Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic loveโit’s a day to celebrate all forms of affection, including the joy of sharing heartwarming movies that remind us of the beauty of love in all its forms. Whether you’re cuddling up with your significant other, gathering with friends, or enjoying some solo relaxation time, a good film can set the tone for a memorable Valentine’s Day.
Valentine Day Movies
From timeless classics to modern tales of romance, this list of 20 films is designed to help you find the perfect movie to match the mood of this special day. Each selection offers a unique glimpse into the complexities and delights of love, promising a mix of laughter, tears, and heartfelt moments.
1. While You Were Sleeping (1995),1 h 43 min, PG
Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman star in this romantic comedy about a Chicago transit worker who mistakenly leads a family to believe she’s the fiancee of their comatose son.
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Peter Boyle, Bill Pullman
2. The Last Song (2010), 1 h 47 min, PG
The last song is a romantic drama starring Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. It follows Ronnie, a rebellious teenager who moves to Georgia with her estranged father for the summer and unexpectedly finds love in an unlikely place.
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Bobby Coleman
3. Notting Hill (1999), 2 h 4 min, PG-13
The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when the most famous star in the world walks in his shop and buys a book.
Starring: Hugh Grant, James Dreyfus, Hugh Bonneville
4. Moonstruck, 1 h 41 min (1988), PG
In her Academy Award-winning role, Cher, while waiting for her timid fiance to decide between her and his mother, falls in love with her fiance’s estranged brother (Nicolas Cage), a bakery worker with a love of opera and life. Supporting actress Olympia Dukakis and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley also won Oscars in this comedy classic.
Starring: Cher, Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello
5. Dirty Dancing (1987), 1 h 40 min, 13+
Spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances “Baby” Houseman falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle.
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach
6. Sleepless in Seattle (1993), 1 h 45 min, PG
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star in Nora Ephron’s wonderfully romantic comedy about two people drawn together by destiny. Hanks stars as Sam Baldwin, a widowed father who, thanks to the wiles of his worried son, becomes a reluctant guest on a radio call-in show. He’s an instant hit with thousands of female listeners who deluge his Seattle home with letters of comfort. Meanwhile, ins…
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman
7. Bridget Jone’s Diary (2001), 1 h 38 min, 13+
Bridget, a busy career woman, decides to turn over a new page in her life by channeling her thoughts, opinions and insecurities into a journal that becomes a hilarious chronicle of her adventures.
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth
8. Blue Valentine (2011), 1 h 52 min, R
Oscar nominees Ryan Gosling (The Notebook) and Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain) star in Blue Valentine, a story of love found and love lost told in moments past and present.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, John Doman
9. 50 First Dates (2004), 1 h 39 min, 7+
50 First Dates is a romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The movie follows Henry Roth, a playboy who falls in love with a woman suffering from short-term memory loss. He must do whatever he can to make her fall in love with him every single day, leading to some fun and quirky hijinks along the way.
Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider
10. Casablanca (1942), 1 h 42 min, PG
Casablanca is widely recognized as one of the greatest romantic movies ever made. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, this timeless classic follows Rick Blaine, a former freedom fighter who finds himself running a nightclub in Morocco during World War II. The movie contains some of the most iconic lines in cinematic history and is a powerful reminder of enduring love in difficult times.
Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, Paul Henreid
11. The Notebook (2004), 2 H 3 MIN, PG-13
Behind every great love is a great story. Two teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks fall in love during one summer together but are tragically forced apart.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner
12. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), 1h 57 min, R
In this classic romantic comedy a reserved Englishman (Hugh Grant) falls in love with a woman (Andie MacDowell) he meets at a wedding and has a hard time expressing his feelings until they meet again and again…and again.
Starring: Hugh Grant, James Fleet, Simon Callow
13. Pride and Prejudice (2005), 2 h 8 min, PG
Keira Knightley is luminous in this winning adaptation of Jane Austen’s epic love story about five sisters and their search for husbands.
Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn
14. Before Sunset (2004), 1 h 20 min, R
Nine years after Jesse and Celine first met, they encounter each other again on the French leg of Jesse’s book tour.
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy
15. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), 1 h 59 min, 18+
After her fiance is falsely imprisoned, a pregnant woman sets out to clear his name and prove his innocence. Featuring an Oscar-winning performance by Regina King.
Starring: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Teyonah Parris
16. One Day (2011), 1 h 48 min, PG-13
After spending the night together on the night of their college graduation Dexter and Emma are shown each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, sometimes not, on that day.
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clarkson
17. P.S. I Love You (2007), 2 H 5 MIN, PG-13
P.S. I Love You is a romantic drama starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. It follows Holly, a young widow who discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages that will help her move on after his death.
Starring: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow
18. Never been kissed (1999), 1 h 47 min, PG-13
Never Been Kissed is a romantic comedy starring Drew Barrymore as Josie Geller, an aspiring journalist who must go undercover as a high school student to write an article. Along the way, she meets Sam, a charming teacher who helps her gain confidence and learn how to love again.
Starring: Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Marley Shelton
19. Marry Me (2022), 1 h 52, 13+
A heartbroken pop star (Jennifer Lopez) spontaneously weds a stranger from the audience (Owen Wilson) while live on stage, but their sham marriage turns into a real romance.
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma
20. Valentine’s Day (2010), 2 h 4 min, PG-13
An all-star ensemble cast comes together in “Valentine’s Day,” which follows the intertwining storylines of a diverse group of Los Angelenos as they navigate their way through romance.
Starring: Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel
Final thoughts
As we wrap up this collection of must-watch Valentineโs Day movies, remember that each film offers a unique lens through which to view love’s many dimensions. Whether you prefer the nostalgic charm of classics like “Casablanca” or the contemporary appeal of films like “Marry Me,” these movies are sure to enhance your celebration of love. So grab some popcorn, cozy up with your loved ones, and let these cinematic treasures remind you why love is worth celebrating, not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day of the year. Happy viewing!