18 Italian Romance Movies to Watch in 2025

Italian cinema has created numerous masterpieces celebrated around the world, and this includes romantic films.

Ranging from contemporary hits like “Call Me by Your Name” to timeless works from directors like Federico Fellini and Franco Zeffirelli, the finest Italian romantic movies take you on a powerful emotional journey.

Here are 20 Italian films that draw you into compelling stories, set in locations such as Florence, Rome, Tuscany, and Lombardy.

1. Chiamami col tuo nome ( Call Me By Your Name)

Year: 2018 Main Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

“Call Me by Your Name” ranks among the most well-known contemporary Italian films. Having read the book first, I found the film managed to convey the book's spirit, featuring a moving soundtrack, rich scenes of the Italian landscape, and sensual elements.

Elio is a teenage boy residing with his parents in Northern Italy. Elio’s father, a professor, has an American graduate student named Oliver stay with them for the summer.

While Elio and Oliver engage in thoughtful discussions and journey through the countryside, they begin to flirt and grow closer.

2. Malena

Year: 2000 Main Cast: Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

This intense, unique drama left a strong impact on me due to its observations on human behavior.

The story is seen through the eyes of Renato Amoroso, a 13-year-old boy who develops an obsession with a beautiful war widow named Malena. Although many men in the town desire her, she remains distant as she grieves for her husband.

When Malena resorts to extreme measures to survive in a society damaged by war, the community grows increasingly aggressive and critical of her.

Throughout this, Renato observes her life, imagining himself as her defender and hero—yet he is powerless to alter her destiny.

3. Romeo e Giulietta ( Romeo and Juliet)

Year: 1968 Main Cast: Olivia Hussey, Leonard Whiting Where to Watch: Google Play

This stands as one of the finest interpretations of “Romeo and Juliet.”

It adheres closely to Shakespeare’s original play: Romeo and Juliet belong to rival families and are prohibited from being together. The tragic ending remains, with both Romeo and Juliet taking their own lives due to a miscommunication.

An unusual aspect of this film is Franco Zeffirelli’s decision to cast teenagers in the lead roles—Olivia Hussey was 15 at the time, and Leonard Whiting was 17.

This choice, however, proved effective because their performances seem genuine. The film is deeply moving as it is easy to believe in the sincerity of their love.

4. Sulla stessa onda ( Caught by a Wave)

Year: 2021 Main Cast: Elvira Camarrone, Christian Roberto Where to Watch: Netflix

“Caught by a Wave” is a coming-of-age tale about two teenagers, Sara and Lorenzo, who encounter each other at a summer sailing camp in Sicily.

They are youthful, uninhibited, and feel an immediate, powerful attraction that seems everlasting. However, they soon receive heartbreaking news: Sara is fighting a progressive illness.

Regardless, Lorenzo stays by Sara's side, supporting her as they strive to live fully in each moment. Over the summer, their bond strengthens, and they discover the meaning of resilience and the value of the here and now.

Their interactions are incredibly endearing and tender, and the music is memorable.

5. L’ultimo bacio (The Last Kiss)

Year: 2001 Main Cast: Stefano Accorsi, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Martina Stella Where to Watch: Disney Plus

Carlo, a man in his late twenties, is taken aback when his longtime girlfriend, Giulia, becomes pregnant. His dilemma is that he feels unprepared for such a significant commitment and fatherhood.

He is not alone in this feeling. Several of his friends are also at a point in their lives where they are hesitant about settling down.

Then, Francesca, a charming 18-year-old, enters his life, tempting him with the idea of evading his responsibilities.

This film received awards for its script and performances, with characters that feel authentic as they deal with everyday problems.

6. Ieri, oggi, domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow)

Year: 1963 Main Cast: Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

This is another film featuring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. It comprises three distinct stories, each illustrating a different facet of love, with the actors portraying different characters in each segment.

For instance, one story involves a woman who repeatedly becomes pregnant to avoid jail time while she works illegally to support her husband. Another part focuses on a seminary student who shockingly chases after a high-class prostitute, and the prostitute must find a way to discourage him.

The mood is cheerful and amusing, and the actors' adaptability is clearly displayed, particularly through their expressive gestures.

