The MFF Valentine’s Day Viewing Guide: Romantic Films For Every Type of Person

Hello all. Mark here.

The world is inundated with lists telling you which romantic films to watch on Valentine’s Day. I’m sure they all have their merits but they aren’t looking out for everybody. We here at MFF want to bring you a wide variety of films in order to give you options. We understand that not everybody watches the same kind of movies so options are always nice.

The following posts features 10 categories that have a main option and a backup in case you don’t like the first recommendation. Hopefully you can find something you will enjoy.

If you are in the mood for…..

A romance featuring amazing performances

Love & Basketball tells a great romantic story and features one of my favorite performances. Sanaa Lathan is amazing and you totally buy her as a love interest and successful athlete. It is well worth a watch and I guarantee you will be swept up in the love story.

• If you aren’t interested: You should check out Bull Durham. It is one of the great romantic sports movies and you can’t go wrong with Susan Surandon and Kevin Costner’s chemistry

A beautiful film full of great music and friendship

Once is one of my favorite films and it tells a great story about friendship, love and growing up. It is impossible to not have a smile on your face after watching it and you will immediately want to watch it again. Also, you will fall in love with the song Falling Slowly. 

• If you aren’t interested: Cameron Crowe hit all the right notes with Almost Famous and I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t be into the fun story and characters.
• If you really aren’t interested: Beyond the Lights has a solid central romance and Gina Prince-Bythewood also directed Love & Basketball.

A movie about a hockey player falling in love

Goon is not a romantic film but it features one of my favorite cinematic couples. I love the relationship between Sean William Scott and Allison Pill because it is so nice and genuine. I really like it when she says “you make me want to stop sleeping with a bunch of guys.” In a weird way that is incredibly romantic.

• If you aren’t interested: If you are into unconventional love stories you need to watch Punch Drunk Love. Paul Thomas Anderson is brilliant and Adam Sandler has never been better.

A beautiful tale of a father and son finding their way in new relationships

I like Beginners because it does something different in the romance genre. It tells the story of people who finally make a massive decision that will change their lives. However, their beginning comes when they hunker down and stay in a “meet cute” relationship when things get hard.

• If you aren’t interested: Check out Amelie because it might be one of the most charming movies you will ever watch. Audrey Tautou is a likable presence and you will be swept up on the whimsy of this French charmer.

A woman being dragged to hell

Drag Me To Hell is the first film my wife and I watched together…….and we are still together. It is a fantastic horror comedy that will have you laughing, cringing and appreciating life.

• If you aren’t interested: I never thought Warm Bodies would work and I was wrong. It is a nice little thing that has a sense of humor and confident direction.

A sensitive dude and his boombox

Say Anything’s Lloyd Dobler and Diane Court are the greatest cinematic couple of all time. I love that Lloyd is a nice dude who can beat people up and still be sensitive. Say Anything is one of my favorite films and it made the young me realize that romantic movies could be great (and not yucky…this is young me talking).

 

• If you aren’t interested: I’m gonna stay with John Cusack and recommend Serendipity. It is a nice little charmer that features Cusack at his romantic comedy best.

Two people walking and talking

Before Sunrise is the beginning of a beautiful trilogy of films. It is optimistic, intelligently written and wonderfully acted. My wife and I love Before Sunrise.

 

• If you aren’t interested: I’m going to stick with the travel idea and recommend Lost in Translation. It is a fantastic film that will make you feel all the feels. The ending is beautiful.

An insane couple falling in love

True Romance is a bonkers love story that is full of ultraviolence and deplorable acts. It is a true cult classic that features fantastic chemistry between Christian Slater and Patrica Arquette. You will dig this crazy couple.

 

• If you aren’t interested: This couple is totally different but you need to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet are terrible for each other but the movie is amazing.

Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney at their best

Out of Sight turns the smolder to 11 and features Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney at their best. Out of Sight is effortless, sexy and cool.

• If you aren’t interested: Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie have crazy chemistry in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. 

An absolute classic that never ages

Casablanca is an ageless wonder that still feels perfect today It transcends genres and has totally earned its top spot on AFI’s 100 passions list.

• If you aren’t interested: You gotta watch Roman Holiday. It doesn’t’ get any better than Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn hanging out.