12 Movies Like Voicemails for Isabelle You Must See

Written and directed by Leah McKendrick, Netflix’s ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ is a romantic comedy film that follows Jill (Zoey Deutch), a Texas native working as a chef in San Francisco. She is struggling to cope with the death of her beloved sister, Isabelle (Ciara Bravo), after a long battle with cancer. Unable to let go of her grief, Jill begins leaving heartfelt voicemails on Isabelle’s old phone number, using the messages as a way to process her grief and reality. What she does not realize is that the number has been reassigned to Wes (Nick Robinson), a stranger who unexpectedly becomes the recipient of her voicemails.

As Wes listens to the messages, he develops a connection to Jill and becomes increasingly drawn to her personality. When their lives eventually intersect, a relationship begins to form between them, complicated by the fact that Jill remains unaware of the secret that brought them together in the first place. As fate tests their relationship, Jill and Wes face an uncertain future. These movies, similar to ‘Voicemails for Isabelle,’ navigate tender stories of love, while also exploring the intricacies of choice, fate, and more.

12. Upgraded (2024)

‘Upgraded’ delves into the life of Ana Santos (Camila Mendes), an ambitious intern working at a prestigious New York art auction house. Determined to earn the approval of her demanding boss, Claire Dupont (Marisa Tomei), Ana constantly looks for ways to advance her career and prove her worth. A business trip to London unexpectedly changes her fortunes when she receives an upgrade to first class and meets Will (Archie Renaux), a wealthy and charismatic young man. Mistaking Ana for a high-ranking executive, Will forms an immediate impression of her, and Ana chooses not to correct the misunderstanding. As the two grow closer, the false identity opens doors to new opportunities while also creating complications.

With her professional ambitions and personal life becoming increasingly intertwined, Ana finds it difficult to keep the truth hidden as her relationship with Will deepens. Helmed by Carlson Young, the Prime Video rom-com explores the power of fate in uniting two strangers, much like ‘Voicemails for Isabelle.’ Both films deal with characters going through uncertainty and finding unexpected romantic connections that test them in unexpected ways.

11. The Other Zoey (2023)

Shaped by the vision of Sara Zandieh, ‘The Other Zoey’ centers on Zoey Miller (Josephine Langford), a college student who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a case of mistaken identity. After an accident leaves Zach MacLaren (Drew Starkey) suffering from amnesia, he becomes convinced that Zoey is his girlfriend because she shares the same first name as the real Zoey in his life. Rather than immediately revealing the truth, Zoey finds herself drawn deeper into the situation, particularly after developing an interest in Zach’s cousin, Miles MacLaren (Archie Renaux). Hoping to spend more time with Miles, she allows the confusion to continue and joins the MacLaren family on a vacation while posing as Zach’s girlfriend.

What begins as a harmless deception soon becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as Zoey navigates the expectations surrounding her false identity and develops complicated feelings involving both cousins. The rom-com, akin to ‘Voicemails for Isabelle,’ is a commentary on the intricate and unpredictable role that fate plays in developing human connections, and the various ways in which people react to such a scenario, forming complex opinions based on their own insecurities and desires.

10. About Time (2013)

‘About Time’ is the story of Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson), a young man who learns that the men in his family possess the ability to travel through time. Realizing he can revisit moments from his own life and change events, Tim begins using the gift to improve his future and fix mistakes from his past. His priorities shift when he meets and falls in love with Mary (Rachel McAdams). As their relationship develops, Tim uses his unusual ability to overcome obstacles, help the people he cares about, and build the life he wants. However, despite the opportunities that time travel provides, Tim gradually discovers that some challenges cannot be avoided.

Through these experiences, he learns more about what Mary truly means to him. Richard Curtis is at the helm of this heartfelt British romantic science fiction comedy-drama film, for which he also wrote the screenplay. The emotional equation between Tim and Mary is comparable to that between Jill and Wes in ‘Voicemails for Isabelle.’ The two romantic pairs not only navigate the puzzles of love but also the layers of belief and destiny.

