9 Must-See Romantic Movies

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. This week I have shared with you the history of Valentine’s Day, given you some different ways to elevate your romance, and today I am giving you 9 Romantic Movies for Valentine’s Day. I hope you got your flowers, chocolate, and Valentine’s cards, now you can top the night off with a movie to watch with your special someone before you dive into the rest of your romantic endeavors.

Romantic movies can come in a variety of styles. We have RomComs and romantic movies to choose from, but there are even those animated movies that have the same undertones of romance that so many love. 

Here is my list of the 9 Must-See Romantic Movies, I hope you find one that you like.

9. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

In 2005, this romantic drama produced by Ang Lee was released. The movie was adapted from the book by the same name, written by Annie Proulx. Proulx has been outspoken in the media since its release because so many men wanted it to have a happy ending. Her reason for its ending was to show that love doesn’t always conquer all. A sad reality that many of us face.

The movie follows Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar and their friendship that led to becoming lovers. 

One night, after a few too many beers, Ennis conceded it was too late to head to the herd and asked for a blanket to sleep by the fire. Jack said he would freeze and should sleep in the tent. Ennis decided to sleep outside, instead. Early the next morning, he crawls into the tent freezing. Jack made a move to pull Ennis’s hand up to touch his hard member. From there, there they spent their first night together.

It is a story that shows the sadness that often comes with deep unspoken love. The feelings are intense and palpable through the screen and is no wonder so many root for the two to have a happy ending.

8. Adam and Steve (2005)

Adam and Steve is a romantic comedy that was directed by and starred Craig Chester. The film deals with the lives of two gay men and obviously has a joking nod towards Adam and Eve

The movie starts with Adam, a cynical, shy, Jewish kid) who meets Steve, an attractive dancer that is performing in a one night show. The two meet at the show, flirt, and decide to head back to Adam’s apartment to have sex.  Steve offers Adam a hit of cocaine, but what Adam didn’t know was that it was cut with a baby laxative. As the night progresses the cocaine kicks in causing Steve to lose control of his bowels and ends up defecating all over Adam’s apartment. Needless to say, Steve was embarrassed and ran out.

The two meet 17 years later. Adam is an ex substance addict and Steve has become a successful psychiatrist. They happen to run into each other, without realizing who they are, at a vet clinic. They meet, become friends, and end up dating one another.

Steve decides to ask Adam to marry him. As he is getting ready to pop the question, Adam regales Steve with his relationship and drug issues and how one disastrous affair with a dancer 17 years early. That when their past is revealed to each other.

It’s a funny take on how our past can come back to haunt us and may affect our feelings for others.

7. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

This movie shows that love has few boundaries and can come in all forms, it also reminds us of just how true love can change those involved.

The movie is about the relationship between the Beast, a prince who was cursed to become a beast, and Belle, a young village girl he imprisons in the castle after she snuck in. Beast’s servants, who were turned to household objects under the same curse, try to reason with him that Belle is his only chance to return him, and them, back to their normal forms.

Beast must learn to earn Belle’s love and to give his own love to her, to save himself from an eternity as the beast. Unbeknownst to Beast, Belle has another suitor, Gaston, who is also trying to win her love. Gaston leads an attack on the castle to ride the countryside of the beast and to save Belle.

But Gaston doesn’t know the whole truth, either.

Disney proves that romantic movies don’t have to follow the modern tropes. Love can be expressed in almost any form or story.

6. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Who doesn’t remember this movie from the late 80s? Okay, maybe a few of you. That’s not an excuse since it was also a made for TV movie in 2017. Anyway, The movie takes place at a family-style camp in the summer of 1963.

The film was written by Eleanor Bernstein and based on her childhood. I have a tie to this movie as my father actually worked on the cottage that the main character stayed in, during the movie.

The film follows a summer romance involving Baby, Frances Houseman, who fell in love with Johnny, a dance instructor at the resort. Baby first meets Johnny at a party that his cousin brought her to. While there she dances with Johnny, briefly.

The rest of the film is Baby working to learn the dance moves that Johnny and his partner, Penny, used in local competitions. Penny was unable to continue dancing due to complications from an abortion.

Baby doesn’t fit easily into Johnny’s world but this movie shows that love can be a force of change.

5. Call Me By Your Name (2017)

This coming of age romantic drama is actually the final book of a trilogy by novelist, Andre Aciman. The other two books are called I Am Love and A Bigger Splash.

This movie is set in northern Italy in 1983 and shows the romantic relationship between a 17-year-old Elio Perlman and the 24-year-old grad student, Oliver.

Elio’s father invites Oliver, his student, to spend the summer with them in Italy and help him with his academic work. Oliver tries to show interest to Elio by a soft caress of the back, but Elio chooses to ignore him.

