I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not all that into romance. While everyone was gushing over The Notebook, I was more of a The Incredibles kinda girl. (Granted, I was only like 7!)
However, I was forever changed when my best friends and I went to see The Vow (with Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, a seriously underrated film) on Valentine’s Day many years ago. Now, I give up my romance cynicism for one month out of the year to let myself feel and experience all the love.
If you, too, are excited about chocolates shaped like hearts, a night out with your S.O., a girl’s night in with your besties, or just an excuse to wear that super hot red dress, we understand you. To get you excited and ready for all Valentine’s festivities, here are our favorite romantic comedies you can stream on Netflix.
Monster-in-Law
If a movie has Jane Fonda, Wanda Sykes, and Jennifer Lopez, it’s a keeper. Kevin decides to introduce his fiancé, Charlie (J. Lo), to his mother, Viola (Fonda), and not everything goes according to plan. As the name suggests, Viola and Charlie don’t exactly get along, but they must find a way to agree with each other for the sake of Kevin. This movie is hilarious and a great reminder of the sacrifices we make for love.
The Switch
Anything with Jason Bateman is bound to make you laugh, but this one might make you cry, too. (Or maybe that’s just me?) Kassie (Jennifer Anniston) wants to have a child and decides to go through artificial insemination. On the eve of her procedure, her best friend Wally has a few too many drinks and switches the “ingredient” (as he says) in the bottle to his own. Seven years later, Kassie and her son (who also is Wally’s son) move back to New York and Wally must find a way to both bond with his son and tell Kassie what he did. It has typical Bateman humor, but the love story is what holds your interest. Not to mention, this kid is ADORABLE.
Easy
This is a Netflix original series set in Chicago (woohoo!). It follows eight different couples throughout different stages of their relationship. There are tons of big names in this show, such as Dave Franco, Emily Ratajkowski, Orlando Bloom, Kate Micucci, Hannibal Burress, and more! Since this show premiered, I’ve tried to binge-watch it pretty much every Valentine’s Day. The stories mimic real life, and none of them are cheesy. My favorite episodes are “Vegan Cinderella,” “Utopia,” “Open Marriage,” and “Baby Steps.”
Sex and the City
We’re all already following every Sex and the City quotes account, so why not take our love for the four to the bigg(er) screen?! This film has all the same wit and charm as the series, but we get to be with Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha for over an hour this time. This one is perfect for a girls’ night in. Grab your favorite magazines, some cookies and cream, and you’re ready for the best Galentine’s ever.
Larry Crowne
After being a Navy cook for years and then working in retail, Larry Crowne decides to go to community college. There, he meets Mercy Tainot, his Speech 217 professor. The two embark on a journey of self-discovery and a little romance. This film is spectacular and has made me cry on many occasions. (I just love love, OK?!).
Sixteen Candles
I couldn’t make a list of rom-com’s without an ’80s classic, right? We’ve probably all seen this one by now, but for those who have not, it’s about Samantha, an angsty teenager (oh, the days) who dreads her 16th birthday. She has a crush on Jake, a senior who has no idea she exists. Sound familiar? Watch this one if only for the amazing ’80s fashion inspo, but stay for Anthony Michael Hall’s hilarious one-liners.
Nappily Ever After
Based on Trisha R. Thomas’s book by the same name, Nappily Ever After follows Violet. She seems as if she has a perfect life: perfect boyfriend, perfect job, perfect hair. Then, an incident at the hair salon sends her life in a downward spiral, only for her to then decide to shave her head and start fresh. This is a story a lot of women can relate to, and the scene in which she shaves her head is so powerful. I know I say you’ll cry at most of these, but I honestly guarantee you’ll cry at this one. (It can’t still just be me!)
Carol
This critically acclaimed film starring none other than Everygirl office favorite, Cate Blanchett (we’ve all seen Ocean’s 8 by now, right?!) is a star. It’s New York in the ’50s, and a department store clerk (Rooney Mara) dreams of a better life, one that includes the older, married woman she’s fallen in love with. I’ll be real, this is more of a romance drama than a rom-com, but the setting, the clothes, and the love in this film make it all worth it.
Ibiza
If you’re like me (AKA single AF and dreaming of a beautiful, Scottish man this Valentine’s Day), you must watch Ibiza. Harper is sent to Barcelona on a work trip, and her party-loving best friends decide to tag along. On a night out, she meets Leo (Richard Madden AKA the beautiful, Scottish man I’ve been dreaming of), and the movie follows her attempts to find him again. I wouldn’t necessarily use this film as a model to your career, but it’s lighthearted and fun, and again, Richard Madden is so steamy.
Meet the Patels
OK, so I actually first watched this in my sociology of families class because it’s more of a romantic documentary. However, the love story is as equally adorable and sweet as everything on this list, so here we are. Ravi Patel is an almost 30-year-old Indian American who met the girl of his dreams, but she isn’t Indian. His parents spend a long few months trying to set him up with Indian women, all while he just wants to be with Audrey, his ex-girlfriend. There is so much to learn about the Indian culture in this film, and it’s interesting to see how all the people in Ravi’s life (especially his parents who had an arranged marriage!) view love.
Definitely, Maybe
After her begging and begging, Will (Ryan Reynolds before he turned into Deadpool) decides to tell his daughter the story of how he met her mother. He begins to realize that looking at the past might give him a different idea of what actually happened between the two of them. The story is filled with romance from the beginning, and the love he has for his daughter is also a big aspect of the film.
To All The Boy’s I’ve Loved Before
Did you really expect me to not include this masterpiece? This is one I’m sure we’ve all seen by now, and we’ve definitely all googled Noah Centineo’s age once or twice. This movie will remind you of high school innocence and love, while also reminding you how much you never, ever want to go back to high school.
The Break-Up
After being together for two years, Gary and Brooke decide to break up. However, both of them want to keep their gorgeous condo. So, they decide to become roommates. In the process, they begin to learn their true feelings for one another and understand how exactly their relationship failed. Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn are hilarious and adorable together, making this movie one to watch over and over again.
Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging
If SATC is a little too much for you this V-Day, you and your girlfriends will love this one. Georgia has a crush on Robbie. The film follows her slew of embarrassing moments as she deals with being a teenager. This is a Nickelodeon movie, so you know it’s filled with a nice dose of silly humor. You’ll laugh your ass off and remember what it was like to be a 14-year-old girl.
Sleeping with Other People
I’m a huge Jason Sudeikis fan, so I was excited to try this one when it arrived onto Netflix. After hooking up in college, Jake and Lainey are reintroduced to each other at a sex-addicts anonymous meeting after too many failed relationships due to cheating. The two embark on a relationship together and learn a little bit about what a relationship is (and what it isn’t). If you love a good sex joke (who doesn’t?), this is for you.
What movies do YOU love to watch around Valentine’s Day?!
The post 14 Rom-Coms to Watch on Netflix This Valentine’s Day appeared first on The Everygirl.