The 50 Best Date Night Movies to Set the Mood

A candle-lit dinner with a stellar view may sound like the ultimate romantic tryst, but sometimes, a good ol’ movie night is just enough to do the trick. And since the options can feel as vast as the universe, I've compiled a list of 50 great date night movies to save you that extra hour of combing through titles and reading random reviews.

I also made sure to include a variety of options to help you set the mood, regardless of your favorite genre. If you're feeling nostalgic, you can relive Baby and Johnny's love story in Dirty Dancing. Or if you'd prefer to bond over a laugh-out-loud rom-com, there's The Proposal and Crazy, Stupid, Love. Not down for a romantic film? You can make it a spooky date night—complete with some extra cuddling—by watching titles like Get Out and Scream.

Either way, you can't go wrong with these date night movies. Keep reading for the best titles to watch on Hulu, Disney+ and more.

• Cast: Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Lil Rel Howery
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Stella Meghie
• Run time: 106 minutes

Who can say no to a charming storyline and sizzling chemistry between Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield? The Photograph follows Mae, the daughter of a famed photographer, who falls for a journalist while learning more about her late mother’s life. I watched this movie a few years back and enjoyed the balance it brought between romance and comedy. I've also long been a fan of Rae since her Awkward Black Girl days, and Stanfield is one of my favorite rising actors.

• Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, Jesse Williams
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Aline Brosh McKenna
• Run time: 111 minutes

If you loved The Holiday, you need to watch this rom-com about two lifelong best friends who agree to switch homes…and lives. In his review, editor Joel Calfee said, "Aline Brosh McKenna pens another winning rom-com, which boasts strong female characters, richly-developed dynamics and jokes-a-plenty."

• Cast: Omar Epps, Sanaa Lathan, Alfre Woodard
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood 
• Run time: 127 minutes

This cult classic follows the budding romance between BFFs and aspiring basketball players Quincy McCall and Monica Wright. As they pursue their dreams, their growing success threatens their relationship. If you loved The Best Man or Brown Sugar, you need to add this to your list.

• Cast: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Jon M. Chu
• Run time: 121 minutes

When Rachel Chu, a Chinese-American NYU professor, travels to Singapore with her boyfriend to meet his family for the first time, she’s thrown into a filthy rich lifestyle with hordes of disapproving women calling her a "gold digger." Can this relationship withstand all the drama? "Crazy! Rich! Asians! it's funny, it's romantic, it's most definitely poking fun. but it's also about proving the lengths you'll go for the person you love," says Associate SEO editor Marissa Wu. "Definitely a favorite of mine, and, ironically, shows that money...doesn't buy everything."

• Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Kat Coiro
• Run time: 112 minutes

J.Lo stars as a Latin pop star who discovers that her partner has been cheating on her. So, she seeks revenge by marrying a stranger who attends one of her concerts. Little does she know that her spontaneous gesture will lead to an unlikely romance.

• Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone
• Rating: PG-13
• Directors: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
• Run time: 118 minutes

Carell is Cal Weaver, a successful middle-aged guy who seems to have it all, from a gorgeous wife to a beautiful home. But when his wife insists on getting a divorce after cheating on him, he finds himself single and at a loss when it comes to the dating world. Thanks to the ultimate player, Jacob Palmer, Cal might have a shot at finding love again.

• Cast: Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington
• Rating: R
• Director: Theodore Witcher
• Run time: 108 minutes

If you're drawn to semi-cheesy romance dramas that include a more realistic take on love, meet Love Jones. Nia Long stars as Nina, an ambitious photographer who immediately hits it off with an attractive poet named Darius Lovehall. But when Nina decides to move away and mend fences with her ex, their future starts to look uncertain. Love Jones is one of those classic 1990s movies that is one of my favorite films of all time. I highly suggest giving the soundtrack a listen once you've watched as it is equally amazing.

• Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter
• Rating: R
• Director: Michael Showalter
• Run time: 120 minutes

Inspired by Kumail Nanjiani's real-life relationship with Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick centers on interracial couple Kumail and Emily. When Emily suddenly falls ill, Kumail must deal with cultural differences as he bonds with Emily’s family. Watch for laughs and a heartwarming message about embracing new cultures.

