Positive Cross-Cultural Romances in Film and Television

Stories about romantic relationships between people from different cultures often show us how traditions can come together through love and understanding. These stories focus on the characters’ feelings and how they grow as individuals, avoiding harmful stereotypes. By highlighting real connections, these movies and TV shows celebrate diversity in a respectful and realistic way. Here are some well-regarded examples of these positive intercultural relationships, spanning different types of entertainment.

‘The Big Sick’ (2017)

This movie is based on the true love story of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon. It centers on a Pakistani comedian who falls for an American grad student. When the woman suddenly becomes seriously ill and falls into a coma, Kumail connects with her parents while also dealing with the expectations of his own family. The film thoughtfully examines themes of culture and family without resorting to predictable clichés.

‘Past Lives’ (2023)

The film tells the story of Nora and Hae Sung, who were close friends as children in South Korea but lost touch when Nora’s family moved to North America. Years later, they reconnect in New York City, where Nora is married to a writer named Arthur. The movie delves into the Korean idea of In-Yun – the belief that connections between people are destined through past lives – and examines how our background and the decisions we make influence who we become.

‘Mississippi Masala’ (1991)

Mira Nair’s film follows an Indian family resettling in Mississippi after being forced to leave Uganda. Their daughter, Mina, develops a connection with Demetrius, a Black man who cleans carpets locally. Their budding romance is challenged by disapproval from both their families and the community around them. The film explores issues of race and the common experiences of those on the margins in the American South.

‘Rye Lane’ (2023)

I just saw this lovely little film about two people, Yas and Dom, who meet at an art show and spend the day wandering around South London. It’s a really charming story – they’ve both been through rough patches with relationships, and they really connect through their shared sense of humor and similar life experiences. What I especially loved was how the film showcased the energy of neighborhoods like Peckham and Brixton, but it wasn’t about those places, it was about the connection between Yas and Dom. It really focused on their chemistry, which was fantastic, and kept things light and breezy – it’s a modern romance that doesn’t get bogged down in heavier issues. Definitely a feel-good movie!

‘The Sun Is Also a Star’ (2019)

This movie, inspired by Nicola Yoon’s novel, takes place over one day in New York City and centers on Daniel and Natasha. Daniel, a Korean-American student, believes in destiny, while Natasha, who was born in Jamaica, is facing the possibility of being deported. During their time together, they explore the city and discuss love, science, and how their different backgrounds influence how they see what’s to come.

‘Bend It Like Beckham’ (2002)

Jess Bhamra is a young British-Indian woman with a passion for football, but her parents have more traditional expectations for her. She secretly joins a local team and begins to fall for her coach, Joe, who is Irish. The movie explores how Jess navigates her personal dreams with her family’s culture, set against the backdrop of modern London and its diverse communities. It shows the challenges and connections between different immigrant backgrounds in the city.

‘Brooklyn’ (2015)

Eilis Lacey, an Irish woman, moves to New York in the 1950s hoping for a better life. She finds love with Tony, an Italian-American plumber with a big family. Their relationship helps her feel at home in a new country, even though she misses Ireland. The film portrays their different backgrounds with kindness and realism as they create a life together.

‘Ali & Ava’ (2021)

This British drama, set in Bradford, tells the story of Ali and Ava, who form a connection despite their different backgrounds. Ali, a British-Pakistani landlord, and Ava, an Irish-born teaching assistant, both cope with personal grief and find comfort in their mutual love of music. The film offers a realistic and down-to-earth look at a romance between people from different cultures within a working-class community.

‘Never Have I Ever’ (2020–2023)

This funny and touching series centers on Devi Vishwakumar, a teenager who is the first in her family born in America. As she goes through high school, Devi deals with the loss of her father and the ups and downs of friendships and crushes – including feelings for both Paxton Hall-Yoshida and Ben Gross. The show cleverly and honestly portrays the challenges and joys of growing up with a mix of cultures.

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ (2019–2024)

Okay, so there’s this show I’ve been watching, and it’s really charming. It’s about Bob, a guy who owns a compression sock company, and he completely falls for his nurse, Abishola, after a heart attack. But she’s Nigerian, and her family is very traditional, so he’s got to work hard to win them over and show them he’s worthy of her. What I really love is how the show explores the clash and blend of American and Nigerian cultures – you see it in everything from their everyday routines to big family celebrations. It’s a really sweet story about the effort and understanding it takes to make a relationship work when you come from such different backgrounds.

‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)

Okay, so there’s this show I’ve been watching, and it’s brilliant. It centers around Eleanor, who was… let’s just say not the nicest person when she was alive, and Chidi, a Nigerian ethics professor. They end up meeting in the afterlife, which is already wild, and basically have to study philosophy together. It’s not just some dry textbook stuff, though. Watching them try to figure out how to be good people, coming from such different lives, really makes you think about what it even means to be a good person, and what connects us all. It’s surprisingly funny and really gets you pondering life’s big questions.

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

Detective Jake Peralta and Sergeant Amy Santiago have a central romantic relationship in this funny police show. Jake is Jewish-American and Amy is Cuban-American, and their backgrounds sometimes come up in family life and during holidays. They have a strong relationship based on respect and a shared love for their jobs. The show depicts their marriage as a true partnership, where they both value and celebrate their cultural backgrounds.

‘Elemental’ (2023)

This animated film is set in a city inhabited by both fire and water people. It tells the story of Ember, a passionate young woman from an immigrant family, who falls for Wade, a go-with-the-flow water person. Despite their differences – both in what they are made of and where they come from – they try to make their relationship work. The movie beautifully explores themes of immigration and the richness that comes from different cultures connecting.

‘Before Sunrise’ (1995)

Okay, so there’s this movie I really love about an American traveler named Jesse who meets a French student, Celine, on a European train. They just click, and on a whim, decide to spend one night together in Vienna just talking – really talking – before Jesse has to go back home. It’s amazing how they delve into their backgrounds, how growing up in different cultures shaped the way they see the world. The whole movie is just about the connection they make, this really intense intellectual and emotional bond that forms between them despite coming from totally different places.

‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ (2018)

Lara Jean Covey is a teenager of Korean and American descent whose private love letters are unexpectedly sent to all her crushes. This leads to a pretend relationship with Peter Kavinsky that blossoms into something real. The movie also beautifully explores Lara Jean’s connection to her Korean heritage and the traditions passed down from her mother, offering a heartwarming portrayal of a multiracial family and a charming high school romance.

‘Master of None’ (2015–2021)

Dev Shah is a New York-based actor juggling his career and love life. In the show’s second season, he forms a strong connection with Francesca, an Italian woman from Modena. Their relationship beautifully portrays the joys and difficulties of falling in love with someone from a different culture and who speaks a different language. Through their connection, the series explores themes of desire and the impact of cultural exchange.

‘Shortcomings’ (2023)

Ben, a filmmaker known for his cynicism, is navigating a difficult relationship with his girlfriend, Miko, in the San Francisco Bay Area. When Miko takes an internship in New York, Ben is left to deal with his own self-doubt and preconceived notions. Through interactions with a diverse group of people, he begins to question his views on race and identity. The film provides a contemporary exploration of the challenges and nuances of Asian-American life and the complexities of modern relationships.

‘One Day’ (2024)

Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew first meet at their university graduation in Scotland and remain connected for over twenty years. Emma, who is British-Asian, and Dexter, from a privileged background, revisit a specific day each year, exploring their bond as it develops from friendship into something more. The story follows their evolving relationship and is set against the changing social and cultural backdrop of the United Kingdom.

‘Plus One’ (2019)

Alice and Ben, longtime friends, decide to pretend to be a couple and attend a series of weddings together over the summer. As they navigate the festivities, they begin to develop feelings for each other. The movie highlights their playful connection and the deep history they share, but it doesn’t focus on their different backgrounds as a source of conflict.

‘The Half of It’ (2020)

Ellie Chu is a quiet, Chinese-American student who earns money by writing essays for other students. When a popular athlete named Paul asks her to write love letters to a girl they both like, Aster, an unexpected friendship blossoms between them. Despite coming from different worlds, Ellie and Paul connect, and the film delves into themes of love, belonging, and figuring out who you are in a small town.

Please share which of these cross-cultural stories resonated with you the most in the comments.

2026-01-26 01:46