38 inspiring & realistic marriage movies for couples

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Whether you want to be inspired by a romantic love story, feel more connected to your partner, or better understand your own marriage problems, there’s something in this list of marriage movies for everyone. Be warned – spoilers ahead!

Inspiring marriage movies

1. The Family Man (2000)

Directed by Brett Ratner.
Starring Nicolas Cage, Tea Leon.

Jack Campbell is a wealthy Wall Street bachelor who is shown what his life could have been like if he had made a different decision earlier in his life. After a chance encounter with a mysterious woman, he wakes up the next morning to find that he has been transformed into a middle-class suburban dad. Jack’s decision to marry his college sweetheart instead of pursuing a career in finance ultimately leads to a happy and fulfilling life, despite the challenges that come with marriage and raising a family. The film ultimately affirms the value and importance of committing to a lifelong relationship with a partner.

2. 17 Again (2009)

Directed by Burr Steers.
Starring Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry.

Mike O’Donnell is a middle-aged man who gets a second chance at life when he is magically transformed into his 17-year-old self. Mike’s marriage is on the brink of falling apart, and his transformation allows him to see the importance of committing to his wife and working on their relationship. Through his experiences as a teenager, Mike learns to appreciate the value of marriage and ultimately saves his own.

3. The Notebook (2004)

Directed by Nick Cassavetes.
Starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner.

Allie and Noah are a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s but are separated by their social class and Allie’s family. Years later, they reunite and must decide whether to rekindle their old romance or move on with their lives. Allie and Noah’s love for each other is tested by the challenges and obstacles that life throws their way, but they never give up on each other. Despite the years and distance that separates them, their love remains strong, and they ultimately decide to marry and spend the rest of their lives together.

4. Love Actually (2003)

Directed by Richard Curtis.
Starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman.

Love Actually follows several intertwined stories of love in London during the holiday season. Through its various story arcs, Love Actually explores different dynamics of marriage and relationships in a comedic yet thought-provoking way.

5. Just Go with It (2011)

Directed by Dennis Dugan.
Starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.

Plastic surgeon named Danny pretends to be married to impress a woman he wants to date. When she asks to meet his “wife,” he enlists his assistant Katherine and her children to pose as his family. The film explores the theme of marriage and commitment, as Danny and Katherine ultimately fall in love and must decide whether to continue their charade or be honest and risk losing each other.

6. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

Directed by Robert Schwentke.
Starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams.

Henry has a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel uncontrollably. He meets and falls in love with a woman named Clare, and they must navigate the challenges of their unusual relationship and the impact of Henry’s time-traveling on their marriage.

7. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Directed by Joel Zwick.
Starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett.

Toula falls in love with a non-Greek man named Ian and must navigate the challenges of their intercultural relationship, including the reactions of Toula’s traditional Greek family. Toula and Ian must overcome the differences and obstacles that come with their relationship, including their cultural backgrounds and the expectations of their families. Ultimately, they decide to get married and blend their two cultures, showing that love and commitment can transcend cultural barriers and lead to a happy and fulfilling marriage.

8. Couples Retreat (2009)

Directed by Peter Billingsley.
Starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, and Kristin Davis.

Four couples, who are all having relationship issues, take a trip to a resort in an attempt to repair their marriages. Through various activities and challenges at the resort, each couple learns about themselves and their partners as they work to resolve their issues.

9. Fools Rush In (1997)

Directed by Andy Tennant.
Starring Matthew Perry and Salma Hayek.

Alex and Isabel meet in Las Vegas and have a one-night stand, resulting in Isabel becoming pregnant. Despite having different backgrounds and lifestyles, they decide to get married and start a family together.

10. Just Married (2003)

Directed by Shawn Levy.
Starring Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy.

Tom and Sarah get married and go on a honeymoon in Europe, but their trip quickly turns into a disaster. Despite the many obstacles they encounter along the way, Tom and Sarah ultimately decide to stay together and fight for their love.

11. American Wedding (2003)

Directed by Jesse Dylan.
Starring Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan.

Jim and Michelle are about to get married, but their wedding plans are threatened when Jim’s eccentric family comes for the ceremony. Through mishaps and misunderstandings, Jim and Michelle must navigate the expectations and opinions of their families, as well as their own doubts and insecurities about getting married.

12. On Golden Pond (1981)

Directed by Mark Rydell.
Starring Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda.

Elderly couple, Ethel and Norman, spend the summer at their cottage on Golden Pond. As they face the challenges of old age and deteriorating health, they must also confront the issues in their marriage and their strained relationship with their daughter Chelsea.

13. Amour (2012)

Directed by Michael Haneke.
Starring Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva.

