Before Sunset

Before Sunset has built a devoted following in Australia on HBO Max, and in the UK on HBO Max Amazon Channel among viewers who want their romance taken seriously. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. With 3,833 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. You will have strong feelings about it by the finale. Available now on HBO Max — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Before Sunset arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Before Sunset earns its romantic beats rather than assuming them — a rarer quality than it sounds. Nine years later, Jesse travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine. After his reading in Paris, Celine finds him, and they spend part of the day together before Jesse has to again leave for a flight. They are both in relationships now, and Jesse has a son, but as their strong feelings for each other start to return, both confess a longing for more. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy lead a cast that earns the romance rather than assuming it. It hit screens in 2004. What makes Before Sunset work is that the leads feel like people first, a couple second. The consistency throughout is what elevates it — not every moment is the best, but none of them are a reason to stop watching.

Romance fans and drama viewers alike will find something to love in Before Sunset. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Ethan Hawke carries the emotional throughline with real conviction. You will have strong feelings about it by the finale.