Love on Film
What are the most loved romantic movies of all time?
From the captivating on-screen chemistry to the tear-jerking love confessions and first kisses, romantic movies have captured the hearts of many lovers for decades.
Timeless classics like Titanic and modern love stories like La La Land have a way of tugging at our heartstrings. Taking a closer look at the most popular on-screen couples and the most romantic filming locations in the US, we reveal the most loved romantic movies of all time.
Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or have a soft spot for love stories, the experts at Giggster explore various movie locations from Central Park to the Golden Gate Bridge you and your loved ones can visit.
Washington takes the top spot as the most romantic US city
- Washington, D.C.
Romantic movies per 100,000 population: 172.8
Washington ranks as the top US city for romantic films, with 172.8 romantic movies per 100,000 people. From the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol, Washington has many famous landmarks that have appeared in various films. Several popular romantic movies, such as Sleepless in Seattle and 10 Things I Hate About You, have also been filmed in the city.
- Los Angeles, California
Romantic movies per 100,000 population: 101.5
Home to Hollywood, Los Angeles is at the center of the American film industry. From Beverly Hills to the Hollywood sign, it’s no surprise LA is a popular location for films, and the romance genre is no exception.
With approximately 101.5 romance films per 100,000 people, the city offers a diverse range of breathtaking scenery and spectacular sunsets. Some of the most well-known romance movies filmed in the city include Pretty Woman, (500) Days of Summer, and Love & Basketball.
- San Francisco, California
Romantic movies per 100,000 population: 37.2
In third place is San Francisco, with 37.2 romantic movies per 100,000 people. The city’s picturesque scenery, charming neighborhoods, and popular landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Lombard Street make it a great location for romance movies. Some notable movie titles with scenes shot in San Francisco include The Princess Diaries and Just Like Heaven.
New York City’s Central Park has been named the most romantic filming location in the US
- Central Park, New York City
Number of romantic movies: 134
According to IMDb, Central Park is the perfect romantic setting, with 134 romance movies filmed there. With lush greenery and serene lakes, charming pathways, and a New York City skyline, it's no wonder that this park is one of the most iconic filming locations for love stories.
Some of the most notable romance classics filmed in Central Park include When Harry Met Sally, Little Manhattan, Enchanted, Serendipity, and 27 Dresses.
- Grand Park, Los Angeles
Number of romantic movies: 28
With 28 romantic movies listed on IMBd, Grand Park ranks second. While it may not be as widely recognized as Central Park, it offers unique appeal. Grand Park provides a beautiful and tranquil escape in the heart of downtown LA. Its vibrant backdrop makes for a stunning location.
The park’s world-famous landmarks include the Los Angeles City Hall and views of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which add architectural beauty and sophistication to romantic scenes. Well-known love stories with scenes filmed in this location include La La Land, Valentine’s Day, and Think Like a Man Too.
- Leo Carrillo State Beach, Los Angeles
Number of romantic movies: 18
Leo Carrillo State Beach is a popular filming location for romance movies. Its natural beauty, dramatic coastal cliffs, golden sands, turquoise waters, and picturesque ocean views create an idyllic and visually stunning backdrop.
The beach’s unique features include sea caves, rock arches, tide pools, and breathtaking sunsets. Classics such as Grease, The Notebook, and 50 First Dates are a few of the most recognized romance movies that have utilized the beauty of Leo Carrillo State Park and Beach.
3. Lincoln Center, New York City
Number of romantic movies: 18
The Lincoln Center also ranks third, appearing in 18 romance movies listed on IMDb. Characterized by its iconic Revson Fountain, open plaza, and notable buildings like the Metropolitan Opera House and the David Geffen Hall, its modern, grandiose architecture makes for a visually appealing romantic setting.
Some of the most well-known romantic movies featuring the Lincoln Center include West Side Story, Moonstruck, and Sweet Home Alabama.
New York City’s Central Park is the most searched romantic movie location in the world
- Central Park, New York City
Global Google searches: 23.8 M
Central Park is the most searched movie location, appearing in many romantic movies. With over 23.8 million annual global Google searches, it is the most popular filming destination in the world. The renowned scenic landmark has breathtaking landscapes and an abundance of historical attractions, such as Bethesda Terrace and Fountain and Belvedere Castle.
Central Park is particularly memorable in the autumn walk scene in When Harry Met Sally (1989). The main characters walk side-by-side through Central Park in the fall, surrounded by vibrant orange, yellow, and red leaves, perfectly capturing the beauty of New York in a romantic setting.
