A long-distance relationship faces multiple challenges. But, a great romantic movie makes it all better. From timeless classics to contemporary romantic comedies, there are plenty of long-distance relationship movies that explore this theme with the challenges that come along with them.
Here is a detailed list of 26 movies for LDR couples. These movies feature engaging stories, relatable characters, and real-life struggles, resonating with audiences and guiding many through their relationship. Watch these movies with your partner and enjoy some quality time together!
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Best Long-Distance Relationship Movies In English
Following are some of the best English movies for couples in long-distance relationships that navigate through themes like long-distance relationships, love, and loss.
1. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
An iconic romantic comedy featuring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Sleepless in Seattle is a movie that explores the long-distance relationship of Sam Baldwin and Annie Reed. Sam and Annie live on the opposite coasts and their paths cross uniquely. The movie portrays on love, fate, and the uncertainties of getting into a new relationship.
2. Atonement (2007)
Atonement is a period drama starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy and is based on the novel by Ian McEwan. The story is set in England before, during, and after World War II. The movie follows the lives of three characters: Briony, Cecilia, and Robbie and explores the themes of love, guilt, and the consequences of actions on interpersonal relationships.
3. The Notebook (2004)
A heartwarming tale of love, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, The Notebook is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. Set in the 1940s, the movie follows the story of Noah and Allie, who come from opposite social backgrounds. They both fall in love one summer but are separated by Allie’s wealthy parents. The movie navigates how they rekindle their eternal love and depicts the sacrifices you make for love.
4. Dear John (I) (2010)
Dear John (I) is a movie based on Nicholas Sparks’s novel of the same name. This romantic film follows the story of John Tyree and Savannah Curtis. John is a soldier who falls in love with Savannah while on leave and their relationship blossoms through letters and brief visits. The couple faces the challenges and hardships of a long-distance relationship but must work through unexpected circumstances to strengthen their connection.
Also Read: What Kills Long-distance Relationships and How to Save it
5. The Other End of the Line (2007)
The Other End of the Line is a romantic comedy that revolves around Priya, an Indian call center employee who falls in love with a charming American, Granger. As you learn more about Granger and interact with him, it leads to humorous situations. As the story navigates, they both must face the challenges of long-distance relationships and cultural differences.
6. Like Crazy (2011)
An indie romance about a long-distance relationship, Like Crazy follows the love story of Anna, a British student, and Jacob, an American student, studying in Los Angeles. However, their relationship is put to an unexpected test of fate. Now they must get through the challenges of a long-distance relationship and stand the complexities and sacrifices one must make for it.
7. The Lake House (2006)
The Lake House is a unique love story starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock as Alex Wyler and Kate Forster, respectively. They live in the same lake house but are separated by two years in time and communicate through letters they leave in the mailbox. These letters somehow transcend the time difference and explore the mystery surrounding it. The movie illustrates how love defies the restraints of time and distance.
8. An Affair to Remember (1957)
An Affair to Remember is a classic romance starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. The film follows the story of Nickie Ferrante and Terry McKay, a charming playboy, and a beautiful singer, respectively. They fall in love with each other despite being engaged to their partners. However, in a tragic turn of events they face heartache and misunderstandings. The movie leaves a strong message on how fate brings two people together.
9. Message in a Bottle (1999)
This movie is a tearjerker based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel, starring Kevin Costner and Robin Wright. Message in a Bottle follows the story of Theresa Osborne who discovers a love letter in a bottle washed ashore. She becomes determined to search for the writer, leading her to Garrett Blake. As they grow closer, they must confront their past traumas and overcome them. The film emphasizes the portrayal of loss and the importance of second chances.
10. Serendipity (2001)
Serendipity is a whimsical love story featuring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale as Jonathan Trager and Sara Thomas. They both meet coincidentally one Christmas and despite falling in love, leave their future to fate. Through a series of twists and turns and a long time of being away from each other, they still find a way back. The film explores the messages of fate, destiny, and the power of true love.
Also Read: What is Considered a Long Distance Relationship: All You Should Know
11. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
When Harry Met Sally… is a delightful rom-com featuring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as Harry Burns and Sally Albright. The story features the evolving relationship of Harry and Sally over twelve years. Initially, Harry and Sally dislike each other but eventually realize their change through romantic feelings. The film focussed on the blurred lines between love and friendship.
12. Forget Paris (1995)
A romantic comedy-drama led by Billy Crystal and Debra Winger, Forget Paris follows the love story of Mickey, an NBA referee, and Ellen, an airline employee. They meet in Paris and engage in a whirlwind romance but face the complexities and challenges of a long-distance relationship. The film takes you through the ups and downs of their relationship, how they manage their schedules, and family obligations and still endure the distance and challenges.
13. Her (2013)
Her is a unique sci-fi romance featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. The movie follows the story of Theodore Twombly, a lonely and introverted man who develops a strong connection with the artificial intelligence operating system, Samantha. This movie hits home with the theme of loneliness, and technological connections. The movie also depicts how technology intersects with human relations.
14. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
Another sci-fi romance starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams, The Time Traveler’s Wife is based on the novel of the same name by Audrey Niffenegger. The movie revolves around Henry DeTamble, whose genetic disorder causes him to involuntarily travel to various points of time in his past, present, and future. Throughout his travels, he meets and falls in love with Clare Abshire. The film follows their complex relationship and the challenges posed by Henry’s disorder.
15. Leap Year (2010)
Leap Year is a romantic comedy set in Ireland, starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode that follows the story of Anna Brady. Anna travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on a leap day, per an old Irish tradition. In Ireland, a series of twists and turns unfold which leaves her stranded in a small Irish town. From thereon, she gets on a journey of self-discovery following a deeper exploration of love and relationships.
16. Going The Distance (2010)
A modern romantic comedy that stars Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, Going The Distance revolves around the story of Garrett and Erin. They both meet in New York and fall in love quickly. However, their relationship takes a turn when Erin moves back to San Francisco and Garrett stays in New York. Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship, Garrett and Erin sustain their relationship through texts, phone calls, and occasional visits.
17. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
You’ve Got Mail is a romantic comedy film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The story follows the lives of Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly, who become online pen pals through emails, using pseudonyms. They fall in love while talking to each other through emails, but the real world has something else in store for them.
18. Nights and Weekends (2008)
Nights and Weekends is an intimate indie film about the long-distance relationship between Matt and Anna. The film offers a raw and intimate view of struggles in a long-distance relationship, through the challenges that Matt and Anna face to sustain their relationship while living in different cities. The film takes you through the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship while exploring the complexities of modern relationships.
Best Long-Distance Relationship Movies In Hindi
From bone-chilling thrillers to heartwarming romances, Hindi cinema has given us all. Following is the list of the best long-distance relationship movies in Hindi exploring the romance and challenges faced by couples in LDRs, and their journeys.
19. The Japanese Wife (2010)
Set in rural Bengal in India, The Japanese Wife is a romantic drama that revolves around an unconventional relationship between Snehamoy and Miyage. Despite never meeting, they fall in love and their relationship leads to marriage. The movie captures their emotional bond, developed through writing letters, and how love fears no physical barriers.
20. Shershaah (2021)
Shershaah is an Indian biographical movie based on the life of Captain Vikram Batra who was awarded Param Vir Chakra posthumously. He fought the Kargil War between India and Pakistan in 1991. Even though the film majorly focuses on Captain Batra and his life, there is a meaningful subplot on his love and how he and his love interest manage their relationship when he is away during the time of war.
21. Love Aaj Kal (2009)
Love Aajkal is a romantic drama film that is set in two different periods and explores the impact of distance on relationships in those eras. In the contemporary storyline, we find the story of Jai and Meera through Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan whereas the flashback sequence features the story of Veer and Harleen which serves as a parallel to the previous story and shows the push and pull when it comes to love and career.
22. Meenakshi Sundareshwar (2021)
Meenakshi Sundareshwar is a contemporary romantic comedy starring Sanya Malhotra as Meenakshi and Abhimanyu Dasani as Sundareshwar. The newlyweds are forced to live apart due to a unique job prospect for Sundar. The movie follows the hassles of the couple that arise during their long-distance marriage and how they sustain their bond through the medium of calls, texts, and video calls.
23. 2 States (2014)
2-States is a romantic drama film based on a novel by Chetan Bhagat of the same name. The story revolves around Krish Malhotra, a Punjabi boy from Delhi, and Ananya Swaminathan, a Tamilian Brahmin girl from Chennai. They both fall in love while studying at IIM Ahmedabad. This movie enlightens on bridging social and cultural differences, as the protagonists convince their parents of their marriage.
24. The Lunchbox (2013)
The Lunchbox is a heartwarming love story of Saajan and Ila, who communicate and sustain their long-distance relationship through notes exchanged in Mumbai’s efficient lunchbox delivery system. The film highlights the pain of longing in a long-distance relationship.
25. Sirf Tum (1999)
Sirf Tum is a film that revolves around the characters of Deepak and Aarti and their long-distance relationship. Despite their love for each other, they have to stay apart due to some inevitable circumstances. It focuses on how their love endures the struggles, highlighting the sacrifices made to maintain their relationship across miles.
26. Break Ke Baad (2010)
Break Ke Baad is a romantic comedy film featuring Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone as Abhay and Aaliya. The film follows the story of Abhay and Aaliya, childhood friends who enter a romantic relationship but face challenges due to the career goals and aspirations of Aaliya. She decides to take a break from their relationship which leads to a long-distance phase. The movie portrays their highs and lows and how they move through their relationship.
Conclusion
Watching long-distance relationship movies with your partner provides insights and inspiration for handling your own while giving you hope that you can also make it through the distance. With ordinary life characters and their relationships, these long-distance relationship movies make the watch even more relatable and entertaining for every couple to watch and relax.
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