12 Romantic Movies Like My Oxford Year You Must See

Based on the novel of the same name by Julia Whelan, ‘My Oxford Year’ by Iain Morris follows Anna De La Vega (Sofia Carson), an ambitious American student who arrives at Oxford University to pursue her dreams. She has long been in love with a place that is rich in culture and history, with the windy lanes and the sprawling library. However, her heart seeks out a new object of desire, her young and handsome English teacher, Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest). While their torrid romance begins on the premise of being temporary, Anna soon realises that it has become more serious for her. This forces the couple to have a confrontation that seeks to alter both their lives. The romantic comedy on Netflix transcends the genre to become a heartfelt coming-of-age drama. If the narrative has moved you, here is a curated list of movies similar to ‘My Oxford Year’ that you can consider for your next watch.

12. Starter for 10 (2007)

Directed by Tom Vaughan and adapted by David Nicholls from his eponymous novel, ‘Starter for 10’ revolves around Brian Jackson (James McAvoy), a bright young man and quiz prodigy from Essex who enrolls in the University of Bristol in 1985. As he navigates his first year in college and prepares for the televised quiz contest “Challenge,” Brian finds himself smitten by his promiscuous classmate, Alice Harbinson (Alice Eve). However, she is not the only one he admires. Brian is also attracted to his witty and intellectual friend Rebecca Epstein (Rebecca Hall), but ends up hurting her because of his carelessness. In the end, he is forced to confront his heart, much like Anna in ‘My Oxford Year.’

11. The Theory of Everything (2014)

‘The Theory of Everything’ by James Marsh is a biographical drama that chronicles three decades in the life of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), based on the memoir ‘Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen’ written by his ex-wife Jane Hawking. The film is a love story at heart and begins in the 1960s, when, as a student at Cambridge University, Stephen meets literature student Jane Wilde. They fall and grow in love, but the castles they built in their minds about their future come crashing down as Stephen gets diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21. Despite being warned about fighting a losing battle, the couple overcomes terrible odds and creates a legacy that inspires generations. Similar to Anna and Jamie in ‘My Oxford Year,’ their relationship has ups and downs, but they come out of it growing together and individually.

10. Before Sunrise (1995)

Helmed by Richard Linklater, ‘Before Sunrise’ tells the story of the chance encounter between American tourist Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and French student Celine (Julie Delpy) on a train from Budapest to Vienna. While Jesse is on his way to Vienna, Celine is returning to Paris. After they develop an instant connection, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train and spend the day with him in Vienna. Celine agrees, and the two perfect strangers wander the city and partake in the experiences that the place has to offer. However, the pain of separation hangs over their heads as the night progresses. Like ‘My Oxford Year,’ the story centers around young love that is meant to be a fleeting experience.

9. One Day (2011)

David Nicholls adapts another one of his novels for the screen in the eponymous film ‘One Day,’ directed by Lone Scherfig. The narrative begins on July 15, 1988, when Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) and Emma Morley (Anne Hathaway) meet and platonically spend the night of their college graduation. They decide to stay friends and reunite every year on the anniversary of that date. Over the next twenty years, their lives take them poles apart. Anna works as a teacher, trying to make the world a better place, while Dexter becomes a hotshot television producer. However, they keep returning to one another until they finally realize what their hearts truly want. Love blossoms in unforeseen ways, much like it does in ‘My Oxford Year.’

8. The French Teacher (2019)

Directed by Stefania Vasconcellos, ‘The French Teacher’ centers around Cleo (Marie Laurin), a middle-aged French teacher who is grappling with personal issues. Her life is transformed when she starts having a torrid affair with her much younger student, Matthew (Patrick McGowan). Following the death of her father, Cleo’s daughter Sophie (Anna Maiche) moves back in with her. Soon, the trio finds themselves in a love triangle, and the relationship between the mother and daughter becomes fraught. Like Jamie in ‘My Oxford Year,’ Cloe is forced to confront the trauma that she has buried deep within her in the past.

