Ahead Of Valentine's Day, Spice Up Your Love Life With These Romantic Movies

Valentine’s Day 2024: A list of romantic movies to watch with your significant other and celebrate the day of love.

Nitika Sharma
Written By: Nitika Sharma
Updated: February 11, 2024 | 13:00 IST
Valentines Day movies
Valentine’s Day 2024: A list of romantic movies to watch with your significant other.

Love is in the air as Valentine's Day 2024 is just around the corner. The day of love is celebrated by couples of all ages on February 14 annually. Valentine's Day has become a significant cultural and commercial celebration of romance and love in many parts of the world. While many lovers express their affection with gifts and handwritten love letters, a lot of others go on romantic dinner dates to celebrate the day of love. People also find unique ways to make their significant other feel special on the occasion. However, love extends beyond romantic relationships. Valentine's Day is also a time to celebrate platonic relationships and the bonds of friendship that enrich our lives. Valentine's Day also prompts us to reflect on self-love and appreciation, like taking time for self-care, practicing gratitude, and embracing our individuality.

While many people like going big on Valentine’s Day, including extravagant gifts, fancy dinner dates and romantic getaways, others like celebrating the occasion by staying in and cooking meals, playing games and sipping on their favourite drinks.

And you would agree that no celebration is complete without music and movies. Thanks to the entertainment industry, we have a song and a movie for every festival and every emotion. In case you are planning on staying in on Valentine’s Day 2024 and looking to enjoy a nice rom-com with your significant other, we have the perfect list of movies made in Bollywood and Hollywood that you watch.

Movies have long been cherished for their ability to capture the essence of romance, passion and companionship. From heartwarming love stories to breezy and fun rom-coms, Bollywood and Hollywood have a treasure trove of films that resonate with audiences on this special day.

Bollywood's range of classic love stories is vast and timeless. Films like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Mohabbatein’, and ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ have left an indelible mark on audiences with their poignant tales of love overcoming all obstacles. These movies not only tug at the heartstrings but also inspire viewers to believe in the power of true love.

Bollywood is renowned for its musical numbers that add an extra layer of magic to romantic narratives. Movies like ‘Devdas’, ‘Jab We Met’, and ‘Aashiqui 2’ feature mesmerising songs and dance sequences that capture the euphoria and longing associated with love. Whether it's the beautiful melodies or the breathtaking choreography, romantic musicals have a way of transporting audiences into a world of fantasy and romance.

For those seeking a lighter take on romance, Bollywood offers a plethora of quirky romantic comedies that blend humour, charm, and heartfelt moments. Films like ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’, ‘Ok Jaanu’, ‘2 States’ and ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ showcase the trials and tribulations of modern-day relationships with wit and humour. These movies celebrate the quirks and imperfections that make love such a beautiful and unpredictable journey.

In recent years, Bollywood has embraced unconventional love stories that challenge societal norms and redefine traditional notions of romance. Movies like ‘Vicky Donor’, ‘Piku’, ‘Tamasha’, and ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ explore themes of acceptance, self-discovery, and unconventional relationships with sensitivity and depth. By portraying love in all its complexities, these films resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

As Valentine's Day approaches, movies offer a welcome escape into a world of love, romance, and endless possibilities. Whether you're cuddled up with your significant other, enjoying a movie marathon with friends, or simply revelling in your own company, I have the perfect list of movies to watch this Valentine’s Day. Top of Form

Without further ado, check out the list here:

1. 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge': I can’t write about romantic movies and not include Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic film ‘DDLJ’. SRK, also known as The King of Romance, has amazing chemistry with every actress he has ever worked with. But his pairing with Kajol remains my favourite. While SRK has given us several iconic romantic movies to watch, ‘DDLJ’ remains a cult classic even today. The movie, which was released in 1995 and defined romance for the 90s kids, beautifully blended emotions, romance, high-end drama and heart-touching music. ‘DDLJ’ also gave us some of the most iconic dialogues, especially this one – “Bade bade deshon mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hai, Senorita.” Fans of ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ have watched it numerous times. After all, who can get enough of Raj’s dreamy eyes, Simran’s innocence and their insane chemistry? Writing this piece made me want to watch this movie all over again!

