Italian cinema has long been known for its extravagant and passionate romance films, and for good reason. From the classic La Dolce Vita to the more recent Call Me By Your Name, Italian directors have a way of capturing the essence of love and all of its complications in a way that is both beautiful and heart-wrenching. These movies transport you to the winding streets of Rome, the picturesque coasts of the Amalfi Peninsula, and the charming villages of Tuscany, immersing you in the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes of Italy.
But it’s not just the stunning locations that make Italian romance movies so captivating. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, and their relationships are filled with the highs and lows that come with falling in love. Whether it’s the forbidden romance of Romeo and Juliet or the enduring love of Life Is Beautiful, these films know how to tug at the heartstrings and leave a lasting impression.
So if you’re in the mood for a romantic escape, look no further than this list of Italian romance movies. Grab some popcorn and a box of tissues, and get ready to fall in love with some of the most iconic love stories in Italian cinema. Whether you’re a die-hard romantic or just in need of a good cry, these films are sure to satisfy your romantic cravings.
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21 Malèna (2000)
Medusa Film
Malèna is a stunning Italian romance film, directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. It tells the story of a 13-year old young boy named Renato who falls in love with the beautiful and enigmatic Malèna, played by Monica Bellucci. Set in a small Sicilian town during World War II, the film explores the forbidden love between Renato and Malèna, as well as the harsh realities of life in a war-torn country. Tornatore’s breathtaking direction, coupled with stunning cinematography and a captivating score, make Malèna a standout work of cinema. After all, you cannot go wrong with a beautiful cast and amazing architecture.
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20 Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Ieri, oggi e domani (1963)
Embassy Pictures Corporation
This classic Italian romance, directed by Vittorio De Sica, follows the lives of three women as they navigate love, relationships, and the complexities of life. Adelina, the wife of a working-class husband living in Naples, Anna, a well-heeled married woman with a lover, and Mara, a sex-worker who takes on exclusive clients. Starring the iconic Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is a charming and bittersweet portrayal of love in all its forms. With stunning performances and breathtaking cinematography, this film is a must-see for fans of Italian romance.
19 The Postman Il Postino (1994)
Cecchi Gori Group
The Postman is a heartwarming Italian romance, directed by Michael Radford. Set in 1959, it follows the story of a simple postman named Mario who falls in love with the beautiful Beatrice, played by Maria Grazia Cucinotta. As Mario begins to deliver mail to the reclusive poet Pablo Neruda, he discovers a passion for poetry and for Beatrice. With remarkable performances from Massimo Troisi and Cucinotta, as well as beautiful views of Italy, The Postman is a poignant portrayal of love. The film also won critical acclaims in the form of an Academy Award for Best Music.
18 Manual of Love Manuale d’amore (2005)
Manual of Love is an innovative Italian romance, directed by Giovanni Veronesi. The plot revolves around a series of interconnected stories that explore the different facets of love like falling in love, facing a crisis, cheating, and eventually breaking up. From the passion of first love to the complexities of long-term relationships, Manual of Love covers it all. With a talented cast that includes Monica Bellucci, Carlo Verdone, and Riccardo Scamarcio, and stunning cinematography, this film will definitely create a core memory in your hearts.
17 Days and Clouds Giorni e Nuvole (2007)
Silvio Soldini has directed this moving Italian romance that follows the story of a couple named Margherita and Pietro who are forced to reevaluate their relationship when Pietro loses his job. As they struggle to come to terms with their changed circumstances, they must also confront the reality of their love for each other. Margherita Buy and Antonio Albanese have delivered raw and stunning performances as they navigate their roles. Paired with spectacular cinematics, Days and Clouds is a poignant and beautiful portrayal of love in all its forms.
16 Bread and Tulips Pane e tulipani (2000)
Bread and Tulips is another charming Italian romance directed by Silvio Soldini. The film tells the story of a housewife named Rosalba who, after being left behind on a family vacation, embarks on a journey of self-discovery that leads her to the picturesque town of Venice. Along the way, she meets a variety of colorful characters and discovers a newfound sense of independence. The movie reels you in with its comedic nature and quirky takes from the main characters. With memorable performances from Licia Maglietta and Bruno Ganz, and breathtaking cinematography, Bread and Tulips is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery.
