Netflix has basically become the global headquarters for pining. It's weird because, just a few years ago, you had to wait for a specific movie release or a weekly cable slot to get your fix of "will they, won't they" tension. Now? You just scroll. But the vibe has shifted. The tv shows with romance on netflix that actually stick with people aren't the sugary, Hallmark-style rom-coms anymore. We’re moving into this era of "messy romance." It's less about the perfect wedding and way more about the absolute disaster of being a human who happens to be in love.
People are obsessed.
Look at Bridgerton. It’s the obvious heavyweight here. When Shonda Rhimes moved over to Netflix, she didn't just bring the steam; she brought a specific kind of Regency-era escapism that felt like a modern pop song. It’s colorful. It’s loud. It’s deeply unrealistic in the best way possible. But then you have something like One Day, the 2024 limited series based on David Nicholls' book. That show destroyed people. It wasn't because of a flashy ball or a duke’s brooding stare. It was because it tracked two people, Dexter and Emma, over twenty years. You saw them age. You saw them fail. You saw them be genuinely terrible to each other. That’s the spectrum we’re dealing with now.
The rise of the "Slow Burn" and why we can't stop watching
The binge model changed how writers handle romance. In the old days of network TV, you had to keep a couple apart for twenty-two episodes a season for seven years. If they got together, the show died. On Netflix, creators have eight to ten episodes to tell a complete arc. This has led to the perfection of the "slow burn."
Take Emily in Paris. People love to hate it, but they still watch it. Why? Because the central romantic tension between Emily and Gabriel is a masterclass in frustrating the audience. It’s fluffy, sure. But it works because it understands the basic mechanics of longing. Then you pivot to something like Heartstopper. It’s arguably one of the most important tv shows with romance on netflix because it treats teenage queer love with a gentleness that was totally absent from TV a decade ago. It’s not about tragedy; it’s about the "sparks" that literally appear on screen as animations.
It’s about feeling safe.
Sometimes you don't want the drama. You want the comfort. Shows like Virgin River have built an entire empire on this. It’s basically the TV equivalent of a weighted blanket. It’s cozy. There’s a cabin. There’s a guy who owns a bar. Everything is slightly dramatic but ultimately okay. This "comfort romance" genre is a huge reason why Netflix keeps its subscriber numbers high—it's predictable in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable.
International romance is actually winning the game
If you’re only watching English-language shows, you’re honestly missing out on the best stuff. K-Dramas have completely hijacked the romantic landscape. Shows like Crash Landing on You or Business Proposal aren't just hits in South Korea; they are global juggernauts.
🔗 Read more: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
The formula is different there.
There’s a heavy emphasis on fate and destiny. The production value is through the roof. Most importantly, they aren't afraid of being sincere. In Western TV, we often hide romance behind irony or sarcasm. K-Dramas lean into the "grand gesture" without blinking. Crash Landing on You literally involves a South Korean heiress paragliding into North Korea and falling in love with a soldier. It’s absurd. It’s high-stakes. It’s incredibly romantic.
Then you have the "Spanish Wave." Elite is basically a soap opera on steroids. It’s got murder, wealth, and some of the most intense romantic subplots on the platform. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s very "Netflix." The platform has realized that romance is a universal language, even if the cultural context changes. Whether it’s a high school in Spain or a law firm in Seoul, the core feeling—that ache of wanting someone—remains the same.
The reality check: When romance gets dark
Not everything is roses and Taylor Swift songs. Netflix has also leaned into the darker side of obsession. You is the prime example. It’s a "romance" through the distorted lens of a stalker. Joe Goldberg thinks he’s in a rom-com. He uses all the tropes—the chance encounters, the protective nature, the intense focus. But the show subverts it by reminding you he’s a murderer.
It’s a commentary on the genre itself.
It asks: "Where is the line between being romantic and being a predator?" It’s uncomfortable to watch, especially when the show makes you accidentally root for him for a split second before reminding you who he really is. This kind of "anti-romance" is a significant part of the library because it caters to the true crime audience while scratching that romantic itch.
