With Valentine’s Day approaching, people are scrambling to get their hands on the holiday’s must-haves: gifts, sweets, and countless romantic-comedies to binge watch. From heart-warming classics to recent releases, we have formulated a list of the best Valentine’s Day films for every type of viewer.
1. Crazy Stupid Love
A middle-aged man’s world is turned upside down after his wife unexpectedly asks for a divorce. This sweet and hilarious comedy, starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Steve Carrell, is sure to keep you entertained.
2. Bridget Jones’s Diary
This all-time favorite British comedy centers on Bridget Jones, an awkward, inappropriately funny, and often drunken publicist who decides on New Year’s Day to finally get ahold of her life. Her diary contains her many strong opinions and experiences regarding a wide range of topics, from exercise to men and everything else in between.
3. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Andie Anderson, editor for “Composure” magazine, pushes her boundaries when writing a step-by-step guide on “How to Lose a Guy in 10 days.” At the same time, advertising executive Benjamin Barry makes a bet that he can make any woman fall in love with him in ten days. When the two meet, both plans backfire.
4. When Harry Met Sally
Directed by Rob Reiner, this classic rom-com stars Meg Ryan as Sally Albright and Billy Crystal as Harry Burns. Harry first meets Sally on a cross country road trip returning from college, sparking a decade-long friendship. As the two run into each other over the years, they begin to ask the question, can a man and woman simply be friends, or must they always be on the edge of something more?
5. You’ve Got Mail
Struggling boutique bookseller Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) cannot stand Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the owner of a chain book store that just moved in across the street. When they meet online, however, they dive into an intense Internet romance, completely oblivious to each other’s true identity. What will happen when Joe learns that this enchanting woman is actually his business rival? It’s only a matter of time until the truth is revealed.
6. Silver Lining Playbook
In this almost inappropriately hilarious movie about a dysfunctional couple, Pat Solitano (played by Bradley Cooper) has just arrived home from a psychiatric institution after losing his job and wife. Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) is just as unstable as he is. Pat channels his mania into long jogs and rants about Hemingway, while Tiffany deals with depression with her growing list of one-night stands. Together, they attempt to find their own excelsior.
7. La La Land
A sure tear-jerker, this award-winning (and almost Oscar-winning) movie stars Ryan Gosling as Sebastian and Emma Stone as Mia. Sebastian, a pianist, and Mia, an actress, are drawn together by their equal passion and energy. However, they are soon faced with serious decisions that jeopardize their relationship, and must choose between pursuing their occupational goals or their love.
8. 10 Things I Hate About You
Kat Stratford (played by Julia Stiles) is a beautiful and smart young woman. However, her peers find her quite abrasive, and she does not attract many men. Unfortunately for her, Kat’s younger sister, Bianca, is not allowed to date until Kat has a boyfriend, so she begins matchmaking and sets Kat up with Patrick Verona (played by Heath Ledger). Will Kat finally let her guard down enough to find love?
9. Romeo and Juliet
Leonardo DiCaprio. Need I say more?
Olivia Gondris
staff writer
Graphic: Evie Cullen