15 I am Love Io sono amore (2009)
First Sun
This sumptuous Italian romance, directed by Luca Guadagnino, tells the story of a woman named Emma who falls in love with a chef named Antonio, played by Edoardo Gabbriellini. As their relationship deepens, Emma must confront the restrictions of her privileged but suffocating life and make a choice between the world she knows and the man she loves. With remarkable performances from Tilda Swinton and Gabbriellini, and some magnificent takes, I am Love is a lush and emotional story of love that also manages to involve charming takes about scandal, troubled family dynamics, power, and tragedy. Whether it is for better or worse is a question that draws you toward the end.
14 Tell Me About Love Parlami d’Amore (2008)
Tell Me About Love is a delightful Italian romance, directed by Giovanni Veronesi. The film follows Sasha, a twenty-something man who is head-over-heels in love with Benedetta. He becomes friends with Nicole, a married woman in her forties, who helps her win Benedetta. But who does Sasha end up with? From the excitement of unrequited love to a forbidden and scandalous friendship, Tell Me About Love captures the beauty of Rome with humor and heart. With a cast that makes our hearts flutter, including Silvio Muccino and Carolina Crescentini, and the visual delight of Rome captured by the eyes of a commoner, Tell Me About Love is a film you’re sure to become obsessed with.
13 Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Under the Tuscan Sun is undoubtedly one of the most visually pleasing and overall charming Italian romance set in Italy. Directed by Audrey Wells, the film tells the story of a recently divorced writer named Frances Mayes who, on a whim, buys a villa in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Ridden with the weight of being cheated on and the depression of lonelinees, Frances tried to find peace in the beautiful town. As she settles into her new home and begins to explore the region, she meets a variety of colorful characters and finds love in the most unexpected of places. With stunning performances from Diane Lane and Raoul Bova, and breathtaking cinematography, Under the Tuscan Sun is a heartwarming tale of love and self-discovery.
12 Sunflower I Girasoli (1970)
Sunflower is another classic Italian romance, directed by Vittorio De Sica, which tells the story of a young Italian woman named Antonietta who falls in love with a Russian soldier named Vladimir during World War II. As their relationship deepens, they are faced with the challenges of war and the harsh realities of life. Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni give incredibly amazing performances as they navigate the struggles of love in a troubled country. This great romance about love, loss, hope, and the pain of losing someone is masterfully fabricated into life by using impeccable filming. Truly, Sunflower is a poignant and beautiful portrayal of love in the face of adversity.
11 Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Sony Pictures Classics
Luca Guadagnino’s exquisite masterpiece, Call Me by Your Name, is a tale of first love that will leave you swooning. Set in the stunning landscapes of rural Italy, this film follows the blooming romance between Elio, a young man on the cusp of adulthood, and Oliver, a charming graduate student. As their relationship deepens, they explore the complexities of love and self-discovery in a way that is both raw and beautiful. With captivating performances from Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, and breathtaking cinematography, Call Me by Your Name is a work of art that will leave a lasting impression on all who see it.
10 A Room With a View (1985)
Curzon Film Distributors/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
A Room With a View is a timeless classic when it comes to Italian romance movies. Directed by James Ivory, the film is set around England and Italy. It tells the story of a young Englishwoman named Lucy who falls in love with a charming Italian named George while on vacation in Italy. When Lucy returns to England, she is lost without the charm and wit of George and she finds it hard to to live a life without passion. But to her surprise, George returns in her life. As their relationship deepens, they must navigate the expectations of society and the constraints of their own desires. With stunning performances from Helena Bonham Carter and Julian Sands, and a magnificent cinematography, A Room With a View is a timeless tale of love. It is also regarded as one of the best book adaptations because of its depiction of romance and the yearning that comes with it.
