"The Notebook" unfols in the 1940s in the coastal town of Seabrook, South Carolina. Noah, a hardworking and passionate young man from a working-class background, meets the wealthy and privileged Allie during the summer. Despite their differences in social status, they fall deeply in love with each other. However, Allie's parents disapprove of their relationship due to Noah's lower social standing, and they move her away from Seabrook.

After a separation, Allie becomes engaged to a wealthy lawyer, Lon Hammond Jr. But destiny brings her back to Seabrook years later, where she comes across Noah again. The rekindling of their love triggers a series of emotional and heartfelt moments as they revisit their shared memories and the connection they once had.

The cinematography and direction play a pivotal role in capturing the essence of "The Notebook": Director Nick Cassavetes employs a delicate, intimate visual style to immerse the audience in the nostalgia of the past, while artfully juxtaposing it with the realities of the present. The dreamlike quality of the flashback scenes also adds a sense of timelessness to the relationship between Allie and Noah, drawing clear parallels between their passion of youth and the wisdom of old age. As such, it always seizes the No.1 spot as one of the best Nicholas Sparks movies.

Release: 2004

Stars: Gena Rowlands,James Garner, Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams

IMDB Score: 7.8/10

"A Walk to Remember" tells the story of Landon Carter, a popular high school student who finds himself in trouble after a prank goes wrong. As punishment, he is forced to participate in community service and take part in the school's drama production. During this time, he crosses paths with Jamie Sullivan, the minister's daughter, who is kind, compassionate, and known for her strong Christian faith.

Despite their initial differences, Landon and Jamie form an unlikely friendship that soon blossoms into a deep and heartfelt romance. As they spend more time together, Landon begins to see the world through Jamie's eyes, discovering the beauty of simple pleasures and the importance of living life with purpose and kindness.

Eventually, Jamie confides in Landon about her battle with leukemia, a secret she has kept from everyone else. However, as Jamie's health deteriorates, Landon is faced with the difficult choice of either holding onto his love for her or letting her go to spare her from pain.

As one of the best Nicholas Sparks movies, "A Walk to Remember" manages to set Jamie apart from other protagonists; rather than considering her a stereotypical "perfect" love interest for the male character, the movie recognizes Jamie as a multidimensional woman with her own struggles and insecurities.

Release: 2002

Stars: Mandy Moore, Shane West, Peter Coyote

IMDB Score: 7.3/10

"The Longest Ride" revolves around two parallel love stories that intertwine across time, bringing together two couples whose lives are connected by fate.

In the present day, we follow the life of Sophia, a college student who meets a bull rider named Luke at a rodeo event. Though the two come from different worlds, they are soon drawn to each other; unfortunately, their blossoming romance faces challenges as they struggle to balance their dreams and aspirations.

At the same time, the film takes us back in time to the 1940s to follow the life of Ira Levinson, an elderly man who is involved in a car accident. As he reminisces about his past, we are introduced to his love story with Ruth, a young woman he fell deeply in love with during World War II. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of war and the challenges of a long-lasting relationship. As Sophia and Luke from the modern days discover a box of letters detailing Ira and Ruth's love story, they find themselves reflecting on their own relationship and the sacrifices required to make love endure.

At its core, the movie encourages reflection on the complexity of relationships and the profound effect they can have on shaping one's life. By presenting both the youthful passion of Sophia and Luke and the wisdom and nostalgia of Ira's recollections, "The Longest Ride" evokes a sense of timelessness, underscoring the time-honored values of love and devotion that are as relevant today as they were decades ago.

Release: 2015

Stars: Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Alan Alda

IMDB Score: 7/10

"Message in A Bottle" follows the story of Theresa Osborne, a Chicago newspaper researcher who stumbles upon a poignant love letter in a bottle while on a coastal retreat. Intrigued by the flowing emotion in the letter, Theresa becomes determined to track down its author. To her surprise, she discovers that the letter was written by Garret Blake, a widowed shipbuilder living in North Carolina.

As Theresa reaches out to Garret, a passionate romance blossoms between them. However, Garret remains haunted by the loss of his wife and struggles to fully embrace the possibility of new love. Concurrently, Theresa grapples with her own past and the fear of repeating past mistakes. The two try to confront complexities of their individual journeys while attempting to create a meaningful connection with each other.

Plot aside, audience are blown away with the beautiful cinematography of "Message in A Bottle" - helmed by Mexican director Luis Mandoki - which captures the raw beauty of North Carolina's coastal landscapes in all their glory. The sweeping ocean vistas and golden sunsets serve as a visual metaphor to mirror the vast sea of emotion between Theresa and Garret, while artful usages of light and shadow evokes burning desires and individual darknesses.

Release: 1999

Stars: Kevin Costner, Robin Wright, Paul Newman

IMDB Score: 6.2/10

"The Last Song" is a heartwarming coming-of-age drama that follows the story of Ronnie Miller, a rebellious and troubled teenager. Ronnie is sent to spend the summer with her estranged father, Steve, in a small beach town. Bitter and resentful about her parents' divorce, Ronnie is initially reluctant to connect with her father and the idyllic surroundings.

As the summer unfolds, Ronnie's life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Will Blakelee, a charming and kind-hearted local boy. In the midst of the burgeoning romance, Ronnie also discovers her passion for music and the piano, which becomes a significant element of her journey towards self-discovery and healing. Guided by her father, who happens to be a talented musician, Ronnie learns to embrace her musical talents and find solace in the art form.

With its heartfelt exploration of family, loss, and finding one's voice through music, "The Last Song" leaves a long-lasting mark on the heart of its viewers, a timeless tale of love and redemption that speaks to the human spirit.

Release: 2010

Stars: Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Greg Kinnear

IMDB Score: 6/10