The 30 best Valentine’s movies to stream if you’re feeling the love (plus some cynical romance films if you’re not)

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Maybe the best Shakespeare-to-teen-comedy adaptation (and yes, there’s a surprising amount of competition), 10 Things I Hate About You reimagines The Taming of the Shrew with sharp wit, hyper-articulate ‘90s dialogue, and endlessly charming performances.

Heath Ledger’s swoon-worthy rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” remains one of cinema’s most iconic romantic gestures, while Julia Stiles’ fiery portrayal of Kat Stratford culminates in her tearful, unforgettable recital of the titular poem. Plus, the cast is a treasure trove of future stars — Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, and even Allison Janney, who steals every scene as the wildly inappropriate guidance counselor turned erotic novelist. 

Where to watch 10 Things I Hate About You: Disney+
EW grade: B (read the review)
Director: Gil Junger
Cast: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Gabrielle Union
Related content: 10 things that are so ’90s in 10 Things I Hate About You

(500) Days of Summer (2009)

500 Days of Summer is the ultimate anti-rom-com from the first line (“This is not a love story”). Told in a fragmented, non-linear structure, 500 Days of Summer jumps through highs and lows, first dates and final goodbyes, capturing how our minds romanticize relationships while glossing over inconvenient truths.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel shine as Tom and Summer, and the film is packed with unforgettable sequences: the whimsical, Hall & Oates-fueled dance number that captures the euphoria of new love, the dueling IKEA trips, and the devastating Expectations vs. Reality split-screen scene. Screenwriter Scott Neustadter crafts a universally relatable narrative — so much so that even the real-life inspiration for Summer admitted she saw herself more in Tom. 

Where to watch 500 Days of Summer: Hulu
EW grade: A (read the review)
Director: Marc Webb
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
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The Big Sick (2017)

At first glance, The Big Sick doesn’t seem like your typical Valentine’s movie — there’s a coma, hospital visits, and a lot of awkward small talk with worried parents. But that’s exactly what makes it such a deeply tender film.

Based on co-writers’ Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon’s real-life love story, the film follows Kumail, playing a version of himself, as he navigates the emotional upheaval when his girlfriend Emily (Zoe Kazan) falls into a medically induced coma. The Big Sick isn’t a fairy tale — it’s about love that endures, adapts, and shows up, even in waiting rooms. What could be more romantic than that?

Where to watch The Big Sick: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Michael Showalter
Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter
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Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)

It’s not the only Pride and Prejudice adaptation on this list, but it’s definitely the funniest — and the only one where Mr. Darcy rocks an aggressively festive reindeer sweater. At the center is Renée Zellweger in her most iconic role, hilariously relatable as the chaotic Bridget, who stumbles her way through romantic disasters, costume party mishaps, and truly committed lip-syncing performances.

Colin Firth takes his second swing at the Darcy archetype, this time as the awkward but incredibly dreamy Mark Darcy. If the “I like you. Just as you are” speech doesn’t make you melt, check your pulse. 

Where to watch Bridget Jones’ Diary: Max
EW grade: N/A (read the review)
Director: Sharon Maguire
Cast: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones
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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

The only film on this list that takes place on Valentine’s Day, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind follows Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet), two former lovers who undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories after a painful breakup. Carrey effectively plays against type as the heartbroken Joel, but the movie belongs to Winslet, who delivers one of her best performances as a character who seems like a classic manic pixie dream girl — but then turns the trope on its head. Emotional, raw, and deeply human, Eternal Sunshine is a parable about why love is worth remembering, even when it hurts.

Where to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: MGM+
EW grade: N/A (read the review)
Director: Michel Gondry
Cast: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood
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Fire of Love (2022)

This stunning documentary follows French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, a married couple whose shared obsession with volcanoes led them to some of the most dangerous and awe-inspiring places on Earth.

Through breathtaking archival footage — much of it captured by the Kraffts themselves — we see the visual spectacle of volcanoes up close and a relationship bound by affection and unrelenting curiosity. At its core, Fire of Love is a love story — not just between two people, but between those people and the fiery, unpredictable scenes that shaped their lives. 