Anne and Georges are retired music teachers who have been married for many years. When Anne suffers a stroke, Georges must take care of her and cope with the challenges of her declining health and their changing relationship. Georges must grapple with the difficult decision of whether to continue caring for Anne at home or to put her in a nursing home, as well as the emotional toll that her illness takes on their marriage.

14. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Directed by Andy Tennant.
Starring Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, and Patrick Dempsey.

Melanie is a successful fashion designer in New York City. She must return to her hometown in Alabama to finalize her divorce from her high school sweetheart Jake. While back in Alabama, Melanie must confront her past, the complications of her previous marriage, the choices she has made in her life, and her feelings for both Jake and her new boyfriend, Andrew.

15. Terms of Endearment (1983)

Directed by James L. Brooks
Starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, and Jack Nicholson.

The film follows the relationship between a mother named Aurora and her daughter Emma, from Emma’s marriage and the birth of her children to Aurora’s terminal illness and eventual death.

16. Barefoot in the Park (1967)

Directed by Gene Saks
Starring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford.

Corie and Paul are newlyweds who move into a small, rundown apartment in New York City. They must cope with the differences and misunderstandings that arise in their marriage and the practical challenges of living in their cramped and run-down apartment.

17. The Five-Year Engagement (2012)

Directed by Nicholas Stoller.
Starring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt.

Tom and Violet get engaged and plan to get married, but their plans are repeatedly delayed due to various complications and challenges. Throughout their engagement, Tom and Violet must navigate their own personal issues as well as the expectations of family and society.

18. Life Itself (2018)

Directed by Dan Fogelman.
Starring Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.

The film follows multiple interconnected storylines and examines the profound impact that love and relationships can have on our lives. One of the main storylines revolves around a couple named Will and Abby, who meet in college and get married, but various challenges and complications test their relationship.

Movies about marriage problems

19. Unfaithful (2002)

Directed by Adrian Lyne.
Starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane, and Olivier Martinez. T

Suburban couple Edward and Connie have been married for many years and have a happy and stable relationship. Their marriage is tested when Connie has an affair with a younger man named Paul and must confront the consequences of her actions.

20. Blue Valentine (2010)

Directed by Derek Cianfrance.
Starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.

Dean and Cindy are a married couple that has drifted apart due to their different life goals and expectations. They take a trip to rekindle their relationship, but it quickly becomes apparent that they can no longer keep up the façade of a happy marriage.

21. The Story of Us (1999)

Directed by Rob Reiner.
Starring Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Ben and Katie have been married for 15 years and have two children. They have grown apart and have drifted into a boring, monotonous routine. When Ben suggests they take some time apart to figure out if their marriage can be saved, the couple is forced to confront the issues in their relationship and decide if being together is still worth it.

22. The Case for Christ (2017)

Directed by Jon Gunn.
Starring Mike Vogel and Erika Christensen.

Lee Strobel is an atheist journalist who embarks on a quest to disprove his wife’s newfound Christian faith. Along the way, he must confront his own beliefs, doubts, and fears, as well as the issues in their marriage caused by his wife’s newfound faith. The movie explores the theme of marriage and how the couple’s differing beliefs strain their relationship. However, they ultimately find common ground and come together through their shared faith in Christ.

23. Marriage Story (2019)

Directed by Noah Baumbach
Starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson.

Charlie and Nicole are a couple going through a divorce. The movie follows their struggles to come to terms with the end of their marriage, as well as the emotional toll that the process takes on them and their son. Throughout the movie, the couple must reexamine their relationship and decide if it can ever be salvaged or if they should just accept that they are better apart.

24. Revolutionary Road (2008)

Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

Frank and April are a young couple living in the suburbs in the 1950s. When April suggests that they leave their mundane lives behind and move to Paris, Frank is initially excited about the prospect. However, as time passes, various practical and emotional issues come into play, and their relationship is tested as they struggle to stay together amidst all these obstacles.

25. Before Midnight (2013)

Directed by Richard Linklater
Starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.

Jesse and Celine are a couple that has been together for almost two decades and have two children. The movie follows them on a weekend getaway in Greece, where they talk about the state of their relationship and the various issues that have come up over the years. Despite the challenges, they manage to find a way to make it work.

26. Scenes from a Marriage (1974)

Directed by Ingmar Bergman.
Starring Liv Ullmann and Erland Josephson.

Marianne and Johan have been married for several years and have two children. The movie tells the story of how their marriage changes over time and all the different issues that they confront along the way, from infidelity to emotional distance. It is an honest exploration of a long-term relationship, showing both its highs and lows, as well as its struggles and successes.

27. Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012)

Directed by Lee Toland Krieger.
Starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg.

Celeste and Jesse have been best friends since they were teenagers but are now going through a divorce. Despite their marriage ending, Jesse is still hoping to find a way for them to stay together. The movie follows Celeste and Jesse as they navigate this new stage in their relationship, navigating the difficulties of being exes while trying to remain friends.

