By Courtney VanAuken
1. “When Harry Met Sally” (1989) — Directed by Rob Reiner
This is the perfect Valentine’s Day movie to watch if you are at a point in your life where you have no romantic prospects. This sentiment will ring true for most Carnegie Mellon students. The most disappointing thing in my life is that I will likely not live my Meg Ryan fantasy where I fall in love with a man over the course of 12 years. “When Harry Met Sally” is one of the most beloved love stories in cinema for a reason. The film’s screenwriter, Nora Ephron, is a genius who understands how to play into romantic comedy tropes without crossing the line into predictability or insulting the intelligence of the audience. Also, Meg Ryan. Billy Crystal. The New Year’s Eve scene destroys me every single time. I highly recommend this movie.
2. “Wall-E” (2008) — Directed by Andrew Stanton
Hear me out. “Wall-E”?? A romantic movie?? Of course. In case you forgot, this movie is so incredibly charming. The visuals are beautifully stunning, and the “Hello, Dolly” soundtrack and musical motifs provide a pure backdrop for two robots exploring each other’s “circuitry.” Wall-E provides a nostalgic reflection on companionship and care, making it the perfect movie to share with your loved ones. I suggest refraining from a Netflix-and-chill moment with this movie.
3. “Past Lives” (2023) — Directed by Celine Song
Past Lives is the “The Godfather” of romance movies. Watch this movie before it wins an Oscar. “Past Lives” follows the life of Nora (Greta Lee) as she reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, Hae Sung (Teo Yoo). The story explores the roles our loved ones play in our lives, changing and evolving with us as we grow. “Past Lives” is the perfect movie to watch if you are hung up on someone back home — unless, of course, peace is something that you actively value in your life. Don’t forget to log the watch on Letterboxd as soon as the credits roll. That’s always so attractive. If “Past Lives” doesn’t win an Oscar, you and your date can have a great sequel date when you storm the Academy and demand they give this movie the love and recognition it deserves.
4. “Punch-Drunk Love” (2002) — Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Y’all are going to have to trust me on this one. It’s a little bit of a deep cut. “Punch-Drunk Love” is a great movie to pull out of your pocket if your date is at all pretentious or reads “The New Yorker.” “Punch-Drunk Love” follows Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) as he pursues the love of Lena (Emily Watson) all while being threatened by an extortionist, Dean Trumbell (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). This movie is so deeply strange and sweet. Adam Sandler delivers a surprisingly heartwarming performance as the offputting Barry Egan. “Punch-Drunk Love” is the perfect absurdist romance for the most absurd of romantics.
5. “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012) — Directed by David O. Russell
To every playbook, there is a silver lining, and to every cloud, there is a playbook. This movie is full of both. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence both star in Oscar-winning roles in this off-beat dry-romantic-comedy. “Silver Linings Playbook” follows Pat (Bradley Cooper) as he attempts to put his life back together after losing his job and wife. Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who whips him into shape by training him to dance with her in a high-stakes competitive dance contest. This is the perfect movie for members of the ballroom dancing club and fans of the Philadelphia Eagles.
6. “La La Land” (2016) — Directed by Damien Chazelle
Don’t date a musician; watch this movie instead! “La La Land” won Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars for a whopping two minutes and 20 seconds, but plenty of movies out there won Best Picture for zero seconds, so this is no small feat! “La La Land” follows Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) as they both pursue their passions in Los Angeles. This movie is best to watch this Valentine’s Day if you or someone you love is planning on dating a musician so you can convince them not to do it. Show them “La La Land” instead. Happy Valentine’s Day! Don’t date a musician. Do not do it. Don’t date a musician.
7. “Pitch Perfect” (2015) — Directed by Jason Moore
It’s not a baseball movie! “Pitch Perfect” is such a joy to watch. A capella, Anna Kendrick, projectile vomit, what more could you ask for in a movie? Everyone you know who is in a college a capella group joined because of “Pitch Perfect.” It’s such a good movie it made everyone think that a capella is cool. How wonderful is that? I wish I was spending my time in college in an a capella group and falling in love with an extroverted film buff. “Pitch Perfect” is the movie to watch if that’s the life you wish you were living.
8. “Jurassic Park” (1993) — Directed by Steven Spielberg
Is “Jurassic Park” inherently romantic? No. But hear me out: “Jurassic Park” is best for Valentine’s Day when watched with a group of people who can appreciate an oiled-up Jeff Goldblum. Y’all know the scene I am talking about. If you don’t know, watch it and find out. There is also a touch of dinosaur science, making “Jurassic Park” a perfect date night movie for anyone studying anything remotely in the realm of biomedical engineering or genetics. TLDR; come for Jeff Goldblum, stay for the dinosaurs. Happy Valentine’s Day.