Top 20 Valentine’s Day Movies Everyone’s Talking About

Need a little romance for Valentine’s Day? Check out my list of the best movies to cozy up with! From timeless classics to modern love stories, you’ll find your next favorite movie.
Valentines day movies

I might be a bit of an oddball for this, but whenever Valentine’s Day rolls around, I tend to feel a little morose. 

This time of year often has me reflecting on every decision I’ve ever made about my life. 

To keep myself from spiraling into despair, I usually turn to romance books or rewatch some of my favorite romance movies.

In this post, I’m listing my all-time favorite romance movies that I think everyone should watch on Valentine’s Day. 

These are the films I’ve returned to time and time again, and I’ll never stop recommending them.

Let me just say upfront: when it comes to Valentine’s Day movies, most people tend to go for the extra-sweet, heartwarming, and wholesome ones. And honestly? That’s perfect – if you like it, then I love it for you.

But for me, I enjoy a more diverse range of love stories. 

I’m drawn to films that explore love not just as a stagnant emotion but as a moving concept – one that feels a little more realistic. 

And if you know anything about reality (which I’m sure you do), you know it’s not all bright, sunny, and fluffy.

So, in this post, expect to find stories about enduring love that sustains people through a lifetime, love cut off at the worst possible moment, and love that quietly blossoms in the background.

If I had to pick just one favorite, it would definitely be Mamma Mia. 

I’ve watched it countless times, and I loved the first movie so much I haven’t even dared to watch the sequel. If you want just one recommendation from me, it’s this one.

Mamma Mia is perfect for anyone who loves wholesome movies about family dynamics, new love, old love, the bond between friends, the connection between mother and daughter, and so much more. 

1. Love, Simon

Love Simon

Simon Spier is your average high schooler with one big secret – he’s gay. 

He then starts an anonymous email relationship with a guy named Blue, but the catch? He doesn’t know who Blue is! 

As Simon manages life, his friends, and his family, he also works on figuring out who his mystery guy is while coming to terms with his identity. 

This is such a heartwarming movie about love, friendship, and the courage it takes to be yourself.

2. Mr. Malcolm’s List

Mr Malcolms List

Julia Thistlewaite wants to get back at the eligible bachelor Mr. Malcolm for rejecting her. 

So, she convinces her friend Selina to pretend to be the perfect woman he’s looking for. 

But when Selina and Mr. Malcolm meet, sparks fly between them, and things don’t go exactly as planned. 

A delightful mix of romance, witty banter, and some good old-fashioned scheming, this is honestly one of the sweetest romance movies of all time. 

3. Enchanted

Enchanted

Giselle, a fairy tale princess from an animated world, is tossed into the real world when an evil queen sends her to New York. 

She’s overwhelmed by the city but soon finds kindness from a divorce lawyer named Robert. 

Meanwhile, her prince, Edward, and the evil queen follow her to try and bring her back. 

I think anyone would enjoy this fun and cute animation and live-action combo, filled with magic, romance, and learning to adapt to new adventures.

4. If Beale Street Could Talk

If Beale Street Could Talk

Tish and Fonny are in love, but their world gets turned upside down when Fonny is wrongly accused of a crime. 

As Tish fights for justice, she’s also dealing with the joy and challenges of being pregnant. 

This powerful, emotional story captures love, family, and the heartbreaking struggles of dealing with injustice.

5. A Star is Born

A Star is Born

Jack Maine, a struggling country rock singer, discovers Ally, a talented singer who’s unsure of her own potential. 

As they fall in love, Jack helps Ally rise to stardom, but his personal battles with addiction start to pull them apart. 

It’s a deeply emotional movie about love, dreams, and the sacrifices we make for those we care about. 

The original music score for this movie is the best of the best, and while the end made me shed buckets, I’ll always, always recommend it. 

6. Always Be My Maybe

Maybe

Sasha and Marcus were childhood friends, but after a romantic misunderstanding, they lose touch. 

Fast forward to 16 years later – Sasha is a successful chef, and Marcus is still living in his hometown, playing in a local band. 

When they reconnect, old feelings resurface, but both have changed. 

