Let’s face it: Hollywood cinema can’t get enough of love stories featuring celebrity-level beauty and youthful romantic wonder. Movie-makers are constantly depicting tales of budding love, adolescent romance, and dreamy meet-cutes that focus particularly on younger generations. While there are far fewer films that chronicle the romantic relationships of older people, there are many fantastic examples of mature love on the silver screen. Some of film's finest stars have led these moving and refreshing movies, creating cinema classics in the process.
Updated, September 8, 2023: This list has been updated with even more great romances about finding love later in life.
Acting greats such as Jane Fonda and Diane Keaton—who are both featured on this list multiple times—have famously starred in movies focused on the older generation, with profound and meaningful results. Not to mention other greats like Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, and Meryl Streep. Whether it’s a empty-nester spreading her wings again or an aging womanizer finally discovering his age-appropriate soulmate, Hollywood has put out some outstanding movies about finding love in old age. Let’s take a closer look at some of these memorable flicks.
17 Senior Moment (2021)
Giorgio Serafina’s 2021 romantic dramedy Senior Moment centers on retired NASA test pilot Victor, who loses his driver’s license and is forced to take public transportation. Along the way, he meets environmentalist Caroline and romance blossoms between the two. Featuring the talent of William Shatner and Jean Smart as the charming leads and a dynamic supporting cast including Christopher Lloyd and Esai Morales, the film follows Victor as he grows both as a person and romantically, while courting the intriguing Caroline. Senior Moment reiterates the notion that it’s never too late to find love and that sometimes an old dog can learn new tricks.
16 Queen Bees (2021)
Queen Bees is a 2021 romantic comedy from director Michael Lembeck that features an ensemble cast of elder actors, including leads Ellen Burstyn and James Caan (in his final film role before his death in July 2022). Queen Bees features Burstyn as a woman named Helen, who reluctantly agrees to move into Pine Grove retirement community at her daughter’s behest. She soon finds herself enveloped by the Queen Bees — a group of residents akin to a high school clique. There she also meets a new resident named Dan, played by Caan, who she begins to have feelings for despite the loyalty to her late husband. The film also stars Loretta Devine, Jane Curtin, Ann-Margret Olsson, and Christopher Lloyd.
Critics gave Queen Bees mixed reviews and the film failed to break even at the box office, but that shouldn’t deter any viewers looking for a sweet and funny love story. Neil Minow of RogerEbert.com labeled Queen Bees the “Mean Golden Girls,” citing director Lembeck’s history working on sitcoms for its well-timed humor. The movie is certainly not a pillar of high brow cinema, but it’s successful at exactly what it claims to be: a lighthearted, easy-to-watch romcom—just aimed at an older demographic. And with the plethora of silly romantic movies made for 20-and 30-somethings, we have a long way to go before our elder cinema catches up.
15 Last Chance Harvey (2008)
Dustin Hoffman stars as an unsatisfied, aging jingle-writer who gets another shot at love in the 2008 romantic drama Last Chance Harvey, in which the Oscar-winner appears as the divorced Harvey Shine, who travels to London for his daughter's wedding after discovering he is being pushed out of his job for younger talent that further spirals him into a depression. After missing his important flight home to New York, Harvey meets British government worker Kate Walker (Emma Thompson), who also is unlucky in the love department and is tired of being set up on terrible blind dates by her concerned friends and family.
An unexpected and refreshingly tender bond swiftly forms between Harvey and Kate, as they help bring out the best in one another and instill a new vigor for life. Last Chance Harvey was a hit with both critics and audiences, with the compelling performances of Hoffman and Thompson earning Golden Globe nominations and widespread appreciation.
14 Book Club (2018)
Book Club is another romantic comedy from Bill Holderman in his directorial debut. The 2018 flick stars several powerhouse actresses, including Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen. The plot centers around this group of four women, who have been a part of the same book club for 40 years, as they begin reading the spicy novel series Fifty Shades of Grey. Each woman has a complicated romantic history and views the book as a wake-up call to search for more pleasure in their own lives and explore their current relationships. The film also stars actors Andy Garcia, Don Johnson, and Craig T. Nelson.
Book Club was a commercial success, only coming in after Deadpool 2 and Avengers: Infinity War at the box office during its opening weekend. A sequel entitled Book Club 2 — The Next Chapter was released in 2023, with all seven main actors reprising their respective roles.
13 Finding Your Feet (2017)
Imelda Staunton stars as an uptight and judgmental aristocrat who makes the shocking discovery her husband of 40 years is having an affair with her best friend in the 2017 British romantic comedy Finding Your Feet, following the devastated Sandra Abbott as she turns to her estranged, free-spirited sister Bif (Celia Imrie) for solace and finds her perspective on life and love completely altered by the experience.
When serial-dater Bif drags a reluctant Sandra to a community dance class, she begins to loosen up and learn to enjoy the simpler things and discovers a potential second chance at love with a kind-but-struggling man named Charlie (Timothy Spall). The pair develop a deep connection and bond over their respective relationship woes, and ultimately help bring out the best in one another despite their troubling circumstances.
