As everyone knows, Valentine’s Day was just here, and many couples or singles were probably coming across thoughts of love and romance. For many people, their solution for this love-crazed season is to watch romantic movies. But if you are anything like me, a true hopeless romantic, any occasion is reason enough to watch a romance movie. I spent my Valentine's Day catching up on a couple of my favorites. Now keep in mind that these will not be your typical, cheesy, love stories. As a hopeless romantic, I try to find love in the smallest detail. So here is a countdown of the top 14 movies I feel are binge-worthy of your time. (Not in any particular order).
14. "Clueless"
This movie is a rom-com classic. Hello, it’s the freaking 90s. Not your total typical love story, unless you consider falling in love with your ex-step brother typical. Oops, spoiler alert. Then again if that ex-step brother happens to be the extremely cute Paul Rudd, who knows? Cher has everything she has wanted right in front of her eyes, but she is too blind to see it. She is absolutely clueless.
13. "Bridget Jones's Diary"
If you’re like me and are completely and utterly in love with British men, then I highly recommend you watch this movie. This follows 30-year-old Bridget Jones who feels as if her life is in rumbles. You will not only fall in love with the men, but also with Bridget. One can't help but relate with her at one point or another throughout the movie. If you are a "Pride and Prejudice" enthusiast, then this is your modern version of that tale. Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, could it get any better than that?
12. "This Means War"
Now this movie definitely does not come to mind when you think of romantic movies, but in reality, the whole movies is love. What is better than watching two perfect guys fighting for the love of one girl? Those two guys happen to be Chris Pine and Tom Hardy. My goodness, what I wouldn’t give to be in Reese Witherspoon's position. This movie is filled with tons of action and lots of laughs. Definitely a movie your bae or significant other would watch with you.
11. "Brokeback Mountain"
If you have ever wondered what forbidden romance has looked like, this is the movie for you. "Brokeback Mountain" is a critically-acclaimed motion picture. The late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal play two cowboys who end up falling n love and having a hidden relationship, only for it to tragically come to an end. Your heart will actually break, I promise you.
10. "Say Anything"
"Say Anything" raised the standards on how we want our special someone to dedicate their love for us. The iconic scene with John Cusack holding a boom box over his head while standing outside of the girl’s window was absolutely legendary. I think we all secretly wish that someone was outside of our window (in a non-creepy way) professing their undying love for us. If you are someone that loves to cheer for the underdog, then you'll love this because (spoiler alert) he gets the girl.
9. "Gone with the Wind"
An absolute timeless classic. Scarlet O’Hara is one bad bitch. She know what she wants and when she wants it. The problem is she doesn’t actually know what she needs. That’s where Rhett Butler comes in. Their love/hate relationship is filled with passion, manipulation, and childish games. Set in the Civil War era, "Gone with the Wind," will leave you wanting more and frankly, giving a damn.
8. "The Phantom of the Opera"
This choice might be a bit confusing, if not questionable by some. I guess it depends on how you interpret this musical/movie. Love isn’t always happy and beautiful. Sometimes it is obsessive and passionate. You will find yourself in a type of trance when you watch "The Phantom of the Opera." Pay close attention and you will see the complicated love right in front of your eyes. Even if musicals are not your thing, I highly recommend you give this one a chance. If you’re still not convinced to try it out, then perhaps knowing that Gerard Butler portrays the phantom might help.
7. "10 Things I Hate About You"
"But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all." Every time I hear this quote my heart hurts. I can see Patrick (Heath Ledger) starring at Kat (Julia Stiles) with the most painful look on his face, and all I want to do is scream at them both that they belong together. Paying the so-called bad boy to date the outspoken feminist had a turn of events.
6. "The Notebook"
"I want all of you, forever, every day. You and me... every day." I think every girl's heart stopped when Noah (Ryan Gosling) professed his love to Allie (Rachel McAdams). I swear in that instant, we all fell in love for Ryan. "The Notebook," is definitely a must-see movie. Adapted from the Nicholas Sparks book, "The Notebook," it was an instant hit. Someone needs to give this man an award because what he manages to create through his books is pure poetry.
5. "13 Going on 30"
Who doesn’t wish that they were thirty, flirty, and thriving? Well, you know what they say, be careful what you wish for. Jenna Rink (Jennifer Garner) is a recently turned 13-year-old who wakes up as her 30-year-old self in the future. Her life is amazing. She's a magazine editor with her own assistant and a closet to die for. Not to mention, a pro hockey player as a boyfriend. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to that life? Everything seems to be perfect except for the fact that her best friend, Matt (Mark Ruffalo), no longer seems to be a part of her life.
4. "Love Actually"
What is better than Christmas and romance? A romantic Christmas movie. And the fun doesn’t stop there because - wait for it - they're British. Love is the whole point of this movie. Happy love, sad love, the right kind of love, and the wrong kind. "Love Actually" will make you laugh, cry, and root for the other guy. You’ll see what I mean when you watch it. Love is everywhere you look.
3. "P.S. I Love You"
I was actually speechless when I first watched this movie. I can guarantee you that if your heart does not feel like someone is crushing it in their hands, then I don't know what will. This is a perfect example of love not always having the 'perfect ending.' Sometimes things happen in life that we have no power over. You will laugh and cry and maybe even scream at your TV when you watch this.
2. "Sixteen Candles"
Molly Ringwald strikes again in this heartfelt coming-of-age classic. I, for one, am a sucker for 80s romance movies. Who hasn’t had a crush on the cute senior who you believe doesn’t know you exist? Now, imagine if that whole time you were thinking about him, he was thinking of you. Add a crazy family that forgets your birthday, and you’ve got yourself a John Hughes classic.
1. "Pride and Prejudice"
The greatest love story in history. Move over Romeo and Juliet, because you don’t have chance against Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. There are multiple adaptions to Jane Austen’s glorious novel, but the one that manages to make my heart sing is the 2005 version with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Set in the 1800s, Mr. Darcy is wealthy prideful man who thinks very highly of himself. Elizabeth is a strong-willed, intelligent women ahead of her time. Watch what happens when these two forces of nature collide.
