Valentine’s Day is a great day to cuddle up and watch a movie about love. Knowing this, they made a movie called Valentine’s Day, but it was just a rip-off of Love, Actually. With so many sappy movies out there, it’s hard to decide what to watch. Here are the best romantic movies ever made to watch on Valentine’s Day.
20 – Love and Basketball (2000)
Nobody watches the WNBA because they look like men, but play like women…
While many romance movies are difficult for men to watch, Love & Basketball goes a long way into drawing men into this “chick flick” genre by incorporating an underlying sports theme. Quincy (Omar Epps) and Monica (Sanaa Lathan) meet on the basketball court as kids, and their love/hate relationship keeps their lives intersecting as they live their individual dreams of playing pro ball. If you’re young, enjoy sports, or crave passion, this movie’s for you.
Best Quote: Monica “It’s a trip, you know? When you’re a kid, you see the life you want, and it never crosses your mind that it’s not gonna turn out that way.”
19 – Cactus Flower (1969)
Goldie Hawn is now an old woman, yet those lights are still up at Applebees…life’s a bitch…
Kate Hudson’s mom, Goldie Hawn, won an Oscar for her portrayal of Toni Simmons, a confused 21-year old woman in a relationship with an older man (Walter Matthau). Although it looks like an Austin Powers film, Hawn’s wit and charm allows you to still get into it. The intertwining love story about the various lies a dentist tells to keep a relationship was remade in 2011 by Adam Sandler in Just Go With It. So if you hate old movies, read about Cactus Flower and compare it to that one throughout so you look smart about pop culture.
Best Quote: Igor Sullivan (Rick Lenz) “You were going about it all wrong. I believe you’re supposed to put your head in the stove.”
Toni ” It’s a second hand stove. There were no directions.”
18 – Lost in Translation (2003)
You have a receding hairline, but you’re rich and famous, so I’ll let it slide…
Although it’s one of those bleak comedies, Lost in Translation has a great romance at its heart. Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) really capture what it feels like to be travelling somewhere foreign and wanting a connection. The brief moments of Anna Farris spoofing Cameron Diaz add just the right amount of laughs to tide you over until the moment when Bob whispers something in Charlotte’s ear, and they say goodbye. If V-Day makes you blah, you’ll most def wanna check this one out.
Best Quote: Bob “Can you keep a secret? I’m trying to organize a prison break. I’m looking for, like, an accomplice. We have to first get out of this bar, then the hotel, then the city, and then the country. Are you in or you out?”
17 – When in Rome (2010)
I have a feeling this broad is high maintenance…
Although Forgetting Sarah Marshall is Kristen Bell’s most popular role, 2010′s When in Rome is an underrated film. She plays Beth, an ambitious New Yorker who steals some coins from a famous love fountain in Italy during her sister’s wedding. Because of her theft, she’s chased down by Danny DeVito, Will Arnett, Jon Heder, and Dax Shepard, who are under a love spell. The movie is lighthearted, funny, and a great way to create and celebrate a happy Valentine’s Day.
Best Quote: Beth “It’s like, I meet a guy, and I think it’s great, and anyone else would just be thinking about how much greater it’s going to get. And I’m constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
16 – 50 First Dates (2004)
I don’t remember telling you I’d give you head daily, but what do I know?
You’d be hard pressed to come up with a more likeable couple of people than Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. In 50 First Dates, they’re in Hawaii, and after they meet, Henry Roth (Sandler) turns from a playboy to a devoted boyfriend—the only problem is the girl of his dreams has no short-term memory, so she relives the same day over and over. This movie brings laughs, but it’s also a sappy romance movie as only Sandler can do. It’s a chick flick anyone can enjoy.
Best Quote: Dr. Keats (Dan Akroyd) “Sometimes I wish my wife had Goldfield Syndrome. That way she wouldn’t remember last night when I called her mother a loud, obnoxious drunk with a face like J. Edgar Hoover’s ass.”
15 – Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
I’m no longer a slumdog…I’m a lowly intern at a NY news station…
A testament to just how far guys are forced to go to win over a woman, Slumdog Millionaire portrays a poor man being tortured by the police for being too good at Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? This is one of those intelligent and witty movies that won a lot of critical acclaim. It’s great to watch with someone when you want to share an intelligent conversation. Dev Patel plays one of the most lovable characters on film at his later age, and the mixture of love, violence, and socioeconomic messages makes for a great date night screening
Best Quote: Jamal Malik (Patel) “When somebody asks me a question, I tell them the answer.
