The best Rom-Coms for Valentine’s Day

The best Rom-Coms for Valentine’s Day:

7 movies to binge when love is (or isn’t) in the air

Olivia Hunt / Asst. A&C Editor 

Regardless of a person’s feelings about Valentine’s Day, it’s still the ultimate excuse to sit back with some sweets and binge classic rom-coms. In the wise words of Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get,” (so they might as well be heart-shaped!). Once a sufficient amount of chocolate and candies are bought, you can stream these movies on several platforms. If you don’t want to watch them alone, one small silver lining of the pandemic is that most streaming services have created a “Watch Party” feature, allowing multiple parties to (remotely) watch a movie together. It’s the closest thing to the much-missed experience of gathering around the TV with friends and family. Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus all boast this new component on their platforms. A Watch Party is also a great option for those planning a ‘Galentine’s Day,’ a pre-Valentine’s celebration reserved for gal pals and platonic love.

Though the themes surrounding V-Day aren’t always the most original, the following romantic comedies are unique and heartwarming in their own right. They’re not only good rom-coms, but good movies in general — ones that even non-romantics can enjoy.

1). 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Based on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” this classic takes on the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope in a way that’s exciting and memorable. There’s no shortage of flirty banter, and Heath Ledger’s performance as the bad-boy heartthrob is worth a watch in itself. (Available through Prime Video)

2). The Lovebirds (2020)

Chock-full of action, this ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ rom-com follows a young couple wrongly accused of murder. Issa Rae as the female lead is hilarious as always, especially when the two go on a journey to find the real murderer and clear their names. (Available on Netflix)

3). Pretty in Pink (1986)

This retro rom-com constitutes one of John Hughes’ iconic “Brat Pack” films. It’s a ‘star-crossed-lovers’ story about a high schooler from a lower-class background, who catches feelings for her extremely wealthy and privileged classmate. (Available on YouTube and Amazon Prime)

4). Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Similar to “Pretty in Pink,” this rom-com capitalizes on the ‘Rich Guy/Poor Girl’ trope in order to dramatically subvert it toward the end of the film. It features an all-Asian cast, and maintains its impressive status as one of the highest-grossing rom-coms of all time.  (Available on HBO Max)

5). The Notebook (2004)

This film is certainly an option when in need of a good cry. Set in the 1940s, this iconic movie centers around star-crossed couple Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling). Her high-society parents don’t approve of him, and their whirlwind romance gets all the more intense when Noah enlists to serve during World War II. (Available on Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime) 

6). Set It Up (2018)

In this double-love story, two assistants hatch a plan to set their horrible bosses up with each other. But don’t be fooled — this seemingly simple plot gets a lot more complicated. The movie’s charming characters and avoidance of cliches makes it well worth a watch. (Available on Netflix) 

7). The Half of It (2020)

This charming high-school rom-com follows Ellie Chu, a quiet, introverted girl who helps the school jock write a love-letter to his crush. An intense love-triangle emerges when the two realize they’re in love with the same girl. Adding to the tension, Chu has to navigate her small, predominantly white town as a queer Chinese-American. (Available on Netflix)