Movies like Where the Waves Collide (2013)
The best movies like Where the Waves Collide (2013) are Hawaii (2013), The Matchmaker's Playbook (2018) and Gabriel's Rapture: Part I (2021). If Where the Waves Collide hooked you with its romance, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedGabriel's Rapture: Part I (2021)7.8/10 from 200 votes
- NewestMalanova (2025)Released 2025
- In SpanishHawaii (2013)Also in Spanish
Hawaii (2013)
Eugenio spends the summer looking after his aunt and uncle’s house - a place that once belonged to him - while seeking inspiration for a screenplay he is writing. Martín, currently unemployed, offers to handle various repairs around the house. The two met long ago as children but had not seen each other since. However, their renewed connection is built on deception: Martín has nowhere to sleep but lies to Eugenio about it, while Eugenio seems interested in Martín as something more than just a friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Matchmaker's Playbook (2018)
After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus, and he's putting his extensive skills with women to work as one of the masterminds behind a successful and secretive dating service. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet. As Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin' hot, Ian realizes he's in danger of breaking his cardinal rule....
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGabriel's Rapture: Part I (2021)
In the fourth instalment of the Gabriel's Inferno series, Professor Gabriel Emerson has embarked on a passionate, yet clandestine affair with his former student Julia Mitchell, but when they return from their romantic holiday in Italy, their happiness is threatened. Will Gabriel succumb to Dante's fate?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisI Hate Love (2012)
A teenager loses his hearing after a terrible accident. Shortly after, he falls in love with a foreign girl living in México. He discovers that being in love makes him hear again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisParis, Wine & Romance (2019)
Isabella is the ambitious new owner of her family’s Oregon winery whose dream of becoming world-renowned takes a big step forward when she enters a prestigious wine competition in Paris. Upon arrival, Isabella meets her biggest competitor, Jacques, from one of the world’s foremost winemaking families. Impressed by Isabella and her expertise in wine, a budding romance develops between them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoliday Date (2019)
When Brooke’s boyfriend, Ethan, breaks up with her just before the holidays, she agrees to go home with Joel, an actor who will pose as her boyfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIt Was Always You (2021)
Elizabeth's engagement plans are thrown into disarray when her fiancée's free-spirited brother David returns home. David's unexpected influence prompts Elizabeth to question her life decisions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHeaven In Your Eyes (2012)
Pepe, a very talented singer, but not very sure about himself, is going to sing on FICLA and he is very nervous. The same day of the contest, he meets Abril, a very beautiful astronomer. Pepe thinks she is the perfect woman for him, because there is a lot of chemistry between both of them, and he thinks it’s love at first sight. Nevertheless she is getting married that night. What could Pepe do in a very short time? Which plans does the destiny have for him?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGabriel's Rapture: Part III (2022)
In the sixth installment of the Gabriel's Inferno series, Julia deals with the aftermath of Gabriel's departure, while Gabriel goes on a journey of self-discovery. Will they reunite and be able to repair what is broken?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisChateau Christmas (2020)
Margot, a world-renowned pianist, returns to Chateau Newhaus to spend the holidays with her family and is reunited with an ex who helps her rediscover her passion for music.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSalsa (1988)
Fatherless barrio Puerto Rican Rico is a menial car mechanic by day, but lives for the nights, when he dances and dates hot dancing girls, cockily convinced the title of Salsa king in fancy nightclub La Luna's upcoming contest is to be his. He encourages his best friend, courteous gentleman Ken, to date his sister Margarita so he gets a free hand with her flirtatious classmate Lola. The reigning salsa queen Luna's interest in Rico as dance-partner threatens his on-off relationship with Vicki. More jealous trouble follows when Ken and Margarita fall in true love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Godwink Christmas: Meant For Love (2019)
Multiple coincidences and a chance meeting bring together Alice and Jack, two strangers from very different family backgrounds, for an unexpected Christmastime courtship filled with personal revelations, misread signals, and a very real health scare that will either destroy or strengthen the budding romance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisChristmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy (2019)
A skeptical writer shows up in Evergreen to get the scoop on the town's famed passion for Christmas during a search for a long-lost time capsule.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAll of My Heart: Inn Love (2017)
Brian and Jenny are preparing for the grand opening of their bed and breakfast, Emily's Country Inn, when a big storm hits Buck County. Brian agrees to go back to Wall Street to boost their funds, while Jenny scrambles to keep the opening on track.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChristmas Next Door (2017)
Eric Randall, an author of bachelor lifestyle books, is left in charge of his young niece and nephew for the holidays. Eric turns to his neighbor April, a lover of all things Christmas, for help.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBrigadoon (1954)
Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Little Christmas Charm (2020)
Holly, a jewelry designer finds a lost charm bracelet and teams up with investigative reporter Greg in hopes of finding the owner and returning it by Christmas Eve.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Gift to Remember (2017)