12 Mamma Mia! (2008)
Legendary cinema great Meryl Streep headlines the 2008 jukebox rom-com musical Mamma Mia!, sharing the screen with Amanda Seyfried and portraying a successful hotelier who finds herself caught up in a major romantic conundrum after her bride-to-be daughter invites three of her past partners to the wedding in hopes of finding her father. Streep's character Donna is given the ultimate blast from the past as the three vastly different men arrive (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård) with their unresolved romantic feelings in tow, and Donna is forced with a major decision about what (and who) she wants in life.
11 Harold and Maude (1971)
Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon were the ultimate mismatched duo when they appeared as the eponymous characters in the 1971 romantic black dramedy Harold and Maude, which chronicles the unlikely romantic connection between the death-obsessed young man Harold Chasen and the eccentric 79-year-old Maude Chardin, as the free-spirited older woman teaches him about the joys and wonders life has to offer. The taboo relationship garners outrage from Harold's friends and family, but Harold remains steadfast in his love for the vivacious Maude and discovers new things about not only her but himself during their life transformative time together.
10 Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015)
Sally Field showcased her endearing charisma and overwhelming likability when she brilliantly portrayed the shy and quirky titular character in the 2015 coming-of-age romantic dramedy Hello, My Name Is Doris, focusing on the eccentric 60-something Doris as she attends a self-help seminar and finds herself attracted to her new young co-worker John (Max Greenfield) after the death of her mother. Doris spent all her time and energy caring for her ailing parent and completely neglected her own social life, and she sets out to make up for lost time by embracing her newfound freedom.
Doris experiences unrequited love with her much younger crush John, but the experience nonetheless opens up her heart for future romance and inspires her to pursue all that life has to offer. Hello, My Name Is Doris features a warm and wholesome performance by Field, with the Austin Chronicle declaring, "This wonderful, silly old fool doesn't need your pity, doesn't require your sympathy. Once she gets under your skin, you understand her completely. And you like her. You really like her."
9 I'll See You In My Dreams (2015)
I’ll See You In My Dreams is a dramatic comedy written and directed by Brett Haley. Blythe Danner plays an older music and dog-loving widow named Carol who is reluctantly dipping her toes back into the dating scene after suffering a great deal of loss in her life. She becomes close to a man named Bill, played by the notable western actor Sam Elliott, before their courtship is cut short by tragedy. Though not a traditional romantic movie, I’ll See You In My Dreams is an excellent exploration of searching for love and companionship in older ages and how it’s never too late to forge deep connections. The film also stars Martin Starr, Malin Akerman, June Squibb, Rhea Pearlman, and Mary Kay Place.
The movie originally premiered at Sundance Film Festival and was then picked up and distributed by Bleecker Street. Critics highly praised I’ll See You In My Dreams and Danner’s performance, specifically — in fact, she was nominated for both a Satellite Award and Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actress for her work. This movie is a heartwarming and thoughtful independent project that’s full of wisdom and a lovely cast of characters to spend 90 minutes with.
8 Letters to Juliet (2010)
Depicting the phenomenon of letter-writing to Shakespeare’s most famous romantic heroine, Letters to Juliet follows journalist Sophie as she abandons her fiancé on a pre-honeymoon in Italy in order to search for the elderly Claire’s long-lost love, Lorenzo. Starring Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero as the elder star-crossed lovers, the 2010 romantic dramedy uses Amanda Seyfried's Sophie to reunite the wistful once-couple in a touching and tender manner. Letters to Juliet is special in the fact that Claire and Lorenzo both fell in love and lost one another as young adults, lived their lives, and started families, before ultimately reuniting in old age in a magical way. Interestingly, leads Redgrave and Nero actually had a romance after meeting on the set of Camelot, which makes their pairing all the more sweet.
Redgrave and Seyfried were both praised for their performances, and renowned critic Robert Ebert was so tickled by the beautiful Italian vistas and charming characters that the somewhat predictable narrative didn't even bother him. In fact, it's the film's stereotypes themselves that make it such a satisfying watch. Letters to Juliet is a great pick for those looking for romance in both the older and younger generations, as this rom com appeals to all ages.
7 The Leisure Seeker (2017)
Reuniting Hollywood darlings Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland for the first time on screen since 1990s Bethune: The Making of a Hero, 2017’s The Leisure Seeker depicts a runaway couple who go on a once-in-a-lifetime journey in an old RV they lovingly call “The Leisure Seeker.” John and Ella Spencer embark on one final adventure together from Boston to the Florida Keys, as the couple prepares to face his Alzheimer’s and her cancer diagnosis. The emotionally driven romantic dramedy is a funny and poignant look at the realities of growing old and is propelled by the talent of its A-list leads. The concept of aging with dignity and the perseverance of love is truly touching.
The Leisure Seeker is director Paolo Virzí's first full English-language feature film and was based on a Michael Zadoorian novel of the same name. Mirren was also praised for her portrayal and received a Golden Globe nomination for the role.
