Why look for a date on Valentine’s Day when you can buy yourself some chocolate and flowers and be the happily-single-hopeless-romantic person that you are? Our list of things to watch is your perfect companion this season of love!

 

“I’m not a religious person but I do sometimes think that God made you for me.” - Marianne

 

This Sally Rooney novel adaptation directed by Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie Macdonald chronicles the millennial romance between Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal) on the small screen.

 

As Marianne continues to find validation, and Connell, unaware of what his purpose in life is, the two find love and rely on the other for support. They're the same people who always find themselves in and out of each other’s lives and unable to meet in the middle.

 

Normal People depicts the frailties of love, miscommunication, and growing apart. More often than not, the series seems to hit right on the nail what most of us feel like in our 20s—confused, scared to death about the future, and in a constant state of existential dread.

Cry, laugh, and get frustrated with “Normal People,” currently streaming on Hulu.

 

 

Three words: That. Hand. Scene. 

 

If you know, you know which scene we’re talking about. The beloved Jane Austen novel adaptation of the same name features Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley), who navigates her way throughout the social complexities of rural English life along with her loving family.

 

Fairly outspoken and sharp-witted Elizabeth comes across a handsome, reserved, and rich man Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) at an assembly ball. The first impressions between the two become heated as Mr. Darcy insults Elizabeth as “perfectly tolerable” (a mean insult at the time) to his friend Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) behind her back—whilst Elizabeth overhears them.

 

After countless beautifully shot sequences, intense marriage proposals, and saving two of her sister’s marriages, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth finally see eye to eye and profess their love in the most dramatic way possible—walking across the field at dawn almost freezing to death.

 

Let yourselves be bewitched, body and soul, and watch the beloved 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice currently streaming on Netflix.

 

Who says your late 20s is the perfect time to finally settle down and get married?

 

For apprentice dancer Frances Halladay (Greta Gerwig), learning to grow from their young self to a better version of themselves is at the center of her quarter-life crisis.

 

Living in New York City without an apartment and constantly chasing the opportunities that arrive, Frances Ha focuses on a woman’s journey in contemporary culture and adulthood. Director Noah Baumbach’s black-and-white portrayal of a coming-of-age story shines the light on a universal feeling of having goals and trying to overcome the fears and anxieties of life.

 

Unfortunately, Frances Ha isn’t currently available for streaming.

 

What is the art of moving on? For starters, it’s learning to let go of the things that don’t spark joy anymore.

 

Jean (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying) is an aspiring interior designer who plans to embrace a minimalist lifestyle by decluttering her family's disorganized home一the Marie Kondo way. However, she uncovers items that belonged to her ex-boyfriend Aim (Sunny Suwanmethanont), opening old wounds from the past that seem to have already healed.

 

Although the film may be relatable for those whose relationship didn’t end well, it’s a constant reminder that learning to let go of the past will surely result in something greater. Take Jean's dreams as an example. You’ll never know what life has in store for you if you won’t try to move on from whatever’s hindering you.

 

As Jean’s friend Pink says to her in the film, “Some things won't go away just because you pretend to forget all about it.” Embrace the hunger for a better tomorrow.

 

Happy Old Year is currently streaming on Netflix.

 

 

Nobody puts Dirty Dancing in a corner! Highly referenced in some of our beloved films and shows like Crazy, Stupid, Love, “New Girl,” and “Gossip Girl”一this romance classic directed by Emile Ardolino features two people falling in love through the beauty of dance.

 

Unfortunate young Baby Houseman (Jennifer Grey) spends her summer at a resort in the Catskills with her family. However, when Johnny Castle’s (Patrick Swayze) partner was unable to dance, Baby’s luck turns around as she steps in to be his newfound partner.

 

Troubles arise when Baby's father forbids her from seeing Johnny. A summer filled with wrongful accusations and battling classicism, it’s Baby and Johnny against the world with their last big dance of the summer.

 

With its amazing soundtrack and home of the iconic “lift” scene, you might want to hold on to the time of your life for a while as Dirty Dancing isn’t currently available on streaming platforms. For the meantime, you may set a reminder on Netflix once the film becomes available.

 

Supplementary Recommendations

• Your Name (Romance, Drama, Fantasy, Animation) - An anime film that’s one for the feels, this tearjerker is not new to list recommendations. But this is a reminder for you to spend a couple of hours with Taki (Ryûnosuke Kamiki) and Mitsuha (Mone Kamishiraishi), only streaming on Netflix.

 

• Trainwreck (Romance, Comedy) - At first glance, you’d think this is a generic Hollywood romcom, but what sets this apart is its cast with big comedic chops such as Bill Hader and Amy Schumer. Watch out for these comedy-aficionados and celebrity cameos from pro-athletes John Cena and Lebron James, streaming now on Netflix.

 

• “Hintayan ng Langit” (Romantic drama, Slice-of-life) - Filipino onscreen legends Gina Pareño and the late Eddie Garcia deliver astounding performances in this romantic slice-of-life drama. The two stars poured it all out with their portrayal of ex-lovers stuck in purgatory. Live or relive the hugot of it all on Netflix.

 

• “Single’s Inferno” (Reality television, Dating game show) - Don’t you just love finding the one at the right time? Well, in this  “Survivor” meets “The Bachelor,” young and flirty Korean singles journey through a quest for love on a deserted island, with the goal of finding genuine love. Stream the first season on Netflix.