A sweet, funny story about rediscovering love when you least expect it, everyone needs to watch this romantic movie atleast once.

7. Mr. & Mrs. Adelman

Mr and Mrs Adelman

This film tells the complex, passionate, and sometimes heartbreaking story of Sarah and Victor Adelman over the span of 45 years. 

From their first meeting in Paris to their tumultuous marriage, Sarah reflects on their journey after Victor’s death. 

Their relationship goes through highs and lows – success, infidelity, struggles with their son’s disability, and personal betrayals. 

But even with all the pain, there’s a sense of love that lingers that shows how their lives were intertwined in ways that are both beautiful and tragic. 

This one is a story of how love can grow, change, and survive through the years, even when things aren’t perfect.

I loved this film because it made me think about how complicated love can be, and how sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that make us feel the most alive.

8. Notting Hill

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is such a sweet, feel-good romantic film! 

It follows William, a simple travel bookstore owner in London, who unexpectedly falls for Hollywood star Anna Scott after a chance encounter. 

They try to manage their worlds, which are so different from each other and the entire movie is full of tender moments, misunderstandings, and funny situations that make you root for them to make it through the mess of fame and love. 

9. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

To All the Boys Ive Loved Before

Lara Jean is a shy, thoughtful girl who writes love letters to all her crushes but never intends to send them. 

When the letters accidentally get mailed out, she finds herself facing awkward situations with the boys she once liked, especially Peter Kavinsky. 

What starts as a fake relationship to help Peter with his ex turns into something real as they both have to figure out their feelings. 

It’s a charming, feel-good movie about first love, family, self-discovery, taking risks, and how happiness is always behind the most unexpected door. 

10. In The Mood For Love

In the Mood for Love

Set in 1960s Hong Kong, this film follows Chow and Su, two neighbors who find out that their spouses are having an affair with each other.

Instead of acting out of revenge, they form a quiet, unspoken bond as they try to understand their spouses’ betrayal. 

It’s a slow burn, filled with longing and delicate moments, where every glance and word carries weight. 

Their love story never fully blooms, and that’s what makes it so poignant because this movie is ultimately about missed opportunities, unspoken feelings, and the pain of love that never quite reaches its full potential. 

I know that it might be odd that I’d recommend this movie for Valentine’s Day, but I love it when we get a range of movies about romance and love in its different iterations, and this one does that so perfectly.

11. Fair Play

Fair Play

Fair Play is an intense and gritty look at the corporate world, where Emily and Luke work at a high-pressure hedge fund. 

They secretly date, but when Emily gets a promotion over Luke, their relationship becomes strained. 

As jealousy and ambition take over, Emily finds herself questioning the price of success, while Luke becomes consumed with resentment. 

Fair Play is yet another movie that might not belong on everybody’s watchlist for Valentine’s Day, but it’s a must-watch as far as I’m concerned. 

And that’s because I love the way this movie leans into how love measures up when weighed against power, career, and our own personal boundaries.

12. The Proposal

The Proposal

Margaret Tate, a super tough editor, is about to get deported to Canada because of a visa problem. 

So, what does she do? She ropes in her assistant, Andrew, to pretend to be her fiancé! 

I love how their fake relationship is such a chaotic combo of hilarious and awkward moments, especially when they visit Andrew’s quirky family in Alaska. 

Watching them slowly realize there’s real chemistry between them is so satisfying.

It’s one of those feel-good movies that will show you love can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

13. My Blueberry Nights

My Blueberry Nights poster

Lizzie is reeling from heartbreak and ends up bonding with Jeremy, the kind diner owner who serves her blueberry pie every night.

I found her decision to leave and explore life in Memphis so relatable – sometimes, you just need a fresh start to figure out who you are. 

Her journey is full of unique characters and tough lessons, but she grows so much along the way. 

And honestly, I loved how she and Jeremy’s connection felt genuine, not rushed. 

This one’s all about healing, love, and finding your way back to something (or someone) meaningful.

14. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Joel and Clementine’s love story is such a whirlwind – erasing memories of your ex sounds extreme, right? 

