Pssst, you. Yes, you. Have you and your partner planned how to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? We would bet anything that your plans involve a romantic dinner at a fancy restaurant. Although going out somewhere beautiful is a great way to celebrate love, we have a better idea: why not stay indoors? Where else can you and your partner let loose and really enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of outside forces?
Cooking your own dinner together and curling up in front of the TV to eat sounds like a perfect Valentine’s Day plan to us. Below are some suggestions of what to watch with your partner on the special day. Be warned: not all of these Valentine’s Day movies have a happy ending, so proceed with caution.
Our Favourite Valentine’s Day Movies
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Peter Pan (2003)
Do yourself a favour and skip the 2023 version of Peter Pan and watch the one that premiered two decades before. Although everyone knows the story of the boy who ran away to Never Never Land because he never, ever wants to grow up, Peter Pan (2003) is different as it delves into the heartbreakingly innocent love between Wendy Darling and the titular character. Set in London in the early 1900s, this movie has it all: adventure, drama, fantasy, comedy, and bittersweet romance.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Has a person ever existed who understands romance and love better than Jane Austen? Personally, we really don’t think so. Although Austen’s 1813 novel Pride & Prejudice has been adapted, remade, and parodied to death across all forms of media, the 2005 movie has a special place in the collective hearts of all romance movie lovers everywhere. There really is nothing more romantic to a woman than a man who loves her so much that he changes for her with no hope of reward. Mr. Darcy, you’re the hero of heroes.
Mamma Mia (2008)
Before you turn your nose up at the thought of watching a musical, hear us out. Imagine a cast of stellar, globally recognised actors including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth all dancing and singing ABBA songs on a hot Greek island (while drunk most of the time according to behind-the-scenes footage). It’s a recipe for the best comedy ever! Mamma Mia is a feel-good romcom with one of the best soundtracks in movie history. Discuss with your partner who you both think Sophie’s dad most likely is after watching.
Letters to Juliet (2010)
All hail Amanda Seyfried, the queen of Valentine’s Day movies! Letters to Juliet is a lesser known gem in her filmography, but to us, it’s one of the best Valentine’s Day movies. Set in gorgeous Verona, Italy, Seyfried’s character, who is strangely also named Sophie helps Claire find her love that she lost contact with back in 1957. Along the way, she falls for Claire’s grandson, the terribly unromantic and irritable Charlie, who is unfortunately nothing like Romeo. It’s hard to resist a good enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
The number one Hollywood romance movie in every Asian household hardly needs any introduction. Based on the novel of the same name written by Singapore-born Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians follows Rachel Chu, who only found out her boyfriend Nick is a part of the richest family in Singapore when she flies there to meet them. Not a cool move, Nick, but of course the audience (and Rachel) forgave him instantly because he’s played by heartthrob Henry Golding. A romance movie starring rich, hot people and set in our beloved Singapore — what’s not to love?
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
This critically acclaimed award-winning movie is not for the hopeless romantics out there, nor is it for people who are too lazy to read subtitles. A French period drama set in the eighteenth century, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is about Marianne, who was commissioned to paint Héloïse in secret as the latter refused to sit for the painting. The portrait is meant for Héloïse’s intended, whom she does not want to marry. Spending time together on a breathtaking remote island in Brittany, the two women fall in love. All we can say is, make sure to have your tissues ready.
The Lovebirds (2020)
You know you’re in for a hilarious ride when a movie stars both comedy heavy hitters Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae. The Lovebirds is a romantic comedy about a couple who are on the brink of a break-up. While in the midst of breaking up when driving to a dinner party, the two are unwittingly involved in a murder. In order to clear their names, Jibran and Leilani are forced to team up and solve the murder themselves, resulting in an hour and 30 minutes of hilarity and rekindled love.
Cyrano (2021)
Are you familiar with the popular 1897 play by Edmond Rostand named Cyrano de Bergerac? This 2021 musical is based on the play, directed by Pride & Prejudice’s Joe Wright and starring Peter Dinklage. Set in Southern Italy during the seventeenth century, the movie follows the dwarf Cyrano, who is a brilliant wordsmith and duelist. He is in love with his childhood friend Roxanne but is convinced that she would never return his feelings due to his appearance. When Roxanne falls in love with Christian, Cyrano helps the inarticulate man keep her affections by writing love letters that Christian delivers as his. Sniffle.
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