Whether you are trying to avoid the crowds and freezing weather on Valentine’s Day, or just looking for the perfect low-key romance, here are some favorite romantic comedies for date night.
From our marriage & parenting contributor, Mary Carver.
When my husband and I were first married, every trip to the video store (remember those) would end in a fight.
He wanted action; I wanted romance. Movies, I mean (although I suppose you could interpret that another way, accurately).
I’m not sure why I was so dead set on forcing him to watch every single romance or romantic comedy in existence, but I was.
Eventually, I realized this was not the healthiest pattern.
And also, as it turns out, I quite enjoy action movies myself.
Long story short?
We didn’t watch a lot of rom coms together for quite a while.
But recently, we’ve started something new.
After almost two decades of marriage, we’ve learned to compromise.
I’ll pause while you gasp in astonishment.
Seriously, though, over the past few years we’ve fought hard to fight less — and it involves a whole lot of compromise.
Of meeting in the middle.
Of me watching baseball movies and baseball documentaries and baseball games, and him watching people find true love in romantic comedies.
It’s been beautiful. (Except for the baseball games. Even my deep, abiding love of my husband can’t make me actually like baseball games.)
Anyway. All this means we can have legit movie date nights at home! (Yes, yes, I realize we could, in theory, watch an action or a drama at home. But, I don’t know, we just usually don’t.)
I realize this might seem silly to you.
Especially if you’re a movie date night at home pro.
But whether you and your husband snuggle on the couch to watch a movie every weekend or you’re new to this like we are, I’ve got a list of rom coms perfect for your date night at home.
All of these love stories are currently streaming, and each one should be a hit with both of you (no matter what genre each of you likes best)!
Check out my list and let me know what kind of movies you like watching with your husband!
11 Rom Coms for the Perfect Date Night
11 Rom Coms for the Perfect Date Night
Who knew Netflix could make their own sweet, funny romantic comedy?
This was the first one that caught a lot of attention and for good reason.
Snappy dialogue, charming leads, fun premise (two overworked corporate assistants set up their bosses and then make their own connection).
This is a good one! Stars Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell. Rated TV-14.
Seriously, I wish Netflix would quit doing all the other things and just make rom coms.
Because this one is great, too!
Childhood friends hook up once, then don’t see each other for years.
They reconnect later when she’s a celebrity chef and he’s still living at home and working with his dad.
Also, the best Keanu cameo we didn’t know we needed.
Stars Ali Wong and Randall Park. Rated PG-13.
Two pretty people (including Chris Evans) meet in NYC and spend a night together.
No, not like that!
On an adventure!
It’s sweet.
And bittersweet.
Gah! I’ve said too much.
Just watch it.
Stars Alice Eve and Chris Evans. Rated PG-13.
A woman takes the place of a man’s blind date.
Hijinks (and romance) ensue.
This one is so funny and surprisingly sweet.
I’m glad I took a chance on it (after assuming it would be bad, based on the poster and the actors).
Which is, coincidentally, similar to the journey these characters go on.
Stars Lake Bell and Simon Pegg. Rated R for language.
I wasn’t sure I could see Daniel Radcliffe as anyone other than Harry Potter.
As it turns out, I sure can.
This movie asks the notorious question: Can men and women just be friends? (No. Not in the movies, duh.)
Stars Daniel Racliffe and Zoe Kazan. Rated PG-13.
Longtime friends decide to be each other’s dates to a bunch of weddings.
If you think you know how this ends, you’re probably right, but the getting there is interesting and funny and moving.
Stars Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid. Rated R for language and sex.
(Another movie with a strangely similar plot is The Wedding Year (Amazon Prime). Stars Sarah Hyland and Tyler James Williams. Rated R for language and drug use.)
Why not kick it old school with this classic from 2005?
A dating consultant falls for a reporter who doesn’t know who he really is.
Also, Kevin James dances. It’s all so adorable, really.
Stars Eva Mendes and Will Smith. Rated PG-13.
If the grind of middle-age and suburban life is your stage of life, this one will probably resonate with you as much as it does with me.
They just wanted a date night, man!
Comedy, action, and sweet married romance.
Stars Tina Fey and Steve Carell. Rated PG-13.
If you and your husband prefer something historical, this is a great one!
Is it as good as the book?
No, but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess your husband hasn’t read it.
So just sit back and enjoy it as a completely separate and completely sweet story about a writer who connects with the people of a small island following World War II.
Stars Lily James and Michiel Huisman. Rated TV-14.
Isn’t It Romantic? – (HBO through Hulu or Prime)
A single woman hits her head and wakes up in a romantic comedy, but it turns out that life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
This had the potential to be simply silly, but if you’ve ever questioned how love-able you are, this will be as meaningful to you as it was to me.
Also, you don’t want to miss the musical scenes in this comedy!
Stars Rebel Wilson and Adam Devine. Rated PG-13.
Second Act (SHOWTIME through Hulu or Prime)
A working class woman fakes her way into a high-level executive job and both finds herself and loses herself in the process.
This was surprisingly emotional, and the romance isn’t the main part of the story, but it’s all very sweet (and funny, too).
Plus it stars two of my very favorites: Jennifer Lopez and Milo Ventimiglia. Rated PG-13.
Those are my suggestions. I’d love to hear which movies you love watching on date nights! And for more romantic comedies you might not have seen yet, you can find a longer list on my blog.
What’s your favorite rom com for date night?
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Looking for some more fun Date Nights? Check out these ideas:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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