9 Ten Winters Dieci Inverni (2009)
Ten Winters is a moving Italian romance, directed by Valerio Mieli, that follows the story of two young people, Vittorio and Chiara, who fall in love in the midst of a harsh winter. Over the course of a decade, the pair plays out their part as friends, enemies, and lovers. As their relationship deepens, they must navigate the challenges of young love and the complexities of life. With captivating performances from Valerio Binasco and Isabella Ragonese, Ten Winters is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale of love and resilience.
8 Variety Lights Luci del Varietà (1950)
Pathē
This delightful Italian romance, directed by Federico Fellini, follows the story of a struggling variety show as it travels through the Italian countryside. Checco, the manager of the troupe meets Liliana, it seems like he has found a new purpose in life. She brings him back to life (metaphorically) and turns out to be the lucky charm of an otherwise flustured group of performers. Along the way to sucess, the troupe encounters a variety of colorful characters and finds love in the most unexpected of places. With charming performances from Peppino De Filippo and Carla Del Poggio, Variety Lights is a fun and heartwarming tale of love amidst sold-out crowds and portrayal of talent.
7 Marriage Italian Style Matrimonio all’Italiana (1964)
Marriage Italian Style is a classic Italian romance, directed by Vittorio De Sica. It follows the tumultuous relationship between a wealthy Italian businessman and his young mistress. As their love affair plays out over the years, they get tangled into the lives of secret children, forbidden weddings, and family drama. Sophia Loren delivers her best in this film which is considered one of her more noteworthy works. So much that she even won a nomination for Best Actress. Marcello Mastroianni also stunned throughout, and with a breathtaking cinematography, Marriage Italian Style is a timeless tale of love and self-discovery.
6 To Rome With Love (2012)
Columbia Pictures
Woody Allen’s charming and hilarious ode to the Eternal City, To Rome With Love is a must-see for fans of Italian romance. The film follows a series of interconnected stories that explore the joys and pitfalls of love in all its forms. From the absurdity of a young man who becomes a sudden celebrity to the romantic escapades of a middle-aged architect, To Rome With Love is a delightful and witty portrayal of love in the city of love. With stunning performances from an all-star cast that includes Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg, and Penelope Cruz, this film is a true delight.
5 La Dolce Vita (1960)
Riama Film
Federico Fellini’s iconic masterpiece, La Dolce Vita, is a stunning portrayal of love and desire in the glittering city of Rome. The film follows the hedonistic adventures of a journalist named Marcello as he navigates the seductive world of celebrities and socialites. With groundbreaking performances from Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg, and breathtaking cinematography, La Dolce Vita is a timeless classic of Italian cinema.
4 Romeo and Juliet (1968)
Paramount Pictures
There have been a handful of iterations of the story of these star-crossed lovers. While it os hard to choose the best one so far, this version is known to be the most accurate because of its premises. Franco Zeffirelli’s beautiful adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tale of young love is a must-see for fans of Italian romance. Set in the stunning city of Verona, the film follows the forbidden love of Romeo and Juliet as they defy their feuding families and the expectations of society. With memorable performances from Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, Romeo and Juliet is a timeless and poignant portrayal of love.
3 An Italian Romance L’Amore Ritrovato (2004)
This heartwarming Italian romance, directed by Carlo Mazzacurati, tells the story of a middle-aged man named Davide who falls in love with a young woman named Marta. As their relationship deepens, Davide must confront the complexities of love and the expectations of society. Toni Servillo and Jasmine Trinca deliver astonishing performances and paired with beautiful cinematography, An Italian Romance is a moving and beautiful portrayal of love in all its forms.
2 Stealing Beauty (1996)
This stunning Italian romance, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, tells the story of a young American woman named Lucy who travels to the beautiful Tuscan countryside to discover the truth about her mother’s past. As she explores the region and meets a variety of colorful characters, she finds love in the most unexpected of places. With applause-worthy performances from Liv Tyler and Jeremy Irons, Stealing Beauty is a lush and romantic escape to the heart of Italy.
