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Cuddle Up With These Romance Movies on Valentine’s Day

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Graphic made in Canva.
Emma Casto

As Valentine’s Day nears, all some can think about is what ultimate love story they want to watch to top the day off before going to bed. Whether you are watching with a significant other, your friends or by yourself, here are some of the best romance movies to watch on Valentine’s Day.

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Romantic Comedy

“Valentine’s Day,” 2010, PG-13

This movie is first on the list because it is a Valentine’s Day classic. It follows multiple couples through their day on Valentine’s Day, showing love stories but also stories of friendship and family. If you are looking for a feel good movie that also has Taylor Swift in it then this movie is perfect for you.

 

“13 Going on 30,” 2004, PG-13

This is another rom-com classic perfect for teens and up due to it being a coming of age story. The movie follows 13 year old Jenna Rink, played by West Virginia native Jennifer Garner, as she is transported into the future and gets to see what her life will be like when she is 30. This movie gives off very nostalgic vibes and will remind you to never lose your inner child.

 

“The Proposal,” 2009, PG-13

This movie is perfect to watch if you are looking for a laugh. When book publisher Margaret, played by Sandra Bullock,  is threatened with being deported back to Canada due to her work visa ending, she decides the perfect solution is to just marry her assistant, Andrew, played by Ryan Reynolds. The movie follows them as they stay at his childhood home while also trying to get to know each other and experiencing many awkward moments that give the viewer second hand embarrassment.

 

“10 Things I Hate About You,” 1999, PG-13

This is another Valentine’s Day must that follows the confident and sometimes mean Kat Strafford. When Kat’s sister, Bianca, wants to get a boyfriend it is required by their dad that if Bianca wants a boyfriend then Kat must also have one. This leads to the new student, Patrick Verona, being paid to date Kat while eventually falling in love with her and leading to many of the iconic scenes such as Patrick’s song and Kat’s poem. 

 

“The Wedding Planner,” 2001, PG- 13

This movie gives off perfect lovey vibes because it follows a wedding planner, Mary, played by Jennifer Lopez, as she goes about her business and runs into a handsome doctor, Steve, played by Matthew McConaughey, who saves her from being run over by a dumpster. A problem arises when she realizes this doctor she was falling for is also the groom of the next wedding she is to plan. This movie is amazing because it shows the forbidden tension of the two while also having many laughable moments.

Graphic made in Canva. (Emma Casto)
Graphic made in Canva.
Historical Romance

“Pride and Prejudice,” 2005, PG

This movie is based off of the book by Jane Austen and is a classic love story. It follows Elizabeth Bennett, played by Keira Knightley, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role, and her love story with the rich bachelor Mr. Darcy. They hate each other but as the movie goes on, they slowly realize they might not be so different. This movie is an age-old classic, and everyone should watch it at least once in their life.

 

“Titanic,” 1997, PG-13

This is another epic love story that takes place during the disaster of the sinking of the Titanic. It is a tragic love story between the wealthy Rose and the poor artist Jack. During their short time on the ship together they fall deeply in love, but everything changes when the ship begins to sink. This movie, which won Best Picture and Best Director in 1998, is perfect for anyone looking for a movie that is an emotional rollercoaster and one that you will want to watch over and over again.

 

“EMMA,” 2020, PG

This last historical romance is another Jane Austen classic. It follows Emma Woodhouse who lives with her father and spends her days playing matchmaker for those around her. After putting everyone else first her whole life she finally has to face the fact that maybe she has had the perfect person for herself in the form of her best friend, Mr. Knightley. This is perfect for those who love classic movies and love Jane Austen.

Graphic made in Canva. (Emma Casto)
Graphic made in Canva.
Romantic Drama

“The Notebook,” 2004, PG-13

This movie is a must-watch for everyone and one of the most famous romantic movies there is. This story is told in flashbacks from the life of a couple in a nursing home. It tells the story of Allie, played by the “Mean Girls” icon Rachel McAdams, and Noah, played by Ryan Gosling, their journey of falling in love and then being separated and slowly coming back to each other in a very emotion-packed ending.

 

“Me Before You,” 2016, PG-13

As often goes with the genre of dramatic romance movies, this movie stands to be slightly more devastating than the last. It follows the story of Lou who starts working as a caretaker for the wheelchair-bound Will Trainer. Due to his poor quality of life, Will has decided to end his life via medically assisted suicide, but it is Lou’s mission to get him to change his mind. This story is a tragic telling of love and the effects that disabilities can have an individual’s life. 

