Best Of
Best Romance Shows of 2026: Love Stories
By Jordan A. · · 4 min read
Romance shows in 2026 are refusing to keep things simple, and honestly we're here for it. These aren't just about two people falling into each other's arms - they're exploring what it actually means to be in a relationship, navigate commitment, deal with exes, and figure out if love is actually enough. If you want something that'll make you believe in love again while also making you cry, these shows absolutely deliver.
The best romance television remembers that the relationship is really where the story begins, not where it ends. These shows have chemistry that crackles, dialogue that feels real, and actual stakes beyond whether they'll kiss in the finale.
Enemies to Lovers
Nobody Wants This pairs a rabbi and an agnostic in a relationship that feels destined to fail and somehow makes it work. The banter is sharp enough to cut glass, and watching them fall for each other is genuinely satisfying because their reasons for liking each other make sense.
The Mindy Project has Mindy constantly finding herself in romantic situations that are funny first and romantic second. The show never takes itself too seriously, and the relationships feel earned because the show spends time on the actual work.
You're the Worst takes a cynical man and cynical woman and slowly reveals that they're broken in complementary ways. The show's willingness to actually explore the messy reality of relationships makes it feel fresh.
Jane the Virgin has multiple romance threads but the core is about a woman figuring out what she wants. The show understands that romance is just one part of a full life, and it treats all its relationships with genuine care.
Schitt's Creek includes a love story that becomes the heart of the series despite not being its focus. The romance feels earned because these characters grow so much individually first.
Long Game Romance
The Summer I Turned Pretty captures that feeling of a summer romance that might mean everything or might mean nothing. The love triangle actually has stakes because all the characters feel real and flawed.
Bridgerton gives each season to a different couple, which means every romance gets proper time to develop. The chemistry between leads is crucial, and the show consistently finds actors who genuinely make you believe in the connection.
Emily in Paris is basically a fantasy about romance in Europe with a protagonist who makes questionable choices for love. Whether you hate-watch it or genuinely love it, the show knows exactly what it's doing.
Ginny and Georgia includes a forbidden romance element that actually explores the complications instead of romanticizing them. The show's willingness to make its protagonists occasionally wrong is refreshing.
Atypical builds romance around characters who are figuring themselves out first. The relationships develop naturally because the characters grow, and the show never uses romance as a shortcut to character development.
Complicated and Messy Romance
Normal People is basically a masterclass in showing what real attraction looks like across years of complicated connection. The intimacy feels earned because the emotional intimacy comes first, and the show never exploits its characters.
Fleabag includes romance that works because Fleabag is too broken to just fall into love. The way the show handles her connection with the Priest is complicated, funny, and genuinely moving because it never stops being honest about who she is.
Russian Doll has romance elements but they're secondary to the main character's journey. When romance does happen, it matters because it's built on two people actually understanding each other.
The Crown includes several romantic storylines that are complicated by duty and expectation. The show treats romance as something that exists within larger contexts and historical consequences.
Conversations with Friends explores a relationship that starts in a weird place and never quite becomes normal. The show's willingness to make romance awkward and uncertain feels very modern and very real.
Romantic Comedies
Good as Hell is about finding love while also finding yourself. The show manages to be genuinely funny while also delivering real emotional moments, which is harder than it sounds.
Shrinking includes romance in a workplace setting that actually handles the complications thoughtfully. The show never lets the romance overshadow the actual plot, and both characters maintain their autonomy.
Heartstopper is genuinely charming about two boys falling in love. It never talks down to its audience, treats its young characters with respect, and manages to be hopeful without being saccharine.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel includes romance but it's never the point - the show cares much more about its protagonist's career and growth. When romance happens, it has to earn its place against everything else going on.
Kim's Convenience includes several relationships that develop naturally across the series. The show treats its characters as complete people whose relationships matter but aren't their entire identity.
Looking to find a romance show that fits your relationship vibe? BingeNext has couple recommendations that match your mood and what you're craving right now.
These romance shows understand that real love is complicated, that attraction needs to be combined with respect, and that the best relationships are between people who make each other better. They'll make you swoon and then make you cry - sometimes in the same scene.
If picking together is the hard part, try BingeNext's couple mode. Both of you add your favorites and it finds the overlap in seconds.
Topics covered: best-of, 2026, romance, love, heartwarming, genre
About the author
Jordan A., Founder, BingeNext
Jordan A. is the founder of BingeNext and writes every guide on this site. He built the recommendation engine after one too many nights lost to the streaming menu, and he still tests every pick the hard way: by watching it.