The Ultimate List of Romance Movies from 2000–2010 (Year by Year)
The 2000s were the golden age of romance movies — a time when we cried over The Notebook, laughed through Hitch, and fell head over heels for every meet-cute, makeover, and movie kiss in the rain. From sweeping love stories to offbeat indies and teen rom-coms we still quote word-for-word, this decade gave us everything.
Now, the Romance Insider Awards are rolling back the reel — here’s our year-by-year roundup of the 2000s’ most unforgettable love stories and which one earned the title of Winning Romance of the Year.
2000
Love & Basketball – Childhood neighbors Monica and Quincy chase basketball dreams and each other’s hearts in this unforgettable sports romance.
Coyote Ugly – Violet follows her songwriting dreams in New York City, with romance (and a little bar dancing) along the way.
Chocolat – Juliette Binoche stars as a free-spirited chocolatier who opens a shop in a small French village, sparking change, temptation, and unexpected romance with Johnny Depp.
Where the Heart Is – Natalie Portman stars as a pregnant teen who rebuilds her life (and finds love) after being abandoned at a Walmart.
Winning Romance of 2000: Love & Basketball
The childhood-friends-to-lovers trope at its absolute best. Monica and Quincy’s story is ambitious, heartbreaking, and swoony—proof that sometimes the game you’re really playing for is love.
Trope We Love: Childhood friends to lovers—because growing up side by side makes the romance feel inevitable.
2001
Bridget Jones’s Diary – Bridget is torn between Hugh Grant’s bad boy and Colin Firth’s steady Mark Darcy.
Serendipity – John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale meet by chance and let fate decide their future.
Save the Last Dance – A ballerina and a Chicago teen fall in love through dance while bridging cultural divides.
America’s Sweethearts – Julia Roberts and John Cusack headline this satirical Hollywood rom-com.
Kate & Leopold – Hugh Jackman’s 19th-century duke time-travels into Meg Ryan’s modern life.
Moulin Rouge! – Ewan McGregor stars as a bohemian writer who falls for a dazzling cabaret star, played by Nicole Kidman, in a whirlwind romance of love, art, and tragedy set in 1890s Paris.
Winning Romance of 2001: Bridget Jones’s Diary
Messy, honest, and endlessly quotable. Bridget gave us the most relatable rom-com heroine of the decade, and Mark Darcy’s “just as you are” remains a top-tier love line.
Trope We Love: Imperfect heroine still gets the guy—because real love is about being seen, flaws and all.
2004
The Notebook – Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams deliver one of cinema’s most epic love stories.
13 Going on 30 – A birthday wish, a time jump, and a second chance at true love.
Before Sunset – Jesse and Céline reconnect in Paris nine years after their first meeting.
50 First Dates – Adam Sandler courts Drew Barrymore, whose memory resets daily.
Wimbledon – Tennis and romance collide for Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.
Winning Romance of 2004: The Notebook
The kiss in the rain. The lifetime devotion. The emotional gut-punch. Every girl dragged her partner to see this epic love story in theaters, and it’s been living rent-free in our hearts ever since.
Trope We Love: Epic, once-in-a-lifetime love—soulmates against all odds.
2005
Hitch – Will Smith’s dating coach gets schooled in love by Eva Mendes.
Pride & Prejudice – Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen give us Austen perfection.
Just Like Heaven – Reese Witherspoon’s spirit falls for Mark Ruffalo.
Must Love Dogs – Online dating leads to romance for Diane Lane and John Cusack.
In Her Shoes – A heartfelt sister story with Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette, and romance layered in.
The Wedding Date – Debra Messing hires Dermot Mulroney as her fake boyfriend, and things get real.
Rumor Has It – Jennifer Aniston’s character finds out The Graduate was based on her family.
Monster-in-Law – Jennifer Lopez vs. Jane Fonda in a rom-com showdown.
Imagine Me & You – Piper Perabo and Lena Headey star in a tender romance about two women whose unexpected connection blossoms at a wedding.
Winning Romance of 2005: Pride & Prejudice
Matthew Macfadyen’s Darcy hand flex lives rent-free in our heads. This is period drama romance at its most swoon-worthy.
Trope We Love: Enemies-to-lovers, Regency edition—because a little pride and a lot of prejudice make the payoff worth it.
2008
27 Dresses – Katherine Heigl is always a bridesmaid until James Marsden shows up.
Mamma Mia! – ABBA, Greece, and three possible dads. Pure romantic escapism.
Nights in Rodanthe – Diane Lane and Richard Gere’s stormy coastal romance.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Jason Segel’s heartbreak turns into new love with Mila Kunis.
Made of Honor – Patrick Dempsey realizes he’s in love with his best friend.
Twilight – Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson begin the vampire-human romance that defined a generation.
Fool’s Gold – Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey rekindle love on a treasure hunt.
Marley & Me – A love story about family, dogs, and marriage’s ups and downs.
Winning Romance of 2008: 27 Dresses
Enemies-to-lovers, wedding chaos, and James Marsden’s smirk—it’s a rom-com comfort rewatch we’ll never get tired of.
Trope We Love: Always a bridesmaid, finally the bride—because love shows up when you least expect it.
2009
He’s Just Not That Into You – Ensemble rom-com exploring the messy reality of dating.
The Proposal – Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds fake an engagement and fall for real.
