Culpa Mia (My Fault) is a 2023 Spanish romantic drama film directed by Domingo González in his feature-length directorial debut. Starring Nicole Wallace and Gabriel Guevara, the film is adapted from Mercedes Ron's Wattpad story of the same title.
Noah moves into her mother’s new husband’s mansion, where she clashes with her rebellious step-brother Nick, a law student and racer. Despite their hostility, an undeniable attraction grows.
As Noah adjusts to her new life, she becomes entangled in Nick’s risky world and receives mysterious threats from her past, forcing her to confront hidden truths and escalating dangers.
Culpa Mia became Amazon Prime Video's most-watched film globally in 2023. It stayed in the platform's top 5 into 2024, ranking as the fourth most popular movie that year. Prime Video approved the production of two sequels, Culpa tuya and Culpa nuestra, completing Mercedes Ron's book trilogy.
If viewers enjoyed Culpa Mia for its themes of forbidden romance and confronting hidden dangers, check out these seven movies with similar themes.
Disclaimer: The following list is ranked in no particular order, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
Three Steps Above Heaven, and 6 other movies similar to Prime Video’s Culpa Mia
1) Cruel Intentions (1999)
Cruel Intentions is a 1999 American teen romantic drama film directed and written by Roger Kumble, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair.
Set in New York City among wealthy high school students, the film is a modern adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Sebastian Valmont makes a bet with his stepsister, Kathryn, that he can seduce Annette. As he manipulates and pressures those around him, he starts to develop real feelings for Annette but ultimately lies to her to safeguard his reputation, causing their relationship to fall apart.
Cruel Intentions and Culpa Mia both feature complex and passionate relationships between step-siblings, with themes of manipulation and an undeniable attraction that complicates their lives.
Where to watch: Prime Video
2) Three Steps Above Heaven (2010)
Directed by Fernando González Molina, Three Steps Above Heaven is a Spanish romantic drama film that stars Mario Casas and María Valverde. Released in 2010, the movie was written by Ramón Salazar and is a remake of the Italian film Three Steps Over Heaven, which was adapted from Federico Moccia's 1992 novel of the same name.
The story follows two young individuals from vastly different worlds. It chronicles an almost impossible yet irresistible love that takes them on a whirlwind journey as they experience their first great romance.
Babi is an innocent girl from an upper-middle-class background. At the same time, Hache is a rebellious and reckless boy with a passion for danger, illegal motorcycle races, and constant brawls, living life on the edge.
Like Culpa Mia, Three Steps Above Heaven centers on a forbidden romance between two individuals from different worlds, where passion and tension intertwine.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV+
3) The Idea of You (2024)
The Idea of You is a 2024 American romantic dramedy directed by Michael Showalter, co-written with Jennifer Westfeldt, and based on Robinne Lee's novel. Starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, it follows the romance between a single mother and a boy band's lead singer.
Solène, a divorced art gallery owner, meets Hayes, a member of the boy band August Moon, at Coachella. Despite their age gap, they begin a secret romance, with Solène joining him on tour. As their relationship faces challenges from public attention and personal doubts, Solène grapples with its effect on her daughter, Izzy.
Both Culpa Mia and The Idea of You explore an unexpected and intense relationship that blossoms despite societal pressures, testing the characters’ personal boundaries and forcing them to confront their insecurities.
Where to watch: Prime Video
4) Through My Window: Across the Sea (2023)
Through My Window: Across the Sea (Spanish: A través del mar) is a Spanish teen romance film and the sequel to Through My Window. The sequel builds on the world that captivated audiences in the original, with Peña and Galle returning to their roles.
This time, their new adventures unfold against the backdrop of summer, the sea, and the stunning Catalonian coastline. In Through My Window: Across the Sea, Ares and Raquel's long-distance relationship faces new challenges, especially with new people involved.
Ares is studying in Stockholm, and he and Raquel are managing a long-distance relationship, which proves more difficult than they anticipated. When summer arrives and they reunite, the time apart and the new people they encounter challenge the strength of their once unbreakable connection.
Much like Culpa Mia, Through My Window: Across the Sea delves into a passionate love story filled with obstacles, including distance and misunderstandings that challenge the bond between the couple.
Where to watch: Netflix
5) The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook (2004) is a romantic drama directed by Nick Cassavetes, adapted from Nicholas Sparks' 1996 novel. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, it tells the story of a young couple who fall in love during the 1940s.
The film became a success at the box office, earning $117 million on a $29 million budget, and has since gained cult classic status.
Elderly Noah reads Allie a love story at a nursing home, bringing back memories of their intense 1940s romance. Even though they have a strong bond, life and circumstances keep them apart.
Allie is engaged to another man years later, but her feelings for Noah return when they get back in touch. Allie, who is currently dealing with dementia, reunites with Noah after having to make a difficult decision.
Like Culpa Mia, The Notebook follows the story of a passionate but challenging love affair that is tested by life’s obstacles, with the protagonists fighting to overcome their pasts and find happiness together.
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video
6) Gabriel’s Inferno, Part Two (2022)
Gabriel's Inferno is an erotic romance novel written by a Canadian author using the pen name Sylvain Reynard. A film adaptation was released on Passionflix and divided into three parts.
Gabriel Owen Emerson is a brilliant and reserved professor at the University of Toronto, hiding painful secrets from his past. Julianne Mitchell, a compassionate graduate student, has a history with Gabriel that she can't forget.
As their intense attraction reignites, they embark on a passionate affair, with Gabriel believing Julia’s love can heal him. Julia, battling her insecurities, must face their shared history and the challenges standing in the way of their happiness.
Gabriel's Redemption Part Two continues the story from Gabriel's Redemption and is the eighth installment in the Gabriel Series. Directed once again by Tosca Musk, the film features Giulio Berruti and Melanie Zanetti, reprising their roles as Gabriel and Julia.
In the film, Gabriel is resolute in not losing Julia Mitchell again after discovering the truth about her identity. However, Julia, upset that the man she once loved no longer remembers her and frustrated with the person he's become, wants to distance herself from him completely.
Culpa Mia and Gabriel's Inferno (Part Two) share a similar dynamic of characters with a complicated past, where a profound connection develops amidst personal secrets and the overwhelming desire to heal from previous emotional scars.
Where to watch: Prime Video
7) After (2019)
After is a romantic drama film adapted from Anna Todd's global bestseller, After. It is the first installment in the film series of the same name. The sequel, After We Collided, premiered in 2020.
Tessa begins her college journey and encounters Hardin, a complex student. Although she is with Noah, Tessa forms a bond with Hardin, sparking a romance. However, tensions arise due to Hardin's past behavior and jealousy, leading to a painful breakup.
After and Culpa Mia both feature a love story between two individuals with contrasting personalities, where a fiery, tumultuous romance pushes the protagonists to confront their inner demons and the consequences of their choices.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Viewers can stream Culpa Mia on Prime Video. They can also watch Culpa Tuya, which was released in December 2024 on the same platform.