Valentine’s Day is a special occasion. Every 14 February, lovers express their affection through greetings, gifts and romance. The namesake and patron saint of Valentine’s Day is Saint Valentine. However, there are varying ideas about who this figure was and how he became associated with the February celebration, a month that had long been linked to romance.
There are also different theories as to why Valentine’s Day is celebrated on 14 February. Some claim the date commemorates the anniversary of Saint Valentine’s death or burial, believed to have occurred around AD 270. Others suggest that the Christian Church placed Saint Valentine’s feast day on this date in an effort to ‘Christianise’ the pagan festival of Lupercalia.
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide. Many films are directly or indirectly linked to this theme, so here are my favourite Valentine’s Day movies that are guaranteed to make you smile, laugh and cry.
1. The Notebook
Based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook is the kind of film you can watch over and over again. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s, the film is filled with passion, drama, whirlwind romance and enduring love. You may want to keep a box of tissues nearby.
2. Romeo and Juliet
It would be impossible to talk about Valentine’s Day without mentioning Romeo and Juliet. This modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s famous tragedy stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as two teenagers who fall in love despite belonging to feuding families. Many versions of the story exist, but this one stands out and is well worth watching on Valentine’s Day.
3. Bridget Jones’s Dairy
Renée Zellweger plays a 32-year-old single English woman who documents her life in a diary, focusing on the things she hopes will change. Her life is turned upside down when two charming men enter it, played by Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. This love triangle has become one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time.
4. Pretty Woman
A classic romantic film from the 1990s, Pretty Woman is often described as a modern Cinderella story. It follows the romance between a wealthy and powerful businessman, played by Richard Gere, and an escort, portrayed by Julia Roberts. The film is also remembered for its iconic soundtrack, including It Must Have Been Love by Roxette.
5. Titanic
This epic love story brings together two people from very different backgrounds: a wealthy young woman and a penniless artist. Their romance unfolds aboard the RMS Titanic. While the characters of Jack and Rose are fictional, the emotional impact of the story is undeniable. Titanic remains a must-watch for Valentine’s Day.
6. Valentine’s Day
If you enjoyed Love Actually, you are likely to appreciate this film as well. Valentine’s Day follows a group of interconnected characters dealing with love and relationships on 14 February. The ensemble cast includes Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher, Bradley Cooper, Taylor Swift and Anne Hathaway, among many others.
7. Maid in Manhattan
Another modern Cinderella-style story, Maid in Manhattan tells the tale of a high-profile politician who falls in love with a hotel maid in New York. Complications arise when he discovers she has been hiding her true identity, but ultimately the film reminds us that love can overcome social barriers.
8. Love Actually
Written and directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually explores different forms of love through ten interconnected stories. Although set in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the film has become a Valentine’s Day favourite thanks to its heartfelt moments, humour and emotional depth.
9. Me Before You
Based on the novel by Jojo Moyes, Me Before You is set in the United Kingdom and features several historic locations. The story follows a young woman from a small town who forms an unexpected bond with a man left paralysed after an accident. It is a touching and emotional love story.
10. Ever After
Ever After offers a fresh take on the Cinderella story. Inspired by the classic fairy tale, this romantic drama is set in 16th-century France and follows a young woman living under the cruelty of her stepmother and stepsisters. Ultimately, she finds love and her own version of a happy ending.
