10 Best Romance Movies Like People We Meet On Vacation

by

The new romance film, People We Meet on Vacation, is already a hit with audiences, but viewers are looking for similar stories to enjoy after watching it. Based on Emily Henry’s popular 2021 novel, the film centers on Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth), two friends who take yearly trips together while secretly harboring romantic feelings for each other.

Beyond the strong performances, viewers are loving the vibrant colors, the memorable dance scene in New Orleans, and the overall classic romantic comedy vibe of People We Meet On Vacation. Although it’s already Netflix’s biggest hit of the year, there are plenty of other movies and shows that offer a similar romantic experience.

Set It Up (2018)

Stream On Netflix

Before becoming known for People We Meet on Vacation, the 2018 film Set It Up was praised for bringing back the feel of classic romantic comedies. The movie stars Zoey Deutch as Harper and Glen Powell as Charlie, and it’s about two assistants who secretly try to get their bosses to fall in love with each other – basically creating a relationship for them from scratch.

I absolutely loved Set It Up! It’s so smart and self-aware – there’s this funny scene where Harper explains the whole “meet-cute” concept to Charlie, and it feels like a rom-com that knows rom-coms. Before Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation came along, Set It Up was easily the best romantic movie on Netflix, and I think any fan of her books needs to see it!

Emma. (2020)

Stream On Peacock

Jane Austen’s Emma has seen many popular adaptations, from the contemporary take in Clueless to the 1996 film with Gwyneth Paltrow. The 2020 version of Emma stays close to the original story, but it’s the chemistry between Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn)—longtime friends realizing they have deeper feelings—that really makes it special.

Similar to People We Meet on Vacation, the main male character deeply desires Emma, and Knightley gives a memorable speech expressing his love. Despite being a period romance, Emma feels fresh and contemporary thanks to its beautiful visuals and vibrant colors, which keep it engaging. Fans who enjoyed the look of People We Meet on Vacation should definitely check out Emma for its stunning aesthetics.

(500) Days of Summer (2009)

Stream On Hoopla

I absolutely adore 500 Days of Summer. It’s not your typical romantic comedy, though. It feels so much more real – it’s a beautifully sad story about two people who just weren’t meant to be. We’re so used to seeing movie couples fight for their happy ending, but this film reminds you that life, and love, can be wonderfully messy – even messier than Tom and Summer’s relationship, honestly.

The movie 500 Days of Summer jumps around in time and shows a couple who let a romantic pursuit destroy their friendship – it feels like a much sadder version of the story in People We Meet on Vacation. Because of this, it’s a must-see for anyone still hung up on a past relationship.

Palm Springs (2020)

Stream On Hulu

With over a hundred years of movies already made, it’s hard to tell a completely original story. But the 2020 film Palm Springs cleverly combines a classic love story with the science fiction concept of a time loop. As characters Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) repeatedly experience the same wedding day, they gradually fall in love and transform their endless cycle into a kind of romantic getaway.

Nyles and Sarah have fantastic romantic chemistry, but what makes Palm Springs a good alternative to People We Meet on Vacation goes beyond just its sunny, summer vibe. Both characters are deeply imperfect and almost give up on their connection. Luckily, a courageous act saves their relationship and finally breaks the time loop.

Before Sunrise (1995)

Rent On Prime Video

As a movie fan, I absolutely love the Before trilogy, and it all began with Before Sunrise back in ’95. The film centers around Jesse, played by Ethan Hawke, and Céline, played by Julie Delpy, who meet on a train in Europe. On a whim, they decide to spend a single night together wandering around Vienna. What really makes the movie special is how honestly and deeply they connect through their conversations as they explore the city.

I’ve always been captivated by Before Sunrise. It’s a film that feels both incredibly sad and hopeful at the same time – like Jesse and Céline are destined to be together, but also that something will inevitably pull them apart. While I appreciate the later films for giving us some answers, nothing quite matches the magic of the first one. It perfectly captures that feeling of being on the edge of something real, with Jesse and Céline balancing precariously on the brink of true love for just one night.

One Day (2011)

Rent On Prime Video

If you’re looking for a truly heartbreaking romance, One Day is a film you’ll likely only watch once. Like the yearly summer adventures of Poppy and Alex, the movie centers on Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess), who connect with each other on the same day – July 15th – every year. One Day tells the story of their lives, from college graduation through the challenges of adulthood, and is filled with moments where they almost get together.

Emma and Dexter finally find happiness together, but their joy is short-lived when tragedy occurs. While One Day is a deeply moving story that might make you cry, it’s a stark contrast to People We Meet on Vacation, which is much lighter and less stressful.

Best Friends (1982)

Stream On Hoopla

Though often overlooked, Best Friends is a charming 1980s romantic comedy that fans of People We Meet on Vacation will likely enjoy. The film stars Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn as a newly married couple, Richard and Paula, and follows their honeymoon road trip as they navigate their relationship.

Before secretly marrying, Richard and Paula were a successful couple in the entertainment world, happily living together. But the stress of getting married, combined with realizing they weren’t as compatible as they thought while visiting each other’s families, made them see – similar to Poppy and Alex – that even strong love isn’t always enough to keep a relationship going.

Love, Rosie (2014)

Rent On Prime Video

Love, Rosie is a classic romantic comedy about two best friends, Rosie and Alex, who always seem to miss their chance at being together. Throughout the years, they both pursue other serious relationships – Rosie even has a daughter, and Alex almost gets married to someone else.

In the end, Rosie and Alex overcome their communication issues and realize they both have feelings for each other. Love, Rosie is still considered one of Sam Claflin’s strongest performances, and the movie tells a classic love story about two people afraid of ruining their friendship by taking a chance on romance.

Plus One (2019)

Stream On Hulu

The movie Plus One starts with a straightforward idea: two college friends, Alice and Ben, decide to pretend to be a couple and accompany each other to a string of weddings. But as the movie unfolds, they begin to develop real feelings for each other. However, like many couples, their path to happiness isn’t simple or immediate.

Alice and Ben have to redefine what love means to them if they want their relationship to work, and this leads to surprisingly heartfelt moments despite the movie being very funny. Plus One didn’t get much attention when it came out, but fans of People We Meet on Vacation might really enjoy it.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Stream On HBO Max

Viewers quickly pointed out that People We Meet on Vacation shares a lot of similarities with When Harry Met Sally, like how the main characters first meet and the obvious romantic chemistry between them. In fact, When Harry Met Sally feels like the original model for People We Meet on Vacation – and many other romantic comedies about friends who fall in love.

Even so, both People We Meet on Vacation and When Harry Met Sally have unique and charming qualities, making them a great choice for a double feature – whether you’re a longtime rom-com lover or just discovering the genre.

Read More

2026-01-13 20:41