40 Movies to Add to Your Valentine's Day Queue
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For some, Valentine's Day is a cherished holiday to be looked forward to all year; for others it can simply be a day to indulge in a little romance. No matter which group you belong to, there's one thing for sure—the love-liest day of the year calls for a great film. So pop some champagne, break open a heart-shaped box of chocolates, and curl up with your favorite someone (yes, 'yourself' counts!) to make the most of a cozy Valentine's Day at home.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: There are a slew of adaptations of Jane Austen's classic. We like this one for its earthy sensibility that still maintains the humor, wit, and (yes) sexual tension between Lizzie Bennet (Keira Knightley) and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfayden).
Favorite Quote: "A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment." —Mr. Darcy
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
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CourtesyBefore Sunrise (1995)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Dreamy Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy seduce each other with their minds and words while taking in a picturesque day and night in Vienna.
Favorite Quote: "Isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?" —Celine
Before Sunrise (1995)
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CourtesyLa La Land (2016)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: A big red Valentine to Los Angeles, and the dreamers who inhabit it, La La Land has gorgeous costumes, dizzying choreography and a singing, dancing Ryan Gosling. What's not to love?
Favorite Quote: "You could just write your own rules. You know, write something that's as interesting as you are." —Sebastian
La La Land (2016)
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CourtesyLove Story (1970)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Get out the tissues and prepare for a good cry with this classic romance about two college students from radically different backgrounds who encounter profound love and heartbreaking tragedy.
Favorite Quote: "Love means never having to say you're sorry."—Jenny
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The Notebook
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: That iconic rain-soaked kiss makes The Notebook a romantic classic, powered by the palpable chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, but what really brings on the tears is the relationship between their older characters, played by James Garner and director Cassavetes's mother Gena Rowlands.
Favorite Quote: "So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday." —Noah
The Notebook
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$7.99
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Grab your favorite dance partner and have the time of your life with this '80s favorite about a sheltered girl who winds up in a whirlwind, upstairs-downstairs romance with her summer camp's dance instructor.
Favorite Quote: "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."—Johnny
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The Thin Man (1934)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Fast-talking, cocktail-swilling married detectives Nick and Nora Charles are the definition of #relationshipgoals.
Favorite Quote: "The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a dry martini you always shake to waltz time." — Nick Charles
The Thin Man (1934)
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CourtesyA Star is Born (2018)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: If you prefer your romances of the tearjerker variety, this story of A-list musician Jackson and his protege-turned-lover Ally is a perfect fit. Starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, the latest retelling of this classic will make you want to hold the one you love close.
Favorite Quote: "All you got to do is trust me. That's all you got to do." - Jack
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Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Shakespeare's greatest love story, rendered in Baz Luhrmann's inimitably pop culture pastiche style—with teen heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio no less.
Favorite Quote: "And when I shall die, take him and cut him up in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will fall in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun." —Juliet
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Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: This Disney classic is a winner with kids and grown-ups alike thanks to the all-star cast of charming characters and sing-along-worthy musical numbers that punctuate the story of an arrogant cursed prince and the book-loving peasant girl who teaches him that love is far more than skin-deep.
Favorite Quote: "Tale as old as time, Song as old as rhyme, Beauty and the beast."—Mrs. Potts
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Breathless (1961)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: This romantic caper defined the French New Wave, inspired a pixie-cut craze, and introduced us to Jean-Paul Belmondo as the coolest hunk in France as the Bogey-worshipping scamp Michel.
Favorite Quote: "When we talked, I talked about me, you talked about you, when we should have talked about each other." —Michel
Breathless (1961)
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CourtesyEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Who hasn't fantasized about erasing all the painful memories of lovers lost? The remarkable thing about Gondry's surreal fantasy is that it reminds us how indispensable and fundamental those memories and experiences are—they make us who we are.
Favorite Quote: "Random thoughts for Valentine's Day, 2004. Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap." —Joel
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
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Courtesy10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Young, fresh-faced Aussie Heath Ledger faces off with saucy Julia Stiles in a classic '90s high school Shakespeare adaptation.
Favorite Quote: "I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car. I hate it when you stare. I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind. I hate you so much it makes me sick; it even makes me rhyme. I hate it, I hate the way you're always right. I hate it when you lie. I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all." —Kat (Stiles)
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It Happened One Night (1934)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: The definitive screwball comedy features Clark Gable in his prime (those dimples!), hitchhiking with Claudette Colbert. It'll take you back to the good old days, when heiresses were sassy and reporters wore three piece suits and hats.
Favorite Quote:
Ellie Andrews: Aren't you going to give me a little credit?
Peter Warne: What for?
Ellie Andrews: I proved once and for all that the limb is mightier than the thumb.
Peter Warne: Why didn't you take off all your clothes? You could have stopped 40 cars.
Ellie Andrews: I'll remember that when we need 40 cars.
