These films will give you the feels this Valentine’s Day. All of them are available to stream throughout the month of love.
It’s classic
Before smartphones, love was a look between two strangers and a dance around whatever kept them apart. Enjoy a classic romance revival with Dirty Dancing, the 1987 summer love story of the overconfident, upper-class Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman (Jennifer Grey) whose wholesome family holiday is deadly boring before she meets rebel dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). He quite literally sweeps her off her feet.
Watch Dirty Dancing on Video Play
Another one not to miss is The Notebook, based on the novel by Nicolas Sparks. It’s about a mismatched but meant-to-be couple battling the rigid class structures of 1940s America – highborn babe Allie (Rachel McAdams) and working-class no-one Noah (Ryan Gosling).
Watch The Notebook on Netflix. Don’t have a subscription? You can pay for Netflix using your Vodacom account.
It’s complicated
Love in the midst of millennial insecurities is possible, but it takes a lot more thought. Watch the overthinking, obsessive conversations and search for cosmic intervention play out in these romcoms. Love Shagun, the 2016 Bollywood film, is about young JD (Anuj Sachdeva) who seeks to define love as he chooses a life partner at his mother’s insistence but gets distracted by carefree Tia (Nidhi Subbaiah) along the way.
Watch Love Shagun on Video Play
For another story about a traditional mother getting in the way of modern romance, enjoy the cinematic extravaganza that is Crazy Rich Asians. Released in 2018, this fabulous film follows the against-all-odds relationship between New York professor Rachel (Constance Wu) and Singaporean socialite Nick (Henry Golding).
Watch Crazy Rich Asians on Showmax
This list would not be complete without our favourite crazy single lady on it. Follow Bridget Jones's tumultuous journey to love. From her mishaps in the very first flick to the new addition in her life in the final instalment, the entire trilogy is available on Video Play.
Watch Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Bridget Jones's Baby on Video Play
It’s crazy
Twists abound in this tale of love affairs at any age. Die Windpomp is a beautiful Afrikaans film from 2014 about 17-year-old Henri (Etienne Fourie) on holiday at a retirement village, which proves painfully dull until he meets magical Margo (Leandie Du Randt).
Equally crazy – in a crazy-funny way, that is – About Last Night is another 2014 release not to be missed. Bernie (Kevin Hart) and Joan (Regina Hall) keep the hilarity booming as a one-night stand between their friends Danny (Michael Ealy) and Debbie (Joy Bryant) blossoms into the awkward possibility of happily-ever-after.
Watch About Last Night on Netflix. Don't forget to add your Showmax and Netflix accounts to your Vodacom account. This way, you only have to worry about one bill every month! Click here to find out more about Vodacom's Charge to Bill service for Showmax and here for Netflix.
It’s steamy
For something a little different this Valentine’s Day, tune in to Christian Grey and Ana Steele’s love story. The first movie, Fifty Shades of Grey, saw the couple begin an unconventional relationship. Their journey continues in Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, and all three are available on Video Play.
Watch Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed on Video Play. You can also look forward to a host of other romantic flicks on Video Play this month, including dramas such as A Ghost Story and The Break-Up and comedies such as Bridesmaids and How to Be Single.
Header photo by Phillip Goldsberry on Unsplash
