Going out on Valentine's Day can be overrated; restaurants are crowded and there's a huge risk of witnessing a public proposal. If you're staying in and want to watch a film, we've put together a list of Netflix options for you to choose from. Unfortunately not all of them star Ryan Gosling, but we'll try harder next year.
The Notebook
Nicholas Sparks adaptations are practically their own genre at this stage and this is the best of the bunch. Rachel McAdams and a then relatively unknown Ryan Gosling run around in 1940s clothing and kiss in the rain; it’s all very romantic and it will break your heart as well. Sure watching The Notebook on Valentine’s Day is a cliché but the day is built on cliché so why not embrace it?
Titanic
Titanic is over three hours long, so it requires a bit of a commitment if you're going to watch (falling asleep on the couch half way through isn't the most romantic). If choose it, you're getting a film that has everything - drama, action and of course the central love story. Many will have seen it before, but it's always worth a re-watch.
When Harry Met Sally...
Rom-coms often get slated for being dumb fluff, but that's not always the case. Nora Ephron was the queen of clever rom-com, and When Harry Met Sally... proves why. Witty dialogue, female characters with actual depth, men that aren't sleazy monsters, Carrie Fisher - what more could you want?
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Julia Roberts realises she's in love with her best friend, just as he's about to get married. It might be a bit dated at this stage, but there are still plenty of laughs on offer and a really great soundtrack too. If you're looking for something a bit lighter, this might be the choice for you.
Cinema Paradiso
Cinema Paradiso is a romantic film for those who don’t want to watch a romance. It’s a love letter to cinema but also serves as a reminder to embrace passions and love in your life. The beautiful Sicilian landscapes will also have dreaming of your next holiday together.
Notting Hill
With Hugh Grant at his most floppy-haired and Julia Roberts at her most adorable, Notting Hill is peak rom-com territory. You know exactly what you're getting but that doesn't make it any less enjoyably to watch. "I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."
La La Land
Hollywood doesn't make rom-coms anymore, so we have to look to other genres to get our romance fix. La La Land is part musical, part love story; Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone tap dance around Los Angeles as two aspiring stars trying to make love work in a crazy, uncertain world. It was one of the most divisive films of 2017 but if you're looking for romance, there's plenty on offer here.
