Breakups are a common theme in romantic comedies and dramas, yet movies focused on breakups possess a unique allure. These films revolve around a central split, often occurring early or anticipated throughout the narrative. Among the many breakup films, some titles stand out prominently.
In these stories, outcomes vary: some couples part permanently, while others reunite, for better or worse. Infidelity, egotism, or simply growing apart can drive the separation, eliciting tears and deep engagement from viewers as they follow the characters through their emotional journeys, reconciliations, and eventual healing.
Highlighted by films such as “The Break-Up,” “Someone Great,” and “Midsommar,” these movies are considered some of the greatest breakup films ever by those who’ve experienced heartache. Prepare for an emotional ride and keep tissues handy.
10. Midsommar
College student Dani faces a series of tragic events, starting with her sister killing their parents and then committing suicide, leaving Dani isolated. Her emotionally distant boyfriend, Christian, reluctantly invites her to a traditional Swedish midsommar festival. The festival quickly descends into chaos with its bizarre and dark customs, including ritual suicides and disturbing mating ceremonies.
The tension between Dani and Christian is evident from the beginning, worsened by Christian’s insensitivity to Dani’s profound grief. Their relationship deteriorates further as they go through the motions. After Dani is crowned as the May Queen, the situation escalates dramatically. The film concludes with Dani, now deeply involved with the cult, making the grim decision to offer Christian as a human sacrifice. Despite Christian’s objectionable behavior throughout the movie, his fate elicits little sympathy.
9. The Banshees of Inisherin
Set in 1923 during the Irish Civil War, the film
centers on the deteriorating friendship
between Colm, an older man, and his friend
Pádraic. Colm, who prioritizes his music
composition, finds Pádraic too dull and
decides to end their long-standing
relationship. Despite attempts at
reconciliation, both men engage in
increasingly extreme retaliatory acts as their
rivalry intensifies.
Colm ostracizes Pádraic for being boring, a
decision that seems absurd given their long
history. He cuts ties completely, ignoring the
possibility of maintaining a low-key, occasional
friendship. The conflict escalates when Colm
begins sever!ng his own fingers and throwing
them at Pádraic’s house. In response, Pádraic,
seeking revenge for his donkey’s death
caused by one of the sever*d fingers,
considers extreme actions and ultimately tries
to eliminate Colm by setting his house on fire.
8. Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
After separating from the Joker, Harley Quinn must navigate life on her own. Known for her comic book persona, Harley epitomizes female camaraderie and shares a close bond with Poison Ivy. The film marks Harley’s transformation into an independent character, free from the Joker’s influence. In this story, she teams up with a group of women to rescue Cassandra from abduction, demonstrating her skills on roller skates.
The Joker’s dismissal turns out to be a blessing for Harley. His overbearing, possessive, and abusive behavior had reduced her to less than a partner. Free from his control, Harley steps into the spotlight, discovering her own remarkable, self-sufficient identity, unencumbered by his oppressive presence.
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
In the aftermath of a breakup, ordinary individuals might resort to drastic measures to erase memories of their former partner. This is the path Clementine chooses post-separation from Joel, and he follows suit. Amidst this, they both become involved in complicated relationships while the lab technicians make dubious alterations to their memory-erasing procedure. Despite these manipulations, Clementine and Joel struggle to reconcile.
Both Clementine and Joel make questionable choices; Clementine’s include inebriation and a car accident. Their relationship deteriorates, leading to an inevitable separation. They have difficulty confronting their issues, opting for memory modification over addressing the consequences of their breakup or attempting reconciliation. Eventually, they reunite, facing the potential to repeat past mistakes or the chance for a fresh, more positive beginning.
6. Marriage Story
Charlie and Nicole, both successful in different areas of show business—he as a theater company owner and she as an actress—find their relationship deteriorating. They skip couples therapy and struggle with communication. Nicole’s significant new role in Hollywood exacerbates their issues, leading to a fierce custody battle as Charlie stays in New York for his Broadway production. The situation escalates with the involvement of aggressive attorneys.
