The Best Movies to Watch on Valentine's Day, for Singles AND Couples!

Ahhh, what’s that smell? Chocolate… wine… happiness… love? Valentine’s Day must be around the corner!

It’s about that time again where pink and red colors flood all of the supermarkets and retail stores, where chocolate and wine get super expensive, and restaurants reservations go through the roof. We have the believers and the cynics -- the believers are excited to celebrate with their lovers and the cynics think Valentine’s Day should be every day. Either way, I have created a mini-list of my all-time favorite Valentine’s Day movies to watch, whether you’re single or in love!

SINGLES:

Blue Valentine (2011)

Oh this is a good one. Everytime I think of this movie, I can feel myself dying a little more inside (I’m not kidding). It’s SO GOOD and SO INTENSE because it’s SO REAL. Starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, it follows a couple that has been together for several years but are clearly headed for a downward spiral. It’s cold and eerie as you watch the two distinct time frames cut back and forth -- scenes of first love and playful sexuality intercut with those of disenchantment and dispute.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

This is one of my favorite movies, and I laugh the entire time. It follows Jason Segel’s character (Peter) after a breakup with Kristen Bell’s (the titular Sarah). He finds out she’s been sleeping with someone else for a year (makes you wonder why you’d ever get in a relationship, right?) and decides to take a vacation. Of course, Sarah is in the same vacation spot with her new boyfriend! You watch Peter continually get left behind in hilarious comedic scenes that also include Russell Brand, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, and Mila Kunis.

Bridesmaids (2011)

I feel bad for you if you’ve never seen this, but it’s okay, you still have time! Main character Annie (Kristen Wiig) is a lonely, poor, washed-up baker who is named her BFF’s (Maya Rudolph) maid of honor. While Annie struggles to find herself and true love, the other characters realize they’re missing something in their relationships too, but at the end of the day, it celebrates female friendships! Oh, and all the girls suffer from a major case of food poisoning after a lunch gone wrong. What else do you need to make you laugh on V Day?

COUPLES:

The Vow (2012)

I can feel my eyes tearing up right now! If you’re into emotional rollercoasters, then this is the movie for you. Madly in love Paige (Rachel McAdams) and Leo (Channing Tatum) are in a car accident, which leaves Paige in a coma. When she wakes up, she doesn’t know who Leo is. As you bawl your eyes out watching Leo trying to win her heart again, you see a frustrating twist to the story, which makes you want to jump in the screen and tell the characters what’s going on. Based on a true story, it’s sure to put you in the lovin’ mood.

Love and Other Drugs (2010)

Super cute film that makes you laugh yet has you walking away with a full heart. Maggie (Anne Hathaway) has Parkinson’s disease and refuses to let anyone or anything tie her down. She’s independent and afraid to let herself become vulnerable -- that is, until she meets womanizer Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal). As they become closer, they realize that they’re under the influence of the ultimate drug -- love.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Ugh, one of my favs that I can watch over and over again. Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey), an advertising executive, makes a bet that he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), a writer for Composure magazine, is assigned to write an article on “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” The movie is quite simple, until the two realize their true feelings for the other and the cat is let out of the bag! Plus, you can’t deny the chemistry between Kate and Matthew. I kind of wish they were married in real life!

Happy Valentine's Movie Night to couples and singles everywhere!

(Screenshot via YouTube)

- Nicole Koch, YH Staff