7. Blue Car (2003)

Marking the directorial debut of Karen Moncrieff, ‘Blue Car’ revolves around Meg Denning (Agnes Bruckner), an 18-year-old gifted student who feels abandoned and neglected by her parents, and seeks solace in writing poetry. Recognizing her talent, her English teacher, Mr. Auster (David Strathairn), steps in as a mentor in her life. He encourages her to participate in a national poetry contest where he serves as a judge. As the tension in Meg’s home escalates, she finds her relationship with her teacher becoming increasingly complicated. It is defined by their personal struggles, similar to how the relationship between Anna and Jamie evolves in ‘My Oxford Year.’

6. The English Teacher (2013)

‘The English Teacher’ by Craig Zisk is about Linda Sinclair (Julianne Moore), a middle-aged single high school English teacher in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Her life takes an unexpected turn as she comes across her former star pupil Jason Sherwood (Michael Angarano), who has returned after failing to make it as a playwright in New York. Seeing him on the verge of giving up on his dreams, Linda decides to stage his play as her school’s production. As the two work together on the passion project, the lines between them blur on occasion, and Linda finds herself in a complicated situation. Similar to Jamie in ‘My Oxford Year,’ she is soon forced to confront her own desires.

5. Elegy (2008)

Based on the novel ‘The Dying Animal’ by Philip Roth, ‘Elegy’ by Isabel Coixet follows David Kepesh (Ben Kingsley), a renowned professor who firmly disbelieves in monogamy. He has taken a string of lovers throughout his life, but has not settled down with any. It is when he meets Consuela Castillo (Penélope Cruz), a student in her 20s, that David finds himself falling for a person for the first time ever. As he worries about the relationship turning serious, he is warned by his best friend George (Dennis Hopper) not to become overly attached. Much like Jamie in ‘My Oxford Year,’ David’s personal reservations also come in the way of the affair.

4. Breathe In (2014)

Helmed by Drake Doremus, ‘Breathe In’ tells the story of a family comprising the father, Keith (Guy Pearce), the mother, Megan (Amy Ryan), and their 17-year-old daughter Lauren (Mackenzie Davis). While they are financially stable, the family goes through personal struggles. Their dynamic goes through a marked shift when foreign exchange student Sophie (Felicity Jones) arrives to live with them. Keith immediately finds himself drawn to her, and their flirtatious dynamic soon leads to him upending the lives of him and his family. The tryst that they engage in is reminiscent of the one that is at the core of ‘My Oxford Year.’

3. Molly Maxwell (2012)

‘Molly Maxwell’ by Sara St. Onge is about 16-year-old Molly Maxwell (Lola Tash), a creative student who loves photography but finds comfort in staying in her cocoon. However, her behavior changes as a young and disillusioned English teacher, Ben Carter (Charlie Carrick), walks into her life. Molly finds herself drawn to her teacher beyond the classroom, as he allows her to just be herself and helps her flourish. Their bond progressively becomes more intimate, and Molly starts putting herself on the line to make the impossible romance work. The torrid affair between them brings to mind what Anna and Jamie share in ‘My Oxford Year.’

2. An Education (2009)

Lone Scherfig’s directorial ‘An Education’ is based on an eponymous memoir by journalist Lynn Barber. It chronicles a coming-of-age story about Jenny Mellor (Carey Mulligan), a bright and attractive teenager growing up in 1960s suburban London. She aspires to attend Oxford University, but finds her life going off track after meeting David Goldman (Peter Sarsgaard), an affluent, charming, and much older man. Initiating as a chance encounter, their affair gives Jenny her first taste of a life of luxury, something that she finds incredibly difficult to get over. The change that she sees in her life and her social circle is comparable to what Anna in ‘My Oxford Year’ experiences as she attends Oxford University.

1. Liberal Arts (2012)

‘Liberal Arts,’ written, directed, and starring Josh Radnor, revolves around 35-year-old New York college adviser Jesse (Josh), who returns to his alma mater in Ohio for the retirement party of a dear old professor (Richard Jenkins). There, he comes across Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), a college sophomore, and the two share an instant connection. While Jesse is initially hesitant about pursuing a relationship with Zibby because of their age gap, their bond makes it inevitable. Much like the narrative of ‘My Oxford Year,’ their relationship allows both individuals to grow as people. They confront their fears and face challenges together, which turn into opportunities for their love to grow.