7. Era ora (Still Time)

Year: 2022 Main Cast: Edoardo Leo, Barbara Ronchi Where to Watch: Netflix

I have watched many films that use the time loop idea, but “Still Time” introduces an inventive new angle!

The film begins with Dante, who is consumed by his work, meeting an attractive woman named Alice at a party.

Soon after, his 40th birthday arrives. To his astonishment, when he wakes up the next day, it is his birthday once more—but a whole year has gone by and Alice is now pregnant. The following day brings another birthday, with yet another year having passed.

As time keeps jumping forward, Dante realizes he is missing key moments in his life and attempts to repair his relationship with Alice.

8. Pane e tulipani (Bread and Tulips)

Year: 2000 Main Cast: Licia Maglietta, Bruno Ganz, Antonio Catania Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

“Bread and Tulips” is a charming, modern-day fairy tale for grown-ups!

Rosalba is an overlooked housewife from Pescara. While on a bus trip with her family, she is accidentally left behind. Rather than wait for her husband to return for her, she makes a spontaneous decision to hitchhike to Venice.

In Venice, she finds employment at a flower shop and befriends a group of eccentric individuals, including a generous Icelandic waiter and an energetic masseuse. As Rosalba relishes her new independence, she rekindles her passion for life.

Meanwhile, her husband employs an inept private investigator to find her, resulting in amusing (and touching) outcomes.

9. Nuovo Olimpo

Year: 2023 Main Cast: Damiano Gavino, Andrea Di Luigi Where to Watch: Netflix

This film transports us to Rome in the 1970s, into the worlds of two men: Pietro, a reserved medical student, and Enea, a film student and aspiring director. They meet by chance at the Nuovo Olimpo theater, a popular gathering place for gay men, and share a night together.

Despite forming a profound, lingering bond, an incident forces them to separate. Many years later, they cross paths again unexpectedly, each still haunted by memories of the other even though they have built separate lives.

The narrative is drawn from the director's personal experiences, and the film's visuals are stunning, highlighting Rome's magnificent architecture and urban scenery.

10. Io sono l’amore ( I am Love)

Year: 2009 Main Cast: Tilda Swinton, Edoardo Gabbriellini, Pippo Delbono Where to Watch: Amazon Prime | Hulu

This acclaimed film is engrossing and opulent, essential viewing if you are intrigued by the world of the aristocracy.

Emma is married to Tancredi Recchi, a prosperous business proprietor, and they reside in Milan with their three children. Originally from Russia, Emma has adapted to a life of wealth and custom that she finds increasingly lonely and unsatisfying.

Her perspective shifts when she meets Antonio, a gifted young chef. They share a deep interest in food and cuisine, and as her attraction to him grows, she begins to reevaluate her role in the Recchi family and her own sense of self.

11. Le fate ignoranti ( The Ignorant Fairies)

Year: 2001 Main Cast: Margherita Buy, Steffano Accorsi, Andrea Renzi Where to Watch: Disney Plus | Hulu

Antonia, a accomplished doctor, is heartbroken when her husband Massimo passes away unexpectedly. During her mourning, she learns that he was involved in a long-term relationship with a man named Michele.

Shocked and bewildered, she seeks out Michele and his diverse circle of friends, all members of the LGBTQ+ community. As she spends time with them, Antonia gains insight into Massimo's hidden life and his connection with Michele.

This unanticipated path helps her reshape her own identity and her understanding of love.

It is certainly not a typical film—I thought it was novel because it avoids stereotypes.

12. L’Eclisse (The Eclipse)

Year: 1962 Main Cast: Alain Delon, Monica Vitti Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

Vittoria has recently ended her relationship with her older boyfriend, Riccardo.

Feeling a sense of void, Vittoria roams through Rome and encounters Piero, a lively stock trader.

Although their temperaments are quite opposite—Vittoria is thoughtful and reserved, while Piero is driven by possessions and acts on impulse—they start a cautious romance.

It is a rather avant-garde and symbolic film that may catch you off guard, particularly in its use of scenery and structures to represent the characters' internal states. The environment even has an eerie quality, reminiscent of a horror film (despite being set in Rome).

For similar films, consider “ L’Avventura” (1960) and “ La Notte” (1961), both directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.

13. Vincere (To Win)

Year: 2009 Main Cast: Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Filippo Timi Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

“Vincere” is an exceptional Italian historical drama. It vividly depicts the dictator Benito Mussolini and his first wife, Ida Dalser.

