Whether the primary focus or spread out throughout trilogies in crumbs, since the start of filmmaking, romance has always had a place in every sub-genre. Interestingly, there has always been a surprisingly larger focus on it in sci-fi films and TV shows, breaking ground in franchises like Star Wars or even underrated TV series like The Expanse. Whether the couple begins in a slow burn workplace relationship or their love becomes the one thing that saves the day, it's always fun and refreshing when there's a romance to root for, along with the idea of saving the world from bad guys.
From films like The Empire Strikes Back to the latest Apple TV+ gem, The Gorge, here are the 10 best sci-fi movies romance fans will love, along with where to stream them on platforms like Disney+, HBO Max, and more.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
As a franchise, Star Wars is brimming with romantic relationships, both canon and not, that have made a tremendous impact in pop culture, including the literary publishing world. But the best of all relationships will always boil down to the ones who started it all—Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa. While the princess and scoundrel officially meet in A New Hope, it isn't until the trilogy's second film that the tension between them blooms into something bigger, resulting in one of the best first kisses in any sci-fi film, as well as the most iconic love declaration in history: "I love you"/"I know." Swoon.
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix films are inarguably a cornerstone of sci-fi filmmaking, delivering some of the most thrilling and unique blend of world-building that set a standard for how to tell universally human stories. And all throughout the films, the tension between Keanu Reeves' Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss' Trinity serves as a blueprint for how to carefully weave a romantic relationship into a film's central theme to emphasize the importance of partnership as a saving thread when all else fails. From the first film that sets the stage to the latest, The Matrix Resurrections, the romance between Neo and Trinity never fails to supply emotional beats.
The Gorge (2025)
Apple TV+'s latest feature, The Gorge, is a surprising gem that gorgeously captures a budding romance between two snipers in forced proximity sent to guard a gorge. As a true romance with multiple character-building beats that deliver small, but monumental ways in which two people fall in love, The Gorge is a rarity in the genre, where romance is generally a secondary plot. Here, it mostly takes precedence, allowing the film's plot to develop in a way that adds to their relationship. With stunning and picturesque cinematography that serves as an intriguing backdrop to a world of mutating plants and animals, The Gorge is an underrated must-watch.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Come to Jurassic Park for the genetically engineered dinosaurs and stay for the swoonworthy relationship between Laura Dern's Ellie Sattler and Sam Neill's Alan Grant. The subtle romance that develops between them and later turns into a second chance romance in Jurassic World Dominion is no small feat. In more ways than one, their relationship is the beating heart of Jurassic Park, as Alan quite literally does all that he does because it's what Ellie would want. With an intriguing partnership right from the start and thrilling chemistry, their relationship is one that most romance fans will undoubtedly gobble up.
The X-Files Movie (1998)
Whether you watch The X-Files or not, everyone knows the names Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. And everyone is also aware of the compelling chemistry between the two that's kept viewers locked to their screens for both the TV show and movies. In the 1998 The X-Files movie, a single confession between Scully and Mulder makes it clear that the partnership between them transcends even space and time. Full of longing, tension, and unapologetic honesty, Mulder makes it clear that Scully's the most important person in his life, adding romance to a film that's already excellent.
Superman (2025)
Most superhero films in the Marvel and DC universes come equipped with romance as a secondary plot, yet there's something indescribable about how James Gunn's Superman delivers the romance between Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Soft, endearing, and brimming with chemistry, this one's the one to beat. While most portrayals of the two of them in various adaptations are extraordinary, the kisses they share throughout this particular film are among the best in the genre. In addition, the honest and heartfelt conversations they have, topped with the precious banter, gorgeously fortify them as a couple in a film with limited screen time.
Stardust (2007)
Before he was stealing hearts as Matt Murdoch, Charlie Cox was the boy of everyone's dreams in Stardust. A significantly stronger adaptation than the source material it's based on, Cox and Claire Danes are a match made in heaven. As a unique blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure, the forbidden bond between Tristan and Yvaine is the film's primary focus, allowing their fight for one another to shine throughout the film as they do everything in their power to find the happy ending written in the stars for them. Sweet, surprisingly funny, and a tale that still holds up, it's a must-watch for romance fans.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
Tom Hiddleston as a vampire, need we say more? Only Lovers Left Alive is a stunning and layered love story about vampires, pulsing with extraordinary chemistry between Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. Unconventional in more ways than one, as far as the mythical creatures are concerned, the film's emphasis on their love above all things is where it stands out. Gorgeously written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, the enthralling plot and love story are reasons enough to appreciate every beat of the film.
Spring (2014)
As an underrated film, Spring isn't one that's on everybody's radar, but it's a quintessential sci-fi romance with shapeshifting and monster relationships to showcase the power of love. It's dark, gritty, and not for the faint of heart, with questionable motivations driven by understandable selfishness, but it carefully explores tough topics with nuance and care. With a relatively intriguing ending, there's no debating the happy ending that's possible between Evan and Louise after everything they go through to reach it in the film.
Dune: Part Two (2023)
Although romance is not a primary focus in Dune: Part Two, like the Star Wars trilogy and other sci-fi properties that have come before it, the romance still shines. Here, it’s largely due to the fact that an actress like Zendaya has chemistry with everyone, but a single scene in the franchise’s second film is full of such longing, that the shot alone is something romance fans would appreciate tremendously. Both Dune films thus far are great in general, so the added relationship between Paul and Chani is a bonus.
Where To Watch Best Sci-Fi Movies For Romance Fans Online
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