The 30 best teenage romance movies on Netflix

From rom-com classics to smash-hit originals, these love stories are certainly swoon-worthy.

Do you ever crave a nostalgic story that can make you cry tears of joy and sorrow (often in the same scenes)? In that case, it’s time to stream a teen romance movie, and these offerings from Netflix fit the bill with heartbreaking dramas and carefree comedies. Here are the 30 best teenage romance movies on Netflix right now.

“13 Going on 30” (2004)

13 Going on 30 is like a feminized version of Big with a greater emphasis on romance. It features a teenager (Christa B. Allen) who dreams of being a grown-up and gets transformed into an adult woman (Jennifer Garner). From there, she learns that adulthood isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but it has some perks, including a budding affair with an adorkable Mark Ruffalo. This film is the cinematic equivalent of comfort food, with EW’s critic deeming it “the rare commercial comedy that leaves you entranced by what can happen only in the movies.”

Where to watch 13 Going on 30: Netflix

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Gary Winick

Cast: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis, Christa B. Allen

Related content: How the 13 Going on 30 team made 'Thriller' into an epic rom-com moment

“The Half of It” (2020)

The Half of It is about a Chinese-American ace student (Leah Lewis) who overcomes her shyness enough to help a tongue-tied jock (Daniel Diemer) win over the girl of his dreams (Alexxis Lemire). There’s just one problem: She’s fallen in love with her too! The result is both refreshing and bittersweet; as EW’s critic noted in their review, the movie’s “examination of first love, and how our messy, well-intentioned attempts to do right by our own hearts can both wound and help us fumble toward the people we're meant to be, lands nicely.”

Where to watch The Half of It: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Alice Wu

Cast: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Enrique Murciano, Wolfgang Novogratz

Related content: How The Half of It's director made a 'humanistic' teen queer romance

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018)

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has a nightmare premise: A young teen (Lana Condor) writes intense love letters to five boys she fancies (including Noah Centineo) but never sends them. That changes when her little sister (Anna Cathcart) mails each confession and unleashes chaos as each crush confronts her about their unrequited love. Even with its fluffy plot, the film still has much to say about dating, friendship, and the line between them. EW’s critic admits this is “strictly Disney Channel stuff, but it’s got more substance than you expect. And Condor as Lara Jean has a winning, be-true-to-yourself sense of independence that’s infectious.”

Where to watch To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Susan Johnson

Cast: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart

Related content: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo are reading To All the Boys scenes to raise money for Black Lives Matter

"No Hard Feelings" (2023)

No Hard Feelings is an R-rated teen romance, but behind the hilarious raunchiness is a touching story about growing pains and pangs of heartache. The plot involves a woman (Jennifer Lawrence) who is hired to help the son (Andrew Barth Feldman) of a rich couple come out of his shell by dating him before he heads off to college. The laughs are rich and the softer bits are smooth, and according to EW’s critic, Lawrence is the movie’s real appeal, calling her a “chaotic temptress” who “attacks the role with gusto.”

Where to watch No Hard Feelings: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Gene Stupnitsky

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales

Matthew Broderick

Related content: No Hard Feelings star Andrew Barth Feldman is a graduate of the Jennifer Lawrence school of comedy

“Endless Love” (2014)

This remake of 1981’s Endless Love successfully translates the charming tale for a new generation. Here, we follow a privileged girl (Gabriella Wilde) who falls in love with a working-class rebel (Alex Pettyfer), but their relationship is attacked by their parents (Bruce Greenwood and Robert Patrick, respectively). The film sands off the original movie’s rough edges, leaving something akin to chicken noodle soup for the hopelessly romantic soul. As EW’s critic said in their review, the movie works “as a swoony love story threatened by a basic, cornball Oedipal drama.”

Where to watch Endless Love: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Shana Feste

Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Gabriella Wilde, Bruce Greenwood, Joely Richardson, Robert Patrick

Related content: We break down which Valentine's Day movie you should see

“20th Century Girl” (2022)

20th Century Girl features many of the teen romance movie tropes you grew up with, but this Korean film energizes even the most tired clichés. The story is familiar: a young girl (Kim Yoo-jung) plays matchmaker for her sick friend (Roh Yoon-seo) by learning everything about her crush (Park Jung-woo). It doesn’t take long, of course, for her to fall in love with the boy she’s investigating. Between the charms of first love and the nuances of friendship, this teen movie is a winner.

