Still yearning after “Wuthering Heights”? Here are more films for the romantically unwell

Make a pot of Earl Grey, pull the blankets up and bring on the tears.

When you’re really down bad, nothing beats a good romantic flick. Not only will it distract you for 90 minutes, but there’s also something about watching characters face a similar emotional turmoil that makes you feel seen.

The subtle glances between secret lovers, the swelling music in a heated moment, the stunning settings and tense dialogues… film has a way of tugging on the heartstrings that no other form of media can match.

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So whether you’re heartbroken, lonely, lovelorn, or just having a bummer afternoon, MUBI – the streaming platform specialising in curated, original films – has a catalogue full of romantic favourites just waiting to lift your spirits.

And as another little pick-me-up, we’re offering 30 days of free films on MUBI using the code: fashionjournal. Happy streaming!

Priscilla (2023)

Elvis meets Priscilla in West Germany. He’s 24, fresh from military service; she’s 14, the daughter of an armyman. What follows is a relationship that takes Priscilla from girlhood to adulthood, where she moves into his Graceland mansion and takes on the role as the King of Rock and Roll’s queen – and all that entails. 

Directed by Sofia Coppola and executive produced by Priscilla Presley herself, this true story explores first love and the dynamics of celebrity. Cailee Spaeny took home a Best Actress Award for her work as Priscilla, and Jacob Elordi’s Elvis is shockingly good as well. 

Watch it here.

Breathless (1960)

A pioneering piece of French New Wave cinema, Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless explores our contradictory desires and the messes they can make. 

After impulsively killing a motorcycle cop, small-time criminal Michel seeks refuge with American student journalist Patricia. He wants her to run away with him to Italy; she’s not so sure. 

The true beauty of this film lies not only in the saccharine scenes of 1960s Paris but in the characters’ casual philosophical musings, their curious back-and-forths that feel suspended in time. It’s got enough action to drive the plot forward, while still feeling intimate and compelling. Plus, isn’t there something so hot about a broken nose?

Watch it here.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Set in 18th-century France, director Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire turns the male gaze on its head in this feminist tale of lesbian desire, aching romanticism and creative collaboration. Painter Marianne (Adèle Haenel) is secretly hired to paint young heiress, Héloïse (Noémie Merlant), before an arranged marriage.

As the two women spend time together, a forbidden love quietly ignites. Every frame is a painterly feast; the sweeping landscapes, candlelit interiors and sumptuous period costumes make this as much a visual romance as an emotional one.

Watch it here.

Damage (1992)

Louis Malle’s steamy erotic drama follows a British politician who becomes entangled with his son’s fiancée. Jeremy Irons delivers a quietly devastating performance, while Juliette Binoche smoulders as the object of forbidden desire.

Set against London’s austere elegance, with sharply tailored suits, polished interiors and a cold, calculating glamour, every encounter crackles with longing, obsession and inevitable consequences.

Watch it here.

For more heart-wrenching watches, browse MUBI.