10 Best Movies to Watch This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to curl up with your loved one and watch a good movie. If you’re on the hunt for some great flicks, you’re in the right place. We’ve rolled up our sleeves and curated a list of the best movies to watch this Valentine’s Day. So, sit back, put on your reading glasses and thinking cap, and let us handle the rest. Here are the top 10 movies to watch this Valentine’s Day.

1. The Notebook (2004)

Based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name, The Notebook stars Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun and Rachel McAdams as Allie Hamilton, two individuals from different social classes who fall deeply in love during the summer of 1940. The movie begins with Duke (James Garner), reading the love story from a notebook to an elderly woman suffering from dementia. The narrative alternates between the present-day scenes and the flashbacks depicting the passionate romance between young Noah and Allie. The movie is often hailed as one of the most romantic of all time, beloved by critics and audience members alike. If you’ve never seen it, you might want to make sure you have a box of tissues handy. Something tells us you’ll need them!

2. Titanic (1997)

What do you get when you take a young Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet and put them in a period drama? One of the highest-grossing films of all time, of course! Directed and written by James Cameron of Avatar fame, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson, a penniless artist, and Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater, a young woman engaged to a wealthy but abusive fiancé. Jack and Rose meet and fall in love aboard the ill-fated Titanic during its maiden voyage. Titanic seamlessly blends historical events with a compelling love story, creating a cinematic experience that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. The soundtrack is equally beloved, with Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” selling eleven million copies and counting.

3. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Romcom dream team Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks join forces in this beloved Ephron classic. The movie stars Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin and Meg Ryan as Annie Reed, two characters brought together by fate and romantic serendipity. After Annie overhears Sam pouring out his heart on a radio broadcast, she becomes captivated by him and his story. The film pays homage to classic romantic films, particularly its spiritual predecessor, 1957’s An Affair to Remember. Sleepless in Seattle is often hailed as one of the romcom pantheons and for good reason—it’s the perfect blend of humor, heart, charm, and some good, old-fashioned swoon-worthy moments.

4. You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, and Nora Ephron are the stuff romantic comedies are made of. You’ve Got Mail proves that winning formula once again. The movie is a modern adaptation of the 1937 play Parfumerie and the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner. The story revolves around Joe Fox, the owner of a large bookstore chain, and Kathleen Kelly, the owner of a small independent bookstore. Unbeknownst to them, they become online pen pals and find solace in each other’s emails. However, a twist of fate arises when they become business rivals in the real world, with Joe’s large bookstore threatening the existence of Kathleen’s charming little shop. If you love the enemies-to-lovers trope or romcoms, you’ll want to add You’ve Got Mail to your watchlist.

5. Sabrina (1954)

Based on the play “Sabrina Fair” by Samuel A. Taylor, the movie stars Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina Fairchild, Humphrey Bogart as Linus Larrabee, and William Holden as David Larrabee. The story revolves around Sabrina, the chauffeur’s daughter, who returns to the Larrabee family estate in Long Island after spending time in Paris. Sabrina’s transformation from a young girl with a crush on David Larrabee to a sophisticated woman captures the attention of both David and his older, work-focused brother Linus. The on-screen magic of Hepburn, Bogart, and Holden, coupled with Wilder’s direction, makes Sabrina a delightful cinematic experience. While the movie was remade in 1995 with Julia Ormond and Harrison Ford, you can’t beat the Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart version.

6. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

If you love Sandra Bullock, the fake-dating trope, and comedy-of-errors stories, then we’ve got the perfect movie for you. The film stars Sandra Bullock as Lucy Moderatz, a lonely fare token collector for the Chicago Transit Authority. The story takes an unexpected turn when Lucy saves a man named Peter Callaghan (played by Peter Gallagher) from an oncoming train. Though his life is spared, he falls into a coma. The hospital staff mistakenly assumes that Lucy is Peter’s fiancée, a misconception his family soon buys into. Lucy soon becomes involved with Peter’s family, including his brother Jack (played by Bill Pullman). While this movie is set around Christmastime, the romance and charm make it a perfect choice for Valentine’s Day, as well.

7. The Wedding Planner (2001)

“Y’know, ‘those who can’t do, teach’? Well, those who can’t wed, plan.” This quote, delivered by Jennifer Lopez’s Mary Fiore, sets the tone for this charming rom-com. Mary, a successful wedding planner in San Francisco, is certain she’s met her soulmate when she meets Dr. Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey), a pediatrician who saves her life. However, all her romantic dreams come crashing down around her when she discovers that Steve is not only in a relationship but also the groom in a wedding Mary is planning. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it found success with audiences and became a popular romantic comedy of the early 2000s. It’s charming and fun and deserves a spot on any Valentine’s Day watchlist!

8. Penelope (2006)

Christina Ricci stars as Penelope Wilhern, a young woman born into an aristocratic family in which a curse has been passed down for generations. The curse states that the next girl born into the family will have the face of a pig. To break the curse, Penelope must be accepted by “one of her own kind,” which, in this case, means marrying a blue-blooded aristocrat. Penelope’s mother (played by Catherine O’Hara) attempts to find a suitable match to break the curse, leading to a series of comical and romantic encounters. Things take an unexpected turn when Penelope meets a tabloid reporter, played by James McAvoy, who learns about her secret and begins to see the person beyond the curse. This is a modern-day fairy tale with all the charm of a classic rom-com. If you’re looking for something a little different but still romantic, Penelope might be right up your alley.

9. Clueless (1995)

Ugh, as if! Alicia Silverstone stars as Cher Horowitz, a wealthy and popular high school student who sees herself as a matchmaker. Cher befriends the new girl in school, Tai Frasier (played by Brittany Murphy), and decides to give her a makeover. However, Cher’s matchmaking efforts lead to unexpected consequences and lessons about friendship and love. Paul Rudd, pre-Marvel fame, stars as Cher’s love interest. Clueless is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1815 novel “Emma” and is like a time capsule for the 90s, capturing the fashion and culture of that era. Oh, and it’s pretty funny, too.

10. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

This early 2000s romcom stars Kate Hudson as Andie Anderson and Matthew McConaughey as Benjamin Barry, two characters caught up in a romantic game with conflicting agendas. Andie is a writer for a women’s magazine and is assigned to write an article titled “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Simultaneously, Ben, an advertising executive, makes a bet that he can make any woman fall in love with him within 10 days to win a high-stakes account at work. Chaos ensues when their paths cross. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days received positive reviews for the chemistry between Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. It’s a fantastic choice for any rom-com enthusiast worth their salt, on Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year.

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