Movies Like 365 Days: 10 Seductive and Intense Love Stories

The 2020 Polish erotic drama 365 Days (2020) became an instant global sensation, dominating streaming charts and igniting countless online discussions. This film, starring Anna-Maria Sieklucka and Michele Morrone, captivated audiences with its high-stakes drama, breathtaking Italian scenery, and intense, tumultuous romance. It belongs to a specific corner of the romance genre that thrives on passionate, often complicated, and undeniably obsessive relationships. The story of a strong-willed woman falling for a dominant, wealthy, and dangerous man offered a fantasy narrative that struck a chord with a huge segment of viewers.

For fans who devoured every moment of the original, the search for more movies like 365 Days is a quest to find that perfect blend of dark allure, extravagant settings, and intense emotional connection. These films—often based on best-selling novels—provide a similar atmosphere of escapism, focusing on characters with powerful chemistry who navigate a whirlwind romance fraught with power imbalances, secrets, and high-stakes conflict. The allure is in the unapologetic drama and the exploration of romantic obsession. This curated list was carefully selected to offer a similar experience, featuring movies with comparable themes, an intense mood, and powerful storytelling that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

• 2h 5m
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson
• Writer: Kelly Marcel
• Stars: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle
• Country: United States, United Kingdom
• Summary: Literature student Anastasia Steele’s life changes forever when she meets handsome, yet tormented, billionaire Christian Grey.

The most obvious choice for fans searching for films like 365 Days is the film that arguably set the modern standard for the blockbuster erotic romance genre: Fifty Shades of Grey (2015). This movie perfectly captures the core dynamic of an innocent, inexperienced protagonist being drawn into the opulent and complex world of a highly dominant and secretive man. Just like the Polish hit, Fifty Shades of Grey is an adaptation of a wildly popular novel, which gives it an immediate, built-in audience eager to see the intense romance play out on screen. The cinematography is glossy, the settings are luxurious—from the lavish penthouse to the extravagant gifts—and the focus is entirely on the magnetic, often troubled, connection between its two leads, Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey.

The film’s atmosphere is charged with a palpable tension and features an undeniable chemistry between stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. Beyond the highly publicized erotic scenes, the story delves into the power dynamics and emotional boundaries of their relationship, making it a compelling exploration of control and consent within a romantic context. If you were drawn to the sheer passion and dramatic weight of the leads’ relationship in the story of Laura and Massimo, you’ll find a similarly intense and consuming love affair here. It’s a quintessential example of the forbidden romance trope, wrapped in a sleek, big-budget production.

2. After (2019)

• 1h 45m
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Jenny Gage
• Writer: Susan McMartin, Tamara Chestna, Jenny Gage
• Stars: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Khadijha Red Thunder
• Country: United States
• Summary: A young woman falls for a guy with a dark secret and the two embark on a rocky relationship.

After (2019) provides a quintessential example of the “good girl meets bad boy” trope that is central to the appeal of many movies similar to 365 Days. The story follows Tessa Young, an accomplished and well-behaved student, as she enters college and encounters the brooding, mysterious, and rebellious Hardin Scott. Their immediate, powerful attraction threatens to derail Tessa’s carefully planned future and throws her into a world of intense emotion and complexity. The film captures the all-consuming, obsessive nature of first love, particularly one that is complicated by the man’s troubled past and guarded demeanor.

The mood of After is highly atmospheric and emotionally turbulent, focusing on the volatile push-and-pull between the two main characters. Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin embody the magnetic tension of a couple whose connection is as destructive as it is undeniable. The movie taps into the same desire for a passionate, life-altering romance, albeit within a college setting rather than the Mafia underworld. It’s a film about breaking boundaries, discovering oneself through a challenging relationship, and the profound, transformative power of a love that goes against all expectations.

3. Through My Window (2022)

• 1h 56m
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Director: Marçal Forés
• Writer: Eduard Sola
• Stars: Julio Peña Fernández, Clara Galle, Pilar Castro
• Country: Spain
• Summary: Raquel has a longtime crush on her next-door neighbor, Ares, whom she secretly watches. Can she get him to fall for her through her efforts?

