Each year, when Valentine’s Day comes around, people have different plans for the holiday. Growing up, I was always a hopeless romantic, so every Valentine’s Day and the days leading up to it, I would binge romantic comedies religiously. Something about the storytelling and whimsical nature of the stories entranced me. So whether you are cuddling up this Valentine’s with a significant other or with your pet, these films are a perfect way to spend the day. 

“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999) 

Starring amazing actors like Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles, this romantic movie tells the love stories of the Stratford sisters and their trials for finding love. Kat Stratford ( Stiles) and younger sister Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) have very different personalities– While Bianca spends her Fridays at the mall, her sister Kat will dance the night away at a girl punk rock concert. When Cameron James (Joseph Gordon) transfers to the Stratford girls’ school, he instantly falls for Bianca; however, she confesses she is not allowed to date until her sister does, which becomes more of a challenge than Cameron expects, but knowing his determination he will resort to all sorts of bribery to get the girl. This is an amazing award-winning movie that is a must-see if you have not already watched the film because of its amazing storyline and endless funny moments. 

“Love, Actually” (2003)

This film may be centered around Christmas but it is an incredible movie for any time of the year. If one love story is not enough, then the movie “Love Actually” is for you because this movie tells nine different stories taking place in separate places around the world. With many laughs and heartfelt moments, this romantic comedy is a favorite for many film fanatics because of its versatility and unique style of storytelling of the intimacies of nine couples, from unconditional love to heartbreak. Out of the nine different love stories presented, my personal favorite is between Prime Minister David (Hugh Grant) and Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) where the prime minister falls in love with a woman who was working for him and if you want to see the other eight, then you have to check out this two-hour long movie sooner rather than later. 

“When Harry Met Sally” (1989)

This movie is a classic in the romantic comedy genre because of its beautiful storyline of the relationship between Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) and the cynical Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) that begins the day the two meet at the University of Chicago and decide to drive to New York. Connecting from a mutual friend, they cannot even remember years later. From here, Harry and Sally cannot seem to get rid of each other— each randomly appears repeatedly in the other’s lives enough so that a friendship forms, and slowly, with lots of drama, the love they share becomes romantic. Throughout the film, at different points, the director, Rob Reiner, incorporated segments of real-life couples telling the stories of how they met. These small details add to the romantic tone of the movie making this film a staple in the rom-com genre for its adorable depiction of lovers routinely brought together by fate.  

“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)

Famous food critic Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) comes to the realization she is in love with her best friend of 20 years, Micheal O’ Neal (Dermot Mulroney). After both being busy for a month, the two call to catch up, and he confesses his upcoming marriage to rich 20-year-old Kimberly Wallace (Cameron Diaz). Kim plans to drop out of college and start her future with Micheal, while Julianne stays utterly mystified, determined to break up their relationship. Julianne is convinced that since she has been in love with him for nine years, she has the right to end up with Micheal and not the much younger college student. Doing whatever needs to be done becomes her motto, as Jullianne meddles into the lives of her best friend and his fiancee in this hilarious romance film that has a surprise ending nobody expects. And to know this ending, you need to watch this film, where you will be glued to the screen for the whole hour and 45 minutes. 

“How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003)

If you’re looking for a movie that checks all the boxes: true romance, work drama, and comedy, then you need to watch my favorite movie of all time. Andy Anderson (Kate Hudson) is a journalist working at Composure, a fast-growing fashion magazine in New York. While coming up with a pitch idea for the next issue, Andy is assigned to write about how women make common dating mistakes that drive men away. Andy’s job is to exploit these behaviors and strategically test them by hooking a guy and then pushing him away. While at a bar searching for her victim, she meets Ben Berry (Mathew McConahay), who made a bet that he could make any girl fall in love with him in 10 days. The two hit it off, was it because they both had alternative intentions, or just the blooming chemistry between the two? This movie is a critically acclaimed masterpiece, and if you have not watched this film before, you need to give this romcom a try because it is a must watch.