Where to watch 20th Century Girl: Netflix

Director: Bang Woo-ri

Cast: Kim Yoo-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, Roh Yoon-seo

“The Last Summer” (2019)

Instead of focusing on a single couple, this teen romance movie focuses on three different friend duos (including Jacob Latimore, Halston Sage, KJ Apa, and Maia Mitchell) during their last summer before everyone heads off to college. This means pursuing crushes, testing limits, and generally engaging in teenage self-discovery. The ensemble cast is good apart and great together, and chances are that you will see much of yourself and your cohorts in this coterie of characters.

Where to watch The Last Summer: Netflix

Director: William Bindley

Cast: KJ Apa, Maia Mitchell, Jacob Latimore, Halston Sage, Sosie Bacon

Related content: The Last Summer stars K.J. Apa and Tyler Posey share their 5 tips for a perfect road trip

“A Walk to Remember” (2002)

A Walk to Remember is paved with mixed signals. This classic teen romance based on the Nicholas Sparks book begins with a beautiful and kind loner (Mandy Moore) who catches the eye of an aimless rebel (Shane West) after she helps him practice lines for the school play. In a painfully true-to-life fashion, the boy plays it cool in front of his friends as they ridicule his secret crush, but in private, he falls hard for her depth of character. Tragedy looms large over the budding young couple, but that only heightens the emotional impact of seeing them grow ever closer.

Where to watch A Walk to Remember: Netflix

Director: Adam Shankman

Cast: Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah

Related content: A Walk to Remember cast: Where are they now?

“She’s the Man” (2006)

Like many classic rom-coms from the early aughts, She’s The Man is a loose Shakespeare adaptation packaged in a cheesy premise. A wild homage to Twelfth Night, this is a movie about a girl (Amanda Bynes) who impersonates a boy in order to play soccer, but her ruse is complicated when she falls in love with her new roommate (played by Channing Tatum, so we can’t blame her). Hilarity ensues, largely thanks to Amanda Bynes' charismatic performance.

Where to watch She’s the Man: Netflix

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Director: Andy Fickman

Cast: Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Laura Ramsey, Vinnie Jones, Robert Hoffman

Related content: Amanda Bynes says she 'fought for Channing Tatum' to get She's the Man role

“Love at First Sight” (2023)

People can endlessly debate whether love at first sight exists, but this film asks what would happen if two teens (Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy) fell head over heels on a plane and then lost touch immediately afterward. The answer is simple: They move heaven and earth to find one another again. Everything about the plot is saccharine-sweet, of course, but there is something weirdly motivational about watching these love birds refuse to let life get in the way of their inevitably sappy reunion.

Where to watch Love at First Sight: Netflix

Director: Vanessa Caswill

Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Ben Hardy, Jameela Jamil, Rob Delaney, Sally Phillips, Dexter Fletcher

“The Kissing Booth” (2018)

The later films in this successful franchise feel more phoned in, but this first tale involving a teenage girl (Joey King) whose desire for the local bad boy (Jacob Elordi) threatens her friendship with his younger brother (Joel Courtney) still feels fun and fresh. When she ends up running the titular kissing booth fundraiser, she must face her feelings far sooner than she was expecting. It’s cheesy and over-the-top, but the characters are quite charismatic, and the idea that love can be very, very messy remains evergreen.

Where to watch The Kissing Booth: Netflix

Director: Vince Marcello

Cast: Joey King, Joel Courtney, Jacob Elordi, Meganne Young, Molly Ringwald, Taylor Zakhar Perez

Related content: Taylor Zakhar Perez is surprised Jacob Elordi found the Kissing Booth movies 'ridiculous'

“You Get Me” (2017)

The line between love and obsession is paper-thin, and You Get Me exists right on that line. Here, we follow a boy (Taylor John Smith) who has a bad breakup with his significant other (Halston Sage) and ends up hooking up with a new girl (Bella Thorne). When he and his ex patch things up, though, he discovers that his one-time fling will do anything to keep him in her life. The film is a rollercoaster with many twists and turns, and you’ll soon understand why the boy desperately wants off this ride.

