Breathe. Just breathe.

You might already know that Robert Pattinson is a superstar when it comes to films. He’s been in the industry since he was 15 years old and has worked with the biggest directors in Hollywood. He played the lead in the Twilight series and has gone on to appear in major films like Life of Pi, Bel Ami, and The Lost City. But aside from acting, he’s also written a few bestselling novels and directed a couple of short films. So he has a lot to offer, not just as an actor but also as a creative thinker.

New Novel, New Film

More recently, Robert Pattinson decided to venture into the world of writing. In 2018, he published his first novel, Water for Elephants, a retelling of the 1994 novel of the same name by Emily Brontë. Inspired by the epic poetry of William Blake and the stark beauty of the American West, Water for Elephants is a haunting retelling of the story of Jacob and Esau. Critics have compared Rob’s work to that of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.

While it’s been a while since his last film was released in 2015, Rob is still hard at work on new projects. He recently wrapped principal photography on Fire With Fire (working title), a period drama set during the early 1900s in South Africa. The film will mark his fourth collaboration with director Juan Carlos Fresnedo. It also stars Charlie Hunnam, Christian Bale, and Rosamund Pike. The film is slated for release in 2022.

For someone who’s always worked hard, Rob has certainly found the right balance between career and personal life. Since 2010, he’s been living in a palatial home in London with his partner, film producer and director Lisi Harrison. They have a son named Rex, born in 2018.

Dark Side

Despite his success, Robert Pattinson has never been afraid to experiment with his looks. He’s had a rough patch in his personal life, as well, struggling with addiction and being robbed at gunpoint in Turkey in 2017. But none of that has seemed to tarnish his shine. He’s still one of the most well-known and decorated actors of his generation. And while he may not always be easy to work with, people love him for his wit and charm.

Romantic Comedy

Interestingly, Robert Pattinson has long hinted at a romantic side to his personality. He’s often been photographed with female co-stars and has even been rumored to have had relationships with women. Perhaps this penchant for the dramatic stems from his time playing the romantic lead in Signal (2012). In the film, he plays Scott, a photographer who stumbles upon a stranger’s phone number in his photography book and impulsively calls her. Unbeknownst to Scott, the stranger is also his idol, James Dean. Scott eventually gets pulled into Dean’s world and begins to see the actress Megan Jayne Crabbe as someone more than just a celebrity.

While this may seem like a far cry from his usual type of role, it actually fits right into the zeitgeist of the moment. With the rise of the ‘MeToo’ movement, there has been a resurgence of interest in exploring and celebrating non-traditional romance. And with films like Signal, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2019, it’s more mainstream attention for these types of storylines.

What Is Love?

Perhaps the biggest question raised by the 2020 pandemic is: what is love? And can we really trust it? In an effort to explore these themes head on, the legendary director Stanley Kubrick envisioned a dark romance opposite Kate Winslet’s light-filled vision of love. He called the epic project Eternity Now and wrote the screenplay with his son, Christopher. While the two leads’ characters experience two very different sides of love in the film, it’s a question that’s remained at the forefront of everyone’s minds since.

Here, we rank the most romantic films of all time. From historic box office hits to feel-good family films and quirky comedies, these are the greatest romances of all time. Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below.

10. Shakespeare in Love

It may not be the most romantic movie ever made, but one of the greatest triumphs of all time is arguably Shakespeare in Love. Directed by William Shakespeare’s great-grandboy Michael York, this film adaptation of the play Romeo and Juliet won the coveted Best Picture Academy Award in 2000. The film explores the difficulties of an arranged marriage while also paying tribute to Shakespeare’s genius. Michael York’s direction is exquisite and the cinematography is breathtaking. The costumes are fabulous and the sets are gorgeous. We can’t think of a more romantic film.

9. Sunset Boulevard

Another Best Picture winner from the esteemed Stanley Kubrick is the classic film noir Sunset Boulevard. Based on Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel All Quiet on the Western Front, the film stars Humphrey Bogart as an aging film star trying to navigate the treacherous landscape of Hollywood. He’s surrounded by a group of ambitious, young actors who want to emulate his success. The atmosphere in the film is grim, yet evocative of the great film classics of the era. It was made on a lavish budget and was praised for its technical achievements at the time of its release. This is one of the greatest love stories ever told through film.

8. Amadeus

Stanley Kubrick took the art of filmmaking into the age of digital revolution with his last film, Amadeus. Based on Arthur Schnitzler’s 1905 novella Der Weiße Tiger, the film is set in the Vienna of the ’80s and follows the travails of shy piano student William Blake, played by Peter Strauss. On one of his most ambitious creative projects, Kubrick fused historical fact with an artistic vision that drew inspiration from the Vienna of Mozart and Beethoven. His use of light and shade is masterful, adding depth to the already atmospheric story. While the script was written by Peter Shaffer, the director collaborated with Arthur Schnitzler on the film’s soundtrack and made significant contributions to the lyrics of two of the songs.

7. Tunesis

Music plays an important role in many of our lives. It can make or break a party, set the mood for a romantic date, or represent a person’s true feelings. In 2020, it was hard to avoid music in your life. With many hitting the studio to work on their new album, the industry experienced a revival. Several traditional record labels and independent artists saw a rise in sales and concert bookings. This fondness for music has led to a renewed interest in the classical music genre. One of the most memorable performances in recent years is Hans Zimmer’s epic composition The Great Escape. Inspired by the 1955 science-fiction film Van Heemsbergen’s Great Escape, the minimalist classical music represents a ratchetting up of the tension as the film’s protagonist desperately tries to escape from a German work camp. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and premiered to critical acclaim at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival.

6. An American In Paris

One of the most romantic films of all time is unquestionably An American In Paris. Based on the 1952 play by George Grossmith, the film follows Joe Bonaparte, an American playwright who travels to Paris to write a play but ends up falling in love with the city. The film’s beauty and romance became the ultimate inspiration for a popular song by Irving Berlin, who wrote the music and lyrics for the original film. In addition to earning an Academy Award for best original score, the film also took home the Cannes Film Festival’s coveted prize for best costume design. The exquisite craftsmanship is evident in the elaborate costumes worn by the film’s French star, Brigitte Bardot. This might not be the most traditional of love stories, but given the iconic status of this film, it’s safe to say that it’s one of the most romantic films of all time.