500 Days of Summer – A bittersweet, non-linear look at modern love.
Confessions of a Shopaholic – Isla Fisher’s shopaholic heroine finds love while cleaning up her life.
Did You Hear About the Morgans? – Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker rediscover love in witness protection.
It’s Complicated – Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin in a late-in-life love triangle.
The Time Traveler’s Wife – Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana navigate a love story across time.
Bride Wars – Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson battle it out over wedding dates.
The Ugly Truth – Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler’s opposites-attract battle of the sexes.
Winning Romance of 2009: The Proposal
Fake dating, Alaska scenery, and peak Sandra Bullock charm. Ryan Reynolds holding a puppy? Instant win. And let’s not forget Betty White — forever making us laugh, stealing our hearts, and proving the power of speaking your mind unapologetically.
Trope We Love: Fake relationship meets one bed, forced proximity, and undeniable chemistry — because pretending to be in love never felt this real.
2002
A Walk to Remember – Bad boy meets preacher’s daughter in Nicholas Sparks’ most heartbreaking love story.
Maid in Manhattan – Jennifer Lopez shines in this modern Cinderella story.
Sweet Home Alabama – Reese Witherspoon’s big-city designer returns to her roots—and her first love.
Two Weeks Notice – Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant bring workplace banter to new heights.
Punch-Drunk Love – Adam Sandler surprises in a quirky, tender romance.
Winning Romance of 2002: A Walk to Remember
Tragic, tender, unforgettable. Landon and Jamie’s story is a cultural reset that still makes us sob—and believe in transformative first love. Every person who saw this in theaters left with puffy eyes and a broken heart.
Trope We Love: Good girl saves the bad boy—with a heartbreaking twist.
2003
Something’s Gotta Give – Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson prove love doesn’t have an age limit.
Down with Love – A playful, colorful rom-com homage starring Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor.
Love Actually – Multiple love stories woven together at Christmastime.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days – Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey’s bet-fueled enemies-to-lovers chemistry is unmatched.
Under the Tuscan Sun – Diane Lane renovates a villa in Italy and rediscovers life, self-love, and romance.
Winning Romance of 2003: Under the Tuscan Sun
This one’s about falling in love with life again, rediscovering yourself, and then finally letting romance back in. It’s dreamy, empowering, and a reminder that sometimes love starts with you.
Trope We Love: Healing through self-love first—because romance feels sweeter when it comes after rediscovery.
2006
Something New – Sanaa Lathan explores love outside her comfort zone with Simon Baker.
The Holiday – Home swaps lead to love for Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black.
She’s the Man – Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum shine in this Shakespeare-inspired teen rom-com.
Last Holiday – Queen Latifah embraces life—and romance—after a terminal diagnosis.
The Lake House – Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock connect through letters across time.
The Break-Up – Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn navigate love and heartbreak in a raw rom-com.
Failure to Launch – Sarah Jessica Parker tries to move Matthew McConaughey out of his parents’ house—with romance as a bonus complication.
Winning Romance of 2006: Last Holiday
Another real queen—Queen Latifah. This movie is about embracing life to the fullest and finding new love along the way. It’s warm, funny, and filled with silly, awkward situations we can all relate to.
Trope We Love: Second-chance at life, second-chance at love—romance rooted in joy and self-discovery.
2007
Becoming Jane – Anne Hathaway plays a young Jane Austen in a bittersweet love story.
Waitress – Keri Russell finds love and independence through pie-baking.
P.S. I Love You – Hilary Swank grieves with the help of letters from Gerard Butler.
Enchanted – Amy Adams as a fairy-tale princess discovering real-world romance.
Knocked Up – Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen turn a one-night stand into an unconventional love story.
Because I Said So – Diane Keaton meddles in her daughter Mandy Moore’s love life.
Across the Universe – Beatles songs weave through a sweeping 1960s love story.
Winning Romance of 2007: P.S. I Love You
Heartbreaking and healing in equal measure, this film reminds us love can shape us—even after goodbye.
Trope We Love: Love after loss—because sometimes moving forward is the bravest love story of all.
2010
Dear John – Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried’s long-distance romance tested by war.
Valentine’s Day – A star-studded ensemble of interconnected love stories.
Letters to Juliet – Amanda Seyfried’s romantic Tuscan adventure.
Eat Pray Love – Julia Roberts’s global self-discovery with romance along the way.
When in Rome – Kristen Bell’s stolen fountain coins lead to multiple suitors.
Life as We Know It – Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel find family and love after tragedy.
Leap Year – Amy Adams travels to Ireland to propose, but fate has other plans.
Blue Valentine – Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams in a devastating portrait of love gained and lost.
Remember Me – Robert Pattinson’s brooding love story with a tragic twist.
Easy A – Emma Stone in a witty high school rom-com with a fake-dating twist.
Winning Romance of 2010: Easy A
High school scandal, fake dating schemes, and Emma Stone in her star-making role. Inspired by The Scarlet Letter, this sharp, satirical teen rom-com turns gossip into empowerment and self-discovery.
Trope We Love: Fake dating meets reputation redemption — when she stops trying to fit in and starts owning her story.
The Takeaway
From Love & Basketball in 2000 to Easy A in 2010, this decade delivered some of the most iconic romance movies of all time. They shaped our playlists, wardrobes, and daydreams—and they’re still just as binge-worthy today.