• Cast: Micheal Ward, Kadeem Ramsay, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Steve McQueen
• Run time: 68 minutes

Take a trip back to ’80s London with this swoon-worthy love story, which gives quite a bit of insight on Black British life at the time. When young Martha attends a reggae house party with her close friend, she meets and falls for the handsome Franklyn after joining him on the dance floor. It’s just what you need to get in the mood for date night.

• Cast: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Andy Tennant
• Run time: 118 minutes

A know-it-all dating consultant who goes by “Hitch” tries to help one of his clients win the heart of the woman he loves. But when Hitch tries to use his foolproof methods on an attractive writer, he realizes that he still has a lot to learn about love and relationships. Fun Fact: Hitch grossed $371.6 million at the box office upon it's release in 2005, making it the third highest-grossing romantic comedy film of the year. I'm also a huge fan of the part where Hitch has an allergic reaction that puffs up his entire face and body.

• Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Shawn Levy
• Run time: 115 minutes

In this feel-good action comedy, Ryan Reynolds plays a bank teller who learns that he’s a character living inside a video game. With the help of his character friends, he must figure out a way to save the town before the entire game gets destroyed in the real world.

• Cast: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Emile Ardolino
• Run time: 100 minutes

Here’s your excuse to have an intimate dancing sesh with your partner, right in your living room. The ’80s classic tells the story of a young woman named Frances, AKA “Baby,” who finds love with a gorgeous dance instructor during a summer vacation with her family. While the dancing style in this movie isn't my particular favorite, the acting is amazing (I'm not just saying that either). Plus, "Nobody puts baby in a corner," is the best thing Patrick Swayze has ever said, whether he likes it or not.

• Cast: Heath Ledger, Julia Styles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Gil Junger
• Run time: 97 minutes

Need your nostalgia fix? 10 Things I Hate About You checks the box as it is a cult-classic flick about a girl deemed as "unattainable"due to her status as the "smart serious student." That all changes, however, when she meets a handsome boy who sweeps her off her feet. You'll remember exactly why this movie is a catapulted Styles and Ledger into young Hollywood royalty.

• Cast: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J. K. Simmons
• Rating: R
• Director: Max Barbakow
• Run time: 90 minutes

Groundhog Day gets a refreshing twist in this delightful sci-fi comedy, which depicts a budding romance between two strangers who meet at a Palm Springs wedding. After getting stuck in a time loop, they must figure out a way to escape.

• Cast: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg
• Rating: R
• Director: Luca Guadagnino
• Run time: 132 minutes

Seventeen-year-old Elio Perlman, who lives with his parents in Lombardy, Italy, finds himself falling for his father’s handsome young intern and graduate student, Oliver. The Academy Award winner was met with widespread acclaim, thanks to its honest portrayal of relationships and heartbreak.

• Cast: Jodie Turner-Smith, Daniel Kaluuya, Bokeem Woodbine
• Rating: R
• Director: Melina Matsoukas
• Run time: 132 minutes

Often described as the modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, this crime drama follows the fascinating love story between Queen and Slim, who go from having the most awkward first date to being on the run from police and falling in love. Beyond the romantic storyline, the film also brilliantly tackles the harsh realities of being Black in America.

• Cast: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby
• Rating: R
• Director: Rob Reiner
• Run time: 96 minutes

From Crystal and Ryan’s incredible chemistry to the iconic orgasm scene, this movie has all the makings of a great rom-com. Following the relationship between two longtime friends, When Harry Met Sally explores the age-old question of whether men and women can truly be just friends. "When Harry Met Sally is not only the best date movie, it's quite possibly the best movie of all time," says Quint who adds, "A testament to the complications of friends who fall in love, it's utterly relatable to anybody who has ever navigated tricky relationships, and still holds up (and is funny as hell) 35 years after it came out."

• Cast: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon
• Rating: PG
• Director: Rob Reiner
• Run time: 98 minutes

Based on William Goldman’s 1973 novel of the same name, The Princess Bride follows a farmhand named Westley as he tries to rescue his beloved Princess Buttercup from the evil Prince Humperdinck. It’s smart, funny and insanely quotable.

• Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear
• Rating: PG
• Director: Nora Ephron
• Run time: 119 minutes

Bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly has a serious bone to pick with Joe Fox, the new Foxbooks chain store owner across the street. But little does she know that her mysterious online love interest and Joe are one and the same. "You've Got Mail! Meg Ryan and Tom hanks are the ultimate rom-com duo and this movie is the stuff that snuggling on the couch with your BF is made of. Tom hanks is such a good 'villain' here (he makes it ok for us to root for the 'bad guy' to find love) and Meg Ryan remains unrivaled with yet another quirky, nuanced rom-com  performance," adds Mutz.

• Cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
• Rating: PG
• Director: Randal Kleiser
• Run time: 110 minutes

Whether you’ve seen it twice or 200 times, watching Danny and Sandy serenade each other in all-black ensembles never gets old. Revisit the famous love story of the greaser and transfer student as they navigate high school. Grease was the very first 1970s film I ever watched, which has led to a lifelong interest in the decade from both an entertainment and fashion standpoint.

• Cast: Mahershala Ali, Trevante Rhodes, Janelle Monae
• Rating: R
• Director: Barry Jenkins
• Run time: 111 minutes

You'll instantly fall in love with this Oscar-winning film, which tackles themes like Black masculinity, addiction and sexuality. It follows the life of Chiron in three phases, including his childhood, teenage years and adult life, as he struggles to navigate his troubled upbringing and find his identity.

• Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Rory Cochrane, Milla Jovovich, Jason London
• Rating: R
• Director: Richard Linklater
• Run time: 102 minutes

Ideal for any couple who shares a love of all things comedy, Dazed and Confused has rightfully earned its cult-classic status after initially performing poorly at the box office and earning negative reviews from critics. Matthew McConaughey plays the role of David Wooderson in one of his first major acting gigs, as the film chronicles the last day of the 1976 school year. If you and your partner enjoy the 70s, Dazed and Confused will be a fun Friday night watch.

• ​​Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Edward Norton
• Rating: R
• Director: Wes Anderson
• Run time: 99 minutes

The Grand Budapest Hotel features an A-list cast that stars Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Edward Norton amongst others, and is set in 1930s Budapest where The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the most popular ski resorts in the nation. The hotel is presided over by concierge Gustave H. (Fiennes), whose goal is to provide first class service to any and every guest who walks through the resort, which also includes romantically entertaining some of the women that visit as well. He appears to be living the good life until one of his lovers dies mysteriously, leaving him the main suspect in her murder.

• Cast: Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Regina King
• Rating: R
• Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
• Run time: 125 minutes

Bassett shines as Stella, a successful stockbroker who starts a fling with a guy who’s nearly half her age during a getaway in Jamaica. But when her time comes to return home to California, she realizes that she’s falling in love. Can this new romance survive long distance?

• Cast: Kate Winslet, Jim Carrey
• Rating: R
• Director: Michel Gondry
• Run time: 108 minutes

Are you in the mood for a poignant tale that explores the complexity of relationships? Try Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, where a former couple, Clementine and Joel, undergo a procedure to erase all their memories of each other after a devastating breakup. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind will forever be one of my faves—it's a little bit mind-trippy, a little bit gut-wrenching, but it holds fast to the idea that every love you have is worth remembering (wink, wink)," says senior commerce editor Stephanie Maida.

• Cast: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Malin Akerman
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Anne Fletcher
• Run time: 108 minutes

When a high-strung book editor learns that she’s about to be deported to Canada, she devises a plan to marry her overworked assistant. Although he agrees, she discovers that her troubles are far from over—thanks to a suspicious immigration worker who suspects foul play.

• Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Fred Ward, Mary Kay Place
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Andy Tennant
• Run time: 109 minutes

When Melanie, a successful fashion designer, gets engaged to her new beau, she realizes that she can't officially tie the knot until her former partner finalizes their divorce. Determined to move on, she heads home to Alabama—but she gets way more than she bargained for.

• Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Damien Chazelle
• Run time: 128 minutes

Want to impress your partner with your performance skills? Get those vocal cords ready and sing along with the cast of La La Land, which tells the story of a jazz musician and aspiring actress who fall in love while chasing their dreams in Los Angeles.

• Cast: Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Aoi Yûki, Ryô Narita
• Rating: PG
• Director: Makoto Shinkai
• Run time: 107 minutes

The Japanese anime film tells the story of a teenage girl and boy who suddenly begin to switch bodies, even though they live several miles away from each other. As they bond over time, one question remains: Can they survive this long-distance relationship? Prepare for stunning animation and a brilliant storyline that’ll tug at your heartstrings.

