Whether you're happily coupled or swiping away on dating apps, a great TV show with romance can always lift a viewer's spirits. Whether in a teen rom-com or a fantasy epic, watching two people discover and fall for each other despite the odds can make a series fly by until you become one with your couch and the "Continue Watching" button. From excellent period dramas—including shows like Bridgerton, everyone's go-to period romance—to hilarious comedies and swoon-worthy K-dramas, these are the best romantic TV shows on Netflix right now.
'Bridgerton' (2020– )
Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Simone Ashley, Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan, Claudia Jessie, Luke Newton, and Ruth Gemmell
Why it makes the list: The slow-burn love stories from Julia Queen's popular book series in this Regency-era hit are perfect examples of soulmates falling in love, and they have made millions of fans devoted to every installment. (If you want even more, check out the just-as-steamy spinoff Queen Charlotte.)
'Business Proposal' (2022)
Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-gue, Seol In-ah, Choi Byung-chan, and Lee Deok-hwa
Why it makes the list: This Korean rom-com fits every romance trope into 12 hilarious episodes. When Ha-ri (Kim) is tasked with ruining her best friend's (Seol) unwanted blind date, she discovers the man, Tae-moo (Ahn), is none other than the president of her company. Meanwhile, bestie Young-seo has fallen in love at first sight with Tae-moo's right-hand man Sung-hoon (Kim Min-kyu ). Drama on drama.
'Cable Girls' (2017–2020)
Starring: Blanca Suárez, Ana Fernández, Nadia de Santiago, Maggie Civantos, Martiño Rivas, Ángela Cremonte, and Concha Velasco
Why it makes the list: This 1920s-set Spanish drama follows a group of women who find freedom through their jobs as telephone operators. Each lead has romantic storylines, from first love to a dramatic love triangle.
'The Cook of Castamar' (2021)
Starring: Michelle Jenner, Roberto Enríquez, Hugo Silva, María Hervás, and Fiorella Faltoyano
Why it makes the list: This historical series takes place in 1720s Madrid, and follows the romance between a widowed duke (Enríquez) and a new cook (Jenner) working in his manor's kitchen. The forbidden romance fits in among the day-to-day machinations of the Spanish court and has enough sex to rival Bridgerton.
'Crash Landing on You' (2019–2020)
Starring: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, and Kim Jung-hyun
Why it makes the list: This must-watch Korean drama takes the "opposites attract" trope to new levels, combining action, comedy, and epic romance through the relationship between a North Korean soldier (Hyun) and a South Korean heiress (Son).
'Emily in Paris' (2020– )
Starring: Lily Collins, Lucas Bravo, Camille Razat, Ashley Park, Lucien Laviscount, and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu
Why it makes the list: Living vicariously through a single girl in Paris will never be boring. Though Emily's (Collins) journey may be messier than most, this is still a great show to watch to escape into some rom-com goodness.
'Feel Good' (2020–2021)
Starring: Mae Martin, Charlotte Ritchie, Lisa Kudrow, Phil Burges, Adrian Lukas, and Pippa Haywood
Why it makes the list: This semi-autobiographical dramedy immerses viewers in all the butterflies and good vibes of the beginning of a relationship. Once reality sets in for Mae (Martin), who's recovering from addiction, and George (Ritchie), who's never dated a woman before, it becomes a charming, candid depiction of the ups-and-downs of relationships.
'Firefly Lane' (2021–2023)
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Ali Skovbye, Sarah Chalke, Roan Curtis, Yael Yurman, Brendan Taylor, Ben Lawson, and Beau Garrett
Why it makes the list: This novel adaptation follows two friends (Heigl, Chalke) from their teens through adulthood, where they deal with old flames and new romances.
'From Scratch' (2022)
Starring: Zoe Saldaña, Eugenio Mastrandrea, Danielle Deadwyler, Judith Scott, Kellita Smith, Lucia Sardo, Paride Benassai, Roberta Rigano, and Keith David
Why it makes the list: Art lover Amy (Saldaña) meets Sicilian chef Lino (Mastrandrea) while she’s studying abroad in Florence, and their connection is so intense that he relocates to L.A. so they can start a life together. Not only does their romance evoke all the emotions (yes, you will cry), but it’s also based on a true story!
'Gilmore Girls' (2000–2007)
Starring: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Melissa McCarthy, Keiko Agena, Milo Ventimiglia, Jared Padalecki, Matt Czuchry, Liza Weil, Kelly Bishop, and Edward Herrmann
Why it makes the list: Gilmore Girls helped define romance for a generation of ‘00s kids, from Lorelai (Graham) and Rory’s (Bledel) delectable dating history to the splendid small town of Stars Hollow.
'Heartstopper' (2022– )
Starring: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Cormac Hyde-Corrin, Tobie Donovan, Rhea Norwood, and Sebastian Croft
Why it makes the list: This adorable high-school show follows the friendship-turned-romance between Charlie and new student Nick. In addition to the lovely LGBTQ+ romance, the show is filled with animations inspired by its source comic, which makes the sparks and floaty feelings between the boys visible on-screen.
'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' (2021)
Starring: Shin Min-ah, Kim Seon-ho, and Lee Sang-yi
Why it makes the list: This K-drama follows the sweet, slow-burn romance between Seoul dentist Hye-jin (Shin) and Du-sik (Kim), an unemployed man who does odd jobs for seniors around their seaside village. Though they initially butt heads after Hye-jin takes a job in the small town, they slowly succumb to their chemistry.