Where to watch You Get Me: Netflix

Director: Brent Bonacorso

Cast: Bella Thorne, Halston Sage, Taylor John Smith, Anna Akana, Nash Grier

“Along For the Ride” (2022)

High schooler Auden (Emma Pasarow) has no intentions of falling in love when she decides to spend the summer before college with her absentee dad (Dermot Mulroney). Soon, though, her insomniac tendencies allow her to bond with a fellow night owl (Belmont Cameli) whose desire to help her grow also stirs up some serious butterflies in her stomach. There’s a lot to love here, and the story will particularly resonate with fans of Sarah Desson, who wrote the book of the same name.

Where to watch Along for the Ride: Netflix

Director: Sofia Alvarez

Cast: Emma Pasarow, Belmont Cameli, Kate Bosworth, Dermot Mulroney, Andie MacDowell

“He’s All That” (2021)

He’s All That really shouldn’t work; after all, this is an adaptation of She’s All That, which was an adaptation of My Fair Lady, which was an adaptation of Pygmalion, so you’d think there is little left to say. But this film feels original by casting the makeover maven Addison Rae to help a geeky guy (Tanner Buchanan) shine as a TikTok influencer. Just like that, we have an answer to why a popular kid would devote so much time and energy to a nobody outside of their social circle: It’s all about the online clout and follower counts, baby!

Where to watch He’s All That: Netflix

Director: Mark Waters

Cast: Addison Rae, Tanner Buchanan, Madison Pettis, Rachael Leigh Cook, Peyton Meyer

Related content: Addison Rae is still apologizing to He's All That costar Tanner Buchanan for one challenging scene

“After” (2019)

Many teen romance movies involve a girl trying to answer that eternal (if not archetypal) question: Does she want a safe boyfriend or a sexy bad boy? That’s the basic plot of After, a film where Tessa (Josephine Langford) has a solid relationship with her high school sweetheart Noah (Dylan Arnold), but things quickly get complicated when she goes to college and meets brooding rebel Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) who transforms her views on life, love, and learning. Solid chemistry between our leads elevates this tale, and it’s hard not to cheer (and swoon) alongside our protagonist.

Where to watch After: Netflix

Director: Jenny Gage

Cast: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Selma Blair, Inanna Sarkis, Dylan Arnold

Related content: After author Anna Todd to release new book, Before

“Tall Girl” (2019)

Tall Girl predictably focuses on a teen (Ava Michelle) whose insecurities about being over 6 feet in height are magnified when she falls for a cute foreign exchange student (Luke Eisner). What follows is a portrait of high school as a powder keg full of beaus, bullies, and bohemians that could explode into drama at a moment’s notice. Beneath the by-the-numbers romance plot is a heartwarming message about embracing who you are and not letting the people you tower over look down on you.

Where to watch Tall Girl: Netflix

Director: Nzingha Stewart

Cast: Ava Michelle, Griffin Gluck, Sabrina Carpenter, Paris Berelc

Related content: First trailer for Netflix's Tall Girl shows a teen rom-com for viewers of any height

“Candy Jar” (2018)

What’s the dividing line between ideology and socioeconomic status? That’s the underlying question of Candy Jar, a movie where a shy, working-class girl (Sami Gayle) discovers that the wealthy, preppy debate team co-captain she’s been butting heads with (Jacob Latimore) is actually someone she’d rather be locking lips with. The movie succeeds largely because it transforms subtext into text, and our debate devotees soon discover that the key to any successful relationship is working together. Candy Jar is likely to please anyone looking for a good teen romance, but its messages will particularly hit the introverts watching at home.

