Valentine's Day has evolved beyond just being a Hallmark holiday. In 2025, it's about celebrating love in all its forms and doing what makes your heart full. Whether you’re in a relationship or flying solo, embrace what makes you feel good today.
Parks and Recreations star Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) had the right idea when she coined Galentine's Day – a day to celebrate friendship - in season 2 of the hit show, declaring it as being "the best day of the year".
Feeling the #inspo we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to celebrate love through movies…with Film-tines! Alright, it's a work in progress, but we promise there are some love-ly gems below.
Whether you're in the mood for a classic romance, a quirky rom-com, or something with a twist, this A-Z guide has a little bit of everything to keep you entertained for the day that's in it.
A: About Time is a beautifully charming and heartfelt movie with a poignant message about making the most of time and the people we love.
Directed by Richard Curtis, the 2013 romantic comedy-drama follows Tim Lake (played by Domhnall Gleeson), a young man who discovers that the men in his family have the ability to travel through time. When Tim turns 21, his father (played by Bill Nighy) reveals the family secret, and Tim starts using his newfound power to navigate life, relationships, and love. Tim uses his ability to time-travel to improve his romantic life - particularly with Mary (Rachel McAdams), who he falls head over heels for.
The film is packed with sweet, tender moments, all while reminding viewers to cherish every moment with the ones they love.
B: Bridget Jones's Diary is a real classic with the perfect balance of laugh-out-loud moments and a dashing love triangle. Plus, Bridget really will steal your heart.
Directed by Sharon Maguire, and based on the novel by Helen Fielding, the story follows Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), a single woman in her 30s living in London, who ends up in a love triangle between two very different men: her smooth-talking, confident boss, Daniel Cleaver (played by Hugh Grant), and the more reserved, but biggest sweetheart, Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth).
Packed with iconic moments like THAT ugly Christmas sweater and the infamous "I like you just as you are" line, the movie excels in the comedy department, but it's Bridget's journey of self-acceptance that viewers will really fall in love with.
C: Clueless is a sparkling modern-day adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma that has achieved cult-classic status since its 1995 release.
Written and directed by Amy Heckerling, it follows Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), a popular Beverly Hills high school student who has a penchant for matchmaking. The legendary 90s fashion, neat one-liners, and the will-they-won't-they romance between Cher and Josh (Paul Rudd who hasn't aged a day since), makes this a movie that's far from being 'As, if!'.
Even though it's often remembered for its romance and delicious sarcasm, at its core, the film shines a light on the importance of staying true to your squad. A must-watch for your BFFs this Galentine's Day.
D: Definitely, Maybe may be an unconventional rom-com but beneath all its twisty plots and flashbacks, is a study on how past loves shape who we become.
The 2008 offering follows Will Hayes (played by Ryan Reynolds), a father who is getting a divorce. When his young daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin) asks him to tell her the story of how he met her mother, he changes the names of the women involved, and Maya tries to figure out which one was the true love of his life.
The charismatic plot keeps you guessing, while the innocence and hilarious reactions of the adorable little girl adds some satisfying giggles.
E: Easy A delightfully earns Emma Stone top marks for her leading role in this delightful gem.
Directed by Will Gluck, who also directed the next mentioned Friends with Benefits, the sassy high school drama scored an impressive 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its thoughtful reimagining of The Scarlet Letter with a contemporary twist.
It follows Olive Penderghast (Stone), a high school student who, after a lie about losing her virginity spreads throughout the school, becomes the subject of rumors. As Olive plays along with these whispers, the situation spirals out of control, leading to genuine laughter and utterly endearing moments.
F: Friends with Benefits is a crowd-pleasing rom-com about commitment-free thrills and is carried by sizzling chemistry between its leads.
The 2011 movie centres on Dylan (played by Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (played by Mila Kunis), both are disillusioned with relationships and agree to start a 'friends with benefits' arrangement. However, as they spend more time together, they start to crush on each other, which makes their agreement a tad tricky.
Packed with flirty and witty banter - and plenty of awkward situations - the movie thrives when it pokes fun at rom-com clichés.
G: Grease combines the carefree spirit of the '50s with a timeless soundtrack to create a feel-good rom-com that has been passed down from generation to generation with love.
