In this list, we have brought together movies with the theme of forbidden love. In romance movies, the challenges that couples face are endless, but one of the most iconic obstacles is the story of forbidden love. Such narratives have been depicted countless times throughout the history of cinema. There is something uniquely heartbreaking and thrilling about two people who long to be together but are thwarted by circumstances beyond their control. This is why forbidden love movies are so compelling. We’ve curated a great list of forbidden love themed movies for you. Here are some forbidden love movie recommendations.
1.The English Patient
The English Patient, featured on our list of forbidden love themed movies, tells a poignant story of war, self, and love that spans from Italy to the deserts of Africa. Throughout the movie, viewers are presented with various forms of love. Adapted from Michael Ondaatje’s novel of the same name, the movie stars Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas, Willem Dafoe, and Colin Firth.
Information about The English Patient (1996):
- Director: Anthony Minghella
- Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth
- Release Year: 1996
- Duration: 162 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom, United States
- Genre: Drama, Romance, War
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (Rental)
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Similar Movies: Atonement (2007), The Reader (2008)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: The English Patient on IMDb
2.Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain tells the story of a cowboy and a rancher who, having grown up under very harsh conditions, cross paths on Brokeback Mountain. The two men, who meet while working on a ranch in this mountainous region, develop a deep bond over time and begin to spend more time together. As they spend time together daily, they start to experience sincere and genuine feelings for each other. This movie, which is one of the notable foreign movies about forbidden love, stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger.
Information about Brokeback Mountain (2005):
- Director: Ang Lee
- Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway, Randy Quaid
- Release Year: 2005
- Duration: 134 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Western
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (Rental), Hulu
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Similar Movies: Call Me by Your Name (2017), Moonlight (2016)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: Brokeback Mountain on IMDb
3.Romeo + Juliet
Romeo + Juliet brings the classic love story of Romeo and Juliet into the contemporary world. In this movie, Romeo and Juliet are children of two opposing families. Brought together by a tragic coincidence, the two young people quickly fall in love and attempt to escape the conflict between their families. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Romeo, and Claire Danes plays Juliet.
Information about Romeo + Juliet (1996):
- Director: Baz Luhrmann
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Harold Perrineau, Paul Rudd
- Release Year: 1996
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (Rental)
- IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
- Similar Movies: West Side Story (1961), The Great Gatsby (2013)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: Romeo + Juliet on IMDb
4.Pride & Prejudice
Adapted from Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice is set in Georgian England and follows the lives of five sisters. The family’s life takes a turn when a wealthy young man, Mr. Bingley, and his close friend, Mr. Darcy, arrive in their community. The girls’ mother, Mrs. Bennet, is eager for her daughters to marry Mr. Bingley, who is attracted to her daughter Jane. When Jane falls ill due to heavy rain, she cannot return home and stays at Mr. Bingley’s mansion.
Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy is impressed by Elizabeth, who comes to Jane’s aid. Although Elizabeth is intrigued by Darcy, she is initially more taken with Mr. Wickham. As the plot unfolds, Lydia becomes involved, and the concept of courage emerges. The sisters’ lives become unexpectedly complex at the intersection of love and pride. The cast of this movie, which is on our list of forbidden love-themed movies, includes Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Carey Mulligan, Rosamund Pike, and Simon Woods.
Information about Pride & Prejudice (2005):
- Director: Joe Wright
- Cast: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Rosamund Pike, Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench
- Release Year: 2005
- Duration: 129 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom, United States
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG
- Available Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (Rental)
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Similar Movies: Sense and Sensibility (1995), Atonement (2007)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: Pride & Prejudice on IMDb
5.Adore
Forbidden Love, which is featured on our list of forbidden love-themed movies, centers on two friends in their 40s who unexpectedly fall in love with each other’s sons. The movie stars Naomi Watts and Robin Wright.
Here’s the information about Adore (2013):
- Director: Anne Fontaine
- Cast: Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frecheville
- Release Year: 2013
- Duration: 112 minutes
- Country: Australia, France
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (Rental)
- IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
- Similar Movies: Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013), The Dreamers (2003)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: Adore on IMDb
6.Titanic
Set in an era of rapid technological advancement where people believed they could overcome any obstacle, Titanic is the most celebrated transatlantic ship of its time, famously declared unsinkable. Onboard, Jack Dawson, a young and poor painter returning to America from Europe, crosses paths with Rose DeWitt Bukater, a wealthy young woman traveling to Philadelphia with her fiancé and mother. Despite their stark class differences, the two forge a deep connection. The leading roles in this iconic movie are played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
Information about Titanic (1997):
- Director: James Cameron
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates
- Release Year: 1997
- Duration: 195 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (Rental)
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Similar Movies: The Notebook (2004), Atonement (2007)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: Titanic on IMDb
7.Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Set in late 18th century Britain, the movie follows Marianne, a painter who lives on an island. She is commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of Heloise, who has just left the convent. To keep the task a secret, Marianne observes Heloise during the day and paints her portrait at night. Heloise, who is reluctant to marry, spends her free time with Marianne. As they grow closer, their bond deepens. The leading roles are portrayed by Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant.
