10 Most Quotable Romance Movies of All Time, Ranked

The romance genre is often known for its evocative, resonating stories that inspire audiences and capture their hearts in unique ways. Although great characters and proper direction are all poignant elements when it comes to the execution of such films, sharp and touching writing helps audiences connect with the story. This, of course, includes the words exchanged between lovers.

From heartwarming confessions of love to sharp-witter banter, some romance films offer audiences lines that linger after the credits roll, even leaving a lasting mark on pop culture. These films not only tell beautiful stories of love but also offer audiences memorable lines that some carry into their everyday lives. We rank the most quotable romance films of all time, celebrating the iconic dialogue that continues to inspire and entertain us all.

10 ‘The Notebook’ (2004)

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Despite its mixed critic reviews, The Notebook endures as one of the most beloved romance films by public audiences, featuring two memorable performances by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Based on Nicholas Sparks‘ best-selling novel of the same name, it follows the lives of Noah and Allie, who come from different socioeconomic backgrounds, as they fall in love in 1940s South Carolina, chronicling their turbulent relationship through the years.

The Notebook‘s unforgettable characters and deeply romantic, at times heartbreaking narrative make it a must-see in the genre. However, its iconic lines are also to blame for the movie’s passionate intensity, keeping viewers on edge and rooting for both protagonists throughout. Whether we’re talking about romantic confessions or philosophical reflections about the meaning of life — “but in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul” — The Notebook is certainly a quotable flick.

9 ‘Pretty Woman’ (1990)

Director: Garry Marshall

Fans of romantic comedies know that Pretty Woman is an essential entry. This feel-good romance sees Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in their first collaboration, following a rich entrepreneur who hires sex worker Vivian to accompany him to a few social events. However, trouble ensues when they fall in love with each other and attempt to bridge the gap between their totally different worlds.

Cinephiles who love the genre and are not familiar with Pretty Woman would be making a big mistake (“big, huge!”) if they did not check out this must-see right away. Featuring astounding chemistry between the two leads, Garry Marshall‘s timeless romantic comedy deals with themes of self-worth and class in a fun, lighthearted manner, capturing the viewers’ attention not only through its undeniably fun plot but also the memorable lines.

8 ’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)

Director: Gil Junger

Starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles in the lead roles, Gil Junger‘s angsty teen romantic comedy 10 Things About You sees a high school boy named Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) attempt to date lovely Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). However, he must come up with an elaborate plan for her anti-social older sister, Kat, to get a boyfriend first.

This loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is one of the most quotable films in the bunch, with its smart and humorous dialogue perfectly reflecting the personalities of its two rebellious leads. A particular stand-out moment in the film is Kat’s famous poem, which has marked an entire generation and endures as one of the most iconic and beloved monologues in rom-com history.

7 ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)

Director: Michel Gondry

Throwing the romance, psychological drama, and sci-fi genres into the mix, the ultimate breakup movieEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind explores memory, identity, alienation, and the devastating effects of heartbreak by illustrating a couple undergoing a medical procedure to have each other erased from memories forever.

Michel Gondry‘s movie is undoubtedly a creative addition to the romantic category, especially in how it blends different genres and offers audiences a unique story. Delving into the complexities of human relationships — particularly romantic ones — Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is filled with great quotes that perfectly capture the vulnerability of its story (whether they’re Friedrich Nietzsche’s or original dialogues). For the most part, these lines encapsulate, for better or worse, the pain of realizing how deeply intertwined we are with the people we love.

6 ‘Titanic’ (1997)

Director: James Cameron

James Cameron‘s Titanic became a phenomenon from the moment it premiered. The disaster epic sees Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet joining forces and delivering compelling performances as a kind-hearted, poor artist and an aristocrat. The two fall in love abroad in the ill-fated real-life R.M.S. titular ship.