From that point, we watch jealousy set in as Elio sees Oliver hit on one of his female friends. Elio becomes obsessed with Oliver, even sneaking in to his room to smell his clothes.

As Elio and Oliver spend more time together, Elio finally confesses his feelings to Oliver. This time it was Oliver who rejects Elio. At one point they share a kiss but Oliver insists that it cannot go any further. The movie ends with Elio finding out that Oliver had made changes to his life

4. Enchanted (2007)

Another Disney film. What can I say, fantasy movies have a special place in my heart.

This movie is a live-action version of most of Disney’s films all rolled together. We have an evil queen how is bent on ruining the relationship of a happy young maiden, all in an act to save her right to the throne.

The evil queen, Narissa, sends the maiden, Giselle, to New York City on a quest to find her love. All a ruse.

Prince Edward learns of this act and follows her to New York, as well. Giselle meets Robert who lets her stay the night in his apartment. Convenient plot device, huh? Robert thinks that Giselle is cocky, at best. Giselle tries to help Robert in his attempt to marry his fiancée, Nancy.

Edward arrives to rescue Giselle and return her to the kingdom of Andalasia and marry her. Before this happens, Giselle suggests to Edward that they go on a “date” to get to know one another. This leads Giselle to develop complicated feelings around her emotions. 

It is a cute movie that plays up to storybook romances. It is a fun movie to share with that special someone for a good laugh at the complications of love.

3. Moonlight (2016)

It is rare that there are movies featuring LGBTQ people of color, especially in positive or real-life instances. I have to say that Moonlight is one of the best to try to overcome those issues.

This film follows the main character from his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. It shows how the main character, Chiron, battles with his sexuality, identity, and the abuse he faces throughout his life.

By his teenage years, Chronic has become fast friends with Kevin. One night Kevin’s comes over and they head to the beach to smoke a blunt. While there they discuss what they want to do with their lives. As they were talking and sharing, they kiss, and then Kevin masturbates Choiron. The next day Kevin is forced by a bully, Terrel to beat up Kevin.

The movie ends with Chiron, now going by Black, in his adulthood. Chiron, on a trip to Miami, meets Kevin again, at his restaurant. Kevin serves him dinner and they go back to Kevin’s apartment. Kevin talks of how he is happy, even though his life didn’t turn out how he had planned. Chiron shares a secret with Kevin as the movie flashes back to his childhood.

2. All Over The Guy (2001)

This gay-themed romantic comedy written bu Dan Bucatinsky is actually an adaptation of a play by the same name from the same author. The film is about the relationship between Eli and Tom.

The majority of the movie is told in a flashback style, where Eli is recounting what brought him to the health clinic. We learn that Eli is the son of two psychiatrists and Tom is the son of two alcoholic “wasps” parents.

They both are set up on a blind date by their friends, who, oddly enough, are in love with each other. The movie focuses on the incompatibilities of the two, as they try to date and get to know one another. While it seems that Eli and Tom are destined to not hit it off, their best friends become engaged and start planning a wedding.

The wedding marks the climax of the story where Eli finally confronts Tom about his feelings.

This movie is my second all-time favorite romantic movie, and I’m not all that keen on them. Just as my boyfriend. This movie shows that even the most opposite people can have things that draw them together. If you are curious, there is an alternate ending to this movie, be sure to check that out.

1.Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

I have to say that this is my absolute favorite movie on this list. The movie opens with two 10-year-old kids, Jake Perry and Melanie Smooter, on a beach during a lightning storm. Jake turns to Melanie and tells her how they will be married one day. She responds, “What would you want to marry me for?” Jake replies, “so I can kiss you anytime I want.” That line, in the opening of the movie, brought tears to my eyes.

The movie continues with Melanie waking up from a dream, the opening mentioned above. She is now in New York City and a budding fashion designer. She has left her small town and mindset behind, opting for a new name Melanie Carmichael. Her, now boyfriend Andrew, proposes to her. Knowing she is still married, she secretly leaves the city, under the guise of breaking the news to her parents first, because Andrew is a “Yankee.”

Back in Alabama, Melanie tries to get her husband, Jake, to sign divorce papers, so she can get married. What she doesn’t know is that Jake still has feelings for her.

The movie focus on the juggling act of emotions that stem from Melanie realizing that she, too, still has feelings for Jake. What will her choice be?

The movie has a perfect line to repeat to your loved one on Valentine’s Day, “so I can kiss you any time I want.” As cheesy as it sounds, it shows how love doesn’t dwindle over the years and that your first true love can be the. most strong.

Love is in the air

Well, there you have my list of the 9 Must-See Romantic Movies for Valentine’s Day. I hope at least one of them is something you find interesting enough to share your date night with. Let me know in the comments below what you think about this list or share with me your favorite romantic movie. After all, I still need help being romantic at times.

Happy Valentine’s Day!