14 – The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Why do you always make me put on this mask when we make love?
Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) always has problems—the media hates him, the police hate him, other superheroes hate him, and he’s constantly struggling with his love life because of it. Regardless of how you feel about the new Spider-Man series, they made the right move dropping Mary Jane for Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Their romance is one of the most memorable in comic book history (spoiler alert: she dies).
Best Quote: Peter Parker “We all have secrets: the ones we keep… and the ones that are kept from us.”
13 – The Tourist (2010) (Runner Up: Original Sin)
My Brad Pitt sprung a leak again…he looks like a pirate…
It’s not just that Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie are beautiful people; the location shots in Paris and Venice are simply stunning. This cat-and-mouse tale has enough thrills going for it to satisfy your intellectual needs, and some action to boot. You’re never quite sure who to believe, but you can’t deny there’s chemistry between the two—if there’s anyone who could steal Jolie from Pitt, Depp seems like the type. If you want even more beauty, Jolie has great sex scenes in Original Sin.
Best Quote: Hotel Waiter Guido “Bongiorno!”
Frank Taylor (Depp) “Bon Jovi!”
12 – This Means War (2012)
I wasn’t accusing you of overcompensating; I just said it’s a really big pig…
Reese Witherspoon is a Valentine’s Day treat you won’t soon forget. All of her romantic comedies are great, but This Means War wins for mixing spy-vs-spy action into the mix. Chris Pine and Tom Hardy do a great job of keeping men distracted from Reese’s message that it’s OK to date multiple people. Adventurous couples will love this action-packed romp.
Best Quote: Trish (Chelsea Handler) “Don’t go with the better guy, go with the guy who makes you better.”
11 – (500) Days of Summer (2009)
Haha, no seriously, keep calling me quirky, and I’ll throw you off this roof…
Zooey Deschanel is that quirky girl everyone wants to be or be with. Basically the boy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets a girl (Deschanel), and falls in love, but she’s not into it. The movie highlights their relationship in a non-linear fashion, and is a great portrayal of modern love and relationships. If you’re the romantic type, (500) Days of Summer will make you believe true love exists.
Best Quote: Narrator “If Tom had learned anything… it was that you can’t ascribe great cosmic significance to a simple earthly event. Coincidence, that’s all anything ever is, nothing more than coincidence… Tom had finally learned—there are no miracles. There’s no such thing as fate, nothing is meant to be. He knew, he was sure of it now”
10 – Walk the Line (2005)
I’m a little bit country…she’s a little bit rock and roll…
This portrayal of Johnny and June Cash is an epic biopic. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon beautifully capture the essence of the romance. Johnny loved June Carter so much, he knew he had to marry her. Seeing their love blossom over the course of their lives is a great way to celebrate life and a relationship with someone you truly love beyond anything. These two real life people even died around the same time. It’s said Johnny died of a broken heart after June passed.
Best Quote: June Carter “Well, then start loving yourself, so we can go back to work.”
9 – Ghost Town (2008)
All I’m saying is if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it…
The cynical among us love Ricky Gervais, and his role as a man who can see dead people and is now doomed to help them with their love problems is a great Valentine’s Day romance story. Everyone’s tired of people bragging about their relationships on Facebook, and Gervais portrays this feeling perfectly. Love isn’t always as much fun as it sounds; sometimes you just end up involved in other people’s drama.
Best Quote: Bertram Pincus “All work and no play makes Jack- a vital member of society.”
8 – Shrek (2001)
This is awkward, but umm…I kinda preferred the you that didn’t look like Oprah…
It’s hard to believe it’s been over a decade since Shrek came out. This backwards fairy tale where the ogre gets the girl proves what it is women really want—anything but the rich kid with the little man complex. Featuring the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow, Shrek is a feel-good movie that’s perfect for the young at heart.
Best Quote: Shrek “Oh, no no no no! Dead broad OFF the table!”
7 – Seems Like Old Times (1980)
How the hell did you make such a mess making cereal?!?!
Ahh the classics. One of the best movies from the 80s, Seems Like Old Times is a Neil Simon film that still maintains its charm. Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn are a divorced couple, and, after being forced to take part in a bank robbery, Chase hides out at Hawn’s house. The only problem is Hawn’s husband (Charles Groden) is the district attorney, so a lot of hijinx ensue. If you pine for an old flame, Seems Like Old Times is the Valentine’s Day romantic comedy for you.
