20 Great Rom-Coms For Couples To Watch On Valentine's Day—And 20 For Single People

Valentine's Movie Night

Whether you're all coupled up, or single and ready (or not ready) to mingle—we have the rom-coms for you to enjoy this Valentine's Day (and any day, for that matter).

For Couples: "When Harry Met Sally.".. (1989)

First they aren't friends, then they are friends, then they can't be friends, then they fall in love.

This Billy Crystal/Meg Ryan romantic comedy, directed by Rob Reiner, is without question 

one of the greatest rom-coms Hollywood has ever produced. We'll always have what she's having!

Columbia, When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

For Singles: "Bridesmaids" (2011)

There's romance here for sure, but at the crux of it this hysterical female-driven comedy is about the friendships—and food poisoning. But mostly the friendships.

Universal, Bridesmaids (2011)

For Couples: "Dirty Dancing" (1987)

Even if you guys can't dance and he can't lift you over his head, this one is still a must watch. So, put down that watermelon, grab your honey and...insert your own "no one puts Baby in a corner" joke here.

Vestron, Dirty Dancing (1987)

For Singles: "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (2008)

After getting dumped, Peter goes to Hawaii to get away from everything—only to find out that his ex and her new boyfriend are staying at the same hotel. While this could touch some nerves (depending on why one is single at this moment), the ultimate takeaway from the movie is that a breakup isn't the end of the world and there are good (even better) things ahead.

Universal, Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

For Couples: "The Hundred-Foot Journey" (2014)

A couple of love affairs and delicious food are at the center of this fun film about competing restaurants in a small French town. Produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, this one will make you laugh and cry—it will also make you really hungry (maybe go out for your romantic dinner first).

DreamWorks, The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

For Singles: "(500) Days Of Summer" (2009)

(500) Days of Summer is, like so many rom-coms, about finding "the one". But unlike so many rom-coms, the film is also about losing "the one". Told via jumps around the 500 day timeline of a relationship, (500) Days of Summer tracks the highs and the ultimate lows of a relationship. One of the most interesting, engaging and original rom-coms of the 21st Century.

Searchlight Pictures, 500 Days Of Summer (2009)

For Couples: "Notting Hill" (1999)

We're just an entertainment website, standing in front of couples on Valentine's Day asking them to watch Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant fall in love in Notting Hill.

Universal, Notting Hill (1999)

For Singles: "Legally Blonde" (2001)

Initially, Elle Woods does everything to go to Harvard Law School just so she can win her boyfriend back.

But in the end, this sorority girl 

realizes she's much better off without him—and that she's going to be a really good lawyer as well. You go girl!

MGM, Legally Blonde (2001)

For Couples: "Four Weddings And A Funeral" (1994)

The film that made Hugh Grant a star and made almost $250 million on a $4.4 million budget. Grant is at his charming, stammering best and the supporting cast is full of fun and interesting characters.

It's written by Richard Curtis who—as you may know—is the guy who wrote and directed 

Love Actually.

And speaking of Love Actually...

Working Title, Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

For Singles: "Love Actually" (2003)

This one really could've gone in either category (couples or singles) given that, of the 10 interconnecting love stories that make up the movie, there are the sweet and heartwarming true love ones as well as the infidelity and non-reciprocated love ones. There's something for everyone no matter how you feel about love and romance today.

And speaking of a bunch of different stories...

Working Title, Love Actually (2003)

For Couples: "Valentine's Day" (2010)

While not as good as Love Actually, Valentine's Day does tell the tales of 10 different love stories (on Valentine's Day, of course). Some you may relate to and some you may not. But it's an easy watch for a relaxing night with your valentine.

It's also Taylor Swift's acting debut, so there's that.

Warner Bros., Valentine's Day (2010)

For Singles: "My Best Friend's Wedding" (1997)

Julia Roberts' longtime friend is getting married—which is when she realizes that she loves him. She sets out to sabotage the wedding and land him for herself. Of course Julia Roberts gets what she wants in a rom-com right?

Wrong!

TriStar, My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

For Couples: "French Kiss" (1995)

Starring Kevin Kline and rom-com legend Meg Ryan, French Kiss did alright at the box office, but isn't a film most anyone talks about all these years later. Well, it should be. Kline and Ryan are fantastic—and the romance, the comedy, and the chemistry is all there. Plus, they're in France (which never hurts).

Working Title, French Kiss (1995)

For Singles: "The First Wives Club" (1996)

Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and Bette Midler come together to get revenge on their husbands—who all left them for younger women in this hit rom-com from 1996. If you're looking to feel empowered and to know that there is life (a great one) after a breakup—even after a marriage—then these women are what you need.

Paramount, The First Wives Club (1996)

For Couples: "About Time" (2013)

Looking to add a little science-fiction to your romance and comedy?

 Tim has the ability to go back in time for short stints–and he uses that ability to give himself multiple do-overs when it comes to wooing the girl of his dreams (Rachel McAdams).

Universal, About Time (2013)

For Singles: "Bridget Jones’s Diary" (2001)

Renée Zellweger is brilliant as Bridget Jones and her trials and tribulations living the single life are hilarious and utterly relatable for many. But they are also a reminder that changing who you are for someone else is never a good idea and that there are people out there that will want you and love you for who you are.

Universal, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

For Couples: "Pretty In Pink" (1986)

The uncool girl from the wrong side of town and the rich popular kid.

It should never work, but in 

Pretty In Pink, love can overcome anything. One of many classic John Hughes teen rom-coms from the 80s.

Paramount, Pretty in Pink (1986)

For Singles: "Pretty In Pink" (1986)

You know what? We were just thinking about Duckie and now want to throw this one in the singles bin as well. Jon Cryer's Duckie is hopelessly in love with his best friend but can't tell her.

