Movies and a night in are the perfect date solution if you’re low on cash or just fancy something casual. It can also be a great way to introduce your boyfriend or girlfriend to your absolute favourites, or watch something new and experience it together. However, no matter what, when you sit down and switch on the TV, there’s always that dilemma of what to watch.
A comedy? Drama? Even something scary? There’s often just way too many options. But do not fear because we’ve got you covered. Here are eight of our favourite movies for a date night in.
For a list of date night movies, it seems only reasonable to start things off with a romcom. 10 Things I Hate About You is the most iconic of nineties teen romcoms, featuring Letters to Cleo playing on the school roof, drunken partying and questionable prom outfits. Based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, the movie follows two very different sisters, Kat and Bianca, whose father does not want them to date. But, after Bianca’s admirers come up with a scheme to get the sisters out for prom, tonnes of drama ensues.
Plus, the film offers up the best date idea ever. Pedalos followed by romantic paintballing, every girl’s dream. Maybe it can inspire next week’s date.
Highlight: Heath Ledger breaking out into ‘I Love You Baby’ on the sports pitch.
A total cult classic, Shaun Of The Dead is the perfect movie if you’re looking for a romcom with a twist. The movie follows Shaun as he navigates the zombie apocalypse by coming up with the most British of on-the-spot plans… heading to the pub. He also decides to bring along his mum, best friend, and ex-girlfriend which doesn’t seem to aid the situation and leads to the unfortunate realisation that they have no idea what to do now.
As the first of the movies in Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s cornetto trilogy, you know that it’s guaranteed to be witty, quick and just a bit bizarre. It’s a classic for a reason.
Highlight: A zombie fight in time with Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
Slumdog Millionaire defies all expectations as a movie centred around the game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Following Jamal, a young Indian man, as he recounts his life to a policeman suspicious about how a boy from the slums made it up to the final jackpot, we see him suffer loss, betrayal and the hardships of life. However, it soon becomes clear that his motivation for entering the show is more than just money. He hopes to reunite with his lost childhood sweetheart.
This movie has touches of romance among an otherwise hard-hitting drama. So, if you want to branch away from romcoms, definitely check it out.
Highlights: “Jai Ho” – a song that will be stuck in your head for weeks.
Going one step further from romcom movies (because let’s be honest, date night would be boring if you went for those every week), Kingsman is an action-packed and effortlessly stylish movie about a secret spy organisation. The story follows Eggsy, a young man growing up in a rough patch of London, who is approached to join the Kingsman. Proving that he deserves a place in an organisation mostly made up of posh, suited men isn’t easy considering Eggsy’s background and things only get harder when an evil tech giant decides to kill off the majority of earth’s population.
Be warned, things get violent. However, despite the impending doom that hangs over the world, the movie manages to be both funny and turn all seriousness into a joke.
Highlight: Colin Firth beating people up with an umbrella.
This one might seem like a bit of a strange addition to this list, but if you think about it, Jaws is the best of all movies for a date night in. Police Chief, Martin Brody, spends the movie trying to find and kill the shark that has been munching on tourists around Amity Island. Although it doesn’t get much more complicated than that, the film is a classic and therefore the perfect opportunity to show off your taste in great movies to your date.
It’s also pretty tense and with all those scary scenes, provides the perfect opportunity to cuddle up to each other.
Highlight: Laughing at how bad the mechanical shark looks in order to cover up how much you’re actually freaking out.
After that curveball, it’s time to return to something more traditionally date night appropriate. Everyone’s heard of it (even if it was just because of that awkward Oscars mix-up) and even if you’ve not watched it, you’re probably familiar with some of the soundtrack. The movie follows Sebastian and Mia as they fall in love in the difficult world of LA. Ultimately they must choose between love and the spotlight.
This movie is perfect for singing along and shedding a few tears together, while also just being unarguably romantic. If you’ve not seen it already, definitely give it a watch.
Highlight: Emma Stone dancing to “I Ran”. True talent.
Every girl loves this movie, and it’s no wonder why. Based on Fitzgerald’s classic, the movie depicts the tragic love story of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchannan, against a backdrop of 1920s materialism and prohibition immorality. The film isn’t just impressive in its storytelling though. Baz Luhrmann’s over-saturated and over the top style fits perfectly with the events of the film, making it a work of art.
Perfect for filling your date night with romantic vibes, it is a must-watch. It might also inspire your S.O. to fill your house with flowers Jay Gatsby style.
Highlight: Nick being the most awkward third wheel for the entire movie.
Again, we’re going to throw in a bit of a wild card and recommend Kill Bill. Following the bride on her revenge mission to kill a group of assassins that attempted to murder her and her unborn child, if you’re not into violent movies maybe it’s not for you. However, Tarantino’s violence gives you the perfect opportunity to hide your face in your dates shoulder and the movie itself is compelling from start to finish.
It also has the bonus of being a two-part movie, meaning you have the perfect excuse to invite your date over again next week.
Highlight: Bad-ass female characters.
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