Romantic Movies in London (Perfect for Date Night!)
Think only the city of Paris provides a cinematic stage for a romance? I’ve got news for you. London has been the setting of plenty of romantic movies…and not all of them include Hugh Grant. Even if you exclude well-known favorites like Notting Hill, you will find charming contemporary romantic comedies set in London. I have chosen these five sleeper hit romantic movies set in London because they show the messy and relatable love lives of Londoners in the modern world. These five feel-good romantic movies for date night will convince you that London is romantic indeed.
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1. Sliding Doors (1998)
Sliding Doors features Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah as star-crossed lovers. Gwyneth’s character is a London girl who has to decide the next step in her life. Her life turns out very differently depending on if she manages to catch her train. The plot unfolds in parallel universes and asks the question “What if?” By the way, everyone said that Gwyneth’s English accent was flawless. Want to slide into this romantic movie? Watch Sliding Doors now!
2. Last Chance Harvey (2008)
In this romantic drama, Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson play characters who meet accidentally at Heathrow Airport. These two lonely older adults find it hard to connect with people. The awkward duo slowly begin to get to know one another and, eventually they fall in love. In one of my favorite scenes, the pair take a stroll along the Southbank, a perfect spot for blooming romance in London. Watch Last Chance Harvey now.
3. Man Up (2015)
In this romantic comedy, the main characters meet in a crossed messages situation on a London train. Simon Pegg and Lake Bell play the lead characters in this charming story. My favorite bit? The 40-year-old divorcee chooses the age-appropriate and emotionally vulnerable heroine instead of the relentlessly positive 23-year-old. Man up and watch this film now!
4. Run Fatboy Run (2007)
If Hugh Grant has carved out a role in romantic movies as the posh boyfriend, then Simon Pegg has been typecast as the hapless but sweet boyfriend. In a state of panic on his wedding day, main character Dennis ditches his pregnant fiancee (Thandie Newton) at the altar. Recovering from this trauma, Thandie’s character moves into a relationship with an arrogant financier who is also a marathon runner. To prove the extent of his dedication to his former fiancee, Dennis enters a marathon as well. Cue a series of mishaps and eventually we all get the ending we want. Run to Amazon and watch Run Fatboy Run.
5. London Boulevard (2010)
In this movie, Colin Farrell plays an ex-con who wants to go straight. He works security for a reclusive actress, Keira Knightly. When they fall in love, Colin’s character’s past comes back to haunt him. If you liked the American romantic movie, The Bodyguard (with Whitney Houston), then you’ll love the British London Boulevard.
These five feel-good romantic movies set in London resonate with people all around the world because they focus on a universal quest: the search for human connection and love. If you’re planning a trip to London, or just daydreaming about a visit, you’ll fall in love with the scenery as well as the storylines of these films.
Are there other romantic movies set in London that you love? Let us know in the comments below!
London never fails to give a great scenery. I have watched some of the movie from the list and planning to watch everything.
I hope you enjoy them!
Run Fatboy Run is such a funny movie. I will have to watch it this week. These are all great movies.
Thank you!
I haven’t seen most of these movies on the list, but looks like I would like them.
We have seen Sliding Doors and have really liked this movie.
Not all of them are the traditional romantic boy meets girl type. E.g., one of them involves an older couple who isolated from their families just the way life happens.
These are awesome suggestions! I haven’t watched some of these so these would be great for a movie date!
I hope you like them as much as I do!
I am sure that there are a ton of movies set in London that I love, but for the life of me I can only think of one, and it is not a romantic movie. That is London Has Fallen. I did like that movie a lot though.
That was fun! Gerard Butler is just so good at playing the bad boy who is looking for the love of a good woman to save him from himself.
This is a great list of movies to check out. Thanks for sharing.
I’m liking these ideas! We’re probably going to do a date night this weekend if we can’t tomorrow and a new movie to watch would be great.
I don’t think I have actually seen any of these movies! I love romantic movies, but we don’t watch them often.
Any movie with Colin Farrell is going to be at the top of my watch list. Although my dude may not be to thrilled 😉
He might like it actually! It’s a quite dark theme and he gets Keira Knightley.
I love a good Romantic Comedy. I haven’t seen any of these, but I’ll be searching for one of them to watch with hubs tomorrow for Valentine’s Day!
It’s been so long since I’ve seen Sliding Doors, I kind of forgot the plot. Definitely need to revisit that one.
It’s a great movie! Gwyneth before she even married the Brit Rockstar and moved to London for a time. She must’ve always had a thing for London I think.
I loved Knotting Hill. Anything with Julia Roberts but adding in the London spots… yup, a favorite.
My favourite with Julia Roberts is still Pretty Woman. I’ve seen it umpteen times.
I know its Valentines Day and I should know these amazing movies but I havn’t seen any of them so thankyou for giving me some great choices that I know my husband will hate but I’ll make him watch with me anyway.
Actually, only a couple are traditional schmaltzy. Run Fatboy Run is actually pretty funny in the Will Ferrel style and London Boulevard has gritty gangster undertones. He may not hate those two.
I was just telling my husband that I want to go to London. If we end up booking it, we will visit some of these for sure.
It’s great to get a feel for the city by watching it on film first I think!
These are all great picks. I don’t know what it is about British accents, but they always seem to make romance movies and romantic comedies better for me.
That’s true for any accent I feel, British, French etc.
I love the movie Man Up, It is a perfect watch for this valentine’s day.
so glad you like it too!