The British surely have a knack for making the sweetest romance movies of all time. From adaptations like ‘Pride and Prejudice’ to beloved rom-coms like ‘Notting Hill’, these have become staples for romance movie fans.
But here are 10 equally charming but underrated British romance movies that you probably didn’t know about.
10. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (2008)
Based on the 1938 novel of the same name, this rom-com revolves around Guinevere Pettigrew. Working as a London governess, she finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job.
After her agency refuses her any employment opportunities, Guinevere sneaks into a job and finds herself befriending the popular American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse. Miss Pettigrew’s life gets thrust into the glamorous social world of celebrities.
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9. The Girl in the Café (2005)
Lawrence, a reserved civil servant with a respected position in the British government, meets the much younger and enigmatic Gina in a café. He immediately falls for her and invites her on his business trip to the G-8 summit.
Little does he know, Gina is not one to hold her thoughts back and surprises him with her blunt political opinions. Now, Lawrence must balance his affection for her as well as the propriety of his position.
8. Mrs. Brown (1997)
‘Mrs. Brown’ is a British drama film that revolves around the recently widowed Queen Victoria, who is mourning the death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. She disappears from public and finds solace in her trusted servant, Mr. John Brown.
John Brown adores her and brings her back to living life. But the relationship also brings too much scandal and turmoil. Concerns also rise amongst the queen’s many advisors, who see him gaining authority as the queen’s favorite and feel their power threatened. The whole deal leads to a crisis of the monarchy itself.
7. I Capture The Castle (2003)
17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain and her eccentric family are trying to survive in their decaying, crumbling English castle when they meet their American landlord, Simon.
Cassandra’s sister Rose takes it up as a mission to woo and marry Simon and eventually succeeds. But events start to spin out of control, and the summer becomes Cassandra’s first experience of love, desire, and heartbreak.
6. Northanger Abbey (2007)
High-society drama meets gothic romance in this Jane Austen classic adaptation. Felicity Jones stars as the teenager Catherine, who is invited to Bath to accompany her friends and has the chance to find her true love.
Soon, her charming presence makes her the object of Henry Tilney’s affections. When she is asked to stay at Northanger Abbey, her youthful and naïve imagination takes over, and she begins to confuse real life with her favorite Gothic novels. This leads to some misunderstandings in matters of the heart.
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5. My Summer of Love (2004)
Emily Blunt makes her theatrical film debut in ‘My Summer of Love’, a tale of obsession and deception. It charts the relationship that blooms between two young women, who discover they can explore so much together.
In the Yorkshire countryside, working-class tomboy Mona meets the pampered Tamsin. Despite being complete opposites, they are brought together by mutual fascination. Tamsin vows that they must never part, but can Mona really trust her?
4. The Deep Blue Sea (2011)
Right before breaking into the blockbuster cinema, Tom Hiddleston and Rachel Weisz starred in this adaptation of ‘The Deep Blue Sea’, a 1952 play written by Terence Rattigan. Set in post-war London, Hester Collyer, a young wife of a respected judge, finds herself in a passionate affair with Freddie Page, a handsome but troubled former RAF pilot.
The movie follows her story through flashbacks to explain her current breaking point when she realizes the consequences of her decisions. Along with this, it takes into account the social constraints of 1950s Britain that shaped her life.
3. Bright Star (2009)
This biographical romantic drama covers the last three years of poet John Keats’s life and his relationship with Fanny Brawne. Set in the 19th century, English poet John Keats strikes up an unlikely connection with Miss Fanny Brawne, a dressmaker.
Despite society’s and the family’s disapproval, their relationship starts to grow. But what stands as the biggest obstacle is Keat’s struggling career, leaving him with no way of monetary security, and his many health issues that put a timer on his life.
2. Weekend (2011)
This beautifully written indie film takes up the relationship between Russen and Glen. After a drunken house party in Nottingham, Russel heads to a gay club where he meets Glen. What they thought was a one-night stand is turning into something very special.
But they only get to spend one weekend together as Glen plans to leave the country afterward. The weekend becomes everything for them as they try to live in the moment while also dealing with the long-term consequences.
1. Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990)
Nina is dealing with grief at the recent death of her boyfriend, Jamie. When she is on the verge of despair, Jamie appears in front of her as a “ghost.” The couple reunites and begins living together again. At first, it’s almost as good as it used to be.
But when intruded upon by his ghostly friends as well as Jamie’s growing odd behaviors, Nine finds herself unprepared for the situation. She faces the choice between holding onto the past and facing the future.
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