Looking to spice up you and your partner’s movie-watching habits? Looking for that perfect first-date film? Maybe you even want to choose a film to watch on a lovely evening in with yourself… Regardless of why you’re looking for a date film, you need look no further than here! Read on as we present our picks of great date films:

 

Ali G Indahouse – Alice Payne (Sex Editor)

 My boyfriend and I often disagree over what we want to watch. He is a big fan of late-night comedies, sci-fi, and action films, whilst I prefer either Hallmark channel levels of rom-com cheese, or something with a bit of political or historical welly. Enter the Sacha Baron Cohen archives, which for the past few weeks have saved us from countless hours wasted pouring over our respective Netflix homepages…

 

Ali G Indahouse (Mark Mylod, 2002) is a perfect example of Baron Cohen’s ability to infuse late-night comedy with razor-sharp political wit. It is, if you like, the early 21st century’s cinematic equivalent to an old-timey Punch cartoon. The film charts the political career of the eponymous Ali, the leader of Da West Staines Massiv, as he fights to save his beloved John Nike Leisure Centre. This fight leads Ali to such elevated centres of political discourse as the UK Houses of Parliament and a United Nations Peace Conference. At the latter, the political powerhouse is accompanied by his beloved Julie, whose relationship with Ali presents the lucky viewer with a romantic plotline which rivals even The Notebook and Romeo and Juliet for emotional depth.

 

Whilst the film is certainly not politically correct, and perhaps not one to watch if either you or your partner is easily offended, I can’t help but present this unlikely entry as a major contender for the world’s best date movie.

Ali G Indahouse is available to stream on Netflix.

 

 

13 Going On 30 – Karla Higgins (Deputy Sex Editor)

13 Going on 30 (Gary Winick, 2004) is a fantasy-themed romantic comedy that takes audiences through a whirlwind of emotions and temporal spaces in the most entertaining way. The movie opens with 13 year old Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen), whose ultimate goal is to be a part of her school’s popular clique: “The Six Chicks.” Thus, Jenna invites The Six Chicks to her 13th birthday party, which they only end up attending because she promises to do their homework in return. At the party, The Six Chicks persuade Jenna to play “seven minutes in heaven,” and once Jenna is waiting in the closet, they all leave. Her best friend Matt (Sean Marquette) finds her all alone, oblivious to what has just occurred, and she is humiliated. Alone in the closet, she despairingly wishes that she could be thirty-“thirty and flirty and thriving.” 

 

Much to Jenna’s surprise, her wish comes true, and she awakens to find herself a thirty year old woman (Jennifer Garner), living the life she always hoped she would achieve. This new life, however, has resulted in a complete alteration of her character and social circle.We follow Jenna as she comes to mourn the losses she has incurred, especially that of her relationship with Matt (Mark Ruffalo), which she desperately tries to salvage. Embedded in the movie is quite a charming message: don’t wish your life away. This is understandably a concomitant desire that many of us obsess over as young adults. We have the belief that when we reach a certain stage in life, things will simply be easier; or we’ll be happier, because we’ll have things that we currently do not. Though an ostensibly whimsical rom-com, 13 Going on 30 also functions as a powerful warning not to crave premature development, and illustrates how this belief system is fundamentally problematic. The film also suggests that our perception of the transition from childhood to adulthood doesn’t have to be so radically unrecognisable. Of course, major changes naturally ensue, but there are aspects of youth that we should endeavour to maintain –  like that childlike curiosity, excitement, and perpetual quest for the fun in life. 

 

When in doubt as you select your next date night movie, a rom-com is a relatively foolproof choice. They are designed to satisfy most audiences, and are the sort of movies that you can go back to again and again and still enjoy. 13 Going on 30 is fairly typical of the much-loved genre, however, its fantasy element certainly adds a little extra “oomph” and spectacle to the storyline. Overall, 13 Going on 30 is a highly enjoyable viewing experience that will root you to the here and now, and might just make you more appreciative of your life, as well as of your date. If you’re not quite convinced yet, let me ask you this: who doesn’t love a good friends-to-lovers (and back again) trope? The film is definitely swoon-worthy, and even incorporates some 80s bops for your listening pleasure, like a little cherry on top.

