Looking for a fun way to bond with your partner that doesn’t involve cycling or stargazing? No worries—we’ve got just the thing.
Few activities beat the comfort of curling up together for a movie night. Whether you’re in the mood for a rom-com or a thought-provoking drama, movies have a unique way of deepening connections and offering fresh takes on love, romance, and marriage.
While Hollywood blockbusters often steal the spotlight, there’s something magical about discovering those lesser-known films.
These hidden gems dive deeper into the real challenges and joys of marriage, showing relationships as they truly are—messy, beautiful, and everything in between.
So, grab your favorite blanket, get cozy, and explore our handpicked list of marriage movies that capture the heart of committed love.
Key Takeaway
- Movies provide a unique way to explore love, marriage, and relationships, offering fresh perspectives on these complex themes.
- Lesser-known films often explore the real-life challenges and joys of committed relationships, portraying them in a raw and authentic manner.
- Viewers can gain insights into the importance of communication, empathy, and compromise, essential elements for a strong marriage.
- Whether rom-coms or thought-provoking dramas, these films encourage reflection and discussion about personal relationships, making them perfect for couples to watch together.
Top Lesser Known Marriage Movies to Watch
Marriage Story
Director: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver
Credits: @nytimes / Pinterest
Picture this: A love story told in reverse where the end is the beginning, and the beginning is the end. That is what a Marriage Story is about.
This film will take you through an emotional rollercoaster, unveiling everyday couples’ challenges. You’ll learn love and loss and connect deeply with the characters who bring out raw emotion.
The allure of this movie is that it lets you share the same emotions as the screen couple and see how they navigate them. The movie is a reminder that while love can change, it never ends.
Watch out as the couple navigates divorce along with their families. You might find yourself shading a tear or two, seeing the legal battles, custody disputes, and personal sacrifices that the couple goes through.
But hey? At least there is hope as they attend couples therapy, right?
Why Watch?
- Check out raw, hidden emotions that will have you grabbing your partner’s hand
- Get a glimpse of the complexities of modern relationships
- Learn why empathy and compromise are essential even in your own marriage
Conversation Starter: If our relationship was a movie, would this one describe it best?
Blue Valentine
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams
Credits: @JeannieVBeauty / Pinterest
Do you and your better half love indie drama? This film is for you. Having gained critical acclaim, Blue Valentine is one of the best films to wind your day.
Watching it is like looking through a kaleidoscope of love. Learn the evolution of relationships as portrayed in a brutally honest manner. Watch out as the film offers a glimpse of the complications of a deteriorating marriage.
While it can be heartbreaking to see love fading between the couple and their everyday relationship struggles, you’ll learn the importance of empathy and maybe know how to handle a misunderstanding the next time.
Why Watch?
- Enjoy artful storytelling offered in a non-linear narrative
- See how routine impacts relationships over
- Appreciate the skillful performance of characters
Conversation starter: How would you describe our love from the time we met up to now?
Scenes from a Marriage
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Liv Ullmann, Erland Josephson
Credits: @fabianopontogoncalves01 / Pinterest
Want to experience the capsule of marital exploration? Check out this movie, which teaches you about the complexities of a relationship over the years.
Scenes from a Marriage offers raw honesty and an unfiltered portrayal of the issues married people face. It almost feels like you’re eavesdropping on another couple’s conversation about their life.
Marital problems like communication breakdowns will offer you a thought-provoking of these challenges.
Ultimately, you’ll learn that true love still eists and the dangers of family being overly involved in your relationship. The movie looks at the ebbs and flaws of a relationship that will provoke you to question, reflect, and ultimately grow.
Why Watch?
- Get a glimpse of the complexities and challenges of a marriage
- Learn how to communicate openly, develop empathy for your significant other
- Understand the relationship dynamics
- Explore timeless themes that are relatable to different cultures and traditions
Conversation starter: What part of our marriage does this film reflect?
Noteworthy Performances and Hidden Gems
Margot at the Wedding (2007)
Director: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black
If you don’t mind a messy movie, Margot at the Wedding is a must-watch film.
Family dynamics take center stage in this movie, revealing the sisters’ uncomfortable relationship and impending nuptials. It is like getting a sneak peek through the keyhole during a family reunion. Though it’s messy, it’s very captivating.
Standout Performance: Jennifer Jason Leigh delivers an impeccable performance as the bride-to-be. She balances vulnerability and strength that will stick with your days after watching the movie.
Marriage Story
Although we’ve touched on the marriage story earlier, it’s worth highlighting the beloved character of Adam Driver. He portrays Charlie in a masterclass manner, delivering emotional expression that’s hard to find in many movies.
Why Driver Shines: Watch out as he conveys a mixture of emotions, including anger, frustration, sadness, and even love, sometimes without saying a word. It’s a performance that will make you re-evaluate your emotional intelligence.
Meryl Streep’s Marriage Role
We cannot discuss marriage in cinema without mentioning Meryl Steep. Love and marriage may not always be the central theme, but her films touch on the complexities of relationships and show how people can approach them.
Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada (2006): The movie isn’t primarily about a husband-wife relationship but explores the challenges people face balancing work and personal life. Streep is featured as Miranda, a demanding fashion editor who prioritizes her career above all else. Because of this, she strains her relationship with her family and colleagues.
Sophie in Mamma Mia (2008) – Although the film is mainly comedy, it features the theme of marriage and the challenges people experience in balancing family and career. Meryl plays Sophie, a young woman trying to learn about a person, which leads to several comedic misunderstandings and reveals the nature of her mother’s previous relationships.