It Happened One Night (1934)
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CourtesyThe Princess Bride (1987)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Part spoof of the fantasy genre, part straight-up fairytale romance, this classic follows Westley, a stableboy turned pirate as he fights to rescue his one true love before she's forced to marry a dastardly prince, all the with help of a ragtag group of hilarious sidekicks.
Favorite Quote: "As you wish."—Westley
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Weekend (2011)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: The Looking creator's signature and sensitive style was first seen in this 48-hour love story between two British men.
Favorite Quote: "While you're projecting who you want to be... this gap opens up between who you want to be and who you really are. And in that gap, it shows you what's stopping you becoming who you want to be." —Glen
Weekend (2011)
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CourtesyCasablanca (1942)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Possibly the most iconic romance movie of all time, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman star in this classic as star-crossed former lovers who meet up once again in Casablanca in the midst of WWII as she and her husband attempt to escape from the Nazis.
Favorite Quote: "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine."—Rick
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Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Rachel is in for more than she bargained for when she accompanies her boyfriend, Nick, to a friend's wedding in Singapore, only to discover Nick's family is extremely wealthy—and that everyone, from Nick's mother to the jilted socialites who want to snag him for themselves, think she doesn't belong with him.
Favorite Quote:
Rachel Chu: You have a cocktail dress in your trunk?
Peik Lin Goh: I'm not an animal, Rachel.
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Titanic (1997)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: 25 years on, this famed film has gone from blockbuster to cultural joke to icon, but we defy you to watch Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet standing on the bow of that ship and not feel moved (or to get that earworm of a theme song out of your head.)
Favorite Quote: "I want you to draw me like one of your French girls."—Rose
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Magic Mike (2012)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: This is the origin story of Channing Tatum, which does, yes, start in an all-male exotic dance revue (it's a strip club). But aside from the eye candy, this film boasts creative flair, a sweet love story between Mike (Tatum) and Paige (Cody Horn), and Matthew McConaughey as the unforgettable club MC, Dallas.
Favorite Quote: "Fact is, the law says you cannot touch … but I think I see a lot of lawbreakers up in this house tonight." —Dallas
Magic Mike (2012)
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CourtesyHarold and Maude (1971)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: This most unconventional and life-affirming romance proves misfits can find connection in the unlikeliest places. The Cat Stevens soundtrack is pretty great too.
Favorite Quote: "A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They're just backing away from life. Reach out. Take a chance. Get hurt even. But play as well as you can. Go team, go! Give me an L. Give me an I. Give me a V. Give me an E. L-I-V-E. LIVE! Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room." —Maude
Harold and Maude (1971)
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CourtesyWALL-E
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Part love letter to film history, part sci-fi, all heart-warming, this Pixar favorite centers on the lonely robot programmed to clean up the planet centuries after humans fled ecological disaster, and the lengths he goes to to find his one true love, EVE, the sleek planet-scanning robot who's trying to help bring the humans back to Earth.
Favorite Quote: "EVE"—WALL-E
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Beginners (2010)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Aside from the sweet romance between Ewan McGregor and Mélanie Laurent, his father's (Christopher Plummer) late-in-life coming out reminds us that romance is ageless, and for everyone.
Favorite Quote: "We didn't go to this war. We didn't have to hide to have sex. Our good fortune allowed us to feel a sadness that our parents didn't have time for and a happiness that I never saw with them." —Oliver (McGregor)
Beginners (2010)
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CourtesyLove and Basketball (2000)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Love that blossoms between childhood pals on the neighborhood basketball court proves that friendship is the foundation to the greatest romances.
Favorite Quote: "All's fair in love and basketball." —Quincy
Love and Basketball (2000)
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CourtesyMy Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: An indie rom-com turned cult classic, this Oscar-winning story follows Toula, a woman from a Greek family, as she sets about changing her plain-Jane life and ends up finding love with a charming teacher named Ian. The only problem? He's not Greek. Fish-out-of-water comedy ensues as Toula and Ian try to find a way to make it work, and make it to their wedding day, without being driven crazy by their families.
Favorite Quote: "There are two kinds of people - Greeks, and everyone else who wish they was Greek."—Gus
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True Romance (1993)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: For those who don't go in for a traditional rom com, True Romance offers all the stylized, violent, Tarantino-scripted thrills with the love story of Clarence and Alabama.
Favorite Quote: "Okey dokey doggie daddy." —Alabama
True Romance (1993)
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CourtesyNotting Hill (1999)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: A bookstore owner (Hugh Grant) finds his ordinary life turned upside down when a chance meeting with a Hollywood star (Julia Roberts) turns into romance, but their radically different lifestyles threaten to tear their love apart.
Favorite Quote: "I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."—Anna
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When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Nora Ephron's classic examination of male-female friendships that turn into love is best remembered for Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan's portrayals of Harry and Sally, but the true relationship-goals romance is between pals Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher) who show what communication and humor in a relationship is all about.
