Best Movies with Love Triangles
Love triangles show up in every kind of movie, from sweeping historical epics to sharp modern comedies, and they keep stories moving with tough choices and tangled loyalties. This list brings together fifty films where three hearts collide in different ways, across different eras and cultures. You will find classics, period dramas, rom-coms, and a few unexpected picks that use the triangle to raise the stakes. Each entry highlights what the film covers, who is involved, and what makes the triangle central to the plot.
‘Casablanca’ (1942)
Rick runs a café in wartime Morocco and crosses paths with Ilsa and her resistance-leader husband Victor. The story tracks exit visas, secret deals, and the pressure of occupied territory. Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid lead the cast. The triangle drives every choice at the airport and inside Rick’s Café Americain.
‘Gone with the Wind’ (1939)
Scarlett O’Hara’s fixation on Ashley Wilkes collides with her volatile bond with Rhett Butler. The narrative follows plantations, the fall of Atlanta, and Reconstruction. The triangle shapes marriages, business schemes, and shifting fortunes. Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, and Leslie Howard anchor the drama.
‘The Philadelphia Story’ (1940)
A high-society bride navigates her ex-husband’s return and a visiting reporter on the eve of her wedding. The setting moves through Main Line mansions and a busy newsroom. Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart trade barbs and secrets. The triangle plays out during rehearsed ceremonies and unexpected late-night talks.
‘Doctor Zhivago’ (1965)
A poet-physician is torn between his wife and a woman he meets amid revolution. The film travels across frozen landscapes, field hospitals, and remote huts. Omar Sharif and Julie Christie headline the story of shifting identities and exile. The triangle shapes journeys by train, forced relocations, and coded messages.
‘The Graduate’ (1967)
A recent college graduate drifts into an affair with an older family friend while falling for her daughter. The suburban setting shows pool parties, hotel rooms, and coastal drives. Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, and Katharine Ross lead the cast. The triangle builds through secret meetings and confrontations at a church.
‘Jules and Jim’ (1962)
Two friends fall for the same free-spirited woman across decades in Europe. The story moves through cafés, country homes, and wartime separations. Jeanne Moreau, Oskar Werner, and Henri Serre form the central trio. The triangle explores shifting alliances, open relationships, and tragic outcomes.
‘The Apartment’ (1960)
An insurance clerk loans his place to executives for affairs and falls for a colleague involved with his boss. New York offices, elevators, and a small apartment frame the action. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine carry the emotional core with Fred MacMurray as the boss. The triangle drives promotions, holiday plans, and hard choices.
‘Titanic’ (1997)
A young aristocrat meets a steerage artist on an ocean liner during its fateful voyage. The triangle includes a controlling fiancé and a priceless necklace at the center of a theft. Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, and Billy Zane lead the story. Shipboard routines, gala dinners, and the final night shape the tension.
‘Moulin Rouge!’ (2001)
A cabaret star becomes involved with a penniless writer while bound by a contract to a powerful backer. The Paris nightlife setting features rehearsals, club ownership, and a planned stage show. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor lead the performances with the Duke as the controlling third point. The triangle affects finances, casting, and security threats.
‘The Great Gatsby’ (2013)
A self-made host of lavish parties pursues a married woman across Long Island sound. The triangle centers on inheritance, status, and a green light seen from a dock. Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton portray the key figures. Rumors, driving mishaps, and a hotel confrontation push events forward.
‘The English Patient’ (1996)
A cartographer recalls a forbidden affair while a nurse uncovers his past in an abandoned monastery. The triangle involves an explorer couple and a pilot during desert expeditions. Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Colin Firth lead the cast. Maps, caves, and a downed aircraft connect the strands.
‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ (2008)
Two American friends visit Spain and meet a painter and his unpredictable ex. The triangle shifts as relationships overlap during a summer of travel and art. Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, and Scarlett Johansson shape the dynamics. Galleries, guitar recitals, and weekend trips mark the turning points.
‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ (2001)
A London publishing assistant is pulled between a charming bad boy and a reserved lawyer. Diaries, office parties, and family dinners map her choices. Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, and Colin Firth form the trio. The triangle unfolds through workplace gossip, televised charity events, and awkward holiday moments.
‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ (1997)
A food critic decides to stop her best friend’s wedding by declaring old feelings. The triangle plays out through rehearsal dinners, sing-alongs, and a boat ride. Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, and Cameron Diaz lead the story. Plans, maid-of-honor duties, and a chase through city streets shape the climax.
‘Pretty in Pink’ (1986)
A high school senior from the wrong side of town faces pressure from two very different suitors. Record stores, prom plans, and home sewing projects set the scene. Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, and Andrew McCarthy form the triangle. The conflict tracks class differences, friend loyalty, and a final dance.
