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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UC Berkeley chapter.

Just picture it now. Your significant other picks you up for your special Valentine’s Day date. You both have an elaborate dinner planned, and everything tastes delicious. Then, you head back to your place to relax and unwind. But, what should you watch? There are SO many cheesy rom-coms to choose from, but you want something that will finish the date on the perfect note. This is definitely a tough decision, but fear not, here are 6 spectacular movies to watch on Valentine’s Day and make the day perfect. So, sit back, grab some popcorn or heart-shaped chocolates and watch any one of these amazing flicks!

  • The Notebook: Okay, so this one may be a bit cheesy, but its a cult classic, and there is definitely a reason for it. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are the OG pair of soulmates from entirely different backgrounds. Their love story withstands countless tests, like a closed-minded mother who hides love letters and a fiancee with a fat wallet. However, the couple’s genuine passion for one another is heartwarming and stronger than any obstacle they face.

couple seen holding hands through the window at a table with two glasses of wine on the table
bruce mars | Pexels

  • La La Land: Yet again, Ryan Gosling proves himself to be an irresistible heartthrob. This time paired with Emma Stone, he stars in this gorgeous film that will warm one’s heart and bring some tears. With genuine acting, stunning cinematography, and a marvelous soundtrack, La La Land breathes life into the genre of musicals.
  • (500) Days of Summer: What if a love story started at the end and worked its way to the beginning? Then, you would have this ill-fated love story that starts Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. The characters are lovable and relatable. (500) Days of Summer isn’t your traditional romantic comedy, and that’s definitely a good thing – unlike all the others, it’s a realistic film about love.

man and woman sitting on a bench
Alex Holyoake | Unsplash

  • Titanic: Yet another ill-fated pair of soul mates from different ways of life. BUT, this classic romantic drama is not your typical love story. This classic romantic-disaster film even won eleven Oscars due to its superb acting, cinematography, and plot. (P.S. Definitely bring some tissues for this heartfelt tear-jerker.)
  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding: This modern rom-com focuses on the unconventional series of events that take place after Toula (Nia Vardalos) falls for Ian (John Corbett). There’s only one problem: he’s not Greek. The genuine family characters and their hilarious actions definitely makes this film a comedic and heartwarming way to spend a couple hours.

Priscilla Du Preez
Priscilla Du Preez / Unsplash

  • Slumdog Millionaire: Led by the charmingly sweet Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire portrays a poor man being tortured by the police for being suspiciously good at the game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The plot may sound a bit odd, but this love story is one of perseverance and genuine dedication. As an 8-time Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire is sure to be a favorite on Valentine’s Day!
Brianna Brann

UC Berkeley '20

After three years at Cal, Brianna Brann graduated UC Berkeley in 2020 with a double major in Economics and Media Studies! She is originally from Santa Clarita in Southern California, but she loves the weather, nature, and people in the Bay Area. In addition to her unmatched passion for film and television, she also enjoys visiting the beach, playing with her dog, and hiking outdoors!
Melody A. Chang

UC Berkeley '19

As a senior undergraduate, I seek out all opportunities that expand my horizons, with the aim of developing professionally and deepening my vision of how I can positively impact the world around me. While most of my career aims revolve around healthcare and medicine, I enjoy producing content that is informative, engaging, and motivating.  In the past few years, I have immersed myself in the health field through working at a private surgical clinic, refining my skills as a research assistant in both wet-lab and clinical settings, shadowing surgeons in a hospital abroad, serving different communities with health-oriented nonprofits, and currently, exploring the pharmaceutical industry through an internship in clinical operations.  Career goals aside, I place my whole mind and soul in everything that I pursue whether that be interacting with patients in hospice, consistently improving in fitness PR’s, tutoring children in piano, or engaging my creativity through the arts. Given all the individuals that I have yet to learn from and all the opportunities that I have yet to encounter in this journey, I recognize that I have much room and capacity for growth. Her Campus is a platform that challenges me to consistently engage with my community and to simultaneously cultivate self-expression.