The Best Movies About Marriage

Over 500 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies About Marriage
Voting Rules
Movies about the institution of marriage.

The best movies for married couples are often movies about marrited couples and they can show both sides of the coin: Marriage can be hard; spending all of your waking time with the same person, day after day can be exhausting. But at the same time it can be the best, sweetest, decision you’ll ever make. Since marriage is for life it makes perfect sense that so many movies would look at the drama (and comedy) and unfolds in so many marriages. In fact, some of the film industry’s greatest movies are about marriage, second marriages, or finding romance after marriage.

The movies featured on this list sometimes provide great inspirational messages, like the idea of never giving up on the one you love the most, no matter the cost. Others are comedies, looking at how difficult the first few years of marriage really are, as in the Just Married. No matter what kind of genre you’re craving  (like Christian movies about marriage) there’s sure to be a movie on this list that you and your significant other will love.

This list has the best movies about marriage, including: The Notebook, Gone With the Wind, A Walk to Remember, and Father of the Bride. Vote up your favorite marriage movie below to  help determine the bestm ovies about married couples and their relationships with family and friends.

Most divisive: Just Married
Ranked by
  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding
    1
    Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine
    142 votes
    • Released: 2002
    • Directed by: Joel Zwick

    In this delightful comedy, we witness the hilarious and heartwarming journey of Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) as she navigates the balancing act between her rather eccentric Greek family's expectations and her own desires. As she falls in love with the non-Greek Ian Miller (John Corbett), they defy cultural barriers to form a union that ultimately brings two vastly distinct worlds together, emphasizing that love can conquer all amidst a celebratory exploration of both tradition and modernity in marriage.

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  • Father of the Bride
    2
    Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
    160 votes
    • Released: 1991
    • Directed by: Charles Shyer

    A truly charming and poignant film, Father of the Bride tells the story of George Banks (Steve Martin), an overprotective father struggling to come to terms with his daughter's impending nuptials. The film humorously portrays George's countless mishaps in wedding planning while simultaneously providing an introspective look into the emotional complexities faced by a parent during such a monumental change. Ultimately, the movie tenderly reveals how the bonds of marriage can bring together not just individuals, but entire families as well.

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  • The Notebook
    3
    Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner
    163 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Nick Cassavetes

    As a paradigm of true love and devotion, this cinematic masterpiece offers a riveting portrayal of Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie's (Rachel McAdams) tumultuous and passion-filled relationship. Despite life's hurdles and societal pressures that initially keep them apart, their unwavering love ultimately reunites them in marriage. The movie's raw depiction of the power of love even amidst the heartache of age and illness...provides a profound and moving exploration of love, commitment, and the trials faced by couples throughout their lives together.

  • Meet the Parents
    4
    Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Blythe Danner
    106 votes
    • Released: 2000
    • Directed by: Jay Roach

    Emphasizing the hilarity and mortification involved in navigating family dynamics within the context of love and union, this humorous romp features Greg Focker's (Ben Stiller) efforts to win over the conservative, suspicious heart of his girlfriend's father, Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro). Through a series of unfortunate events and laughable misadventures, the audience sees how individuals can persevere through trials and tribulations to prove their worthiness for the love at the core of any marriage. Meet the Parents delivers laughter, excitement, and a heartfelt glimpse into the importance of gaining familial approval before embarking upon lifelong commitment.

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  • Steel Magnolias
    5
    Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine
    109 votes
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: Herbert Ross

    This extraordinary ensemble piece showcases the depth and resilience of Southern female friendship amid the backdrop of endearing characters navigating life's many challenges. Centered around the maternal bond between M'Lynn (Sally Field) and her newlywed daughter Shelby (Julia Roberts), the film delves into the joys and strife of marriage and family life with humor, wit, and heartbreakingly honest emotion. Though not exclusively a movie about marriage, it nonetheless offers powerful meditations on love and unwavering support that are essential to sustaining any lifelong partnership.

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  • The Family Man
    6
    Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle
    95 votes
    • Released: 2000
    • Directed by: Brett Ratner

    In this thought-provoking drama, we watch as self-centered businessman Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage) obtains a glimpse into the life he could have had with his college sweetheart Kate Reynolds (Téa Leoni), offering him the opportunity to reflect on his priorities and values. The movie brilliantly showcases how pivotal choices impact relationships, and the ultimate importance of meaningful human connections, specifically, the bond of matrimony. As a compelling meditation on what truly matters in life, The Family Man transcends matrimonial concepts by delving into the overarching themes of love, devotion, and the transformative power that comes with a chance at redemption.

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