In Italy during the early 20th century, Ida—a striking and determined woman—develops an intense love for the young Mussolini, who was then an activist. She commits herself entirely to him and provides financial backing as he gains influence.

Their joy is short-lived, however, as Mussolini leaves Ida and their infant son behind to pursue his political goals. Ida is unwilling to let go, struggling fiercely to remain part of Mussolini's life even as he ascends to become a fascist leader.

14. L’uomo delle stelle (The Star Maker)

Year: 1995 Main Cast: Sergio Castellitto, Tiziana Lodato Where to Watch: Amazon

Joe is an appealing fraudster who poses as a talent agent for a big movie company.

With a camera in hand, he journeys across Sicilian villages, giving aspiring individuals the opportunity to become film stars for a price and documenting a rich portrait of post-war Italy.

As he listens to people's dreams and secrets, his initial indifference is continually tested. He then forms a connection with Beata, a young woman from a convent who ultimately presents him with a moral dilemma.

The film starts with a comedic tone but gradually becomes more serious, and the individual character narratives are engaging.

15. Manuale d’amore (Manual of Love)

Year: 2005 Main Cast: Carlo Verdone, Silvio Muccino, Luciana Littizzetto, Sergio Rubini Where to Watch: Amazon

“Manual of Love” outlines four phases of love, experienced by various couples in Rome.

The first story follows a young couple who are blissfully in love. The film then moves to a middle-aged woman who believes her husband is emotionally unavailable.

In the third section, a man contemplates retaliating against his unfaithful wife. Finally, the last part shows an elderly man trying to handle being left by his lifelong companion.

While the stories are grounded in reality, they are also humorous and perceptive. The series continues with “Manual of Love 2,” which was a commercial success, and “Manual of Love 3.”

16. La chimera (The Chimera)

Year: 2023 Main Cast: Josh O’Connor, Carol Duarte, Yile Vianello Where to Watch: Blu-ray

This distinctive, captivating film follows tomb raiders who excavate ancient artifacts hoping to strike it rich—combined with a touch of supernatural romance.

Arthur was once an archaeology student, but he joined a band of grave robbers (known as tombaroli in Italian) and even served time in jail.

His downfall began after the death of his beloved, Beniamina. In his quest to connect with her, he grows fixated on contacting the deceased, eventually gaining the ability to locate significant Etruscan artifacts with a dowsing rod.

Further complicating matters, he finds himself drawn to someone living: Italia, who previously worked as a maid in Beniamina's household.

17. Ti mangio il cuore ( Burning Hearts)

Year: 2022 Main Cast: Elodie, Francesco Patanè Where to Watch: YouTube

The Italian title of this movie translates directly to “I’ll eat your heart,” hinting at how it merges intense passion with brutality.

Filmed in sharp black and white, it tells the story of the secret affair between Andrea and Marilena, who are from opposing Mafia clans. Andrea is the successor of the Malatesta family, and Marilena is married to the leader of the Camporeale family. When their relationship is discovered, mayhem erupts.

The violent conflict between the families reignites. Imagine it as a version of Romeo and Juliet, but set within a gripping Mafia context.

18. Luci del varietà (Variety Lights)

Year: 1950 Main Cast: Peppino De Filippo, Carla Del Poggio, Giulietta Masina Where to Watch: YouTube

This marks the directorial debut of the renowned Federico Fellini.

Checco, who runs a variety troupe, is finding it hard to sustain the business. The troupe's prospects appear to improve when they come across a gifted young dancer named Liliana.

Checco becomes enamored with Liliana and chooses to feature her as the main attraction, which upsets his longtime partner and star performer, Melina.

As the troupe moves from one town to another, the group's harmony becomes fragile, with Checco's fixation on Liliana and her ambitions causing friction among the other members.

If you watch these Italian films in sequence, you'll see they are profound. They pay close attention to visual storytelling, present human nature with honesty, and illustrate the many different forms love can take.

This is what makes them enduring—you can view them many years later and they will still resonate.

For those studying Italian, movies such as these are also a highly beneficial learning tool, particularly as a large number are accessible on services like Netflix and Disney Plus.

To study Italian using film clips, one educational resource is Lingflix.

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