Directed by Randal Kleiser (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Bronté Woodard and an adaptation by co-producer Allan Carr - and based on the 1972 stage musical of the same name - the 1978 movie focuses on two main characters: Sandy Olsson (played by Olivia Newton-John), a sweet Australian girl, and Danny Zuko (played by John Travolta), AKA the coolest guy ever. They fall in love during a summer romance, but when the school year begins, they discover that they attend the same high school....
Not to take from its stellar leads, but it's the music that's the main character here - filled with energetic numbers, including iconic songs like Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, and You're the One That I Want.
Nearly 50 years on and Grease still manages to hit the right notes with audiences.
H: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days has definitely earned its spot in the rom-com pantheon. The much-loved movie plays with the idea that sometimes we can be our own worst enemy when it comes to relationships.
Andie (Kate Hudson) is a writer for a women's magazine, and for her latest assignment, she's tasked with writing an article about how to drive a guy away in 10 days. Enter Ben (Matthew McConaughey), a successful advertising executive who wants to prove that he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days, so he sets out to date someone and make them fall for him.
Yes, the movie is predictable, but its feel-good charm offers the perfect escape for fans looking for some heartwarming entertainment for the day that's in it. Plus, Kate's infamous butter yellow Carmen Marc Valvo slip dress deserves another outing.
I: It's Complicated side-steps the usual rom-com formula and offers a different twist on relationship woes, and a sincere message about learning from your mistakes.
Directed by Nancy Meyers, and starring a trio of greats - Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin - the movie revolves around the complicated romantic life of Jane Adler (Streep), a successful bakery owner who is divorced from her ex-husband, Jake (Baldwin). The plot finds Jane and Jake reconnecting and having an affair, even though Jake is now remarried to a much younger woman. At the same time, Jane begins to develop feelings for her architect, Adam (Steve Martin), who is also going through his own personal issues.
The movie was well-received for its nuanced look at love and relationships later in life, and its acknowledgment that relationships don't always work out in the most conventional ways.
Enjoy and watch out for an epic dance scene to The Beach Boys!
J: Jerry Maguire has all the hallmarks of a '90s rom-com, but elevates the genre with memorable quotes (Show me the money!) and powerful life lessons.
At its core, it tells the story of Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise), a sports agent who experiences a personal and professional crisis. Set against the backdrop of his career struggles, a budding relationship with Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger), a single mother who works for him, is the heart of the story.
Well-remembered by fans for its iconic line "You had me at hello" and "You complete me", the movie also received applause from its stellar cast, with Cuba Gooding Jr's stand out performance earning him an Academy Award for his role as the energetic football star Rod Tidwell.
Unfortunately, Renée Zellweger did not win any major awards for her performance in the flick, but she did receive several nominations for her role as Dorothy Boyd. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Jerry Maguire.
K: Knocked Up looks at what happens when two people who should never have crossed each other's paths do.
Directed and co-written by The 40-Year-Old Virgin's Judd Apatow, the 2007 outing revolves around Ben Stone (played by Seth Rogen), a laid-back dude, and Alison Scott (played by Katherine Heigl), an up-and-coming television producer, who have a one-night stand that leads to an unexpected pregnancy.
The movie is an examination of how and why people end up together and the lengths they do and don't go to in their attempts to make things work.
What makes it a must-see is the fact that Apatow has created such believable characters - you really do root for them!
L: Love Actually wasn't an immediate smash-hit when it was released in 2003 and had a pretty modest showing at the box office.
Thanks to its devoted fanbase and rewatchability - especially over the Christmas break - the classic Richard Curtis rom-com has been delighting audiences for over two decades with its potent blend of sugary romance peppered with bittersweet moments.
Whatever you make of the film itself, and it's definitely a bit cloying for some tastes, there's no denying the talents of the top-notch ensemble cast that writer/director Curtis enlisted to tell these diverse and interconnecting love stories.
While we can no longer listen to Joni Mitchell's iconic song Both Sides Now (IKYDK), the movie really does show that love is all around us.
M: My Best Friend's Wedding cemented Cameron Diaz as Hollywood's newest 'it girl' and turned Dionne Warwick’s soul classic I Say a Little Prayer (For You) into everyone's favourite karaoke go-to.