Where to watch Fire of Love: Hulu
EW grade: A- (read the review)
Director: Sara Dosa
Related content: The 22 best documentaries on Hulu for deep-dives into niche topics

The Half of It (2020)

The Half of It is like Cyrano de Bergerac with a heavy dose of teen angst. Directed by Alice Wu, this tender coming-of-age romance follows Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), a whip-smart, introverted high schooler who agrees to ghostwrite love letters for the adorably clueless Paul (Daniel Diemer) to help him win over Aster (Alexxis Lemire). The catch? Ellie’s in love with Aster, too. But this isn’t your standard love triangle — it’s messier, sweeter, and far more introspective, where the love story is not only in the romance between Ellie and Aster but also the unlikely friendship between Ellie and Paul. 

Where to watch The Half of It: Netflix
EW grade: B (read the review)
Director: Alice Wu
Cast: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire
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Her (2013)

Her is a tender, melancholy look at loneliness and connection in the tech age that feels even more relevant today than it did in 2013. Directed by Spike Jonze, the film follows Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely writer in a near-future world who falls in love with Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), an AI designed to meet his every emotional need.

Their connection unfolds through vulnerable late-night conversations and quiet moments of intimacy. Phoenix delivers a quiet, heartbreakingly raw performance, while Johansson achieves the near-impossible with only her voice, making Samantha feel warm, witty, and alive.

Where to watch Her: Amazon Prime Video
EW grade: B (read the review)
Director: Spike Jonze
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams
Related content: Spike Jonze talks his new movie Her

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is the prototypical early 2000s rom-com. It’s all here: the impossibly glamorous magazine job, the wildly contrived premise (she’s writing an article, he’s making a bet), and a protagonist named Andie Anderson. But despite the clichés, this movie has aged surprisingly well, thanks to the undeniable chemistry between Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey.

Their back-and-forth banter is fun and playful, and, for once, both leads are equally guilty of deception. Plus, it gave us iconic movie moments: the cringe-perfect You’re So Vain karaoke scene, the legendary bullshit card game, and, of course, Andie’s unforgettable yellow dress.

Where to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Peacock
Director: Donald Petrie
Cast: Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Bebe Neuwirth, Kathryn Hahn
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Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

Lusty, violent, and unapologetically raw, Love Lies Bleeding stars a magnetic Kristen Stewart as Lou, a gym manager who falls in love with Jackie (breakout star Katy O’Brian), a bodybuilder with dreams bigger than their small desert town.

Their chemistry crackles with an organic intensity, grounding the film even as it takes a surreal turn that literalizes the idea that love transforms everything. It’s sex-positive, body-positive, and unafraid to show the female form as something capable of both tenderness and immense power. 

Where to watch Love Lies Bleeding: Max
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Director: Rose Glass
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Jena Malone, Ed Harris
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In the Mood For Love (2000)

Wong Kar-wai’s masterpiece In the Mood for Love is a slow-burn romance wrapped in lush visuals, aching silence, and the soft glow of neon lights. The story follows two neighbors, played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Maggie Cheung, who form a deep, unspoken connection after suspecting their spouses of infidelity.

Every glance, every almost-touch, and every quiet pause is charged with more emotion than most grand declarations of love. In the Mood For Love is a classic, and one of the best depictions of longing in film history.

Where to watch In the Mood For Love: Max
EW grade: B+ (read the review)
Director: Wong Kar-wai
Cast: Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung
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The Notebook (2004)

The ultimate Valentine’s tearjerker, this Nicholas Sparks classic follows young lovers Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) over decades, including lots of fighting, a love triangle with James Marsden, and a rain-soaked kiss that’s become the stuff of rom-com legend.

Gosling and McAdams bring raw intensity to their roles, with chemistry so fiery it practically melts the screen. That off-the-charts passion didn’t come easy — they reportedly didn’t get along on set, though they later dated IRL (art imitating life, much?). But behind all the drama, The Notebook remains an incredibly romantic story about love conquering all — time, illness, and especially stubborn personalities.

