The top romantic movies of 2012 are already creating quite a lot of buzz, especially since yet another franchise – Twilight – will soon be ending. There are tons of romantic movies – some funny, some thrilling, some absolutely heartbreaking – ready to play with your emotions in the coming year. If you want a sneak peek of some of the hottest coming attractions, check out this list of the top 12 romantic movies of 2012 and start clearing your calendar!
1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2
The bad news is that this top romantic movie of 2012 isn't set to come out until November 16 of next year, but that's always subject to change. It's the conclusion of the wildly popular, shiny vampire franchise, and the Volturi will feature strongly in the sequel as well. A lot of questions will get answered, and since you never know how much a movie will change from the book, many of them may still be relevant.
Frequently asked questions
2 Big Miracle
This movie, starring Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, and Kristen Bell, will be out by the end of January next year. It's based on a real event: in 1988, three grey whales got trapped at the Arctic Circle, and tons of reporters showed up in Alaska to cover the story. However, as with most true-story movies, there's a love story involved in this one, along with some Cold War drama.
3 The Vow
Rom-coms still count as romance, and judging by the cast list, The Vow has a chance to be one of the top romantic movies of 2012. Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams star opposite one another in another real-life movie about a couple of newlyweds from New Mexico who were in a car accident. Rachel's character goes into a coma and comes out with no memory, so Channing's character has to woo her all over again. If they can keep it from being too much like 50 First Dates, it has a shot.
4 Safe Haven
Due out in June of 2012, Safe Haven is based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name. So, someone will probably die, and someone – maybe even the same person – will have an incurable disease. Thus far they're not releasing the cast information, but synopses say that a woman tries to avoid having close ties to anyone, but ultimately gets pulled into two relationships, begins falling in love, and has to wrestle with a “dark secret.”
5 Tyler Perry's Good Deeds
I am a sucker for any Tyler Perry movie. If this one also has Madea, I will be all over it. In addition to starring the man himself, the cast list includes Thandie Newton (awesome), Jamie Bell, and Rebecca Romjin. It's a drama rather than a comedy (although every Tyler Perry joint brings at least a little of the funny), and focuses on an entrepreneur who's about to be married, but falls for a single mom.
6 Think like a Man
Here's another rom-com with the potential to be a top romantic movie of 2012. Based around Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, a book by Steve Harvey, it focuses on things like why men like to fix things instead of talk, and why independent women need to act more girly so the men in their lives feel needed. It stars Kevin Hart, Taraji Henson, and Michael Early.
7 Aaron and Sarah
Although the release date for this movie is still TBA, I'm incredibly excited about it. Why come? Because Neil Patrick Harris is directing it, that's why come. Emma Roberts and Josh Hutcherson star in the movie, which features the whole popular girl/nerdy guy scenario – but it's an original take on it, so this better be announced soon!
Not all of the top romantic movies of 2012 have information available yet, but the ones that are sure things definitely look hot! I like knowing about my favorite movies in advance. Back when the LOTR flicks were coming out every two years, I always knew to clear up space on opening weekend – ditto with Harry Potter, with whom I always had a date at midnight on Thursdays. Which of these movies are you most looking forward to seeing?