The Best Romance Movies of the 80s

First on our list of the best romance movies of the 80s was An Officer and a Gentleman. This movie combined a military drama with a love story.

Richard Gere starred as Zack Mayo, a self-centered loner joining the Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School. During his tough training, Zack fell for Paula Pokrifki, played by Debra Winger. The audience also watched Zack transform from a selfish recruit to a leader, guided by tough-love from Sergeant Foley.

Additionally, the movie’s theme song, “Up Where We Belong,” won an Oscar and is still associated with romance today, earning it a place on our list.

Another iconic romance film of the 80s was Driving Miss Daisy, which explored an unlikely friendship against the backdrop of changing times in the American South.

Set in Atlanta, the story focused on the relationship between Daisy Werthan, a wealthy Jewish widow played by Jessica Tandy, and her chauffeur Hoke Colburn, portrayed by Morgan Freeman. Initially reluctant to accept Hoke’s help, Daisy’s stubborn independence gradually made them into companions. Throughout the film, their bond deepened as they navigated the civil rights era.

It won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Tandy. Even today, Driving Miss Daisy was notable for its portrayal of race relations and its message about the power of human connection to overcome societal barriers.

Pretty in Pink captured the hearts of a generation. This classic by John Hughes portrayed high school social dynamics and young love.

Molly Ringwald starred as Andie, a working-class girl passionate about unique fashion. She was torn between her longtime friend, Duckie, and the movie’s wealthy heartthrob, Blane. The film touches on class divide, friendship, and staying true to oneself. Additionally, its soundtrack gained attention from viewers, featuring hits like “If You Leave” by OMD. This truly established Ringwald as the ultimate 80s teen queen.

Pretty in Pink was one of the best romance movies of the 80s, inspiring fashion trends and influencing teens’ perceptions of romance. The film remains a beloved classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Say Anything was a coming-of-age romance that captured the essence of young love in the late 80s. John Cusack starred as Lloyd Dobler, an average guy who fell for valedictorian Diane Court, played by Ione Skye. Despite their different social standings, Lloyd pursued Diane with determination.

The film is known for its realistic portrayal of teenage relationships and the uncertainties of life after high school. It featured one of the most iconic scenes in rom-com history: Lloyd holding a boombox over his head, playing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” outside Diane’s window. The movie’s timeless characters also proved its timeless appeal as one of the best romance movies of the 80s.

When Harry Met Sally defined the romantic comedy genre for a generation. Billy Crystal played Harry Burns and Meg Ryan starred as Sally Albright. The story followed their relationship over 12 years, from their first meeting to their eventual romance.

The movie popularized the friends-to-lovers storyline and set a new bar for rom-coms. Its realistic dialogue and relatable characters captivated audiences. Even today, people quote and reference the film, proving its lasting impact on popular culture.

Of course, we couldn’t forget to include Dirty Dancing. Set in a 1963 Catskills resort, the film blends nostalgia with sexual awakening, all accompanied by an unforgettable and iconic soundtrack.

Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze sizzled on screen. Their chemistry drove the story of class differences and personal growth. Additionally, Emile Ardolino directed sensual dance numbers set to a killer soundtrack. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” became the film’s Oscar-winning anthem.

Despite its low budget, Dirty Dancing exploded at the box office. It spawned a devoted fanbase and proved dance-focused musicals could still captivate audiences. The famous lift scene became one of the greatest dance scenes in movie history. More importantly, the film showed that sometimes, simple stories resonate most powerfully.

As we continue looking at the best romance movies of the 80s, Sixteen Candles captured the genuine awkwardness of high school life. It even further launched Molly Ringwald’s career and established Hughes as the voice of Generation X.

In this romantic comedy film, Ringwald starred as Samantha Baker, a teenager grappling with family problems and love on her sixteenth birthday. The movie balanced humor with heartfelt moments, creating a really relatable idea of teenage insecurities and desires. Sixteen Candles depicted high school social dynamics and the universal experience of feeling overlooked as a teenager.

Instead of resorting to only stereotypes, this film showed young people figuring out how to manage their emotions and social pressures. The film is still a beloved classic that continues to charm viewers decades later, and even today, any teenage girl knows Sixteen Candles.

As one of my personal favorite movies of all time, The Princess Bride, wove together fantasy, adventure, and love story elements.

In terms of the cast, Robin Wright played Buttercup, a beautiful farm girl who fell in love with Westley, played by Cary Elwes. Their romance hit a snag when Westley left to make money and was supposedly killed by pirates. Years later, Buttercup was forced to marry the evil Prince Humperdinck. In the end, their back to true love was full of excitement and plenty of witty banter between characters.

The movie wasn’t just about love, though. It also showed the importance of loyalty, friendship, and good storytelling. Similarly, the movie itself went from being little-known to becoming a beloved classic. The famous line “As you wish” meant true love, making the film one of the best romance movies of the 80s.

Also Read: The Best Romance Movies of the 90s