10 Best Romantic Movies of the 1960s

10. How to Steal a Million (1966)

Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole star in this charming caper romance. The daughter of a museum owner recruits a smooth thief to help with a heist. William Wyler's film sparkles with elegant Paris settings, clever humor, and irresistible chemistry. It is pure escapist romantic fun.

9. The Sound of Music (1965)

Julie Andrews shines as Maria, the governess who falls for Captain von Trapp played by Christopher Plummer. She brings music and happiness to his family in Austria before World War Two. This beloved musical masterpiece mixes family warmth, beautiful Alps scenery, and an uplifting love story.

8. Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Franco Zeffirelli's bright and youthful adaptation stars Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey as Shakespeare's doomed lovers. The Italian locations are beautiful, the period detail is authentic, and the raw teenage passion makes this the definitive screen version. It is romantic, tragic, and visually poetic.

7. My Fair Lady (1964)

Audrey Hepburn transforms from a cockney flower girl into a proper lady under the guidance of Rex Harrison's professor in this lavish musical. George Cukor's elegant production is full of wit, romance, and classic songs like 'I Could Have Danced All Night'. It is a charming Pygmalion story about love and class transformation.

6. West Side Story (1961)

This Oscar winning adaptation of the Broadway musical reimagines Romeo and Juliet among rival New York street gangs. Leonard Bernstein's score, the vibrant choreography, and the star crossed lovers played by Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer create an explosive and tragic romance full of passion, prejudice, and unforgettable songs like 'Tonight.'

5. Charade (1963)

Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant have great chemistry in this stylish romantic thriller. A widow played by Hepburn teams up with a charming stranger played by Grant in the middle of espionage and murder in Paris. The witty dialogue, suspenseful turns, and glamorous adventure make it a delightful mix of romance, mystery, and comedy.

4. The Graduate (1967)

Dustin Hoffman plays Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate who is confused about his future and has an affair with Mrs. Robinson, only to fall in love with her daughter Elaine. Mike Nichols' groundbreaking movie mixes sharp satire, a great Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack, and an awkward coming of age romance. It redefined 1960s youth culture, and its ending is one that people still talk about.

3. Doctor Zhivago (1965)

David Lean's epic follows poet doctor Yuri Zhivago, played by Omar Sharif, and Lara, played by Julie Christie, in a sweeping and tragic romance set during the Russian Revolution. The cinematography is stunning, Maurice Jarre's score soars, and the performances are full of passion. It is a timeless story of love, loss, and the chaos of history. It is grand, emotional, and beautiful to look at.

2. The Apartment (1960)

Billy Wilder's masterpiece stars Jack Lemmon as a lonely executive who lets his boss use his apartment for affairs, and Shirley MacLaine as the elevator operator he falls for. This witty and cynical but tender comedy drama takes a sharp look at corporate ambition while still giving us real romance and emotion. It won five Oscars including Best Picture, thanks to its smart script and heartfelt acting.

1. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Audrey Hepburn is wonderful as the charming but fragile Holly Golightly in this classic romantic comedy. She is a free spirited New York socialite who forms a close bond with her neighbor, a struggling writer played by George Peppard. The movie mixes whimsical charm, elegant style, and a moving look at loneliness and the need to belong. Henry Mancini's Moon River makes it all unforgettable. It captures the sweet and sad feeling of finding real love among all the illusions.