13 Going on 30 is available to stream on Netflix.

 

 

Handsome Devil – Chloé Mant (Deputy Sex Editor)

Handsome Devil (John Butler, 2016) is an Irish film, the plot of which centres around Ned (Fionn O’Shea) and Conor (Nicholas Galitzine) who both attend a private boarding school, loosely modelled on Blackrock and Castleknock college. Ned is a self-proclaimed outsider in the school with no interest in rugby. Conor, who transfers to the school, is an excellent rugby player and is assigned to share a room with Ned. Whilst there are obvious differences between the boys, an unlikely friendship forms. The film examines the themes of sexuality and homophobia – especially how these develop in a private male boarding school environment. This gives the audience a fascinating view into a world that very few of us are privy to.

 

I love this film. I’ve watched it several times, and it still hasn’t lost its charm. The progression of the film’s relationships feel natural, not forced – which in my experience can be the case in some LGBT films. There’s something nostalgic about Handsome Devil, and its soundtrack (which is one of my favourite things about the film) really helps emphasise this. The film elegantly tackles the difficult subject of homophobia in sport in a way which  still feels authentic. It strikes the right balance between being lighthearted and serious, and presents relationships without being cringeworthy or cliché. It’s not a hard film to get, and it’s an easy watch – especially with a partner. 

Handsome Devil is available to stream on Netflix.

 

 

Always Be My Maybe – Brian Laurito 

 Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) were best friends growing up in San Francisco. Following a falling out as teenagers, the pair grew apart. After 15 years without contact, Sasha has become a globetrotting celebrity chef, while Marcus works in the family air-conditioning installation business and lives at home with his ageing father. When Sasha returns to San Francisco to open a new restaurant, the two reconnect following a chance encounter. With their lives being pulled in such different directions, can the two repair their once close bond? Could their friendship possibly become something more?

 

Always Be My Maybe (Nahnatchka Khan, 2019) might not be the most original romantic comedy ever—even on your first watch, it’s not exactly hard to guess how things are going to turn out. Nevertheless, what the film lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in heart. Low on stress and high on charm, this truly is a feel-good film. The leads are charismatic, the soundtrack is catchy, and there is a surprisingly hilarious celebrity cameo. If you’re looking for an easy watch full of endearing characters, be sure to give Always Be My Maybe a shot on your next date night.

Always Be My Maybe is available to stream on Netflix.

 

 

Blue Valentine (Derek Cianfrance, 2010) – Brian Murray 

Dive in at the deep end with the romantic tale of Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams). Watch, as their blossoming romance is presented in stark contrast with the dissolution of their marriage. This gritty depiction of a relationship in crisis is not for the faint of heart, but will act as a cautionary tale for viewers who manage to stick it out. 

In my opinion, all this romantic fall-out makes the film the perfect choice for a first date. First dates are often a nice and breezy experience where you come to learn a little about your chosen partner for the evening. If things work out, a second date may be on the cards, and the opportunity to figure out your compatibility over following dates presents itself. Instead, I suggest putting yourself and your date through the ringer, the absolute bonegrinder of witnessing the death of love. Experience the worst possible outcome, and discover if you can weather the worst of heartbreaks that life has to offer. If things go well, you’ll have formed a bond that will stand the test of petty squabbles. If things don’t work out… well at least you’ll have seen a really good film.

 

 

Uncut Gems – Gabriela Grzywacz

Uncut Gems features Adam Sandler – yes, the guy from Bedtime Stories (Adam Shankman, 2008) and the Hotel Transylvania franchise – in a more serious role. My boyfriend and I decided to watch the film a couple of weeks ago because it was recommended to us onNetflix. I wondered how Adam Sandler would fit a more serious role, and I can now confirm that he’s still a generic Adam Sandler character – though that is not a bad thing at all. 

