25 of the most swoon-worthy romance movies of all time
By Amy Kaplan
Sleepless in Seattle
Speaking of An Affair to Remember … the next movie on our list is a modern day take of the romance classic. Though Sleepless in Seattle was released more than 20 years ago, it still holds as one of the best romance movies of our time. The film’s staying power is a testament to its incredible script, timeless soundtrack and the intense connection you feel between its stars — Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. It packed full of iconic scenes, like Rita Wilson crying at the dinner table (while explaining the plot of An Affair to Remember) or when Ryan nearly gets run over when she sees Hanks in person for the first time and, of course, the most iconic of all — Ryan and Hanks finally meeting atop the Empire State building a la An Affair to Remember. In order to truly appreciate either of these two movies, you really need to see the other.
The movie tells the story of Sam Baldwin (Hanks) who has just lost his wife, moves with his young son to Seattle for a new life. One night his son calls a radio talk show and asks for help in finding a new mom. Meanwhile halfway across the United States Annie (Ryan) hears the call and can’t get Sam off her mind. Sam’s son Jonah is desperate for Annie and his dad to meet (after Jonah picks her letter out of thousands of women who heard the radio show) but Sam is skeptical and brushes the idea off. After a series of events that continue to draw the pair together, Jonah takes a huge leap to trick them both into meeting at the Empire State Building, but can he pull it off? Will his father find love again?
Fun Fact: The movie just celebrated its 25th anniversary with a never before seen deleted scene.
Release date: June 25, 1993