While the highest-grossing films tend to fall into action, adventure, and superhero genres, romance movies have also managed to break through at times. We're taking a closer look at the movies in this genre that have scored the biggest bucks at the box office.
While the "romance" genre is vast and can at times be difficult to define, we're going to use a pretty loose definition of what constitutes a romance film. While we won't be including movies like Frozen or The Hunger Games, where a relationship is a subplot, we will be pulling in any movie in which romance is a main or driving part of the overall story. Additionally, it's worth noting that our data will be coming from the all-time worldwide box office scores provided by Box Office Mojo. It's time to swoon at all the cash; Here are the highest-grossing romance movies of all time.
Mamma Mia! (2008): $609 Million
Kicking things off is this jukebox musical, which is based on the music of Sweedish pop group ABBA.
Mamma Mia! follow a hotelier who helps prepare for the wedding of her daughter, Sophie, alongside a couple of friends in Greece. While Sophie's thrilled to say "I do," she's just as excited to find her real father. She attempts to accomplish this by inviting three men from her mother's to participate in the festivities.
Forrest Gump (1994): $678 Million
Though Forrest Gump has the kind but slow-witted titular character showing up at all the biggest U.S. events throughout the 20th century, it also has him continually chasing after his childhood sweetheart, Jenny.
Gump believes he can do anything despite his disability, thanks to the support of his mother growing up. However, fighting in the Vietnam war, creating a shrimp company, and running across the country mean nothing to him if he can't do it for the woman he loves.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010): $698 Million
The entire Twilight Saga focuses on the romance between a young woman named Bella and the vampire and werewolf whom she falls for.
In the third installment, Eclipse, Bella sees her city of Seattle being plagued by strange killings. Despite these, she must choose between Edward and Jacob, even if her decision ultimately puts the vampires and werewolves in conflict with one another.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009): $711 Million
In the third Twilight film, New Moon, Bella is fully in love with Edward Cullen. However, she's forced to reconsider her feelings right during her 18th birthday celebration after Edward reveals his vampire instincts make their romance too dangerous.
Edward decides to leave Forks, which requires Bella to deal with her feelings of abandonment.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011): $712 Million
Skipping to the beginning of the end, Breaking Dawn - Part 1 sees Edward and Bella finally wedding one another. However, werewolf Jacob is scared that if Bella spends her honeymoon as a human, she could end up dead.
Though Bella makes it through unscathed, she must deal with a bigger complication upon arriving home; She's pregnant.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012): $829 Million
The Twilight finale brought in the biggest crowds yet.
In Breaking Dawn - Part 2, Bella, who has been turned into a vampire, wakes up after giving birth to her daughter. Her girl is growing at an alarmingly fast rate, however, and the Volturi sets out to attack Bella's family. She must search for help to stay alive.
Shrek 2 (2004): $928 Million
Though not every Shrek film could fit into the rom-com category, the second one definitely fits the bill.
Shrek 2 sees the titular character and his new wife return from their honeymoon. However, their bliss is interrupted by the objections of Fiona's parents, the king and queen of Far Far Away, who were expecting their daughter to return home with Prince Charming.
Aladdin (2019): $1.05 Billion
While the live-action Aladdin didn't bring in as many strong critical reviews as the original animation, it pulled in far higher numbers at the box office.
Aladdin follows a young man living on the streets of Agrabah who dreams of escaping his destitute life. After he stumbles into a magic lamp, however, he realizes that he might be able to get everything he's ever dreamed of including the affections of the beautiful and brave Princess Jasmine.
Beauty And The Beast (2017): $1.26 Billion
Disney's Beauty and the Beast also scored a live-action remake that had the cash rolling in.
The musical romance tells of an arrogant prince who is turned into a hideous beast after refusing to turn from his ways. An enchantress gives him a rose, and if he can love another before the last petal falls, he will regain his original form. If not, he will remain a monster forever. The Beast gets his best chance at love after the charming Belle stumbles into his castle one night.
Titanic (1997): $2.19 Billion
Topping off the list as the highest-grossing romance of all time is the epic romance film Titanic.
In this movie, struggling artist Jack and rich girl Rose embark on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. While Rose is engaged to the cruel Cal Hockley, she ends up falling for Jack as she dreams of escaping her planned-out life. Unfortunately, their blossoming romance is at risk of sinking after the ship hits an iceberg.