As one of the most popular romance tropes, the love triangle can be a hit or miss. A writer will either do a brilliant job of making the decision feel earned, or it'll simply add unnecessary drama to a story that would have otherwise been great. Countless movies and TV shows have utilized the trope in their relationship development, but only a handful have done an excellent job of showing why it's believable for the characters to feel as they do. In addition, what makes a good love triangle stand out is when it's apparent why a person could be torn between two love interests.
With the recent success of Celine Song's enamoring hit Materialists, looking back at films featuring the trope feels inevitable. Here are the eight best love triangle movies and where to find them on Disney Plus, Prime Video, and more.
Materialists (2025)
Celine Song's Materialists brilliantly plays with the love triangle trope by making both Pedro Pascal's Harry and Chris Evans' John deeply likable. As Dakota Johnson's Lucy connects (and reconnects) with them throughout the film, it's understandable why we see the back-and-forth cycle.
As a film that realistically navigates through the pools of dating, Materialists explores the idea of what it means for someone to be the right person versus someone who checks all the right boxes. Here, the love triangle isn't a plot device, but rather an authentic depiction of human interests and how it's not just circumstances but the emotions that play a role in what a person wants versus what they need. For the viewers who generally hate the trope, there's a high chance you'll still love how effectively Materialists explores it.
Casablanca (1943)
As one of the most revered films of all time, Michael Curtiz's Casablanca is an all-encompassing classic for a reason. Known for many reasons, such as its iconic "here's to looking at you, kid," which has been the source of tireless analysis, the film also diligently explores a love triangle between the characters played by Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid.
As a film about anxieties, sacrifices, friendship, and love, Casablanca consistently resonates as it ages because of its simplicity and the profoundly relatable human struggles, no matter the time or place we're watching from. Classic films played with the trope long before it even had a name, but none have done it as gutwrenchingly as Casablanca, making it a must-watch for anyone who's in the mood to metaphorically have their hearts ripped out of their chest.
Past Lives (2023)
Celine Song's masterful debut, Past Lives, thoughtfully and meticulously explores the idea of soul mates through different points in time. Greta Lee's Nora is happily in love with Arthur (John Magaro), but when her childhood best friend, Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), visits New York City from South Korea, lingering questions of what-ifs plague every person involved in the story.
Like in Materialists, Song ensures that the viewer understands every character's innermost thoughts and feelings to see why the idea of uncertainty is like a fourth character in the story. While there's a choice at the end that feels right for all characters involved, it's the type of stand-out feature that diligently examines a human being's vast capacity to love. It's also a must-watch for viewers who want a version of the childhood best friends to lovers trope that makes it clear why friendship is a better alternative to a romantic relationship.
Challengers (2024)
Challengers is perhaps the most unique love triangle film of the decade because it's the only one that teeters right on the edge of setting up what could actually be a three-way relationship. As another film that spans across a number of years, Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), and Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) consistently orbit around each other as they're tethered through tennis and their shared history of romance.
Despite the fact that Tashi initially chooses Patrick, she later ends up marrying Art, as the former best friends eventually fall out of touch. Brilliant and compelling from start to finish, Luca Guadagnino's hit draws a clear picture of why these characters can't stay away from each other and how they each bring something inimitable to the three-way relationship. While viewers wanting a more authentic tennis film might not appreciate the approach Challengers takes, it's ideal for anyone who favors complex character journeys and messy decisions that result in the kind of nail-biting resolution.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
As a classic romantic comedy, While You Were Sleeping glistens as a film with another unconventional love triangle that dives deep into offering character studies. After she saves her crush's life, Sandra Bullock's Lucy lies to the hospital staff that they're engaged, which then results in a domino effect of her lying to his family while he suffers from amnesia. Amidst her ruse, Lucy connects with Peter's brother, Jack, making viewers question what choice she'll eventually make, even when it becomes obvious.
Do you give the love you've always wanted a try, or do you allow fate to take its course? The end result, along with every little thing that occurs throughout the film, has made it one of the most renowned romance films and a must-watch year-round for countless people. Perfect not only for the viewers who like the love triangle trope, but also for those who appreciate the amnesia trope as well, which is more often done in books than in TV and film.
The Notebook (2004)
Similar to Materialists, The Notebook explores the idea of perfection through someone who checks all the right boxes but isn't exactly the right person. After Rachel McAdams' Allie Hamilton is forced to break up with her boyfriend Noah Calhoun because her wealthy parents disapprove of their match, she reconnects with him later in life while she's visiting and engaged to James Marsden's Lon. Both men treat Ally as well as she deserves to be treated, but as her choice in the end proves, you don't always forget your first.
The Notebook might be known for its epic reunion kiss or Ryan Gosling's astounding delivery of a man who's still utterly in love, but it also shines in its admirable way of exploring a love triangle. It's the ideal movie for viewers who not only adore a good first love story but for those who appreciate deliciously angsty second chance romances.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
As a historical film, Pearl Harbor accomplishes very little, but as a romance that features a love triangle, it's yet another gorgeous story that explores how it's possible for a person to love more than one person at the same time. When Evelyn believes the love of her life, Rafe, to be dead, she and Danny eventually connect with their shared grief and build their own love story. But later, when Rafe shows up—very much alive—matters become more complicated, allowing the choice she makes at the end to be the one that feels both right by circumstances and for the character
The different relationship she has with each of them provides interesting beats of entertainment throughout to showcase alternate points of love that bring out something completely different in a person. For viewers wanting a historically accurate film, this one's not the way to go, but for those wanting to dive into an emotionally complex roller coaster of romance, then Pearl Harbor is sure to be evocative.
The Twilight Saga (2008-2012)
As a genre, fantasy plays on the love triangle quite a bit, yet none more hilariously than the Twilight Saga. So well known, even as people hate-watch it, the love triangle in New Moon is one many viewers are aware of, whether they've read the books or not. When Robert Pattinson's vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen, leaves Kristen Stewart's Bella Swan alone in their town of Forks, Washington, Taylor Lautner's werewolf, Jacob Black, steps into the picture.
The friendship between them becomes a relatively significant one, making it believable why the main character would briefly feel torn about her supernatural choices. Still, for viewers who prefer more realistic depictions of the trope, like in Materialists or Past Lives, the Twilight Saga's campy approach might be best for those who really love the genre.
