Alternate Valentine's Day Films

Valentine’s Day can be a perfect time to sit and watch romantic films with your boyfriend but for those of us who have been with their other half for a long time, or who just don’t have the stomach for romance films there are still plenty of films to watch. Below is a list of films that have a romantic element but that are a bit different from the likes of Valentine’s Day. There is also a list of romantic films that don’t involve pretending stalking is romantic (or cromantic as the disturbing This Means War calls it) or that don’t romanticise abuse like the awful Fifty Shades of Grey, see here). Either way I hope you enjoy these films as much as I did.

Super Alternate Valentine’s Day Films

1)      SuperBob

SuperBob is a mockumentary style film about a man called Bob who gets hit by a meteor and gets super powers. But unlike Superman Bob is just a very ordinary, awkward man and the film perfectly shows what would actually happen if ordinary people suddenly got powers. It’s painfully funny as we follow Bob’s constant faux pas. It’s a charming film that really explores the power of saying no, finding love that’s been staring you in the face, and I highly recommend it. Plus how often does a film mention House of Leaves!

2)      Night of the Living Deb

This film is a zom-rom-com and it takes places just after a one night stand as a man tries to get rid of Deb on a morning only to find that a zombie apocalypse has happened overnight. It’s a very funny film that really gets how great of a lead it has in Deb, a very awkward and weird woman. It has its problems in certain characters but ultimately it has its humour, its romance and plenty of zombies. Definitely one for those who love their zombie films a bit different like me.

3)      The One I Love

This is a film for those couples who have been together a long time as it follows a couple trying to fix their marriage after one cheated. We see them taking their couples therapist’s advice to go and spend a long weekend in a cabin. I can’t give away much of the plot but let’s just say that it getting put in the supernatural category on Netflix was what finally made me watch it. It’s a surprisingly funny, romantic depending on who you are, and interesting film. Definitely one to watch if you’re tired of couples overcoming every obstacle with a big gesture or an adrenaline fuelled adventure, or a night of murdering if you’re in Purge Anarchy.

4)      Grabbers

Grabbers is an Irish monster film that I watched on Netflix, and I fell in love immediately. It’s so ridiculous, funny, and yes kinda romantic in its own weird way. It follows the locals of a small town after a weird monster emerges from the sea and starts causing havoc… especially if you happen to be drunk. It’s definitely not a film for everyone but I think you should give it a watch to see if you love it like I do. I don’t want to give much away because I can’t do justice to how ridiculous but great this film is. Seriously, go watch it and if you loved it you can just thank me later.

Alternate Romance Films

1)      Romantics Anonymous

Romantic Anonymous is a French film that is on the UK Netflix at the moment and it is about a woman who makes chocolates. She is so nervous and awkward and she falls for a guy who is probably more nervous than she is. It’s very cute, charming, and endearing. It was a huge joy to watch, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves romance and can happily read subtitles.

2)      In Your Eyes

In Your Eyes is another film I found on UK Netflix that I absolutely fell for, it is about a couple, miles apart, who find one day that they can see through each other’s eyes. It’s unique and really understands what it would be like to actually be in the mind of someone else and how that might cause a bond unlike any other. It stars the brilliant Zoe Kazan, who is perfect in The Pretty One, and That Hot Guy From Cloverfield. It’s a great film for romantics but just like The One I Love it’s great for those who want a bit of brain and difference in their films.

3)      Remember Sunday

Remember Sunday stars Zac Levi and Alexis Bledel and is about a woman who falls in love with a man who has amnesia. It’s not the most original concept but it doesn’t feel like you’re watching the same film as others. It handles it with all the emotion you’d expect and it was quite heart breaking as you’d also expect. It looks at what it would be like to try to remember falling in love every day and what the struggle to stay in love can be. It’s not as creepy as 50 First Dates where *spoilers* we’re left with a woman waking up every day to see she’s pregnant with a baby she has no memory of.

4)      Timer

Timer is another film I found on Netflix (so I have a lot of free time on my hands) and another that I found to be unique and weirdly lovely in its own way. It takes place in a world where every person has the option of getting a watch installed on, well in, their wrist that will count down to them meeting their one true love. It asks would this be a good thing or a bad thing, what would it be like dating someone knowing you’re not each other’s true love, and would it actually matter if you felt that you loved them anyway? Or what if you weren’t ready to fall in love again but that your time was up?

An Anti-Valentine Film: The Loved Ones.

This is a horror film for those who are a bit pissed, whether it’s because your boyfriend is being a jerk, because men are just jerks, or you just want to watch a decent horror film. It’s about Lola who wants the best prom that takes place in her own home where the other guests are your Dad and a woman who can’t talk… It’s brutal, unforgiving at times, and while I definitely wouldn’t call it feminist I will say that it shows what happens when an unhinged woman is a bit sick of never getting the man that she wants…

If you can think of anymore films that would fit, or that you love and want me to check out feel free to let me know in the comments or on Twitter @feministfilms.