For viewers captivated by the element of intense obsession and clandestine passion, the Spanish film Through My Window (2022) delivers a similarly addictive, high-drama experience. Based on a popular Wattpad novel, this movie follows Raquel, who is secretly obsessed with her wealthy and attractive neighbor, Ares Hidalgo. While Ares initially seems unaware of her, their paths eventually cross, leading to a fiery romance that echoes the powerful, unavoidable nature of the connection in 365 Days. The movie captures the youthful, all-consuming energy of a romance where attraction is purely magnetic and the stakes feel impossibly high.

What makes this an excellent option is its focus on the intoxicating thrill of a relationship that develops from afar and then explodes into undeniable reality. Ares belongs to the powerful Hidalgo family, giving the romance an element of the elite and unreachable, much like Massimo’s world. The film is beautifully shot, featuring a stylish, passionate atmosphere that elevates the intense emotional beats. If you enjoy the blend of lighthearted banter and sizzling chemistry paired with a strong dose of romantic fantasy, Through My Window will certainly satisfy that craving for compelling, over-the-top romance.

4. Newness (2017)

• 1h 52m
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Drake Doremus
• Writer: Ben York Jones
• Stars: Nicholas Hoult, Laia Costa, Danny Huston
• Country: United States
• Summary: In contemporary Los Angeles, two millennials navigating a social media-driven hookup culture begin a relationship that pushes both emotional and physical boundaries.

While it lacks the explicit crime-world drama, Newness (2017) provides a raw, modern look at the obsessive and boundary-pushing aspects of a contemporary relationship that will appeal to fans of the dramatic core of 365 Days. The film follows Martin and Gabi, two millennials in Los Angeles who meet via a dating app and quickly form an intense, all-consuming connection. As their relationship deepens, they confront modern issues of commitment, emotional intimacy, and the temptation of an ‘open’ relationship, pushing the limits of what they are willing to accept from each other.

Directed by Drake Doremus, the movie features an intimate, almost documentary-like style that makes the characters’ emotional turmoil feel incredibly visceral and authentic. It delves into the dark side of romantic passion, exploring the jealousy, insecurity, and intense emotional need that can accompany a deeply bonded pair. The chemistry between Nicholas Hoult and Laia Costa is palpable, driving a narrative that shows how quickly a relationship can move from intoxicating to suffocating. For those who appreciate the films like 365 Days that focus on the complexities of intense emotional attachment and the blurring of personal boundaries, Newness is a mature and compelling drama.

5. Dark Desire (TV Series 2020–2022)

• Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• Director: Kenya Marquez, Mafer Suárez
• Writer: Leticia López Margalli
• Stars: Maite Perroni, Erik Hayser, Alejandro Speitzer
• Country: Mexico
• Summary: A married professor falls for a younger man, and a week of passion at a weekend getaway ends in tragedy, causing her to question those closest to her.

Although technically a TV series (available as a single season of intense episodes on streaming), the Mexican production Dark Desire (2020) functions thematically and tonally as an extended movie that delivers the same high-stakes, passionate energy found in 365 Days. The story centers on Alma Solares, a married law professor whose life spirals into a web of secrets and murder after she has a passionate one-night stand during a weekend trip. Her magnetic, dangerous, and younger lover, Darío Guerra, seems to appear everywhere, drawing her into a dangerous game of obsession and deception.

Dark Desire excels in creating a mood of simmering tension and sultry mystery. The relationship between Alma and Darío is immediate, overwhelming, and utterly destructive, echoing the all-consuming nature of a romance that ignores all logic and consequence. Like the target movie, it is set against a backdrop of opulence and secrets, where wealth and power intersect with dangerous desires. If you were captivated by the thriller and mystery elements fused with the intense romance, this series provides a similar rush of dramatic intrigue, psychological games, and undeniable, overwhelming passion.

6. Gabriel’s Inferno: Part One (2020)

• 2h 4m
• Genres: Romance
• Director: Tosca Musk
• Writer: Mary Pocrnic
• Stars: Melanie Zanetti, Giulio Berruti, James Andrew Fraser
• Country: United States
• Summary: An intriguing exploration of seduction, forbidden love, and redemption, a captivating and passionate tale of one man’s escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible: forgiveness and lo¹ve.

