15 Best Romance Movies Like The Notebook You Need To Watch

This article contains a discussion of suicide.

As a devoted admirer, I can confidently say that the 2004 film “The Notebook,” directed by Nick Cassavetes, is one of the most heart-melting movies ever made, inspired by Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 novel of the same name. The tale of Noah Calhoun (portrayed by Ryan Gosling and James Garner) and Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams and Gena Rowlands, Cassavetes’ mother) unfolds across two captivating timelines. In one, we witness a young Noah and Allie falling madly in love during the 1940s only to be separated by her affluent family. The other timeline takes us to the present day, where an elderly Noah recounts their enchanting love story to Allie, who is struggling with dementia.

In the realm of cinematic romance, “The Notebook” truly shines, standing head and shoulders above many others due to the undeniable chemistry between McAdams and Gosling on screen (who later dated following their work together on the film). Add to this a legendary actor like Rowlands in a pivotal role, and it’s easy to see why “The Notebook” is a cut above. If you found yourself captivated by “The Notebook,” there are numerous other heartwarming, tear-jerking films that deserve your attention as well…and quite a few of them are adapted from novels penned by Nicholas Sparks. Here’s a list of 15 movies to watch if you fell in love with “The Notebook.

Dear John

2010’s movie “Dear John” is an adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel released in 2006. In this story, we encounter John Tyree, a US Special Forces Staff Sergeant, who happens to meet a woman named Savannah Curtis during his leave. Over her college spring break, they develop a deep connection and fall in love. With John resuming his military duties, they vow to maintain their bond through letters.

Regrettably, Savannah and John crossed paths in 2001. Despite their intentions to begin a life together once John’s deployment concluded, it was prolonged following the terrorist incidents on September 11 that year. Maintaining their long-distance bond, Savannah eventually found someone else and sent John a heartbreaking letter, often referred to as a “Dear John” letter in military contexts (a term for letters sent by partners to active service personnel during breakups). This left John utterly devastated… ultimately leading to his injury in combat. However, they reconnect towards the end of the movie, and if you’re seeking emotional intensity comparable to “The Notebook,” watching “Dear John” might just hit the spot.

The Best of Me

In a similar vein to “Dear John” and “The Notebook,” the 2014 film “The Best of Me” is adapted from a Nicholas Sparks novel, featuring a complex narrative that traverses multiple timelines to unfold the enduring love story between Dawson Cole (James Marsden) and Amanda Collier (Michelle Monaghan). The younger versions of these characters are portrayed by Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato. When they first meet in high school, their love develops swiftly… however, Dawson hails from an abusive and perilous family background. A violent altercation between his siblings, father, and adoptive father figure Tuck Hostetler (Gerald McRaney) results in the death of Dawson’s cousin. The tragic incident compels Dawson to testify against his family, securing a lighter sentence for them. Before he is incarcerated, Dawson ends his relationship with Amanda.

In the passage of time, they meet again due to Tuck’s intervention… yet their reunion is fleeting. Amanda chooses her husband over Dawson initially, but unfortunately, he meets his end in a violent confrontation with kin, and when Amanda’s son faces a critical car accident requiring a heart transplant, the generous gift of life comes from none other than Dawson posthumously. “The Best of Me” shares the tear-jerking intensity of “The Notebook,” but surprisingly, it concludes on an unexpectedly hopeful note.

The Last Song

The Last Song,” originally penned by Nicholas Sparks, has gained significant popularity due to its lead actors Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth who later formed a long-term relationship after filming (however, they eventually parted ways in 2019). If you appreciate the charm of “The Notebook,” you’ll likely want to include this movie on your viewing list too. In the story, Veronica “Ronnie” Miller, portrayed by Cyrus, is a headstrong teenager who has experienced her parents’ divorce a few years prior to the film’s beginning. Ronnie, accompanied by her brother Jonah (Bobby Coleman) and dad Steve (Greg Kinnear), travels to Georgia for the summer. During their stay near the Miller family home on the beach, Ronnie discovers a sea turtle nest, leading her to cross paths with aquarium volunteer Will Blakelee (Hemsworth). The pair unexpectedly form a bond in this encounter.

