What could be more captivating than a beautiful love story set in a distant land? For this upcoming Valentine’s Day, I’ve put together a list of my favorite international romance films so that you can enjoy enchanting love stories set against magical landscapes around the world.

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Best foreign romantic movies

What movie has the greatest love story?

When it comes to international romance movies, it’s hard to choose the best love story since most of them feel so unique, as if they were created to pull us into a parallel reality we never want to leave. There’s nothing more captivating than an authentic love story combined with beautiful scenery or a rich cultural context. If you can’t pack your bags, grab your partner’s hand, and experience one of the most romantic trips around the world right now, planning a cozy movie night with an international twist is the next best thing.

While I’ve already shared a list of romantic travel movies, most of those were Hollywood productions. But what about films from other countries? For now, I’ll take one movie per country that I personally enjoyed.

I’ve tried to pick relatively modern films for this list, but there are also several classic international romance films that I love: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Casablanca (1942), Roman Holiday (1953), Last Tango in Paris (1972), The Taming of the Scoundrel (1980), and The Cranes Are Flying (1957), to name a few.

Charming international romance movies around the world

1. In the mood for love (2000) / Hong Kong

Let’s start with one of my favorite international romance movies – a sensual masterpiece directed by Wong Kar-Wai – In the Mood for Love. Set in Hong Kong in the early 1960s, the story revolves around two lonely neighbors and their visually captivating, emotionally charged relationship. In the Mood for Love is mesmerizing in every possible way: the leads, the lighting, the music… It’s not just a movie to watch, but one to experience.

You can rent or buy In the Mood for Love (2000) on Amazon Prime here.

2. Sense and Sensibility (1995) / England

As a lover of classic romance novels, I find that few things capture the essence of English culture of the 19th century as beautifully as film adaptations of Jane Austen’s works. They feel like timeless tributes to an era defined by wit, manners, and quiet elegance. 

Sense and Sensibility masterfully blends the grace and refinement of the Regency period with deeply felt explorations of love, class, and the social constraints faced by women. Through its portrayal of both intimate emotions and broader societal pressures, the film offers a faithful and deeply moving homage to Austen’s literary genius. I also love Pride and Prejudice though.

You can rent or buy Sense and Sensibility (1995) on Amazon Prime here.

3. Love loves coincidences (2011) / Turkey

As I mentioned in my recent Topkapi post, I’ve developed an interest in Turkish movies and TV series, which are becoming quite popular in Spain right now. One of my latest discoveries in the realm of international romance films is “Love Loves Coincidences” (Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever).

Love Loves Coincidences delves into the intriguing concept of how a series of seemingly random events can ultimately shape one’s destiny. The movie weaves together fate and chance in a way that captivates the viewer. I recommended it to my mom, and she told me she cried throughout the entire evening – a testament to the emotional impact of the film. While it’s undeniably heart-touching, the film paints a vivid picture of Istanbul and Turkish culture, adding depth to the romance.

Love Loves Coincidences (2011) (Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever) was once available on Netflix, though not in every country.

4. Lunchbox (2013) / India

Another delightful entry on this list of international romance films is The Lunchbox. I previously mentioned it briefly on the list of books and movies about India. This 2013 Indian film, directed by Ritesh Batra, tells the story of an accidental connection that forms between two strangers in Mumbai due to a rare mix-up in the city’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system.

Ila, a neglected housewife, sends her lovingly prepared lunch to her emotionally distant husband, but the lunchbox is mistakenly delivered to Saajan, a lonely widower on the verge of retirement. Through a series of handwritten notes exchanged in the lunchbox, the two form an unexpected bond that grows into a something meaningful.

You can rent or buy Lunchbox (2013) on Amazon Prime here.

5. Palm Trees in the Snow (2015) / Spain

While the most famous Spanish love movie in recent years is undoubtedly 3 Metros Sobre el Cielo, Palm Trees in the Snow stands out as the most visually captivating. This epic romance is based on the best-selling novel by Luz Gabás and explores themes of forbidden love, colonialism, and identity. The story follows Kilian, a young man from Huesca, Spain, who travels to the Spanish colony of Fernando Pó (now Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea) to work alongside his father and brother on their cocoa plantation.

