Widely regarded as one of the most widely liked romance writers, Nicholas Sparks' novels have been popular fodder for sweeping film adaptations starring high-profile actors throughout the 2000s. Sparks' ability to build compelling characters and create emotionally resonant - and, often, heartbreaking - narratives have made him a well-known collaborator in Hollywood, and audiences who believe in the power of true love are forever thankful for it. After two decades of novels-turned-blockbusters, Sparks' formula remains as successful as ever, with many of his works firmly ranked in the canons of the most iconic romance films of all time.
Here are Nicholas Sparks' most successful films, ranked according to Rotten Tomatoes' audience score.
Dear John (2010) - 55%
Backed by two strong performances from A-listers Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum, Dear John tackled the difficult realities of long-distance love. After a soldier John (Tatum) falls in love with a college student Savannah (Seyfried) over spring break, the couple is forced apart by John's deployment. Spanning seven years, the film examines the couple's increasingly tumultuous relationship as their reunions become more sporadic, tied to each other primarily through love letters.
Seyfried and Tatum had tangible chemistry that elevated the source material, and the complex relationship between John and his father (a spot-on Richard Jenkins) was particularly touching and emotionally resonant.
The Best Of Me (2014) - 59%
Like most of Sparks' films, The Best Of Me tread into familiar territory examining the long-lost love between Dawson (James Marsden, returning from The Notebook) and Amanda (Michelle Monaghan), high school sweethearts who are unexpectedly reunited two decades later and quickly realize they still hold a flickering flame for one another. Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato star as the younger versions of the couple, and the two arguably have better chemistry.
Some heavy-handed plotting makes it difficult for the audience to suspend belief and buy into the narrative, but the film nonetheless cashes in on all the syrupy melodrama and tissue-box moments that make Sparks' films the guiltiest of pleasures.
The Choice (2016) - 62%
The Choice marks the most recent film adaptation from Nicholas Sparks, based on his 2007 book of the same name. Starring a lesser-known cast that included Teresa Palmer and Benjamin Walker, the film's star-crossed lover narrative set against a sun-soaked coastal Southern backdrop was classic Nicholas Sparks fodder. Despite repetitive thematic elements, the film succeeded due to its investable characters that tugged at the heartstrings in all the most important moments.
Fans of Sparks' love-them-and-lost-them formula found plenty to like in The Choice, as two neighbors fall into a whirlwind romance before tragedy strikes.
Message In a Bottle (1999) - 66%
From the most recent film to Sparks' oldest, the 1999 adaptation of Message In A Bottle was a sweeping romance (albeit sometimes tragic) romance about a single mother, Teresa (a pre-House of Cards Robin Wright) who finds a washed-up message in a bottle on the beach. Determined to deliver the message to its owner, Teresa follows the trail back to Garrett (a dreamy Kevin Costner) and quickly falls in love with him. There's only one issue; he doesn't know she found the letters, and she doesn't want to risk their budding relationship to tell him.
Sparks' first film adaptation will always hold a special place in audiences' hearts.
The Last Song (2010) - 66%
Best known as the film that sparked Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth's long romance, The Last Song tackled teenage themes of first love and family drama. The film centers on Ronnie (Cyrus), a rebellious teen from New York who goes to live with her estranged father (Greg Kinnear) for the summer down South and quickly sparks an interest in a local boy, Will (Hemsworth). As the summer rages on, Ronnie falls in love whilst trying to reconnect with her father in the aftermath of divorce, bonding over their shared passion for music.
Cyrus and Hemsworth had palpable chemistry that popped off the screen, and the cherry on top was Miley Cyrus' breakout hit "When I Look At You", which was perhaps more successful than the film itself.
Safe Haven (2013) - 67%
One of the darker films in Sparks' filmography, the part-romance, part thriller film addressed themes of domestic abuse after the main character Katie (Julianne Hough) escapes Boston for North Carolina in hopes of starting anew, far away from her abusive detective ex-husband. What she doesn't expect is to meet widowed father-of-two Alex (Josh Duhamel). The two begin a slow burn, passionate relationship that heals both of their broken souls and teaches them how to love again, but danger arrives in the form of Katie's ex and threatens to destroy the slice of happiness they've built.
Safe Haven's mystery elements kept the narrative on its toes and Duhamel was a familiar leading man, whilst Hough proved her acting chops.
The Lucky One (2012) - 67%
Starring a major A-lister in Zac Efron and a pre-Orange Is The New Black-fame Taylor Schilling, The Lucky One captured audiences' hearts exploring the passionate relationship between Logan (Efron), an ex-U.S. Marine, and Beth (Schilling), the woman he credits with saving his life after finding her photograph in an Iraq war-zone. Things become challenging as their relationship heats up and Logan hides the truth about what led him to her home and into her heart.
Efron was perfectly cast as a rough-around-the-edges but endearing Marine, and he and Schilling's on-screen chemistry was strong.
The Longest Ride (2015) - 71%
One of Sparks' more successful adaptations, The Longest Ride followed much of the writer's tried-and-true formula, but the end result was punchier than most. Professional bull rider, Luke (Scott Eastwood), meets and becomes attracted to a local college student Sophia (Britt Robertson), whose imminent move to New York threatens to tear the new couple apart. When the two meet an older man, Ira (Alan Alda), they are inspired by his own love for his wife and their sweeping romances draw parallels.
The narrative structure and characters benefited from feeling more realistic than some of Sparks' other works, and the film offered up plenty of charm and sentiment.
A Walk To Remember (2002) - 78%
Perhaps Sparks' second most popular adaptation and the one that launched Mandy Moore's acting career, A Walk To Remember was a full-blown grab-the-tissues tear-jerker centered around a conservative high schooler, Jamie Sullivan (Moore), who falls in love with bad-boy Landon Carter (Shaun West). Both struggle to adapt to the changes their relationship causes as Landon loses his popularity and Jamie holds in a tragic secret; she's dying.
Simple, endearing, and effective, A Walk To Remember was a timeless teenage love story that cemented Nicholas Sparks' place as a major collaborator in Hollywood.
The Notebook (2004) - 85%
Easily Sparks' most iconic fan-favorite film, The Notebook followed the enduring - and often heartbreaking - love between affluent city girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) and local country boy, Noah (Ryan Gosling). Beginning in the late 1930s and spanning multiple decades, their love story evolved from a North Carolina summer fling to a lasting connection that blossomed despite years apart from each other, other lovers, and societal differences.
Gosling and McAdams' chemistry was electric on screen, and audiences fell in love with the Nick Cassavetes' helmed sentimental tear-jerker. The film remains an everlasting classic.