The 85+ PG-13 Romance Movies, Ranked By Viewers

If you’ve ever tried to pick a “cute but not awkward” movie for family night or a first date, you already know the secret power of PG-13 romance movies. They bring the butterflies, the banter, and the big emotional payoffswithout you having to dive for the remote every five minutes. Over the last few decades, fans have quietly built a canon of 85+ PG-13 romance films that they’ll happily rewatch any time, from high school hallway crushes to sweeping, historical love stories on sinking ships (you know the one).

This guide pulls together what viewers are voting for on fan-ranking sites, what critics love, and what keeps popping up on streaming platforms. Think of it as a “crowd-approved” roadmap to the best PG-13 romance films, plus plenty of honorable mentions to fill your watchlist for months. We’ll break down what makes these movies work, then walk through standout titles and how they stack up with audiences.

What Makes a Great PG-13 Romance Movie?

To earn a spot in the top tier of PG-13 romances, a film usually nails three big things: chemistry, emotional stakes, and rewatchability.

1. Chemistry You Can Feel Through the Screen

PG-13 films can’t rely on explicit scenes to sell the romance, so the performances have to do the heavy lifting. A lingering look, a sarcastic remark, or a shy half-smile often hits harder than anything you’d see in an R-rated drama. Think of Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles trading verbal jabs in 10 Things I Hate About You or the slow-burn sweetness between Lana Condor and Noah Centineo in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. When viewers rank their favorites, they’re usually voting for chemistry more than anything else.

2. High Stakes, Low Explicit Content

“PG-13” doesn’t mean “emotionally lightweight.” In fact, some of the most heartbreaking mainstream romances carry that rating. Films like Titanic and The Fault in Our Stars deliver huge emotional punchesloss, sacrifice, illness, impossible choiceswhile still staying within the limits of teen-friendly content. The rating gives them flexibility: mature themes, but within a framework that works for teens, parents, and anyone who doesn’t love graphic content.

3. Rewatchability and Comfort-Vibe

Many of the most beloved PG-13 romance movies double as comfort films. They’re the ones you fall asleep to on a Sunday night, rewatch every Valentine’s Day, or put on whenever you want a good cry. Romantic comedies like Crazy Rich Asians or Notting Hill fall squarely into this category, as do gentler teen romances and ensemble love stories you can quote line by line.

How Viewers Are Ranking These PG-13 Romance Films

So where do the rankings come from? On fan-voting platforms, thousands of film lovers upvote and downvote titles, reshaping the list over time. One large community list of 85+ PG-13 romance movies consistently puts 10 Things I Hate About You, Titanic, and The Fault in Our Stars at or near the top. That fan input tends to overlap with what you’ll find on IMDb user lists and the most-streamed choices on services tracked by Rotten Tomatoes and other review sites.

Critics’ lists and fan lists don’t always agreecritics might prioritize originality and craft, while everyday viewers vote for the movies that made them swoon at sleepovers. Here, we lean heavily on viewer sentiment but still keep an eye on critical reception and long-term popularity so you get the best of both worlds.

Top PG-13 Romance Movies Ranked by Viewers

The full fan-ranked canon runs past 85 titles, but below are standout favorites that regularly float to the top of viewer lists. You can treat this as a “greatest hits” lineup and then dig deeper into additional recommendations afterward.

1. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Adapted from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, this late-’90s classic is the unofficial king of PG-13 romances. Heath Ledger’s iconic bleacher serenade and Julia Stiles’ fierce independence make it both sharp and sweet. The film perfectly captures high school politics, sibling dynamics, and the way “I hate you” can secretly mean “I’m completely in love with you.”

2. Titanic (1997)

Technically a historical disaster movie, but let’s be honest: audiences are here for Jack and Rose. Titanic mixes epic tragedy with one of the most famous screen romances ever. It’s PG-13 but emotionally intense, making it a rite of passage for many viewers who remember ugly-crying through the ending as teenagers.

3. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Based on John Green’s bestselling novel, this love story between Hazel and Gus turns a teen cancer narrative into something tender, funny, and devastating. PG-13 allows the film to explore illness, mortality, and first love with honesty, but without graphic content. Many viewers rank it among the most emotionally powerful teen romances of the last decade.

