The date night movie can be surprisingly tricky if you think about it. Depending on what phase of the relationship you’re in with your partner, the perfect vibe can totally vary. Maybe you’re in it for the Netflix and chill of it all (in which case, bring on all the hot movies!). Maybe you have v different movie tastes and can’t agree on a genre that’ll work for you both (raises hand sheepishly). Maybe you just wanna reconnect after an exhausting week (universally relatable, TBH). But, no matter what your tastes are or whether you’re on a first date or 500th, I’m here for you.
Also worth noting? I assume you already know about the typical classic rom-coms you could bust out for such an occasion. Obviously, you could go with OTT sweeping romantic movies—but you’ve already watched The Notebook a whole bunch, and maybe, just maybe, your partner doesn’t want to want to watch Pretty in Pink again. When Harry Met Sally? Crazy Rich Asians? Been there, done that. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before? A fave, but also, you know you’ve already watched all three movies. So here I come with the ~surprise~ date night picks. Some of these are romance-adjacent (or have sneaky lil side romances that you prob missed when you watched it the first time), and some of them are more about love in the abstract, non-romantic sense. But all of them are just great, popcorn-watching films in their own right so that no matter how the night goes, you’ve watched something fabulous.
Been So Long
I’m a Michaela Coel superfan, people, so if you like I May Destroy You or Chewing Gum, right this way to experience this musical(!) romance set in London. And if you don’t know of Coel or this movie, be prepared to fall head over heels for her.
Palm Springs
Groundhog Day + romance = this movie! Two strangers who meet (and hook up, naturally) at a wedding get stuck reliving the same day over and over. They have very different ways of handling the situation, but they also have really off-the-charts chemistry. If you liked About Time, you’ll like this.
The Photograph
Oh wow, this movie is great, and not just because LaKeith Stanfield and Issa Rae are stunning (separately and together). It’s actually about intergenerational love stories, all the more gorgeous for what isn’t said as the couples quietly fall for each other. IYKYK.
I’m Your Man
A lonely singleton is quasi-forced into participating in an experiment where she’s paired with a robot partner. But also, said robot looks and talks like Dan Stevens (yes, cousin Matthew from Downton Abbey). So. Yeah.
Wall-E
Romance doesn’t just have to be between humans! This is the story of a literal trash robot falling in love with a shiny, beautiful future robot. Insert standard Pixar caveat here: This will make you cry. Prob more than once. Watch it anyways—it’s still not as emotionally devastating as Up.
Spy
This movie makes Melissa McCarthy appropriately hot and talented—which, like, why doesn’t every movie do this?—and once she proves she’s actually good at her job, everybody wants her. It’s the dream. (Come for the fights, stay for her incredible chemistry with Jason Statham.)
Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce
This might not be about romantic love, per se, but who doesn’t love Beyonce and Beychella?? (If you don’t, this movie will convince you.) This concert film is about love for Black music, culture, education—and it’s visually stunning. You and your S.O. should watch open-mouthed together, especially if you’re both into live music.
Out of Sight
This is such a sultry movie about con and the cop chasing him, and it’s old enough that it’ll be new to a whole new audience. If you only know George Clooney from the Ocean’s movies, and you only know J.Lo from Hustlers, um, stream this rn. RN.
If Beale Street Could Talk
I won’t lie to you: This film is pretty devastating—which, tbh, is part of the reason you should watch it. But it’s also just a beautiful love story between two people up against excruciating circumstances. And it’s just gorge.
Sylvie’s Love
If you don’t absolutely love Tessa Thompson, first of all, why, but second of all, watch this movie, and you will be convinced. Also, this is just a good old-fashioned love story that spans years to follow two people destined to be together.
Game Night
Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) get drawn into a game night that turns into an actual murder mystery. This movie is even better than the premise, thanks to great writing, but at the centre are two perfectly matched people trying to figure their stuff out.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Yes, I know it’s an overused word, but this movie is a *masterpiece*. An artist is hired to paint a wealthy woman so her portrait can be sent to her potential husband. The two women fall into a brief but absolutely steamy love affair.
Rushmore
Wes Anderson’s early film has all the seeds of his later movies: A quirky, lovable main character. Unexpected plotlines. Offbeat humour. A superprecise world. Bill Murray. A student falls in love with a teacher and goes to war with a fully grown adult to win her heart. Strange, yet weirdly enjoyable!
Only Lovers Left Alive
A lot of people haven’t watched this, even though it’s often considered one of the best films of the 20th century. Two centuries-old vampires are still in love but exhausted (relatable), and have to choose their fate in the modern world.
Isn’t It Romantic
It’s a rom-com parody that still gives you all the feels! Natalie (Rebel Wilson), who’s totally jaded about love and rom-coms, bangs her head and wakes up in her very own movie-worthy romance. It plays with all the tropes and still gets to embrace them; Also, Liam Hemsworth is surprisingly funny in this in addition to being…super handsome.
Always Be My Maybe
It made our list of best rom-coms for a reason, people: Ali Wong and Randall Park have off-the-charts chemistry as the childhood buddies who secretly want to date. Also, this is the second time where Keanu Reeves is in a movie and somehow not the main romantic lead (!?!?).
Via Cosmopolitan US.