Are you in the mood for love? Check out our list of favourite romantic movies for a cozy date night at home.
While date nights may consist of catching a movie at the cinema, sometimes all we wanna do is spend the night in, order some pizza or takeaway, and just Netflix and chill. Looking for a film to set the mood? Check out some of our favourite love stories and romantic movies.
Netflix and chill with these romantic movies
1. Your Name Engraved Herein (2020)
In this coming-of-age love story, teenagers A-han and Birdy meet at Catholic high school in 1987 at the end of martial law in Taiwan. The highest-grossing LGBTQ+ film in Taiwan’s history, Your Name Engraved Herein was nominated for five Golden Horse Awards in 2020 – winning Best Cinematography and Best Original Film Song. With stunning performances by the two leads, the film beautifully depicts the intensity of falling in love as well as the pressure and heartache caused by homophobia and familial expectations. The touching telephone call scene where A-han plays the titular song for Birdy is sure to turn on the waterworks – make sure you have your hanky handy!
2. About Last Night (2014)
As sparring couple Bernie and Joan introduce their respective friends Danny and Debbie to each other on a double date, the two couples soon struggle to navigate their relationships in a modern world. A remake of the 1986 film of the same name (this time with a predominantly black cast), About Last Night is both heartwarming and hilarious – with strong comedic chemistry between stars Kevin Hart and Regina Hall. Each fighting and loving in different ways, the two couples will keep you entertained while hopefully bringing home a few truths about how to make a relationship work in one of the liveliest romantic movies around.
3. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
A modernisation of William Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About You is a true 90s classic. Newly transferred student Cameron develops a crush on popular student Bianca. Bianca is only allowed to date if her ill-tempered, social outcast sister, Kat, also dates. Naturally, Cameron enlists bad boy Patrick to ask out Kat so that he in turn can chase Bianca. Along with shining early performances of future-stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles’ fiery breakthrough role as Kat cements her place in the hall of fame of teen-comedy greats.
4. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Memoirs of a Geisha follows the life of Chiyo who is sold to a geisha house as a child, eventually growing up to have a successful geisha career under the Sayuri before the outbreak of World War II. Shaped and guided by the other women of the geisha world (played by stars such as Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li), Sayuri encounters many men who seek the company of her and her fellow geishas. Throughout the years, Sayuri’s love for the Chairman, one of her patrons, is thwarted again and again. Despite the obstacles, she never falters in her feelings – even as the world around her drastically changes.
5. Secret (2007)
Winner of Outstanding Taiwanese Film of the Year at the 2007 Golden Horse Awards, Secret is a touching romance with a twist. Starring musician Jay Chou, who also directed and co-wrote the movie, Secret follows the love story of music students Xianglun and Xiaoyu. Although at first seeming like a conventional boy-meets-girl courtship, there is more to the story – and haunting titular piano tune – than meets the eye.
6. The Half of It (2020)
Loosely based on the play Cyrano de Bergerac, The Half of It follows high school students caught up in a complicated love triangle. When football player Paul forms a crush on the kind and beautiful Aster but doesn’t have the right words to tell her, he hires shy loner Ellie to write love letters on his behalf. In the process, Paul and Ellie strike up a friendship while Ellie also becomes infatuated with Aster herself. With touching themes of friendship, family, and love, The Half of It is a heartwarming coming of age tale.
7. The Notebook (2004)
As the romantic classic that launched numerous kissing-in-the-rain recreations, The Notebook makes you sob even if you’ve already seen it countless times before. Based on the novel by master romance novelist Nicholas Sparks, the film follows the epic 1940s romance between Noah and Allie. Spanning several years from forbidden young love to separation and later to reconnection, The Notebook is one of the most iconic modern day romance movies. With breakthrough performances from leads Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, this tearjerker will turn up the heat on any date night.
8. Set It Up (2018)
In the romantic comedy Set It Up, two long-suffering assistants concoct a scheme for each of their overbearing bosses to date. With delightful chemistry between the two leads and hilarious performances from Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs as the vicious bosses, the movie certainly earns both its laughs and its heart. Offering a fresh take on the unlucky-in-love matchmakers format, Set It Up is a breezy watch for a fun night of cuddling and romantic movies.
9. Grease (1978)
This movie musical is a classic for a reason. With iconic looks and tunes, Grease is a rapturous tale of star-crossed lovers played by legends John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. After an intense summer fling, greaser Danny and good-girl Sandy find themselves at the same high school – now with social forces keeping them apart. Filled with catchy songs and spirited dance sequences, Grease will have you and your significant other tapping your toes to the beat in no time.
10. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Set at the end of the 18th century, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is an intimate love story between a painter and the aristocratic lady she is commissioned to paint. A modern French classic, the romance between Marianne and Héloïse unfolds tenderly and passionately. Winning both the Queer Palm and Best Screenplay at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a beautifully honest portrayal of women in love – with a final scene that’ll stick with you long after the credits stop rolling in one of the most visually stunning romantic movies ever.
11. Ghost (1990)
Although the famous pottery-making scene has been reenacted and parodied hundreds of times, it doesn’t overshadow the charming supernatural romance of Ghost. When a banker – Patrick Swayze at the peak of his heartthrob status – is killed, his ghost lingers to warn the woman he loves – Demi Moore at the peak of her heartthrob status – that she’s in danger. With a smart script and sizzling chemistry between the two leads, Ghost’s central love story is only bolstered by an iconic, Oscar-winning performance from Whoopi Goldberg in one of the best romantic movies of all time.
12. Moonstruck (1987)
Watch entertainment legend Cher smooth-talk her way to an Oscar win with her charming performance in Moonstruck. Set amongst the Italian-American community of New York City, 37 year old widow Loretta vows to plan her second wedding according to traditions after she accepts a proposal from her affable boyfriend Johnny. When she is asked to convince Johnny’s estranged younger brother Ronny – played by a baby-faced Nicolas Cage – to attend the wedding, an unlikely romance starts to form. A rare romantic-comedy that took home several statues at the 60th Academy Awards, Moonstruck is both a spotlight on a specific community as well as a universal story of unconventional love.
