They say true love always wins. But first, it has to endure all the hardships and pain that come with it. RomanceLiterature as a genre is universal for good reason. Who doesn’t love a good story that leaves us in a whirlwind of emotions? From Jane Austen’s classics to the endless stream of Hollywood originals, there’s something about the genre that will satisfy all of our taste buds.
Television, in particular, has proven to be the perfect medium to explore romance in all its messy glory. Drama He loves Bridgerton and virgin river Studies have shown that the combination of stunning visuals and emotionally gripping plots results in a love story worth watching. However, as tempting as it may be to lose yourself in a rich and detailed love story, real life has a habit of getting in the way of our lives and leaving little time to enjoy our favorite shows.
Well, for those moments when you crave for a romantic meal but have limited time, you can turn to any of these short romantic series on this list. From historical stories like Jane Eyre To contemporary gay romances like I feel happyEach of these shows is short enough to watch in one day.
10 Jane Eyre (2006)
Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel has been adapted numerous times for film and television. Jane EyreHowever, this novel is distinguished by its style and storytelling. In it, Jane Eyre, a lonely orphan, finds work as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There she meets her employer, Edward Rochester, a gloomy man dealing with his own demons. As Jane and Mr. Rochester grow closer, secrets from their past threaten to destroy their love before it can blossom.
Forever known as the great romantic tragedy.
Retelling a classic horror story is no easy task, but Jane Eyre The film does this beautifully. Sally Hawkins and Toby Stephens embody Jane and Mr. Rochester with raw intensity. Their tender moments of intimacy and eager glances from across the room amplify every scene. Director Susanna White strips the source material to its essence, focusing on the atmosphere of mystery, emotional layers, and timeless visuals.
9 From Scratch (2022)
Moving on from the painful stuff to a more profound but equally beautiful series, we have: From scratchA romantic miniseries that follows the real-life love story between Saroo and Tembi Luke. The latter co-created the show with her sister Attica. Zoe Saldana plays Amy, a young woman who goes against her parents' wishes to let her take a break from law school and spend the summer exploring art in Florence, Italy. There she meets Bellino, an Italian chef, who changes her life forever.
It resonates emotionally with a stunning aesthetic to match.
The question that From scratch The question is—how long can love survive the harsh realities of life it was never meant to endure? Based on Luke’s own memoir, this underrated Netflix series is both a sweeping love story and a harsh reality. Saldana is as radiant as ever as a woman determined to love herself to the fullest. Eugenio Mastrandrea matches her charm.
But as in all love stories, they have to face some tragedies and let themselves suffer. In general, From scratch He is real and reassuring in his romanticism.
8 Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
Bridgerton This success led Netflix to explore the life of one of its characters before the events of the series through a prequel spinoff. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Set in the 1760s, the film follows the young Queen Charlotte as she makes her way to fame and marriage to King George III. Although life at court is far from what she expected, the Queen's wit helps her navigate her way and find common ground with George and his mental illness.
An original story, luxurious and generous.
Written and directed by Shonda Rhimes, this miniseries expands on the rich world of Bridgerton With thoughtful and thoughtful insight, it offers interesting perspectives on love, marriage, and feminine power.
Charlotte’s journey critiques the limited expectations placed on women. At the same time, it explores the freedom that Charlotte’s lady-in-waiting, Lady Danbury, eventually gains. India Ria Amartifio and Cory Milchrest bring a majestic yet deeply human layer of chemistry to their characters and tap into the longing we all feel for love. As an added bonus, the historical drama also features a delightfully quirky love story.
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7 Travel Companions (2023)
There is something so enchanting about period tales that you simply cannot look away from them. Add to the story an element of forbidden romance and you have Travel companionsSet in post-World War II Washington, D.C. in the 1950s, the film follows Hawkins Fuller, a World War II veteran and State Department official, who takes under his wing a newly promoted employee, Timothy Laughlin. As the two navigate their growing romance amidst a dangerous political landscape and Cold War secrets, the threat of exposure looms.
Love that transcends the cold war
It seems unusual to hear a love story set in the McCarthy era of the 1950s, but with Ron Nyswaner's expert writing and direction by several directors including Daniel Minahan, Uta Brezowitz, and others, Travel companions Become an exceptional series.
At the heart of the story is a powerfully intimate relationship between Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey, their admiring glances speaking loudly of love before its time. The classic atmosphere coupled with political friction serves as a wonderful backdrop for reflecting on how far we’ve come.
6 Scenes from a wedding (2021)
A delicious yet devastating drama from the mind of Hagai Levy, Scenes from a wedding A remake of the Swedish miniseries of the same name by director Ingmar Bergman, the film tells the story of Jonathan and Myra, a modern couple who everyone thinks are perfect. But behind closed doors, they struggle with the complexities of a marriage strained to its limits.
