The day that us single people of the world dread is finally upon us: Valentines Day. Many of us, including myself, find ourselves completely content on our own on most days of the year, but February 14 is the exception. So, to make the most of this day of love, I often turn to my favorite rom-coms to cheer me up. Here is my list of the top ten rom-coms for single people on Valentine’s Day.
How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days
Release Year: 2003
Director: Donald Petrie
Starring: Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey
Description: Matthew McConaughey plays Benjamin Barry, an advertising executive who makes a bet that he can get any girl to fall in love with him in just 10 days. Unfortunately for him, his coworker chooses Andi Anderson, played by Kate Hudson, a magazine writer who has been tasked to make all of the most common relationship mistakes that girls make in order to drive a man away in just 10 days. This movie is hilarious and is easily one of my top three movies of all time. It can be watched on Amazon Prime Video.
Ten Things I Hate About You
Release Year: 1999
Director: Gil Junger
Starring: Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles
Description: A high school boy, Cameron, develops a crush on a girl named Bianca, whose father forbids her from dating until her older, anti-social, feminist sister starts dating. He hatches a plan to get Bianca’s sister, Kat, to go on a date with the mysterious, bad-boy, Patrick so that he can win his love. This movie is a modern retelling of “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare and is one of my absolute favorite movies. “10 Things I Hate About You” is available on Disney+.
13 Going On 30
Release Year: 2004
Director: Gary Winick
Starring: Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo
Description: On her 13th birthday, Jenna Rink wishes away her gauky, teenage years to be thirty, flirty, and thriving. To her surprise, she wakes up as her 30 year old self. This movie is hilarious and oddly has some really great messages about living life true to yourself. “13 Going On 30” is available on Netflix.
27 Dresses
Release Year: 2008
Director: Anne Fletcher
Starring: Katherine Heigl and James Marsden
Description: After her 27th time being a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding, it is finally Jane’s sister Tess’s turn to get married. Unfortunately for her, Tess is marrying Jane’s boss, who she happens to be secretly in love with. Jane’s life sparks the interest of a writer named Kevin, who decides to befriend Jane and write an article about her experience. This movie is so good and is always the rom com I turn to when I want a good lighthearted watch. You can watch “27 Dresses” on Disney+.
Sixteen Candles
Release Year: 1984
Director: John Hughes
Starring: Molly Ringwald, Anthony Micheal Hall, and Justin Henry
Description: In light of her sister’s upcoming wedding, Samantha’s entire family forgets about her sweet sixteen. While she tries to make the best of it, she is hit with embarrassment after embarrassment. This movie is so funny and is truly classic. I’m a big fan of 80s movies and John Hughes so this was a hit in my book. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of “The Breakfast Club”. You can watch “Sixteen Candles” on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
She’s the Man
Release Year: 2006
Director: Andy Fickman
Starring: Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum
Description: When the women’s soccer team at her high school is cut, Viola decides to take her brother’s place at his new boarding school while he ditches school. While disguised as her brother and trying to keep her cover, Viola falls for the star soccer player and must figure out how to win him over outside of school and hide in plain sight during the school day. This movie is also based on a play by William Shakespeare, “Twelfth Night”. You can find “She’s the Man” on Amazon Prime Video.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Release Year: 2018
Director: Susan Johnson
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Description: When Lara’s older sister breaks up with her boyfriend, who also happened to be one of Lara’s best friends, and moves away, Lara is unsure of what her school year was going to look like. To make sure it’s exciting, her younger sister, Kitty, sends out Lara’s secret love letters to all of Lara’s old crushes. From her sister’s now ex-boyfriend to the most popular guy at school, many eyes are turning to the shy, inexperienced Lara Jean. I adore this movie and I think it is such a lighthearted, cutesy movie and series. There are two more movies after this one and they is all based on the books by Jenny Han. I highly recommend this movies if you can appreciate a little cringe in your movies. You can watch the whole “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” series on Netflix.
Crazy Rich Asians
Release Year: 2018
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, and Michelle Yeoh
Description: This movie follows New York writer Rachel Chu on a trip to meet her boyfriend’s family, who she finds out is incredibly rich. Struggling to fall in with the wealthy crowd, this movie follows her journey adjusting to her new life and trying to gain the approval of her boyfriends family. You can watch this on Max or Amazon Prime Video and is perfect for a good laugh.
The Proposal (Our own Mr. Holmgren’s favorite)
Release Year: 2009
Director: Anne Fletcher
Starring: Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds
Description: In order to keep her residence in America, New York Editor bribes her assistant to marry her and she would in turn give him a promotion. He accepts and takes her to his hometown to meet his family. While I personally cannot attest to the quality of this movie, our very own principal Mr. Holmgren shared that this is his favorite rom-com. You can watch “The Proposal” on Hulu or Amazon Prime Video and, if you don’t enjoy it, you can take that up with Mr. Holmgren.
50 First Dates
Release Year: 2004
Director: Peter Segal
Starring: Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler
Description: Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) finally decides to give up his life of floating from woman to woman to try to be with a girl named Lucy (Drew Barrymore). After the most perfect first date, Henry finds out that Lucy has short term memory loss and wakes up everyday thinking it is the morning of her accident and not remembering anything since. Henry must figure out how to stay with the girl of his dreams who never has any clue who she is. This movie is a fan favorite in my household and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy a rom-com. You can watch “50 First Dates” on Amazon Prime Video!!
If you are single on Valentine’s Day, cuddle up on your couch, grab your favorite chocolates (and some tissues), and enjoy watching some, or even all of these movies! Happy rotting!!