The rift between Charlie and Nicole had been growing, worsened by her discovery of his infidelity and his criticism of her drinking. Despite their heated arguments, moments of mutual comfort reveal lingering affection, prompting them to forego their lawyers for a more amicable separation. As they move forward, both achieve professional success and improve communication for their son’s well-being during the custody resolution.
5. (500) Days of Summer
Tom meets Summer at their workplace, a greeting card company, and is immediately infatuated, while Summer is not looking for anything serious. Despite this, they begin a relationship that soon becomes unstable due to Tom’s unmet expectations, which contradict the initial terms of their relationship.
Tom’s behavior suggests a sense of entitlement to Summer’s affection, conflicting with her clear communication of her intentions. His hope that she would eventually change her stance leads to disappointment. After their breakup, Tom learns of Summer’s engagement, causing him to question her ability to commit. Ultimately, he realizes their fundamental incompatibility, going through a period of depression before reaching acceptance.
4. High Fidelity
To improve his future romantic prospects, Rob examines his past relationships after breaking up with Laura. Despite this self-reflection, he struggles to move forward. Rob tries to understand his reluctance to commit and his hesitancy in relationships, all while aiming to reconcile with Laura.
Rob’s commitment is half-hearted; he is perpetually indecisive and lacks the resolve to sustain the relationship. His mind frequently drifts to thoughts of other women, even creating a mix-tape for someone else during his reconciliation with Laura. It seems Laura compromises by accepting Rob’s minimal efforts at commitment and happiness. Ultimately, Rob’s actions suggest he is doing the bare minimum rather than genuinely striving to improve himself as a person and partner.
3. Someone Great
Paraphrase What is with the universe always trying to even the score any time something great happens? In Something Great, Jenny snags her dream job at Rolling Stone, then her boyfriend Nate promptly breaks up with her. She doesn’t exactly take it well. While her friends are going through their own relationship drama and breakups, they distract Jenny with a concert. It doesn’t work. But friends will always be there even when relationships don’t last – something Jenny discovers by the end of the movie.
Not all breakups happen because either party wants it. In the case of Nate and Jenny, they’d been dating for nine years during the formative period in a young adult’s life. They’re all they know. And sometimes you have to break up to figure out who you are without the other person. So, it doesn’t help that Jenny is moving away, but it probably would have happened regardless. Jenny goes into a period of depression, dreaming that they make up when she sits on a bench they carved their names on. Eventually, she writes a letter to him about wanting “one more” time to finally get closure (or not). She really doesn’t want to let him go, but she realizes she has to before saying goodbye.
2. The First Wives Club
In 1969, four college graduates vow to remain integral in each other’s lives, a promise often unkept as life’s divergent paths take hold. Years later, Annie, Brenda, and Elise are drawn together at Cynthia’s funeral. The film explores each woman’s tumultuous romantic life, but their focus shifts to plotting retribution for past wrongs.
Cynthia’s affluent family had fueled her husband’s ascent, but he abandons her for a younger partner once he becomes independent. Cynthia’s subsequent suicide, following a harrowing divorce, leaves behind letters that bring the women together. Annie, amidst separation, seeks reconciliation and therapy with her spouse. Elise, an acclaimed actress, battles addictions while enduring a divorce. Brenda, already divorced, faces financial troubles despite her ex-husband’s prosperity. Their collective desire for revenge stems from their significant yet unrecognized contributions to their exes’ successes and their own resultant losses.
1. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
After his five-year relationship with actress Sarah ends, composer Peter, overwhelmed with sadness, travels to Oahu for a break. There, he is charmed by Rachel, a resort employee. However, their budding romance encounters a challenge when Sarah arrives at the same resort with her new musician boyfriend.
Peter discovers that Sarah’s relationship with the rockstar began before their breakup, exposing her long-term infidelity. Her self-centered nature and lack of genuine care for Peter become evident. Seeing Peter’s newfound happiness makes Sarah envious, leading to an unsuccessful attempt to rekindle their intimacy. Disheartened by the situation, Rachel distances herself, leaving Peter to work on repairing their relationship.