10 Movies and Shows Similar to Love Is a Funny Thing (1969)

Description: This romantic comedy shares with 'Love Is a Funny Thing' the theme of a fleeting, magical romance between two people from different worlds. Both films balance lighthearted moments with a poignant awareness of love's impermanence. The European setting and sophisticated treatment of romance create a similar charming atmosphere.

Fact: Audrey Hepburn won her only competitive Oscar for this role. The film was shot entirely on location in Rome, unusual for the time. Gregory Peck insisted Hepburn receive equal billing after seeing her performance.

Description: Billy Wilder's classic shares with 'Love Is a Funny Thing' a blend of romantic comedy and dramatic elements, exploring the loneliness and compromises of modern urban life. Both films feature protagonists caught in unconventional romantic situations, with sharp dialogue that balances humor and pathos. The sophisticated treatment of adult relationships in both films elevates them beyond typical romantic comedies.

Fact: 'The Apartment' won five Academy Awards including Best Picture. Jack Lemmon's character name, C.C. Baxter, stands for 'Calvin Clifford'. The film was controversial at the time for its treatment of adultery and office politics.

Description: Like 'Love Is a Funny Thing', this Audrey Hepburn classic combines romantic comedy with deeper themes of loneliness and self-discovery. Both films feature charming but emotionally guarded protagonists navigating love in a glamorous urban setting. The bittersweet tone and sophisticated humor in both films elevate them beyond simple romantic fare.

Fact: Truman Capote wanted Marilyn Monroe for the lead role. The famous 'Moon River' song was nearly cut from the film. The 'little black dress' Hepburn wears became one of the most iconic outfits in film history.

Description: Like 'Love Is a Funny Thing', 'Annie Hall' is a romantic comedy-drama that explores the complexities of love and relationships with a blend of humor and melancholy. Both films feature neurotic, introspective protagonists navigating the ups and downs of romance in urban settings. Woody Allen's signature witty dialogue and unconventional storytelling techniques mirror the playful yet poignant tone of the French film.

Fact: 'Annie Hall' won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Woody Allen. The film was originally conceived as a murder mystery before being rewritten as a romantic comedy. Diane Keaton's real name is Diane Hall, and her nickname is Annie.

Description: This Woody Allen film shares with 'Love Is a Funny Thing' a sophisticated, bittersweet exploration of romantic relationships against the backdrop of a vibrant city (New York instead of Paris). Both films feature intellectual characters engaging in witty banter while struggling with the contradictions of love and commitment. The black-and-white cinematography in 'Manhattan' creates a similarly nostalgic, romantic atmosphere.

Fact: The iconic opening montage was shot over several months to capture New York in different seasons. Mariel Hemingway was only 16 during filming but played a 17-year-old to avoid controversy about her character's relationship with Allen's 42-year-old character. The film's famous bench scene by the Queensboro Bridge was almost cut for being too long.

Description: Richard Linklater's film shares with 'Love Is a Funny Thing' the concept of a fleeting romantic encounter between two strangers. Both films focus on intellectual, emotionally open conversations about love and life, creating intimacy through dialogue rather than plot. The European setting and naturalistic style create a similarly authentic romantic atmosphere.

Fact: Much of the dialogue was improvised from the actors' own experiences. The film was shot in just 15 days. The famous listening booth scene was almost cut for being too long.

Description: Like 'Love Is a Funny Thing', this French film presents a whimsical yet profound look at love and human connection. Both films feature quirky protagonists navigating romance in Paris, blending humor with deeper emotional truths. The vibrant visual style and playful storytelling in both films create a similarly enchanting atmosphere.

Fact: Audrey Tautou was chosen from over 100 actresses considered for the role. The film used digital color correction to achieve its distinctive warm tones. It became the highest-grossing French-language film released in the US at the time.

Description: This unconventional romance shares with 'Love Is a Funny Thing' a deeply psychological exploration of love's complexities. Both films examine how memory and perception shape relationships, blending surreal elements with genuine emotional depth. The nonlinear storytelling in both films creates a similarly inventive approach to romantic drama.

Fact: Jim Carrey performed without his usual comedic mannerisms. The script was inspired by a friend of writer Charlie Kaufman who underwent elective surgery to forget an ex. The film's title comes from an Alexander Pope poem.

Description: The sequel to 'Before Sunrise' continues the themes of 'Love Is a Funny Thing' by exploring the lingering effects of a brief romantic encounter. Both films examine how time and memory transform relationships, with a focus on intelligent, emotionally honest dialogue. The Parisian setting and real-time storytelling create a similarly immersive romantic experience.

Fact: The film was shot in just 15 days like its predecessor. The ending was deliberately ambiguous to allow for a possible sequel. Julie Delpy contributed significantly to the script and wrote her character's song.

Description: Damien Chazelle's musical shares with 'Love Is a Funny Thing' a bittersweet exploration of love, ambition, and the compromises between them. Both films blend joyful romantic moments with melancholy reflections on what might have been. The nostalgic, artistic sensibility and focus on creative characters create a similar emotional resonance.

Fact: Ryan Gosling learned piano for three months to perform his own playing. The opening highway sequence took two days to film with over 100 dancers. The film tied the record for most Oscar nominations (1without winning Best Picture.