4. The Notebook (2004)

Arguably the reigning champion of “romance movies you put on when you want to sob,” The Notebook follows Noah and Allie across class divides, wartime, and old age. The film itself edges toward adult themes but still sits in that PG-13 sweet spot where it can be a multi-generational watchgrandparents, parents, and teens alike know “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.”

5. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Lavish, funny, and packed with heart, Crazy Rich Asians brought a modern, PG-13 romantic comedy back to mainstream theaters in a huge way. The clash between everyday professor Rachel Chu and her boyfriend’s ultra-wealthy family gives the movie its stakes, but the emotional core is about belonging, family expectations, and choosing love without losing yourself.

6. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

Streaming-era teen romance basically has a mascot, and it’s Lara Jean Covey. Her secret love letters accidentally mailed to all her crushes lead to a fake dating arrangement with Peter Kavinsky thatshockinglyturns into something real. It’s sweet, inclusive, and endlessly rewatchable, especially for younger audiences and YA romance fans.

7. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

This offbeat, structurally playful film tracks the rise and fall of Tom and Summer’s relationship in nonlinear fashion. It’s less a “happily ever after” story and more a meditation on expectations versus realitysomething many viewers appreciate when they’re ready for a slightly more mature PG-13 romance that still avoids explicit content.

8. Notting Hill (1999)

“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy…” Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant helped define the modern rom-com with this story of a movie star who falls for a shy London bookshop owner. Though it’s rated PG-13, the film feels timeless and gentle, making it a popular pick for both romance veterans and newcomers.

9. A Walk to Remember (2002)

Another Nicholas Sparks adaptation that’s deeply embedded in teen memories, A Walk to Remember follows a rebellious high schooler who falls for a kind, religious girl with a heartbreaking secret. The film is unapologetically sentimental, and its PG-13 rating keeps the focus on emotional transformation and faith, making it a favorite for viewers who like their romances earnest.

10. Love, Simon (2018)

One of the first widely released mainstream teen romances centered on a gay protagonist, Love, Simon balances coming-out anxiety, anonymous online crushes, and high school friendships with warmth and humor. Its PG-13 rating makes it accessible for teens who rarely see their experiences reflected in major Hollywood love stories.

11. The Princess Bride (1987)

Part fairy tale, part adventure, part satire, The Princess Bride is technically a fantasy, but fans fiercely defend its status as one of the greatest romance movies ever. The chemistry between Westley and Buttercup, the quotable script, and the “true love” theme land it on many all-time listseven when competing with more straightforward modern rom-coms.

12. 13 Going on 30 (2004)

This body-swap rom-com lets Jennifer Garner play a 13-year-old who wakes up in her 30-year-old body, navigating adult life, office politics, and a missed chance at love with childhood best friend Matt. Its PG-13 tone keeps things light and nostalgic, making it a go-to “feel-good” pick for many viewers.

13. The Proposal (2009)

Fake engagement? Check. Enemies-to-lovers? Check. PG-13 shenanigans with a very memorable accidental nude scene that still somehow feels fairly tame? Also check. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds carry this immigration-plot rom-com into “reliable rewatch” territory for audiences who like their romance with plenty of banter.

14. She’s the Man (2006)

Another Shakespeare update (Twelfth Night this time), She’s the Man leans harder into sports and slapstick but still delivers a fan-favorite love story. Amanda Bynes’ character disguises herself as her twin brother to play soccer at an elite school, accidentally falling for her roommate, played by Channing Tatum. The antics are pure PG-13 chaos, but the heart is very real.

15. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

One of the coziest holiday-adjacent romances on many lists, this film follows a lonely transit worker who saves a man from an accident, gets mistaken for his fiancée, and then falls for his brother. It’s the ultimate “chosen family” PG-13 romance, with more warmth than scandal and plenty of gentle humor.

More Fan-Favorite PG-13 Romance Movies to Add to Your Watchlist

The rankings keep going well beyond these headliners. Depending on the fan list you browse, you’ll often see these titles in the mix of 85+ PG-13 romance movies:

• The Holiday – A cozy house-swap romance perfect for winter watching.
• About Time – Time-travel plus love story plus family drama equals guaranteed tears.
• 50 First Dates – A high-concept rom-com about memory loss that leans sweet over crude.
• Wicker Park – A twisty, obsession-tinged love story for viewers who like mystery with their romance.
• Flipped – A nostalgic first-crush story told from both sides.
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days – Battle of the sexes plus fake relationship equals rom-com gold.
• Always Be My Maybe – A modern PG-13 romance with standout comedic beats and cultural specificity.