For those who appreciated the literary roots and the focus on a complex, brooding male lead in films like the target movie, Gabriel’s Inferno: Part One (2020) is an excellent addition to the list of movies. This movie, an adaptation of a popular romance novel, follows Julia Mitchell, a shy graduate student, as she encounters the enigmatic and brilliant Professor Gabriel Emerson. Gabriel is a man tortured by his past, presenting an aloof and cold exterior that masks a deep, emotional vulnerability. The film tracks the slow burn of their connection as Julia begins to chip away at his defenses.

The atmosphere of Gabriel’s Inferno is decidedly academic and sophisticated, but the emotional intensity of the forbidden student-professor romance is just as high-stakes as any criminal underworld plot. The Italian setting—briefly showcased through flashbacks and settings—adds a layer of European romance and classical drama. The entire story is driven by the powerful emotional impact the two leads have on each other, creating a dynamic of mutual obsession that is both compelling and dramatic. The film is the first installment of a multi-part adaptation, ensuring a deep and prolonged immersion into their turbulent love story.

7. The Royal Treatment (2022)

• 1h 36m
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Director: Rick Jacobson
• Writer: Holly Hester
• Stars: Laura Marano, Mena Massoud, Chelsie Preston-Crayford
• Country: United States
• Summary: Isabella runs a salon and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, while Prince Thomas runs a country and is about to marry for duty rather than love. A hairdressing gig for the royal wedding brings them together, but will love or duty prevail?

While lighter in tone than the rest of the list, The Royal Treatment (2022) taps into the classic fairytale element of a charismatic, wealthy, and powerful man being completely taken by an ordinary, strong-willed woman. Isabella “Izzy” is a down-to-earth Manhattan hairdresser who unexpectedly gets a job at the royal wedding of Prince Thomas. Their immediate and strong chemistry creates a predictable but satisfying tension, as the Prince must choose between his duty to his country and his overwhelming attraction to the woman who challenges his entire world.

This film offers the pure escapism that fans of 365 Days often seek—a fantasy of being swept into a world of immense wealth, European royalty, and instant, passionate love. The dramatic stakes here are based on the conflict of social classes and royal duty, rather than danger and crime, making it a “cleaner” version of the high-stakes romance. Laura Marano and Mena Massoud have a charming, playful dynamic, but the core theme remains the same: two people from different worlds who cannot deny the intense pull of their connection. It’s a sweet, stylish, and highly watchable romantic fantasy.

8. The Kissing Booth (2018)

• 1h 45m
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Director: Vince Marcello
• Writer: Vince Marcello
• Stars: Joey King, Jacob Elordi, Joel Courtney
• Country: United States
• Summary: A high school student is forced to confront her secret crush at a kissing booth.

Another massive hit that originated as a Wattpad sensation, The Kissing Booth (2018) perfectly encapsulates the high-drama, forbidden attraction of a youthful, overwhelming romance. The story is a delightful take on the “forbidden love” trope: Elle Evans must navigate her blossoming relationship with Noah Flynn, the older brother of her best friend, Lee. A strict set of rules forbids Elle and Noah from dating, giving their relationship an immediate, thrilling, and secretive atmosphere.

Joey King as Elle and Jacob Elordi as Noah—the tall, mysterious, and notoriously rebellious heartthrob—deliver a chemistry that is the driving force of the film. Noah embodies the protective, dominant, and dangerous male lead archetype, albeit in a high school context. This movie, and the subsequent sequels, tap into the fantasy of a relationship so potent it breaks established rules and challenges long-standing friendships. If you enjoyed the sheer addictiveness and high emotional stakes of the romances featured in similar movies to 365 Days, the compelling push-and-pull of The Kissing Booth will feel very familiar.

9. Normal People (TV Mini Series 2020)

• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Director: Lenny Abrahamson, Hettie Macdonald
• Writer: Sally Rooney, Alice Birch, Mark O’Rowe
• Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal, Desmond Eastwood
• Country: Ireland, United Kingdom, United States
• Summary: Follows the complicated relationship between two Irish teens from different backgrounds who weave in and out of each other’s romantic lives.

For viewers who were drawn to the sheer depth of emotional connection and the exploration of class differences in the core relationship, the critically acclaimed mini-series Normal People (2020) offers a more grounded but equally intense experience. Based on the novel by Sally Rooney, this beautiful, emotionally raw production chronicles the on-again, off-again romance between Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron from their secondary school days in rural Ireland to their university years in Dublin.