 

Sandler plays a New-York-based Jewish jewelry shop owner named Howard Ratner  who is struggling with a gambling addiction. Ratner finally gets his hands onto a rare black opal that he has paid  Ethopian miners to find. This gem would solve all of his money issues as he plans on putting it up for auction later that week. However, Ratner makes the first mistake of many by allowing the Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett to borrow the opal for a game that night.  Uncut Gems a pretty frustrating watch, but in a good way. Sandler runs around New York city making bets and trying to manage his business, wife, mistress and money lenders that try to make him pay off all of his debts. The two hours passed by quickly and that’s saying a lot for a person that rarely watches movies because they are too long. There’s a couple of laughs throughout the movie but overall it is pretty suspenseful. After watching, my boyfriend and I had a full conversation about the film which hasn’t happened that often since Covid-19 forced us to stop going to the cinema . It’s definitely a good movie to watch with a date because of its obscure yet entertaining plot, and because of its frustrating ending.

Uncut Gems (Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie, 2019) is available to stream on Netflix.

 

 

Shrek 2 – James McCleary (Deputy Film Editor)

Whether it be a cheeky, quarantine-dodging night-in or a Netflix/Zoom Watch Party , there is only one certainty in the cold and confusing climate of romance in 2020, one film that is so loaded with laughs and sweet with sentiment that no number of viewings can truly be deemed too many. It is a love story for the ages, complete with heartache, gooey declarations of love, and a giant gingerbread man besieging the fairy tale palace of Mary Poppins and Basil Fawlty. I am referring, of course, to Shrek 2 (Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon, 2004).

 

Though not sophisticated nor erotic in the conventional sense, Shrek 2 is so much more than the video that Mum might stick on for you whenever her and Pops had some amicable tensions to work out, and that is down to the pure, utterly committed simplicity of the romance between the titular Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz). This is a pair who never for one second consider doing wrong by the other, even as the forces of evil (fittingly led by the devious Jennifer Saunders) conspire against them. Their relationship, though tested to kingdom come (get it—it’s in a kingdom), is virtually unbreakable, coming to risk only when one party is tricked into believing that the other might just be better off without them. We could all learn a thing or two from Shrek in Shrek 2.

Shrek 2 is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

 

 

Palm Springs – Savvy Hanna (Deputy Film Editor)

Finding the perfect date night film can be a hard task. My previous date night selections have included everything from Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly, 2001) to Young Guns II (Geoff Murphy, 1990). I tend to prioritise how much my boyfriend and I will enjoy the film over how romantic it is, but this means that the chosen film often doesn’t set a particularly romantic mood for the date. Palm Springs (Max Barbakow, 2020), however, seems to cover all the bases. Sarah (Cristin Milioti) attends her sister’s wedding and hits it off with a peculiar wedding guest named Nyles (Andy Samberg). But their potential romance becomes complicated when Sarah gets pulled into a time loop that Nyles has been trapped in for as long as he can remember. Reliving the same day over and over again with the same people is a familiar feeling in 2020, and Palm Springs manages to deal with the concept in an intelligent and hilarious way, while also exploring the darker side of it. The plot isn’t dominated by tropes or clichés, the romance feels genuine, and the added sci-fi element gives the film a fun twist. Milioti and Samberg both offer compelling performances, and the beautiful romance that unfolds between them throughout the film will make you want to fall in love.

 

 

Dirty Dancing – Connor Howlett  (Film Editor)

I have developed a habit of banging on about a select few films since writing for TN2, and Dirty Dancing (Emile Ardolino, 1987) has now joined that club. Not only is this movie a great watch, but it’s also warm, romantic, and has a terrific soundtrack. I saw it for the first time recently for its supposed 30th anniversary re-release (I know the years don’t add up), and within the first five minutes, I was already thinking of how great it would be as a date movie. If only I weren’t alone in an empty cinema screen, with the terrible sound design from Tenet (Christopher Nolan, 2020) vibrating through the walls in the midst of a pandemic. Dirty Dancing’s story finds Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) on holiday with her sister and parents at a mountain resort, when the hot, mysterious dancing instructor sporting a strangely fetching mullet, Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), catches her attention and introduces her to the world of physical expression… in every sense. The drama is satisfying and the choreography truly dazzles; it made me want to jump up and attempt to move my body in as elegant and provocative a way as Johnny and Baby move theirs. No dogs die, and the movie will almost certainly give you hungry eyes. What more do you want from a date movie? I’ve come a long way since picking The Human Centipede (Tom Six, 2009) when I was 14.  

Dirty Dancing is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.