Dear John is a 2010 American romantic war drama film directed by Lasse Hallström, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks.

The film was released in North America on February 5, 2010, by Screen Gems, and received mixed to negative reviews.

Set partly in 2003, Staff Sergeant John Tyree is shot in Afghanistan while serving in the United States Army Special Forces.

Back in Charleston, Savannah begins to spend more time with Tim and decides that she wants to work with autistic children; she plans to build a farm with horse stables to provide therapy and respite for them.

Eventually, one turns out to be a literal "Dear John" letter, in which Savannah breaks up with him; she explains that while she still loves him, she has developed feelings for someone else and is engaged.

Back at the house, John and Savannah enjoy a quiet evening together, and are tempted to pick up where they left off years earlier, but do not go through with their feelings.

Months later, John, now a civilian, eventually returns home; while in town one day while parking his bike, he sees Savannah at a coffee shop.

The film received negative reviews from critics, with some praising the casting, but many dismissing its characters and writing as generic.

The website's critics consensus reads: "Built from many of the same ingredients as other Nicholas Sparks tearjerkers, Dear John suffers from its clichéd framework, as well as Lasse Hallstrom's curiously detached directing.