Age Gap Relationship Movies To Watch

Age gap relationships are a tale as old of time. Take Shakespearean sonnets that often delve into ageing and time or the fact that these relationships have existed in various cultures since time immemorial, age-gap relationships have always been controversial subject and even taboo.

Whether it is because of the assigned "gold-digger versus imbalance of power" narrative or is concerned with sex positivity narrative, it is an age-old question that has everyone divided.

Naturally, it becomes a great subject to explore nevertheless in films and fiction and has been done several times. So, without an judgements, whether you find these movies tender, thought-provoking or absolutely controversial, these films challenge norms, stir conversations, and remind us that the heart rarely follows a predictable script.

Age Gap Relationship Movies

Here are some of the best film discussing the topic of age gap relationship movies:

Lost In Translation

The Sofia Coppola film starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson depicts the age-gap as a prominent element in the film's plot highlighting their characters' contrasting life stages despite their connection and bonding in Tokyo over a period of few meets with the film focussing on platonic comfort and melancholy as a core part of its message.

Dil Chahta Hai

Though the film's central focus is the friendship between Akshaye Khanna, Saif Ali Khan and Aamir Khan's respective characters, the film taps into a tender depiction of age-gap romantic inclinations that Akshaye Khanna's character experiences towards Dimple Kapadia's character in the film and is one of those rare depictions that strays away from the stereotypical characterisations of such a relationship.

The Reader

The film that won Kate Winslet her Oscar in 2009, the film's plot takes place in 1958 where a 15-year-old Michael Berg becomes sick on a tram ride in an unnamed provincial city. He is helped by 36-year-old tram conductor Hanna Schmitz played by Kate Winslet. Weeks later, Michael has recovered from scarlet fever and at his mother's insistence, he visits Hanna with flowers to thank her for her help and that then leads to the development of a romantic relationship before she suddenly disappears.

A Suitable Boy

An exception on the list as the book adaptation of Vikram Seth's book A Suitable Boy for Netflix by Mira Nair is a Netflix series starring Ishaan Khatter, Tanya Maniktala and Tabu. Tabu and Ishaan Khatter play characters who develop a complex, tender, and forbidden relationship, with their on-screen chemistry being described as raw and real.

Cheeni Kum

Cheeni Kum (transl. Less Sugar) is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film directed by R. Balki and starring Amitabh Bachchan, Tabu, Paresh Rawal that depicts is a central theme of the film, exploring the romance between the older man(64) and younger woman (34). 

The Rebound

Sandy, upon discovering her husband's infidelity, moves to a different place where she befriends Aram, a young man. She hires him as a nanny but soon finds herself getting attracted towards him.

Age of Adaline

Starring Blake Lively, the reverse aging movie explores age-gap relationship through a unique lens.

Nishabd

One of the controversial films starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jiah Khan, Nishabd by Ram Gopal Varma finds Vijay, a man in his sixties, falls in love with Jia, a teenage girl and his daughter's friend. However, his illicit feelings for Jia ruin his relationship with his wife and daughter beyond repair.

Waiting

Not all age-gap relationships need to be romantic in nature. Waiting starring Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah shares a tale of Tara, a married woman, meets Shiv, an elderly professor, at a hospital where their spouses are admitted. The two develop an extraordinary friendship as they get to know each other.

Something's Gotta Give

Manhattan

Starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep, the 1979 film Manhattan depicts Isaac, a divorced neurotic writer, gets into a relationship with a 17-year-old student but eventually gets bored. However, things get chaotic when he falls in love with his best friend's wife.

Tiku Weds Sheru

Let's just say that for many Tiku Weds Sheru is one of the most uncomfortable movies to watch thanks to the on-screen pairing and the real-life age gap between the actors.

The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox beautifully portrays the age gap narrative through the letters they exchange. Saajan mentions his age when he sees Ila from a distance but feels too old to meet her in person, describing himself as "yesterday's lottery ticket". This gap and the societal perceptions associated with it contribute to his initial hesitation in pursuing a relationship.

Call Me By Your Name

Set in 1983 Italy, Call Me by Your Name follows Elio Perlman, a highly intelligent 17-year-old living with his family for the summer, and Oliver, a 24-year-old American graduate student who comes to stay with them as an academic assistant to Elio’s father. As the summer unfolds, Elio and Oliver develop a deep emotional connection that centres on on desire, first love, self-discovery, and the ache of growing up.

Idea Of You

Starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Hayes, the film explores the age-gap romance in the modern setting.

Jane Eyre

The adaptation of the classic novel written in 19th century by Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre released in 2011 starring Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska depicts the love story between Mr. Rochester, a man who is old enough to be her dad and Jane Eyre who is 18.