'The Hook Up Plan' (2018–2022)
Starring: Zita Hanrot, Marc Ruchmann, Sabrina Ouazani, Joséphine Draï, and Guillaume Labbé
Why it makes the list: Elsa (Hanrot), the heroine of this French show, is still reeling from a breakup two years later when she meets a man (Ruchmann) who seems too good to be true. As it turns out, her two best friends (Ouazani, Draï) may be hiding something from her about her new love interest.
'Jane the Virgin' (2014–2019)
Starring: Gina Rodriguez, Justin Baldoni, Brett Dier, Andrea Navedo, Ivonne Coll, Jaime Camil, and Yael Grobglas
Why it makes the list: This telenovela remake follows Jane (Rodriguez), a true romantic who plans to stay a virgin until she gets married to her detective boyfriend Michael (Dier)—but plans change when she becomes pregnant via an accidental artificial insemination. If that isn't enough, the biological father (Baldoni) is a married cancer survivor and her teenage crush! Come for the drama, stay for the heartwarming journey.
'The King's Affection' (2021)
Starring: Park Eun-bin, Rowoon, Nam Yoon-su, Choi Byung-chan, Bae Yoon-kyung, and Jung Chae-yeon
Why it makes the list: This historical K-drama puts a gender-bending twist on a royal romance. Dam-i (Park) was the secret twin sister of the crown prince until his untimely death led her to covertly take his place. Her secret gets much more complicated when she begins to fall for her handsome tutor (Rowoon).
'Lovesick' (2014–2018)
Starring: Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas, Daniel Ings, Hannah Britland, Joshua McGuire, Klariza Clayton, and Yasmine Akram
Why it makes the list: This British rom-com is truly about love: the messiness, hope, joy, and sorrow tied up in dating. Even as it asks existential questions about the nature of relationships, you'll never stop wishing that you knew the main trio of charming friends in real life.
'Never Have I Ever' (2020–2023)
Original run: 2020-2023
Starring: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Darren Barnet, Jaren Lewison, Ramona Young, Lee Rodriguez, Poorna Jagannathan, and Richa Moorjani
Why it makes the list: Devi's (Ramakrishnan) adventures in love are a must-watch for anyone who is looking for a boy-crazy coming-of-age story.
'One Day' (2024)
Starring: Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall, Eleanor Tomlinson, Essie Davis, Tim McInnerny, Jonny Weldon, and Amber Grappy
Why it makes the list: This adaptation of the beloved David Nicholls novel tells Emma (Mod) and Dexter’s (Woodall) love story in full, gorgeous detail. Warning: Make sure to grab tissues before watching the finale.
'Outlander' (2014– )
Starring: Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin, Duncan Lacroix, César Domboy, and Tobias Menzies
Why it makes the list: This beloved novel adaptation shows a love that bridges space and time, between a World War II-era nurse (Balfe) and a 1740s Scottish Highlander (Heughan). Literal centuries can't keep Claire and Jamie apart, though several schemers (and a couple of historical wars) will try.
'Schitt's Creek' (2015–2022)
Starring: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, Noah Reid, Chris Elliot, Jennifer Robertson, and Sarah Levy
Why it makes the list: While Johnny (Eugene Levy) and Moira Rose's (O'Hara) steadfast partnership is lovely, the true romance comes from city boy David (Dan Levy) falling in love and building a life with his boyfriend, Patrick (Reid).
'Survival of the Thickest' (2023– )
Starring: Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Marouane Zotti, Anissa Felix, Liza Treyger, Peppermint, and Garcelle Beauvais
Why it makes the list: After a devastating breakup, struggling stylist Mavis Beaumont (Buteau) rebuilds her life with the help of her best friends. Come for Mavis’ fabulous adventures, and stay for the surprising romance that eventually sweeps her off her feet.
'Sweet Magnolias' (2020– )
Starring: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliot, Heather Headley, Carson Rowland, Logan Allen, Justin Bruening, Chris Klein, and Dion Johnstone
Why it makes the list: This lovely small-town show is as much about the eternal friendship of the core threesome (Swisher, Elliot, and Headley) as their romantic adventures. Still, there's no reason we can't get our friendship and romantic goals from the same show.
'Valeria' (2020–2024)
Starring: Diana Gómez, Silma López, Paula Malia, Teresa Riott, Maxi Iglesias, and Ibrahim Al Shami
Why it makes the list: This series, which has been called the Spanish Sex and the City, follows the titular writer (Gómez) as she turns to her besties for support during a rough patch with her husband (Iglesias).
'Virgin River' (2019– )
Starring: Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Tim Matheson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey
Why it makes the list: Virgin River is a textbook romance novel adaptation. Take a city girl (Breckenridge), drop her in a small town, introduce a couple of handsome bachelors, and watch the sparks fly!
'Young Royals' (2021–2024)
Starring: Edvin Ryding, Omar Rudberg, Malte Gårdinger, Nikita Uggla, Frida Argento, and Felicia Truedsson
Why it makes the list: This lush Swedish drama takes place at a high school for the rich, where a literal prince (Ryding) falls in love with a fellow student (Rudberg).
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