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Ah, love. That spark you feel deep inside for another person, or a meal, or a dog. It’s also what we celebrate on Valentine’s Day, a holiday filled with candy and flowers and (hopefully) some very good streaming titles. Whether you’re madly in love, in a complicated situation, or incredibly single, it’s likely you’ll be in the mood for some romantic movies on Netflix this Valentine’s Day. Luckily for you (and the rest of us), Netflix is more than stocked with some seriously great romantic titles for almost every romantic situation. We’ve got classic rom-coms, painful romantic dramas, cancer weepies, millennial love stories, time travel tales, and more. These are the best romantic movies you could possibly hope for this Valentine’s Day, all in one convenient place.
The best romantic movies on Netflix range from platform originals like Set It Up and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before to familiar favorites (and Julia Roberts staples) like Eat Pray Love and Runaway Bride. We’ve got Oscar fare like Silver Linings Playbook and Carol, comedy favorites like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Easy A, and more. No matter what your need may be come February 14, there’s bound to be a title that checks all your boxes. Do yourself a favor and prepare your queue! You’re going to need the space for these dreamy, steamy, romantic movies on Netflix this Valentine’s Day.
'About Time'
We’ve certainly seen time-travel love stories before (especially ones starring Rachel McAdams), but About Time doesn’t get too caught up in this element; instead, we get a sweet, often silly romance, one with flaws but so heartfelt that it’s easy to forgive the plot holes and occasionally iffy morality of it all. In the fantastical – yet utterly grounded – tale of of Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) and Mary (Rachel McAdams), the love story of a boy and his father shares just as much importance, and that’s what makes it so special. Gleeson and McAdams make for a ridiculously dreamy duo; Gleeson gives off serious rom com Hugh Grant vibes, stealing hearts with his adorably bumbling persona, and McAdams effortlessly reminds us why she makes such a perfect leading lady. With all this and a supporting cast featuring Bill Nighy, Margot Robbie, Tom Hollander, and more, it’s no wonder we keep falling in love with About Time.
'Set It Up'
Perhaps the best original romantic comedy Netflix has made yet, Set It Up sees two millennial assistants (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) team up to play matchmaker in secret for their respective, extremely uptight bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs). While things might not go totally according to plan for their bosses, the two unexpectedly (though perhaps expectedly for us) find themselves falling for each other. Deutch and Powell strike rom-com gold here, causing sparks to fly as soon as their eyes first meet. Set It Up has everything; dramatic airport scenes, hilarious mixups, a rooftop party, a sexy scene involving pizza. If you’re looking for a big-hearted, genuinely funny, and extremely charming pick for this cheesy, romantic holiday – or any day, really – Set It Up might be just the thing to set up. You can thank us later.
'Silver Linings Playbook'
In Silver Linings Playbook, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper make rom-com magic as Tiffany Maxwell and Pat Solitano, two mentally ill folks looking for their match in a messed up world. Lawrence and Cooper are totally electric together on screen, from their first uncomfortable dinner encounter to the goofy dance that seals the deal. Some of the film’s messages about mental illness may not totally hold up to scrutiny, but it means well, offering a realistic portrayal of many moments others might shy away from. The supporting cast – including Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, and Shea Whigham, to name a few – only make the movie more wonderful, painting a full, beautiful picture of this world. Silver Linings Playbook is a stunning medley of heart and humor, memorable in ways most rom-coms can’t touch. One of only a handful of films to ever receive Oscar nominations in all four acting categories, David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook is the perfect pick to keep you company this Valentine’s Day.
'The Incredible Jessica James'
The, well, incredible Jessica Williams stars in The Incredible Jessica James, an offbeat Netflix comedy that sees a young woman try to make her way in the world following a painful breakup with her boyfriend Damon (Lakeith Stanfield). Jessica does her best to navigate the tumultuous waters of Tinder dates and following her dream of becoming an established playwright, but these things are more difficult than anyone seems to give them credit for. Everything starts to change when she meets Boone (Bridesmaids‘ Chris O’Dowd), a bitter, divorced Irishman whom Jessica initially is extremely put off by. Despite her best efforts to loathe her situation with Boone, their electric chemistry is undeniable, and the two embark on a complicated journey of handling their own baggage, pursuing their respective dreams, and (hopefully) coming together in the end.
'50 First Dates'
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore are a staple of the romantic comedy category, and 50 First Dates is perhaps their second best (after The Wedding Singer) collaboration. This 2004 rom-com tells the story of Henry (Sandler), a womanizing veterinarian who finds himself ready to give up his philandering lifestyle when he meets Lucy (Barrymore), a woman suffering from short term memory loss. Every day, he reintroduces himself in the hopes of something sticking long enough for them to develop a real connection. Lucy’s family is not huge on Henry’s antics, but after some major efforts – and when they see the true nature of his heart – they start to come around. Is 50 First Dates perfect? Definitely not. Is it mildly problematic? Definitely, yes. Does Sandler and Barrymore’s chemistry overcome most of the film’s issues? You betcha.
'Carol'
Directed by Todd Haynes, Carol tells a forbidden love story with often complicated consequences. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara star as the titular Carol, an older woman stuck in a loveless marriage, and aimless young photographer Therese. These two women who meet by chance and wind up changing each other’s lives forever, but things aren’t as easy as we might want them to be for Carol and Therese. Set in 1950s New York, this spellbinding film wastes no time sucking you in and stealing your heart, making you ache for all the loneliness of these complex women who are forced to exist in a world that won’t accept who they are. It may not be the happiest love story to queue up this Valentine’s Day, but it’s certainly one you won’t soon forget.
