Moms and Dads

Cinema Valentino: More Than 50 Romantic Flicks for Your V-Day Film Fest

by Pipo Gonzales
February 11, 2021

Get in the mood for love with these romantic flick suggestions for the ultimate Valentine’s Day viewing party

Whether you’re spending it with friends, with your beau, or even alone, you’re sure to have a good time laughing and crying as these love-filled romantic flicks tug your heartstrings. Pop the corn and uncork that bottle of vino because we are in for a long haul.

Without much further ado, we rounded up a list of romantic flicks you might want to check out for Valentine’s Day.

Romantic flicks for Valentine’s Day

THE CLASSICS: Go-tos when he/she can’t stand your indecision

You’ll find the usual suspects of romantic comedies here, from Audrey Hepburn to Julia Roberts, as well as famous romcom writers Nancy Meyers and Garry Marshall. Nora Ephron’s classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally (1989) tops this set for its well-written characters played by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. It celebrates the opposites attract trope and exemplifies the meet cute element of most romcoms. And of course, how can we forget about the biggest blockbuster of 1990, Pretty Woman.

Other Suggestions: Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954), The Way We Were (1973), Annie Hall (1977), Stealing Home (1988), Chances Are (1989), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), You’ve Got Mail (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), Serendipity (2001), The Holiday (2006)

YOUNG LOVE: For reliving that teenage dream with your BFFs

Romance often blooms in classrooms. And what better way to celebrate the season than to remember the days of passing notes, gushing over crushes, and (since you can laugh about it now) your first heartbreak. One of the most memorable romantic flicks of this sub-genre is the Nicholas Sparks’ adaptation, A Walk To Remember (2002). As teens, many of us swooned over the flashy romantic gestures and the cheesy lines spewed by its leads, Shane West and then-popstar Mandy Moore, in her first lead role. The most memorable perhaps is Jamie Sullivan’s audacious answer to Landon Carter’s request: “You have to promise you won’t fall in love with me.” Silly, but it does the trick.

Other Suggestions: Pretty in Pink (1986), Can’t Buy Me Love (1987), Say Anything (1989), My Girl (1991), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), She’s All That (1999), Little Manhattan (2005), Angus, Things, and Perfect Snogging (2008), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), The Fault In Our Stars (2014), To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018), Love, Simon (2018)

PERIOD PIECES: If thou beseecheth tales as olde as time

Whether one wishes to escape to the pages of Jane Austen to meet the elusive Mr. Darcy character or in the critically-acclaimed pictures of a Merchant Ivory production, period pieces enrich the fantasy of romance and elevate the experience. A cult classic is the Baz Luhrmann cinematic hit, Romeo + Juliet (1996). The doomed tale of star-crossed lovers captivated the hearts of many and further propelled then-rising young actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The creative reimagined Shakespeare masterpiece is a musical and visual delight set in contemporary America, where instead of swords, the warring mafias wielded guns.

Other Suggestions: A Room With A View (1985), Maurice (1987), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Ever After (1998), Tuck Everlasting (2002), Cold Mountain (2003), Becoming Jane (2007), Pride and Prejudice (2005), Carol (2015), Emma (2020)

SPICE UP YOUR LOVE: What comes next is entirely up to you

Sometimes, all it takes is a provocative romantic flick to push two Valentine’s Day celebrants to the next part of the itinerary. While putting the 50 Shades of Gray trilogy as a reco may seem too obvious, we took the liberty of putting other movies that evoke the same amount of passion into the play. One of our favorites is the smoldering scenes of Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) in The Notebook (2004). Without spoiling too much of what is tone expected, imagine rain-drenched lovers, intense lovemaking, and the palpable chemistry of two talented actors.

Other suggestions: Eyes Wide Shut (1990), Ghost (1990), Titanic (1997), Cruel Intentions (1999), Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001), Unfaithful (2002), Secretary (2002), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Atonement (2007), Revolutionary Road (2008), Love & Other Drugs (2010), Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013)

ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES: For romance that feels close to home

In the land of love teams, caricature-acting, and otherworldly plot lines, there are still many filmmaking gems worthy of hours of viewing. The best among the rest of the pairings—as many fans would agree—is the Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan movie, Got 2 Believe (2002). What makes the incredible connection of the two thespians quite the spectacle is how the reel romance is as real as it gets. A masterpiece in its own right, it has raised the (often-unreachable) bar in Filipino romcom making.

Other suggestions: Sana Maulit Muli (1995), Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang (1998), Kasal Kasali Kasalo (2006), One More Chance (2007), A Very Special Love (2008), That Thing Called Tadhana (2014), Starting Over Again (2014), Kita Kita (2017), I’m Drunk I Love You (2017)

STAR-STUDDED: Because one star is never enough

For those who are looking at ogling over a well-rounded cast of prominent names, Garry Marshall’s series of holiday films can easily fill your list. But among those in the category, British romantic comedy Love, Actually (2003) delivers in diversity, story, and the incredible choice of the cast: Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightly, and Liam Neeson, among others. Love, Actually captures the very essence of what Valentine’s Day is for everyone: touching, confusing, heartbreaking, and gut-wrenchingly funny.

Other suggestions: Can’t Hardly Wait (1998), The American Pie Series (1999, 2001, 2003, 2012), Paris, Je T’aime (2006), New York, I Love You (2008), Valentine’s Day (2010), New Year’s Eve (2011)

And there you have it! Valentine’s Day in the time of pandemic should never be a bad thing, especially if it gives you the perfect reason to veg your hearts out. Enjoy.