Updated on: Feb 15, 2024
It's always so hard to find the best date night movies to watch, there are so many streaming services, genres, and movies that picking just one can be a daunting task. Watching trailers is one simple way but that can easily take up more time than what the actual movie ends up being. Determining the difference between cheesy and well-written can be really hard when just watching the trailers or reading the synopsis. Hopefully, this article will help in simplifying the task and make the process of planning movies less daunting.
Best Date Night Movies: Romance
1. To All The Boys I Loved Before (2018)
Where to Watch: Netflix
Based on Jenny Han’s best-selling novel, this rom-com follows Lara Jean (Lana Condor), who wrote love letters to her former crushes without the intention of sending them. Somehow her crushes receive them and Lara Jean has to deal with the consequences both good and bad. If you find you love it, the sequels were just released making it a possible triple feature!
2. A Star is Born (2018)
Where to Watch: Amazon, HBOMax, Hulu
In this update on the classic Hollywood tale, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga star as Jackson and Ally. Ally is a struggling songwriter whose life turns a 180 when she meets rockstar Jackson. A thrilling romance begins, but so does a tragic story of addiction, fading fame, and loss.
3. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Where to Watch: Amazon
This is a story about a group of friends who reunite mainly for weddings and funerals. Through these occasions you get to know about their love lives, specifically lovable Englishman Charles (Hugh Grant) and beautiful American Carrie (Andie MacDowell). It may not have been the best movie of the decade but it’s the kind of movie you can watch over and over without getting bored.
4. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu, HBOMax
Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) goes to Singapore with her longtime boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) to his best friend’s wedding. Upon arriving she finds out that Nick’s family is one of the richest families in Singapore. Rachel then has to contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives, and worse, Nick’s disapproving mother. The story and the music will keep you happily entertained throughout the duration of the film.
5. The Princess Bride (1987)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Disney+, Hulu
This forever classic follows a young boy being told the love story of Buttercup (Robin Wright) and her one true love Westley (Cary Elwes). It has everything you need, fighting, fencing, giants, monsters revenge, torture, chases, escapes, true love, miracles and so much more.
6. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Disney+
This high school-set romance stars Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Larisa Oleynik. Kat and Bianca Stratford are sisters who have to follow a house rule on dating, Bianca cannot date until Kat has a boyfriend. Even though Kat is beautiful and smart, she can also be abrasive and warding off boys. Bianca sets a plan for Kat to fall in love with Patrick. There are many ups and downs. The serenading scene will never not make you laugh and sing along with Patrick.
Best Date Night Movies: Comedy
Source: Unsplash
7. Death at a Funeral (2007)
Where to Watch: Amazon
Disaster descends on a funeral when a dysfunctional family gathers to bury a loved one. Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen) expects a stand-off with his famous brother Robert (Rupert Graves), and cousin Martha (Daisy Donovan) along with her fiance is desperate to make a good impression on her father. A mystery guest arrives and threatens to bring the deceased’s skeleton out of the closet. Reasonably things blow up in a hysterically comedic way.
8. Click (2006)
Where to Watch: Amazon
A hard-working architect (Adam Sandler) comes upon a very special remote control that allows him to fast-forward parts of his life. Whether it’s a boring day at work, yelling kids, or a nagging wife, he can skip it all. Although very convenient at the beginning, he soon realizes that the remote is taking control of his life and forcing him to make bad choices. What’s not to like about Adam Sandler comedies? At this point, he’s perfected the algorithm might as well steer into the skid.
9. The Hangover (2009)
Where to Watch: Amazon
For his bachelor party, two days before his wedding, Doug (Justin Bartha) accompanied by his three groomsmen (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis) drove to Las Vegas for a night on the town. The next morning, the three groomsmen find out they can’t remember a thing or, even worse, find Doug. With only 24 hours before Doug's wedding, the groomsmen try to retrace their drunken steps to find Doug and bring him back to LA in time for him to walk down the aisle. If you can’t get enough of the laughs from this film, don’t worry there are two more waiting for you to binge!
10. Booksmart (2019)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu
Overachievers Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) have been keeping their noses down for the past four years to become top of their class. But on the eve of their graduation, they find out they missed out on all the classic high school experiences. They become determined to cram it all into one epic night. Directed by Olivia Wilde, this film provides all the giggles and reminiscent vibes to everyone who watches.
11. Being John Malkovich (1999)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu, Showtime
This cult-favorite comedy follows an unemployed Newyorker Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) at his boring new temp job as a filing clerk for Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). During one of his shifts, Craig discovers a portal that leads directly into the mind of world-renowned actor John Malkovich. Craig ends up telling his coworker Maxine (Catherine Keener) and they begin an abnormal business scheme and relationship with Craig’s wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz).
12. Young Frankenstein (1974)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu
Respected medical lecturer Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) inherits his grandfather's castle in Transylvania. Arriving, he soon begins to recreate his grandfather’s experiments with the help of servants Igor (Marty Feldman), Inga (Teri Garr), and fearsome Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman). After creating his own monster (Peter Boyle), problem after problem arises with the arrival of the doctor’s fiancee, Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn), and the police inspectors’ continuous questions. This is hands down the best Frankenstein rendition ever made and will guarantee endless watches.
Best Date Night Movies: Thriller/Horror
13. Parasite (2019)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu
This critically acclaimed Korean film follows the destitute Kim clan and their fight with greed and class discrimination while they set up shop within the wealthy Park Family. Never has a movie had such an unexpected ending as this one. This will 100% keep you at the edge of your seats.
