Find The Perfect Valentine's Day Watch To Fit Your Romantic Trope Needs

The official day of love is upon us and New Wave are ready to celebrate with some top tier movie recommendations. So whether you’re cuddled up at night with a significant other, hanging with friends or looking for something to watch alone, we give you 9 romance movies each with different romantic tropes so you can find the perfect one fit for your Valentine’s Day needs.

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

For Fans Of… ‘Enemies to Lovers’

What better way to start off this list then with one of the most iconic love stories of all time. The tale of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy has become ingrained in popular culture, with this 2005 movie adaption being one of the most popular versions to date. Kiera Knightly and Matthew Macfayden co-star as Bennett and Darcy respectively, bringing to life the OG enemies to lovers storyline as we see them tussle with their emotions, class expectations and pride against the backdrop of Regency England. Joe Wright’s cinematography, and directorial choices bring Austen’s plot to life creating many swoon-worthy moments - who can forget the rain scene confession, or Mr Darcy walking through the Bennett families misty gardens, and don’t even start on that improvised hand stretch. The movie is a staple for romance fans, and a must watch on Valentines.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

For Fans of … ‘Forbidden Love’

Director Ang Lee works his angsty romance magic here by serving us not one, but two forbidden romances in this classic wuxia movie. The plot centers around the robbery of a sword, Green Destiny, and the subsequent journey to reclaim it. Embedded in this action packed tale are two stories of love that have succumbed to the pressures of society, expectations and duty. Whilst the film’s amazing martial arts sequences and cinematography clearly stand out, it’s these two stories and their direction which really drive home the emotion of the movie. Just like the characters, viewers go on an emotional rollercoaster, endlessly hoping for their romances to be accepted and openly embraced. Whether it’s the romance of Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) and Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat), two whose love is hindered by the expectations of society or that of Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi) and Lo (Chang Chen) whose short but passionate love affair is strained by their different classes, you are sure to feel drawn to the love displayed throughout this film.

Before Sunrise (1995)

For Fans Of … ‘Love At First Sight’

In some ways, this film's trope is hard to define - it doesn’t fit neatly into love at first sight but is certainly in the same vein. It’s almost an offshoot if you will, and will certainly still satisfy those who adore that trope. In recent years, we’ve had a jump in these ‘meet and fall in love in the same day’ romances especially in literature - from The Sun Is Also A Star to They Both Die At The End, it’s fast becoming a popular romance trope, but Before Sunrise remains supreme. The first in a trilogy, Ethan Hawke and Julie Dephy play Jesse and Céline respectively, two strangers who meet on a train and decide to get off together to explore Paris. As they roam the city, they discuss everything from love, to music and politics, falling in love during the process. The magic in this film comes from its simplicity - in a way this film is actually trope-less, relying on their effortless deep conversations to bring the romance to life. Director Richard Linklater does what he does best here, by portraying the development of emotions over the passage of time in a slice of life manner.

Romeo and Juliet (1996)

For Fans Of… ‘Tragic Romances’

We all know the tale. Boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl are a part of feuding families so can’t be together and thus enter a forbidden love which ends tragically. Standard. But the way Baz Luhrmann adapts one of the most famous love stories in his 1996 hit is a work of art in itself. Leonardo Dicaprio and Claire Danes play the eponymous star-crossed lovers as Luhrmann creates an anachronistic version of the play set in 90s L.A but maintains the original language; their performances and the directorial choices work to perfectly elevate the melodramatic nature of their love. Adding to the romance, with an iconic soundtrack, stunning costuming and stellar performances from the supporting cast, this pick is sure to feed all your tragic love needs.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

For Fans Of… ‘Fake Dating’

It is widely accepted that (the first) TALBILB was one of the best teen rom coms in recent years. After a slump of the genre, Lana Condor and Noah Centineo came together to give us the teen romcom we’ve all been waiting for. Based on a best selling novel with the same name, TATBILB focuses on Lara Covey, a teenage girl who writes 5 love letters to her crushes which accidentally end up getting out. When faced with the consequences, she ends up in a fake relationship with Peter Covinksy, her former crush and ex of her ex bestie. As you can assume…chaos ensues. A charming watch full of chemistry, fun and teenage drama, TATBILB is your best choice for a film where the fake dating trope is done right.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

For Fans Of… ‘Teen Romcoms’

Granted, if you’re a fan of teen romcoms then there is no way you haven’t watched this one. The late 90’s film has gone on to become a classic owing to its popular cast, stellar soundtrack and fun screenplay. Based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, the film expertly adapts the 16th century shenanigans of Shakespeare’s characters for the 20th century high school setting where they seem to perfectly fit in. The late Heath Ledger shines as Patrick Verona, his charisma oozing as he goes from ‘scary’ loner to heart stricken lover and performs one of the most iconic, romantic musical gestures in film history. Whether you want some fiery enemies to lovers, or sweet love at first sight, this movie’s got it. Ah, to go back to a time where all teen movies were based on classic literature!

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

For Fans Of… ‘Friends to Lovers’

Netflix romcoms tend to have a bad rep, but Always Be My Maybe stands out above the rest as a surprisingly endearing watch. The film focuses on childhood ex- best friends Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park), who separated after a brief teenage entanglement but meet again as adults. Boasting many comedic moments, just the right amount of will they/won’t they and a guest appearance from Keanu Reeves, this pick is sure to light up your Valentines.

Amélie (2001)

For Fans Of… ‘Crushing’

Now this is a pick for the shy boys and girls! This French film follows Amélie Poulain,(Audrey Tautou) a waitress who discovers a desire to spread joy to those around her. Her meddling escapades, lead her to her own joy as she falls in love with a stranger. As we follow her on this journey, we feel the magic of falling in love and finding happiness through her offbeat imagination which is elevated by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet‘s cinematography. The shots and colour scheme work together to create a sort of surrealist, heightened reality in which Amélie’s quirky personality thrives. The real fun of the movie lays in this quirkiness and her innate shyness - many will recognise themselves in Amélie’s juxtaposing desire but reluctance to engage with her romantic interest as we watch her leave clues, hide behind windows and make secret phone calls. This watch will leave you both sighing in relatability and rooting for her to get the happy ending she has been yearning for.

Chungking Express (1994)

For Fans Of … ‘Unrequited Love’

Though Valentine’s is a day for positive romantic depictions, love can be shown in many ways and heartbreak is one of the most poignant. Enter Chungking Express, a two story film set in Hong Kong which follows the lives of several young adults who are hopelessly in love with a non reciprocating other. Loneliness, longing and time are the films main themes as we see the characters reflect on the memories of past relationships and seek out potential new ones. Director Wong Kar-wai beautifully aids these themes with dreamlike sequences, musical motifs and his signature vibrantly coloured, frenetic shots of the bustling city setting. Something to tug on your heartstrings, but also enforce the hope of a love yet to come it’s a must see for those seeking a sadder watch this valentines.