Valentine’s Day is among us and many struggle to find the perfect way to celebrate the day of love, whether alone or with a significant other. While many lists include activities which require money and a partner, movies are a cheaper alternative and can be enjoyed no matter the company.
Below is a list of movies to watch this Valentine’s Day in no particular order, ranging from old to new, sappy to comedic.
The Princess Bride (1987)
In the film adaptation of William Goldman’s novel by the same name, a man reads a book to his reluctant grandson who lies in bed sick. The embedded story, set in a Renaissance-era world, follows a young woman named Buttercup and her true love, valiant farmhand Westley, as they endure a series of challenges which test their loyalty to one another.
Along the way, the couple meet an eccentric array of characters including a gentle giant portrayed by late French professional wrestler, Andre the Giant, a vindictive Spaniard and a fabled pirate.
As the grandfather tells the boy at the beginning, this story has everything: “fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles.” Despite its age, The Princess Bride has remained a cult classic due to its ability to appeal to different social groups. At first glance it may seem like another sappy fairy tale for kids to enjoy, and though this is in part true, the production also satirizes tired tropes such as the damsel in distress.
The Princess Bride transcends genre, perfectly packing in romance, action and slapstick comedy reminiscent of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, another loosely medieval film. This movie has something for everyone, making it the perfect Valentine’s Day viewing for couples and singles alike.
Fire of Love (2022)
If you’re not a fan of romantic comedies but still want something that will pull at your heartstrings, this one’s for you. This documentary by National Geographic and Neon tells the explosive story of French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft. What makes this love story special, though, is that it’s told three decades after their death following the eruption of Japan’s Mount Unzen on June 3, 1991.
The Kraffts were pioneers in the uninhibited filming and photographing of volcanoes, often coming within feet of eruptions. The film is mainly composed of this archival footage which was consciously arranged by director Sara Dosa in order to showcase the love story between the Kraffts and their shared obsession with the world’s mysteries.
“Once you see an eruption, you can’t live without it, because it’s so grandiose; it’s so strong,” Katia said in her written accounts of volcano-chasing. “That feeling of being nothing at all in untamed elements.”
Fire of Love is a masterpiece of a science documentary that you don’t need a degree to understand or enjoy. Dosa’s inventive composition of mesmerizing eruptions with the playful personalities of the Kraffts and the rarity of a posthumous volcanic love story renders this film unmissable this Valentine’s Day.
Catherine Called Birdy (2022)
In medieval England, 14 year-old Lady Catherine, or Birdy, as she prefers to be called, resists her father’s efforts to marry her off to a wealthy suitor. Birdy is as rebellious as they come, constantly begrudging her “lady lessons” in spinning, singing and neatness.
Although the majority of the plot focuses on the rejection of love, there is no absence of romance in this film. Namely, Birdy’s love for friends Aelis and Perkin never wavers and she never sacrifices her own happiness for the happiness that wealth will bring her father.
With a focus on feminism and the challenges of growing up, Catherine Called Birdy is perfect for a lighthearted yet meaningful movie night with family and friends.
Dating Amber (2020)
Set in Ireland in the mid-90s, closeted teens Eddie and Amber decide to stage a romantic relationship to fit in. Homosexuality in Ireland was decriminalized in 1993, a recent progression in the Dating Amber realm. The very real threat to queer people especially during this time combined with the challenges of being a teenager creates the backdrop of this heartfelt, authentic film.
Unlike many other films following the same fake dating trope, Dating Amber doesn’t give in to the cheap cop out by forcing the two friends to fall for each other. Instead, director David Freyne presents a refreshing romantic comedy where the leads don’t necessarily need to find love.
With an upbeat soundtrack and bold 90s looks, this movie is everything you have been missing. This awkward comedy is the ideal late night watch with friends.
It Happened One Night (1934)
Based on the 1933 short story “Night Bus” by Samuel Hopkins Adams, It Happened One Night is a quick-witted hate-at-first-sight love story. Spoiled heiress Ellen “Ellie” Andrews recently eloped with pilot and money hungry King Westley. Her father knows Westley only wants her for the money and attempts to have the marriage annulled.
On the run from her controlling father, Ellie takes a Greyhound bus to New York City where she meets Peter Warne, an out of work newspaper reporter. The two strike a deal: he will help Ellie reunite with her husband if she gives him the exclusive story of Ellie Andrews’ great escape.
While the enemies to lovers plot is rather predictable to a modern audience, it may be considered the first of its kind. Thanks to its original premise guided by screwball characters, It Happened One Night is highly rated and ranked as one of the top 100 greatest movies of all time.
Although this film is undoubtedly adaptable to any occasion, I believe it to be ideal for a cozy first date at home.