Where to watch The Notebook: Hulu
EW grade: N/A (read the review)
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands, James Marsden
Related content: The Notebook turns 20: Director Nick Cassavetes and author Nicholas Sparks reflect on the film’s lasting legacy

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Set on an isolated French island in the 18th century, Portrait of a Lady on Fire follows Marianne (Noémie Merlant), an artist hired to secretly paint a wedding portrait of Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), a fiercely independent noblewoman who refuses to be seen as someone else’s property. What begins as quiet observation — lingering glances, shared silences — soon blossoms into an intense, sensual romance, culminating in a devastating final shot that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Where to watch Portrait of a Lady on Fire: Hulu
EW grade: A- (read the review)
Director: Céline Sciamma
Cast: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel
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She’s Gotta Have It (1986)

Spike Lee’s revolutionary debut She’s Gotta Have It centers Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a Brooklyn artist unapologetically navigating her romantic and sexual relationships with three very different men.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Fort Greene, the film was groundbreaking in its portrayal of Black female sexuality and agency, all while painting the neighborhood as a thriving cosmopolitan hub for successful creatives and professionals. It’s a story about love, but also a love letter to Brooklyn itself.

Where to watch She’s Gotta Have It: Netflix
Director: Spike Lee
Cast: Tracy Camilla Johns, Tommy Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell, Spike Lee, Raye Howell
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The Spectacular Now (2013)

The Spectacular Now takes the classic coming-of-age romance formula — the charming popular guy, the quiet, bookish gal — and turns it into something vivid and achingly real. Based on the YA novel by Tim Tharp, the film follows Sutter (Miles Teller), a charismatic high school senior with a drinking problem, and his relationship with Aimee (Shailene Woodley), a thoughtful girl with a bright future.

Teller and Woodley deliver beautifully nuanced performances, their chemistry organic and deeply felt. But what sets this film apart is its maturity — it’s unabashedly a teen movie, but it feels like it’s being remembered through the lens of adulthood.

Where to watch The Spectacular Now: Tubi
EW grade: A- (read the review)
Director: James Ponsoldt
Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Kyle Chandler
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Waiting to Exhale (1995)

Based on Terry McMillan’s celebrated novel, this joyous film brought the stories of four Black women — who are smart, complex, and unapologetically themselves — to the forefront with an unbeatable duo at its core: Angela Bassett and Whitney Houston.

Sure, it’s about relationships, but the real romance in Waiting to Exhale is between the women themselves. Their loyalty, humor, and support for each other shine brightest, reminding us that sometimes your soulmate isn’t a romantic partner, it’s your best friend. 

Where to watch Waiting to Exhale: Hulu
EW grade: N/A (read the review)
Director: Forest Whitaker
Cast: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon
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The Wedding Planner (2001)

Jennifer Lopez delivers her most effortlessly endearing rom-com performance as Mary Fiore, a wedding planner perfectionist who falls for the one guy she absolutely cannot have: the groom-to-be (Matthew McConaughey). J.Lo makes wedding planning look like the most glamorous, high-stakes job in the world, while McConaughey, in his romantic lead prime, brings just enough of his signature oddball charm. Yes, the premise is absolutely ridiculous, but it’s much funnier than you probably remember, and the brown M&Ms moment is peak rom-com silliness. 

Where to watch The Wedding Planner: Netflix

Director: Adam Shankman
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Justin Chambers, Judy Greer
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West Side Story (2021)

Remaking a classic like West Side Story is no small task, but leave it to Steven Spielberg to not just match the original, but, in many ways, surpass it. The casting of Hispanic actors, especially Rachel Zegler in her breakout performance as Maria, makes the story even more resonant. And with a script by Tony Kushner that adds layers of banter and self-awareness to the central love story, the romance feels sharper, more grounded, and undeniably swoon-worthy.

Yes, you know how it ends, but somehow it feels new again, proving that timeless stories can still surprise us when told with this much care and passion.

Where to watch West Side Story: Disney+
EW grade: A- (read the review)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose, Mike Faist, Rita Moreno
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Wuthering Heights (2011)

Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights isn’t your typical sweeping period romance — it’s gritty, feral, and stripped down to its stormy, emotional core. Criminally overlooked, this adaptation makes bold, meaningful choices that set it apart, including casting James Howson as Heathcliff, the first Black actor to play the role on screen, highlighting the novel’s themes of race and class.

Arnold’s signature naturalism pulls the focus toward stark emotion — the yearning, the rage, the heartbreak — all set against the desolate, wind-beaten Yorkshire moors.

Where to watch Wuthering Heights: Peacock
Director: Andrea Arnold
Cast: Kaya Scodelario, James Howson
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