Keep up-to-date on your favourite artists and movies, track gig and release dates, and join in the conversation.
SEARCH RESULTS FOR

LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP

THE BEST ROMANCE FILMS STREAMING RIGHT NOW

ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT
LATEST REVIEWS
By Charlie David Page
21st April 2020

So you're stuck at home with nothing to do. What better opportunity to catch up on some must-see streaming entertainment? SWITCH is launching an article series called Lockdown and Catch Up - we're sharing our secret streaming favourites from different genres, with the entire team offering suggestions of films to keep you entertained!

Share the love (not the virus!) with our favourite romantic films streaming right now. The SWITCH team have put their hearts on their sleeves and declared their top rom-coms, so grab a box of tissues and a block of chocolate and curl up on the couch!

JUMP TO...
Jess
JESS
Ashley
ASHLEY
Jake
JAKE
Joel
JOEL
Charlie
CHARLIE
Chris
CHRIS
Lily
LILY
Daniel
DANIEL
Brent
BRENT

JESS FENTONJess
'WARM BODIES'
It doesn't get more romantic than Romeo and Juliet... even if Romeo and Juliet were zombies... well, if just Romeo was a zombie, Juliet was a human, and Juliet's father and, you know, society and a general sense of safety forbid them from becoming a thing. Put it all together and you get this tasty rom-com 'Warm Bodies'. It's creepy, it's kooky, it's altogether beautiful and surprising. Seven years ago, this little nugget sadly flew under the radar and far too many peeps missed out on the quirky and delightful musings of a zombie trying to find his place in the world when boom! cue 'Missing You' by John Waite, he spots Julie fighting off a zombie horde and it's love at first bite. As it turns out, zombies need more than just brains, they also need to be loved.
READ OUR REVIEW
ASHLEY TERESAAshley
'BEFORE SUNRISE'
I'm technically cheating since this is a recommendation for the entire 'Before' Trilogy, but it's among the most insightful and emotional six hours you'll ever spend with two fictional characters. 'Sunrise', the first instalment in director Richard Linklater's trilogy, sees 23-year-old Céline (Julie Delpy, 'Wiener-Dog') meet Jesse (Ethan Hawke, 'First Reformed') on a train from Budapest. She is returning to her hometown of Paris; he is returning home to the United States. Together, the two decide to disembark in Vienna, spending the rest of the day exploring the city - and each other's lives, fears and emotions - inevitably falling for each other in the process. The film is almost exclusively comprised of conversations between Céline and Jesse, the freedom both feel in opening up to one another fuelled by the belief that they may not see each other ever again. Simply put, no other romance film or film series has spoken to my own anxieties and reservations about romantic connections quite like 'Before Sunrise' does. Come for the incredible chemistry between the two leads, without whom the film could simply not exist, and stay for the gripping meditations on love, self-discovery and longing for a self-fulfilling connection - and don't be surprised when you find yourself seeking out the equally stunning sequels 'Before Sunset' and 'Before Midnight'.
JAKE WATTJake
'SPRING'
A twentysomething man, Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci, 'Evil Dead'), loses his mother to cancer, punches a dude's gold grill from his mouth and gets fired from his bartending gig. Taking the advice of his friend Tommy (Jeremy Gardner), Evan buys a ticket to a random location and flies from Southern California to Italy to sort his shit out. At a picturesque bar on the coastline, he meets Louise (Nadia Hilker), a young woman living in a small town nearby. The two share some chemistry. But she has her own shit to sort out too. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's 'Spring' is a walk-and-talk romance reminiscent of Richard Linklater's 'Before' trilogy: grieving American bro meets striking European woman while on a trip to escape his troubles, and they quickly form a deep attachment. It's a love story focused on the challenges of overcoming our past when building a new relationship. But 'Spring' is also a Cronenbergian horror movie, as the evolutionary attraction of eternal life in this world (and the lengths to which one might go to achieve it) is pitted against the temporary nature of mortal love. Personally, I think 'Spring' is what cinema is about: it exists in a gorgeous, hazy, dreamlike reality, contrasting the beautiful and disturbing, and capturing humanity at a basic level. The scenery (it was shot in Polignano a Mare in Apulia), naturalistic dialogue, believable characters, intelligence, humour and humanity make it a minor classic.
JOEL KALKOPFJoel
'ABOUT TIME'
I'm a huge sucker for a good romantic comedy, and this one is super. Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) learns from his father (Bill Nighy) that when the men in their family turn 21, they can time travel. Oh yeah, there's time travel. But don't let that dissuade you, and definitely don't focus on it, because it's not what makes this feature special. Tim uses this tool to fall in love with Mary (Rachel McAdams), the woman of his dreams, by constantly revisiting and refining their time spent together. Writer/director Richard Curtis is back in form to share this tale about love, loss, happiness, and ultimately to explore the relationship between father and son. 'About Time' is a melancholic trip with extremely likeable characters, beautiful settings, and a bittersweet emotional core. It's easy to tear this film apart and point out all it's flaws, and there are plenty, but you don't sit through a Richard Curtis film if you're going to be like that. Despite all its imperfections, there is so much to love about this film, that I guarantee it will leave you feeling like you've been hugged by a big, warm, fuzzy heartbeat. For me, the mark of a great romantic film is if it makes you think about your loved ones, and 'About Time' certainly does.
READ OUR REVIEW
CHARLIE DAVID PAGECharlie
'RUBY SPARKS'
This underappreciated gem is both a romantic fantasy as well as something much more sinister. Calvin (Paul Dano) is a successful novelist who's struggling to find that creative spark for his next book. However, when he starts to write about the girl of his dreams (Zoe Kazan), she somehow becomes reality. Of course, that's when everything starts going very, very wrong. Don't let the film's fantasy element put you off - it's simply a technique to explore the way we try to manipulate and control the people that we experience relationships with. Featuring a terrific indie cast (which also includes Annette Bening, Chris Messina, Antonio Banderas and Steve Coogan) and a unique concept and witty writing from Kazan, this is no straightforward rom-com - but it will surprise you how touching and truthful it is.
READ OUR REVIEW
CHRIS DOS SANTOSChris
'KATE & LEOPOLD'
If the line "fresh creamery butter" does nothing for you, I think it's time you experienced the magic that is 'Kate & Leopold'. Rom-com veteran Meg Ryan is your typical modern-day executive when her time-traveling ex physicist Stuart (Leiv Schreiber) accidentally brings back His Grace Leopold Alexis Eijah Walker Thomas Gareth Mountbatten, 3rd Duke of Albany from the 1800s, played by the man everyone wants to be with: Hugh Jackman. It's just one of those early 2000s cliché-filled rom-coms, but with a wild time-traveling plot, it works so well and gives you the perfect fun escape you need in this time. It's the ultimate film to have a glass of wine with and enjoy the cheesiness. Enjoy Meg Ryan at her most Meg Ryan, enjoy the only film with Jackman and Schreiber (they never did anything together, don't worry about that), and of course sex icon to the mums, the gays and the superhero fanboys Hugh Jackman.
LILY MEEKLily
'PRIDE AND PREJUDICE'
'Pride and Prejudice' - the 2005 Keira Knightley edition with the other guy... the one who surprisingly becomes more endearing and hotter towards the end of the film) - is one film everybody should watch and learn from in their lifetime. This film is a top-notch adaption of Jane Austen's classic, with a fantastic cast, outstanding cinematography, perfect score and awesome message. This film has stuck by me since I was a wee cherub. It proved meaningless back then, as I didn't understand a word - but I suppose that only accentuates how pretty it is to look at. Since then, it's been a great testament to my teachings of love, life and judgement. It might even cause you to look back at past (or present) experiences of love and realise you were being a bit of an Elizabeth? Mr Darcy? Or maybe even a Jane? That's perhaps the greatest thing about this (proven) timeless classic: its ability to be applicable to our own romantic narratives, or lack of.

