Chocolates, flowers, and cuddles—perhaps some Netflix and relaxation? With Valentine's Day approaching, it's the perfect time for romance of many kinds. If you enjoy romance best enjoyed with a side of cinema, we've got you covered with the top Netflix Valentine's Day films. Everything from sexual intrigues to devastating dramas, soul-affirming love stories, and romantic comedy in between.
The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
- Run Time: 2 hr 4 min | Director: Mike Newell
- Cast: Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Glen Powell, Jessica Brown Findlay
I realise the title of that movie sounds fancy. Nonetheless, there are some charming aspects to The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society. Guernsey, which is set in 1946, follows writer Juliet (Lily James) as she makes her way to the island of Guernsey to attend a book club. She has been corresponding with a man named Dawsey (Michiel Huisman), and upon meeting Dawsey and the club, she rapidly becomes enamoured with both Dawsey and the small-town charms. Guernsey is a British period drama that combines elements of World War II with romance and a hint of sadness. It concludes on a positive note, though. — Lacson, Therese
365 Days (2020)
- Run Time: 1 hr 56 min | Director: Barbara Białowąs, Tomasz Mandes
- Cast: Anna-Maria Sieklucka, Michele Morrone, Bronisław Wrocławski
365 Days is a great choice if you're searching for a sensual and spicy flick for V-Day, even though the plot is a complete jumble and it's not that sophisticated. Don't take the Polish sexual drama too seriously, and don't examine it too thoroughly. Think of it like 50 Shades of Grey. In this mafia romance, we follow Laura (Anna-Maria Sieklucka) and Massimo (Michele Morrone) as Massimo falls in love with her after being seduced by her beauty and gives her 365 days to do so. Even though this film toes the line between consent and logic, there's no denying that Morrone and Sieklucka give their all in their roles, and the scenes—wow, they're hot—are intense. Grab yourself a glass of wine and savour this as the sinful pleasure it truly deserves. — Lacson, Therese
To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)
- Run Time: 1 hr 39 min | Director: Susan Johnson
- Cast: Lana Condor, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Noah Centineo
You won't find a more enjoyable young adult romance on Netflix than To All the Guys I've Loved Before if you're searching for something lighthearted and enjoyable to read. Drawing inspiration from Jenny Han's book, the narrative centres on Lara Jean (Lana Condor), a teenage girl whose darkest dreams come true when five letters she addressed to her hidden crushes go unnoticed. Lara Jean is scared that her former crush, Peter (Noah Centineo), would interfere with her relationship with Josh (Israel Broussard). As a result, Lara Jean and Peter decide to stage a romance in order to see each other again. Presuming to be together naturally leads to the two developing genuine feelings for one another.From beginning to end, the movie is a delight, allowing you to revisit a bygone era when having someone "like" you meant the world to you, but without any of the trauma associated with high school. — Matt Goldberg
Someone Great (2019)
- Run Time: 1 hr 2 min | Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
- Cast: Gina Rodriguez, LaKeith Stanfield, Brittany Snow, DeWanda Wise
One of Netflix's better recent romantic comedies, Someone Great thrives in the space between a love story and a wild night out comedy. It follows a young woman (Gina Rodriguez) as she spends one final wild night with her best friends before moving out of town for a new career. Oh, and her seven-year boyfriend recently broke up with her. LaKeith Stanfield plays the lover in question in the most endearing way possible, and their chemistry is so strong that it keeps you engrossed in their romance even though you know it's ended. Although there is a lot of coarse humour in this movie, Rodriguez and Stanfield's relationship is what really makes it work. — Foutch, Haleigh
Alex Strangelove (2018)
- Run Time: 1 hr 39 min | Director: Craig Johnson
- Cast: Daniel Doheny, Madeline Weinstein, Antonio Marziale, Daniel Zolghadri