Information about Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019):
- Director: Céline Sciamma
- Cast: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami, Valeria Golino
- Release Year: 2019
- Duration: 122 minutes
- Country: France
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: French
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (Rental)
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Similar Movies: Call Me by Your Name (2017), Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: Portrait of a Lady on Fire on IMDb
8.A Royal Affair
Princess Caroline of England marries the mentally ill King of Denmark. Upon discovering the king’s condition, Caroline is deeply disappointed. The town doctor, who is responsible for the king’s treatment, becomes the focus of Caroline’s affections. Their forbidden love sets the stage for a revolutionary change. The movie stars Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, and Trine Dyrholm.
Information about A Royal Affair (2012):
- Director: Nikolaj Arcel
- Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Alicia Vikander, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Benjamin Walker
- Release Year: 2012
- Duration: 137 minutes
- Country: Denmark, Sweden
- Genre: Biography, Drama, History
- Language: Danish
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (Rental)
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Similar Movies: The Favourite (2018), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: A Royal Affair on IMDb
9.Carol
Carol, set in 1950s New York, tells the story of a forbidden love affair between two department store clerks, Carol Aird and Therese Belivet. In an era when homosexuality was illegal and infidelity, especially by women, was a strict taboo, their relationship defies societal norms. The movie stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.
Information about Carol (2015):
- Director: Todd Haynes
- Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, Sarah Paulson
- Release Year: 2015
- Duration: 118 minutes
- Country: United States, United Kingdom
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube (Rental)
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Similar Movies: The Handmaiden (2016), Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: Carol on IMDb
10.Bihter
Bihter, one of the local movies about forbidden love, is adapted from Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil’s unforgettable work, “Aşk-ı Memnu”. The movie explores the story of Bihter and her experience of forbidden love. The cast includes Farah Zeynep Abdullah, Boran Kuzum, Osman Sonant, Helin Kandemir, and Hande Ataizi.
Here’s the information about Bihter (2023):
- Director: Hilal Saral
- Cast: Beren Saat, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Hazal Kaya, Salih Bademci
- Release Year: 2023
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Country: Turkey
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: Turkish
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: BluTV -Amazon Prime
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Similar Movies: Aşk-ı Memnu (2008), Gülbeyaz (2002)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: Bihter on IMDb
11.The Bridges of Madison County
Robert, a photographer, travels to Madison County to capture photos of a bridge. There, he meets Francesca, a married woman with children, and falls deeply in love with her. While her husband and children are away, Francesca spends time with Robert. However, she soon finds herself in a difficult position when Robert proposes that they leave town together. Torn between her family and the man she loves, Francesca faces a significant dilemma. The movie, which is on our list of forbidden love themed movies, stars Oscar-winning actors Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.
Information about The Bridges of Madison County (1995):
- Director: Clint Eastwood
- Cast: Meryl Streep, Clint Eastwood, Annie Corley, Victor Slezak
- Release Year: 1995
- Duration: 135 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Similar Movies: The Notebook (2004), A Walk to Remember (2002)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: The Bridges of Madison County on IMDb
12.3-Iron
Tae-suk, a solitary man who travels constantly on his motorcycle, finds solace in entering empty houses he encounters along his journey. He takes refuge in these vacant homes, repairing broken appliances and creating a semblance of a new life for himself. However, his routine takes a turn when he discovers that he is not alone in one of the empty houses he enters. The movie, which explores themes of forbidden love, stars Jae Hee and Lee Seung-yeon in the leading roles.
Information about 3-Iron (2004):
- Director: Kim Ki-duk
- Cast: Lee Seung-yeon, Jae Hee, Kim Ki-duk
- Release Year: 2004
- Duration: 88 minutes
- Country: South Korea
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Language: Korean
- Age Rating: NR (Not Rated)
- Available Platforms: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Similar Movies: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring (2003), The Taste of Tea (2004)
- Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
- IMDb Link: 3-Iron on IMDb
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