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Warner Bros
- Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to curl up on the couch with a date and a romantic movie.
- You can find plenty of great rom-coms and dramas to watch at home on Netflix, HBO Max, and more.
- Some of our favorites include hits like “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and classics like “The Princess Bride.”
If your Valentine’s Day plans include cozying up on the couch with a romantic movie, then you’re in luck. There are plenty of great rom-coms and dramas available to watch at home. Every streaming service, from Netflix to HBO Max, has a wide array of options, from comedies like “Crazy, Stupid Love” to musicals like “Mamma Mia.”
To help you find a worthwhile flick to watch, the Insider Reviews team rounded up some of our favorite romantic comedies and dramas. Our selection features a varied mix of romance movies, including recent hits and classics.
Many of our picks are available on subscription streaming services, but if a title isn’t included on a subscription service, you can pay a one-time fee to rent or buy it from a streaming retailer like Amazon Prime Video. And if you’re looking for more ideas to help celebrate Valentine’s Day, check out our gift guides for the best chocolates and flowers.
‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ (2011)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Streaming on: HBO Max
Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone star in this romantic comedy about one couple trying to fix their marriage, and another just starting out. It’s funny and sweet; the main cast of characters are so different from each other, and they really show love to be as crazy and stupid as it gets. — Sarah Saril, Reporter
‘Pride and Prejudice’ (2005)
Focus Features
Streaming on: HBO Max
This one’s a classic. A slow-burn period drama based on the Jane Austen novel, this 2005 rendition stars Kiera Knightly as the independent Lizzie Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as the gruff Mr. Darcy. You get to watch these two fall in love during a time when marriage was so often loveless, and the performances and visuals make it all so engrossing. — Sarah Saril, Reporter
‘Long Shot’ (2019)
Lionsgate
Streaming on: HBO Max
“Long Shot” is one of my favorite rom-coms from the last few years. Seth Rogen stars as Fred, an unemployed writer who reconnects with his old babysitter, played by Charlize Theron, as she’s about to embark on a presidential run. She hires Fred as a speechwriter and sparks fly on the campaign trail. It has classic Seth Rogen humor, chemistry between the leads, a great cast of supporting characters, and the love story is really sweet and believable — everything I want in a rom-com. — Angela Tricarico, Streaming Editorial Fellow
‘The Big Sick’ (2017)
Amazon Studios
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
“The Big Sick” is one of the most enjoyable and insightful rom-coms I’ve seen. It’s based on writers Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani’s real-life love story, and focuses on the cultural differences between their Pakistani and American families. An unexpected illness complicates their relationship even further, and the filmmakers expertly blend sharp comedy with smart, heartfelt observations about love, tragedy, and cultural divides. — Steven Cohen, Editor
‘To All the Boys I Loved Before’ (2018)
Netflix
Streaming on: Netflix
I jumped on the bandwagon when this movie came out in 2018. It hits all the classic rom-com qualifications: young love, drama, light-hearted comedy. I couldn’t help but smile throughout the whole thing and felt a bit refreshed after watching the young-love story unfold. The best thing is that there are three movies in the series, all available to stream on Netflix. Or if you prefer reading, you can purchase the books on Amazon. — Francesca Rea, Story Production Manager
‘About Time’ (2013)
Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson in “About Time.”