The heart of the film lies in the intense and forbidden love affair between Kilian and Bisila, a local Guinean nurse. Their romance unfolds amidst the backdrop of a politically charged era of colonial tension. Interestingly, the on-screen chemistry between the two leads transcended fiction, blossoming into a real-life relationship.

You can rent or buy Palm Trees in the Snow (2015) on Amazon Prime here.

6. Love me if you dare (2003) / France

Love Me If You Dare (2003) is a captivating tale that begins with a childhood game of escalating dares, which gradually deepens into a powerful emotional bond and a passionate attraction between the two protagonists. As the dares grow riskier, so do the stakes of their relationship, blurring the lines between playful competition and genuine love.

The film explores themes of love, obsession, and the complexities of human connection. Adding another layer of intrigue to the story is the fact that the actors, Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet, are real-life partners. Their long-standing relationship, which includes raising two children together, enhances their on-screen chemistry, adding authenticity and intensity to their performances.

You can rent or buy Love me if you dare (2003) on Amazon Prime here.

7. A walk in the clouds (1995) / The USA

I could not resist adding to this list of international romance films one of my favorites from the United States. Some might argue that there are hundreds of American romantic films that are considered more classic, such as Gone with the Wind, or perhaps even more widely known titles like The Notebook or Dirty Dancing. However, I’ve enjoyed A Walk in the Clouds so much that I can’t keep it to myself.

Set in a picturesque California vineyard, A Walk in the Clouds offers a visual feast with breathtaking shots of the lush countryside and elegant, period costumes. The plot itself is quite simple, but it’s truly a modern-day fairy tale. The chemistry between the lead characters, played by Keanu Reeves and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, adds depth to the already captivating story. What stands out most is how visually stunning the film is – it’s so beautifully shot that I never tire of watching it.

You can rent or buy A walk in the clouds (1995) on Amazon Prime here.

8. Barefoot (2005) / Germany

There’s no trendy German film without Til Schweiger, who is also well-known for his roles in Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (1997) and Keinohrhasen (2007).

In this movie, Nick, a compassionate worker at a psychiatric clinic, intervenes to stop a young woman, Leila, from taking her own life. However, when he leaves the clinic later that evening, he is unaware that Leila has secretly followed him, dressed in only a nightgown and barefoot. What unfolds is a unique love story filled with a blend of humorous situations and deeply emotional, heartwarming moments as the two characters develop a bond.

Barefoot (2005) is really hard to find on streaming platforms these days, though Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (1997) is available on Amazon Prime.

9. Cairo Time (2009) / Canada and Egypt

While Cairo Time (2009) is technically a Canadian film, it is undeniably a love letter to the city of Cairo in Egypt, crafted by its writer and director, Ruba Nadda, who drew inspiration from her own personal experiences.

The story follows Juliette, a fashion magazine editor in her 50s, who travels to Cairo to meet her husband, a UN official stationed in Gaza. Initially planning a three-week vacation, Juliette arrives in Egypt only to find that her husband is constantly occupied with work. As a result, he arranges for his longtime friend and former security officer, Tareq, to accompany her and show her around the captivating and exotic city. What begins as a simple tour of the city gradually evolves into something more profound.

Cairo Time (2009) was previously available on Netflix, but sadly it isn’t at the moment.

10. The Sheltering Sky (1990) / Italy and UK (but set in Northern Africa)

The Sheltering Sky is a powerful choice for anyone who enjoys artful, international romances or appreciates the work of Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci. Starring American actor John Malkovich, the film isn’t for everyone – it’s complex, layered, deeply original, and intensely dramatic.

Its soundtrack is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever heard, though the story itself can feel unsettling at times. Still, the film left such a strong impression on me that I vividly remember it years later. It’s truly unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. The story follows an American couple traveling through North Africa in hopes of rekindling their relationship, only to discover that what they’ve lost may be impossible to recover.

You can rent or buy The Sheltering Sky (1990) on Amazon Prime here.

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For more inspiring book&movie ideas check my Pinterest Boards – Travel Books, Movies, and Quotes, Bookish Inspiration and Reading Lists, What To Watch.

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