- Empire State Building, New York City
Global Google searches: 17.4 M
As one of the world's tallest buildings, the Empire State Building is an acclaimed tourist attraction that has garnered more than 17 million annual global searches on Google. Its observation deck offers breathtaking views of New York City, creating an excellent setting for romantic moments.
The Empire State Building is prominently featured in the climactic scene of Sleepless in Seattle (1993), and it is considered one of the most iconic moments in the film. This scene is set on the observation deck, where the two main characters meet for the first time after much buildup throughout the movie.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Global Google searches: 8.6 M
Widely known as The Met, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is often featured in romantic movies due to its beautiful architecture and dramatic setting. With 8.6 million yearly global Google searches, The Met is a particularly cinematic location used by many filmmakers, especially its famous steps.
The Met appears in the popular romance film Maid in Manhattan (2002) when the main leads share an intimate moment walking through the galleries, admiring the museum's art and exhibits.
Titanic is the most loved romantic movie, with over 41 million Google searches
- Titanic
Global Google searches: 41.1 M
Titanic’s legacy lies in its storytelling, making it one of the most gripping romance movies ever. The 1997 classic melodrama perfectly blends the beauty of selfless love and survival through its romantic beginning and destructive ending.
Masterfully combining an epic love story and the tragedy of a real-life historical event, Titanic continues to pull at the heartstrings of many romantics today, receiving over 41 million Google searches annually. The movie portrays love as both bittersweet and deeply meaningful.
- La La Land
Global Google searches: 22.6 M
Though a more modern romance movie, La La Land (2016) has quickly become one of the most loved films. Beautifully portraying a captivating, heartfelt love story with dazzling cinematography, it is seen as a cinematic masterpiece that pays a nostalgic homage to classic Hollywood musicals.
Balancing fantasy with reality, the movie perfectly captures a whimsical, dreamlike feel while grounding its storyline in the harsh realities of life. Receiving more than 22.6 million global Google searches in the past year, La La Land is still a much-adored romance film today.
- The Notebook
Global Google searches: 18.1 M
Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, The Notebook (2004) captures the essence of enduring love, heartbreak, and devotion, making it one of the most loved romance movies. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as the main leads, this film gradually gained recognition at the box office and became a hit, grossing $117 million against its $29 million budget.
With over 18 million Google searches worldwide in the last year, The Notebook remains a romance classic and has won several awards, including multiple Teen Choice Awards, an MTV Movie Award, and a Satellite Award.
Rose and Jack from Titanic are the most loved movie couple
- Rose and Jack, Titanic
Global Google searches: 422.2 K
Titanic is considered one of the most beloved movies because of its captivating love story between Jack and Rose. Many fans still marvel at their on-screen chemistry today, with more than 422,000 Google searches globally over the past year. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film revolves around two people from different social classes becoming lovers during the ship's maiden voyage.
- Edward and Bella, Twilight
Global Google searches: 306.7 K
As a romance movie series that taps into universal fantasies, Twilight’s Edward and Bella follow in second place as one of the most loved couples of all time with over 306,000 global Google searches. Based on Stephenie Meyer’s book series, the romance fantasy film series has grossed over $3.36 billion worldwide. The plot captures the main characters, Edward (a vampire) and Bella (a human), who come from two different worlds and explore themes such as forbidden love.
- Katniss and Peeta, The Hunger Games
Global Google searches: 172.4 K
Katniss and Peeta complete the top three as one of the most loved on-screen couples, with 172,400 searches worldwide. The trilogy follows the main protagonists, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, selected from District 12 to participate in The Hunger Games. Despite not being a conventional love story, their relationship is rooted in complex emotions, survival, and genuine care for one another, the attention of many fans.
Methodology
Using the US Census Bureau, we gathered data on the 50 most populated cities in the United States as of 2023.
To determine the number of romantic movies in each city, we used IMDb. Using the advanced title search, we filtered each movie by location (city) and genre by romance. These figures exclude documentaries and short films. This data was collected on 12/20/2024.
We also sourced the data on the most romantic locations using IMDb, filtering by the specific filming locations in each city, e.g., Central Park. All other filters were kept the same. This data was updated on 01/07/2025.
We used the Google Keyword Planner to highlight the most searched locations featured in romance movies. We also created seed lists for the most searched romantic films and the most popular on-screen couples in romantic movies using sources such as Forbes and Variety. We then gathered the number of searches. This data was based on the total global Google searches from Dec 2023 to Nov 2024.