Few films often do justice to their novel counterparts, but this film really does try and do all characters and their respective arcs justice. Go enjoy Elizabeth Bennett (not to be confused with Elizabeth Swan) dropping some zingers, Judi Dench playing a character you won't like, Matthew Macfadyen charming your socks off - and realise (while feeling a little relieved too) that love has always been a bit complicated.

DANIEL LAMMINDaniel
'I AM LOVE'
If romance is as much an aesthetic as it is a state of being, then nowhere is it more sumptuously realised that Luca Guadagnino's 'I Am Love', the story of intelligent but unfulfilled Emma (Tilda Swinton), married into a wealthy Italian family, and her passionate love affair with young chef Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini). The aesthetic excess of this film is preposterous, but only a filmmaker like Guadagnino could justify its excess and weave it into a heady, exhilarating opera of the senses. It oozes longing and sensuality in every frame, with far more histrionic abandon than 'Call Me By Your Name' and more vice-like aesthetic control than 'A Bigger Splash' or 'Suspiria'. This is the kind of film that leaves you giddy and exhausted, two hours where every sense has been aroused and satisfied. It's as if romance itself has been made manifest, and we get the joy of devouring every last morsel of it.
BRENT DAVIDSONBrent
'CRAZY RICH ASIANS'
'Crazy Rich Asians' has all the tropes that make a rom-com a rom-com; it's such an enjoyable watch. Not only do we root for the girl to get the guy, but the supporting cast are so quirky and funny that it's impossible not to have a good time. Did I mention Akwafina is in it?

