10 Romance Films with Heartbreaking Endings Prove Love Doesn't Always Win

These movies with heartbreaking endings remind us love doesn't always come up roses.

1. Blue Valentine (2010)

Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams)'s romance starts with so much promise. Dean is a charming high school dropout, while Cindy is an aspiring doctor. A surprise pregnancy speeds up their relationship, and they decide to raise the child together. Fast-forward a few years, and they're stuck in a loveless marriage. Dean's charm has worn off, Cindy's dreams are on hold, and their life is a series of fights and disconnection. They attempt a romantic getaway to rekindle their love, but let's just say it doesn't end well.

2. 500 Days of Summer (2009)

Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, but here's the catch: the girl doesn't believe in love. Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a hopeless romantic, and Summer (Zooey Deschanel) is, well, not. They meet at work, and Tom is immediately smitten. Summer makes it clear she's not looking for anything serious, but Tom's convinced he can change her mind. Cue the wild mix of emotions as they date, break up, and run into each other again. Just when you think they might end up together, well... they don't.

3. A Walk to Remember (2002)

Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, this film features Landon (Shane West), the typical high school bad boy, and Jamie (Mandy Moore), the sweet, religious girl. A punishment for a school prank gone wrong lands Landon in various community service activities, where he's forced to interact with Jamie. Slowly but surely, Landon starts to fall for her. But Jamie holds a secret, one that she fears will change everything. Prepare yourself for a gut-wrenching ending; I'm not gonna spoil it, but you'll need that tissue box.

4. La La Land (2016)

We follow Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a jazz musician with dreams of opening his own club. Their love story starts with a traffic jam and blossoms through a series of chance encounters and dazzling musical numbers. As they struggle to make their dreams come true, their love becomes the collateral damage. The chemistry is palpable, the soundtrack's incredible, and the box office gross was a whopping $472 million. But prepare yourself; the ending is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful.

5. The Notebook (2004)

Another Nicholas Sparks adaptation that'll rip your heart out. Here we meet young Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) who fall passionately in love one summer. But social class stands in their way; Allie comes from a wealthy family while Noah is a local mill worker. Despite building a house as a symbol of their love and writing 365 letters to Allie, fate has other plans. Years pass, other relationships form, and it seems like the universe is against them.

6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Would you erase the memories of a failed relationship if you could? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind explores this haunting concept. Joel (Jim Carrey) is heartbroken when he learns his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memories of him erased. In a fit of despair, he undergoes the same procedure. As the memories start to fade away, Joel realizes he doesn't want to forget Clementine. A mad dash through the recesses of his own mind ensues, but can you really fight erasure?

7. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Based on John Green's bestselling novel, the story follows Hazel (Shailene Woodley), a teenager with thyroid cancer, and Gus (Ansel Elgort), a cancer survivor she meets in a support group. The duo forms an immediate connection, bonding over books and existential discussions. They even take a trip to Amsterdam to meet Hazel's favorite author. Just when you think their love might conquer all, well, the universe has other plans.

8. Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Set in the Italian countryside in the '80s, this film tells the story of Elio (Timothée Chalamet), a 17-year-old spending the summer with his family. Along comes Oliver (Armie Hammer), a graduate student interning with Elio's father. Sparks don't fly immediately; in fact, Elio finds Oliver annoying at first. However, as they spend more time together, a romantic relationship develops. It's a summer of stolen glances, secret rendezvous, and peachy moments. Unfortunately, as with all summer flings, the season has to come to an end. And what an end it is.

9. Before Sunrise (1995)

Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) meet on a train to Vienna. Realizing they have a unique connection, Jesse convinces Céline to spend the day with him before his flight back to the States. What follows is a night of deep conversation, laughter, and the kind of chemistry you can't fake. They explore the city, share intimate thoughts, and slowly fall for each other. As dawn breaks, they must decide what comes next. Should they promise to meet again or part ways forever?

10. Revolutionary Road (2008)

Welcome to the world of Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet). They're a seemingly perfect couple living in a Connecticut suburb, but both are dissatisfied with their lives. April suggests they move to Paris to start anew, injecting a ray of hope into their dull existence. However, social expectations and personal flaws begin to crush their dreams.