 

“The Fault In Our Stars,” 2014, PG-13

This is by far the most solemn of all of the movies on this list. It follows two teens that meet in a cancer support group: Hazel, a teenage cancer patient, and Augustus, a teen who is in remission from his cancer. The movie takes a tragic turn when Augustus finds out that his cancer is back and it is worse than before. Through Hazel you can see the hardship of mourning someone who isn’t gone yet and having to see someone you love slowly slip away.

 

“La La Land,” 2016, PG-13

This movie is a little different than the other movies so far because this one is a musical. It starts with the fun love story between Mia, a role which won Emma Stone her first Academy Award, and Sebastian, played by Ryan Gosling, who won a Golden Globe, as they fall for each other while both pursuing their dreams in the entertainment industry. As they become more and more successful though, they are forced farther and farther apart and are torn between choosing love or their careers. 

 

“The Holiday,” 2006, PG-13

Although this is a Christmas movie it is still a classic romance and a popular watch on Valentine’s Day. The story follows Iris and Amanda who decide to switch homes for Christmas to get away from their stressful lives. All changes though when they both meet unexpected guests during their stay. This story explores love and how important human connection is.

Graphic made in Canva. (Emma Casto)
Graphic made in Canva.
Family Friendly

“Tangled,” 2010, PG

This is one of the best Disney princess movies and a must-watch for all children. It starts with Rapunzel as she is locked away in her tower and begging Mother Gothel to let her go. In an escape attempt from the royal guards, Flynn Rider stumbles upon Rapunzel and they decide to help each other out which turns into them exploring the kingdom while quickly falling in love. This animated movie has many amazing songs and has the magical vibes of all Disney movies and is a perfect Valentine’s watch for all ages.

 

“The Princess Diaries,” 2001, G

This is another cute rom-com and coming of age that is perfect for all ages. The movie follows Mia Thermopolis as she goes from a regular high school student to a princess overnight. She must face the decision of whether she wants to accept the challenge of leading the country of Genovia while also balancing real life teenage issues like dating and bullying.

 

“Grease,” 1978, PG

This is another classic musical that everybody should watch at least once in their lives. This 1950’s set musical follows Danny and Sandy as they meet again at school after a whirlwind summer romance. The school version of themselves is different than the summer version though and they have to decide whether it is worth it to change themselves so they can be together.

 

“A Cinderella Story,” 2004, PG

This movie is a modern retelling of the Cinderella fairytale with the main character, Sam hiding her identity and having to run from prince charming at midnight. Sam Montgomery lives with her stepmother, works at a diner and is the polar opposite of her prince charming, Austin Ames. These characters are played by the “Lizzie McGuire” star Hillary Duff and the 2000s teenage heartthrob Chad Michael Murray. This movie shows how the two must crush stereotypes set by society in order to be together. 

Graphic made in Canva. (Emma Casto)
Graphic made in Canva.
Paranormal Romance

“Twilight,” 2008, PG-13

If you are wanting something different but still a classic romance, you can go with the fun love triangle in this movie. This movie is about Bella Swan who moves to Forks, Washington and falls into a love triangle between the mysterious vampire, Edward, and the fun werewolf, Jacob. This movie is typically a fall classic but works perfectly for those wanting something different than the traditional Valentine’s Day rom-com. 

 

“Mortal Instruments,” 2013, PG-13

This is a romance movie that takes place in a world full of demons and shadow hunters. When Clary’s mother goes missing, she learns of the Shadow World and all of the supernatural creatures around her. This movie is perfect for fans of “Supernatural” or if you are a fan of Jamie Campbell Bower who plays Vecna in “Stranger Things”.

 

“Warm Bodies,” 2013, PG-13

This movie takes place during a zombie apocalypse but despite the unfortunate circumstances is still a romance and comedy. It follows a zombie named R who saves a human girl, Julie, from being eaten by the other zombies. As they get to know each other, they realize that the more R falls in love with Julie the more he turns back to human and slowly starts healing the apocalyptic world.

 

“The Host,” 2013, PG-13

This movie takes place in a future where aliens have come to Earth and have taken over the bodies of all of the humans. One human, Melanie, is different though. She is able to coexist with the alien that has taken over her body and together they work to end the aliens’ rule of the world. The romance in this movie takes form as a love triangle that Melanie has to navigate while also trying to save the world.

Graphic made in Canva. (Emma Casto)
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