9. Love, Rosie (2014)

Crafted under the guidance of Christian Ditter, ‘Love, Rosie’ is a British romantic drama film adapted from the novel ‘Where Rainbows End’ by Cecelia Ahern. It centers on Rosie Dunne (Lily Collins) over several years as she deals with the unexpected turns her life takes from her teenage years into adulthood. Rosie’s plans as a teenager change dramatically when an accidental pregnancy forces her to face the responsibilities of single motherhood at a young age. As she raises her daughter and navigates her relationships with family, she remains closely connected to her longtime friend Alex Stewart (Sam Claflin).

Despite the strong bond they share, their relationship is shaped by complicated emotions, missed opportunities, and changing circumstances. As the years pass, Rosie and Alex continue to move in and out of each other’s lives while trying to understand what their connection truly means. While ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ is about the processing of grief and the healing power of love, ‘Love, Rosie’ is a commentary on the transcendental nature of romance and the sacrifices that people make in the journey, as fate plays its hand.

8. Love at First Sight (2023)

Netflix’s ‘Love at First Sight’ delves into the experiences of Hadley Sullivan (Haley Lu Richardson), an American girl whose journey from NYC to London takes an unexpected turn when she meets Oliver Jones (Ben Hardy) on the flight. The two quickly form a connection and begin to imagine what might happen after they land. However, their plans are disrupted when they become separated at London’s airport before they can properly exchange information.

Suddenly left without a way to contact one another, Hadley and Oliver find themselves navigating the busy city while hoping for another chance meeting. Vanessa Caswill steers this romantic drama film, based on the novel ‘The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight’ by Jennifer E. Smith. Akin to ‘Voicemails for Isabelle,’ the film explores how unexpected encounters, mistaken actions, and chance events in unlikely spaces can shape the course of a layered relationship, while also testing whether it can bear the pressures of insecurities and emotional complications.

7. Serendipity (2001)

‘Serendipity’ is the tale of Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan Trager (John Cusack), two strangers who meet by chance while reaching for the same pair of gloves at a New York department store. Although both are involved with other people, they spend an unforgettable day together and develop an immediate connection. While Jonathan wants to exchange contact information, Sara believes fate should decide whether they are meant to be together.

Before parting ways, they leave clues to their identities. Years later, despite Jonathan and Sara being engaged to others, they begin searching for each other, hoping that destiny plays a role. Peter Chelsom is the creative voice behind this engaging rom-com. Strangers, immediate connection, emotional complications, loyalty, love, and the unpredictability of destiny are the ideas that both ‘Serendipity’ and ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ explore in their own unique ways.

6. Message in a Bottle (1999)

Directed by Luis Mandoki and based on the eponymous novel by Nicholas Sparks, ‘Message in a Bottle’ is a romantic drama film that follows Theresa Osborne (Robin Wright). She is a journalist whose life changes after discovering a bottle washed ashore during a morning run. Inside is a deeply emotional letter that leaves a lasting impression on her, and she becomes determined to find the man who wrote it. Her search eventually leads her to Garrett Blake (Kevin Costner), a widower living in a coastal town. As Theresa gets to know Garrett, a romance begins to develop between them.

However, while she grows attached to him, she struggles with the circumstances that brought her into his life. At the same time, Garrett remains deeply connected to the past, creating challenges for both him and Theresa. While ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ is about voicemails and the forces of modern technology leading to a romantic connection and testing the relationship, ‘Message in a Bottle’ is about the simplicity, romantic depth, and emotional resonance of a handwritten letter, which still carries weight in modern life.

5. The Lake House (2006)

‘The Lake House’ follows Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) and Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves), two strangers connected by an unusual mystery involving a lakeside glass house. After moving out of the house in 2006, Kate leaves a note behind, only for it to be discovered by Alex, who is living there in 2004. As they continue exchanging letters, the pair realizes that the house’s mailbox somehow allows them to communicate across different points in time. Their exchanges gradually bring them closer, and a romance begins to develop despite the years separating them.

However, when Kate and Alex attempt to turn their connection into something more and arrange to meet, they are forced to confront the complications created by the unusual circumstances linking their lives. With Alejandro Agresti at the creative helm, the fantasy romantic drama film is based on the South Korean film ‘Il Mare.’ While Wes and Jill’s lives in ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ are complicated by technological forces, the experiences of Kate and Alex are affected by forces beyond human understanding. Both movies provide different interpretations of love, time, and space, while also exploring how they are connected.

