18 Long Distance Relationship Movies to Watch Together (or Apart)

Long distance relationships have this weird thing where most people do not understand what you are going through. Your friends in regular relationships cannot quite grasp why a two-week gap feels like a month, or why airport goodbyes wreck you for the rest of the day.

But filmmakers get it. Some of them, anyway.

These long distance relationship movies capture what LDR actually feels like: the longing, the tiny moments of connection, the creative ways you stay close, and yes, the fear that distance might win. Whether you want a good cry, a hopeful ending, or just something to watch together over video call, this list has you covered.

The Emotional Gut Punches

These ldr movies will make you feel everything. Watch with tissues nearby.

Like Crazy (2011)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV rental

This one hurts because it feels real. A British exchange student and an American guy fall in love in college, but when her visa expires and she overstays, they face years of forced separation. The film does not glamorize LDR. It shows the frustration, the miscommunication, and the way distance can slowly change people.

What makes it great: the ending is ambiguous in a way that feels honest. Not every love story wraps up neatly.

Dear John (2010)

Where to watch: Netflix (varies by region), Amazon Prime rental

A soldier and a college student fall in love during his two-week leave. Then he deploys, and they try to keep things alive through letters. It is based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, so expect tears and beautiful scenery.

The letter-writing aspect hits different for LDR couples who know the power of written words when you cannot be there in person.

Atonement (2007)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Peacock

A lie tears apart two lovers during World War II. They spend years separated, holding onto hope that they will reunite. The cinematography is gorgeous, the performances are devastating, and the ending will sit with you for days.

Not a traditional LDR movie, but the themes of separation, longing, and lost time resonate deeply.

The Notebook (2004)

Where to watch: Netflix (varies), HBO Max, Amazon rental

You probably know this one. Summer love, class differences, years of separation, and a lot of rain-soaked kissing. It is a classic for a reason. The letters Allie never receives because of her mother hit especially hard for anyone who knows what it is like to wait for communication that does not come.

Blue Jay (2016)

Where to watch: Netflix

Two former high school sweethearts run into each other 20 years later in their hometown. They spend an afternoon together, revisiting what they had and what they lost. It is quiet, intimate, and shot in black and white.

Not LDR in the traditional sense, but the film captures the feeling of loving someone across time and circumstances.

Happy Endings (You Will Need These)

When you need hope that distance does not have to mean the end.

Going the Distance (2010)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu, Apple TV rental

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long play a couple trying to make it work between New York and San Francisco. It is funny, real about the challenges, and actually gives you a happy ending. The supporting cast (Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis) keeps things entertaining when the LDR struggles get heavy.

Best LDR comedy out there. Highly recommend for a lighter movie night.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV rental

The original "love across the miles" movie. A widowed father's son calls a radio station to find him a new wife, and a woman in Baltimore becomes obsessed with the idea of this stranger across the country. They do not actually meet until the final scene, but the whole movie is about connection despite distance.

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan at their best.

Letters to Juliet (2010)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Paramount+

A young woman finds an unanswered love letter from 50 years ago and helps reunite the original writer with her lost love in Italy. Sweet, romantic, and proves that some connections survive any amount of time and distance.

Good for when you need to believe in fate.

Leap Year (2010)

Where to watch: Netflix (varies), Amazon rental

Amy Adams travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day (an Irish tradition). Things go wrong, she ends up road-tripping with Matthew Goode, and you can guess where this goes. Light, fun, Irish scenery everywhere.

Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) (2016)

Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime rental

A Japanese animated film about two teenagers who mysteriously swap bodies despite living in different times and places. They develop feelings for each other without ever actually meeting. When they try to find one another, the distance becomes more than just physical.

Visually stunning. Emotionally devastating. One of the best animated films of the decade.

When You Need to Laugh

LDR is hard enough. Sometimes you just need comedy.

The Long Shot (2019)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

A journalist reconnects with his childhood crush, who is now the Secretary of State. Their relationship becomes complicated by her political career and constant travel. It is funny, smart, and Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen have surprising chemistry.

Not a pure LDR movie, but the "always in different places" dynamic will feel familiar.

The Holiday (2006)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix (varies)

Two women swap homes for the holidays: one in LA, one in a tiny English village. Both end up finding love. The long-distance element comes in when they have to figure out how to make things work across an ocean.

A cozy, feel-good movie for winter watching sessions.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Where to watch: Paramount+, Amazon rental

Not specifically about LDR, but Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey have hilarious chemistry. Good for a fun movie night when you do not want to overthink things.

International Love Stories

Movies about love crossing borders and cultures.

Cairo Time (2009)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime rental, Apple TV

A magazine editor waiting for her husband in Cairo develops an unexpected connection with his friend who shows her around the city. It is subtle and slow, more about emotional distance than physical, but beautifully captures what happens when you are far from the person you thought you would be with.

Like Water for Chocolate (1992)

Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon rental

A Mexican film about forbidden love, family tradition, and the magic of food. The lovers are kept apart by circumstances beyond their control, and the longing in this movie is almost unbearable.

Spanish language with subtitles. Worth it.

Amelie (2001)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

A quirky Parisian woman orchestrates elaborate schemes to bring happiness to others while struggling to connect with her own love interest. The distance between them is more emotional than geographic, but the longing is universal.

French language with subtitles. One of the most charming films ever made.

Netflix Options

These tend to rotate, but check for availability.

Irreplaceable You (2018)

Where to watch: Netflix

A woman diagnosed with terminal cancer tries to find her fiance a new partner before she dies. It deals with separation in a different way, but the themes of love, distance, and running out of time hit hard.

Have tissues ready.

The Kissing Booth 2 (2020)

Where to watch: Netflix

Teen romance where the couple tries to survive different colleges on opposite coasts. It is corny and made for younger audiences, but it does capture the LDR anxiety of feeling like you are growing apart.

Someone Great (2019)

Where to watch: Netflix

A music journalist goes through a breakup when her boyfriend cannot handle her move to San Francisco. The movie is about the breakup aftermath, but it captures the difficulty of choosing between love and opportunity when they are in different places.

How to Watch Movies Together When You Are Apart

Having an LDR movie night is one of the best ways to feel close when you cannot be together. Here is how to make it work:

Sync your viewing:

• Teleparty works with Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu
• Amazon Watch Party for Prime Video
• Discord screen share works for anything

Set the mood:

• Both of you get the same snacks
• Start a video call for reactions
• Text each other throughout if you do not want to talk over the movie

Pick the right movie for your mood:

• Feeling sad about the distance? Skip the tearjerkers. Go for a comedy.
• Feeling hopeful? Watch something with a happy ending.
• Want to feel understood? The emotional ones validate what you are going through.

And when the movie ends, you can always create something together. Build a digital love letter at iluvyou.app that counts your days together and holds messages for your biggest moments. It takes a few minutes and gives you both something to look at whenever the distance feels heavy.

The Real List

If you only watch five:

1. Like Crazy - the most honest
2. Going the Distance - the funniest
3. Your Name - the most visually beautiful
4. Sleepless in Seattle - the classic
5. Dear John - the biggest cry

Long distance is hard. But at least you are not alone in it. These filmmakers understood. And somewhere out there, your person is probably missing you right now too.

For more on making LDR work, check out our long distance Valentine's Day ideas and learn about creating a digital love letter to send when you cannot be there in person.