Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to curl up with a great romance movie. While there aren’t many movies made specifically for the holiday, any movie ranging from a heartwarming romantic comedy to a timeless love story can set the perfect mood. Whether you are spending the day with your partner, your friends, or simply treating yourself, here are the top five movies to make your Valentine’s Day extra special.
#5: “50 First Dates”
This rom-com follows Henry (Adam Sandler) who falls in love with Lucy (Drew Barrymore), a kind woman who suffers from short-term memory loss. Every day, Lucy forgets everything that had happened the day before. Despite having to start over every single day, Henry is determined to make Lucy fall in love with him, again and again. “50 First Dates” is a top pick for Valentine’s Day because it’s both hilarious and heartfelt, showing the importance of patience, and fighting for love.
#4: “The Notebook”
In “The Notebook,” two young lovers named Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) fall deeply in love in the 1940s. Although Allie comes from an affluent family and Noah doesn’t, their love never fades. The story is told by an older Noah, who is trying to help Allie, who now suffers from dementia, remember their love story. “The Notebook” is full of iconic moments, like the unforgettable kissing in the rain scene. The movie is the perfect Valentine’s Day watch, reminding all viewers that true love can last a lifetime. Whether you want to swoon over romance or have a good cry, this movie brings the perfect mix of joy and tears.
#3: “The Fault In Our Stars”
If you’re in the mood for another tear-jerker, “The Fault in Our Stars” definitely delivers. This film features 16-year-old Hazel, a cancer patient who meets a past cancer patient Augustus “Gus” at the support group her parents forced her to attend. The two of them travel to Amsterdam to meet an author of a book that they both grow to love. In Amsterdam, Gus declares his love for Hazel and even though not everything about their trip went as planned, they learned more about each other and grew as a couple. The movie deals with heavy themes, but it also emphasizes the power of love, making it the perfect movie to watch with your partner or loved ones.
#2: “The Proposal”
The Proposal centers on Maragaret, a Canadian editor-in-chief of a book publishing company. When she learns that she might face deportation out of the United States, Margret blackmails her personal assistant Andrew into marrying her and acting as her fiancé to ensure she can stay in the country and retain her position. The two of them travel to Andrew’s hometown in Alaska to meet his family and to announce their engagement. Although Margaret and Andrew start their time in Alaska with zero interest in each other, Margaret soon grows to fall in love with both Andrew and the support of his family, and Andrew eventually catches feelings for Margaret as well. When Andrew’s mother suggests that the couple get married the next day, Margaret and Andrew are forced to examine the true nature of their relationship. The acting is spot on, and you can’t go wrong with any movie that features Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock and the late Betty White.
#1: “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”
This Netflix rom-com follows Lara Jean, a shy high schooler whose secret love letters, written to every boy she has ever had a crush on, are unexpectedly mailed out by her bold and ambitious younger sister, Kitty. When one of the letters reaches Peter Kavinsky, the school’s popular and cool jock, he suggests a fake relationship with Lara Jean to make his ex-girlfriend jealous. What starts as a pretend romance soon turns into something real, forcing Lara Jean to finally realize what it means to really be in love. This film is perfect for fans of the beloved fake-dating trope along with a relatable main character. And if you can’t get enough of Lara Jean and Peter’s love story, you are in luck. The “To All the Boys” series has two sequels. Plus, the spin-off series “XO, Kitty” recently released its second season on Netflix, following Kitty as she embarks on her own adventures at a boarding school in Korea.
Honorable mention: “My Bloody Valentine”
For those who may be currently going through a breakup, or even simply hate Valentine’s Day in general, a movie that demonstrates the complete opposite message of the holiday may just be perfect for you. “My Bloody Valentine” follows a massacre on Valentine’s Day, where a group of friends must discover the truth behind these murders to avoid the same thing happening to them. If the thought of Valentine’s Day fills you with more bitterness than joy, grab some popcorn, pour your favorite drink and buckle up to watch one of the least heartwarming movies ever created.
