Valentine’s Day is a love-it-or-hate-it holiday, eliciting excitement from some and eye-rolls from others. But coupled-up or not, Valentine’s Day is also a great time to curl up on the couch, heat up some popcorn, and start streaming.
Both Netflix and Stan offer a serious selection of rom-coms and period pieces to keep even the soppiest of film fans satisfied. But with so many titles available, you might need a little extra help in narrowing down your night’s entertainment. Or maybe you’re looking for a twist on the standard Hollywood chick flick, like your romance on the dark side, or just want a new series to fall in love with.
Whether you’re a lover or a hater, we’ve compiled some of our favourite romances and no-mances for you to stream on Netflix and Stan this Valentine’s Day.
- The Big Sick
- Always Be My Maybe
- About Time
- When Harry Met Sally
- P.S. I Love You
- The Ghost Bride
- Feel Good
- Pride and Prejudice
- Bump
- The O.C.
Movies on Netflix
The Big Sick
The Big Sick is based off the real-life comedy power couple, comedian Kumail Nanjiani (played by Kumail Nanjiani) and scriptwriter Emily Gordon (played by Zoe Kazan) — so you know this movie is legit romantic comedy stuff (and it was nominated for an Oscar). Kumail is a struggling stand-up comedian who meets American grad student Emily at a gig, and the two hit it off. As their relationship blossoms, Pakistan-born Kumail becomes concerned his traditional Muslim parents won’t approve of Emily and her culture — especially since they’re busy finding him potential Muslim brides. Right as the couple decide they are too different to be together, Emily falls seriously ill and is placed into a medically-induced coma — and Kumail finds himself bonding with her concerned family and forced to confront his own family’s expectations.
Always Be My Maybe
Comedian Ali Wong had a breakout year in 2016 with the release of her Netflix special Baby Cobra, and she’s been on the up and up ever since. Exhibit C is Always Be My Maybe, the rom com she wrote and starred in that was released in 2019 and was viewed by 32 million households within the first four weeks of released. The movie follows ex-best friends Sasha (Wong) and Marcus (Randell Park) who, after a falling out as teens after a brief fling, haven’t spoken in 15 years. As a grown woman, Sasha’s life is perfect: she is a celebrity chef, engaged to be married to an equally successful and beautiful chef. That is, until her fiancé suggests a ‘6-month break’ and a heartbroken Sasha decides to move back home to San Francisco to open a restaurant. After a chance encounter, she is reunited with Marcus and the two revisit their old spark. Could it still be there?
A few other romantic favourites on Netflix include: The Bodyguard, Crazy Stupid Love, Five Feet Apart and The Holiday.
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| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
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min. cost $10 over one month |
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Movies on Stan
About Time
At first glance, About Time looks like another Rachel McAdams romance movie (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but upon further viewing, the charming romantic drama is an ode to all kinds of love — and living each day with the people you love like it’s your last day on Earth. The film, which is directed by Love Actually’s Richard Curtis (if you’re looking for a sign to watch this film, this alone is it), follows the life of Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson as charming as ever) who discovers the men in his family can travel back and forth in time. He uses his powers to help him land a girlfriend — none other than McAdams herself — however he discovers that his special ability can’t shield him from the cruel sting of life.
When Harry Met Sally
As far as rom-coms go, When Harry Met Sally is perhaps one of the most iconic in movie history. It follows the friendship between Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) over years of their various relationships and subsequent breakups, all centred around the theme that men and women can’t be friends. It also has one of the most iconic scenes in film history, which put Manhattan deli Katz’s Delicatessen on the map.
P.S. I Love You
If you’re in the mood to sob — and we mean really sob your eyes out — than P.S. I Love You is for you. Starring Hilary Swank, the movie follows a woman named Holly who seems to have it all. That is, until she loses the love of her life, the charming Irish-born Gerry (Gerard Butler), to a brain tumour. Knowing how hard she will take his death, her late husband prepares a series of notes and letters for her to guide her through her grief and to bring her strength and confidence to start her life without him. Yes, it’s actually as depressing as it sounds. It’s also a great love story — but bring the tissues, and don’t say we didn’t warn you.
