There’s something special about watching a movie with the person you love, but it can sometimes feel like there’s a lot of pressure on you to pick the best date night movies, and since everyone has such varying movie tastes, choosing the perfect picture can be a daunting task. Whether you prefer to stick with purely romantic films to keep date night in the mood or love to change it up by binging horror flicks with your beau, there’s no better options for you to pick from than any one of these sixty iconic films.
Best Date Night Movies – Romantic
According to a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, watching romantic movies with your partner can help you avoid martial stress; by seeing how fictional couples work through their problems, the both of you can avoid harmful behaviors and reinforce positive ones. So, if you’re in-love with the idea of love, then these movies full of romantic tension, bated breath, and lingering gazes are perfect for you and your partner to watch on your next date night.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- The Notebook (2004)
- Pearl Harbor (2001)
- Loving (2016)
- Ghost (1990)
- Titanic (1997)
- Pride and Prejudice (2005)
- The Bodyguard (1992)
- When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Best Date Movies – LGBTQ+ Romance Films
Inclusivity is important, and every person on date night should have the opportunity to connect with a romance that resembles their experiences. So, if you’re wanting to explore queer stories and themes in emotionally charged films, then these are some of the best that the entertainment industry has to offer.
- Carol (2015)
- Brokeback Mountain (2005)
- The Handmaiden (2016)
- Love, Simon (2018)
- Moonlight (2016)
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
- But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
Romantic Comedies for Date Night
Honestly, romantic comedies are the go-to for most couples choosing to follow up their date-night dinner with a movie. These films all offer just the right amounts of both humor and endearing will-they/won’t-they thematic tension to make them impossible to resist. Simply, there’s a reason these films have been watched by couple after couple for many years, and probably many more to come.
- You’ve Got Mail (1998)
- The Big Sick (2017)
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
- The Proposal (2009)
- Pretty Woman (1990)
- Date Night (2010)
- 50 First Dates (2004)
- Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
- Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Comedies for a Fun Date Night
There’s nothing to quite liven up the mood like a well-placed comedy, and each of these films are so chock-full of hijinks, family drama, and the perils of puberty that you and your partner won’t be able to keep the smiles off of your faces.
- Madea’s Family Reunion (2006)
- Pitch Perfect (2012)
- What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
- Princess Diaries (2001)
- Clue (1985)
- Freaky Friday (2003)
Date Night Films With Classic Couples
While there isn’t a lack of abundance of iconic couples in classic cinema, there are a few films which have stood the test of time for their superb storytelling. Not all of these iconic couples have the happy endings that they deserve, but the love they exhibit will have you and your partner clasping each other long into the night.
- Casablanca (1942)
- A Star Is Born (1976)
- Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
- Grease (1978)
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
- The Philadelphia Story (1940)
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Totally Tubular Date Night Movies
The 1980s has become famous not only for its fashion and music but it’s incredible film canon as well. From John Hughes classics like The Breakfast Club to Cher’s Oscar-winning performance in Moonstruck, these films will have you wanting to take a trip back to the ’80s.
- Top Gun (1986)
- Dirty Dancing (1987)
- The Breakfast Club (1985)
- Say Anything (1989)
- Sixteen Candles (1984)
- Moonstruck (1987)
- Pretty in Pink (1986)
Date Night Movie Marathon
Now, if you and your partner have a free weekend and want to engage in a movie marathon, than these critically acclaimed series are sure to keep your attention for hours and hours of date night fun. Just make sure to pass the popcorn and not to hog the blankets.
- Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
- The Matrix (1999-2003)
- The Godfather (1972-1990)
- Harry Potter (2001-2011)
- Night at the Museum (2006-2014)
- Star Wars (1977-1983)
- Rocky (1976-1990)
- James Bond (1962-1971)
Horror Movies for Date Night Cuddles
Of course, not every couple is overly enthusiastic about having romance infused into every element of their lives, and the exploits in these horror movies are about as far from romance as you can get. Perfect for the couples who share a love of horror or for those who get real joy in giving a comforting squeeze to their partner’s jump scare reactions, these horror movies will bring the spooky right into your living room.
- The Babadook (2014)
- Scream (1996)
- Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Get Out (2017)
- The Conjuring (2013)
- When a Stranger Calls (2006)
Take Date Night up a Notch
It’s much too easy to get caught up in the endless scrolling of available titles on the countless numbers of streaming platforms out there, and you shouldn’t put a stop to the flow of date night to battle with your indecisiveness. Instead, plan a few titles ahead of time and let you and your partner pick one together; and with these sixty, already curated, best date night movies, you’ve got a great head start.
