From classic love films to new rom-com releases, here's what to watch this Valentine's Day and beyond.
Valentine’s Day 2024 is right around the corner, and while you still may need to snag some last-minute V-Day gifts, the next item on your agenda is to figure out what to do on the most romantic night of the year. Whether you are spending it with your Galentines, your family or your significant other, watching a timeless (or silly) love story is a great way to celebrate the big day.
Streaming services like Max, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+ and Peacock give us a bountiful source of romantic movies. These lovable flicks will get you into the holiday spirit, but with so many options, it can be intimidating to finally settle on that feature film. As our Valentine's Day gift to you, we’ve curated a list of where to stream the new romantic movie releases, unforgettable classics and beloved book-to-screen adaptations for your viewing pleasure.
One such book-to-screen adaptation, that has become one of the most loved romances of all time, is Nicholas Sparks' novel The Notebook. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, this heart-wrenching film showcases the love of a lifetime and is currently streaming on Max.
The Notebook
An elderly husband reads a love story to his wife, who has memory loss. The faded notebook that holds the tale brings to life the story of a couple separated by World War II and passionately reunited years later. The film is currently streaming on Max along with other films perfect for Valentine's Day including, Walk the Line, Gone With the Wind and Shakespeare in Love. Plans start at just $10 per month.
There are plenty more films that will make you laugh, break your heart, and fill you with love all over again to watch on Valentine's Day. Plus, they feature heartwarming performances from Hollywood's biggest stars, including Julia Roberts, Jeremy Allen White, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson and more swoon-worthy actors and actresses.
Don’t waste any time trying to figure out what to watch this Valentine's Day with your partner or friends. Instead, light some candles, grab some good snacks, and check out our streaming guide for the best romantic movies to watch that will make every day as romantic as Valentine's Day.
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The Best New Movies for Valentine's Day 2024
Role Play
Emma (Kaley Cuoco) and Dave (David Oyelowo) are your average married couple with a child at home—at least, that's what Dave has always believed. When the police call Dave in about his wife, he learns she is a paid assassin.
Past Lives
Childhood friends Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) are separated when Nora's family leaves South Korea. Twenty years later, they reunite and confront their feelings for one another. The film is now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Priscilla
See the relationship between Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny) and Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) unfold from the young Priscilla's point of view in this new film directed by Sofia Coppola.
Fingernails
In this Apple TV+ film, a love institute run by Duncan (Luke Wilson) uses scientific testing to determine whether couples are truly in love. The test confirms that Anna (Jessie Buckley) and Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) are meant for each other. But when Anna begins working for the institute and develops feelings for her coworker (Riz Ahmed), everything is put into question.
Classic Rom-coms to Watch on Valentine's Day
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey) bets he can make a woman fall in love with him in just 10 days, but he doesn't realize the woman he selected (Kate Hudson) is using him as source material for an article about how to scare a guy off in this hilarious rom-com.
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is jam-packed with major stars, including Julia Roberts, Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx, Bradley Cooper and so many more. The film centers around couples celebrating the romantic holiday.
You've Got Mail
Is there a rom-com more iconic than You've Got Mail? You can watch the inspired comedy that takes place during the holidays by renting it on Apple TV+ or Prime Video.
The Wedding Planner
The Wedding Planner is a classic rom-com you can watch and rewatch. Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey star in the film about a wedding planner who falls in love with one of her clients. Catch the film on either Prime Video or Hulu to watch the happily ever after ending.
Crazy Rich Asians
Watch this extravagant 2018 romantic comedy that became a full-blown phenomenon. This novel adaption is about a woman who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend and discovers his family is obscenely wealthy. Constance Wu (Fresh off the Boat) and Henry Golding (Last Christmas) star with hilarious supporting roles from Ken Jeong and Awkwafina.
10 Things I Hate About You
10 Things I Hate About You is a modernization of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and was a breakout role for Julia Stiles, the late Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. When Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) is told she can’t have a boyfriend until her older, abrasive sister Kat (Stiles) does, she and her love interest Cameron (Gordon-Levitt) attempt to set Kat up with the handsome bad boy Patrick (Ledger). It’s a crazy plan, and it just might work. Emphasis on “might.”
Never Been Kissed
Drew Barrymore stars as Josie Gellar, a newspaper reporter who must go undercover at the local school for her latest story in Never Been Kissed.
Ticket to Paradise
A divorced couple, played by dream team Julia Roberts and George Clooney, must work together to stop their daughter's wedding. Sparks fly in this rom-com with an all-star cast. Amazon Prime members can watch the film free with Prime Video, but it's also available to rent.
The Big Sick
Kumail Nanjiani wrote The Big Sick with his wife, Emily Gordon, and the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. In the movie loosely based on their real-life romance, Kumail’s girlfriend (Zoe Kazan) falls deeply ill right as he plans to break up with her. It's available to stream on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Shotgun Wedding
Rom-com vets Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel play a bride and groom who suddenly go on the defense when their wedding party is taken hostage. They are focused on trying to save their family and friends, but can they save their relationship after this mess?
Classic Romance Films to Watch on Valentine's Day
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is one of the most popular romantic adventure movies, but also one of the greatest films of all time. It stars Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as the two romantic leads, with unforgettable performances from Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya and Wallace Shawn as Vizzini. Skip on a chance to stream this movie? Inconceivable!
Pride & Prejudice
It doesn't get more classic than Jane Austen's beloved period drama brought to life in Pride & Prejudice, which stars Keira Knightley as the stubborn and outspoken Elizabeth, who starts up a fiery and complicated courtship with the arrogant and wealthy bachelor Mr. Darcy, played by Succession's Matthew Macfadyen.
Sylvie's Love
Sylvie’s Love is a romance movie about a young woman who has a summer fling with a saxophone player in Harlem during the late 1950s. When they reconnect five years later, they begin to realize the years have not faded their passion. It stars Tessa Thompson (Dear White People, Avengers: Endgame) and Nnamdi Asomugha (Crown Heights). The film is streaming on Prime Video or available to watch for free on Freevee.
Call Me By Your Name
Starring Timothée Chalamet, this sexy, LGBTQ drama is centered on a teenage boy who becomes fascinated with the American student who's spending the summer with his family in Northern Italy. What unfolds is a captivating tale that explores the fun of summer love, romance and self-discovery.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a dramatic film about a forbidden romance between an aristocrat and painter in late 18th century France. The French-language film won Best Screenplay at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It was released to widespread critical acclaim, becoming the second best-reviewed film of 2019 according to Metacritic. This is a must-see romance that will leave you breathless.
If Beale Street Could Talk
If Beale Street Could Talk is Berry Jenkins’ follow-up to his Best Picture-winning romantic drama Moonlight. It received similar critical acclaim, posting a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows a young woman who attempts to clear the name of her lover from false accusations before the birth of their child. It stars KiKi Layne, Stephan James and Regina King.
Casablanca
Watch one of the most classic love stories of all time by streaming the 1943 film Casablanca.
Other Valentine's Day Films to Consider
Magic Mike
Make Valentine's night a spicy one by watching any of the three Magic Mike films starring Channing Tatum. All three are available to stream on Hulu.
Fifty Shades of Grey
Fifty Shades of Grey and the subsequent films are streaming on Apple TV+. Boundaries are pushed, explored (and often enjoyed) after an inexperienced college student (played by Dakota Johnson) strikes up a daring and complicated affair with a controlling businessman (played by Jamie Dornan) whose identity is rooted in the sexual explorations of "pain and pleasure."
For more ideas to help you spread the love, check out our 2024 Valentine's Day Gift Guide.
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