Words by Kathlene Masilongan
Technically, Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday this year, so those without a special someone (or are spending it apart) could all just work away their loneliness. I mean, you could also take yourself on a date or name a cockroach after your ex, but if you’d rather stay in and keep things low-key, here are 10 movies to keep you company during the season of love.
For Laughs
1. Bridget Jones’s Diary
I’m going to confess that every year I start a journal ala Bridget but never get to finish it. I’m also going to confess that I, too, narrate everything that happens to me in my brain with a British accent. Bridget Jones’s Diary is a classic that has kept millions of people company, whether it’s on Christmas, Valentine’s, or just another Tuesday. It won’t ever fail you. Collin Firth and Hugh Grant getting into a fist fight is just a bonus.
2. Bridesmaids
A modern classic, Bridesmaids is the best movie to watch if you just want something easy to laugh with (and cry with, if you’re anything like me). Because love isn’t just romantic, here’s a flick for anyone who is spending their Valentine’s Day with their BFFs.
For Cries
3. Once
This indie film with an Oscar Award-winning song will make you fall in love with music and love. It’s so heart wrenching that I recommend to only watch it once a year to avoid bursting into tears every time “Falling Slowly” plays anywhere, which is an occurrence BTW. It just pops up out of nowhere.
4. Meet Me In St. Gallen
This film hit me like a ton of bricks and I hated it at first, but as I continued to ponder on its plot and the complexities that human relationships have, I began to love it. It’s a story about people loving each other at the wrong time, which evolves into this big thing about how you can’t expect a person to put their life on hold for you.
For Scares
5. Hereditary
You might be asking why I put a horror category in here when it’s supposed to be Valentine’s day, and the simple answer to that is because I can. I’m saying this in an absolute neutral, bias-less way—Hereditary has elements of love, albeit twisted, that might not be obvious at first glance, but is definitely there. I won’t get into it because that analysis needs at least a couple of paragraphs. Just trust me and watch the best horror movie of 2018.
ALSO READ: Valentine’s Date Ideas For Those Who Like To Stay at Home
6. A Quiet Place
One of the best horror movies of 2018, A Quiet Place features impressive directing, a beautiful story about family, and aliens. What’s not to love? This film will invite you into intimate family moments and embrace you warmly, but scare you at the same time. It doesn’t matter if you’re a horror person or not. You’re going to love this.
For Thrills
7. Revenge
You may or may not have heard of this little film that’s available on Netflix, but Revenge is everything I’ve ever wanted in a revenge movie and so so so much more. It has amazing action, it has a ton of blood, it has sweet sweeeeet revenge, and it’ll keep your blood pumping as you follow the story of a woman who does everything in her power to survive an abuser.
8. Wonder Woman
I didn’t want to include a superhero movie because duh, but here I am recommending this because it features a love story, too. It’s action-packed but not as heavy as Revenge, and it’s a standalone film that doesn’t require you to watch 10 years worth of films before it, which is always great. Plus, Gal Gadot is a goddess. What more do you need?
For Love
9. Pride and Prejudice
This list is close to the end and I wanted to share one of the best love stories ever told. As someone who’s personally attached to the literature, has watched every version of this including the one with zombies and the modern adaptations, I can 100% recommend this film for your Valentine’s Day binge. It’ll sweep you off of your feet, take you to a faraway place, and make you feel that kilig you’ve been craving.
10. RENT
Yes, it’s a musical. How can I make a list about movies for Valentine’s Day without including the musical that made us measure our lives in love? Just thinking about it is making me cry already, and I know you have ‘Seasons of Love’ memorized by heart, so why not dust off that old copy of the movie and rewatch the magic that is RENT. It’ll fill your heart right up.
How about you? What will be on your Valentine’s binge list?