In the realm of storylines unique to the Sparks universe, “The Last Song” indeed introduces a character battling a hidden health issue. This character turns out to be Steve, Ronnie’s father. As she grapples with his heartrending terminal condition, Ronnie finds solace in Will’s companionship. Although she tragically loses her dad, the movie concludes with Ronnie embarking on her college journey alongside Will. “The Last Song” plays a significant role in the Sparks cinematic lore, and it showcases an impressive acting turn from Cyrus.

Nights in Rodanthe

To put it simply, many films adapted from Nicholas Sparks’ novels often portray relationships between younger or middle-aged couples. However, “The Notebook” and 2008’s “Nights in Rodanthe” stand out by exploring love in its later stages. In the latter movie, we encounter Adrienne Willis (played by Diane Lane), who is on the brink of divorce due to her husband Jack (Christopher Meloni) leaving her for a younger woman. When Jack expresses his lingering feelings for her, Adrienne recognizes she needs some distance and escapes to a bed-and-breakfast in Rodanthe, North Carolina. The only other guest at the inn is Dr. Paul Flanner (Richard Gere), a surgeon grappling with the aftermath of a surgery that went terribly wrong, causing him to shut himself off from others.

As a storm nears, the only guests at the B&B – Paul and Adrienne – must safeguard the inn from the elements. During this tense period, they develop a deep bond and fall in love as they converse and connect amidst the storm. However, Paul’s recent emotional development unfortunately results in a tragic outcome when he journeys to Ecuador to reconcile with his estranged son Mark (James Franco) and offer medical aid to underprivileged communities there. Sadly, he is claimed by a devastating mudslide. Despite her sorrow, Adrienne finds solace in the memories of her time with Paul, realizing that he helped her rediscover happiness even during such a difficult period.

A Walk to Remember

As a millennial gamer, I can’t forget “A Walk to Remember,” the heart-wrenching movie that paved the way for “The Notebook.” Released back in 2002, this film introduces us to two unlikely characters: the rebellious bad boy Landon Carter (Shane West) and the devout Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), a preacher’s daughter who steers clear of the popular crowd. When Landon lands himself in hot water at school, he’s practically coerced into joining the school play, which brings him closer to Jamie. However, meddling friends threaten their blooming relationship, creating a rift between them.

In the end, Landon decides to leave behind his old friends and devote himself to Jamie. They share their aspirations together, but an unexpected truth emerges when Jamie reveals she suffers from leukemia and lacks long-term goals. Heartbroken by this revelation, Landon vows to help Jamie realize all her dreams before she succumbs to the disease. They get married, work towards Jamie’s aspirations, and eventually see them fulfilled. After Jamie’s passing, Landon achieves his dream of becoming a doctor – proving how significantly Jamie impacted his life for the better.

About Time

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my heartfelt appreciation for Richard Curtis’ 2013 masterpiece, “About Time.” While this film undeniably stands as one of the most enchanting love stories ever brought to life on screen, it is also a profound exploration of familial bonds. The story unfolds when Cornwall native Tim Lake (played by Domhnall Gleeson) wakes up after an awful New Year’s Eve party at his family residence, only to have his father James (Bill Nighy) share an astounding revelation: men in the Lake family possess the unique ability to traverse time by secluding themselves in a confined space, visualizing a desired moment, and shutting their eyes. When this secret power works its magic and Tim successfully enhances his New Year’s celebration, he decides to relocate to London with his newfound skill set…and it proves particularly useful during a serendipitous encounter with an alluring American woman named Mary (portrayed by Rachel McAdams).

As a devoted admirer, let me share some insights on the character Tim from the captivating movie “About Time.” You see, there are certain boundaries to his family’s time-traveling abilities; he can’t journey too far into the past, and here’s an intriguing twist: whenever he and Mary have a child, he’s unable to revisit the time prior to their offspring’s birth. This revelation hits Tim particularly hard when his father, James, eventually passes away, as he can no longer leap back to relive those precious moments with him. However, in the film’s poignant conclusion, Tim gains a deeper understanding: each day is a priceless gift, and remarkably, that’s the essence of his extraordinary power. In comparison to the emotional intensity of “The Notebook,” “About Time” carries a lighter tone, but it undeniably shares the same romantic depth and resonance.