There’s something really endearing about the fact Alex Strangelove is an R-rated movie that definitely didn’t need to be rated R. This John Hughes-ian story says “fuck” just a few too many times and is incredibly awkward about sex, as is to be expected from any virginity-crazed kids in their last days of high school. And that’s basically this movie’s story, but with a charming twist: Class president Alex Truelove (affable Daniel Doheny, who is somehow not related to Jay Baruchel) has set a date to lose his virginity to his girlfriend Claire (Madeline Weinstein, who adds wonderful, almost tragic layers to a thin role). But things go awry when Alex meets—and then cannot stop thinking about—an out-and-proud gay high school graduate named Elliot. Things come together a little too perfectly in the climax, but in these times we live in, a movie this concerned with accepting the things that make you different deserves nothing less than a happy ending. — Vinnie Mancuso
Set It Up (2018)
- Run Time: 1 hr 45 min | Director: Claire Scanlon
- Cast: Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Lucy Liu, and Taye Diggs
if you’re seeking out a charming romantic comedy, however don’t want to rewatch some thing from a previous decade for the umpteenth time, you need to certainly give Claire Scanlon’s captivating Set It Up a look. The plot follows two beleaguered assistants (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) who decided to installation their bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs, respectively) with a purpose to just get a few precious loose time far from their traumatic jobs. however, with all their scheming, they start to fall for every different. you could see the romcom beats coming from a mile away, however they’re done so nicely and so successfully which you won’t thoughts. Plus, the film sizzles way to the brilliant performances from the magnificent Deutch and Powell, who should be the streaming generation’s Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. – Matt Goldberg
The Incredible Jessica James (2017)
- Run Time: 1 hr 25 min | Director: Jim Strouse
- Cast: Jessica Williams, Chris O’Down, Lakeith Stanfield, Noel Wells
After her time on The Daily Show, Jessica Williams hasn't received the recognition she deserves, but the independent romantic comedy The Fantastic Since then, Jessica James has been in lead roles for the first time, and she always brightens the screen. Although Jessica James's character may not be as amazing as the title suggests (in reality, she's very conceited and naive), Williams manages to make you love her despite her flaws by portraying her as passionate, honest, and ambitious. The incessantly endearing Chris O'Dowd provides a supporting role that undoubtedly helps, and the two have a strong connection as they attempt to steer clear of heartbreak and towards something fresh and good. Funny, sultry, and distinctly contemporary, The Incredible With her unique take on the rom-com, Jessica James defies the lowest common denominator. — Foutch, Haleigh
Ibiza: Love Drunk (2018)
- Run Time: 1 hr 34 min | Director: Alex Richanbach
- Cast: Gillian Jacbos, Richard Madden, Vanessa Bayer, Phoebe Robinson, Michaela Watkins
Ibiza: Love Drunk may not have been the clear victor of Netflix's Summer of Love in 2019, but the errant comedy does have one thing going for it: the stars have incredible chemistry. If you're a bodyguard fan who wants to relive Richard Madden, you don't have to search any farther—unless you can't stand a terrible set of highlights. In that case, you ought to keep looking. Harper, portrayed by Gillian Jacobs, is a young professional who gets accepted on her first international work trip. But, when her closest friends accompany her, Harper decides to skip work in order to go out with a hot DJ. Ibiza is just passably funny as a wild road comedy, but Jacobs and Madden have a great chemistry, and their scenes are lighthearted, breezy, and romantic with a dash of schmex.— Haleigh Foutch
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
- Run Time: 1 hr 41 min | Director: Nahnatchka Khan
- Cast: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Michelle Buteau, James Saito, Daniel Dae Kim
Netflix brought the romcom back in a big way with 2018’s Set It Up, and the streaming service’s 2019 effort Always Be My Maybe is similarly charming and delightful. Co-written by and starring Randall Park and Ali Wong, the film follows a pair of teenaged best friends who have since drifted apart and are pushed together once more in adulthood, even though their lives have followed very different paths. Park and Wong are dynamite together, and the film takes time to breathe with some well-paced dramatic sequences. It’s also not lacking in scene-stealers, as Michelle Buteau is a hoot and Keanu Reeves once again proves his talent knows no bounds. – Adam Chitwood