It looks like he is doomed to heartache but even he gets his happy ending. 

There is hope for all of us.

Paramount, Pretty in Pink (1986)

For Couples: "His Girl Friday" (1940)

Sometimes we all just need Cary Grant. And while there are plenty to choose from in his classic oeuvre, we wanted to single out His Girl Friday for its screwball comedy and that fast and witty back and forth dialogue between Grant and Rosalind Russell. So much fun.

Columbia, His Girl Friday (1940)

For Singles: "Mamma Mia"! (2008)

First off, as any single person knows, belting out ABBA songs always makes things better. But along with the music, Mamma Mia! also features interesting and engaging relationships between women of different generations—as important to the story as the romance.

Universal, Mamma Mia! (2008)

For Couples: "Date Night" (2010)

Steve Carell and Tina Fey play a bored married couple who attempt to get the spark back with a date night out at a fancy New York restaurant. Well, mistaken identity and hijinks ensue in this action rom-com.

What couple can't relate to the routine and the desire to get out of it sometimes?

Twentieth Century, Date Night (2010)

For Singles: "Breakfast At Tiffany’s" (1961)

Before there was Carrie and her friends and "the city"—there was Holly Golightly, with all the trials and tribulations and loves of a single woman in 1960s New York. Although, all we really need to say is:

 

Audrey Hepburn.

Paramount, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

For Couples: "Sabrina" (1954)

Forget the 1995 remake—get cozy on the couch with your sweetie and enjoy the original 1954 version with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.

Paramount, Sabrina (1954)

For Singles: "50 First Dates" (2004)

While your recent singlehood may not have involved going on 50 first dates, we've all had our share of them. What this sweet Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie reminds us all is that it might take a lot of dates to find the one for you.

 

But it's worth waiting for the one willing to put in the work.

Columbia, 50 First Dates (2004)

For Couples: "Grosse Pointe Blank" (1997)

A hitman for hire finds love at his 10-year high school reunion—or should we say re-finds it, given that it is with his former high school sweetheart. But no matter how you say it, this is one of the best rom-coms of the 90s and one that often gets overlooked.

Buena Vista, Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

For Singles: "Girls Trip" (2017)

Is this a rom-com? Okay, probably technically not. But there is a lot of com(edy), and with the rom(ance) of true female friendship at its core—we're going to count it.

Universal, Girls Trip (2017)

For Couples: "She’s All That" (1999)

The idea that Laney Boggs is only desirable once she takes her glasses off and puts on some makeup is a little problematic, of course.

But the film also has a sweetheart and some actual chemistry between Freddie Prinze Jr and Rachael Leigh Cook.

Miramax, She's All That (1999)

For Singles: "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" (1998)

Because sometimes we all just have to get our groove back. So, while a Jamaican vacation might not be in the cards for all of us, it's more about finding what is than replicating Stella's fun and romantic adventure.

Twentieth Century, How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

For Couples: "Enchanted" (2007)

The whole fairy tale thing might be a little too much for some singles on this day, but if you've already found your fairy tale, then Enchanted could be the perfect watch for the two of you.

Walt Disney, Enchanted (2007)

For Singles: "Serendipity" (2001)

John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale are wonderful in this holiday rom-com that puts its fate in life's little signals.

 

Who knows who you'll meet tomorrow and what fate has in store. You just have to be open to it.

Miramax, Serendipity (2001)

For Couples: "The Princess Bride" (1987)

Fantasy, adventure, comedy, and romance. It's not only Raj Koothrappali's favorite movie—it's one of ours as well. And if either of you in the couple have never seen it, then there's also the joy of introducing this classic to the one you love.

Twentieth Century, The Princess Bride (1987)

For Singles: "The Princess Bride" (1987)

No big reason here why we recommend it to couples and singles—besides the fact it's just awesome.

As you wish.

Twentieth Century, The Princess Bride (1987)

For Couples: "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018)

The tagline on this one is, "the only thing crazier than love is family". Something couples from all walks of life can most certainly relate to.

Warner Bros., Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

For Singles: "Celeste And Jesse Forever" (2012)

A married couple, together since high school, drift apart but promise to remain friends even after they separate. Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg are wonderful and the smart and funny script doesn't shy away from the struggles of a breakup.

Sony, Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012)

For Couples: "The Wedding Singer" (1998)

Could be one for the singles also, given how Sandler gets dumped hard at the beginning—but it ends up leading him to his true love and a happy ending.

New Line, The Wedding Singer (1998) 

For Singles: "Hitch" (2005)

You might decide to watch this one looking for some tips—but in the end, the message is to just be confident and be who you are. Something we all need to hear sometimes.

Columbia, Hitch (2005)

For Couples: "Say Anything" (1989)

John Cusack with a boombox over his head is one of the most iconic images from 80s cinema. If you haven't seen it, you must. If you have...don't you want to watch it again?

Twentieth Century, Say Anything... (1989)

For Singles: "Waiting To Exhale" (1995)

Come for the great Whitney Houston soundtrack, stay for Angela Bassett setting her ex's car on fire.

And stay some more for the power of self-care and true friendship.

Twentieth Century, Waiting to Exhale (1995)

For Couples: "Jerry Maguire" (1996)

Hello! Help us help you find a good movie to watch with your sweetheart. We can't show you the money, but we can show you a great film...Jerry Maguire. Or did we already have you at "hello"? We could do this all day.

TriStar, Jerry Maguire (1996)

For Singles: "The Break-Up" (2006)

Turns out breakups can be really funny when they aren't yours.

Universal, The Break-Up (2006)