Intriguingly tackling themes of class division and social inequality, Titanic‘s breathtaking visuals, memorable characters, and amazing soundtrack make it a must-see in the romance genre. However, its quotable lines, often referenced in pop culture, are undoubtedly a part of its undying legacy, as they highlight the depth of this epic and timeless central love story. Some, on the other hand, have originated some of the funniest Internet memes over the years (“draw me like one of your French girls” pops into mind).

5 ‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989)

Director: Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner‘s When Harry Met Sally is yet another feel-good romance essential, particularly worth watching during the colder months of the year. The cozy, autumnal watch sees long-time friends Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan), jumping through their lives as they both search for love and bump into each other time and time again.

Nora Ephron‘s witty script (inspired by her actual friendship with Reiner) captures, in a timeless way, the fine line between romantic love and friendship, with Crystal and Ryan’s central performances and chemistry further elevating the story. The appeal of When Harry Met Sally‘s highly quotable lines lies in how they are not only funny but also relatable, especially considering that they tap into questions about relationships and self-perception.

4 ‘Gone With the Wind’ (1939)

Director: Victor Fleming

Despite its controversial status, Victor Fleming‘s Gone With the Wind endures as a romantic epic that many cinephiles can not recommend enough. This is not surprising, considering that it really is a great film. Set during the time of the Civil War, the story sees a manipulative Southern belle (Vivien Leigh) and a profiteer (Clark Gable) face off in a turbulent romance.

Based on Margaret Mitchell’s original novel, Fleming’s grand feature thrives in its dramatic style and memorable lines both intense and poetic. It also helps that Leigh and Gable bring these lines to life believably, ingraining them in pop culture, which is why they remain so well-known after all these years. Gone With the Wind is far from flawless — particularly when it comes to its historical and racial depictions — but its cultural impact and lasting influence on cinema is undeniable.

3 ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (2005)

Director: Joe Wright

Directed by Joe Wright, this compelling adaptation of Jane Austen‘s iconic classic novel sees Elizabeth Bennett (Keira Knightley) coming face-to-face with the rich and proud Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfayden), who finds himself falling in love with the young woman well beneath his class. The question is: can they overcome their pride and prejudice?

In addition to Pride and Prejudice‘s stunning visuals, strong performances (Knightley was nominated), palpable tension and chemistry between the two leads, and well-written characters, the Joe Wright film is elevated by Austen’s unforgettable lines, ranging from passionate declarations of love to witty gender-role criticism. The exchanges between its characters have been cemented as some of the best in romance history, mixing humor, irony, and romance with delightful results.

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2 ‘Before Sunrise’ (1995)

Director: Richard Linklater

Readers looking for a romance film that does not actually feel like a romance film may want to check out Richard Linklater‘s Before Sunrise. The movie unfolds in the span of an evening, when a young man (Ethan Hawke) and a woman (Julie Delpy) meet on a train to Europe, only to wind up spending one night together in Vienna.

Before Sunrise‘s characteristic philosophical musings about life, love, and human connection resonate with viewers at deep levels, often prompting introspection and sparking conversations. There is no doubt that dialogue is a crucial element — if not the most crucial — in Linklater’s storytelling, and the fact that it is so well-written earns it a top among the most memorable, and thus quotable, in the genre.

1 ‘Casablanca’ (1942)

Director: Michael Curtiz

Set in French Morocco, this war drama follows a cynical expatriate American cafe owner (Humphrey Bogart) who struggles to decide whether he should help his former lover (Ingrid Bergman) and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis.

It’s not for no reason that Michael Curtiz‘ Casablanca is one of the greatest romance films of all time — on top of its iconic characters and incredible execution, Casablanca‘s timelessness and the themes of the human condition, love, and sacrifice that it deals with resonate with viewers of every generation. Furthermore, the beloved classic movie’s script is filled with memorable dialogue that has become a huge part of cinematic history, with lines like “Here’s looking at you, kid” and “We’ll always have Paris” being highly referenced in pop culture today.

NEXT: 55 Best Romantic Movies of All Time, Ranked