15 Movies with the Childhood Sweethearts Trope that will Melt Your Heart

Love, Rosie

Since the moment they met at age five, Rosie and Alex have been best friends, facing the highs and lows of growing up side by side. A fleeting shared moment, one missed opportunity, and the decisions that follow send their lives in completely different directions. As each navigates the complexities of life, love, and everything in between, they always find their way back to each other - but is it just friendship, or something more? This 2014 film with an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 explores these questions with a heartfelt zest.

Always Be My Maybe

Reunited after 15 years, famous chef Sasha and hometown musician Marcus feel the old sparks of attraction but struggle to adapt to each other's worlds. The 2019 romantic comedy, sporting an average rating of 3.2, humorously dives into their attempts to bridge the chasm between their drastically different lives.

Love Me If You Dare

As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children—a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another's pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another. With an average rating of 3.6, this 2003 film is a rollercoaster of emotions, adventure, and enduring love.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flits in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer. Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy and the hope that they will come together at the right time that drives Benjamin forward. Released in 2008, this film has an impressive rating of 4.

13 Going on 30

A girl who's sick of the social strictures of junior high is transformed into a grown-up overnight. In this feel-good fairy tale, teenager Jenna wants a boyfriend, and when she's unable to find one, she fantasizes about being a well-adjusted adult. Suddenly, her secret desire becomes a reality, and she is transformed into a 30-year-old, but adulthood, with its own set of male-female challenges, isn't as easy as it looks. With an average rating of 3, this 2004 film is a charming take on growing up and finding love at any age.

Just Friends

While visiting his hometown during Christmas, a man comes face-to-face with his old high school crush, whom he was best friends with—a woman whose rejection of him turned him into a ferocious womanizer. This 2005 romantic comedy with an average rating of 3.2 showcases the hilarities and heartfelt moments as old friends reunite under festive lights.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Lifelong platonic friends Zack and Miri look to solve their respective cash-flow problems by making an adult film together. As the cameras roll, however, the duo begins to sense that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought. A 2008 comedy with an average rating of 3, this movie hilariously unravels the complexities of blending friendship and business with unexpected emotions.

Forrest Gump

A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him. This 1994 classic film, rated 4.2, is an extraordinary tale of undying love and the surprising connections forged through time.

Big Fish

Throughout his life, Edward Bloom has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions, and tall tales. In his later years, he remains a huge mystery to his son, William. Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures. The 2003 film, with an average rating of 4.2, is a visually enchanting and poignant story about family, love, and understanding one's roots.

It's a Wonderful Life

A holiday favorite for generations, George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve, the business's $8,000 is lost, and George's troubles begin. This 1946 film, rated 4.2, beautifully intertwines themes of hope, resilience, and the impact of one life on many.

Jumanji

When siblings Judy and Peter discover an enchanted board game that opens the door to a magical world, they unwittingly invite Alan—an adult who's been trapped inside the game for 26 years—into their living room. Alan's only hope for freedom is to finish the game, which proves risky as all three find themselves running from giant rhinoceroses, evil monkeys, and other terrifying creatures. The 1995 adventure film, rated 3.4, is a wild ride of fantasy and bonding through adversity.

Once Upon a Time in America

A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan over thirty years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life. The 1984 epic crime drama, with a rating of 4, is a haunting exploration of friendship, crime, and redemption over a lifetime.

Braveheart

Enraged at the slaughter of Murron, his new bride and childhood love, Scottish warrior William Wallace slays a platoon of the local English lord's soldiers. This leads the village to revolt and, eventually, the entire country to rise up against English rule. The 1995 historical drama, rated 4, passionately chronicles courage, rebellion, and the power of true love.

Get Married If You Can

Ana Paula catches her fiancé cheating. After a night of drinking, she wakes up far from home, not so certain she wants to go back. This 2014 film, with an average rating of 3, offers a refreshing mix of humor and self-discovery as Ana navigates the twists and turns of life and love.

I Shot Jesse James

Bob Ford murders his best friend Jesse James in order to obtain a pardon that will free him to marry his girlfriend Cynthy. The guilt-stricken Ford soon finds himself greeted with derision and open mockery throughout town. He travels to Colorado to try his hand at prospecting in hopes that marriage with Cynthy is still in the cards. This 1949 western drama delves into themes of betrayal, remorse, and the quest for redemption.

Love, friendship, and the passage of time weave the stories in these 15 films, showing us that true connections can endure through any challenge. Each movie, with its unique approach to the childhood sweethearts trope, invites you to explore the depths of human relationships and the magic of everlasting love. Whether it’s through comedy, drama, or epic adventure, these films are sure to touch your heart and remind you of the power of love.