The top 10 best romantic movies to watch this Valentine's Day

Ahh, Valentine’s Day.

It’s that special time of the year when you get to celebrate the one who makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.

That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. You can have the perfect night in, complete with a delicious homemade meal (or takeout) and a favourite romantic flick on the big-screen TV. And lovey-dovey movies don’t care if you’re watching them solo or with a partner; they love you just the same. That’s what true romance looks like.

TELUS Pik TV™ is where you’ll want to find new romantic-themed movie releases and series. Seriously, it’s as simple as plugging the Pik TV media box into your TV or downloading the Pik TV app to your smartphone or tablet. And away you go.

To help you plan your special Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite romantic movies to cuddle up with and enjoy. So get out your comfy pants (and maybe a box of tissues) and add these to your watch list, STAT:

10 Things I Hate About You

Valentine’s Day is easily the best time to watch this 90’s hit (even if you’ve already seen it 10 times). Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, the story is centered on badass feminist Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) who doesn’t express much interest in the guys at her school, and her younger sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), who is forbidden from dating until her older sister finds love. However, things change for Kat when a hot new Australian student, Patrick Verona (the late Heath Ledger), arrives on the scene.

The whole movie is a pile of good feels, but the iconic scene of Patrick singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” to Kat is the reason this makes our list.

 

Casablanca

No list of romantic flicks is complete without this 1942 classic. Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine — a savvy nightclub owner in Casablanca, Morocco trying to stay in business (and out of trouble) amidst the Second World War — is behind some of the most memorable movie lines of all time (ie/ “Here’s looking at you, kid”). Then, of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all world comes the beautiful Ilsa Lund, played with timeless elegance by Ingrid Bergman, and all Rick’s efforts to stay neutral fall apart. Watch. Cry. Repeat.

The Notebook

Sometimes you just want to cry until your face is a streak-filled wad of emotion, and that’s just what The Notebook is good for. This 2004 romantic drama (set in the 1940s) follows star-crossed lovers Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams). There’s a clear passion between the pair (which, much to fans delight, was fueled by a real-life romance between the Canadian actors for a few years), but their social differences tear them apart. Years later, they reconnect and the fire is stronger than ever. It may be physically impossible to make it to the closing credits without shedding a tear. Have fun!

Valentine’s Day

This one was a no-brainer, right? Take a peek at the lives of various couples living in L.A. as they each experience February 14. Featuring an all-star cast including Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Alba, Patrick Dempsey and Jessica Biel, you’ll see everything from old-flame re-connections and first dates to long-term relationships. If you prefer to treat your on-screen romances like a sampler platter, you can’t go wrong here.

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Have you ever kept a diary? No? Well, watching this hilarious rom-com may just inspire you to get one started. No one writes her own story better than Bridget Jones (played with perfection by Renée Zellweger). In an often provocative (and seriously funny) style, Bridget gives us the low down on everything from men and food to sex and underwear. It’s the ultimate how-to guide to being single in your 30s. The original 2001 film also stars Colin Firth as the dreamy Mark Darcy and Hugh Grant who, as Daniel Cleaver, cemented himself as one of the most charming men in movie history.

P.S I Love You

Okay, this one’s a bit of a heart-wrencher. Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank) loses the love of her life Gerry (Gerard Butler) to a tragic illness. However, Gerry had anticipated his wife’s grief and in turn, left her a series of 10 letters to help make things easier and allow her to move forward with her life. You’ll need to watch this emotional yet uplifting flick to find out what happens to Holly. Plus, hearing Gerard Butler speak with an Irish accent is something everyone needs to experience at least once.

Brokeback Mountain

This epic love story takes you on an emotional journey that spans 20 years. With the dramatic landscape of Wyoming as a backdrop (though, in reality, the film was mainly shot in Alberta), ranch hands Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) fall in love while tending sheep on Brokeback Mountain. But society isn’t kind to their relationship, to say the least. If you’re in the mood for a love story that will leave you a wreck at the end, look no further.

La La Land

This 2017 Oscar-winning romantic musical follows the story of pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone). Their creative passions bring them together in a beautiful, old-Hollywood world of music and dance; however, when success becomes too much, cracks form in their relationship. Have they got what it takes to keep the passion alive and pursue their dreams? Or will life get in the way? Either way, love never looked so dreamy.

Titanic

When you want a romantic epic, look no further than the 1997 Oscar-winning version of Titanic. Everyone knows the story of the ill-fated “ship of dreams”, but that won’t stop you from hoping against hope that somehow, this time, rich girl Rose (Kate Winslet) and the dashing young artist, Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), will end up happily ever after.

You’ve seen it before and you’re down to see it again. And good news! Now you’re hopefully old enough to watch Jack and Rose steam up that car window without blushing.

Twilight

It’s a tale as old as time: Boy meets girl. Boy is actually a sparkly vampire. Drama ensues. The story of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) has gone on to define a generation of readers and filmgoers. Whether this is your first or 50th time enjoying the Twilight Saga, Valentine’s Day is the best time to get in on the supernatural romance. (And let’s be honest: It’s better than Fifty Shades.)

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Protip: you can watch these shows and more of at home or on-the-go with Pik TV and it’s $0 for the first month. So what are you waiting for? Grab some popcorn and get comfy.