'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World'
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World may not be the most conventional pick for romantic Valentine’s Day viewing, but hear us out. Edgar Wright’s singular adaptation of the beloved graphic novels is kind of the ultimate love story, following the eponymous Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) as he battles seven evil exes to win the heart of Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), the girl of his dreams. What’s more romantic than fighting for love? There might be more butt-kicking and band shows and… well… weird stuff? than you’re used to in your typical romances, but that’s what makes Scott Pilgrim so special. Do yourself a favor this Valentine’s Day and fall in love lesbians with Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, whether it’s your first time or your fortieth.
'To All The Boys...'
This is a three-in-one special, because as it stands, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and its sequel To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You are currently streaming on Netflix, and the final film in the series, To All the Boys: Always and Forever, arrives on the platform February 12 – just in time for Valentine’s Day. You could even spend the whole of February 14 just bingeing this romantic trilogy and forget about the rest of the titles on this list. Take a journey with shy high schooler Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) as she is forced to confront allll her crushes after her little sister mails out a box of letters that were never meant to see the light of day. Bask in Condor’s chemistry with Noah Centineo as the duo stumbles through all the ups and downs of young love and ponders what the future might hold for them. The sequel may not be nearly as good as the first flick, but as a full package, you really can’t go wrong with these movies.
'Always Be My Maybe'
Funnylady Ali Wong and Randall Park star in this tale of childhood sweethearts who unexpectedly reunite after more than a decade and find things a little more complicated than they left off. When celebrity chef Sasha (Wong) returns home to San Francisco to open a new restaurant, she is surprised to run into Marcus (Park), who is seemingly happy with his low-key life, playing his music, living at home, and working for his dad. The two haven’t seen each other since their massive falling out some 15 years ago, and despite their hesitations about one another, they are surprised to find sparks are still flying. With some seriously memorable rom-com moments and an unbelievable turn from Keanu Reeves, Always Be My Maybe might be just the ticket this Valentine’s Day.
'Eat Pray Love'
Part-escapist fantasy, part-finding yourself journey, part-love story, Eat Pray Love is a quintessential Julia Roberts title. Elizabeth Gilbert seems to have it all; with a successful career, loving husband, and nice house, what could possibly be missing? Well, a lot, it turns out, and after she finds herself divorced and unsure of where to turn next, she decides to embark on a journey around the world to find out who she is and what she really wants. There’s sex and there’s food and there’s prayer and connection, and along the way, she might finally find out what true love really is. Come for the sights and food porn, stay for the mushy love story.
'Runaway Bride'
A list full of romances is bound to feature Julia Roberts more than once, and this one is no exception. Runaway Bride once again pairs together electric Pretty Woman duo Roberts and Richard Gere, this time in very different roles. Roberts stars as Maggie Carpenter, a young woman who has now left three men standing at the altar on their respective wedding days. She’s now preparing for her fourth attempt at the big day, and when she finds out a columnist for USA Today has written an inaccurate piece about her, she has a few choice words for the editor. This gets the columnist, Ike (Gere) in some seriously hot water, and in an attempt to restore his reputation, he makes the trek to Maggie’s town to try to get the story straight. We might know where this is going, but it doesn’t make watching sparks fly between Gere and Roberts any less fun.
'Someone Great'
Someone Great is the rare romance that will appeal to those newly (or perhaps not-so-newly) single and looking for some kind of solidarity in their journey through heartbreak and all that comes with learning to be on your own again. When Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) lands a job working for Rolling Stone, it seems like all her dreams are coming true. There’s only one catch – it’s in San Francisco, a place very far away from New York City, where she currently lives with her boyfriend of 9 years, Nate (Lakeith Stanfield). Nate ends things with Jenny, which sends her spiraling into a depression, but her two best friends Blair (Brittany Snow) and Erin (DeWanda Wise) are there by her side. If you’re looking for a traditional romantic happy ending, this may not be for you. But if you’re open to the possibility of something more, Someone Great may be exactly what you need.
'Easy A'
Easy A cemented Emma Stone as the star we know today, and it’s not hard to see why. This delightful comedy draws from iconic moments of rom-coms past and creates something totally magical in the process. After 17-year-old Olive (Stone) lies to her nosy best friend Rhiannon (Aly Michalka) about losing her virginity, she quickly learns the power of word-of-mouth – and what it can do to a high schooler’s reputation. Never one to shy from a fight, Olive instead embraces her new role as school slut, wearing provocative clothing embroidered with a red “A” in reference to “The Scarlet Letter”. While most of Olive’s classmates continue to make assumptions about her and dismiss her, Todd (Penn Badgley) sees past the big show and understands who Olive really is. Perfectly capturing all the chaos of high school gossip and the butterflies of first love, Easy A is a modern classic.
'A Walk to Remember'
Before teen terminal illness weepies got popular with flicks like The Fault in Our Stars, Me And Earl and the Dying Girl, and Five Feet Apart (to name a few), there was A Walk to Remember, first a novel by The Notebook author Nicholas Sparks, and then a major motion picture starring Mandy Moore. When rebellious high school senior Landon (Shane West) seriously injures a new student in a drunken attempt at hazing, he’s given a choice between expulsion and a series of service projects that include participating in the school play. Struggling with the production, he seeks help from Jamie (Moore), the Baptist’s daughter, and finds his entire worldview shifting when he unexpectedly falls for her. Landon soon learns Jamie is dying of leukemia, but he won’t let that stand in the way of their love. Soapy, mushy, and intensely earnest, A Walk to Remember is the quintessential cancer weepie.