28. The One I Love (2014)

Directed by Charlie McDowell.
Starring Mark Duplass and Elizabeth Moss.

Ethan and Sophie, a couple on the brink of divorce, visit a vacation home in an attempt to repair their marriage. While there, they discover that they can travel back and forth between alternate versions of themselves: one version represents who each of them was at the start of their relationship, while the other is a reflection of who they have become over time. This discovery leads to a profound realization about their relationship, and the couple must decide if they can accept each other for who they are now.

29. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Directed by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra
Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone.

Middle-aged man Cal is shocked when he finds out that his wife Emily has been cheating on him and the two decide to get a divorce. After hitting rock bottom, Cal befriends Jacob, a smooth-talking ladies’ man who helps him rediscover himself and his confidence. As Cal begins rebuilding his life and relationships, he learns some valuable lessons about love.

30. His Girl Friday (1940)

Directed by Howard Hawks.
Starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell.

Walter Burns is a fast-talking newspaper editor who will do anything to get the story. When his ex-wife and former star reporter, Hildy Johnson, tells him she is getting married and leaving journalism for good, he concocts an ambitious plan to keep her at the paper by manipulating her into covering one last big story. Through their back-and-forth banter, Walter and Hildy discover that their real connection may be too strong to ignore.

31. It’s Complicated (2009)

Directed by Nancy Meyers.
Starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin.

Jane is a recently-divorced single mother who finds herself in the middle of a love triangle when she reconnects with her ex-husband, Jake, and also begins to develop feelings for Adam, a charming architect. The movie follows Jane as she navigates this complicated situation and attempts to figure out what is truly best for her. Ultimately, she learns that being honest with herself is the key to finding true happiness.

32. When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)

Directed by Luis Mandoki.
Starring Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan.

Michael and Alice have been married for several years and appear to be living a perfect life together until Alice’s drinking problem threatens to tear their happy family apart. As Michael struggles to deal with his wife’s addiction, he must learn how to show her the love she needs to get through this difficult time. It is an emotionally powerful exploration of what it means to love someone unconditionally in spite of their flaws.

33. Journey to Italy (1954)

Directed by Roberto Rossellini.
Starring George Sanders and Ingrid Bergman.

Katherine and Alex are a married couple who go on a trip to Italy in an attempt to rekindle their relationship. As they explore the country, Katherine and Alex experience both moments of joy and difficulty as they come to terms with their feelings for each other. Along the way, they learn about themselves and each other and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be in a loving marriage.

34. Indecent Proposal (1993)

Directed by Adrian Lyne
Starring Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson.

David and Diana Murphy are a happily married couple who are struggling to make ends meet. When they receive an offer of $1 million from a wealthy businessman in exchange for one night with Diana, the couple is forced to confront their own values and beliefs about love, trust, and commitment.

35. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

Directed by Mike Nichols.
Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and George Segal.

George and Martha are a middle-aged couple whose marriage is on the brink of collapse. Through their volatile interactions, they reveal the deep resentments and insecurities that have been hiding underneath the surface of their relationship for years. Although it is a challenging watch, this classic film shows how far couples are willing to go to save their marriage.

36. Needle in a Timestack (2021)

Directed by John Ridley.
Starring Leslie Odom Jr., Alexa Demie, and Condola Rashad.

Married couple River and Fern have been together for years and have grown apart, as River is more focused on his career than Fern. When a time-traveling device gives them the opportunity to relive their past, they set out on a journey of self-discovery that leads them back to each other. This remarkable movie shows us that no matter how much time has passed, it’s never too late for a couple to find their way back to each other.

37. Ordinary Love (2019)

Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn.
Starring Lesley Manville and Liam Neeson.

Joan and Tom are a couple who have been married for many years. In this thoughtful and understated drama, we witness their relationship as they come to terms with Joan’s breast cancer diagnosis. Through their incredible love and support for one another, the couple shows us that marriage is not only about happiness and joy but also about standing together through life’s hardest moments.

38. The Four Seasons (1981)

Directed by Alan Alda.
Starring Alan Alda, Carol Burnett, Jack Weston, and Len Cariou.

Jake and Kate have been married for years but are slowly drifting apart. When they decide to take a vacation together, they begin to rediscover their love for each other as they experience the changing seasons of life. This heartwarming comedy shows us how two people can come together again and find joy in one another’s company.

Final thoughts

These 38 inspiring and realistic marriage movies for couples can be used to explore the complexities of relationships and encourage open dialogue between partners. Each movie offers a unique perspective on how marriages can survive even under challenging conditions. From financial struggles to infidelity, these films provide valuable insight into what it takes to make a marriage work in real life.