Across all these films, you’ll find different tonessome are deeply dramatic, some are goofy and chaotic, and some feel like warm blankets. What unites them is that viewers keep returning to them, voting them up, and recommending them to friends.

How to Use This Ranked PG-13 Romance List

Want to turn this into an actual viewing plan instead of just an endlessly growing queue? Here’s a quick way to use the rankings like a playlist:

• Start with top-tier consensus picks like 10 Things I Hate About You, Titanic, and The Fault in Our Stars if somehow you’ve missed them.
• Pick a mood category: Do you want to laugh (Crazy Rich Asians, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), cry (The Notebook, A Walk to Remember), or feel nostalgic (13 Going on 30, The Princess Bride)?
• Add at least one new-to-you wild card each month from the wider 85+ listmaybe something like Wicker Park or Flipped that doesn’t get talked about as often.
• Rotate between teen-focused and adult-focused stories so you don’t burn out on one specific flavor of romance.

By mixing well-known favorites with lesser-known PG-13 romance films, you’ll gradually build your own personal rankingand, like most viewers, you’ll probably end up fiercely defending your top five.

of Real-Life Experience with PG-13 Romance Marathons

It’s one thing to rank PG-13 romance movies on a website; it’s another to see how they play in real living rooms. If you’ve ever tried to host a movie night with a mixed groupteens, parents, maybe a couple of friends who “don’t really like rom-coms”you quickly learn which titles actually work in practice.

Start with this simple rule: open with something crowd-pleasing and not too heavy. Even if The Fault in Our Stars is a masterpiece, dropping it on a group cold is a bold choice. A lot of people find that easing in with 10 Things I Hate About You, Crazy Rich Asians, or Notting Hill sets the tone: there’s romance, but also genuine laughs and enough side characters that even the romance-averse have someone to latch onto.

Another lesson from real-world watch parties: PG-13 does not mean “emotionally safe.” People often assume that if a movie is PG-13, it’ll be breezy. Then they press play on The Notebook or A Walk to Remember and suddenly they’re passing around tissues like popcorn. That’s actually one of the big advantages of this ratingit lets movies explore heartbreak, illness, and loss with surprising depth while staying accessible enough for younger viewers.

When different age groups are involved, PG-13 romances also help avoid awkward content negotiation. Teens don’t have to sit through something that feels like it was made for little kids, and adults don’t have to worry that a perfectly innocent babysitting night has turned into an R-rated lesson in human anatomy. You still get kissing, tension, and a bit of innuendo, but within boundaries that most families are comfortable with.

Over time, many people build traditions around specific titles. Some couples put on Titanic or The Princess Bride every anniversary, half-watching, half-quoting. Friend groups might default to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or 13 Going on 30 whenever they need a serotonin boost. There are parents who proudly pass down While You Were Sleeping the way others pass down old family recipesit becomes part of how they show love.

If you want to recreate that experience, try this: host a “Ranked by Us” night. Pick four PG-13 romance movies from different erassay, The Princess Bride, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Notebook, and Crazy Rich Asians. Over a couple of weekends, watch them all with the same group. After each film, everyone quietly gives it a score out of 10 based purely on how much they enjoyed it in that moment, not its reputation.

You’ll probably discover something funny: your group’s ranking won’t match any online list exactly. Someone will go to war for 13 Going on 30. Someone else will insist that Love, Simon should be mandatory viewing for every teenager. Another person might admit that they’ve watched To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before more times than they can count, only “for the aesthetic.” And that’s exactly the point. The magic of these 85+ PG-13 romance movies isn’t just in their overall popularityit’s in the personal, slightly chaotic hierarchies we build around them.

In the end, the “best” PG-13 romance isn’t just the one that tops viewer lists. It’s the one you reach for when you’ve had a terrible week, the one you text someone about at midnight with “YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS,” the one that quietly becomes tradition in your home. Let the rankings guide youbut let your own heart, and your own rewatch habits, decide the final order.