Me Before You

The movie “Me Before You”, adapted from Jojo Moyes’ book, narrates the tale of Louisa “Lou” Clark, played by Emilia Clarke, a lively and quirky young woman who accepts a job as a caretaker for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a former banker and sports enthusiast turned wheelchair-bound due to an accident. Upon her arrival, Lou discovers that Will, under the advice of his parents Camilla (Janet McTeer) and Steven (Charles Dance), has plans to end his life with the help of a physician due to his paraplegic condition.

In this tale, Lou endeavors to shift Will’s perspective by exposing him to life’s splendor, and they learn from their contrasting experiences (Lou has resided in the same quaint village her entire life, while Will traversed the globe prior to his accident). When they become smitten, Will confides in a heartbroken Louisa that he remains resolved to end his life, but she honors his decision. Posthumously, Will arranges for Lou to explore the world’s breathtaking landscapes after his demise. The movie “Me Before You” offers a unique narrative compared to “The Notebook,” yet both stories revolve around couples who, despite their disparities, positively impact one another’s lives.

Before Sunrise

In the realm of romantic stories, random encounters are a common theme, and Richard Linklater might have crafted the finest film about two strangers bonding, with “Before Sunrise” from 1995 standing out. Inspired by a true event he witnessed in Philadelphia, this movie features Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, who also collaborated on the script with Linklater, as Jesse and Céline. They meet on a train bound for Vienna, choose to get off together, and spend an entire day exploring Vienna. Over the span of one day and night, Jesse and Céline develop strong feelings for each other and arrange to reunite in Vienna six months later.

To fully appreciate Jesse and Céline’s romantic journey as portrayed in the films, you should definitely watch both sequels – “Before Sunset” from 2004 and “Before Midnight” from 2013. However, there’s no debate that “Before Sunrise” stands among the most exceptional on-screen love stories ever crafted. While “The Notebook” is impressive, it pales in comparison to the enchantment of “Before Sunrise”.

La La Land

Many people recall Damien Chazelle’s 2016 film “La La Land” not only for its Academy Awards mix-up, where Warren Beatty incorrectly announced it as the best picture winner (with “Moonlight” being the actual winner), but also because it’s an extraordinary romance. In this movie, the protagonists, Mia Dolan (played by Emma Stone) and Sebastian “Seb” Wilder (Ryan Gosling), face substantial challenges, much like Noah and Allie, in making their love story succeed. Their paths cross in Los Angeles, where they initially dislike each other but find common ground through their shared artistic ambitions.

Unlike “The Notebook”, “La La Land” doesn’t conclude with the main couple living happily ever after. Instead, a poignant final scene shows what life might have been like for Mia and Seb if their career aspirations hadn’t interfered, but it turns out that Mia is married to someone else. If you enjoy “The Notebook”, you’ll likely appreciate “La La Land” as well.

The Fault in Our Stars

In 2014, the movie “The Fault in Our Stars” wasn’t adapted from a Nicholas Sparks novel, but it was indeed based on a book by the emotional young-adult romance writer John Green. Given that fact, it certainly belongs on this list! This tale brings us into the life of Hazel Grace Lancaster (portrayed by Shailene Woodley), a girl battling thyroid cancer that limits her breathing and requires constant oxygen support. Following her mother Frannie’s (Laura Dern) encouragement for Hazel to attend a cancer support group, she encounters Augustus “Gus” Waters (Ansel Elgort), who is in remission from bone cancer and had previously lost his leg due to the disease.

Gus and Hazel develop a deep affection for each other swiftly, experiencing many adventures together within a short span of time, including traveling to Amsterdam to encounter Hazel’s beloved author, Peter van Houten (played by Willem Dafoe). They also discuss his book “An Imperial Affliction,” which centers around a girl battling cancer. Tragically, when Gus’ cancer recurs, their relationship is cut short just as rapidly as it began; echoing Hazel’s sentiments in the novel and movie, she laments that their love unfolded similarly to falling asleep – gradually at first, then all at once.

