12 Movies Like The Map That Leads to You You Must See

Based on the eponymous novel by J. P. Monninger, Prime Video’s ‘The Map That Leads to You’ is a romantic drama film that follows the ups and downs of Heather Mulgrew (Madelyn Cline) and Jack (KJ Apa). Directed by Lasse Hallström, it narrates the adventures of Heather as she bumps into Jack during a holiday in Europe. What begins as a vacation with friends becomes a tale of romance, meaning, and heartbreak for the main characters. The emotional dynamics between the protagonists lead them to unexpected scenarios and revelations that change the course of their lives. As they discover spectacular countries in Europe, they also find their own souls and a genuine human connection. The visuals of the narrative also add to the intrigue of the story. If the thematic elements, the storyline, and the performances of the movie entertained you, these films, similar to ‘The Map That Leads to You,’ will keep you hooked.

12. The Last Letter from Your Lover (2021)

Based on the eponymous novel by Jojo Moyes, Netflix’s ‘The Last Letter from Your Lover’ is a romantic drama film that chronicles the lives of many characters who pursue the complications of love in the past and the present. In modern-day London, a journalist named Ellie Haworth (Felicity Jones) comes across love letters from a few decades ago and tries to decipher their meaning and the lives of the people behind them. In the past, the life of Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley) goes through the trials and tribulations of romance. The switch between past and present connects the stories of Ellie and Jennifer in unique ways in the Augustine Frizzell directorial as both of them traverse the difficulties of love. The themes of love and loss play an important role in the film, like they do in ‘The Map That Leads to You.’ Both stories feature visuals of Europe that add intrigue to the stories. The thematic similarities of tragedy and meaning connect the stories on a greater level.

11. Midnight Sun (2018)

Directed by Scott Speer, the romantic drama film ‘The Midnight Sun’ is an exploration of love and tragedy that centers around the lives of Katie Price (Bella Thorne) and Charlie Reed (Patrick Schwarzenegger). Based on the Japanese film ‘A Song to the Sun’ and directed by Norihiro Koizumi, it navigates the complex life of Katie, who has a medical condition called “xeroderma pigmentosum,” which makes sunlight harmful for her. However, when she meets Charlie during the summer, she embarks on a romance that threatens her life, while also giving her one last chance at true love. The narrative resembles the ideas of death, loyalty, and the pursuit of happiness that ‘The Map That Leads to You’ also touches upon. Both films feature a main character who doesn’t have a lot of time left to live, making the love stories more intense.

10. Remember Me (2010)

The romantic drama film ‘Remember Me’ tells the story of Tyler Hawkins (Robert Pattinson) and Ally Craig (Emilie de Ravin) as they navigate the complexities of love in New York City. What starts as a mere attempt by Tyler and his friend to get back at a police officer by befriending the officer’s daughter, Ally, soon becomes a case of tragedy and intense moments that test the relationship between the two main characters. The happenings around the 9/11 attacks also play a crucial role in the Allen Coulter directorial, which leads to important character arcs. Akin to ‘The Map That Leads to You,’ it features the theme of death that plays a major role in character decisions. The protagonists in both movies deal with personal struggles that make it hard for them to pursue love to the fullest extent. The spiritual connections between the films make them complementary.

9. If I Stay (2014)

Based on the eponymous novel by Gayle Forman, ‘If I Stay’ is a romantic fantasy film directed by R. J. Cutler, that follows the life of a girl named Mia Hall (Chloë Grace Moretz), who has to choose between life and death in a unique and fantastical situation wherein she enters her astral realm after a deadly accident. Due to the sadness and regrets in her own life, the protagonist, in her astral form, goes on a difficult journey wherein she must choose to recover at the hospital or embrace death. Her connection to Adam Wilde (Jamie Blackley) adds an intriguing layer to the story. The elements of life, love, death, tragedy, and meaning portrayed in the film reflect on the world of ‘The Map That Leads to You’ in a poignant manner.

8. One Day (2011)

Based on the eponymous novel by David Nicholls, ‘One Day’ is a romantic drama film that follows multiple periods and events in the lives of Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) and Emma Morley (Anne Hathaway). Beginning from their connection with each other forged in 1988, the two characters meet each other on 15 July (Saint Swithun’s Day) for many years in the future. The narrative shifts from past and present as the complex love story between the two is revealed. The Lone Scherfig directorial is a commentary on memory, connections, loyalty, love, and loss. In ways similar to ‘The Map That Leads to You,’ it weaves an intricate story of romance and grief through the lens of two complex individuals. The search for true love is also an important commonality in the two stories.

