The best romantic movie to watch on Valentine’s Day is The Notebook (2004), followed by La La Land (2016) and Pride & Prejudice (2005). This list ranks 10 romantic films for a date night at home, mixing classics with newer favourites such as Past Lives and Anyone but You.
Valentine’s Day 2027 falls on Sunday, 14 February, so there is still time to pick a film for the upcoming evening. You can also browse the most expensive movies of all time for a bigger-budget night in.
Top 10 romantic movies for Valentine’s Day: summary
| Rank | Movie | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Notebook (2004) | Classic romance |
| 2 | La La Land (2016) | Musical romance |
| 3 | Pride & Prejudice (2005) | Period romance |
| 4 | Past Lives (2023) | Modern drama |
| 5 | Anyone but You (2023) | Romantic comedy |
| 6 | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) | Bittersweet |
| 7 | Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) | Old Hollywood |
| 8 | Pretty Woman (1990) | Romantic comedy |
| 9 | 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) | Teen romcom |
| 10 | A Walk to Remember (2002) | Tearjerker |
How we ranked them: we weighed worldwide box office, awards recognition and how well each film works for two people on a sofa. The ranking is our own judgment.
1. The Notebook (2004)
Directed by Nick Cassavetes. With Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling.
A young couple falls in love in the 1940s, and the story is read from a notebook in a nursing home today. It grossed more than $115 million worldwide on a $29 million budget and became a cult favourite despite mixed reviews. Gosling and McAdams won the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss in 2005.
Ranking note: Box office and lasting cult status. It is still the film most people name first for Valentine’s Day, so it keeps the top spot.
2. La La Land (2016)
Directed by Damien Chazelle. With Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone.
A jazz pianist and an aspiring actress fall in love while chasing their dreams in Los Angeles. It grossed $526.4 million worldwide, won six Oscars from a record-tying 14 nominations, and earned Emma Stone Best Actress.
Ranking note: Biggest box office of the list ($526.4 million) plus the awards haul.
3. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Directed by Joe Wright. With Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen.
Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy in Jane Austen’s story. It grossed $131.9 million worldwide on a $28 million budget and earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Knightley.
Ranking note: Strong box office on a modest budget and four Oscar nominations.
4. Past Lives (2023)
Directed by Celine Song. With Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro.
Two childhood friends reconnect over 24 years while living very different lives. It was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 96th Academy Awards and grossed $42.7 million worldwide.
Ranking note: The newest critical favourite, with Best Picture and screenplay nominations.
5. Anyone but You (2023)
Directed by Will Gluck. With Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell.
A loose retelling of Much Ado About Nothing in which two people pretend to be a couple. It grossed $220 million worldwide and was seen as a comeback for romantic comedies in cinemas. An extended cut was released in February 2024 before Valentine’s Day.
Ranking note: The 2020s romcom hit, with $220 million worldwide.
6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Directed by Michel Gondry. With Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet.
A couple erases their memories of each other after a breakup. It grossed about $72.9 million on a $20 million budget, and Winslet earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
Ranking note: Critical acclaim, but it is better for couples who like a thoughtful film than for a cosy night.
7. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Directed by Blake Edwards. With Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard.
A socialite in New York meets the writer who moves into her building. It earned five Oscar nominations and won two, for Henry Mancini’s score and the song Moon River.
Ranking note: The oldest film here, ranked on style and awards over pure romance.
8. Pretty Woman (1990)
Directed by Garry Marshall. With Julia Roberts, Richard Gere.
A wealthy businessman hires an escort for a week of social events, and the arrangement turns into love. Julia Roberts won a Golden Globe and earned her first Best Actress Oscar nomination.
Ranking note: Star power and a Golden Globe win, held back by its dated premise.
9. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Directed by Gil Junger. With Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
A high-school update of The Taming of the Shrew. It grossed $53.5 million worldwide and launched Ledger, Stiles and Gordon-Levitt.
Ranking note: Great for a laugh, lighter than the rest.
10. A Walk to Remember (2002)
Directed by Adam Shankman. With Shane West, Mandy Moore.
Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, it follows two high-school students who are thrown together. It grossed $47.5 million worldwide on an $11.8 million budget, and a remake was announced in March 2025.
Ranking note: The tearjerker pick; ranked last because it is the most predictable.
Also worth a look
Three films from our original list slipped out of the top 10 but are still easy picks: Valentine’s Day (2010), Dear John (2010) and The Vow (2012). The Vow was inspired by a true story, and Valentine’s Day grossed $216.5 million worldwide with an ensemble cast.
FAQ
What is the best romantic movie for Valentine’s Day?
The Notebook (2004) is our top pick, with La La Land (2016) second. Both star Ryan Gosling.
Which newer romantic movies are worth watching?
Past Lives (2023), which was nominated for Best Picture, and Anyone but You (2023), which grossed $220 million worldwide.
Which romantic movie made the most money?
Of our ten, La La Land has the biggest worldwide gross at $526.4 million.
When is Valentine’s Day 2027?
Valentine’s Day 2027 is on Sunday, 14 February 2027.
What is a good light romantic comedy?
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and Anyone but You (2023) are the lightest on our list.
Last updated: October 2026.
