For some Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, a chance for loved up couples to express their feelings for one another. For others however, it is as seen as a financially incentivised holiday created by retailers and greeting card companies who look to take advantage of heart-eyed individuals to boost their February sales. While I personally fall somewhere between both camps, it is a time to reflect on one’s romantic situation.
Those in relationships will no doubt spend the day with their significant other which ever way the see fit, while singletons will either be looking for love, embracing their freedom, or enviously looking on at those with company on the most romantic day of the year.
There are an abundance of overly soppy, romantic films that the masses can enjoy to get in the Valentine’s spirit, but in a bid to reach out to everyone, regardless of their marital status, I have compiled a list of 10 films worth a watch this Friday, whether you are happily in love or not.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Dir: Richard Linklater
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy
Synopsis: While travelling on a train in Europe, Jesse, an American man, meets Celine, a French woman. On his last day in Europe before returning to the US, he decides to spend his remaining hours with her.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Dir: Glenn Ficarra
Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, John Carrol Lynch, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon
Synopsis: Cal, a middle-aged man, is heartbroken when his wife asks for a divorce. However, to get over his loss, he starts picking up women at a bar on the insistence of his new-found friend, Jacob.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Dir: Celine Sciamma
Cast: Noemie Merlant, Adele Haenel
Synopsis: Marianne, a female painter, is commissioned to paint a portrait of Heloise, an aristocratic woman, in a wedding dress. They soon fall in love with each other but cannot unite.
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Dir: Rob Reiner
Cast: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby
Synopsis: A chance encounter between two graduates culminates in a short-term friendship. But when fate brings them back together five years later, they are forced to deal with how they feel about each other.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Dir: Judd Apatow
Cast: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch, Leslie Mann
Synopsis: 40-year-old Andy Stitzer, who works at a big-box store, is a virgin and deals with female customers awkwardly. Things become interesting when a romance develops between him and Trish, an entrepreneur.
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Dir: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Kiki Layne, Stephen James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry, Regina King
Synopsis: The lives of childhood friends and lovers Tish and Fonny take a drastic turn when Fonny gets falsely accused of rape. A pregnant Tish then sets out to prove his innocence.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Dir: Rob Reiner
Cast: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Robin Wright, Peter Falk, Billy Crystal
Synopsis: Buttercup, a princess, is madly in love with a farm boy, Westley. Unfortunately, things take a turn in their lives when Westley goes out in search of employment and gets attacked by a pirate.
Blue Valentine (2010)
Dir: Derek Cianfrance
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams
Synopsis: Cindy and Dean’s dysfunctional marriage fails to stand the test of time as they try to raise their young daughter and rekindle their relationship.
Heart Eyes (2025)
Dir: Josh Ruben
Cast: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, Jordana Brewster
Synopsis: A masked maniac with glowing, red eyes returns every Valentine’s Day to terrorize unsuspecting couples.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Dir: Michel Gondry
Cast: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson
Synopsis: Joel finds out that his girlfriend, Clementine, has had him erased from her memories and decides to do the same. During the time of the clinical procedure, he realizes that he still loves her deeply.
Let me know your favourite Valentine’s Day movie.
Dan Loves Film 
A nice eclectic mix!
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Great post 😎
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