There are plenty of rom-coms and romantic movies out there, but what about those films that are about love itself? There’s something so comforting about watching a great rom-com, where our protagonists have a meet-cute, fall in love with each other, navigate some hardships, and ultimately end up together. If the screenplay is good and the actors have chemistry, those films can provoke such strong emotions in us, and that’s why we keep coming back to them. A good rom-com can do all that while also exploring the theme of love: think of Harry Meets Sally, Pride and Prejudice, or even How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. But movies about love don’t always need to be comforting. Sometimes, we just want to watch what intimacy looks like, and we put on Linklater’s Before Trilogy; and then there times when we want to see the heartbreak and the loneliness, and films can come to the rescue too.
With so many streaming platforms out there, it can be hard to know where to search for the film you’re looking for — and platforms like Sharingful can help you save time and money by letting you share subscriptions to multiple streamers — but we have you covered! We’ve made a list of 5 great films about love from the 2000s, intended as the 21st Century. All these films can all be found on different streaming services, and all explore the theme of love, but in different ways. From classics from the past twenty years to new releases and hidden gem, you’re bound to find something you like here. Keep scrolling for the list, in no particular order, and happy watching!
1. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Where to stream: Max, Prime Video, Apple TV+ and more
Let’s start from a classic rom-com! Adapted from Helen Fielding’s beloved book series, Bridget Jones’ Diary is a film that audiences keep returning to, and for good reason. Judging by the plot alone, the movie would seem to be yet another rom-com about a lonely woman who finds love. But there is so much more to the first chapter of the beloved franchise, directed by Sharon Maguire, all thanks to a unique, relatable protagonist and a surprisingly insightful screenplay.
Bridget Jones’ Diary is about the titular Bridget (a flawless Renèe Zellweger), a 32-year-old woman from North Northamptonshire, England, whose family’s expectations and perception of her, combined with an uneventful routine at home and work, have made her pretty dissatisfied with her own life. Bridget begins the year just like she usually does, eating ice cream and being all-too-aware of how lonely she feels. But things are about to change for our protagonist, who’ll soon have not one but two men fighting for her love: her charming but narcissistic boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and an apparently rude stranger she’s just met at a party.
It’s the latter, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), who’ll end up teaching Bridget – and us – the most important lesson about love, by uttering the famous line “I like you very much, just as you are.” When and how he says those words is up to you to find out, in a film that manages to follow the tested 2000s rom-com formula while also introducing new element through Bridget’s characterization and journey. Many sequels have been released, and though not all of them were successful, 2025’s Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is a must-watch too.
2. Blue Valentine (2010)
Where to stream: Peacock, Prime Video, Fubo TV, The Roku Channel, Apple TV+, and more
What if you’re in the mood for a good cry, and you want to feel all the loneliness that being in a relationship sometimes entails? Blue Valentine would be the perfect choice for you, but be warned: this 2010 drama from Derek Cianfrance (The Place Beyond the Pines) will destroy you emotionally.
Blue Valentine revolves around a couple, Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams), who, at first glance, would seem to be just two normal people in an ordinary relationship. But as the film starts digging a little deeper, we realize that their marriage is about to fall apart. We won’t say any more because it’s best if you watch the movie for yourself, but this is a film that shows us love at its most vulnerable, tragic and unforgiving, and it does it with two outstanding performances from Gosling and Williams. And if you need some cheering up after you’ve seen the film, check out two more uplifting 2000s movies in Ryan Gosling’s filmography: undeniable classic The Nootebook (2004), and underrated gem Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011).
3. Closer (2004)
Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, and more
Two unconventional films about love were released in 2004. The most popular one of the two is Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004), about a couple who undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their respective memories after a breakup, and you should absolutely check it out if you haven’t seen it yet. But the one you might not be familiar with is Mike Nichols’ Closer, a devastating look at modern relationships that will have your eyes glued to the screen from start to end.
Closer owes its success to the 1997 play of the same name from which it was adapted, from playwright Patrick Marber, which is quite simply flawless. Just like the play, the film begins with two meet-cutes between four charming strangers who have a tendency to lie about who they are, even if they often don’t even realize it. These strangers are photographer Anna (Julia Roberts), dermatologist Larry (Clive Owen), exotic stripper Alice (Natalie Portman), and novelist Dan (Jude Law), and a series of chance meetings throughout the film eventually see them all affect and eventually destroy each other’s lives for good.
Patrick Marber’s play – and Nichols’ film, as a result – is filled to the brim with quotes about love that you’ll find yourself coming back to at specific moments of your life, and that really highlight the dynamics of modern relationships like no other book or film manages to do. See the play if you can, as the movie deprives you of the live theater aspect that is so essential to a work like this one, but the film still does a good job of bringing the complex source material to life.
4. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Where to stream: Prime Video, Apple TV+, Fandango at Home, and more
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” It seems like a simple enough concept, yet it’s the very essence of love. Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! is a bold, daring musical that celebrates love with gorgeous musical numbers and a passionate love story you love to root for. The movie, inspired this time not by a book but by the notorious Parisian nightclub, tells the tale of a young poet (Ewan McGregor) who falls in love with the most popular star of the club’s show, Satine (Nicole Kidman).
If you’re familiar with Luhrman’s work, you already know why you’ll either love or dislike Moulin Rouge, as the director’s purposefully flashy, genre-defying filmmaking style is not for everyone. But if you’re able to get on board with it, what you’ll find is a fearless celebration of love that combines storytelling, music, and dance to create the very definition of a spectacle. It’s definitely one of the best 2000s movie musicals out there, and despite its loud and colorful nature, it also has plenty to teach you about love. Also starring John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Kylie Minogue and more familiar faces.
5. Past Lives (2023)
Where to stream: Netflix, Paramount+, and more
The moment Past Lives hit the festival circuit two years ago, it was immediately a favorite by audiences all over the world. Celine Song’s film revolves around a woman named Nora (Greta Lee) who had to leave Korea, and say goodbye to her childhood best friend Hae Sung, when she was a child. Now, as a 30-something, Nora has built a life for herself in New York, and is in a happy relationship with a loving husband, Arthur (John Magaro). One day, Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) tracks her down, 24 years since he last saw her, and unexpectedly shows up at her place.
We won’t say anymore as you absolutely need to discover this film’s many surprises on your own, but we’ll say this much: what comes next is not what you think will happen. With a simple premise but incredible attention to character development, Celine Song masters the art of slowly revealing new details to both the characters and the audience, and the result is a refreshingly honest look at relationships where every single character is treated with compassion, and nobody’s a villain or a victim. It’s as raw as it gets, but it doesn’t forget about the humor, and it’s anchored by three fantastic performances from Lee, Yoo, and Magaro. Don’t miss it!
The 5 great 2000s films about love listed above all explore the theme of love in different ways, from 21st Century classics like Bridget Jones and Moulin Rouge! to hidden gems like Closer and recent releases like Past Lives. We’ve even included a film that examines the most devastating aspects of love, Blue Valentine, which might be exactly what you’re looking for if you’re not looking for something uplifting. Enjoy!
