Love is in the Air: Playful Picks for a Romantic Movie Night

As the cold comes to a close, love fills the air. Cue Cupid, chocolate heart candies, and a good box of wine. Sit back relax and enjoy some movies with the tone of love and endearment. With that being said, somebody please be my valentine, xoxo.

5. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Photo courtesy of IMDb

From the director Jon Chu comes Crazy Rich Asians. This film follows Chinese American Rachel Chu, played by Fresh off the Boat alum, Constance Wu falls for Singapore's most eligible bachelor Nick Young played by Henry Golding. The couple is put to the test when Nick’s difficult mother, Eleanor comes into the mix, played by Michelle Yo. Come enjoy the ride of love, joy, and acceptance. One pro of this film is getting to see the beauty of diversity of love. Critics ranged from The Guardian praising the film as a “vital crowd pleaser”. According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed over 174 million Dollars domestically and 239 million dollars worldwide.

4. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

 Photo Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

Oh yes, Oh yes, could be echoed from the theater thirty-six years later. From the mind of Rob Reiner comes the film When Harry Met Sally. The film follows college friends Sally Albert, played by Meg Ryan, and Harry  Burns, played by Billy Crystal. The film explores whether intimacy could ruin a lifelong friendship of twelve years. One of the pros of this film is the fake orgasm scene in the deli, which was hilarious and adlibbed by Ryan herself.  Critics ranged from Insession Film calling the film an unimpeachable classic. The film grossed over  92 million both domestically and internationally according to Box Office Mojo.

3. Love Simon (2018)

 Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Everyone deserves a great love story and that is the message of the film. From the mind of director, Greg Berlanti comes Love, Simon. Love, Simon follows your typical high school senior Simon Spier, played by Nick Robinson, life. But what we find out is that he has one huge secret… he’s gay. So through the many trials and tribulations that occur in this film, he finds his person. Albeit his Blue.  Inclusivity was a major notion in the film. Blue is played by queer actor Keiynan Lonsdale. Critics of the film range from  Little White Lies hailing the film as, “a moving and genuine”. Love, Simon grossed over 41 million dollars domestically and 66 million dollars internationally according to Box Office Mojo.

2. Love Jones (1997)

 Photo Courtesy of  Interview Magazine

From the mind of director, Theodore Witcher comes this sultry, funny, and endearing film. Love Jones follows two black people both in the art field. Darius Lovehall played by the heartthrob of the 90’s, Larenz Tate an aspiring writer. Along with the photographer,  Nina Mosley played the equally talented Nia Long. The theme of the film was the art of second chances. One pro of this film had to be the storytelling and the beautiful scenery of Chicago. This film showed that black love can be beautiful but also heartbreaking, and then reconciliation occurs.  Critics of the film Ioncinema hail it as a “beautifully shot, well-written Snapshot of 90’s Chicago”. The film grossed over 12 million domestically and internationally according to Box Office Mojo.

1. To all the boys I’ve loved before (2018)

Photo Courtesy of  IMDB

Love letters get tampered with, by a curious little sister. Don’t worry you can confront your potential suitors in time. This concept came from director Susan Johnson. The story follows high schooler and daydreamer Lara Jean played by Lana Condor. Lara Jean must fight between reality and the fantasies she creates in her head about these potential suitors.  One of the pros of the film was the storytelling. The flash between Jean’s fantasies and reality felt palpable while watching the film. Critics of the film, such as  AvidBards hail it as “representation in the film is pretty great”. The film brought in 46.2 million dollars according to CHS Globe.