Romance isn’t limited to sweeping love stories. It can be found in every genre. With this in mind, we’ve curated a selection of classic movies perfect for Valentine’s Day. These films span genres, from traditional romances and romantic comedies to suspense films and movie musicals. No matter what mood you’re in this Valentine’s Day, there’s a romantic classic to stream.
Shutterstock: Cagkan SayinRear Window (1954)
Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” is a thrilling blend of suspense and romantic tension. James Stewart stars as an injured photographer confined to his apartment. He passes the time by watching his neighbors, but this voyeurism turns into a mystery when he thinks one of his neighbors is murdered. Fortunately, his resourceful girlfriend and wisecracking nurse, played by Grace Kelly and Thelma Ritter, are on the case.
Where To Stream: Prime
Casablanca (1942)
Set against the backdrop of World War II, “Casablanca” is a moving story about love, sacrifice, and fighting back. Humphrey Bogart plays Rick Blaine, a cynical nightclub owner thrown for a loop when his former lover Ilsa, played by Ingrid Bergman, and her resistance leader husband show up. If you think it’s going to be a sappy love triangle or a boring war movie, you couldn’t be more wrong about this classic.
Where To Stream: Max
My Favorite Wife (1940)
More in the mood for a romantic comedy? “My Favorite Wife” is an underrated screwball comedy all about second chances in love. Cary Grant plays a man whose wife, played by Irene Dunne, makes a surprising return after being presumed dead — on the day he gets remarried. If you love Nancy Meyers’ remake of “The Parent Trap” (1998), you might notice how much this classic was clearly an inspiration.
Where To Stream: Prime
Charade (1963)
Combining romance, suspense, and comedy, “Charade” is sometimes called the best Hitchcock movie he didn’t direct. Audrey Hepburn stars as Regina Lampert, a widow caught in a web of mystery after her husband’s death. With a band of crooks on her tail, it seems like the only person she can trust is a charming yet mysterious stranger played by Cary Grant. But can she trust him?
Where To Stream: Prime
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
With stunning Technicolor-like visuals, “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” is one of the most gorgeous-looking movie musicals ever made. It’s also one of the most realistic looks at young love. Starring Catherine Deneuve as a teenager experiencing love for the first time with a handsome young garage mechanic, things get complicated when he gets drafted and she feels pressure to marry while he’s away.
Where To Stream: Max
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Silly and subversive, Billy Wilder’s “Some Like It Hot” is a risqué romp perfect for Valentine’s. It stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as two musicians on the run from mobsters. Disguised as women, they join an all-female band. But the band’s sultry lead singer, played by Marilyn Monroe, catches the eye of one of the cross-dressing musicians. As you might imagine, screwball-like antics ensue to hilarious effect.
Where To Stream: Prime
Roman Holiday (1953)
On the sweeter side, “Roman Holiday” is one of the most charming romantic comedies ever made. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, it’s a modern-day fairy tale about a princess exploring Rome incognito and the American reporter she befriends during her rebellious holiday. Since the reporter is supposed to be covering the royal visit, he faces a dilemma when he figures out her true identity.
Where To Stream: Paramount+
The Red Shoes (1948)
Filmed in glorious Technicolor, “The Red Shoes” is a visually stunning film about the struggle between professional ambition and romantic love. It stars Moira Shearer as a talented ballerina torn between her passion for dance and her love for a composer. Directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger are known for crafting dazzling films, and “The Red Shoes” is one of their most gorgeous pictures.
Where To Stream: Max
North by Northwest (1959)
Another fun date night movie from the “Master of Suspense,” Hitchcock’s “North By Northwest” stars Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill, an ad executive mistaken for a U.S. government agent by foreign spies. During Thornhill’s escape, he stows away on a train, meeting Eve Kendall, played by Eva Marie Saint. She helps him evade the police, but does her interest in him go beyond thinking he’s handsome?
Where To Stream: Prime
Get Carried Away With Romantic Classics
From the romantic longing of “Casablanca” to the witty banter of “Some Like It Hot,” these romantic classics can set the mood for Valentine’s Day. Even fun suspense movies like “Charade” and “Rear Window” intertwine intrigue and romance, proving love stories can thrive in any genre. Sharing any of these films with your sweetheart is a wonderful way to spend the holiday.