The 1997 rom-com, which also stars Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, and Rupert Everett has gained a strong following over the years and continues to be embraced by new audiences.
So what's it all about? When she receives word that her longtime platonic pal Michael O'Neal is getting married to debutante Kimberly Wallace (Diaz), food critic Julianne Potter (Roberts) realises her true feelings for Michael (Mulroney) - and sets out to sabotage the wedding.
Despite the movie failing to take home any big awards that year - Julia Roberts received a nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes.
Now we're off to watch the Chinese remake....
N - Notting Hill is another Julia Roberts-starring movie, but this time she's swapping out her food critic role to play a famous movie star who falls for humble bookshop owner, William (Hugh Grant).
Recently divorced William is taken aback by the sudden appearance of such a famous figure in his life, and the two strike up a connection. As their relationship develops, Anna faces the difficulties of living in the spotlight, always under public scrutiny, while William struggles with the reality of dating someone so famous.
One of the film's standout moments is when lines Anna says: "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."
Unlike conventional rom-coms, the ending doesn't follow the typical 'happy-ever-after' formula and the results will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
O - Only You (2018) received praise for its realistic portrayal of a modern-day romance, rather than just the usual comedic tropes.
Directed by Harry Wootliff and starring Laia Costa and Josh O'Connor, it follows the story of two strangers who meet on New Year's Eve, fighting over a taxi. Not long after their first encounter, they meet again, and are consumed by infatuation, they spend day and night together, missing work, and talking into the early hours.
While it might not have been a major award contender in terms of global recognition, it was widely praised by critics - it has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
It's message about living in the moment and the fragility of relationships makes this a must-watch.
P: Pretty Woman sees the queen of 90s rom-com, Julia Roberts, back on her throne. This time, it's the film that truly launched Roberts into acting royalty and had us swooning over Richard Gere.
The rags-to-riches love story became a cultural phenomenon when it was released in 1990 and over thirty years old on, the rags-to-riches love story which follows a wealthy businessman and a woman who works as a prostitute, has firmly become a part of pop culture.
The Pretty Woman soundtrack is as iconic as the film itself and plays a key role in creating the film's timeless appeal.
Interestingly, a then relatively unknown Julia Roberts, wasn't the original choice for the role of Vivian Ward. Daryl Hannah, Meg Ryan and Michelle Pfeiffer all turned down the role!
Q: (The) Quiet Man, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, blends romance, comedy, and cultural tensions. The iconic 'threshold' scene has become ingrained in pop culture.
Sean Thornton (Wayne) is an American boxer who returns to his ancestral home in Ireland after accidentally killing an opponent in the ring. He hopes to start a peaceful life, but things get complicated when he falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher (O'Hara), a strong-willed woman.
While a lot of the humour often comes from cultural misunderstandings, at the core, the movie is a beautifully poetic love story between Sean and Mary Kate.
R: Return to Me really does have a lot of heart!
The 2000 outing was directed by Martha Coolidge, one of the few female directors in Hollywood at the time, while our male lead has strong Irish heritage.
Grace Briggs (played by Minnie Driver) is a woman who suffers a traumatic accident, which leads to the need for a heart transplant. The heart she receives comes from the late Elizabeth Rueland, the wife of Bob Rueland (played by David Duchovny), a widowed man who is still grieving the loss of his wife.
Yes, what happens next is very predicatable, but the themes of grieving after the passing of a loved one will resonate with many.
While the film is set in Chicago, the filmmakers used the city's Irish-American neighbourhoods to highlight Bob’s heritage and family background.
S: Sleepless in Seattle was heavily influenced by the classic romance film An Affair to Remember, starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr - in fact, the Empire State Building is a direct homage to the 1957 movie.
The story centers around Sam Baldwin (played by Tom Hanks), a widowed father who is struggling with grief after the death of his wife. He moves to Seattle with his young son, Jonah (played by Ross Malinger), in hopes of starting a new life.
Young Jonah calls into a radio talk show on Christmas Eve to find a new wife for his father. During the broadcast, Annie Reed (played by Meg Ryan), a newspaper reporter from Baltimore, hears Sam's emotional story and feels an instant connection to him... and so a new chapter is written.