Universal Pictures
Streaming on: Netflix
I don’t particularly watch many rom-coms, but “About Time” starring Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson transcends that subgenre’s trappings to be a movie about, well, time. It’s a deeply touching story — my eyes can’t stay dry watching it — that plays with one of life’s most relatable concepts to remind us of what life, and love, are truly all about. — Joe Osborne, Senior Tech Editor
‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ (2020)
“Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”
Netflix
Streaming on: Netflix
If you’re looking for something more than just your average rom-com, look no further than “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.” It stars Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as Icelandic musicians aspiring to compete on the biggest stage of them all: the Eurovision contest. It’s more comedy than romance, but it still makes a great Valentine’s Day watch. — Sarah Saril, Reporter
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
20th Century Fox
Streaming on: Disney Plus and Hulu
Few movies are as timeless as Rob Reiner’s “The Princess Bride.” The iconic fantasy film puts a playful spin on classic fairy tale tropes with a self-aware sense of humor and plenty of quotable lines. Through Westley and Buttercup’s adventure, the movie weaves a fun and romantic story about true love. As fans know so well, not liking this flick is simply “inconceivable.” — Steven Cohen, Editor
‘Groundhog Day’ (1993)
Columbia Pictures
Streaming on: Starz
This clever comedy from director Harold Ramis is one of my all-time favorite romance flicks. Bill Murray stars as Phil, a cynical weatherman who inexplicably finds himself reliving the same day over and over. He soon takes the opportunity to try and woo his producer Rita (Andie MacDowell). As he falls in love, Phil gradually grows as a person and attempts to craft the perfect day. The film’s time loop concept gives it a fun fantasy spin, and Murray brings a lot of wit and heart to his performance. — Steven Cohen, Editor
‘Mamma Mia’ (2008)
Universal
Streaming on: Starz
This star-studded musical rom-com had me singing and dancing on my couch the first time I watched it. “Mamma Mia!” stars big names like Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, and Colin Firth, and they’re all singing Swedish pop group ABBA’s hits. It’s fun and lighthearted, but make no mistake: it has its fair share of emotional moments that might get your eyes watering. — Sarah Saril, Reporter
‘Sleeping with Other People’ (2015)
IFC Films
Streaming on: AMC Plus
One of my favorite romance tropes is when friends become lovers, which is exactly why I love “Sleeping with Other People” so much. The leads, played by Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie, are both serial cheaters who form a friendship pact. It’s incredibly funny, but it also has a lot of heart. — Angela Tricarico, Streaming Editorial Fellow
‘Before Sunrise’ (1995)
Columbia Pictures
Rent or buy from: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
Free with ads on: Tubi
Told over the course of one evening, “Before Sunrise” focuses on an American man (Ethan Hawke) and French woman (Julie Delpy) who meet on a train in Europe. The pair get off in Vienna and explore the city as they fall in love. Shot with an understated, naturalistic style, the movie is little more than a series of conversations between the couple, but it’s one of the most absorbing, honest, and beautiful romance films I’ve ever seen. Hawke and Delpy revisited their characters in two sequels, “Before Sunset” and “Before Midnight,” which are both equally fantastic. — Steven Cohen, Editor
‘Twilight’ (2010)
Summit Entertainment
Rent or buy on: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
Free with ads on: Pluto TV
If you’re like me, whether it’s your first, second, or fifteenth time, “Twilight” always makes for a hilarious, over-dramatic watch. The book-gone-movie series can be the perfect complement to your Valentine’s Day movie night, especially if spent in good company. You can find the rest of the vampire romance saga available to purchase or rent on Amazon as well. — Sarah Saril, Reporter
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (2004)
Warner Bros.
Rent or buy on: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
Perfect for fans of musical theater or period costumes,”The Phantom of the Opera” has it all: romance, drama, heartbreak, and men in poofy shirts. It’s a film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage musical of the same name, and stars Emmy Rossum, Gerard Butler, and Patrick Wilson. I love this movie for its over-the-top story and beautiful costuming — I’ll be watching it with my husband this Valentine’s Day. — Sarah Saril, Reporter
‘The Apartment’ (1960)
Mirisch Corporation
Rent or buy on: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
Free with ads on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Roku Channel
This classic from legendary filmmaker Billy Widler is one of the greatest romantic comedies ever made. Jack Lemmon plays an office worker at an insurance company who attempts to climb the corporate ladder by letting his bosses use his apartment for their extramarital affairs. A love triangle soon develops, leading to an entertaining blend of romance, laughs, and genuine drama. The movie inspired countless rom-coms in its wake, and it remains just as fresh today as it was in 1960. — Steven Cohen, Editor
