Are you tired of the usual romance or rom-com movies? If you’re craving something fresh, perhaps futuristic love stories, time-travel romance, or dystopian relationships, then dive into this list of the best romantic sci-fi movies across four major streaming platforms.
Whether you’re a fan of alternative rom-coms or you simply want to explore unique love stories that go beyond cliché, this guide ensures there’s something for everyone. From space-set sagas to near-future tales exploring artificial intelligence, these recommendations deliver all the heart without following the same old formula.
You might have more than one streaming service, so I’ve avoided repeating the same title across platforms.
Each section includes five main picks and two honorable mentions, so you can dive as deep as you like into this captivating subgenre where love meets technology, space travel, or even alternate realities.
(Check your local streaming providers to ensure the movies are available in your region, then get ready to enjoy a romantic journey beyond the ordinary!)
Prime Video:
1. Passengers (2016)
- IMDb: 7.0/10
- Director: Morten Tyldum
- Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt
- Synopsis: Two passengers awake from cryo-sleep 90 years too early on a spacecraft bound for a distant colony. As they grapple with loneliness—and a secret about why they woke up—they form a deep connection against a breathtaking cosmic backdrop.
- Why Watch? A mix of space adventure, survival drama, and heartfelt romance. The chemistry between the leads and the moral dilemmas they face add emotional depth to this visually stunning film.
2. Upside Down (2012)
- IMDb: 6.3/10
- Director: Juan Diego Solanas
- Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Jim Sturgess
- Synopsis: Set in twin worlds with opposite gravities, a young man reconnects with his long-lost love from the “inverted” planet above. Their relationship defies societal rules—and physics—in this visually mesmerizing film.
- Why Watch? If you’re a sucker for star-crossed lovers and imaginative world-building, Upside Down offers a gravity-bending romance like no other.
3. About Time (2013)
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Director: Richard Curtis
- Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams
- Synopsis: Tim discovers he can time-travel, a secret passed down through the men in his family. He uses his power to perfect his courtship of Mary, but soon realizes love—and life—are as much about embracing the present as they are about fixing the past.
- Why Watch? While it’s lighter on sci-fi and heavier on heart, this British rom-com infuses time-travel with warmth, humor, and a heartfelt message about family.
4. Her (2013)
- IMDb: 8.0/10
- Director: Spike Jonze
- Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson (voice)
- Synopsis: In a near-future Los Angeles, a recently divorced writer develops an intimate relationship with an advanced AI operating system named Samantha. Their emotional connection raises philosophical questions about love, identity, and what it means to be human.
- Why Watch? Beautifully shot and deeply introspective, Her deftly tackles the evolving role of technology in human relationships, earning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
5. Ex Machina (2014)
- IMDb: 7.7/10
- Director: Alex Garland
- Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac
- Synopsis: A young programmer is invited to the secluded home of a tech CEO to administer a Turing test on an advanced android named Ava. As personal and ethical boundaries blur, a subtle romance—fraught with mistrust—emerges.
- Why Watch? Tautly suspenseful, Ex Machina delves into AI consciousness, manipulation, and how intimate connections can form in the unlikeliest of circumstances.
Honorable Mentions
- Jexi (2019) – IMDb: 6.1/10
A comedic twist on AI romance, where a newly purchased smartphone virtual assistant takes controlling “girlfriend” to the next level. Light fun if you want a rom-com vibe. - The Shape of Water (2017) – IMDb: 7.3/10
More “fantasy” than sci-fi, but it involves a secret government lab and a mysterious amphibious creature. It’s a richly atmospheric love story by Guillermo del Toro.
Apple TV
1. Solaris (2002)
- IMDb: 6.2/10
- Director: Steven Soderbergh
- Starring: George Clooney, Natascha McElhone
- Synopsis: Psychologist Chris Kelvin travels to a space station orbiting the planet Solaris, which appears to manifest the crew’s memories—particularly haunting him with visions of his deceased wife.
- Why Watch? A reflective, slow-burn exploration of love, guilt, and second chances, set against a haunting sci-fi backdrop.
2. Cloud Atlas (2012)
- IMDb: 7.4/10
- Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, Tom Tykwer
- Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Doona Bae
- Synopsis: Six interwoven narratives span centuries—jumping between a 19th-century sea voyage and a futuristic neo-Seoul—showing how souls and actions reverberate through time. Romantic connections are central to many of these lifetimes.
- Why Watch? An ambitious, visually striking saga that ties in reincarnation, social evolution, and love persisting across lifetimes.
3. Equals (2015)
- IMDb: 6.0/10
- Director: Drake Doremus
- Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Kristen Stewart
- Synopsis: In a sterile, futuristic society where emotions are outlawed, two people discover feelings for each other—an act of rebellion that imperils their carefully controlled existence.
- Why Watch? A quietly intense depiction of suppressed humanity discovering longing, desire, and the power of emotional connection.
4. Moonshot (2022)
- IMDb: 5.6/10
- Director: Christopher Winterbauer
- Starring: Cole Sprouse, Lana Condor
- Synopsis: In a future where Mars is colonized, two college students with opposing personalities team up to smuggle themselves onto a spaceship. Romance blossoms amid cosmic hijinks.
- Why Watch? A cute, lighthearted rom-com with a futuristic setting—perfect if you want an easygoing watch that still satisfies the sci-fi itch.
5. The Lake House (2006)
- IMDb: 6.8/10
- Director: Alejandro Agresti
- Starring: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock
- Synopsis: A lonely doctor and a frustrated architect correspond via letters in the same lakeside home—except they’re living two years apart in time.