‘Legends of the Fall’ (1994)
Three brothers and the woman they all meet face separation, war, and frontier life. The triangle reshapes ranch routines, family alliances, and return journeys. Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn, and Julia Ormond lead the cast with Anthony Hopkins as the father. Letters, railway stations, and mountain cabins mark each turn.
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
A farmhand returns to rescue his true love who is set to marry a scheming prince. The triangle includes a forced engagement and a hired swordsman on the prince’s side. Cary Elwes and Robin Wright star with Chris Sarandon as the rival. Cliffs, forests, and castle gates chart the pursuit.
‘Shakespeare in Love’ (1998)
A playwright with writer’s block starts a secret romance with a noblewoman promised to another. The triangle shapes casting, rehearsal disguises, and a planned marriage contract. Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow lead, with Colin Firth as the competing suitor. Theater companies, rival patrons, and a court audience drive the stakes.
‘The Age of Innocence’ (1993)
A New York lawyer engaged to a proper debutante becomes drawn to her cousin who challenges social rules. The triangle unfolds in opera boxes, formal dinners, and tightly managed visits. Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder head the cast. Rules of calling cards and chaperoned meetings guide every move.
‘Sweet Home Alabama’ (2002)
A fashion designer returns to finalize a divorce while planning a new engagement. The triangle spans small-town rituals and city expectations. Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, and Patrick Dempsey lead the story. Family shops, courthouse papers, and childhood hangouts carry the action.
‘While You Were Sleeping’ (1995)
A transit worker saves a man and is mistaken for his fiancée, then bonds with his brother. The triangle develops in hospital rooms and a close family home. Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, and Peter Gallagher star. Holiday gatherings, token boxes, and a ring reveal frame the decisions.
‘The Bridges of Madison County’ (1995)
A traveling photographer meets a farm wife during a short trip while her family is away. The triangle centers on daily chores, a covered bridge, and a secret kept for years. Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood lead the cast with the husband as the third point. A key, a note, and a county fair fix the timeline.
‘The Piano’ (1993)
A mute pianist arrives in a remote settlement for an arranged marriage and forms a bond with a neighbor. The triangle involves custody of a piano as leverage. Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, and Sam Neill anchor the film. Lessons, traded keys, and a stormy beach shape the outcome.
‘Indecent Proposal’ (1993)
A couple faces an offer from a billionaire that tests their relationship. The triangle examines contracts, charity auctions, and a night on a yacht. Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, and Robert Redford lead the story. Property deals, gambling debts, and a wooden token carry the thread.
‘Cruel Intentions’ (1999)
Wealthy step-siblings orchestrate bets that entangle a naive new student and a headmaster’s daughter. The triangle shifts through prep-school corridors and charity galas. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Reese Witherspoon headline. Journals, wagers, and a cello case mark the turning points.
‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ (1999)
An imposter fixates on a wealthy playboy and his girlfriend during a trip abroad. The triangle hinges on forged identities and changing invitations. Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow lead the cast. Jazz clubs, seaside villas, and a typewriter ribbon track the deceptions.
‘Pearl Harbor’ (2001)
Two pilots and a nurse navigate friendship, duty, and a surprise attack. The triangle spans training flights, hospital triage, and a mission overseas. Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale lead the story. Letters, dog tags, and a hangar farewell define the choices.
‘Spider-Man’ (2002)
A student hero balances crimefighting with feelings for a friend who is dating his best friend. The triangle involves missed phone calls and rooftop confessions. Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco frame the dynamic. Newspaper headlines, school plays, and a bridge rescue set the stage.
‘Enchanted’ (2007)
A princess from an animated kingdom lands in modern New York and meets a single father while her storybook fiancé searches for her. The triangle plays out through parades, a charity ball, and a poisoned apple. Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, and James Marsden lead the cast. Billboards, pigeons, and a citywide dance connect the worlds.
‘The Favourite’ (2018)
Two cousins compete for the attention and influence of a monarch. The triangle unfolds in corridors, duck races, and council rooms. Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone shape the shifting alliances. Letters, titles, and a palace chamber decide outcomes.
‘A Royal Affair’ (2012)
A physician becomes close to a queen married to a troubled king and backs reforms. The triangle weaves through pamphlets, cabinet meetings, and a risky court. Mads Mikkelsen, Alicia Vikander, and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard lead the cast. Secret correspondence, a library, and a masked ball mark the key beats.
‘Carol’ (2015)
A shopgirl and a married woman connect during the holidays while navigating custody and surveillance. The triangle includes a legal separation and recorded phone calls. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara lead with Kyle Chandler as the husband. Road trips, toy counters, and a private investigator shape events.
