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a year ago
OK, let’s rewind for a second. Viral video series ‘The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband’ blazed through the internet in 2023, racking up millions of views on social media and the ReelShort app. Featuring a secretive, obscenely rich hubby and some outrageous family drama, it’s a bizarre, addictive experience that feels kinda like watching Tommy Wiseau and Jane Austen make clickbaity TikToks together.
In this series of shorts, illegitimate daughter Natalie Quinn (played by Avery Lynch) is forced by her cruel sister and mother to marry a mysterious billionaire, Sebastian Klein (played by Jarred Harper). Sebastian's a wealthy but abhorrent “loser” and the black sheep of the Klein family. However, after their wedding the unaware couple discover that perhaps their marriage is more romantic than it may appear…
Let’s be honest - if you’re a Scorsese fan, this TikTok sugar hit is… probably not for you. But despite its modern vertical format, the series taps into a whole bunch of classic romance archetypes around power, money, family and love.
We’re genre agnostic at good.film, and we know that behind every good story there’s often an important message.
So if Billionaire Husband struck a chord for you, let us take over from your fyp for a second - and recommend seven of the best romance flicks with something to say about love and money.
If you’re here for jaw-dropping wealth and juicy family drama, look no further. Set amongst the spectacular riches of Singapore’s elite, Crazy Rich Asians takes us into a world where money isn’t just a means to an end, it’s a potent symbol of status and family expectations. The film leans hard into some of the romance genre’s best tropes (via illegitimate heirs, a snobby family of in-laws, and even an airport chase) but with a fresh take that makes it one of the smartest, funniest romcoms out there.
What happens when the son of the US President falls in love with the heir to the British throne? Like any good romance, these lovers start off despising each other, and fall in love after an unexpected cake fight (of course). But despite their blossoming relationship, the couple must overcome hacked emails, meddling Secret Service agents, and pesky ‘royal tradition’. Red, White and Royal Blue has become a cult hit, and it’s the perfect follow-up if you loved My Billionaire Husband.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice rocks. In fact, Jane Austen’s novel is probably the godmother of every other film on this list, with its genre-defining sassy heroine and her stoic and misunderstood beau, Mr Darcy. The story dances through balls, witty banter, and the social tussle around power, wealth and status that follow Elizabeth as she navigates her feelings for the seemingly arrogant Darcy. We recommend the shorter Kiera Knightley movie for your first watch, but dive into the iconic BBC TV series if you’ve got the time, and the Bollywood-inspired Bride and Prejudice is definitely worth a watch if you want to up the tempo.
Hilary Duff stars in this iconic modern fairy tale, featuring secret identities, jealous families and missing wills. Meet Sam Montgomery, a high school student relegated to the world of drudgery by her greedy and financially duplicitous stepmother and stepsisters. But wait! She's got dreams bigger than the prom and a mysterious online pen pal, the swoon-worthy "Nomad." Cue the makeover magic, a magical dance at the masquerade, and a lost cell phone leading to a love story for the digital age.
This TV series follows 27 year-old Jessie, who is living in London, working jobs in a cinema and as a nanny. After a one-night stand on New Year's Eve, she discovers the true identity of the man she slept with; he’s a famous movie star. The comedy series explores their relationship over the years as they break up, reunite and attempt to see other people. Despite trying to move on from each other and wanting different things, the two are repeatedly drawn back together, highlighting the themes of ambition vs. love, and difference vs. similarity that the romance genre loves to unpack. The best part? You can stream the full episodes for free via ABC iview!
Some kinds of power are more complicated than money. One of those things - perhaps the thorniest topic of them all - is race. Despite being commonplace in today’s society, interracial love in cinema can sometimes get politicized, appearing in heavier stories than your average feel-good romcom. But Top End Wedding is not one of those movies. It’s the perfect balance of funny, wholesome and heartwarming, while still touching in a meaningful way on the importance of culture, tradition and family. With a classic side-of-the-highway argument, airport chase, and long-lost family reunion, it’s a great movie about First Nations culture, family and marriage. Oh, and get ready to gape at the INCREDIBLE landscapes.
How could we not pop a reference to the OG sexy billionaire Christian Grey into this list? Back in 2015, Fifty Shades showed the world that the power of a steamy romance was not to be scoffed at, after the release of the first film captivated viewers and the R rated trilogy went on to gross over $1.32 billion worldwide. Set against a backdrop of luxury and secrecy, the story is an exploration of sensuality and the complexities of navigating an unconventional romance, including themes of power and vulnerability. It’s available to watch on Netflix.
Whether it's a Wall Street billionaire's whirlwind romance or a thorny clash of social status, the tropes, cliches and recurring themes of the romance genre make it the perfect platform to explore the ways that money and power can influence relationships. So even though this list of great movies is perfect for a cosy, chocolatey night on the couch, it's also content that just might leave you thinking a little deeper about the hidden role that wealth and power plays in society.
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