The Best Movies About Falling in Love Late in Life, Ranked
Middle age romance between older people in the movies can often be richer than young love. Adult couples have had more time to realize their own romantic needs — and more time to gain complicated, and entertaining baggage. The best movies about older couples find the lead characters discovering new things about themselves and each other. This is a list of the best mature couple romance movies including everything from Mamma Mia! to What Women Want to The Bridges of Madison County.
What romantic comedies will you find on this list of the best mature love stories? Maybe you'll vote As Good As It Gets to the very top. Both Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt took home Oscars for their roles in this unlikely love story directed by the great James L. Brooks. Last Chance Harvey – starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson – is another great movie about older couple romance. Meryl Streep found herself in a love triangle with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin in the 2009 movie It's Complicated. Other good films featured here include Hope Springs, The Love Punch, and Danny Collins.
Which of these romcoms deserves the number one spot on this list? That's up to you to decide. Give your favorite flicks a thumbs up, and please add any great films that are missing.
- 1Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves
- Released: 2003
- Directed by: Nancy Meyers
This charming romantic tale unfolds as two established individuals—a playwright and a businessman—find an unexpected connection when forced to share a vacation home. With stunning performances by Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, we watch as they grapple with their past entanglements and ultimately discover a profound love that transcends age and circumstance.
- 2Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Nancy Meyers
In this witty and engaging film, Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin portray a divorced couple who rediscover their chemistry during a mutual friend's wedding. The humorous and heartfelt story highlights the complexities of relationships and how love can reemerge even after years of separation, making it a delightful watch for audiences of any age.
- 3Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear
- Released: 1997
- Directed by: James L. Brooks
Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt brilliantly deliver in this unconventional romantic comedy that focuses on the transformative power of love. As a misanthropic, OCD-afflicted author and a single mother struggling to make ends meet, the duo's unlikely yet heartwarming bond illustrates that it's never too late to find love and personal growth.
- 4Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret
- Released: 1993
- Directed by: Donald Petrie
In this feel-good classic, seasoned actors Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau play two lifelong neighbors and rivals who find themselves vying for the affection of an alluring new neighbor, portrayed by Ann-Margret. The witty banter and humorous situations make it a delightful exploration of friendship, rivalry, and late-in-life romance.
- 5Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen
- Released: 1995
- Directed by: Rob Reiner
This sophisticated and charming film explores the high-stakes world of politics and romance as a widowed president, played by Michael J. Fox, finds himself drawn to a spirited environmental lobbyist, portrayed by Annette Bening. Their blossoming romance showcases the challenges of pursuing love under the watchful eyes of the public and the power of vulnerability and connection.
- 6Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth
- Released: 2008
- Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd
Set against the idyllic backdrop of a Greek island, Meryl Streep shines as a single mother whose past is stirred when three of her old flames arrive for her daughter's wedding. This lighthearted musical showcases the complexities of love and offers a reminder that it's never too late for a romantic reunion.
