Age-gap romance films have gained traction in recent years. Streaming platforms now feature these stories prominently, and audiences respond with strong viewership numbers. The following eight films represent the genre’s current state, each approaching age differences between partners from distinct angles.
The Idea of You Leads the Pack
Anne Hathaway plays Solène, a 40-year-old single mother who becomes involved with Hayes Campbell, a 24-year-old pop star portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine. Michael Showalter directed this Prime Video release, which earned a 74% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film explores how a woman rediscovers herself while facing public scrutiny about her relationship choices. Author Robinne Lee created the source material to address older women’s desirability in romantic narratives.
Netflix Bets on Star Power
Lonely Planet pairs Laura Dern with Liam Hemsworth in a travel retreat setting. Dern’s character, Jill, meets Sam during a period of personal reinvention following her divorce. The film reached Netflix’s global top 10 in June 2025 and scored 79% on Rotten Tomatoes among critics. The story examines grief and resilience alongside its central romance.
Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron star in A Family Affair, another Netflix production. Kidman’s character, Brooke, enters a relationship with a younger Hollywood actor, creating complications with her family. Richard LaGravenese directed the film, which earned a 64% critics’ score. Kathy Bates provides strong supporting work in this story about post-parental self-discovery.
Why Filmmakers Choose Age Differences as Their Central Conflict
Age-gap romances provide directors with a built-in source of tension, eliminating the need for elaborate backstories. The conflict writes itself when characters face different life stages, career pressures, or family expectations. Films like The Idea of You and A Family Affair use this natural friction to explore how people connect despite societal judgment.
Real couples face these same pressures when navigating age gap relationships, dealing with friends’ reactions, or handling practical life decisions. Movies capture these moments because audiences recognize them. The best films in this genre skip the fairy tale endings and show characters working through actual problems that arise when partners come from different generations.
Academic Settings Create Extra Complications
Babygirl takes place on a college campus. Rosa Salazar plays a 19-year-old freshman who develops feelings for her professor, played by Stanley Tucci. Helen Estabrook directed this indie film, available for rental. The movie maintains a 7.1 IMDb rating. Critics from Variety and IndieWire praised its handling of consent and power imbalance. College-age viewers connected with the film’s frank approach to these topics.
Bridget Jones Returns
Renée Zellweger reprises her role as Bridget Jones in Mad About the Boy, which premiered in February 2025 (Peacock in the U.S., theatrical release in the UK and France). The character faces the realities of modern dating, including using apps like Tinder, and becomes involved with a younger man, Roxster, played by Leo Woodall.
Reviews in The Guardian describe the film’s approach as both playful and heartfelt, and early indicators such as advance ticket sales pointed to strong audience interest in this continuation of the British franchise.
Festival Circuit Favorites
Deceitful Love premiered at Cannes with Eva Longoria and Will Poulter in lead roles. Lina Rodriguez directed this drama about an art dealer and a young painter whose relationship involves manipulation and shifting power dynamics. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 83% rating. Variety noted the film’s layered script and strong performances.
German-language film Significant Other appeared on Netflix, featuring Nina Hoss as a widowed architect who meets Jonas Nay’s 28-year-old activist character. Christian Petzold directed this film, which earned a 76/100 on Metacritic. The story challenges gendered stereotypes while appealing to viewers over 40.
A Second Life for Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Céline Sciamma’s 2019 film gained new audiences through a 2025 streaming push. Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel portray a painter and her subject in 18th-century France. Class and age differences complicate their connection. The film holds a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and received a Palme d’Or nomination.
These films demonstrate how age-gap romances allow filmmakers to examine power, desire, and societal expectations. Nicole Kidman told The Ringer in 2024 that playing women desired for their maturity feels liberating. The genre continues attracting both established stars and emerging talent, with streaming platforms investing heavily in these stories.