Other movies in which she has been featured include Karen White in The Hours (2002) and Lillian Hellman in The Hours (2002).
Other notable figures to look out for include John Cassavetes in A Woman Under the Influence, Elizabeth Taylor in Father of the Bride, and Alan Alda in Same Time, Next Year.
Must Watch Romantic Dramas about Marriage
The Notebook (2004)
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams
Credits: @abcase31 / Pinterest
Enjoy this romantic movie based on a novel of the same name. It features Ryan Gosling and Rachel Mc Adams, who play the role of Noah and Allie. Like every young couple, their love is also tested by war, social class, and time, which you may relate to yours.
This movie’s depiction of true love will leave an emotional touch that will make you not want the movie to end. But hey, watch out as the couple journeys over time, and tell us how you feel about seeing how people and relationships change.
Why it resonates: The film takes a nonlinear approach to storytelling, keeping you invested all through. The chemistry between the actors sets a new standard for on-screen romance.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman
Eyes Wide Shut takes you on a physical journey into the complexities of fidelity and marital trust. It is a film of desire, jealousy, and the unknown, the main reasons you should watch it to the end.
Learn about how complete human sexuality is and the hidden desires people have. And with the fear of the unknown being introduced as a theme, you may relate to it. Also, check out how it’s dangerous to delve into a forbidden territory and how the illusion of reality is portrayed in this masterpiece.
Why it resonates: The film’s dreamlike quality blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, key issues in long-term relationships.
Exploring Complexities of Family Dynamics
The Family Stone
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson
If you enjoy the allure of holiday movies, then this is for you. The Family Stone paints us a picture of dysfunctional family dynamics and dysfunctional marriage.
As you dive into the family drama in this film, you might make a big laugh as the characters navigate their relationships and find their positions in each other’s lives.
One area you should watch out for is family dynamics. The movie presents the complexities of family relationships, highlighting tensions, unspoken feelings, and secrets among family members.
Maybe these are the same as yours, no? Yes?
Why It Works: The on-screen family displays a perfect balance of humor and heart, reminding us that family—for better or worse—shapes our approach to love and marriage.
Directors Who Capture Marriage in Unique Ways
Several directors have created films that offer unique perspectives on marriage. Here are some notable ones:
Woody Allen’s Marriage Films
Love him or hate him, Wood Allen delivers when it comes to exploring relationships. To tickle your funny bone, he presents a unique storytelling style filled with intense drama and comedy. Some of his works include
- Annie Hall (1977) is a comedy-drama about the relationship between Alvy Singer and Annie Hall. It offers insight into loss, love, and complex modern relationships.
- Manhattan (1979) is a romantic comedy-drama starring Allen as Isaac Davis, a writer caught up in a love triangle. The film humorously and insightfully explores the challenges of love and relationships.
Other films include Husbands and Wives (1992), Match Point (2005), and Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008).
International Perspectives on Marriage
8½
Director: Federico Fellini
Starring: Marcello Mastroianni
If you love Italian films, this movie is for you. Directed by Federico Fellini, this semi-autobiographical is a masterpiece. It stars Marcello Mastroianni as the lead actor, who reveals creative individuals’ challenges, including fear of failure and the pressure to succeed.
The movie features different themes, but the artist’s crisis is the main one. It displays Fellini’s unique and skillful direction with out-of-this-world imagery.
Why It’s Timeless: Fellini’s surreal approach to storytelling mirrors the often dreamlike quality of memory and perception in long-term relationships.
Scenes from a Marriage
Ingmar Bergaman’s Scenes from a Marriage is an exciting movie that explores marriage problems and cultural and emotional divides. Ingmar portrays the complexities of love, loss, and a married couple’s challenges.
He skillfully captures emotional turmoil, a couple’s experiences, and the challenges of living in two different cultures. He also teaches us about the power of love despite the challenges faced by the couple.
Rom-Coms and Lighter Takes on Marriage
The Lake House
Director: Alejandro Agresti
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock
Keanu Reeves and Sanda Bullock take the lead roles in the film. This is one of Alejandro’s inspirational movies, showcasing the depths of intimate relationships.
Watch as two people fall in love with each other through the letters. They change over time as they live in the same house but at different times.
Enjoy the theme of time travel and the chances of love transcending time. This movie will make you believe in fate since it suggests that fate brings people together even if they’ve been separated for an extended period.
Its time-traveling premise makes it unique from other romantic dramas, and the characters featured deliver a strong and unmatched performance, making it a must-watch.
Love Actually
Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Ensemble Cast including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman
This romantic comedy anthology movie tells a series of interconnected stories exploring love, relationships, and holidays.
It displays the many faces of love, including romantic relationships, friendships, and familial bonds. Watching it teaches us why human connection is important and how love brings people together.
Inspiration and Uplifting Marriage Movies
Family Stone is a must-watch if you’re looking for an inspiring and uplifting marriage movie. It portrays love, acceptance, and family relationships in a heartwarming manner. You’ll learn why family traditions are important and the power of love to bring people close amidst challenges.
The movie has several heartwarming scenes that leave viewers uplifted and inspired. It also celebrates the importance of family traditions and their role in shaping our lives.
Conclusion
That ends our list of good movies about marriage. Each of these lesser-known films offers a unique exploration of love and partnership, especially among married people.
You’ll enjoy the characters’ emotional journeys and learn about resilience, empathy, and compassion, which will help strengthen your marriage and allow you to grow together as husband and wife.
So grab your popcorn, cuddle up with your significant other, and embark on an unforgettable cinematic journey through the complexities of marriage.