1. "Desert Hearts" (1985)
Broke the mold for LGBTQ+ films back in the day. Set in 1959, Vivian Bell, a repressed English professor, moves to Nevada to finalize her divorce. She meets Cay, a free-spirited young woman, and the chemistry is undeniable. They navigate societal prejudices while questioning their own inhibitions. And yes, they fall deeply, irrevocably in love.
2. "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" (1988)
So here's a love triangle with intellectual chops. Tomas, a lothario and a surgeon in Czechoslovakia, falls for Tereza, a young waitress. Tomas can't shake his habit of affairs, one of which is with Sabina, a free-spirited artist. The 1968 Prague Spring happens, impacting all their lives. Tomas and Tereza try escaping political turmoil but ultimately return.
Be warned: there's no traditional happy ending here.
3. "True Believer" (1989)
No, this isn't a courtroom drama — it's the story of a love that defies the system. Eddie Dodd, a once-idealistic lawyer turned pothead, takes on a case involving an innocent Korean-American framed for murder. He's aided by Roger Baron, a newbie lawyer who idolizes him.
Sparks fly between Roger and Kitty, the victim's sister. Despite threats and dirty tactics from corrupt officials, they crack the case.
4. "Betrayal" (1983)
Emma and Jerry, friends and ex-lovers, meet after her marriage to Robert ends. Emma had a seven-year affair with Jerry, Robert's best friend. We trace their relationship backward, from the fallout to the first sparks of attraction. All the while, you see the ripple effects of their decisions.
It's complicated, it's messy, but man, is it engaging.
5. "Wings of Desire" (1987)
Love so powerful it makes an angel wanna be human. Damiel, an angel, roams Berlin, observing humans but unable to interact. He falls for Marion, a lonely trapeze artist. The pull is so strong that Damiel trades his immortality to be with her. They meet at a concert, and it's love at first human sight.
The film wasn't a box-office hit, but its poetic storytelling won many hearts.
6. "Turtle Diary" (1985)
Who knew that freeing sea turtles could make for such a heartwarming love story? Two lonely souls, Neaera, a children's book author, and William, a bookstore clerk, bump into each other at the London Zoo. Both are captivated by the sea turtles and hatch a plan to free them into the ocean. Along the way, they discover freedom in love and connection.
A slow burn, but worth it for the feels.
7. "Crossing Delancey" (1988)
Think you can escape your roots? Think again! Isabel is a modern, independent woman who works in a chic bookstore. But her Bubbie (grandmother) has other plans and sets her up with Sam, a pickle vendor. Initially repulsed by the idea, Isabel slowly warms up to Sam's genuine nature.
8. "Hope and Glory" (1987)
This one's a family drama with romantic undertones, set during WWII. Ten-year-old Bill's life turns upside down when his house is bombed, forcing his family to move in with his grandparents. While the war rages, his mother, Grace, falls for Mac, his father's colleague. It's not central to the plot but adds depth to the chaos of war.
9. "Places in the Heart" (1984)
Hold on to your hats, y'all, this one's a tearjerker! Sally Field plays Edna Spalding, a widow trying to save her farm during the Great Depression. She reluctantly teams up with Moze, a black man, and Mr. Will, a blind tenant.
Romance blooms between Edna and Mr. Will but takes a backseat to the social issues the film explores.
10. "Dance With a Stranger" (1985)
Here's some British melodrama for ya! This film recounts the true story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain. Ruth, a nightclub hostess, falls hard for David, a playboy and race car driver. Their love is tumultuous and fraught with issues, leading Ruth to shoot David in a moment of passion.