• Cast: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Taraji P. Henson, Common
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Shawn Levy
• Run time: 88 minutes

This list wouldn’t be complete without the ultimate date night movie, complete with a bizarre twist that sounds like every couple’s biggest nightmare. Comedy greats Steve Carell and Tina Fey play a married couple trying to spice things up in their relationship. But after they settle for a spontaneous, romantic night out, a simple misunderstanding lands them in serious danger.

• Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy
• Rating: R
• Director: Richard Linklater
• Run time: 101 minutes

Craving a thought-provoking romance that'll give you all the nostalgia? Try Before Sunrise, which follows Jesse and Céline as they meet for the first time on a train and decide to spend the night together in Vienna.

• Cast: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones
• Rating: R
• Director: John Hamburg
• Run time: 106 minutes

Peter is about to get married, but there's just one problem: He doesn't have any male friends. He embarks on a mission to find himself a best man, but when he quickly bonds with his new BFF, Sydney, it causes some tension between him and his wife-to-be.

• Cast: Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam DeVine
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
• Run time: 89 minutes

When an architect named Natalie is knocked unconscious, she wakes up and finds herself trapped in the most cliché romantic comedy—the one genre that she absolutely hates. Get ready for plenty of laughs.

• Cast: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd
• Rating: R
• Director: Judd Apatow
• Run time: 116 minutes

If you loved watching Carell's comedic chops in The Office or Anchorman, this heartfelt comedy won't disappoint. In the film, he plays Andy Stitzer, an introverted single guy whose virginity status prompts his friends to help him get laid. Things start to look up when he meets and falls for a kind shop owner named Trish.

• Cast: Jang Ki-yong, Chae Soo-bin, Krystal Jung
• Rating: TV-14
• Director: Lee Gye-byeok
• Run time: 101 minutes

We confess, this South Korean rom-com isn't exactly a cozy, breezy flick. But it's a brilliant and thoughtful story that explores the challenges of maintaining a relationship in a very capitalist society—a topic that's sure to spark some deep conversations with your date. The movie chronicles the love story of Hyeok and Da-hae, which is far from smooth.

• Cast: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Jordan Fisher, Maddie Ziegler
• Rating: TV-14
• Director: Susan Johnson
• Run time: 99 minutes

Lara Jean Covey‘s life is turned upside-down when her private letters get mailed out to all of her former crushes, thanks to her sister. As she tries to deal with the aftermath, she winds up finding real love (and herself) in the process.

• Cast: Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Eva Longoria
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Eugene Ashe
• Run time: 114 minutes

It has stunning ’60s fashion, soothing jazz tunes and an unforgettable love story that can melt the coldest of hearts. Tessa Thompson plays aspiring filmmaker Sylvie Parker, who embarks on a whirlwind romance after crossing paths with a saxophonist named Robert. Best enjoyed with a steamy cup of cocoa next to your date.

• Cast: Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Eddie Murphy
• Rating: R
• Director: Kenya Barris
• Run time: 118 minutes

From Kenya Barris, the mastermind behind Black-ish, comes this funny rom-com, which follows an interracial couple as they struggle to deal with racial tensions and cultural differences after meeting each other's families.

Greta Heggeness, PureWow's Senior Editor of News and Entertainment, wrote in her review, "Despite the cringe-worthy moments, You People is something everyone should watch. Not only does the film address important themes, but it also proves that we need more Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill in our lives."

• Cast: Rebel Wilson, Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, Mary Holland
• Rating: R
• Director: Alex Hardcastle
• Run time: 111 minutes

If you enjoyed 17 Again, then you'll love Senior Year. The movie follows a teen cheerleader who wakes up from a coma two decades later and decides to return to high school. Naturally, a lot of awkwardness ensues. Phil Mutz, VP of News & Entertainment, said, “It’s surprisingly funny. I really wanted to hate it because it’s such a played-out and cliché idea. The story might be stupid, but who cares if I’m enjoying myself?”

• Cast: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd
• Rating: R
• Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
• Run time: 99 minutes

Halloween season or not, The Addams Family lives on as a timeless classic that features an unforgettable couple. Seeing Gomez and Morticia Addams model a healthy and supportive relationship is easily one of the film's biggest highlights.