A few other romantic favourites available on Stan include: Love Actually, Garden State, Legally Blonde and Mystic Pizza.
Shows on Netflix
The Ghost Bride
If true love really does last forever, then why are marriage vows made “til death us do part”? The Ghost Bride follows the journey of Pan Li Lian (Huang Peijia), a young girl who receives a proposal to marry the recently deceased and sinister son of the wealthy Lim family. By saying “I do” to Tian Ching (Kuang Tian), Li will save her family from debt in exchange for a lifetime of being haunted by her ghost husband. Unfortunately for the female lead, Tian Ching just doesn’t take no for an answer, and she quickly finds herself trapped in the afterlife. There’s also the very-much-alive Liam Tian Bai (Ludi Lin), a medical graduate who has stolen her heart. So, what will Li Lian choose? Love or family?
The Ghost Bride is based on the 2013 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by Yangsze Choo and is inspired by the real-life tradition of ghost marriage still being carried out in places like Malaysia, China and France.
Feel Good
This semi-autobiographical series from Canadian comedian Mae Martin was the underdog laugh-out-loud comedy series of 2020. Feel Good follows the life of Mae (played by Martin), a stand-up comedian and recovering addict who enters an all-consuming new relationship with her girlfriend George (Charlotte Richie). Mae’s addictive tendencies and George’s sexual identity prove to be a rocky pairing — but it’s certainly entertaining to watch. Feel Good also stars Lisa Kudrow as Mae’s mother and season two is slated for release sometime in 2021.
Shows on Stan
Pride and Prejudice
There’s been several big-budget adaptations of Jane Austen’s literary classic, but none have nailed the Lizzy Bennett-Fitzwilliam Darcy tension quite like the BBC’s 1995 production. Starring Colin Firth as the brooding Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice captures the spirit of the novel without watering down Firth’s heartthrob status – particularly in the so-called ‘lake scene’ in Episode 4. It also inspired the character of Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones’s Diary, another Valentine’s Day favourite with a dashing Colin Firth leading man performance.
Bump
Nothing quite screams romance like an unplanned teenage pregnancy. No, but seriously, you’ll be surprised how romantic the Aussie drama Bump really is. The 10-episode series created by national treasure Claudia Karvan (Doctor Doctor, Puberty Blues) and Kelsey Munro follows the life of Oly (newcomer Nathalie Morris), an ambitious and high-achieving 16-year-old girl attending high school in Sydney’s inner west who gives birth unexpectedly at school. But, in a shock to everyone, the baby daddy turns out to be the charming “stoner kid”, Santiago (Carlos Sanson Jr) instead of her current boyfriend. Oli and Santi are forced together to navigate a new challenge together — and in turn, love blossoms where it otherwise never would.
The O.C.
Ever since Marissa met Ryan that night on the Cohen’s driveway — “who are you?” “I’m whoever you want me to be” — no love story could ever match up. The O.C. is old-school, teenage romance at its best, and the ultimate Valentine’s Day guilty pleasure. The series follows Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a troubled teenager with a rough upbringing who is adopted into the billionaire home of Sandy and Kirsten Cohen. Parents to the social outcast and witty Seth Cohen (Seth + Summer = forever), the pair become inseparable as the outsiders of the high-class wealthy world of Newport Beach — and obsessed with local royalty Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts.
While this list is incredibly subjective, we hope it gives you some idea as to what to watch next time you’re in the mood to stream. If you’re looking to get the most from Stan or Netflix, pairing your binge watching with a new unmetered internet plan may be an ideal way to get more ‘bang for buck,’ and see your data go further.
Sign up to Disney+
There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription, or prepay for a year. Both plans include the same features, with unlimited downloads and the ability to stream on up to four screens at the same time.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $13.99 over one month |
4 | $13.99 |
Get Deal |
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min. cost $139.99 over one year |
4 | $139.99 |
Get Deal |
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^^View important information | |||
Original Author: Maddy Morwood
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