After colliding with a pedestrian on her bicycle who loses his memory following the accident, Darcy Archer becomes determined to help the handsome guy figure out who he is. In the process, she finds out a lot more about who she is, what she wants from life, and how this too-good-to-be-true guy might just be the man she’s been waiting to bump into all her life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMarry Me at Christmas (2017)
Organizing a Christmas wedding is a true treat for bridal boutique owner Madeline Krug. She loves the challenge of finding the perfect dress for the bride and orchestrating an exquisite event. What Madeline didn’t expect was to be swept off her feet by the bride’s gorgeous brother, movie star, Jonny Blaze. Jonny came to the quirky town of Fool’s Gold to support his sister -- not to fall in love. Yet Madeline is the most extraordinary woman he’s ever met, and she finds the real Jonny even more captivating than her celebrity crush. Will the action star be brave enough to take on the role of a lifetime?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Christmas Kiss II (2014)
At a Christmastime event, Jenna shares an impromptu, unforgettable kiss with the dashing billionaire, Cooper Montgomery. Unaware of his intentions and fearful of getting hurt in another relationship, Jenna vows to resist his charms, but begins to realize his affection is real as the two spend more time together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
SnoozefestMovies like thisBoys On Film 16: Possession (2017)
Golden boys, teen lust, self-conscious dolls, chance encounters, a vengeful creature, holiday romance, hidden sexuality — Boys On Film celebrates it's (not so) sweet sixteen with an astonishing selection of the latest international gay short films. Volume 16: Possession features ten complete films: Kai Stänicke's "Golden" with Christian Tesch and Maximilian Gehrlinger; Christopher Manning's "Jamie" starring Sebastian Christophers and Raphael Verrion; Kai Stänicke's "B." starring Susanne Bormann and Andreas Jähnert; Blake Mawson's "PYOTR495" starring Alex Ozerov; Charlie Francis's "When A Man Loves A Woman" starring Tommy Jay Brennan, Jemima Spence, and Diane Brooks Webster; Anthony Schatteman's "Follow Me" starring Ezra Fieremans and Maarten Ketels; Jake Graf's "Chance" starring 'ABS' and Clifford Hume; Andrew Keenan-Bolger's "Sign" starring John McGinty and Preston Sadleir; Oliver Mason's "Away With Me" starring Chris Polick and Lee Knight; and "We Could Be Parents" by Björn Elgerd.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Adiós, Roberto (1985)
Roberto separates from his wife and needs a place to stay. When he moves in with gay Marcelo, he is clueless about Marcello's sexuality and the two become close friends. One night after many drinks Roberto has sex with Marcelo and must confront his feelings and the potential ridicule of his family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Drifting (1981)
Guttman's best short film, Afflicted tells the story of a young, closeted Israeli man who visits a drag bar one night in search of sexual expression.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
The Teacher (2019)
When the 26-year-old Civics teacher, Kevin, openly voices his stance on marriage equality at school, he stirs up a storm. His being madly in love with an HIV positive man doesn't sit well with all the people around him. When a rumour breaks out about his HIV status, he is forced to make choices no one should have to.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Unicorn (2014)
A young German/Bolivian Mennonite risks his life to escape his strict religious community to find love and freedom in the city.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Water Drops on Burning Rocks (2000)
In 1970s Germany, Léopold, a 50-year-old businessman, picks up and seduces 20-year-old Franz, who swiftly moves into his apartment. The dynamic between them intensifies with the sudden arrival of their ex-girlfriends.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMalanova (2025)
Matteo and Riccardo are blissfully in love and are getting ready to celebrate their six-month anniversary. But their romantic interlude takes an unexpected turn when an unforeseen event shakes their certainties. Matteo withdraws into himself, Riccardo wavers between wanting to run away and being curious, and the couple suddenly finds itself facing questions they had never dared to ask. Amid desire, tension, and hope, they’ll have to confront their fears and strengthen the bond that unites them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Victor/Victoria (1982)
A struggling female soprano finds work playing a male female impersonator, but it complicates her personal life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSacred Silence (1996)
A young priest crusades against organized crime in his Naples neighbourhood but falls in love with a 13-year-old boy. It's the chance the gangsters were waiting for to get rid of the thorn in their side. Will they be able to force the boy to accuse the priest of sexual harassment and have his reputation destroyed?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Another Gay Movie (2006)
Andy is your typical All-American eighteen-year-old gay virgin. Like everyone else, he's dying to have sex. Totally out of the closet and mad-crazy horny, this naïve high school senior is caught in that awkward vortex between child and adult. Much to the dismay of his mom (who wonders why all her carrots and cucumbers keep disappearing), Andy spends much of his private time practicing for the big moment when he'll finally take the plunge.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Where the Waves Collide?
The closest matches to Where the Waves Collide are Hawaii (2013), The Matchmaker's Playbook (2018) and Gabriel's Rapture: Part I (2021). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Where the Waves Collide?
Start with Hawaii (2013), the closest match to Where the Waves Collide.
What is the highest-rated movie like Where the Waves Collide?
Gabriel's Rapture: Part I (2021), rated 7.8/10 by 200 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Where the Waves Collide?
Malanova (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Spanish movies like Where the Waves Collide?
Yes: Hawaii (2013), I Hate Love (2012) and Heaven In Your Eyes (2012).
How are movies similar to Where the Waves Collide chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Where the Waves Collide, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.