The Greatest Romance Movies of the 1970s, Ranked

10. Same Time, Next Year (1978)

Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn are both excellent in this tender story about two married people who meet once a year for an affair that stretches over decades. It is witty and heartfelt, and it takes a beautiful look at love, commitment, growth, and the way time passes. There is a lot of emotional depth and a good amount of humor.

9. Last Tango in Paris (1972)

Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider star in this raw and intense film about anonymous passion and emotional isolation. Bernardo Bertolucci's provocative drama pushes boundaries when it comes to sex and grief. It gives a powerful and unflinching look at intimacy that caused a lot of controversy and changed how romance was shown in cinema.

8. Days of Heaven (1978)

Terrence Malick's visually stunning film is about love, betrayal, and class in early 20th century Texas. The beautiful cinematography turns a tragic love triangle into something poetic. It explores desire and the consequences of our choices with a quiet intensity and a natural beauty that stays with you long after the movie ends.

7. The Goodbye Girl (1977)

Neil Simon's charming romantic comedy stars Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason as two people who become roommates against their will and slowly fall for each other. The witty banter, the real warmth, and the authentic growth of the characters make it a delightful feel good story about second chances and finding love where you least expect it.

6. Grease (1978)

John Travolta and Olivia Newton John light up the screen in this energetic musical about summer love that turns into high school drama. The songs are catchy, the choreography is fun, and the 1950s vibe is full of nostalgia. It gives you pure romantic escapism with humor and charm, and those unforgettable moments really defined a generation.

5. Manhattan (1979)

Woody Allen's visually striking black and white film is an ode to New York and captures all the complications of love, age differences, and intellectual romance. The beautiful cinematography and sharp writing highlight the bittersweet beauty and messiness of relationships. It is a sophisticated and romantic love letter to both the city and human imperfection.

4. Harold and Maude (1971)

This quirky and life affirming black comedy is about a young man who is obsessed with death and finds unexpected love and energy with a lively 79 year old woman. Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort have great odd couple chemistry, the Cat Stevens soundtrack fits perfectly, and the rebellious spirit of the movie celebrates living life to the fullest and ignoring society's rules. It is a cult favorite.

3. Love Story (1970)

This tear jerking classic is about privileged Oliver and working class Jenny, whose fast moving romance is destroyed by tragedy. Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw give sincere performances, and the famous line "love means never having to say you're sorry" made it a huge hit. It defined the romantic melodrama of the 1970s.

2. The Way We Were (1973)

Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford have electric chemistry as two people who disagree on everything but fall deeply in love during a time of political chaos. This drama looks at passion, compromise, and the pain of growing apart, and it is lifted by its famous theme song and heartfelt performances. It is still one of the most moving love stories in movies.

1. Annie Hall (1977)

Woody Allen's groundbreaking romantic comedy changed the genre with its witty and neurotic look at modern love. Alvy Singer's anxious relationship with the free spirited Annie, played by Diane Keaton, captures the joy, the misunderstandings, and the heartbreak of real romance. The storytelling is inventive, the dialogue is sharp, and it has deep things to say about human connection. It is a timeless masterpiece.