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Best Valentine's Day movies to watch in 2021
From the classics to the contemporary, we've found romantic movies to suit everyone this V-Day
In the absence of an intimate meal out, or a night away at a hotel, many of us will be settling down on the sofa with a plethora of snacks (you can nab a romantic meal kit here) to watch a Valentine's Day movie this year. The thing is though, that after almost 12 months of watching Netflix night-after-night and exhausting our Hulu repertoire, we're out of ideas as to what romantic movie to cuddle up with next.
From Netflix movies to promising Amazon Prime films and all sorts of front-runners from the BBC, sometimes too many choices can cause unnecessary stress and mean our romantic Valentine's Day evening turns into hours of flicking through streaming services and Googling plot lines and trailers (while scoffing our Valentine's Day chocolate, of course).
So, in an effort to make sure that we are all as prepared as possible for the day of love (whether we're in a partnership or practising self-love this year), we've rounded-up the best Valentine's Day movies to watch in 2021.
We've included tearjerking cult favourites, like The Notebook and the award-winning Me Before You, as well as more recent rom-coms for anyone keen to keep the mood light this year (we don't blame you).
Then there are the classics like Breakfast at Tiffany's, and black-and-white movies, including Some Like It Hot (featuring Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis), that never fail to give the evening a dreamy, nostalgic tone.
So, whether you're in a relationship or not, these are the best Valentine's Day movies to watch in 2021.
My Best Friend's Wedding
Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Rupert Everett and Dermot Mulroney found themselves tangled in a web of love and lies after Julianne learns that her best friend Michael is soon getting married.
Overcome with a surge of mixed emotions, she makes up her mind to sabotage his wedding and make him her own.
Some Like It Hot
When two musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) witness a mob hit, they flee the state disguised as women in an all female band.
What ensues is a farcical plot full of comedy, music and heartwarming moments — and Marilyn Monroe's performance as band-member Sugar is second-to-none.
Available on BBC iPlayer
The Shape of Water
Elisa is a mute who lives alone and works nights at the Occam Aerospace Research Centre. When she develops an odd relationship with The Asset, an amphibious humanoid creature being studied by the government, she’s determined to free him. It’s all very strange yet beautiful, even by Guillermo del Toro’s high standards.
Available on YouTube
Me Before You
A Love Story for this generation and perfect for fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn't have less in common but end up forming a connection deeper than most people find in their lifetime.
Prepare for tears, laughter and lots and lots of butterflies.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Featuring an all-star cast including Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Kristen Bell, Jason Segel and Paul Rudd, Forgetting Sarah Marshall whisks us off to Hawaii where we follow the comedic highs and lows of falling in love and breaking up.
The Ugly Truth
Abby, a lovelorn TV producer, finds herself in the midst of tests when she strikes a deal with her chauvinistic colleague, Mike, who wants to prove to her the accuracy of his relationship theories.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Based on Truman Capote's novel, Breakfast at Tiffany's is a cult classic that spans generations with its tale of love in New York.
Audrey Hepburn plays Holly Golightly, an eccentric socialite, in the film that adaptation that turned eating a pastry while window-shopping into a fanciful rite of passage.
Shakespeare in Love
William Shakespeare is looking for a muse to help with his writing. When he meets Viola, who loves the theatre, she plays the part perfectly. However, she is promised to Lord Wessex in marriage.
Look out for the slew of famous faces, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck and Judi Dench.
Available on BBC iPlayer
The Notebook
The Notebook is an achingly tender story about the enduring power of love, a story of miracles that will stay with you long after you've watched.
The story follows Allie and Noah, two lovers who were separated by fate, but simply couldn't keep apart.
Valentine's Day
Is there a more apt Valentine's Day movie than Valentine's Day? You'd be hard-pressed to argue not.
With a ridiculously famous cast (including Bradley Cooper, Jessica Alba, Jamie Foxx, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway and Ashton Kutcher to name a few), this whimsical rom-com follows several different couples as they face struggles related to their love lives.
Available on YouTube
The Fault in Our Stars
Josh Boone’s film is adapted from the iconic young-adult novel by John Green, which made waves around the world.
Follow Augustus and Hazel, two American teenagers who’re both diagnosed with terminal cancer, as they bond over their search for a mysterious novelist.
50 First Dates
When Henry (Adam Sandler), a womanising frat-boy, meets Lucy (Drew Barrymore) he realises he has found someone special. The only problem? Her brain injury means she wakes up every day with no memory of what happened before her accident.
The film follows Henry's varied — and often whacky — attempts at reminding Lucy who he is and that he loves her.
When Harry Met Sally
A chance encounter between two graduates culminates in a short-term friendship. But when fate brings them back together five years later, they are forced to deal with how they feel about each other.
If you haven't watched this classic before, you're in for a treat, and if you have, you'll enjoy the recap.
Available on YouTube
West Side Story
Lovers Maria and Tony find themselves entangled in the bitter battle between their gangster families. Knowing this feud will lead to disastrous consequences, Maria sends Tony to end the fight.
About Last Night
While out with loudmouthed pal Bernie (Kevin Hart), Danny meets successful businesswoman Debbie, who's as wary of relationships as Danny is. However, Danny and Debbie both feel the pull of undeniable attraction, and they end up spending the first of several nights together.
The film follows the pair as they try to make a success of being a couple despite warnings from friends.
Ghost
Sam and Molly love each other, but their romance is short-lived when Sam is killed by a thug. Unable to tell Molly that her life is in danger, Sam's spirit takes a psychic's help in order to save her.
The award-winning romantic, fantasy thriller is a must-watch, and we guarantee you'll be replaying it in your head for days afterwards.
Available on YouTube
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