Why "One Day" changed the conversation in 2024
We have to talk about One Day more specifically. It’s a landmark for tv shows with romance on netflix because of its structure. By visiting the characters on the same date—July 15th—every year, the show forces you to reckon with time. Most romances end at the "I do." This show asks what happens during the decades of mundane life that follow.
💡 You might also like: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall had this chemistry that felt lived-in. It wasn't the polished, airbrushed chemistry of Bridgerton. They looked like real people. They had bad haircuts in the 90s. They argued about politics. Emma Morley was cynical and brilliant; Dexter Mayhew was charming and lost. Their love wasn't a straight line. It was a jagged, messy circle. When the ending hits—and if you haven't seen it, brace yourself—it’s a gut punch because you’ve spent five hours watching them grow up. It proved that Netflix audiences are hungry for "sad romance." We want to cry. We want to feel the weight of what we’re losing.
Breaking the mold with "Sex Education"
Wait, is Sex Education a romance? Absolutely.
While it's marketed as a teen comedy about, well, sex, the heart of the show is the relationship between Otis and Maeve. And Eric and Adam. And Aimee and herself. It’s a show about intimacy in all its forms. What makes it special is that it prioritizes communication over grand gestures. It’s about learning how to talk about what you want.
In the final season, the show made some choices that frustrated fans. Some people wanted the fairytale ending. But the show stuck to its guns: sometimes, you love someone, and it just doesn't work out because of timing or geography or personal growth. That’s a tough pill for a "romance" fan to swallow, but it’s authentic. It treats the characters like individuals rather than just halves of a couple.
How to actually find something good to watch
The Netflix algorithm is a double-edged sword. It’ll keep feeding you the same kind of stuff until you’re bored out of your mind. To find the real gems in the tv shows with romance on netflix category, you have to look past the "Trending Now" row.
- Look at the "Leads" first: A romance is only as good as the chemistry. If the leads don't have it, the writing can't save it. Look for shows where the actors actually seem to like (or intensely dislike) each other.
- Check the Creator: If you see names like Shonda Rhimes, Alice Oseman, or Mindy Kaling (Never Have I Ever), you’re usually in for a specific, high-quality perspective on love.
- Venture into Subtitles: Seriously. Don't let the "1-inch tall barrier" of subtitles stop you. The Cook of Castamar or Home for Christmas (from Norway) are incredible examples of romantic storytelling that feel fresh because they aren't bound by Hollywood tropes.
What people get wrong about Netflix romance
There’s this misconception that these shows are "guilty pleasures." That’s such a dated way of looking at it. Romance is a fundamental part of the human experience. Writing a good romantic arc is actually incredibly difficult—you have to make the audience care about two people’s internal feelings enough to sit through eight hours of footage.
It’s not just "chick flicks" anymore. The demographics for these shows are all over the place. Men watch Bridgerton. Older adults are obsessed with Heartstopper. It’s about connection. In a world where we’re all increasingly isolated behind screens, watching people find each other—no matter how messy it gets—is a form of digital therapy.
📖 Related: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
Practical steps for your next binge session
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choice paralysis that comes with the Netflix home screen, here’s how to curate your own "romance festival."
First, decide on your "emotional budget." Do you want to feel happy, or do you want to be destroyed? If you want to be happy, go for Heartstopper or Kim's Convenience (which has great romantic subplots). If you want to be destroyed, it’s One Day or From Scratch.
Second, pay attention to the "More Like This" section, but don't follow it blindly. If you liked Bridgerton, the algorithm might suggest The Crown. Those aren't the same. Instead, look for other period dramas with a focus on social standing and pining, like The Empress.
Finally, give a show at least two episodes. Most Netflix romances spend the first episode setting up the "meet-cute" or the conflict. The real chemistry usually doesn't start cooking until the second or third episode when the initial tropes start to wear off and the characters start to feel like people.
Start with the shows that challenge the tropes. Look for the ones that don't end with a wedding. Look for the ones where the characters have to apologize and change. That’s where the real magic is happening right now. The genre is evolving from "happily ever after" to "happily for now, as long as we keep working at it." And honestly? That’s way more interesting to watch anyway.
Go open your Netflix app, bypass the stuff you've already seen five times, and find a story that makes you feel a little bit uncomfortable. That’s usually where the best romance lives.