But as Joel’s memories of Clementine start disappearing, you can’t help but root for him to hold on to them.

It made me think a lot about how even the messy, painful parts of love shape us. 

This movie is such a unique, thought-provoking take on love and second chances that everyone needs to watch ASAP. 

15. When Harry Met Sally

When Harry Met Sally

No list of the best movies to watch for Valentine’s Day would be complete without mentioning Harry and Sally.

Harry and Sally’s back-and-forth banter is so fun to watch, and their friendship is one of my favorite parts of the story because it’s not perfect – it grows slowly and naturally. 

When they finally realize they’re in love, it’s one of those moments that makes you really, really, really want to be in love. 

It’s the kind of movie that makes you believe love is all about timing and being with someone who truly gets you is the bestest thing ever.

16. We Live in Time

We Live in Time

Tobias and Almut’s story hits so hard.

Life isn’t tied up in neat little bows, and I love how this movie embraces that. 

One thing that stuck with me was how they found joy in small moments, even when everything seemed so heavy. 

It’s a bittersweet reminder to appreciate love and life while you have it and for these two, who even had to manage terminal illness, this lesson is more precious. 

17. Obvious Child

Obvious Child

Donna Stern is a stand-up comedian whose life goes into a spiral after her boyfriend dumps her. 

Things take a turn when Donna has a one-night stand with the sweet but awkward Max, only to find out weeks later that she’s pregnant. 

I really appreciated how the movie tackled this tough situation with humor and heart. 

Her honesty during her comedy sets – like when she talks about her abortion – is so raw and brave. 

So, while this movie is romantic enough to belong on your Valentine’s Day playlist, it’s also timely and a story about the courage to reach out for the things that matter to us the most.

18. Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia

I watched Mamma Mia for the first time more than 10 years ago when I was still a kid, and I’m not kidding when I say I’ve watched it at least twice a year since then. 

This is hands down one of the most beautiful, lovely, and romantic movies I’ve ever had the privilege of watching. And if that isn’t enough to convince you – who doesn’t love ABBA?

This movie is about Sophie, who wants her father to walk her down the aisle but doesn’t know who her father is. 

She investigates and finds out that her mother might have hooked up with three different men around the time of her conception. 

She then invites them all to the island, and, you guys, everything that comes after is cute, messy, heartfelt, and wonderful.

Meryl Streep plays Donna, Sophie’s mother, and if you ever needed convincing of her range and talent (though honestly, why would you?), you should absolutely check out this movie this Valentine’s Day.

19. The Big Sick

The Big Sick

Kumail and Emily’s story is such a refreshing take on romance. 

I mean, it’s not every day a rom-com dives into family expectations, cultural clashes, and life-threatening illness all at once. 

Kumail’s struggle with balancing his parents’ traditional values with his feelings for Emily felt so real to me, because sometimes, love and family don’t fit together as neatly as we’d like. 

Watching Kumail bond with Emily’s parents while she’s in a coma was unexpected but so moving. 

By the end, you can’t help but root for them in this messy and heartfelt proof that real-life love stories are rarely simple.

20. Our Souls at Night

Our Souls at Night

This one just hit me right in the feels. 

Addie and Louis’ decision to sleep next to each other – not for romance, but just to not feel so lonely – feels so tender and real. 

Love and companionship aren’t just for the young – they’re for anyone willing to open their heart – and this movie showed that so beautifully. 

I really loved how their relationship grew so naturally, even with Addie’s son being so disapproving. 

This one is such a quiet, beautiful story about finding comfort and connection in unexpected places and it’s the perfect movie to end this post. 


If you have a comfort watch you always pull out for Valentine’s Day, let me know in the comments.

Or, if you have any recommendations I might have missed, I’d love to hear them.

Preye

Hi! I'm Preye ("pre" as in "prepare" and "ye" as in "Kanye"), and I am a lifelong book lover who enjoys talking about books and sharing bits and pieces of all the fascinating things I come across. I love books so much that I decided to become a developmental editor, and right now, I work with authors to help them tell their stories better. On this blog, I share everything from book recommendations to book reviews and writing tips, so feel free to stop by anytime you like!

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