By Jackie Ayala, Editor
It’s a time of flowers, unexpected love confessions, and an entire wardrobe of iconic outfits this February 14! With the season of love drawing near, we could all use a good movie (or several) to celebrate this upcoming Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re watching these by yourself, with your best friends, or with your special someone, these movies are the perfect Valentine’s Day pastimes, no matter your plans.
Why 10 movie recommendations? Well, romcoms always love the number 10, you’ll see! Grab some popcorn, a good fizzy drink, and some chocolate hearts to prepare for these romantic comedies! And don’t worry, these recommendations are all spoiler-free, so you can watch these love matches unfold for your own eyes.
10. 27 Dresses
“Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.”
With this cliche phrase being popularized by this movie, 27 Dresses shows that people can find love in unexpected places. Jane is a girl who has attended exactly 27 weddings as a bridesmaid while hopelessly in love with her boss… who’s in love with her sister. This movie acknowledges people who feel like they’re falling behind as everyone else is finding that special someone. As the main character, Jane, watched her sister and boss fall in love, her need to put others before her gets acknowledged by a nosy journalist. With the iconic song “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John featured in a fun singing session, this movie is for those who want to see the side girl win.
9. The Princess Bride
“As you wish.”
Possibly one of the most well-known romances with several iconic quotes, The Princess Bride is a fairytale love story filled with funny villains and conversations that will stay embedded in your brain for weeks. Based on the 1973 book by William Goldman, the movie’s release in 1987 brought a trend of fantasy fairytale stories to rise. If you are looking for a kid-friendly movie full of adventure and love to watch at home this Valentine’s Day, this is the one for you, bringing the perfect amount of nostalgia from our childhoods to reminisce on with those we love.
8. 10 Things I Hate About You
“I hate the way I don’t hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.”
Bringing out the “com” in “romcom,” 10 Things I Hate About You spins off Shakespeare’s comedy drama The Taming of the Shrew and turns it into a love story of two different sisters and their journey to find their high school romance. When their father tells the younger sister, Bianca, the only way she can start dating is when her older sister, Kat, does, a new plan by her admirer is devised to set up Kat with someone. How many people are willing to learn French just to spend time with you? Cameron shows just how much effort he is willing to put in order for Bianca to even look at him. The movie ties together both romance and sisterly love – and who doesn’t love a movie with Heath Ledger?
7. Mamma Mia! And Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
“Life is short. The world is wide. I want to make some memories.”
Mamma Mia! is the perfect jukebox musical romance for a night in with your friends! The musical features songs sung originally by the band ABBA and follows the story of Sophie and her mother Donna as Sophie is about to get married. As her dream is to have her father walk her down the aisle, Spohie finds herself stuck in a predicament because she doesn’t know who her father is. What better way to find out than to invite the three suspects? When the connection between Donna and one of Sophie’s potential fathers grows stronger after all those years, Sophie’s own love story with her fiancé continues its course. Plus, what better way to continue the Mamma Mia! storyline than to see the prequel movie, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the story of how Donna fell for each of Sophie’s potential fathers.
6. Notting Hill
“I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
Set in the iconic street of London, Notting Hill features Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts playing actress Anna Scott and a struggling bookstore owner, William Thacker. Two people with completely different lifestyles… will it work? This is the perfect movie for those wanting to romanticize the city of London, the most colorful street in England, and the idea of falling in love with Hugh Grant.
5. Pretty Woman
“I can do anything I want to, baby. I ain’t lost.”
Two unexpected paths cross in Pretty Woman when Edward, a businessman, faces a dilemma when he needs an escort for his work’s social functions and events. That’s where Vivian, a proclaimed prostitute, comes into the picture. When she’s hired to be by his side for an entire week-long business trip, an unlikely bond forms between the two. Julia Roberts plays the beautiful Vivian, adding to her list of iconic roles from the 90s!
4. She’s the Man
“…and when I close my eyes, I see you for who you truly are, which is UUUG-LAY.”
Bringing more comedy than romance, She’s the Man follows Viola as she takes the place of her twin brother at an all-male private school in the pursuit of playing soccer, but things quickly take a turn when she unexpectedly falls for one of the star soccer players. Not only is the romance giggle-worthy, but Viola’s main mission is to play soccer and to improve her skills after everyone demeans her because of her gender. She’s The Man has many quotable sayings that will get stuck in your head, like when Viola says “heels are a male invention designed to make a woman’s butt look smaller.” This movie is for those who want a movie where the main character’s focus goes beyond love – and it’s never a 2000s romcom without the iconic Amanda Bynes.
3. But I’m A Cheerleader
“I get good grades! I go to church! I’m a cheerleader!”
One of the most well-known LGBTQ+ movies of the 2000s, But I’m a Cheerleader opened up several doors for sapphic media. When Megan is in denial about her sexuality, her parents send her to a so-called “gay boot camp.” But, the plan to convert Megan to heterosexuality fails when she meets Graham, a girl who isn’t ashamed of who she is. This movie isn’t just for a date night, but could also be the perfect girls’ night movie to embrace your femininity.
2. How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days
“You’re already falling in love with me.”
An iconic yellow dress, a cute couple double-crossing each other, and proof that true love will stick by you no matter what. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days follows Andie Anderson, a journalist who is trying to expand her typical articles known as her signature “How To’s.” This causes her to devise a plan to choose any guy she sees and to purposely drive him away, earning the title, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Ben Berry just happens to be that guy. Only, he has his own plan: to make the first girl he sees fall in love with him. If only their plans were that simple.
1. 13 going on 30
“Thirty and flirty and thriving.”
Remember the days as a kid when you couldn’t wait to get older and be free from responsibilities? Then, 13 going on 30 just might be the perfect movie to relive that feeling! Jennifer Gardner plays adult Jenna Rink, who realizes she is somehow in a new reality where, instead of being her normal 13-year-old self, she is what she always wanted to be: “Thirty, flirty, and thriving.” As an adult, she runs into her childhood best friend Matt, leading him on a journey to find his inner child after years without it. 13 going on 30 is put in the number one spot for making everyone believe in their youth once more.
Why Romcoms?
Romantic comedies have always been met with mixed emotions and it’s understandable why; people claim they have poor storylines, expected endings, and even bad writing. Sure, maybe the names can be cliché and typical for a love story, but I see them as fun films to put yourself in the shoes of the characters and simply immerse yourself in the romance. These rom-coms create a world where anyone, in everyday life, can find someone to love.
Of course, they aren’t for everyone, though they can be the right thing for a night in with your special someone. While I am not the biggest Valentine’s Day enthusiast, what I am is someone who enjoys a light-hearted, quick watch with someone I love. Maybe cheesy lines are just what you need this Valentine’s Day!
