Love is in the air this month as Valentine’s Day slowly approaches. If you are looking for films to get you excited for one of the most romantic holidays of the year, here is a list of some of the best rom-coms to watch this season.
“The Princess Bride” (1987)
A classic since its release in 1987, “The Princess Bride” is a love story straight out of a fairytale, literally. When a young boy (Fred Savage) gets sick, forcing him to stay in bed, his grandfather (Peter Falk) comes to read him a fairytale. It’s this fairytale that serves as the plot for the majority of the movie. The story mainly follows Westley (Cary Elwes), a farm boy-turned-pirate, as he fights to rescue his true love Buttercup (Robin Wright) before she marries the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Mandy Patinkin and André René Roussimoff also deliver great performances in this film as Inigo Montoya and Fezzik, two characters who help Westley save Buttercup. Though packed with comedy and action scenes that everyone can enjoy, at its core the movie is about fighting for love above all else. If you’re looking to get swept into a magical world of love, adventure and “Rodents Of Unusual Size,” “The Princess Bride” is available to watch on Disney+.
“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
Full of all the romantic tropes, “10 Things I Hate About You” has been a classic since its release in March 1999. When Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) wants to ask out “it” girl Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) he must get around Bianca’s antisocial sister, Kat (Julia Stiles), by finding her a date. The only one up to the challenge of romancing Kat is Patrick (Heath Ledger), a broody and mysterious teen at their school. Set in Seattle, this movie incorporates the sights of the city into the plot, leading to some breathtaking scenes. As far as rom-coms go this movie definitely raises the bar. Currently available to watch on Disney+, “10 Things I Hate About You” is a fantastic option for this Valentine’s Day.
“He’s Just Not That Into You” (2009)
Inspired by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo’s book of the same name, “He’s Just Not That Into You” tells the story of what it’s like to navigate the world of modern relationships. Told through several different but connected storylines, the plot follows a group of women as they fall in and out of love. Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) seeks a mentor in Alex (Justin Long) so she won’t keep falling for the wrong men. Beth (Jennifer Aniston) wants a proposal from her commitment-adverse boyfriend Neil (Ben Affleck). And Janine (Jennifer Connelly) is suspicious of her husband Ben (Bradley Cooper), who can’t seem to trust himself around his new friend Anna (Scarlett Johansson). With a star-studded cast and a heartwarming story, “He’s Just Not That Into You” isn’t just about falling in love with someone else but falling in love with yourself, too. Available to watch on the streaming service Max, this movie will have you angry at the insanity of these relationships one minute to laughing at those same relationships the next.
“Set It Up” (2019)
Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch play matchmakers Charlie and Harper in this contemporary love story. When their overbearing bosses become too much to handle, assistants Charlie and Harper decide to set them up in an attempt to reclaim some of their free time. But as the two assistants spend more time together, they begin to realize that maybe they were meant for each other all along. If you are looking for a modern enemies to lovers' story this is the one for you. Pete Davidson also makes an appearance in this film as Duncan, Charlie’s roommate. Along with Davidson, Powell and Deutch bring viewers a hilarious performance that’s definitely worth watching. Available to stream on Netflix, this rom-com is a great choice to get your mind on romance.