Marriage Story (2019)
- Run Time: 2 hr 16 min | Director: Noah Baumbach
- Cast: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta
Yes, Marriage Story isn't the most romantic film ever created, so view it with caution if you want to see it on Valentine's Day, but at its core, it is a love tale. Although Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson's characters don't wind up together in the end, writer/director Noah Baumbach never lets you forget the love that existed (and still will, to some extent) as we follow their divorce processes. This film explores how relationships that aren't meant to endure can nevertheless be valuable for a while and how the divorce process can rob the people at its core of their power. If you've got a really solid relationship and/or have lived through a divorce, this one might be a solid fit. – Adam Chitwood
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
- Run Time: 2 hr 3 min | Director: David Dobkin
- Cast: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, and Demi Lovato
I didn't anticipate watching one of the year's most heartfelt and romantic films in Eurovision Song Contest: The Tale of Fire Saga, but Rachel McAdams is an incredible talent. The Mean Girls and Game Night star, who costarred with Will Ferrell as two Icelandic singers hoping to win the Eurovision Song Contest, demonstrates once more why she's one of the most underappreciated comedic actors of her generation in this silly yet moving Netflix Original comedy. While there are moments when it will make you giggle uncontrollably, the truly memorable aspects of this are the incredibly infectious original tunes and the unexpected sensitivity that will leave you feeling warm-hearted and with a tear in your eye. That's largely due to the love narrative, but it's not the only reason. Bonus: Dan Stevens delivers the most humorous performance of his career, which is also shockingly emotional (you're definitely finding a pattern here). — Foutch, Haleigh
Let It Snow (2019)
- Run Time: 1 hr 33 min | Director: Luke Snellin
- Cast: Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore, Liv Hewson, Odeya Rush
If you're feeling romantic this season, Netflix's Let It Snow, a lighthearted holiday romantic comedy, is a bit of a Love Actually for the adolescent audience. It follows several overlapping love tales on one tragic snowy Christmas day. From head to toe, it's a charming movie that explores the dramas of teenage friendship and household issues in addition to developing loves. A standout company of up-and-coming young actors gives wonderful performances. Let It Snow is the ideal choice for anyone seeking a classic, feel-good holiday romance. While many Netflix Christmas romances are in the style of the Hallmark channel, that is entirely up to you. — Foutch, Haleigh
The Half of It (2020)
- Run Time: 1 hr 44 min | Director: Alice Wu
- Cast: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Wolfgang Novogratz, Collin Chou
The Half of It, written and directed by Alice Wu (Saving Face), centres on Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), a shy, intelligent, and driven teenager who accepts a favour from a jock (Daniel Diemer) to write love letters to his crush (Alexxis Lemire). With a deft use of Cyrano de Bergerac clichés, The Half of It subverts expectations by telling a grounded LGBT story that turns the classic tale on its head. The Half of It embraces poignant subjects that are sometimes disregarded while maintaining an enjoyable pace with a real script that revolves around an immigrant family. — Yael Tygiel
Purple Hearts (2022)
- Run Time: 2 hrs 2 min | Director: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
- Cast: Sofia Carson, Nicholas Galitzine, Chosen Jacobs
Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum (Dead To Me) directs Purple Hearts, starring Sofia Carson opposite Nicholas Galitzine (Cinderella). In the endearing romance Purple Hearts, a sick singer-songwriter (Carson) marries a stranger (Galitzine) in exchange for medical advantages. Purple Hearts, a gripping love story penned by Liz W. Garcia and Kyle Jarrow, is an unabashed drama that masterfully combines sorrow, hopefulness, religion, and music. Purple Hearts gently pulls at the heartstrings with a gorgeous cast that includes Chosen Jacobs and John Harlan Kim (9-1-1). The song is an original composition by Carson. — Yael Tygiel