They exchange insults and tears across the kitchen table, revealing all their feelings and wondering when exactly their deep, loving connection turned to hatred.
It's not easy to watch, but it's worth every minute.
Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain are a sight to behold, their every twitch a heartbeat. Levy takes care to span the episodes over years to capture the thought and comfort needed to dissect a relationship that was once so honest. The scenes are also very accurate in their portrayal of the harsh realities of marriage and the incompleteness of two people.
Scenes from a wedding This film captures the calm before the storm, the storm itself, and how two people deal with it in an honest, unflinching way.
5 Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Before Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen wowed us with their sultry romance in Joe Wright’s directorial debut, Jane Austen’s beloved novel was adapted into a six-part British television drama. In 1813 England, Mrs. Bennet can’t wait to marry off her daughters to eligible men. When wealthy bachelor Mr. Darcy enters their lives, he and Elizabeth are at odds. Will their pride allow them to temper their prejudices?
An adaptation that would make Austin proud.
More than just a tale of manners and budding romance, this delightful BBC adaptation brings Austen’s biting social commentary and sardonic satire to life. Simon Langton stays true to the source material, and under his quick glances, the story of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is as fresh as it was on the first reading of the novel. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth play the lead roles. Ehle is perfect as the headstrong, lovable Lizzie caught between her heart and her stubborn ways, while Firth is enigmatic as a man learning to humble himself. Even 25 years later, Pride and Prejudice The film remains a must-see for fans of the genre.
4 Feel Happy (2020 – 2021)
in I feel happyMae Martin plays a comedian trying to navigate love and recovery in contemporary Manchester. After meeting George, a reserved middle-class Englishwoman, Mae falls in love and they begin dating. However, their pasts of addiction and George's reluctance to tell her friends and family make their relationship complicated.
Paints an intimate picture through a few episodes.
Created in collaboration between Mae Martin and Joe Hampson, I feel happy It is a semi-autobiographical drama. It is told with the raw courage and gentle humor that is Martin’s trademark. Each episode gently delves into themes of sex, identity, addiction and recovery in a way that we rarely see on screen. Charlotte Ritchie accompanies Martin by playing their friend, both of whom are complex and messy, but relatable and sympathetic. I feel happy It's a good movie for the most part, but it also has a lot of emotion.
3 One Day (2024)
You've seen the movie before, and if you're a hopeless romantic, you probably didn't like the ending either. One day The series revisits the beloved tale of two doomed lovers, Emma and Dexter. The series spans decades of their lives, from their sweet encounter on graduation day in 1988, to their close friendship as they support each other through every important stage – first jobs, relationships, travel, heartaches – and finally, to their confession of their feelings and plans for a life together. Until their “one day” takes a wrong turn.
A love story that spanned generations and still stands strong.
Told every year on July 15, this simple and touching romance is a beautifully depressing story that allows two lovable characters (and their relationship) to develop believably over time. Through laughter and tears, silly jokes and dark nights, Emma and Dexter find a way to become the people they were meant to be. Ambika Mudd and Leo Woodall bring David Nicholls’ novel to life, making the series a perfect watch for anyone who longs for youth.
2 Ordinary People (2020)
Adapted from the 2018 novel of the same name by Sally Rooney, ordinary people The series follows the ups and downs of love between Connell and Marianne, two Irish teenagers from different social backgrounds. From their final days in high school through their college years and beyond, the series explores their complex and intertwined relationship.
A romantic story with heartbreaking depth.
Connell and Marianne are two deeply unhappy people; one struggles to understand his desires and goals, the other seeks validation through romantic relationships and has difficulty seeing himself as significant. Together, they are doomed to failure.
However, under the direction of Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie MacDonald, with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal at the helm, they emerge as lovers learning to love each other and themselves. Daisy and Paul give startlingly realistic performances, adding depth and tenderness to the subtle gestures and mundane activities. Overall, ordinary people It is a touching mini-series.
1 Heartstopper (2022–present)
It has been a modest success on Netflix since its release, break hearts It is a coming-of-age series that primarily revolves around Charlie Spring, an openly gay teenager who develops feelings for his classmate, Nick Nelson. Nick is a rugby player who is still navigating his sexual orientation. As Charlie and Nick form a sweet friendship, they learn more about each other and their relationship eventually blossoms into young love.
A healthy embrace of gay love stories
Adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by Alice Osman, break hearts The show portrays gay youth with extraordinary grace. The live-action version is full of beauty, sweet moments, and wonderful character interactions. In particular, Charlie and Nick’s transition from friends to best friends is wonderful. Joe Locke and Kate Connor lead an outstanding ensemble that includes William Gao, Jasmine Feeney, Toby Donovan, Corinna Brown, and Kizzy Edgell. The show is as much about the main couple as it is about their friends, but at the bottom line, love is love.