Favorite Quote:
Marie: "Tell me I'll never have to be out there again."
Jess: "You'll never have to be out there again."
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
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CourtesyHowl's Moving Castle (2004)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Sophie considered herself plain before a curse turned her into an old woman; but Howl, a notoriously superficial wizard, falls for her all the same. For the viewer, though, it's Miyazaki's dreamlike animation that you'll be head-over-heels in love with.
Favorite Quote: "He's calling the spirits of darkness... I saw him do this once before when a girl dumped him." —Markl
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Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Wes Anderson turns his stylized lens to a forbidden childhood romance and the results are just as endearing, picturesque, and hilarious as you'd hope.
Favorite Quote: "We're in love. We just want to be together. What's wrong with that?" —Suzy
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
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CourtesyValentine's Day (2010)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Sort of the Love Actually of Valentine's Day, this rom-com follows a handful of Los Angeles locals as they navigate the most romantic day of the year (for some). An all-star cast makes this movie the perfect, feel-good V-Day treat.
Favorite Quote: "If you're ever with a girl that's too good for you, marry her."
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An Affair to Remember
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: A benchmark romance about two unavailable and engaged strangers who meet on an ocean liner trip in Europe and... you guessed it, they fall in love. Prior to arriving back stateside they agree that in six months if they still feel the same way they will meet at the top of the Empire State Building. But bad timing and a misunderstanding prevent their rendezvous from occurring as planned. Will they be able to recover the love they thought they lost?
Favorite Quote: "Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories... we've already missed the spring!"—Terry McKay
An Affair to Remember
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$4.99
Shrek (2001)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: This hilarious tale of an ogre who grudgingly goes on a quest to save a princess in a dragon-guarded tower is anything but your classic fairytale romance—and a poignant reminder that love can come in many forms.
Favorite Quote:
Princess Fiona: What kind of knight are you?
Shrek: One of a kind.
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Jerry Maguire (1996)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: A sports agent (Tom Cruise) finds a new lease on life when his moral revelation tanks his high-powered career, leaving him to pick up the pieces with just one client, and a loyal assistant who comes to mean far more to him than expected.
Favorite Quote: "You had me at hello."—Dorothy
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Sleepless in Seattle
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: A widower's young son takes matters into his own hands on Christmas and calls into a self-help radio show for his dad. During the heartfelt call, Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), who is recently engaged, falls head over heels in love with Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) and his son. Just one small thing is in the way: geography. She pens a letter to him in hopes that maybe they are meant to be, and plans to meet him at the top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day. Someone gets on a cross country plane to meet her, but it's not who you'd expect. A Nora Ephron classic.
Favorite Quote: "A movie! That's your problem. You don't want to be in love, you want to be in love in a movie."—Becky
Sleepless in Seattle
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$5.99
The First Wives Club (1996)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: If you're hanging out with your girlfriends for Galentine's Day, this is the movie to watch. Three divorcées reunite after their dear college friend takes her own life. Their goal: to reclaim what's theirs. From the hijinks to the female friendship, it's a love story you'll want to rewatch with your besties.
Favorite Quote: "'You don't own me.'"
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Bridget Jones Diary
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Oh-so funny and relatable, Bridget Jones is in her 30s and she wants her life to be different. So, she starts a diary while she waits for her love life to change. And change it does with an affair with her rakish boss... who turns out to be a bit of a pig. Fear not, with Mark Darcy trying to protect her—even though she thinks she loathes him. Good, light-hearted fun that just never gets old. And the last kiss? One to replicate.
Favorite Quote: "Nice boys don't kiss like that."
Bridget Jones Diary
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Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: Sometimes you have to take the long way around to discover you had what you wanted all along. Such is the case for Sasha and Marcus, childhood friends who reconnect after more than a decade, only to find there's still a spark between them.
Favorite Quote: "Do you have any dishes that play with the concept of time?"—Keanu Reeves
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Four Weddings and a Funeral
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: A cult-classic romantic comedy that centers around a lovable Englishman played by Hugh Grant, who along with his friends, seems to not have the best luck in relationships, When he meets an American, played by Andie Macdowell, it would seem the tides are changing. But just as quickly as the romance starts, it stops—because the apple of his eye vanishes. For a bit. And then they keep on running into one another... everywhere.
Favorite Quote: "Let me ask you one thing. Do you think; after we've dried off, after we've spent lots more time together; you might agree not to marry me? And do you think not being married to me might maybe be something you could consider doing for the rest of your life"—Charles
Four Weddings and a Funeral
amazon.com
$3.49
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Why It's Swoon-Worthy: From the 2000s heyday of rom-coms, journalist Andie, on a quest to do everything "wrong" in order to get a guy to dump her for the sake of a story, get more than she bargained for with Ben, a womanizer who makes a bet that he can get a woman to fall in love with him in just 10 days.
Favorite Quote: "Our love fern! You let it die!"—Andie
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