'Crazy Rich Asians' is also a fantastic rom-com for another possibly more important reason: the cast is almost entirely made up of Asian actors but in a very Western-style movie, such representation from Hollywood is something to be cherished and applauded. When coupled with the superb script and brilliant performances, it just goes to show that representation doesn't kill a film and that anyone can have a place in a story. You'll laugh, you might cry, but by the end of it you'll be glad you went along for the ride.


What's your favourite film currently streaming? Share your top flicks with us on our Facebook and Twitter!

Feeling up for something a little different? Make sure you check out our other articles in the Lockdown and Catch Up series below...

Lockdown and Catch Up - The best musicals streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best musicals streaming right now
Everyone seems happier when they're breaking into song - so the SWITCH team have hit the high notes and shared their favourite musicals streaming right now! So grab a mic and join in with the greatest films with a melodious twist!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best comedy films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best comedy films streaming right now
So you're stuck at home with nothing to do. What better opportunity to catch up on some must-see streaming entertainment? They say laughter is the best medicine, so we're starting with comedy movies!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best family films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best family films streaming right now
It's the perfect time to spend some quality time with your family - so settle in with these movies that are sure to entertain the young and the young at heart!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best action films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best action films streaming right now
The best way to take your mind of the world outside is a great action film - and the SWITCH team has fought tooth and nail to take out the top titles in the genre!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best drama films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best drama films streaming right now
If you're looking for a touch of drama, we have you covered! The SWITCH team laughed and cried their way through the best on streaming services to put together this list of unmissable drama movies.
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best horror films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best horror films streaming right now
Horror films have the ability to hold a mirror up to society while scaring the heck out of you. The SWITCH team has compiled their favourite scary movies streaming right now, so enter if you dare!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best queer films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best queer films streaming right now
We all need a little more love right now - so the SWITCH team has explored the best of same-sex cinema to brighten up your day!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best sci-fi films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best sci-fi films streaming right now
The SWITCH team have explored the entire galaxy to bring you their favourite science fiction films streaming right now - so blast off with a shot of the strange and unusual!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best documentaries streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best documentaries streaming right now
While we can't explore the world in person at the moment, you can take a trip across the globe with the SWITCH team's favourite documentaries streaming right now!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best romance films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best romance films streaming right now
Share the love (not the virus!) with our favourite romantic films streaming right now. The SWITCH team have put their hearts on their sleeves and declared their top rom-coms, so grab a box of tissues!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best foreign films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best foreign films streaming right now
As all of mankind comes together across the world, we've collected our top foreign films streaming right now - so take a trip around the globe from the safety of your living room!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best teen films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best teen films streaming right now
Head back to your childhood with the best teen films streaming right now! The SWITCH team have collected their favourite coming-of-age stories, so take a nostalgic trip back to high school with us.
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best biopics streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best biopics streaming right now
From music legends to criminals to sporting stars, the SWITCH team have chosen their top biopics streaming right now - so dive in and discover something new about these extraordinary characters!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best Australian films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best Australian films streaming right now
The SWITCH team has put together their favourite Aussie films streaming right now, so throw another shimp on the barbie and settle in with a homegrown flick!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best crime films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best crime films streaming right now
The SWITCH team have listened to the angel and devil on their shoulders to pick their favourite crime movies streaming right now, so throw on a disguise and settle in - or we'll slap the cuffs on you!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best historical films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best historical films streaming right now
We've compiled our favourite real-life historical films to take you through some of the biggest events! From unforgettable political figures to journeys to space, delve into these legendary epics.
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best foodie films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best foodie films streaming right now
Here's some food for thought: there are some delicious filmic feasts waiting for you to devour! The SWITCH team salivated through the streaming services to serve up their favourite foodie films.
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best sports films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best sports films streaming right now
Get ready to cheer for the underdogs - we're stepping up to the plate for the top sports films streaming now! The ball's in your court, so be a team player and check out these cinematic slam dunks!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best futuristic films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best futuristic films streaming right now
The SWITCH team have found the best futuristic films streaming now, so scroll through and choose your destiny!
Lockdown and Catch Up - The best war films streaming right now
LOCKDOWN AND CATCH UP
The best war films streaming right now
War movies can be tragic, epic, inspiring, enlightening, horrifying, even humbling. The SWITCH team have gathered together the most powerful war films with stories of bravery, endurance and hope.
© 2011 - 2024 SWITCH.
All rights reserved

Support SWITCH | Disclaimer | Contact Us!