4. P.S. I Love You (2007)

Based on Cecelia Ahern’s eponymous novel, ‘P.S. I Love You’ is a Richard LaGravenese directorial that navigates the life of Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank). Her world is shattered when her husband, Gerry Kennedy (Gerard Butler), dies after an illness. Struggling to cope with the loss, Holly finds herself unable to move forward. However, she realizes that Gerry had prepared something for her before his death. Beginning on her thirtieth birthday, Holly starts receiving a series of letters from him, each containing instructions and challenges designed to help her through her grief. As the messages continue to arrive, Holly embarks on a journey of self-discovery and new experiences.

While her family and friends worry that the letters are keeping her attached to the past, the words may help her rebuild her life. The romantic comedy-drama film captures the essence of ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ by focusing on the healing power of love. Messages sent and received after the death of a loved one play a vital role in shaping the lives of the main characters in both movies, which comment on moving on and finding faith and optimism after tragedy and uncertainty.

3. Letters to Juliet (2010)

In ‘Letters to Juliet,’ Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), an aspiring writer, travels to Verona, Italy, with her fiancé. There, she discovers the tradition of people leaving letters to the famous character Juliet, seeking advice on love. While helping collect the letters, Sophie comes across one that was written decades earlier and never answered. Moved by its contents, she decides to reply. Her unexpected response brings Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), the original writer, to Verona along with her grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan). Inspired by the letter, Sophie joins them on a journey across Italy to find Claire’s long-lost love, Lorenzo Bartolini.

As the search unfolds, Sophie becomes increasingly invested in the story and begins reassessing her own relationship. With Gary Winick behind the lens, the romantic comedy-drama film is unpredictable and engaging. Sophie’s journey of self-discovery is comparable to Jill’s attempts to restart her life in ‘Voicemails for Isabelle.’ The two characters are spiritually connected by the uncertainties of their circumstances and the challenges they face in different emotional realities.

2. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Directed by the veteran filmmaker Nora Ephron, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ is a rom-com that chronicles the trials and tribulations of Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks). He moves from Chicago to Seattle with his young son, Jonah (Ross Malinger), after the death of his wife, Maggie. Even after many months, Sam continues to struggle with grief and finds it difficult to move on with his life. Hoping to help his father find happiness again, Jonah persuades him to speak on a radio show, where Sam shares memories of his marriage and loss. The broadcast emotionally affects Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a newspaper writer who becomes fascinated by Sam despite being engaged.

Convinced there is something special about him, Annie reaches out and suggests a meeting atop the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. However, the chances of Annie and Sam meeting become increasingly dependent on the forces of destiny. The movie’s focus on the complex role that fate plays in forging romantic connections is complementary to the depiction of chance-based romance in ‘Voicemails for Isabelle.’ Along with the character dynamics, the visual styles of the two movies are also heartwarming and poignant.

1. You’ve Got Mail (1998)

‘You’ve Got Mail’ is the tale of Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the owner of a major bookstore chain, and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), who runs a small independent children’s bookstore in NYC. When Joe’s newest store threatens Kathleen’s business, the two become rivals and frequently find themselves at odds. At the same time, however, they develop a close friendship through anonymous email exchanges, unaware of each other’s true identities. As their online connection grows stronger, neither realizes that the person they enjoy talking to is the same person causing problems in their professional life. Caught between their business rivalry and their growing personal bond, Joe and Kathleen must navigate a complicated relationship shaped by misunderstandings, chance encounters, and unexpected feelings.

Shaped by the ideas of Nora Ephron, the rom-com is inspired by the play ‘Parfumerie’ by Miklós László as well as the film ‘The Shop Around the Corner.’ Both ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’ and ‘You’ve Got Mail’ deal with scenarios where characters remain unaware that the person they are in love with has been receiving their messages in secret. The confusion that arises from such a situation is at the heart of the narratives, which focus on the power of love to overcome the weight of emotional and professional barriers in life.