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

2. 'Jab We Met': Shahid Kapoor debuted with ‘Ishq Vishk’ in 2003 and became every girl’s dream man. Can you blame us, really? Shahid Kapoor, the ‘chocolate boy’ of Bollywood, gave us many fun rom-coms. But ‘Jab We Met’ remains my absolute favourite. ‘Jab We Met’, co-starring Kareena Kapoor as the bubbly and lively Geet, is a delightful romantic comedy directed by Imtiaz Ali. The film takes viewers on a journey of love, laughter, self-discovery and more with its endearing characters, captivating and light-hearted storyline, fun dialogues and soulful music. ‘Jab We Met’, which was released in 2007, has had a special place in the audiences' hearts since then. It also made us believe that we can truly find love anywhere in the world. The calm and composed Aditya (Shahid) found his fun and lively Geet (Kareena) on a train journey. So, here’s hoping!

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

3. 'Barfi': Grab your tissue boxes if you are planning to watch this heart-touching tale of love, friendship, and acceptance featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Ileana D'Cruz. The film's beautiful narrative and outstanding performances make it a must-watch. Directed by Anurag Basu, the 2012 Bollywood movie is a cinematic masterpiece which tells the story of Barfi (Ranbir), a cheerful and mischievous young man who is deaf and mute. The film explores his relationships with two women, Shruti (Ileana D’Cruz) and Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) as well as his interactions with the other people around him. Despite her deep affection for Barfi, Shruti gives into societal and parental pressure to marry a normal man. Many years later their paths cross once again when Barfi is in love with Jhilmil, an autistic girl abandoned by her family. One scene that particularly stood out for me was -- Throughout the film, Barfi tests his loved ones on how much they trust him. He would cut a lamp post and place a bottle at the point where it would fall. He would make the person stand some steps away from that point and see their reaction. Almost, everyone ran away before the lamppost fell except Jhilmil. She stood beside him and did not even move the slightest bit when the lamppost fell.

Where to watch: Netflix

4. '2 States': Directed by Abhishek Varman and based on Chetan Bhagat's best-selling novel of the same name, ‘2 States’ released in 2014. Starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor, it is a romantic comedy-drama that explores the challenges and joys of intercultural relationships in modern India. With a relatable storyline, the film struck a chord with audiences by blending humour, drama, and romance seamlessly. It followed the love story of Krish Malhotra (Arjun Kapoor), a Punjabi boy, and Ananya Swaminathan (Alia Bhatt), a Tamilian girl, as they navigate the complexities of their cultural differences and parental expectations while making their careers. Determined to marry each other, Krish embarks on a journey to win over Ananya's Tamilian parents, played by Revathy and Shiv Kumar Subramaniam, while Ananya strives to earn the acceptance of Krish's Punjabi family, portrayed by Ronit Roy and Amrita Singh. Their efforts lead to hilarious and heartwarming moments as they try to bridge the gap between their respective cultures and traditions.

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

5. 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani': Directed by Ayan Mukerji, ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ makes for a perfect Valentine’s Day watch, whether you are watching it with your friends or your significant other. The coming-of-age romantic drama that captures the essence of youthful friendship, dreams, and love, features Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur and Kalki Koechlin. The movie, which has one of the best Bollywood soundtracks, resonated strongly with the viewers. The film revolves around the lives of Kabir Thapar (Ranbir), Naina Talwar (Deepika), Aditi Mehra (Kalki) and Avinash Arora (Aditya), four friends from different walks of life who reunite during a trekking trip. The movie explored themes of personal growth, self-discovery, friendships and love, and Ranbir and Deepika’s crackling chemistry was the cherry on the cake.

Where to watch: Netflix

There are several other Hindi movies that you can enjoy like ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’, ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’, ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’, ‘Ok Jaanu’, ‘Socha Na Tha’, ‘Laila Majnu’ and ‘Queen’, which teaches us about self-love.