- Why Watch? Though it leans more toward magical realism than classic sci-fi, the time-bending premise and palpable chemistry between Reeves and Bullock make this a gentle, romantic twist on the genre.
Honorable Mentions
- Click (2006) – IMDb: 6.4/10
Adam Sandler discovers a universal remote that can control time—leading to comedic chaos and a cautionary tale about focusing on what matters: love and family. - Fly Me to the Moon (2008) – IMDb: 6.6/10
An animated, family-friendly adventure about young houseflies stowing away on Apollo 11. More of a fun kids’ flick than a deep romantic sci-fi, but cute for a nostalgic space mission spin.
Netflix
1. Love and Monsters (2020)
- IMDb: 6.9/10
- Director: Michael Matthews
- Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Jessica Henwick
- Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by giant mutated creatures, an awkward but determined survivor leaves his bunker to find his high-school sweetheart.
- Why Watch? Balances thrilling monster encounters with earnest romance, plus Dylan O’Brien’s endearing performance.
2. Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
- IMDb: 7.3/10
- Director: Robert Rodriguez
- Starring: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson
- Synopsis: A cyborg with amnesia awakens in a dystopian future, determined to uncover her past. Along the way, she forges a tender bond with a street-smart young man.
- Why Watch? With eye-popping visuals and a heartfelt central relationship, this manga adaptation delivers both emotional stakes and cyberpunk flair.
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- IMDb: 8.3/10
- Director: Michel Gondry
- Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet
- Synopsis: After a painful breakup, Joel undergoes a procedure to erase memories of his ex, Clementine. But as he revisits each memory, he rediscovers why he loved her in the first place.
- Why Watch? Widely hailed as a modern masterpiece, this mind-bending story deftly combines romance and speculative technology to explore heartbreak, memory, and hope.
4. Source Code (2011)
- IMDb: 7.5/10
- Director: Duncan Jones
- Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan
- Synopsis: A soldier repeatedly relives the final eight minutes of a stranger’s life to avert a terrorist attack on a commuter train. Unexpected sparks fly as he connects with a fellow passenger.
- Why Watch? A taut sci-fi thriller that weaves romance and heroism, leaving you guessing until the final twist.
5. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
- IMDb: ~6.7/10 (approx.)
- Director: Lorene Scafaria
- Starring: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley
- Synopsis: With an asteroid hurtling toward Earth, two neighbors embark on a road trip—one seeking lost love, the other hoping to see family—discovering a surprising bond as doomsday nears.
- Why Watch? A bittersweet dramedy that ponders how we’d spend our final days, balancing existential dread with a tender romance.
Honorable Mentions
- When We First Met (2018) – IMDb: 6.4/10
A magical photo booth sends a man back in time to the night he met “the one,” giving him multiple tries to win her over. Lighthearted rom-com with a sci-fi twist. - Paradise (2023) – IMDb: 6.3/10
In a future where years of your life can be bought and sold, a couple’s relationship is tested when one is forced to give up decades of life. A darker spin on near-future romance.
Disney+
1. Avatar (2009)
- IMDb: 7.9/10
- Director: James Cameron
- Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
- Synopsis: Jake Sully, a paralyzed former Marine, joins the Avatar Program and connects with the Na’vi on the alien world of Pandora. He falls for Neytiri, forging a deep bond that challenges loyalties and reshapes destinies.
- Why Watch? Groundbreaking visuals, epic world-building, and a classic tale of cross-cultural romance make this a must-see sci-fi blockbuster.
2. WALL-E (2008)
- IMDb: 8.4/10
- Director: Andrew Stanton
- Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight (voices)
- Synopsis: Left behind on an abandoned Earth, a lonely trash-compacting robot meets EVE, a sleek probe sent to find signs of life. Their blossoming bond sparks a quest to save humanity’s future.
- Why Watch? This Pixar gem is as heartfelt as it is visionary—a near-silent love story that champions hope, environmental awareness, and unwavering devotion.
3. Free Guy (2021)
- IMDb: 7.1/10
- Director: Shawn Levy
- Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi
- Synopsis: A cheerful bank teller in an open-world video game discovers he’s just an NPC (non-player character). As he rebels against his programming, he develops real feelings for a player with big stakes in the game’s outcome.
- Why Watch? A breezy, action-packed satire on gaming culture that manages to weave in a genuinely sweet romantic storyline.
4. The Fountain (2006)
- IMDb: 7.2/10
- Director: Darren Aronofsky
- Starring: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz
- Synopsis: Three parallel narratives—from a 16th-century conquistador’s quest for immortality, to a modern-day scientist seeking a cure for his wife’s cancer, to a future traveler in a bubble spaceship—intertwine around an eternal love.
- Why Watch? Visually poetic and philosophically rich, it explores love transcending time and space, and stands out as one of Aronofsky’s most ambitious works.
5. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
- IMDb: 7.9/10
- Director: Tim Burton
- Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder
- Synopsis: An artificial man with scissors for hands is taken in by a suburban family. He struggles to fit in and falls for the family’s teenage daughter, causing both wonder and fear among neighbors.
- Why Watch? Although more “gothic fairytale,” Edward’s very creation is a quasi-scientific experiment. The core romance between two misfits is touching, making it a timeless Burton classic.
Honorable Mentions
- Aladdin (2019) – IMDb: 6.9/10
A colorful live-action retelling of the classic Disney tale, with magic carpets and genies—decidedly fantasy, not sci-fi, but still a fun romantic adventure. - Cinderella (2015) – IMDb: 6.9/10
Another magical fairytale adaptation. Beautifully filmed but purely fantasy in nature, featuring the beloved rags-to-royalty romance.