Where to watch Candy Jar: Netflix

Director: Ben Shelton

Cast: Sami Gayle, Jacob Latimore, Uzo Aduba, Helen Hunt

“Anonymously Yours” (2021)

Most modern teen romances fall flat because they simply copy the formula that has existed for decades. Anonymously Yours, however, is more attuned to our present digital dating landscape. The plot centers around two teens (Annie Cabello and Ralf Morales) who develop a deep friendship (maybe a little too deep) through anonymous text messages. The twist? Neither knows they hate each other in real life. This Spanish-language movie alternates between humor and heartfelt meditations on identity, romance, and technology, making it rise above its teenybopper competition.

Where to watch Anonymously Yours: Netflix

Director: Maria Torres

Cast: Annie Cabello, Ralf Morales, Estefi Merelles, Harold Azuara, Alicia Vélez

“Caught by a Wave” (2021)

Caught by a Wave is a beautiful romance movie, but be warned: You’re going to need a box of tissues. The plot starts with two American teens (Elvira Camarrone and Roberto Christian) who meet and fall in love at a summer camp in Sicily. But when one of them is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, the couple must test the strength of their love. This coming-of-age story is a tearjerker, but it also has plenty of things to say about connection.

Where to watch Caught By a Wave: Netflix

Director: Massimiliano Camaiti

Cast: Elvira Camarrone, Roberto Christian, Donatella Finocchiaro

“The Prom” (2020)

Thanks to director Ryan Murphy, The Prom has a very specific audience in mind, and if you sang along to every episode of Glee, you might be a part of it. This film is about a school dance that’s canceled after one girl (Jo Ellen Pellman) wants to take another girl (Ariana DeBose) as her date. Soon enough, washed-out Broadway stars (including Meryl Streep and James Corden) head to this sleepy town to save the prom (and maybe save their careers, too). Though undeniably cheesy, EW's writer still notes how “the songs have charm” and “the cast is undeniably talented.”

Where to watch The Prom: Netflix

Director: Ryan Murphy

Cast: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells

Related content: Hear Meryl Streep rap(!) on new original track from The Prom

“Confessions of an Invisible Girl” (2021)

Imitation is the highest form of flattery, and this Brazilian film shamelessly borrows from several classic teen comedies, but its story about a young girl (Klara Castanho) who wants to fit in at a high school dominated by a queen bee bully (Julia Gomes) mostly feels like a spin on Mean Girls. This is true right down to our heroine’s friendship with two fellow outcasts who steal every scene. You don’t need to be a mathlete to know that if you love the Plastics, you’ll have a good time with Confessions of an Invisible Girl.

Where to watch Confessions Of An Invisible Girl: Netflix

Director: Bruno Garotti

Cast: Marcus Bessa, Caio Cabral, Klara Castanho

“DJ Cinderella” (2019)

DJ Cinderella begins somberly when a teenage girl (Maisa Silva) moves in with her aunt (Elisa Pinheiro) following her parents’ divorce. She begins honing her skills as a DJ, and her burgeoning talents attract the attention of a cute singer (Filipe Bragança), but parental drama threatens to keep these two from making beautiful music together. The movie is a play on Cinderella, and it's refreshing to root for a character who’s motivated by creativity and love.

Where to watch DJ Cinderella: Netflix

Director: Bruno Garotti

Cast: Maisa Silva, Filipe Bragança, Fernanda Paes Leme

“JJ+E” (2021)

Many teen movies paint high school as its own country, one split into petty fiefdoms and even pettier rulers. The Swedish film JJ+E is no exception, following two teens (Elsa Öhrn and Mustapha Aarab) who’ve never been in the same class (literally or socially). However, when the two end up in a course together, so many sparks fly that they threaten to burn all the obstacles keeping them apart. Thanks to the wholesome themes, there is plenty to enjoy here in addition to the cute couple.

Where to watch JJ+E: Netflix

Director: Alexis Almström

Cast: Elsa Öhrn, Mustapha Aarab, Magnus Krepper, Marika Lagercrantz, Simon Mezher

“Into the Wind” (2022)

Into the Wind is about a sheltered teen (Sonia Mietielica) who can’t help but fall for a surfing instructor whose carefree ways help to open her mind and her heart. As Joe Bob Briggs might say, sure, we’ve seen it before, but have we seen it in Poland? This feature film debut from Polish director Kristoffer Rus updates this tired teen romance plot with beautiful locations and just enough unexpected twists to keep things interesting. It turns out that being hot for teacher is a genre that translates into every language.