Best Quote: Glenda (Hawn) “Chester. You just went through a stop sign.”
Chester (Chase) “I can’t help it. I don’t like to read when I drive.”
6 – About a Boy (2002)
Why am I the only grown man with a young boy on a list of romantic films…
You wouldn’t think watching a man hang out with an unrelated boy would be weird. Knowing that man is Hugh Grant, who chose a ragged hooker over his knockout wife Elizabeth Hurley makes it a little more awkward on paper, but on film, it plays beautifully. This is a buddy flick and a romance rolled into one, and it teaches men that parenting isn’t scary. If you’re a slacker who still hasn’t grown up, About a Boy is for you.
Best Quote: Will “The thing is, a person’s life is like a TV show. I was the star of The Will Show. And The Will Show wasn’t an ensemble drama. Guests came and went, but I was the regular. It came down to me and me alone. If Marcus’ mum couldn’t manage her own show, if her ratings were falling, it was sad, but that was her problem. Ultimately, the whole single mum plotline was a bit complicated for me.”
5 – True Romance (1993) (Runner Up: Natural Born Killers)
We can’t go out like this, babe…I don’t want to end up on the People of Walmart website…
Quentin Tarantino isn’t known for the romance in his films, but True Romance, which he wrote, is an epic romantic crime drama. There are drugs, hookers, and all sorts of guns. The love between Clarence (Christian Slater) and Alabama (Patricia Arquette) is something we all wish we had. By the time this movie reaches its bloody climax, not only will you be in love with Elvis, but you’ll know the origin of Sicilians.
Best Quote: Clarence Worley “You just said you love me, now if I say I love you and just throw caution to the wind and let the chips fall where they may and you’re lying to me I’m gonna fuckin’ die.”
4 – Titanic (1997)
Exclusive shot from the set of Scorsese’s Smurfs Origins: The Rise of Azriel…
Spoiler Alert: The ship sinks, and it takes like half the movie. Before it happens though, Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) steals Rose (Kate Winslett) from her rich husband-to-be. If you watch the film closely, you’ll notice Rose withholds the blue gem from the man looking for it (holding up an expensive expedition) so she can tell him the story of the man she left for a man she promised she’d never let go of (before disposing of his body in the waters, never to be found or identified), before throwing the damn gem into the ocean. What a bitch.
Best Quote: Jack “I’m the king of the world!!”
3 – Bride and Prejudice (2004)
I would do anything for this woman…anything…literally anything…
This Bollywood take on the classic “Pride and Prejudice” is a musical delight. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of the most beautiful women to ever exist, and her acting, singing, and dancing expertise is on full display. This movie is beautiful, tells a renowned story, and you’ll look worldly for suggesting it. The colorful costumes and set designs are like taking an exotic vacation from your couch.
Best Quote: Lalita Bakshi (Rai) “You should be stirring your husband’s dinner not trouble.”
2 – Love, Actually (2003)
What time is it? I need to get back to my husband soon…
Love Actually follows the intertwining stories of eight British couples dealing with love in very different ways. It’s a romantic comedy and a Christmas film, but it is in no way sappy. It’s a touching comedy filled with amazing moments. It’s impossible to watch this movie without laughing, crying, and falling in love with at least one character. Love Actually is the best romantic comedy ever written.
Best Quote: Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) “Hiya kids. Here is an important message from your Uncle Bill. Don’t buy drugs. Become a pop star, and they give you them for free!”
1 – The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Cheers to debauchery!
Good idea: telling your wife and/or girlfriend you want to watch this Oscar-nominated Leonardo DiCaprio flick. It’ll make you sound like you’re genuinely interested in the financial crisis and things we can do to save the economy. You can even tell them you got the idea from this Lifehack from bona fide Bank whistleblower Brian Penny.
Bad idea: telling your wife and/or girlfriend you downloaded the DVD screener from The Pirate Bay before the release date, and it’s filled with naked women. When Leo snorts coke off a hooker’s bum in the first five minutes, act like you had no idea it would be like this—then sit back, relax, and watch your dream life acted out before your very eyes. This is the best shot you have at opening the conversation about watching porn with your girlfriend (here’s the facts before you even open your mouth to say you don’t: Porn Statistics).
Best Quote: Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) “I am not gonna die sober!”
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