Titanic

Without fail, a list of romantic yet tragic movies must include James Cameron’s 1997 masterpiece and Oscar record-holder, “Titanic.” In this film, Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), a young woman with moderate wealth who is trying to regain her fortune by marrying the rich Cal Hockley (Billy Zane), meets Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a man from steerage, on the Titanic as it sails from England to New York. The two quickly develop feelings for each other during their time together on the ship… however, as we all are aware, this tale does not have a happy ending.

As a gamer, I found that in the latter part, “Titanic” switched gears from a captivating romance to an adrenaline-pumping action spectacle, with both Winslet and Dawson delivering top-notch performances. However, if you’re drawn to the bittersweet yet enchanting love story depicted in “The Notebook,” then you’ll undoubtedly find yourself hooked on “Titanic” as well – a tale of love that truly stands among the all-time greats (and I apologize, Noah and Allie).

The Vow

In “The Notebook,” Noah works hard to remind Allie of their romantic past, while in the 2012 film “The Vow,” Leo Collins, portrayed by Channing Tatum, struggles to rekindle memories with his wife Paige (played by Rachel McAdams) after a car accident leaves her with no recollection of him or her family. Once Paige emerges from her medically induced coma, she fails to recognize Leo and her parents, placing the responsibility on Leo to help his cherished spouse remember their shared history.

Drawing from real-life events, “The Vow” portrays a deeply emotional tale about a man who goes to great lengths to jog his wife’s memory of their cherished moments together. Though she momentarily strays from him, forming relationships with others, the power of their unwavering love eventually reunites them – much like Noah and Allie in their own love story.

P.S. I Love You

In the spirit of “The Notebook,” where either Noah or Allie could have perished at the start, there’s a similar tale unfolding in the romantic drama “P.S. I Love You.” This film stars Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank as Gerry and Holly, a blissful couple whose life takes an unexpected turn when Gerry succumbs to a brain tumor. On Holly’s 30th birthday, she finds a package containing a cassette tape. It transpires that Gerry had meticulously planned for her to receive messages from the other side, and each one ends with “P.S., I love you.

Essentially, “P.S. I Love You” is a story that teaches us to utilize cherished memories of a lost loved one as a means to progress; though grief can be overwhelmingly powerful, Holly gradually discovers methods to find happiness in life without Gerry. If you found yourself shedding tears over “The Notebook,” then you should undoubtedly expect to do the same with “P.S. I Love You.

Notting Hill

In the film “Notting Hill,” no characters meet their demise, making it a slightly different story from “The Notebook.” However, it remains one of the most emotionally stirring romantic movies ever produced, and thus deserves a spot on this list. As bookshop owner Will Thacker (played by Hugh Grant) assists American actress Anna Scott (portrayed by Julia Roberts) in his shop situated in Notting Hill, London, he encounters her again later… and their shared moments gradually increase, with the majority unfolding in the city of London.

In the movie, Anna and her renowned partner experience a temporary split due to a misunderstanding, but they eventually reconcile by the film’s end. As for iconic on-screen declarations of love, “I’m just a girl, asking a boy to love me” from “Notting Hill” can be considered a precursor to “if you’re a bird, I’m a bird” in “The Notebook.” If you haven’t yet watched “Notting Hill,” it is highly recommended that you add it to your watchlist.

The Lucky One

In 2012, the movie adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ novel “The Lucky One” came out, featuring Zac Efron as Logan Thibault, a U.S Marine who lived through a lethal mortar blast in Iraq. During this incident, he stumbled upon a captivating photograph of a woman. He then kept the photo with him for protection or good luck, eventually locating the lady, Beth Green (Taylor Schilling), who was once married to a friend of Logan’s from his Colorado hometown.

In the end, Logan becomes a part of Beth’s life, and their bond deepens as they fall in love. Along this journey, Beth confides in Logan about her late brother Drake, who met an enigmatic demise. Upon learning the truth behind Drake’s death, it sets off significant events within the town; however, everything works out for the best for Beth and Logan. Both “The Notebook” and “The Lucky One,” authored by the same person, reflect a hopeful perspective on love’s capacity to bring about change.

2025-07-15 00:32