Where to watch Into the Wind: Netflix

Director: Kristoffer Rus

Cast: Sonia Mietielica, Jakub Sasak

“Love & Gelato” (2022)

Dating is the last thing on our protagonist’s mind at the beginning of Love & Gelato; this American student simply wants to keep her head down and prepare for college. However, her dead mother’s last wish sends her on a trip to Rome, where she meets two hunks who threaten to steal her heart. The love triangle is certainly compelling, but what fuels this film adaptation is our main character’s quest to learn who her father (and therefore, who she) really is.

Where to watch Love & Gelato: Netflix

Director: Brandon Camp

Cast: Susanna Skaggs, Tobia De Angelis, Owen McDonnell, Saul Nanni

“Metal Lords” (2022)

First and foremost, this is a film about two social outcasts (Adrian Greensmith and Jaeden Martell) who want nothing more than to earn respect by winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands. But when a girl (Isis Hainsworth) enters the picture, it’s an open question as to whether she’ll complete this rock ensemble or tear it apart. This R-rated comedy is filled with raucous laughs and rocking jams, and it’s a cut above your standard teenybopper romantic films.

Where to watch Metal Lords: Netflix

Director: Peter Sollett

Cast: Jaeden Martell, Isis Hainsworth, Adrian Greensmith, Brett Gelman, Noah Urrea, Joe Manganiello

Related content: How D.B. Weiss and Tom Morello's sons playing together in a band led to making Metal Lords

“Royalteen” (2022)

Royalteen will particularly resonate with fans who voraciously consume The Crown and royal news cycles. That’s because the plot focuses on the blooming romance between a party boy prince (Mathias Storhøi) and a gossip blogger (Ines Høysæter) who should know better than falling for the future King. The film has a sort of voyeuristic appeal for those who have dreamed of bumping more than shoulders with a charming monarch, and the R-rating makes it a little raunchy too.

Where to watch Royalteen: Netflix

Director: Per-Olav Sørensen, Emilie Beck

Cast: Ines Høysæter Asserson, Mathias Storhøi, Elli Rhiannon Muller Osborne

“See You on Venus” (2023)

See You on Venus may seem cookie-cutter at first; if you’ve seen one movie of broken young people (Virginia Gardner and Alex Aiono) falling in love while trying to heal, it may feel like you’ve seen them all. But this film is more substantial than most because it emphasizes the need for the couple to focus on their own trauma rather than relying on someone else to fix them. The beautiful Spanish setting also helps sell the film’s narrative; after all, who wouldn’t fall in love when the views are even more stunning than your traveling partner?

Where to watch See You on Venus: Netflix

Director: Joaquín Llamas

Cast: Virginia Gardner, Alex Aiono, Rob Estes

“Sixteen Candles” (1984)

With Sixteen Candles, it’s fair to say director John Hughes effectively created the model for decades of teen romances to follow. This particular film follows a 16-year-old (Molly Ringwald) who must deal with everything from her parents forgetting her birthday to whether she can win over a sexy senior (Michael Schoeffling) or get stuck with the geek swooning for her (Anthony Michael Hall). While some elements haven’t aged well, the iconic performances and sheer charm of Hughes' direction quickly prove why this classic has (mostly) stood the test of time.

Where to watch Sixteen Candles: Netflix

Director: John Hughes

Cast: Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Anthony Michael Hall, Haviland Morris, Gedde Watanabe

“Through My Window” (2022)

Through My Window concerns a shy girl (Julio Peña) who creepily spies on a wealthy heir next door through, you guessed it, her window. Now, she must shore up the courage to tell him how she feels while also hyping herself up to share her writing talents with the world. Cheesy? Yes. Heartwarming? You bet!

Where to watch Through My Window: Netflix

Director: Marçal Forés

Cast: Julio Peña, Clara Galle, Pilar Castro

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.