11 Great Valentine's Movies (that won't scar you for life)

by Julie Sallee Partin

It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is here, right? And we’d be fooling ourselves if we didn’t recognize that some of you are spending the evening with that special someone. Or maybe you’re spending it with some special someones in the form of your closest friends.

For many of you, though, your Valentine’s Day festivities will include movies. So, we thought we’d ask Julie Sallee Partin to share her thoughts on some romantic movies that won’t pollute your purity, put you in an awkward situation if you’re watching with your date, or lead to embarrassment of any kind. Check out her suggestions! 

1. Pride and Prejudice
(2005) / Universal Studios
Starring Kiera Knightley, Matthew MacFayden, Donald Sutherland, and Judi Dench
Many consider the book this film is based on to be the mother of all romance novels. Fortunately, the movie does not disappoint. A strong-willed young woman refuses to marry for anything less than love, much to her family and suitors’ dismay. Extremely beautiful and marvelously acted, it makes every modern romantic wish they could have found love in 18th century England.
(Also, if you’re Valentine’s Day celebration is a girls’ night and you have awhile, we suggest checking out the BBC’s miniseries adaptation of the book. Be aware: it is hours long!)

2. Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken
(1991) / Walt Disney Pictures
Starring Gabrielle Anwar, Cliff Robertson, and Kathleen York
An inspiring true story about a runaway with big dreams. She gets a job working as a stable hand for a girl-and-horse high diving act. Her boss’ son helps her train a wild horse and becomes impressed with her spirit and ambition. The two devise a plan for her to become a star. And, of course, they fall in love. With a perfect mixture of suspense and heart, this one is watchable over and over again.

3. Ever After: A Cinderella Story
(1998) / Twentieth Century Fox
Starring Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, and Dougray Scott
The story of Cinderella, without all the magic. Drew Barrymore portrays her version of this damsel in distress as full of spunk and fight. The real charm is being a part of a world only heard of in fairy tales that seems surprisingly realistic. With creative cultural references and subtle humor, rooting for the underdog never felt so good.

4. A Walk to Remember
(2002) / DiNovi Pictures
Starring Mandy Moore and Shane West
A high school bad boy is forced to do community service after getting into some trouble. While at these events, he meets a kind, quiet pastor’s daughter. Her softness and his sense of adventure turn out to be a perfect match, and the two unexpectedly fall for each other. The story is full of sweetness and ­sorrow. It will leave you believing that love has redemptive power, and change is indeed possible.


5. Wall•E
(2008) / Pixar
Voiced by Fred Willard and John Ratzenberger, among others
Who would have known that a trash-collecting robot and a space robot falling for each other would be so sweet? In this futuristic tale, humans have ­polluted the Earth to a point that it’s uninhabitable, and they must live in outer space. Left behind is a little so-ugly-he’s-cute robot. He ends up entangled in a romantic space adventure attempting to save his girl and planet. Full of imagination, innocence, and sweet romance, this movie is impossible not to love. 

6. The Princess Bride
(1987) / Act III Communications
Starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright Penn, and a very young Fred Savage
A classic fantasy filled with adventure, this movie has been quoted an inconceivable number of times. Princess Buttercup is kidnapped by a band of vicious thieves including a giant, evil genius, and skilled swordsman. They are then pursued by The Man in Black who may or may not be Buttercup’s true love. There is a good reason this movie stands the test of time. It is entertaining and great for a group setting.

7. While You Were Sleeping
(1995) / Caravan Pictures
Starring Sandra Bullock, Peter Gallagher, and Bill Pullman
A lonely woman saves the life of a ­gorgeous man she has been crushing on from afar. While he is in a coma, his family believes the two are engaged and accept her as one of their own. The situation becomes even more comical and complicated when she begins to fall for the man’s brother. One of the biggest hits of the 90s, this creative story is everything that a romantic comedy should be.



 8. Stardust
(2007) / Paramount Pictures
Starring Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Robert De Niro
An adventure that exists in a countryside bordering a magical world. Evil witches, blundering princes, and spoiled town girls all desire to possess a star that happens to be a young woman. This out-of-this-world love story is told through a whirlwind journey that has the stunning special effects to back it up.

9. Pillow Talk
(1959) / Arwin Productions
Starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson
This oldie-but-goodie relies on the out-dated technology of the party line (ask your grandparents or Google it), but it’s still good! Career girl Jan shares a phone line with songwriter Brad Allen who’s always on the line with one of his many girlfriends. Jan despises Brad, but after some twists and turns—and Brad disguising his voice—the two actually start to talk. Romance blossoms, of course, but you’ll have to watch to find out what happens!

10. Sabrina
(1995) / Constellation Entertainment
Starring Harrison Ford, Julia Ormand, and Greg Kinnear
To the Larrabee boys, Sabrina was just the chauffeur’s daughter. But when she returns to the family’s home after two years away, both brothers are intrigued by the sophisticated, intelligent, beautiful woman she’s become. Will she end up with Linus or with David. You’ll have to watch to find out. (And if you like this version, check out the original starring Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.)

11. Sleepless in Seattle
(1993) / TriStar Pictures
Starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan
The son of a widowed father calls a national radio show trying to find his dad a girlfriend and himself a new mom. Across the country an already-engaged woman decides that this anonymous man and his son might be her destiny and she simply must meet them. The sweet hopefulness in the face of reality results in a relationship built upon blind faith. It becomes a wonderful story of family and optimism. (Also, give An Affair to Remember a try. It will help you understand Sleepless in Seattle.)