14. Insidious (2010)
Where to Watch: Amazon
In the first installment of the Insidious series, parents (Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne) take insane measures when it seems their brand new house is haunted and their comatose son (Ty Simpkins) is possessed by a malevolent entity. This is the perfect date night movie because you cannot watch it alone and it’ll definitely give you an excuse to cuddle up to your partner. If you have the guts there are three other films in the series, or you could leave it to another date night!
15. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu, Showtime
Soon after moving into a new home, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) become increasingly harassed by a malevolent supernatural presence. Taking two different routes to deal with this demon, Micah sets up cameras to hopefully capture evidence and Katie reaches out to priests and supernatural experts. Warning the ending will haunt you for at least an hour after finishing it.
16. The Shining (1980)
Where to Watch: Amazon, HBOMax
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel in Colorado hoping to cure his writer’s block. He moves in with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and his son Danny (Danny Lloyd). While Danny starts to exhibit psychic premonition abilities, Jack starts to discover the hotel’s dark secrets and unravels into a maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family. This iconic film is a must seen to any cinephile but is also very much worth a watch to everyone.
17. Knives Out (2019)
Where to Watch: Amazon
After the mysterious death of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey, renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is sure that someone in the dysfunctional Thrombey family is the culprit. Blanc has to sift through lies, deception, and red herrings to uncover the truth.
18. Ready or Not (2019)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu
Grace (Samara Weaving) has the best day of her life when she marries her now-husband at his family’s luxurious estate. She soon finds out there is one catch, she has to hide from midnight to daybreak while her brand new in-laws hunt her down.
Best Date Night Movies: Action
Source: Unsplash
19. Jurassic Park (1993)
Where to Watch: Amazon
This blockbuster by Steven Spielberg follows two paleontologists (Sam Neill and Laura Dern) and a mathematician (Jeff Goldblum) as they tour an island theme park filled to the brim with dangerous dinosaurs. They soon find out it’s not as safe as they were promised and have to survive ferocious prehistoric predators.
20. Avengers (2012)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Disney+
All superhero and marvel lovers would gladly watch this movie and the series on a date night. Bringing together beloved superheroes Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Hulk for the fight of their lives and to save the worlds against Loki’s army.
21. The Train to Busan (2016)
Where to Watch: Amazon
During a zombie virus outbreak, Seok-Woo (Gong Yoo), his estranged daughter Soo-An (Kim Soo-Ahn), and other passengers discover they are trapped on a speeding train from Seoul to Busan. Although this movie is in Korean and they may deter people, it is an insanely good movie and is soon to have an American remake.
22. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon
This movie provides endless amounts of entertainment as Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) fights off all the ex-lovers of his new girlfriend Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead).
23. The Terminator (1984)
Where to Watch: Amazon
Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) travels from the year 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) who is being protected by Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn). Amazing action and fight scenes ensue as Terminator tries to finish his task. This is also the first in a series of six films.
24. Baby Driver (2017)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu
Baby (Ansel Elgort) is a music-loving orphan and talented getaway driver for heist mastermind Doc. With the perfect soundtrack picked out for every single job he is determined to finish one last job before riding off into the sunset with diner waitress Debora. Things don’t go as planned but the background music and soundtrack take the sting away.
Best Date Night Movies: LGBTQ+
Source: Unsplash
25. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Where to Watch: Amazon, Hulu
In 1770s France, Marianne (Noémie Merlant), a painter is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Heloise (Adele Haenel), a young woman who does not want to get married. Marianne must paint her without her knowledge. This french film is one of the best recent LGBTQ+ films out there.
26. The Handmaiden (2016)
Where to Watch: Amazon
Inspired by Sarah Waters’ novel Fingersmith, Handmaiden follows an orphaned pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri) who is helping a Korean con man (Ha Jung-woo) as they devise an elaborate plot to seduce and a naive Japanese woman (Kim Min-hee) out of her inheritance. Plot twist after plot twist will keep you continuously guessing what’s going to happen next. An NSFW warning should be given to all possible watchers.
27. Carol (2015)
Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon
Based on The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, this widely beloved movie follows Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) as she starts a friendship with Carol (Cate Blanchett) in 1950s Manhattan. The two women develop a bond that grows out of friendship and into love with complicated consequences.
28. The Half of It (2020)
Where to Watch: Netflix
When intelligent but impoverished junior Ellie Chu agrees to write a love letter for a not-so-bright jock, she doesn’t expect him to become her best friend or fall for his crush and the person receiving these letters. Alice Wu is the director who also directed Saving Face, another great queer movie that didn’t quite make the list this time.
29. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Where to Watch: Amazon
Wyoming 1963, Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis (Heath Ledger) get hired as sheepherders. After a drunken pass, the two boys start exploring their feelings. It all gets very complicated when they both get married to their girlfriends. The two men find a way to keep up their affair over the course of 20 years.
30. Moonlight (2016)
Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon
This Academy Award-winning film follows Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami through three defining chapters in his life. His journey to manhood is aided by the kindness, love, and support of the community that helps raise him.
Best Date Night Movies: Conclusion
There are so many more movies that could have been shown but these are the best date night movies out there. You can either curl up for a heartwarming and romantic movie or jump into your partner's lap with nail-biting thrillers and horrors.
Written by Anna Dickson