With so many options available in the endless morass that is the streaming universe, it can be hard to find the exact right movie to watch on any given night — and that’s doubly true for a night like Valentine’s Day.
Andrew Haigh’s film starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal opens this week at the Belcourt
Luckily, we here at the Scene are fans of romantic movies of all stripes. We’ve rounded up seven recommendations of thematically appropriate films released in the past few years — ranging from rom-coms to dramas to thrillers — that you may have missed. If you’re staying in with your sweetheart, try throwing one of these on. We stuck to films we have not reviewed in full, which means you will not be seeing the likes of recent genre classics such as Past Lives, All of Us Strangers or Bros here — all of which are currently streaming, and all of which are worth a watch.
Am I OK? on Max
I’m in the Dakota Johnson hive — I think she’s underrated. Married directing duo Stephanie Allynne and Tig Notaro give Johnson more than usual to work with in 2022’s Am I OK?, in which Johnson’s character struggles through romantic and platonic relationship issues. We also get to see a warmer side of co-star Sonoya Mizuno, who usually leans icy. I’m a sucker for a good friendship movie.
Fire Island
Fire Island on Hulu
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Andrew Ahn’s Fire Island is my favorite of the two Bowen Yang-starring rom-coms released in 2022. The biggest takeaway from this one was how well Joel Kim Booster, known more for his writing and stand-up comedy, can act.
Hit Man on Netflix
If you and your partner are looking for something a little darker on Valentine’s Day, or if you simply need another Glen Powell movie rec after watching Anyone but You, check out last year’s genre mashup from Richard Linklater. What starts out as a goofy comedy morphs into a steamy romance, and then transforms a second time into something a bit more sinister.
The Idea of You on Amazon Prime
For someone who works so much in parody and satire, writer-director Michael Showalter — who also helmed the excellent The Big Sick and is known for his work with sketch-comedy crew The State — has a great handle on earnest rom-coms, a rarity these days. Anne Hathaway once again cooks in this 2024 film as a 40-year-old single mom and artist who gets romantically involved with Totally Not Harry Styles. (Nicholas Galitzine co-stars as Hayes Campbell, The Idea of You’s stand-in for the British pop star.) Of all the streamers spamming romantic movies, Amazon has low-key put together the best roster.
Rye Lane on Hulu
For my money, 2023’s Rye Lane is the best movie on this list. Criminally underseen, Raine Allen-Miller’s visually inventive and emotionally satisfying film feels as if Spike Lee directed a London-set entry in Linklater’s Before trilogy. With star-making performances from everyone’s new favorite android David Jonsson and soon-to-blow-up Vivian Oparah, Rye Lane has everything you want from a rom-com — a great sense of place, legitimately funny jokes and simmering chemistry from its two leads.
Somebody I Used to Know
Somebody I Used to Know on Amazon Prime
Husband-and-wife duo Dave Franco and Alison Brie have now teamed up for a successful pair of Franco-directed and Brie-starring genre exercises. (The Rental is a good horror movie!) This charming 2023 take on the My Best Friend’s Wedding formula is very familiar, but an enjoyable cast — including Kiersey Clemons, Jay Ellis, Danny Pudi and Haley Joel Osment — makes up for any derivative turns.
We Live in Time, available to rent or purchase
I’m still surprised by how little buzz John Crowley’s follow-up to the Oscar-nominated Brooklyn generated. Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield have strong chemistry in this nonlinear 2024 weepie that’s also funnier than expected. There was not a dry eye in the theater when I saw this in the fall. We need more well-made, heart-wrenching romantic dramas with movie stars!
Plus what to read, watch and listen to on Valentine’s Day