‘Silver Linings Playbook’ (2012)
A man trying to rebuild his life trains for a dance competition with a neighbor while still attached to his estranged wife. The triangle plays out through rehearsals, game days, and a wager. Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and a distant spouse figure drive the tension. Family living rooms, a letter, and a ballroom performance set the timeline.
‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005)
Two ranch hands form a bond that affects their marriages and years apart. The triangle involves spouses and secret trips. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal lead with Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway as key figures. Postcards, motel rooms, and a lakeside camp outline the story.
‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ (2008)
Two sisters compete for the attention of a king during a volatile court. The triangle influences titles, estates, and political backing. Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Eric Bana form the central trio. Banquets, hunting parties, and council chambers move the plot.
‘Camelot’ (1967)
A ruler’s marriage strains under the arrival of a celebrated knight. The triangle shapes treaties, tournaments, and the fate of a kingdom. Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, and Franco Nero headline. Round table rituals, a forest meeting, and a public trial track the consequences.
‘Excalibur’ (1981)
A retelling of a legendary court shows a queen torn between a king and his champion. The triangle intertwines with quests, sieges, and a final battle. Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, and Nicholas Clay lead the narrative. Enchanted armor, river fords, and a broken oath define the arc.
‘Roxanne’ (1987)
A witty fire chief helps a shy colleague court a woman he also loves. The triangle plays out through letters and moonlit rooftops. Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah, and Rick Rossovich lead the cast. A small-town station, a telescope, and a crowded street scene frame the action.
‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ (2015)
An independent landowner weighs proposals from three men with very different lives. The triangle appears within a wider set of suitors and changing finances. Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Tom Sturridge guide the core tensions. Sheep pens, fires, and a storm-tossed barn mark the beats.
‘Marie Antoinette’ (2006)
A young queen balances court rules with a discreet bond outside her marriage. The triangle unfolds at masked balls, gardens, and the Petit Trianon. Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman, and Jamie Dornan lead the cast. Protocol, gift lists, and palace gossip shape the choices.
‘The Dreamers’ (2003)
A visiting student becomes entangled with a sister and brother in a city stirred by protests. The triangle explores boundaries, film clubs, and a shared apartment. Michael Pitt, Eva Green, and Louis Garrel lead the story. Posters, bathtubs, and a street-level march set the tone.
‘Y Tu Mamá También’ (2001)
Two friends invite an older woman on a road trip that changes how they see each other. The triangle shifts through highway meals, rural beaches, and candid conversations. Gael GarcÃa Bernal, Diego Luna, and Maribel Verdú lead the film. A map, a borrowed car, and a remote cove frame the journey.
‘The Swimming Pool’ (1969)
A couple’s holiday turns tense when an old flame arrives with a daughter. The triangle builds around a villa pool, a party, and veiled jealousy. Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, and Maurice Ronet lead the cast. Police questions, footprints, and a locked gate push the plot.
‘Hannah and Her Sisters’ (1986)
A family gathers for holidays while two sisters and a husband form an unexpected triangle. The story tracks gallery shows, auditions, and doctor visits. Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, and Michael Caine anchor the core. A brownstone, a restaurant table, and a bookshop mark the turns.
‘The Girl Who Leapt Through Time’ (2006)
A student discovers time jumps and tries to fix a growing triangle among friends. The story moves through classrooms, baseball fields, and a science lab. Voice actors bring out the trio’s shifting plans and secrets. Chalk markings, a painting, and a final race tie the threads.
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ (2006)
A pirate captain unsettles an engaged couple during a hunt for a heart in a chest. The triangle surfaces on a cannibal island, a blacksmith shop, and a shipboard duel. Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley lead the adventure. Keys, compasses, and a stormy whirlpool mark the action.
‘The Vow’ (2012)
After a car accident, a woman loses memory of her husband and reconnects with a former life. The triangle plays out in studios, courtrooms, and family dinners. Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, and Scott Speedman lead the cast. Wedding photos, legal filings, and an art show guide decisions.
‘The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society’ (2018)
An author visits an island to research a wartime book and meets a farmer while engaged to someone in the city. The triangle unfolds through letters, readings, and a missing child’s story. Lily James, Michiel Huisman, and Glen Powell lead the film. Book clubs, docks, and a foggy lane provide the setting.
‘Dear John’ (2010)
A soldier and a college student keep a relationship alive through letters while a local suitor appears. The triangle reflects deployments, caregiving, and a hurricane repair project. Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, and Henry Thomas shape the dynamic. Coin collections, folded notes, and a rebuilt pier mark the path.
‘The Notebook’ (2004)
A couple’s early romance faces class divides and a later engagement to another man. The triangle is framed by readings in a care facility. Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, and James Marsden lead the story. A boathouse, a paint-splattered room, and a restored house appear at key moments.
Share your favorite love triangle movies in the comments and tell us which ones we should add next.
