It’s that time of the year again- chocolates, flowers, and romantic movies to sift through. Whether you want a rom-com, full-on drama, or a combination of the two, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy.

In the Mood for Love (2000)

Known as one of Wong Kar-wai’s most renowned films, In the Mood for Love cultivates an alluring, sensual connection with restraint. A man and woman (Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Maggie Cheung), both married, discover their partners are having an affair with each other, but don’t want to go down the same path despite feelings developing. 

Sumptuously yet intimately shot in shadows and empty spaces shrouded in hues of reds, greens, and blues, Christopher Doyle’s cinematography emphasizes the longing and loneliness of the characters while instilling each scene with elegance and depth. 

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Dinner in America (2020)

A troublesome punk rock singer (Kyle Gallner) and an awkward fan (Emily Skeggs) fall for each other and hit the road in this darkly comedic and foul-mouthed but ultimately sweet tale about two misfits who bring out something special in each other. 

Dinner in America originally premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2020, but recently had a resurgence in popularity after going viral on TikTok. 

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The Worst Person in the World (2021)

Renate Reinsve’s performance as the free-spirited and restless Julie anchors this comedy-drama about the ups and downs of life and love in your late 20s, and the anxiety that comes with feeling like you’re still figuring it out while everyone else around you revels in their achievements. 

It isn’t just focused on romantic ventures, but The Worst Person in the World showcases how Julie’s relationships mirror her direction in life and journey to self-discovery.

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Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Before Ryan Gosling’s celebrity status skyrocketed, he starred in this quirky romantic comedy as the introverted Lars- who falls in love with a sex doll. 

A plot like this could easily lean into raunchy sex comedy territory, but Lars and the Real Girl manages to turn a romantic comedy featuring a sex doll into a wholesome, tender look at acceptance and overcoming trauma. 

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Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Breathtaking landscapes and intimate moments of enchantment are lit and framed like paintings in Céline Sciamma’s stunning drama. It’s appropriate for a film about a painter, Marianne, (Noémie Merlant) hired to create a portrait of the upper class Héloïse (Adèle Haenel). 

Set in France during the late 1700s, Portrait of a Lady on Fire takes its time to savor scenes of the beautiful cliffs along the coast and embraces patient pacing as Marianne and Héloïse’s gradual affection for each other emerges. 

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Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)

Performance artist and author Miranda July’s first film relishes in amusing characters and their interactions with each other. The romantic comedy  centers on Richard (John Hawkes) as a struggling dad who meets performance artist Christine (Miranda July). 

Beyond their possible relationship, the movie also consists of several clever vignette-like scenes exploring several characters’ yearning for connection in different ways- with a sense of humor attached.