11 Long Distance Relationship Movies & How to Watch Them Together Online

Looking for an amazing date night idea? Check out these super relatable long distance relationship movies (and tips on watching them in sync).

by Livius Besski | Updated on January 26, 2022
long distance relationship movies

Watching long distance relationship movies can be a lot of fun, especially when we can identify with the characters.

When it’s a good story, it’s amazing how it can feel as though your partner is right next to you the whole time.

But what are the best movies about long distance relationships?

I decided to do a little research (and a whole lot of binge watching) to put together a list of movies every long distance couple should consider adding to their next date night.

They can be insightful too.

You’ll get to see the problems long distance couples face and how they push through them to create successful relationships. But best of all, you’ll see that you’re not alone on this journey!

Check out each movie’s trailer below and other information such as ratings, characters and run time.

Long Distance Relationship Movies

1. Atonement (2007)

Genre: Drama/Romance
Audience Rating: 80% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: James McAvoy & Keira Knightley
Run Time: 2h10m

A beautiful long distance relationship movie that shows how hard it can be to love and wait for someone who may never actually come.

2. Going The Distance (2010)

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Audience Rating: 52% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Drew Barrymore & Justin Long
Run Time: 1h43m

A fun and easy romantic comedy which will make you laugh so hard that your long distance partner might actually hear you. But, kidding aside, I think this movie is a masterpiece (and the audience rating doesn’t do it justice) in terms of long distance relationship advice for college students who study/work in different states or countries.

3. The Other End Of The Line (2008)

Genre: Romance
Audience Rating: 50% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Jesse Metcalfe, Shriya Saran & Anupam Kher
Run Time: 1h46m

A beautiful story between an Indian girl and an American guy, who fall in love with each other by talking on the phone and then have to deal with the girl’s parents, among many other challenges, to make the relationship work.

4. Like Crazy (2011)

Genre: Drama/Romance
Audience Rating: 62% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones & Jennifer Lawrence
Run Time: 1h30m

British college student falls for an American student, only to be separated from him when she’s banned from the U.S. after overstaying her visa. In short – young love, emotion and long distance relationship challenges…a must watch movie for any long distance relationship couple.

5. The Notebook (2004)

Genre: Drama/Romance
Audience Rating: 85% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Ryan Gosling & Rachel Adams
Run Time: 2h4m

One of the most popular love stories and one of the most touching and interesting movies that you’ll even have the chance to see. Love, breakups, obstacles, love again…and so much more.

6. Dear John (2010)

Genre: Drama/Romance
Audience Rating: 55% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Channing Tatum & Amanda Seyfried
Run Time: 1h49m

A romantic movie that tells the story of soldier who falls in love for a college student while he’s home on leave, and it turns his life completely upside down.

7. Sleepless In Seattle (1993)

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Audience Rating: 75% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan & Bill Pullman
Run Time: 1h45m

One of the first long distance relationship movies to hit the screens. It tells the story of a widowed man who’s son decided to call a radio talk show in an attempt to find his father a partner – which then results in a “sleepless” long distance relationship love story.

8. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

Genre: Romance/Science Fiction
Audience Rating: 59% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Rachel McAdams & Eric Bana
Run Time: 1h48m

I was hesitant about watching this movie, but after I watched it, I was glad I did. If you’re not sure yet how love can win the distance or just about any obstacle there may be, watch this movie and you’ll convince yourself…and the best part is that the ending will surprise you.

9. You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Audience Rating: 73% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan
Run Time: 1h59m

One of the first movies to show the use of internet in maintaining a long distance relationship, and on top of that a very fun one to watch.

10. The Lake House (2006)

Genre: Drama/Romance
Audience Rating: 73% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Sandra Bullock & Keanu Reeves
Run Time: 1h38m

They both live in the same city, actually even in the same house. But their relationship is still long distance – How is that possible? I’ve always said that time is the number one enemy of long distance relationships, and not necessarily distance, and this movie shows how time can literally be the biggest obstacle.

11. Before Sunrise (1995)

Genre: Drama/Romance
Audience Rating: 93% on Rotten Tomatoes
Starring: Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy
Run Time: 1h41m

Jesse, an American traveling by train through Europe by train meets Celine, who is on her way to start school in Paris. They have an immediate emotional connection, spend the night together and see the sights together throughout their journey, all while grappling with feelings of knowing their time will soon be up.

What’s really cool is they also made two sequels! Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

FAQ

Is there an app to watch movies together?

Yes! Kast.gg is a popular free solution that let’s you watch movies together across any mobile or desktop device through their web and native apps.

How to watch movies together online?

Using Kast.gg you can host video sharing rooms with up to 100 friends for free. Once you have setup a room, simply send your friends the link to enter the room where you can watch movies together and even chat.

Final Comments on Long Distance Relationship Movies

While watching these movies about long distance relationships can be inspiring, they are only movies and may have little to do with the reality of your LDR.

So my advice is to watch them, enjoy them, but keep in mind that love does not overcome obstacles all by itself, and must be nurtured and sustained proactively.

Livius founded Long Distance Lover in 2012 to bring straightforward and actionable advice to couples looking to strengthen their long distance relationships. He now acts as an advisor to the LDL team.