5 Underrated Rom-Drams To Watch This Valentine's Day!

If you’re a fan of romance in film -- or of Valentine's Day in general -- you might find yourself stuck watching the same rom-coms over and over again. Romance dramas can be harder to come across, and when you do find them, they sometimes focus on sex over narrative. A good rom-dram has the perfect mix of romantic tension and plot with enough drama to keep you hooked without seeming unrealistic. Though any fan of romance dramas knows about classics like The Notebook and Me Before You, we're here to introduce you to romantic movies and series you may not have heard of or watched yet!

1. The Big Sick (2017)

It may seem strange to start off a list of romance dramas with a movie that some people consider to be a comedy, given that comedian Kumail Nanjiani co-wrote and starred in it. Though the film has many funny moments, it has an emotional undercurrent that will tug on your heart strings and possibly even leave you shedding a tear. If you’re in the mood for something irreverent and unique, this movie fits the bill. One of the main characters spends most of the movie in a coma, so it definitely has less romantic tension and build-up between the two lovers than other romances, but nonetheless it is both cute and devastating and severely underrated. (Stream on Prime Video)

2. "Normal People" (2020)

This Hulu original television series was adapted from the popular Sally Rooney novel of the same name. Because it’s a series, there is a ton of drawn-out tension between the two characters, with lots of emotions that will leave you feeling hungover after you finish. With complex and pretentious characters that are nonetheless lovable, this binge-worthy adaptation is perfect for fans of college-aged romances and frank depictions of life. (Stream on Hulu)

3. The Spectacular Now (2013)

This movie stars Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller, a fact which should already be enough to convince you to watch. This is both a high school romance and a coming-of-age drama that explores teenage love and provides a thought-provoking if ambiguous take on the subject. If you like the trope of a popular guy getting with a more introverted girl, then you will love this film. (Stream on Tubi)

4. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Given that the main theme of this movie is the dark side of mental health issues, it may be wrong to classify it as a "romance". At the very least, this film does not conform to the typical topics you see in most romance films. Both leads, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, give phenomenal performances that will leave the audience both frustrated at and empathetic to their characters. After a decent Awards Season run in 2013, this movie has kind of slipped under the radar and definitely deserves more hype. The movie is almost like a grown-up version of Perks of Being a Wallflower, but with a bit more romance. (Stream on Max)

5. Everything, Everything (2017)

In this film, a teenage girl has spent her whole life trapped inside her house due to a fatal sensitivy to outside germs. When a teenage boy (played by Nick Robinson) moves in next door, they begin to fall in love through the window. Based on an equally fantastic novel, this movie will have you enthralled and emotional throughout. The premise of the movie promises a tragic ending, but you will never expect what actually ends up happening. If you love dramatic teen romances like The Fault in Our Stars or Midnight Sun, this is perfect for you. (Stream on Tubi and Pluto TV)