The Best Movies About Long Distance Relationships, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated June 23, 2023 6.4K votes 1.1K voters 105.2K views
Over 1.1K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies About Long Distance Relationships, Ranked
Voting Rules
Movies about characters who are in a long distance relationship.

With over 1,100 movie fans casting their votes, this list of the best movies about long-distance relationships is a must-see for those looking for some cinematic catharsis. Long-distance relationships are never easy and it takes an enormous amount of trust, communication, and commitment to make them work. But as many couples will tell you, there's something special about being able to maintain a relationship despite being separated by miles or even oceans.

The best films on this list explore all aspects of such relationships — from the initial heartache that comes with saying goodbye to the challenges of staying connected across time zones — in a way that resonates with viewers no matter where they're from. Take Before Sunrise (1995), for example; its intimate look at two star-crossed lovers makes it feel like we're right there alongside them on their journey through romance and uncertainty.

So why not take some time out from your own long-distance love life to check out these incredible films? Vote up your favorites, grab some popcorn, and get ready for a night full of emotion.

Most divisive: Legends of the Fall
Ranked by
  • The Notebook
    1

    The Notebook

    Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner
    217 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Nick Cassavetes
    The Notebook, a romantic drama, sweeps us into the tale of Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) and Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling). Set in the backdrop of 1940s South Carolina, it follows the couple's fervent love story from their youthful summer romance to the trials of old age. The narrative unfolds through an elderly man's recollections, Duke (James Garner), reading from his faded notebook to fellow nursing home resident, Miss Hamilton (Gena Rowlands). Directed by Nick Cassavetes and based on Nicholas Sparks's novel, The Notebook won eight Teen Choice Awards in 2005.
  • Going the Distance
    2

    Going the Distance

    Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Charlie Day
    176 votes
    • Released: 2010
    • Directed by: Nanette Burstein
    Erin (Drew Barrymore) and Garrett (Justin Long) are very much in love. When Erin moves to San Francisco to finish her journalism degree and Garrett stays behind in New York to work in the music industry, they gamely keep the romance alive with webcams and frequent-flyer miles. But just when it seems the lovers will soon be reunited, they each score a big break that could separate them for good.

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  • Ghost
    3

    Ghost

    Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg
    42 votes
    • Released: 1990
    • Directed by: Jerry Zucker
    In Ghost, banker Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is tragically murdered, but his spirit remains earthbound. Through a psychic, Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg), he seeks to communicate with his distraught fiancé, Molly Jensen (Demi Moore). His mission becomes twofold: conveying his undying love for Molly and uncovering the truth behind his untimely death. The film, a blend of romance and supernatural thriller, won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Goldberg. As an intricate plot unfolds, audiences are left grappling with themes of love, loss, and justice beyond the grave.

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  • Sleepless in Seattle
    4

    Sleepless in Seattle

    Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman
    121 votes
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: Nora Ephron
    In Sleepless in Seattle, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks), a widower, sparks nationwide interest when his son Jonah (Ross Malinger) calls into a radio talk show. Across the country, Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a journalist, hears Sam's poignant story and becomes intrigued by him. As fate would have it, their paths cross in a climactic meeting atop the Empire State Building. This romantic drama, directed by Nora Ephron, garnered two Oscar nominations and is hailed for its charming blend of comedy and pathos. It's a testament to love transcending boundaries.

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  • The Princess Bride
    5

    The Princess Bride

    Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin
    35 votes
    • Released: 1987
    • Directed by: Rob Reiner
    The Princess Bride is a whimsical blend of adventure, romance, and comedy. Westley (Cary Elwes), a humble farmhand-turned-pirate, embarks on an epic quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the clutches of the villainous Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Alongside a colorful band of misfits including Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), who seeks revenge for his father's murder, and Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), a cunning Sicilian strategist, Westley must navigate treacherous terrain and outwit deadly foes. This timeless tale, peppered with memorable lines and unforgettable characters, won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Motion Picture in 1988. A film that transcends genre boundaries, it remains a classic in popular culture.

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  • Like Crazy
    6

    Like Crazy

    Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lawrence
    168 votes
    • Released: 2011
    • Directed by: Drake Doremus
    While attending college in Los Angeles, Jacob (Anton Yelchin), an American, and Anna (Felicity Jones), who hails from London, fall madly in love. However, the young lovers are forced apart when Anna violates the terms of her visa and must return to England. Jacob and Anna discover the difficulties of maintaining a long-distance relationship in the face of their changing lives. Yet, no matter how often circumstances pull them apart, they always find themselves back together again.

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