If you are looking for movies like The Great Gatsby that will reaffirm your belief in the existence of undying love, then you are at the right place!
Directed by the remarkable Baz Luhrmann, the plot is structured as a recalling of events by a wall street trader of his ultra-rich and extravagant neighbor, Gatsby. Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan appear as lead characters and completely steal the show.
Below we have compiled a carefully curated list of movies like The Great Gatsby that are marked by the same flamboyance and extravaganza but are ultimately stories of unrequited love at the very heart of it.
10 Lavish & Roaring Movies Like The Great Gatsby
1. Casablanca (1942)
During World War II, an American expatriate runs a successful nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco, providing safety to refugees. But, when a former lover shows up with her fugitive husband for help, an American expatriate and nightclub owner dwells in a dilemma.
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are remarkably convincing as former lovers. Directed by Michael Curtiz, Casablanca has some of the most iconic scenes and quotable lines in movie history.
If you are moved by intense love stories like the one portrayed in movies like The Great Gatsby, Casablanca is a must-watch!
2. Atonement (2007
A rape accusation by a sibling on her sister’s crush proves to be a costly mistake which leads to an incredible story of love, misunderstandings, and regrets.
This Joe Wright directorial is led by the charming pair of Keira Knightley and James McAvoy that explores the theme of lust and impulsiveness with war raging on in the background.
There are few things in life that evoke regret as deep as unrequited love, of not following your heart despite the circumstances. So for those that love movies that show the repercussions of our actions, this can’t be missed!
3. The Revolutionary Road (2008)
A young couple serendipitously meets at a bar and falls in love. But the relationship faces trouble when careers plunge and the banality of everyday life sets in.
Directed by Sam Mendes, The Revolutionary Road marks the second time that the beloved Leonardo DiCaprio-Kate Winslet pair comes back on screen together. The plot revolves primarily around marital issues and will strike a painful chord with many, even if only vicariously.
A great love gone sour is what makes movies like The Great Gatsby so real. If that resonated with you, The Revolutionary Road is highly recommended!
4. Moulin Rouge (2001)
Baz Luhrmann extracts remarkable performances from Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor while invoking in the audience the familiar love triangle plot in a distinct context.
Moulin Rouge with its glorious setting and intense dramatic twists is a spectacle to watch. Just like The Great Gatsby, it is a grand, impressive show to say the very least.
5. Midnight in Paris (2011)
A screenwriter and an aspiring novelist become baffled by the protaginists midnight time traveling experiences in Paris while visiting his fiance’s family.
The plot goes between fantastical and real-time experiences that is delivered by Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams which leave the viewers reatively fulfilled.
Midnight in Paris is a story of introspection in love and life with an added reminder that good things take time, very much in line with the lessons you learn from The Great Gatsby.
6. Titanic (1997)
The journey to retrieve a rare diamond lost years ago unravels the story of a 17-year-old noblewoman who falls in love with a poor artist on the majestic but doomed Titanic.
Remembered eternally as the movie that brought the Leonardo DiCaprio-Kate Winslet pair together for the first time on screen, the film is directed by the legendary James Cameron. Titanic will restore every lost belief that you have had in the realm of love and replenish you with hope.
You will seldom find movies like The Great Gatsby and Titanic whose evergreen story stay with you long after the credits. Skipping it will definitely lead to regret later!
7. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Next ony my list is Romeo + Julliet which is a modern adaptation of what is perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous play of love and ultimate sacrifice.
Starring everybody’s favorite Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, this classic love story directed by Baz Luhrmann will never get old no matter how many times it gets told.
If you like movies like The Great Gatsby for the bravest of risks that are taken for love, Romeo+Juliet will not disappoint!
8. The Luzhin Defence (2000)
A chess wizard falls in love while he is battling to win a prestigious championship, ending in a pyrrhic victory.
With Marleen Gorris at the helm, and John Turturro and Emily Watson in lead roles, The Luzhin Defence is a testimony to the banes and boons of an addictive habit leaving you distraught yet content at how it all ends.
Movies like The Great Gatsby often stay with the viewer because of the powerful and layered characters that resonate at a deep level. The Luzhin Defence will stay with you for the same reason.
9. Brideshead Revisited (1981)
A middle-class student meets a wealthy, hedonistic upper-classman at Oxford university and gets too involved with his family. A convoluted chain of life events determines his love to remain unrequited forever.
Matthew Goode and Patrick Malahide bring this poignant love story to life on screen with Julian Jarrold behind the director’s wheel. You will finish the movie questioning privilege, family allegiance, and forbidden love.
Like The Great Gatsby, Brideshead Revisited revolves around the omnipotence of fatalism in love and relationships.
10. The Invisible Woman (2013)
An eighteen-year-old theatre actress and an accomplished married writer (Charles Dickens) develop deep feelings for each other, and the rest is history.
Directed and led by Ralph Fiennes, the movie also features Felicity Jones and Kristin Scott Thomas in main roles. This story will leave you sorrowful and pained at seeing love having to conform to societal norms.
Movies like The Great Gatsby make you believe in the power of evergreen love that can transcend time and distance. The Invisible Woman is a real-life creative personification of the idea.