Let’s now take a look at some Hollywood movies that you can watch to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2024.

1. 'The Holiday': The 2006 romantic comedy film directed by Nancy Meyers, starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black, is a feel-good movie. The story revolves around two women, Iris (played by Kate Winslet) and Amanda (played by Cameron Diaz), who are facing romantic troubles during the Christmas season. They decide to swap homes for the holidays hoping to find a change of scenery and perhaps even love. Amanda meets Iris's brother Graham (played by Jude Law), and they develop a mutual attraction. Meanwhile, Iris strikes up a friendship with Arthur (played by Eli Wallach). As the holiday season unfolds, Iris and Amanda navigate their newfound romances, confronting their past heartaches and insecurities along the way. Ultimately, they discover the importance of self-love, friendships, and taking chances in matters of the heart.

Where to watch: Jio Cinema

2. 'The Notebook': The 2004 romantic drama film, directed by Nick Cassavetes, is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Starring Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun and Rachel McAdams as Allie Hamilton, the movie tells the story of a young couple's passionate love affair and their enduring bond that transcends time and circumstances. Despite their different upbringings and different social backgrounds, they share an undeniable connection and embark on a whirlwind romance. However, their love faces numerous obstacles, including Allie's disapproving parents. Despite their separation and Allie's engagement to another man, Noah and Allie's love persists over the years. The movie, which remains a fan-favourite even today, is celebrated for its emotional storytelling, moving performances, and timeless depiction of love's power to overcome obstacles.

Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Google Play

3. 'How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days': Looking for a fun, breezy watch? Your search ends here. The 2003 romantic comedy film, directed by Donald Petrie, stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in the lead roles. The movie follows the story of two individuals who enter into a bet: advertising executive Benjamin Barry and magazine writer Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson). Benjamin Barry makes a bet that he can make any woman fall in love with him, while Andie Anderson plans to write an article about how she led her boyfriend to dump her, putting them at cross-purposes after they cross paths. They quickly become involved, with Andie choosing Ben as the subject for her article, and Ben seeing Andie as his way to win the bet. Filled with humour, romance, and memorable moments, ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ explores themes of love and the challenges of modern dating.

Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Apple TV

4. 'A Walk To Remember': The 2002 romantic drama film, directed by Adam Shankman, is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Starring Shane West and Mandy Moore, the movie tells the poignant and heartwarming story of two teenagers who fall in love despite their differences and the challenges they face. Set in a small town in North Carolina, ‘A Walk to Remember’ follows the journey of Landon Carter (Shane West), a rebellious high school student with a troubled past, and a fellow student Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore). Despite their differences, Landon and Jamie are brought together when Landon seeks Jamie's help to rehearse for the play. As they spend more time together, their friendship blossoms into a deep and genuine love. Later, Landon learns about Jamie's secret struggle with terminal leukaemia. Despite the heartbreaking reality of Jamie's illness, their love grows stronger, and Landon becomes determined to fulfill Jamie's dreams and make every moment they have together count. The movie, which will leave you teary-eyed, highlights the importance of cherishing the people we love and living life to the fullest, even in the face of adversity.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

5. 'Crazy Rich Asians': The 2018 American romantic comedy ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, directed by Jon M. Chu, is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan. The movie boasts an ensemble cast featuring Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, and Michelle Yeoh, among others. Set primarily in Singapore, the film follows the romantic escapades and cultural clashes of a young couple. The story revolves around Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), a Chinese-American economics professor living in New York City, who is invited by her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) to accompany him to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. Nick hails from one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Singapore. The film weaves together themes of love, family, identity, and class, offering a modern take on the classic romantic comedy genre. It also celebrates the diversity and richness of Asian culture.

Where to watch: Jio Cinema and Amazon Prime Video

PS: In case you are in the mood for an outing with your significant other, you can watch Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon’s new romantic movie, ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’. The new Hindi movie released in theatres this Friday.

This Valentine's Day, let the magic of movies sweep you off your feet and remind you of the boundless power of love!

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