7. Before Sunrise (1995)

Directed by Richard Linklater, ‘Before Sunrise’ is regarded as a classic in the genre of romantic dramas. It is a tale of conversations, romance, and connection between an American boy named Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and a French girl named Céline (Julie Delpy). The two strangers who meet on a train find instant connection and explore the city of Vienna over the course of a day and night. They talk about life, love, art, and culture as they witness the culture of the city. The theme of exploration plays a major role in the narrative, just like it does in ‘The Map That Leads to You.’ The visual elements of the stories are also similar because they utilize the architecture of Europe to narrate the idea of love.

6. Love, Rosie (2013)

Based on the novel ‘Where Rainbows End’ by Cecelia Ahern, the romantic drama film ‘Love, Rosie’ is a love story that spans years in the life of Rosie Dunne (Lily Collins), who faces a complex scenario of love. The Christian Ditter directorial starts with her teenage years and friendship with Alex Stewart (Sam Claflin), which gets complicated due to her pregnancy, as a result of hooking up with a fellow student named Greg. Facing the realities of being a young and single mother, Rosie goes through the ups and downs of life as she navigates her feelings for Alex. Like ‘The Map That Leads to You,’ the elements of distance, longing, and the unpredictable character arcs are also present in film. Both stories feature the ideas of personal growth and evolution that lead to important character decisions.

5. Five Feet Apart (2019)

Directed by Justin Baldoni, ‘Five Feet Apart’ is a romantic drama film that explores the lives of Stella Grant (Haley Lu Richardson) and William Newman (Cole Sprouse), as they navigate the struggles of love while being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Despite the life-threatening condition that affects both of them, they pursue a complex love story that challenges both of them on an extremely emotional level. The themes of death, tragedy, romance, and belonging play a major role in the romantic drama film, which is based on the eponymous novel by Rachael Lippincott. It resembles the vibes and themes of ‘The Map That Leads to You’ as both stories explore the possibilities related to short-term love, which leads to intense emotional connections. The question of whether or not love can exist despite impending death is a major point in both stories.

4. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Based on the eponymous novel by John Green, ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ explores the complex lives of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus “Gus” Waters (Ansel Elgort), as they fall in love with each other, despite both being diagnosed with cancer. In the romantic drama, the couple, who initially meet at a support group for cancer patients, forge a deep connection that gives meaning and hope to them, as they get ready to embrace certain death. Like Jack in ‘The Map That Leads to You,’ both the protagonists in the film have to face the risks of cancer, while also dealing with the complexities of love. The ways in which a medical condition can affect love and connection are explored poignantly in both stories.

3. We Live in Time (2024)

The drama film ‘We Live in Time’ is a nuanced exploration of love, family, loyalty, and tragedy, directed by John Crowley. It follows the lives of Tobias Durand (Andrew Garfield) and Almut Brühl (Florence Pugh), who meet each other in strange circumstances. They eventually fall in love, but are drawn into a turbulent scenario when Almut is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Despite the risk of death, the two of them build a family and also forge a deep bond with their daughter, Ella. What follows is an intense tale of embracing death and love at the same time. In ways similar to Jack’s character arc in ‘The Map That Leads to You,’ Almut’s story also leads to emotional complexities that affect the relationship between the main characters. The interconnected themes of death and romance create a spiritual connection between the two stories.

2. Me Before You (2016)

Based on Jojo Koyes’ novel of the same name, the romance-drama film ‘Me Before You’ chronicles the complex love story between Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke) and Will Traynor (Sam Claflin). Directed by Thea Sharrock, it narrates the tragic story of Will, a former banker whose life turns upside down when he becomes the victim of a freak accident and loses his ability to walk. Louisa, who walks into his life as a caretaker, forges a deeper connection with him as the two fall in love. It is a story of hope, redemption, and the clash between optimism and pessimism that reflects the narrative of ‘The Map That Leads to You.’ Both stories feature a male protagonist who has to face the challenges of life and death, while also dealing with the complex emotions of love.

1. My Oxford Year (2025)

An adaptation of the eponymous novel by Julia Whelan, the romantic drama film ‘My Oxford Year’ is the story of an American student named Anna De La Vega (Sofia Carson) and a British tutor named Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest), who cross paths with each other at Oxford University. What starts as a casual fling between the two soon becomes an intense tale of love, death, adventure, and loyalty. Unbeknownst to Anna, Jamie hides the fact that he has cancer. When she learns about it, it leads to an emotional and complex tale of the two embracing death and romance simultaneously. In ways close to ‘The Map That Leads to You,’ the story has an extremely similar element wherein the male protagonist has cancer, which affects his love story. Jack and Jamie both deal with the trials and tribulations of impending death, while also hoping to find meaning in their romantic connections with Heather and Anna. The element of adventure in Europe also plays a major role in both stories. The films are thematically and spiritually connected on a greater level, while also featuring similar visual flavors.