While not featuring the same level of over-the-top drama, Normal People excels in its depiction of a profoundly intimate and complicated relationship. The leads, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, deliver performances that make their connection feel overwhelmingly real and deeply personal. Their story is a powerful exploration of how class, mental health, and the struggle for self-acceptance complicate a love that is clearly meant to be. If you appreciated the way the intense emotional connection transcended the surface-level drama, you will be moved by the raw, honest, and unforgettable romance at the heart of Normal People.

10. The Taming of The Shrew (1967)

• 2h 2m
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Director: Franco Zeffirelli
• Writer: William Shakespeare, Suso Cecchi d’Amico, Paul Dehn
• Stars: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Cyril Cusack
• Country: Italy, United States
• Summary: A rich Paduan merchant has two daughters: one is beautiful, gentle, and marriageable, the other—Katharina—is a hellcat. The merchant announces that Katharina must marry before her sister, Bianca, can marry her many suitors.

Stepping back in time to an earlier, more flamboyant era of cinema, The Taming of the Shrew (1967) presents a classical, highly theatrical take on the “dominant man meets defiant woman” trope. This lavish Italian-American adaptation of the Shakespeare play stars the iconic, real-life dramatic couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The story centers on the wealthy, boisterous, and eccentric Petruchio, who resolves to marry the notoriously sharp-tongued and stubborn Katharina for her dowry. What follows is a battle of wits and wills as Petruchio attempts to “tame” his wild bride.

This movie captures the grand, passionate, and over-the-top dramatic conflict that fuels films like the target movie. The chemistry between Taylor and Burton is fiery and explosive, reflecting their own volatile off-screen romance, making the fictional battle between their characters feel electric. The beautiful Italian Renaissance setting provides a visually rich and extravagant backdrop for the clash of personalities. If the core conflict you love in movies like 365 Days is the magnetic attraction between two equally strong, dominant personalities battling for control, this classic movie offers an enduring and spectacular version of that eternal struggle.

The Thrill of the All-Consuming Romance:

What truly connects these ten diverse films to the massive success of 365 Days (2020) is their shared commitment to an uncompromising, all-consuming romantic fantasy. The audience drawn to this specific genre craves a narrative where love is not polite or easy, but overwhelming, life-changing, and sometimes dangerous. All of the films and series listed above share a handful of powerful, magnetic themes.

Shared Themes and Emotional Tone:

The most prominent shared theme is the magnetic, inescapable attraction between two powerful characters—often a sophisticated, dominant man with a guarded past, and a spirited, often less-experienced woman who challenges him. This is the core dynamic in Fifty Shades of Grey, After, and The Taming of the Shrew. The emotional tone across the board is one of high-stakes drama and volatility. The relationships in these movies are not calm; they are defined by intense conflict, emotional upheaval, and passionate reconciliation. The leads are flawed, which only makes their connection—and the drama—feel more visceral and compelling to watch.

Another compelling element is the frequent presence of forbidden or challenging circumstances. Whether the barrier is social class and royalty (The Royal Treatment), a long-standing rule (The Kissing Booth), the power of a secret organization or an affluent family (Through My Window, Dark Desire), or an academic professional barrier (Gabriel’s Inferno), the romance is always fought for against strong opposition. This creates the intense, addictive “us against the world” atmosphere that makes the relationship feel incredibly special and worth fighting for. Even the grounded realism of Normal People features barriers of class and personal baggage that make the love story feel like a hard-won victory.

A Common Aesthetic and Appeal:

Collectively, these films appeal to fans of the target movie because they understand the art of romantic escapism. They are visually stylish, often featuring opulent or atmospheric settings—from lavish European palaces and high-end Los Angeles apartments to sweeping Italian landscapes. This backdrop of wealth and beauty enhances the fantasy, making the passionate affairs feel larger than life. Ultimately, they all explore the blurry and complicated line between romantic obsession and profound love. They push boundaries, explore what characters are willing to sacrifice for one another, and offer an unapologetic portrayal of raw, overwhelming human connection.

If you finished the credits of 365 Days and immediately craved more of that heart-pounding passion, secrets, and high-intensity romance, this list offers a variety of compelling options. Dive into the drama, explore the tension, and let yourself be swept away by these tumultuous love stories. Have you seen any of these already? Let us know in the comments which movie best captured that addictive, passionate mood for you!