10 Romantic Movie Quotes for When Real Life Just Isn't Cutting It

This iconic line is delivered by the ridiculously rugged Hawkeye (Daniel Day Lewis at his buffest) to his lady love Cora (Madeleine Stowe) behind a thunderous waterfall as they face mortal peril during the French-English war. Of course, Hawkeye keeps his iconic pledge to her, coming to her aid in one of the most memorable ending sequences of any movie ever. And although I'm exceedingly glad to not be struggling to survive in the brutality of pre-colonial America, it's still fun to live vicariously though Hawkeye and Cora's love. 

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This quote from the 1999 high school-set adaptation of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew might be instantly recognizable, depending on your age. Kat (Julia Stiles) is an uncompromising feminist who has been dismissed by most of the men in her school as a humorless bitch. But when Australian bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger, in one of his most heartbreakingly gorgeous and charming roles ever) agrees to date Kat on a bet, he falls for her wit and passion. 

When the truth comes out about how they got together, Kat—who has been betrayed by men before—is heartbroken. Ultimately, though, she welcomes Patrick back into her life for a second chance after she delivers a very sweet (if very high school) poem about the ten things she can’t stand about the charming, wonderful asshole who stole her heart. 

The scene wasn't intended to be as weepy as it is in the final film, but Julia Stiles found herself inexplicably emotional during this take. What makes the moment even more memorable is knowing that the surprise on Heath Ledger's face when he hears her words and sees her tears is real. 

This line is delivered by the wonderfully vulnerable-but-brave Baby (Jennifer Grey) to Johnny (Patrick Swayze) after he tells her she never seems scared of anything. But she is scared, of many things—particularly of never again feeling as alive and fully herself as she does in the company of the rugged dance instructor. This declaration of feelings will ring familiar for anyone who's ever felt the beautiful sting of young first love. 

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In context, this climactic line from the middle installment in Richard Linklater's Before trilogy is one of the most chillingly perfect lines ever. After an accidental meeting on a train in Europe, Celeste and Jesse spent one unbelievable night together. But their plans to reunite six months later were interrupted by tragedy, and the two went on with their separate lives, pursuing their respective careers and working to build new relationships. When they finally reunite in Paris nine years after their one night together, the two quickly realize that they still share the kind of connection that comes rarely in a lifetime.

This line is so romantic because it represents the first time Celeste seriously broaches the one thing on both her and Jesse's mind: now that they've found each other again, they can't ever let each other go.

This promise of commitment is made multiple times throughout Titanic by ill-fated lovers Jack and Rose. At first, this promise is just representative of both the sense of adventure and passion they bring into each other's lives. They come from different classes, and Rose is betrothed—there's risk inherent in their love for both of them, but they're both ready to jump into a life together regardless. 

But 'you jump; I jump' takes on a more literal meaning after the Titanic hits its iceberg and the two work together to try and escape a watery grave. It's heartbreaking to think of all the ways Jack and Rose would have been able to honor this promise to each other in their life together had their voyage not ended in tragedy. If only someone could have scootched over on that door ...

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This declaration is delivered by National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) to Francesca (Meryl Streep), a married farmwife and mother with whom he begins an unexpectedly passionate affair. The two meet when Robert stops to ask for directions while traveling through Madison County, Iowa to photograph the area's picturesque covered bridges. Francesca's husband and children are out of town, and after much deliberation she chooses to explore her feelings for Robert. This quote is particularly bittersweet because despite knowing that they have the kind of connection most people never experience, Robert and Francesca ultimately realize that they must be content to love each other from afar. 

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In the classic Nicholas Sparks movie The Notebook, Noah (Ryan Gosling) delivers this beautiful speech to Allie (Rachel McAdams) in a torrential downpour before the two start finally smooching each other's faces off after years of angst-filled separation. This statement comes as part of a longer, gorgeous speech in which Noah validates for Allie that the love they had when they were younger was the real deal, and reveals that his feelings for her haven't gone away since their tumultuous romance as teenagers. It's an impressive quote because a. Noah recognizes that even the most predestined relationships require work, and b. it's worth doing that work for the woman he loves!

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It may not be an original Pride and Prejudice quote, but is there any line out there more achingly beautiful than this one? Particularly as it’s delivered by Matthew MacFadyen as the bodaciously brooding Mr. Darcy in the gorgeous Pride and Prejudice adaptation from 2015? It is a truth universally acknowledged: no. 

After countless miscommunications and missed opportunities, Mr. Darcy opens his heart to Elizabeth with this breathtaking expression of vulnerability. Who could turn a declaration of love like this one down? 

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This iconic quote is exchanged between Leia and Han soon before the latter is encased in carbonite in The Empire Strikes Back. It's a breathtaking climax in their enemies-to-lovers dynamic: after arguing with each other for nearly two movies, the hardheaded pair finally admit their feelings for each other when they realize that Han might be about to die. Han's simple statement "I know" is an act of supreme love and generosity to Leia, telling her at once that he returns her feelings, and that he understands why she didn't say anything earlier.

Throughout the Star Wars series, Han and Leia have one of the most iconic, if turbulent, romances. They don't get a traditionally happy ending, but their intense chemistry makes them a favorite couple of many. 

This lyric is essentially the thesis statement of Baz Luhrmann's surreal, romantic 2001 movie Moulin Rouge! It's a beautiful reminder that even if a relationship ends—whether because of distance, compatibility issues, or terminal consumption—the act of loving someone and allowing yourself to be loved is radical and generous.