ross

• Oct 8, 2026 • 8 min read

Romance Movies Based on Books: 12 Best Films, Ranked

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

There’s Nothing Quite Like Seeing the Pages of a Book Come to Life on Screen — Especially When It Comes to Our Favorite Romance Novels. Comparing What Actors and Actresses Are Cast as the Leading Ladies and Dashing Men with How We Imagined Them in the Stories Is Half the Fun, and Judging Just How Well the Story Was Adapted — for Better or for Worse — Is Another Part of What Makes It So Enjoyable. Sure, We’re of the Camp That the Book Is Almost Always Better Than the Movie, but That Doesn’t Mean We Can’t Still Love the Film Adaptations for Their Own Charm and Feel-Good Moments. Here, We Ranked 12 of Our Favorite Romance Movies Based on Books — and Where You Can Watch Them Now!

Alexander Ross

Gaming, Esports & Interactive Media Writer

Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.

Tags: romance movies based on books