When you don’t have to deal with network television standards and practices, the definition of “romance” can range from sweet, chaste conversations to full-out sex scenes. But the perfect romance is, like real life, a mix of all genres — love can happen amid the most tumultuous circumstances or the most cliche of settings. Whether it’s high schoolers experiencing first love or thirtysomethings who have been around the block (and back), there are many ways to fall in love.
The shows below are some of the best romances available to stream on Netflix, and they run the gamut between absolutely smutty trash and pure first love feelings
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021-present)
Creator: Kim Je-hyeon (tvN)
Cast: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi
Set in a tranquil little village, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha follows the beautiful and intelligent dentist Yoo Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) after she loses her job in Seoul. After accusing a superior of unethical business practices and blasting her name online, she is effectively shunned by the medical community. Unable to cut it in Seoul, she moves to a seaside village to open her own practice, and there she meets a jack-of-all-trades Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho). Sparks quickly fly between these two young, attractive people, though, of course, they are both quick to deny it. A delightful slice-of-life Korean drama, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a wholesome story featuring a delightful town full of interesting characters. — Therese Lacson
Sex/Life (2021-present)
Created by: Stacy Rukeyser
Cast: Sarah Shahi, Mike Vogel, Adam Demos
If you’re looking for a steamy drama, look no further than Sex/Life. The series centers around Billie (Sarah Shahi), a suburban mom who’s growing bored in her marriage with her husband Cooper (Mike Vogel). When her ex Brad (Adam Demos) reenters the picture and tries to win her back, Billie’s past and present collide – with sometimes sexy, other times very messy results. This erotic melodrama is sure to please fans of 50 Shades of Grey and the like. – Taylor Gates
Firefly Lane (2021-present)
Creator: Maggie Friedman
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Sarah Chalke, Ben Lawson, Beau Garrett
Based on the novel of the same name by Kristin Hannah, Firefly Lanespans several decades, following friends Tully and Kate as they meet as teens into adulthood. The two have a plethora of differences – Tully was raised by a drug-addicted mother and is now a popular TV host; Kate is a single mother trying to get back into the workforce – but have remained close throughout the years. However, that’s not to say there isn’t a fair amount of challenges and drama, especially stemming from old flames and new relationships alike. Firefly Lane is comforting and warm, with an interesting edge that sets it apart. – Taylor Gates
Young Royals (2021-present)
Creators: Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Beckung, Camilla Holter
Cast: Edvin Ryding, Omar Rudberg, Malte Gårdinger
Young Royals is a perfectly blended queer young adult drama following an adolescent prince who is learning what it means to represent both his family and his people as he attends a prestigious boarding school for high-status teens. Starring Edvin Ryding as Prince Wilhelm, Young Royals provides Ryding an opportunity to show off his range with a character who must present both strength and vulnerability in nearly every scene. Adding to the angst and drama is the blossoming romance between Prince Wilhelm and Simon, played by Omar Rudberg. The first season of Young Royals is oozing with tension and excitement, ideal for viewers who enjoy high school dramas. – Yael Tygiel
Virgin River (2019-present)
Developed by: Sue Tenney
Cast: Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Jenny Cooper
Virgin River centers on Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a midwife and nurse practitioner who moves to the small Northern California town of Virgin River, looking for a fresh start. However, she quickly finds that things aren’t quite as simple as she was expecting: her house is falling apart, the local doctor doesn’t trust her, and she’s still haunted by a disasterous past relationship. But as time goes on, Mel slowly begins to carve out a space for herself in the community and may even open herself up to the idea of love again. Virgin River is a quiet, feel-good watch that’s perfect if you need something soft and sweet to lift your spirits. – Taylor Gates
First Kill (2022-present)
Creator: V. E. Schwab
Based on the short story by: V.E. Schwab
Cast: Sarah Catherine Hook, Imani Lewis, Aubin Wise, Elizabeth Mitchell
Vampires never get old… and neither do their stories. In Savannah, Georgia, monsters are public knowledge, and staying secret is vastly important, especially for the powerful Fairmont family. But as strange things start to occur, secrets are spilled out into the world, causing monster hunters to arrive. Netflix’s First Kill follows the forbidden and blossoming lesbian love story between legacy vampire Juliette Fairmont (Sarah Catherine Hook) and hunter Calliope “Cal” Burns (Imani Lewis). As their feelings for one another grow, so does the complex nature of their relationship and the two opposing forces their families represent. Can there be a happy ending in this story? – Jay Snow
Heartstopper (2022-present)
Creator: Alice Oseman
Cast: Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown
Stories about young love and queer joy are such a delight, and Heartstopperis a wonderful entrant in the romance genre. Based on the webcomic and graphic novel of the same name by show creator Alice Oseman, the show follows Charlie (Joe Locke) as he meets, befriends, and falls in love with his new classmate Nick (Kit Connor). But how does Nick feel about Charlie, and how will this new burgeoning relationship—platonic or not—affect Charlie’s friendships? The show captures the tone and elements of the webcomic, giving it a stylistic feel that’s dreamy yet embodies the very real and confusing feelings of discovering one’s identity as a teenager. The cast and characters are diverse and represent a wide spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities. Heartstopper can be a little intense at times, with tense emotional arcs for several characters, but this show will make you wistful for those heartstopper moments in your life and sweep you off your feet from the very first episode. – Monita Mohan