By Lauren Murray

Romance is in the air, even more than usual with couples spotted in every nook and cranny, reminding some that they are not in relationships. But have no fear, Valentine’s season is no longer just for infatuated couples. It is for all our single ladies out there living their best lives through the celebration of Galentine’s Day, an unofficial holiday that has become very popular in the last few years. As the name implies, Galentine’s Day is for the gals, a day where women build each other up and show love, the very premise of what this time is all about. Galentine’s Day has become a tradition for many, and there is no right or wrong way to celebrate it. Whether you make it a night on the town or a cozy night in, it’s always an exciting time with your best friends. 

Personally, I am an enormous lover of romantic comedies. They are my preference when I am indecisive on what to watch. The directors appear to have the formula down: girl meets boy, they dislike each other, their paths continue to cross, feelings begin to develop and I think you can guess the ending. Even though they are predictable and repetitive, so many of us cannot get enough of them. You do not have to be in a relationship to get your favorite food, invite your best pals and enjoy a great movie. If you need some inspiration this year, here are my recommendations for you and your girls. I hope these offer inspiration and remind you of other possibilities for celebrating this season.

When Harry Met Sally

If you like to laugh but want a little more substance to your rom-coms, When Harry Met Sally is for you. It follows two main characters, Harry and Sally (a shocker, I know), portrayed by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, and their relationship through different periods in their lives. While their friendship goes through waves, they both come to the agreement that men and women can’t be “just friends.” Eventually, as they spend more time together and get closer, they develop more intense feelings for one another. They see the way their feelings have changed and adapted over time. This movie shows a more realistic side to love instead of the typical “love at first sight.” Love takes form from getting to know a person and spending more time together. Sometimes, it takes many years for people to finally come to terms with how they feel and take that step. Stream it on Hulu with a premium subscription and Amazon Prime Video.

Clueless

As if this movie can’t be anything but pure enjoyment. This ’90s classic goes into the heart of an American teenager navigating high school at the top. Cher, played by Alicia Silverstone, thinks she knows everything about relationships, despite not being in one herself. She helps the new girl reinvent herself when she finds herself wanting a boyfriend, which drives Cher to desire one too. She can’t seem to find the right person and starts to see that there is more to life than popularity and fashion. She seems to mature, which grabs the attention of her dream boy. This movie touches upon struggling with finding someone compatible. Sometimes we imagine the person we think we want and realize it’s not the person we need. This movie shows us to look deeper than the surface level in a comedic, retro way. Rent the movie on Amazon Prime Video or purchase it on iTunes.

10 Things I Hate About You

Another 90s classic, this movie centers around two sisters: Kat and Bianca Stratford. While both in high school, one is popular and the other cannot wait to get out. Bianca, played by Larisa Oleynik, wants to date the popular boy in school, but there is a catch; her sister has to date for her to be able to do so. In hopes of scoring a date with Bianca, her wannabe boyfriend bribes the bad boy, Patrick, to take Kat out. Despite Kat’s initial reaction, she falls for Patrick, paving the way for Bianca to date. This movie shows two sides to romance. One sister learns that what’s important is what is under the surface, while the other learns that it’s okay to want what everyone else has. I may be biased, but this is one of my favorite movies to watch in general. The chemistry between Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger is evident and adds to the entire movie experience. Stream this movie on Disney+ or rent the movie on Amazon Prime.

13 Going on 30

Everyone has had those moments when they wish they could already be out in the real world, especially when things aren’t easy. Jenna Rink is no exception. When being thirteen is harder than it looks, Jenna wishes she could be thirty, flirty, and thriving. By the power of some magic dust, Jenna, played by Jennifer Garner, wakes up to find that she is her thirty-year-old self. She has her dream job at a fashion magazine called Poise and everything that she thought she wanted. When she finds her best friend from school, played by Mark Ruffalo, she discovers that this life isn’t what she truly craves. A rekindled romance may be what Jenna needs to see what she truly finds important. This movie makes you reconsider assuming what you want and advocates for looking for what you need. Stream on HBO Max or rent on Amazon Prime.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Picture this: you are trying to get a guy you just started seeing to dump you while he is trying to get you to fall in love with him. That is the plot of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Andie, played by Kate Hudson, works for a big shot magazine and has her own section where she writes “how to” articles. Benjamin, played by Matthew McConaughey, is fighting for an opportunity to be a lead on a project at his advertising company. Andie comes up with the idea of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” as her next immersive article experience where she will drive a guy crazy just to write about it. Benjamin makes a deal with another team trying to be lead in this project that if he can get a woman to fall in love with him in 10 days, he will get to be in charge. The two cross paths trying to get the other to fall for their respective schemes. However, both begin to develop true feelings, making their initial plans lose their meaning. This is filled with plenty of laughable moments that will keep you wanting more. Rent this movie from Amazon Prime.

The genre has an endless count of movies for everyone. While I didn’t get a chance to give an overview, I want to give some honorable mentions.

  • 27 Dresses
  • Crazy Rich Asians
  • The Big Sick
  • 16 Candles
  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding
  • Isn’t it Romantic 

There are so many choices to choose from, and you truly can’t go wrong with any of these. Get some popcorn, pick a movie and embrace the season!