6 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
The 2011 British dramedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel features a collection of older, admired, English talent, including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, and Penelope Wilton. The ensemble flick follows a group of pensioners who move to a seemingly luxurious retirement home in India, only to discover it’s a little less glamorous than advertised. As the retirees embrace their charming new home, love and romance inevitably blooms—toward the beautiful country of India and each other. Dench stars as Evelyn, a recently widowed housewife who finds herself growing fond of fellow housemate Douglas, portrayed by the brilliant Nighy.
The heartwarming movie is refreshing and charming, and was praised by Entertainment Weekly as a “lulling, happy-face story of retirement-age self-renewal, set in a shimmering, weltering, jewel-colored India." The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was based on a 2004 Deborah Moggach novel called These Foolish Things and was also adpated into a stage play in 2022. It was also nominated for a slew of awards, including Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a BAFTA. The movie was a roaring success at the box office following its international release and a sequel entitled The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was released in 2015.
5 Our Souls at Night (2017)
Hollywood legends Robert Redford and Jane Fonda star as a pair of widows who have lived next door to one another for years with seemingly no relationship; that all changes when a connection sparks between the two. Plagued by loneliness, Louis and Addie decide to start spending evenings together in an effort to combat their solitude and form a transactional relationship in the process. The playful and touching Netflix drama is a unique take on a romance flick and is a compelling character piece that is driven by the powerhouse performances of Redford and Fonda.
The bittersweet Our Souls at Night is the fourth collaboration between the acting greats, having previously appeared together in The Chase, Barefoot in the Park and The Electric Horseman. Talented stars Bruce Dern and Judy Greer also appear in the film. A Netflix original, Our Souls at Night first premiered at the Venice Film Festival before being released on the streaming site to favorable reviews.
4 It’s Complicated (2009)
The beloved and esteemed Meryl Streep stars as bakery owner and single mother Jane, who begins a secret affair with her ex-husband in the 2009 romantic comedy It’s Complicated. Featuring Alec Baldwin as the aforementioned ex-husband of ten years and notorious funnyman Steve Martin as the charming architect neighbor Jane also finds herself attracted to, the movie is emotionally sophisticated and dynamic film. The the Washington Post declared to be a “very grown-up—and very funny—love story [which] manages to be both light on its feet and heavy enough to deliver something of a message.”
The trio of gifted leads help make the flim a fun and engaging rom-com that showcases the power and appeal of romance and attraction no matter what life phase a person is in. Though a tale of courtship in middle age more than old age, It’s Complicated proves that love can happen at any moment in life. It's Complicated was directed by Nancy Meyers, who is also the talent behind popular movies The Parent Trap, What Women Want, Something's Gotta Give, and The Holiday. It's supporting cast also includes the likes of Lake Bell, Hunter Parrish, John Krasinski, and Rita Wilson.
3 Hampstead (2017)
The 2017 British drama Hampstead centers on an American widow who unexpectedly finds love with a man living wild on the Hampstead Heath. The movie is loosely based on the life of Harry Hallowes, a introverted squatter who successfully claimed ownership of a half-acre plot of the real Hampstead Heath 2007. The gifted Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson portray Emily Walters and Donald Horner, respectively, who cross paths in an unexpected “meet-cute." Two individuals from completely different backgrounds join together for a moving fight and end up stumbling into romance and, eventually, love. The feel-good film is endearing and sweet with a meaningful message and visually stunning cinematography.
2 Grumpier Old Men (1995)
Grumpier Old Men, the hilarious 1995 sequel to the comedy classic Grumpy Old Men, reunites longtime Hollywood icons Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau as 'frenemies' John and Max. In this comedic follow-up, the two men join forces to save their beloved bait shop from becoming an Italian restaurant. Their crusade is made complicated when Max begins to develop romantic feelings for the new female owner Maria, played by the great Sophia Loren. The delightful rom-com Grumpier Old Men utilizes its star power to create a film full of humor and pleasantry, as Lemon and Matthau’s chemistry shines once again—as does that latter’s budding on-screen romance with the lovely Loren.
1 Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
For the 2003 romantic comedy Something’s Gotta Give, Jack Nicholson stars as Harry Sandborn, a 63-year-old playboy with a penchant for women under the age of 30. To his surprise, he finds himself falling in love with the successful 50-something mother of his current younger girlfriend, portrayed by the dynamic Diane Keaton. Though both leads have younger romantic partners in the film (Keanu Reeves is delightful as Keaton’s smitten admirer), the picture at its core celebrates how perfect the starring leads are for one another and how people past the age of 50 can be just as sensual and romantic as anyone else. Something’s Gotta Give was a commercial and critical hit, proving that love stories focusing on an older generation can be just as lucrative and impactful as those depicting younger ones.
The movie was critically acclaimed and received many award nominations. Keaton, specifically, was highly praised for her work. She took home several awards for her work, including a Golden Globe, and was also nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress.