The Tearsmith is available to watch on Netflix and is a gothic, sometimes steamy love story. If you enjoyed the film and are looking for something else along those lines, you could do worse than check out our recommendations for teen romance movies like The Tearsmith, some with a darker edge.
10 Movies Like The Tearsmith
Tuck Everlasting (2002)
With the usual themes of forbidden love, this 2002 movie follows young Winnie, played by Alexis Bledel, who chances upon a handsome boy named Jesse Tuck in the woods. That’s never a good start, but things escalate when she learns a game-changing secret about him and his family. Winnie finds herself in a dilemma over whether to stay with her true love and his family or return to her own life.
The Inbetween (2022)
Here’s another tale that finds itself drifting into the darkness, as we follow the relationship of Tessa and Skylar, who bump into each other at the movies and hit it off right away. However, when Skylar meets his untimely end in a car accident, Tessa starts to think that he is still trying to connect with her from beyond the grave.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
Here is a timey-wimey teen romance that borrows from Groundhog Day as we encounter two teens, stuck in a loop and replaying the same day over and over again. It’s been done before and it will be done again, ironically, and follows a couple trying to break the loop as they spend the days looking for perfect moments.
Elle Enchanted (2004)
Here’s a classic romantic fantasy movie that stars current indie darling Anne Hathaway as Elle, meeting Prince Charmont, falling in love, and striving to break the incredibly awkward curse that makes Elle do anything she is told. Cheesy and a bit cringe, but sometimes you might just be in the mood for this kind of thing, so enjoy.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Here’s a well-remembered teen romance that could be arguably listed as one of the most influential productions in the genre. The screenplay is inspired by Shakespeare’s Taming Of The Shrew and follows charismatic bad apple Patrick Verona trying to win a bet by convincing aloof Kat Stratford to give things a go. Plenty of fun set pieces and some nice performances elevate this above many others.
She’s All That (1999)
Here’s another film with a date bet premise that will of course remind you of our previous entry. This time he’s the popular guy and she’s the awkward girl, and this is a fun and competent entry that features a cameo from our favorite vampire slayer of all time, Sarah Michelle Geller. The film would get a switcheroo remake by Netflix called He’s All That.
The Way He Looks (2014)
Here’s an entry that may have flown under your radar, but you might want to give it a go. Touching and funny, we follow Leo, who is blind and fed up with his life situation, meeting Gabrielle and falling in love. However, tensions mount as Leo’s friend Giovana starts to feel jealous of the couple. This is a sweet underrated gem and if you are reading this list you should probably watch it.
Issy and Ossie (2020)
Here’s a German-produced teen rom-com that has another tried and tested formula. The privileged Isi comes from a wealthy home and family, and in a moment of rebellion, decides to annoy everyone by dating a boxer from the wrong side of the tracks. Of course, the more time they spend together, the more a real bond starts to grow, but you knew that would happen anyway.
Do Revenge (2022)
Here’s a teen drama that veers into darker territories as we meet the formidable Drea and her new bestie, the malleable Eleanor, who form an uneasy alliance and decide to take revenge on each other’s most hated peers. It almost strays into Hitchcockian territory, and revels in its own dread.
True Romance (1993)
Thought we would throw this one at you, although it does kind of deviate from the theme of this list, but it features an unlikely romance. From the mind of Quentin Tarantino, this dark tale sees a geeky Elvis Presley fan who meets a call girl and falls in love with her. The story sees them setting out to California, trying to sell a job lot of cocaine they have stolen from the mob. Ah, young love.
Do you have any more suggestions for movies like The Tearsmith? Let us know in the comments.