Tom Hanks has mentioned in interviews that Sleepless in Seattle is one of his favorite films from his career - and we can definitely see why.
T: The 40-year-old-Virgin has won a coveted spot in what has, by far, been the hardest category to pick for.
In Judd Apatow's directorial debut, the movie follows Andy Stitzer (played by Steve Carell), a mild-mannered 40-year-old man who works at an electronics store and is completely inexperienced when it comes to romantic and physical relationships. His co-workers - played by Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and Romany Malc - discover that Andy has never had sex and decide to help him lose his virginity.
Despite their well-meaning efforts, Andy's journey toward intimacy is complicated by his budding feelings for Trish (played by Catherine Keener), a woman he meets and starts dating.
From the hilarious waxing scene to the improvised speed-dating moment, the blend of awkward situations, raunchy gags, and authentic moments make it a standout rom-com.
U: Up isn't isn't exactly a traditional rom-com but the deep love and connection between the gorgeously rendered animated leads leaves a lasting impact. And when it comes to big laughs, Dug the dog steals the show with his 'squirrel!' moments.
The story is primarily through a series of short, silent montages that depict Carl and Ellie’s life together. From the moment they meet as children, their bond grows stronger. As adults, they marry and build a life together, dreaming of going on an adventure to Paradise Falls, a place they had both dreamed of visiting as kids.
Their bond is deeply portrayed in the quiet, everyday moments - their joy and sorrow.
Up took a long time to develop - over 4 years! But it was certainly worth the wait.
V: Valentine's Day is a perfectly apt named movie for this V-Day feature - which stars a bevvy of well-known names including Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway, Topher Grace, Patrick Dempsey, Jennifer Garner, Jamie Foxx. George Lopez, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Kathy Bates, Queen Latifah, Emma Roberts and Hector Elizondo.
Directed by Garry Marshall, this busy outing follows the lives of several couples and singles in Los Angeles as they navigate love, heartbreak, and relationships on Valentine's Day. The film has an ensemble cast and weaves multiple storylines together, showing how the holiday impacts people in various stages of their love lives.
If you're in the mood for a fun, light-hearted rom-com with a big cast and a festive atmosphere, Valentine’s Day is right up your street.
W: When Harry Met Sally is our favourite movie on the list. It's adored for so many reasons, but mainly for its idiosyncratic wit and snappy back-and-forths.
The sensational 1989 romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, follows Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) as they cross paths over the years, starting with a road trip from Chicago to New York right after they both graduate from college. During the trip, Harry expresses his belief that men and women can't be friends without romantic feelings developing, while Sally strongly disagrees.
The movie is often cited as being key shaping how rom-coms would evolve in the 1990s and lauded for its significant cultural impact.
Warning: The iconic scene in Katz's Delicatessen ("I'll have what she's having") will live in your head rent free.
X – No one needs to be reminded of their X's on Valentine’s Day!
Y: You've Got Mail saw Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks reunited for another rom-com outing. They were once again praised for their undeniable chemistry, while director Nora Ephron's signature blend of wit and warmth shines through once again.
Long before Tinder, Instagram and TikTok, our leads Kathleen Kelly (Ryan) and Joe Fox (Hanks), fell in love through anonymous emails without knowing each other's true identities.
Kathleen runs a small, independent bookstore in New York City, while Joe is a wealthy businessman who owns a large chain of bookstores that threatens to put her out of business. The two first meet in person as business rivals, but they have no idea that they've already been secretly communicating online....and so, a new chapter in their lives is written.
The movie is actually a remake of the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner, starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.
Z: Zack and Miri Make a Porno may gave a questionable title - and yes it is on the bold and outrageous side compared to most typical romantic comedies - but, if you're into Seth Rogen's style of comedy, you'll think this is great craic.
The story follows Zack (Rogen) and Miri (played by Elizabeth Banks), two lifelong friends who struggling with finances, decide to make an adult film to help cover their debts. As they work together on the project, they begin to realise they might actually be into each other.
The film is packed with awkward situations, sizzling jokes, and some wild characters that create plenty of laughs.
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