• Cast: Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Michelle Buteau
• Rating: PG-13
• Director: Nahnatchka Khan
• Run time: 102 minutes

After several years apart, childhood friends Marcus and Sasha reunite in San Francisco and discover that they still have feelings for each other. Unfortunately, Sasha's hectic career and Marcus's doubts make it difficult for them to pursue a romantic relationship.

• Cast: Michaela Coel, Arinze Kene, George MacKay
• Rating: TV-MA
• Director: Tinge Krishnan
• Run time: 100 minutes

In this charming musical, a single mom named Simone meets and falls for a stranger named Raymond during a night out with her friends. She soon realizes that he's on parole from prison and is being stalked by a mysterious man with bad intentions.

• Who’s in it: Issa Rae, Kumail Nanjiani
• Rated: R
• Director: Michael Showalter
• Run time: 87 minutes

While on the verge of a breakup, Leilani and Jibran accidentally get involved in a murder mystery. As they embark on a high-stakes mission to prove their innocence, the pair start to reconsider whether their relationship deserves a second chance.

• Who’s in it: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet
• Rated: R
• Director: Hernán Jiménez
• Run time: 105 minutes

Desperate to find love, Natalie Bauer, an L.A.-based writer, turns to her dating app in hopes of meeting someone. She's thrilled to get matched with a handsome East Coast guy, and they instantly hit it off. However, she gets an unpleasant surprise when she travels to meet him in person.

• Who’s in it: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
• Rated: PG-13
• Director: Marc Webb
• Run time: 95 minutes

This offbeat rom-com tells the story of Tom, an aspiring architect who falls in love with Summer, a woman who doesn't believe true love exists.

In a 2019 interview with PureWow Deschanel told us, “Joe and I always talked about doing a sequel. We never quite figured it out because we thought it would be fun to do 500 Days of Tom from Summer’s point of view. The movie is so from Tom’s point of view. So, we thought it would be interesting to see her point of view. I don’t know if it would ever happen, but it would be fun.

• Who’s in it: Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, Tyler Perry
• Rated: PG-13
• Director: Tyler Perry
• Run time: 116 minutes

For many of us, Diary of a Mad Black Woman was our first introduction to the legend that now is Tyler Perry. What makes this film so great is the mixture of comedy, alongside the drama and serious themes explored throughout, as a young woman starts fresh after being kicked out by her husband to move another woman in. Needless to say, the one-liners thrown out by Madea remain classics that are still referenced in popular culture today.

• Who’s in it: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson
• Rated: R
• Director: David Dobkin
• Run time: 119 minutes

Where would the 2000s have been without Wedding Crashers? This wildly entertaining film stars Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as two divorce mediators who make great use of their free time by crashing weddings. I won't spoil for those that haven't seen yet, but just know you and your partner will wish you could have as much fun as these two as they are simply living the life.

• Who’s in it: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine
• Rated: PG-13
• Director: Kirk Jones
• Run time: 94 minutes

Starring an A-list cast, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is a no-brainer as far as a movie you and your date can agree on. The sequel is everything that made you fall in love with the original, but to the tenth power as the Portokalos family dynamics have gotten, well...even crazier. Oh, and there's a huge family secret that's being kept as well, but I'll save that for you to watch.

• Who’s in it: Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone
• Rated: R
• Director: Paul Verhoeven
• Run time: 108 minutes

I could be in the minority here, but I think Basic Instinct is kind of...sexy. Sure it's a crime thriller, but the neo-noir erotic aspect is hard to ignore, with both Douglas and Stone playing their respective roles brilliantly. The plot? Catherine Tremell, a crime novelist is the main suspect in the murder of her rockstar ex, and uses seduction as a tactic to win over the homicide detective that is on her trail.

• Who’s in it: Denzel Washington, Kate Beckinsale, Robert Sean Leonard, Keanu Reeves
• Rated: PG-13
• Director: Kenneth Branagh
• Run time: 111 minutes

Denzel Washington and Keanu Reeves is a good pairing for a date night don't you think? This early 1990s iconic film stars both as a half-brother duo with Washington taking on the role of Don Pedro, the reasonable one, and Reeves as Don John, the evil one. The family dynamics will be more than enough entertainment for the both of you, as this film is a fun take on the original Shakespeare novel of the same title.

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