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Of all the romance tropes, long-distance romance movies usually seem to have more realistic story progressions. This is mostly because it is hard to sugarcoat the struggles of maintaining a healthy relationship while living apart for long periods of time. And while people like to believe that distance makes the heart grow fonder, it is hard to disregard the fact that it can also lead to loneliness and heartache.
Unlike some of the other tropes such as age-gap, enemies to lovers and love triangles, long-distance movies are few and far between because of the complex subject matter. But there have been filmmakers who have taken it upon themselves to pursue emotional narratives that shine a light on all the challenges that long-distance couples have to face, on the daily.
Romance fans looking for relatable love stories should check out the long-distance movies on this list with heartwarming dialogue and endearing couples.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources. It contains some spoilers.
Going the Distance, Like Crazy and four other long-distance romance movies that are touching and realistic
1) Nights and Weekends (2008)
Even before Greta Gerwig became a household name thanks to Barbie (2023), she directed a handful of notable titles that received much praise from industry stalwarts. One of them is this long-distance romance movie that Gerwig co-directed with Joe Swanberg.
Both Gerwig and Swanberg also star as the main characters, Mattie and James. The couple are very much in love but being in two different cities namely, New York and Chicago, eventually takes a toll on their relationship. Seeing as it is mumblecore, the focus is on showcasing the raw emotions of the couple who are desperately trying to make things work despite all the odds stacked against them.
Gerwig and Swanberg are primarily known for their filmmaking skills but the realistic way they approach the characters and make viewers feel like they are part of James and Mattie's journey is commendable.
Where to watch: This long-distance romance movie can be streamed on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
2) Hanamizuki (2010)
This Japanese long-distance romance movie by Nobuhiro Doi stars Yui Aragaki and Toma Ikuta in the lead. Aragaki is a high-school student, Sae, from Hokkaido who dreams of getting enrolled in a university in Tokyo. She is drawn to Ikuta's character, Kouhei, when they meet. Like his father and grandfather, Kouhei wants to make a mark as a fisherman.
They are determined to pursue their dreams, but at the same time, they want to cherish the connection between them which is why they enter into a long-distance relationship. But when their love is tested time and again, they start to feel unsure whether they will be able to hold on till the end.
The plot of this emotional long-distance romance movie is pretty straightforward but the charming chemistry between Sae and Kouhei is what really makes it worth the watch.
Where to watch: Hanamizuki is available for streaming on Viki.
3) Going the Distance (2010)
This is probably the first title that comes to mind when most people think of long-distance romance movies and it's easy to see why. Most long-distance romance movies tend to have a "doomed from the beginning" vibe that is hard to look past. But this Nanette Burstein movie is more hopeful.
Drew Barrymore plays Erin Langford who gets hired as an intern for a New York City newspaper. She ends up meeting Garrett (Justin Long) at a bar and they hit it off almost immediately. After spending weeks together, Erin has to leave when her internship is over and they decide to start a long-distance relationship. At first, things are great, but over time, the cracks start to appear
The best thing about this long-distance romance movie is the witty banter between Erin and Garrett. But that doesn't mean it's all fun and games, they also have plenty of meaningful moments that make it obvious they are meant for one another which prompts the audience to root for them.
Where to watch: This hilarious long-distance romance movie can be viewed on Prime Video.
4) Like Crazy (2011)
This Drake Doremus movie is special as it doesn't have a traditional screenplay. Actors Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin who play Anna and Jacob improvised their lines after reading through a 50-page outline crafted by Doremus and Ben York Jones.
A British exchange student, Anna is studying in Los Angeles. She falls for Jacob, an American student, and they decide to spend the summer together after graduation. However, she doesn't consider the consequences of overstaying her student visa. After going back to London for a family engagement, she tries to return to the United States but is denied entry.
From the thrill and joy of basking in the warmth of new love to the angst and heartache of being apart, Jones and Yelchin never miss a beat in portraying the changing tides of their relationship. In fact, sometimes viewers will find it hard to believe that they improvised most of the dialogue.
Where to watch: This touching long-distance romance movie is available on Prime Video.
5) 10,000 km (2014)
Carlos Marqués-Marcet's 10,000 km throws light on the fact that even with technological advancements, long-distance relationships haven't become any easier.
Natalia Tena plays Alexandra and David Verdaguer portrays her partner, Sergi. They are both based out of Barcelona but when Alex moves to LA for a one-year residency, their bond starts to strain. While they dedicatedly make use of the modern channels of communication available to them, it is still hard to stay connected in the ways that matter.
The well-written narrative has an intimate vibe that is further enhanced by the beautiful cinematography. However, the main highlight of this Spanish long-distance romance movie has to be the deep and realistic conversations between the lead characters.
Where to watch: 10,000 km can be streamed on Netflix and MUBI.
6) Let's Meet Halfway (2023)
This underrated long-distance romance movie by Dana Dveris and Max Schmitz features a same-sex couple in the lead. Sole Bovelli and Lesley Grant play a young couple, Charlie and Avery. They have a long-distance relationship and decide to meet in a remote town between them, every month, in order to spend quality time together.
However, as the months go by, long-kept secrets come out which causes their relationship to change. Instead of focusing on shocking revelations and unnecessary drama, Let's Meet Halfway allows the well-developed characters to take center stage. It also helps that the beautiful cinematography complements the touching narrative well.
Where to watch: This warm and engaging long-distance romance movie is available on MUBI and Apple TV+.
Cinephiles who are romantics at heart should check out the long-distance romance movies on this list because they offer the best of lovable characters and relatable relationship dynamics.
