From enemies-to-lovers comedies to multiverse romances, these contemporary films capture modern love in all its forms. Whether you’re looking for laughter, tears, or pure enchantment, these movies offer both entertainment and valuable lessons in the craft of screenwriting.

1) About Time (2013)

This charming British film uses its time-travel premise not just for romance but to explore the deeper meaning of love in all its forms – romantic, familial, and self-love. Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams create a believable, warm chemistry, while the father-son relationship adds unexpected depth. It’s a gentle reminder to cherish every moment with those we love. 

Screenwriting Tip: Let your high concept serve the emotional story – use supernatural elements to illuminate universal truths about love and relationships.

2) Palm Springs (2020) 

This fresh take on the time-loop romance follows Sarah and Nyles as they repeatedly live the same wedding day. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti bring charm and depth to their characters as they navigate existential dread, personal growth, and the possibility of finding love when you’re stuck in an infinite temporal loop. 

Screenwriting Tip: Use familiar tropes in unexpected ways – time loops can explore relationship dynamics beyond just plot mechanics (read our interview with screenwriter Andy Siara).

3) Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) 

This genre-defying masterpiece follows Evelyn as she traverses the multiverse, discovering different versions of her life and relationships. At its heart, it’s a love story about family, marriage, and self-acceptance. Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan’s performances ground the cosmic scale in intimate emotion. 

Screenwriting Tip: Ground your high-concept premise in relatable emotional stakes – even the most fantastical story needs a human heart (read more on this multi-verse rom-com here).

4) Bones And All (2022) 

This unconventional romance follows two young cannibals finding love on a cross-country journey. Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet create a tender connection that transcends the horror elements, proving that love can flourish in the darkest circumstances. 

Screenwriting Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix genres – romance can emerge organically from even the most unusual premises (read our interview with screenwriter David Kagjanich).

5) Plus One (2019) 

Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid shine as best friends who agree to be each other’s dates for a season of weddings. Their natural chemistry and sharp banter elevate this fresh take on the friends-to-lovers trope, while exploring modern dating anxieties. 

Screenwriting Tip: Use supporting events (like multiple weddings) to create natural progression in your central relationship.

6) The Fall Guy (2024)

Ryan Gosling plays a stuntman who must track down a missing movie star while rekindling a romance with his ex, a determined director. The film blends action sequences with genuine heart, proving that romance can thrive in any genre. 

Screenwriting Tip: Use action setpieces to reveal character and advance relationships, not just for spectacle (read our interview with Drew Pearce).

7) No Hard Feelings (2023) 

Jennifer Lawrence leads this edgy comedy about a woman hired to date a shy 19-year-old before college. What could be a crude premise becomes a surprisingly sweet story about connection and growing up. 

Screenwriting Tip: Find the emotional truth in controversial premises – genuine character growth can emerge from uncomfortable situations.

8) I Want You Back (2022) 

Two strangers bond over their recent breakups and hatch a plan to win back their exes. Jenny Slate and Charlie Day bring authentic vulnerability to their roles as they discover that sometimes the right person isn’t who you expected. 

Screenwriting Tip: Let your characters’ schemes backfire in ways that reveal deeper truths about what they really need.

9) Long Shot (2019) 

Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron’s unlikely chemistry anchors this political romance about a journalist who reconnects with his former babysitter, now running for president. Their relationship challenges both personal and public expectations. 

Screenwriting Tip: Use social commentary to add depth to your romance – personal relationships can reflect larger cultural conversations.

10) Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Childhood friends reconnect after 15 years in this charming comedy that tackles career ambition, cultural expectations, and the timing of love. Ali Wong and Randall Park’s history feels lived-in and real, while Keanu Reeves’s cameo steals scenes. 

Screenwriting Tip: Draw from personal experience to create authentic cultural specificity in your romantic comedy.

11) The Big Sick (2017)

Based on Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon’s real courtship, this romantic comedy tackles cultural differences, family expectations, and serious illness with humor and grace. When Emily falls into a coma, Kumail bonds with her parents while examining his own heart. 

Screenwriting Tip: Mine your personal experiences for authentic details that make your story unique – specificity creates universality.

12) Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

This glamorous adaptation celebrates love triumphing over cultural expectations and class differences. Constance Wu and Henry Golding’s chemistry shines as Rachel and Nick navigate Singapore’s elite world, while the film’s stunning visuals create a modern fairy tale. 

Screenwriting Tip: Ground your grand romance in specific cultural details – authenticity adds depth to familiar relationship dynamics (read our interview with Peter Chiarelli).

13) The Shape of Water (2017)

Guillermo del Toro’s otherworldly romance proves that love knows no boundaries – even between species. Sally Hawkins gives a mesmerizing silent performance as a mute janitor who falls in love with an amphibian man in a secret government facility. This unusual love story, set against the backdrop of Cold War America, is a stunning reminder that true love sees past physical differences to the heart within.

Screenwriting Tip: Push genre boundaries by combining unexpected elements – fairy tale romance can work in any setting with genuine emotional truth.

14) Anyone But You

This delightful take on William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing brings Ben and Bea into constant conflict. There’s an immediate attraction when they meet cute at a cafe, but quickly dislike each other after a miscommunication. Then there’s a destination wedding in Australia where it looks like it’s on again, until it isn’t. And then it’s back on again for Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell.

Screenwriting Tip: Using classic plays is a fun way to breathe new life into a story and the obstacles to love. In this case, Ben and Bea are afraid that their past relationships mistakes shouldn’t prevent them from being happy (read our interview with screenwriter Ilana Wolpert).

These films reveal a fundamental truth about writing: like love, it’s not about waiting for inspiration or luck. It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and being willing to dig deeper than comfort allows. The real magic happens when we stop searching for shortcuts and embrace the daily grind of creating something authentic.