Posted Mon Feb 11, 2019 at 07:45 AM PST by Steven Cohen
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, giving couples everywhere the perfect excuse to snuggle up on the couch with a bottle of wine and a great movie on TV.
And if you're looking for the ideal flick to watch this year, Netflix has got you covered with a charming assortment of romantic films available to stream right now for subscribers, offering you and your significant other a wide variety of viewing options tailor-made for a lovely date night basked under the warm glow of a 65-inch 4K display.
From endearingly cheesy rom-coms to sweeping romantic epics, these are our picks for The Top 10 Romantic Movies on Netflix to Watch This Valentine's Day...
Silver Linings Playbook – Bringing a welcomed edge to typical romantic dramedy sensibilities, David O. Russell's award-winning film examines an evolving relationship between two broken individuals who find common ground within their mutual distress. And the ultimate solution to their woes? Some good old fashioned dancing! Marked by an expert balance of sensitivity, humor, and genuine cinematic craft, the movie creates an effortlessly entertaining love story without ever dismissing the weighty struggles of its leads, making the characters' setbacks all the more affecting and their triumphs all the more rewarding.
Beauty and the Beast – It's a tale as old as time: Beast meets girl. Beast imprisons girl. Girl befriends singing dancing houseware. Girl saves Beast from curse through the magic of true love. OK, so that might sound a little dicey on paper, but Disney's live-action take on its beloved 1991 animated film still manages to weave an appropriately enchanting experience. While the retread doesn't end up bringing anything particularly new, the music and visuals lend ample magic and heart to the well-worn narrative, adding some extra cinematic spectacle to the storybook fairy tale.
Sixteen Candles/Pretty in Pink – What's Valentine's Day without a classic 80s rom-com or two? Written by John Hughes -- a pioneer of lasting and endearing teen flick tropes -- these two films helped define the high school love story genre. Sure, some elements haven't exactly aged very well, but there's no denying the great influence both movies have had on the industry. And despite all their many subsequent imitators, few copycats have been able to tap into the confusion, angst, and joy of adolescent romance as successfully as Hughes and his Brat Pack stars.
Doctor Zhivago – A sweeping epic from acclaimed director David Lean, Doctor Zhivago weaves a grand romance set amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the Russian Revolution. Marked by stunning visuals, a sprawling narrative, a complicated love triangle, an incessantly catchy theme, and a rather generous runtime, the movie gives couples a great reason to cozy up on the couch together… for three and a half hours. Sure, Lean's stunning movies are always best enjoyed in a real larger-than-life movie theater, but nothing beats the convenience of that pause button for bathroom breaks.
A Christmas Prince/A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding – Yes, I have seen these. No, I'm not ashamed. Well, maybe a little. As Netflix's most infamous guilty pleasure, this double feature presents an unabashedly cheesy rom-com experience in the typical Hallmark or Lifetime mold. Are they good movies? No, not really -- but they are amusingly perfect distillations of fluffy made-for-TV romance seemingly tailor-made for casual Valentine's Day viewings… and couples drinking games (responsibly, of course).
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – A heady and surreal journey into the fractured subconscious of one couple's dissolving and reforming relationship, Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman's unconventional sci-fi romance presents a deeply affecting and wonderfully trippy take on the repeated joys and pains of love. As the memory of a broken heart is slowly wiped away, the movie illuminates the unstoppable, irrational pull of attraction -- even in the face of inevitable hardships.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before – Based on the best-selling book of the same name, this Netflix original was quite well received when it premiered on the platform last summer. With endearing performance from its young leads and a simple but effective plot tied to exposed secret crushes, the film offers an enjoyable take on tried-and-true teen rom-com sensibilities -- especially for fans of similar YA adaptations. And with a sequel already in development, this Valentine's Day marks the perfect opportunity to catch up on the story.
Chocolat – What's sweeter than a love story between Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp? Well, how about a love story between Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, a repressed French town, and lots of chocolate? Lots and lots of chocolate. Lasse Hallstrom's tale of reignited passions via confectionary delights remains a staple for date night viewing… and a perfect excuse to gorge on some tasty treats with your significant other.
The Graduate – A seductive coming of age story fueled by the uncertainties of youth and the tragic missed opportunities of middle-age, Mike Nichols' classic mix of love, sex, and satire remains a defining piece of the New Hollywood movement. Filled with iconic images, famous lines of dialogue, and an infinitely hummable Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack, the movie navigates a scandalous love triangle with sardonic wit and powerful ambiguity -- subverting the grand romantic finale it seemingly begins to promise with something far more sobering and memorable.
You – Yes, this is technically a TV show and not a movie, but Netflix's You offers a playfully twisted alternative to traditional romance too addictive to pass up. A physiological thriller intricately tied to digital age toxicity and social media stalking, the series weaves a surprisingly engaging tale of deadly obsession. Skewing and corrupting rom-com conventions through the POV of a psychopath, the darkly satirical narrative manages to rise above mere guilty-pleasure status. This is a Valentine's Day binge-worthy show ideal for couples who want to be reminded of just how comparatively well-adjusted and healthy their relationship really is.
So there you have it, those are our picks for the Top 10 Romantic Movies on Netflix to Watch This Valentine's Day. What do you think of our selection? Will you be cozying up on the couch to watch any of these flicks with your significant other? Do you have recommendations for other great romance movies? Let us know your thoughts in the forum!
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