How to pick the right date night movie
A good date night movie isn't the best film ever made. It's the one that fits tonight. Three quick questions help:
- How well do you know each other? Early on, light and fun wins. Heavy relationship dramas and very steamy films can feel awkward with someone new.
- What's the mood? Laughing, swooning, thinking or screaming? Pick one and go.
- How much time and energy do you have? On a weeknight, under two hours is kind. Long epics are for lazy Sundays.
| Mood | Start with |
|---|---|
| First movie night together | The Princess Bride, Knives Out, Crazy Rich Asians |
| Romantic | Before Sunrise, About Time, Pride & Prejudice |
| Want to laugh | Game Night, Date Night, Palm Springs |
| Want a thrill | A Quiet Place, Get Out, Scream |
| Want to talk afterward | Past Lives, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Her |
| Cozy and tired | Paddington 2, Howl's Moving Castle, Up |
A note: we don't list where to stream these films, because that changes all the time. A quick search or your streaming app's search will tell you where each one is available right now, to stream, rent or buy.
Best movies for a first date or a first movie night
On a first date at the cinema, you can't talk for two hours, so always add a drink afterward (see our first date ideas for better plans). For your first movie night at home, these are safe bets: funny, warm, easy to watch with someone new.
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
- Best forfirst movie night, everyone
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
A grandfather reads a fairy tale to his sick grandson, and the story comes to life: a farm boy named Westley, Princess Buttercup, pirates, giants and one of the best sword fights in film. Directed by Rob Reiner, it's funny, romantic and endlessly quotable. "As you wish."
2. Knives Out (2019)
- Best forpuzzle lovers, any stage
- Timeabout 2 hours
A famous crime novelist dies after his birthday party, and detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) arrives to question his very rich, very awful family. Rian Johnson's whodunit is clever and funny, and guessing the twist together is half the fun. Pause halfway and both write down your suspect.
3. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
- Best forrom-com fans
- Timeabout 2 hours
New York economics professor Rachel (Constance Wu) travels to Singapore for a wedding with her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) and discovers his family is extremely wealthy, and his mother (Michelle Yeoh) isn't convinced by her. Glamorous, funny and full of great food scenes, so have snacks ready.
4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
- Best for'90s kids, first movie night
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
A loose high school retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, with Julia Stiles as sharp-tongued Kat and Heath Ledger as the guy paid to date her. Witty, sweet and home to a famous bleacher serenade.
5. Paddington 2 (2017)
- Best forcozy nights, anyone
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
The polite bear from Peru is wrongly accused of stealing a pop-up book and ends up in prison, which he improves with marmalade. Hugh Grant is a wonderfully vain villain. It sounds like a kids' movie and it is, but adults love it just as much. Impossible to watch in a bad mood.
6. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- Best foranimation and comic fans
- Timeabout 2 hours
Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales becomes Spider-Man and meets Spider-People from other dimensions. The animation looks like a comic book come to life and it won the Oscar for best animated feature. A great pick if one of you thinks superhero movies are all the same.
Romantic comedies for date night
The classic date night genre: you laugh, you swoon a little and you know it'll end well.
7. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
- Best forrom-com lovers, any stage
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
Can men and women be just friends? Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) argue about it over many years of meeting again and again in New York. Written by Nora Ephron, it's the rom-com most others are measured against. Yes, the famous deli scene is in this one.
8. The Big Sick (2017)
- Best forcouples who like real stories
- Timeabout 2 hours
Chicago comedian Kumail falls for Emily, but his Pakistani family expects an arranged marriage. Then Emily falls seriously ill and he ends up getting to know her parents in the hospital waiting room. Based on the real story of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, who wrote it together. Funny and tender in equal parts.
9. Notting Hill (1999)
- Best forromantics, cozy nights
- Timeabout 2 hours
A shy London bookshop owner (Hugh Grant) meets the most famous movie star in the world (Julia Roberts) when she walks into his shop. Charming, very British and full of lovely side characters.
10. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
- Best forcouples, any stage
- Timeabout 2 hours
After his wife asks for a divorce, Cal (Steve Carell) gets dating lessons from a smooth bar regular (Ryan Gosling), who then falls for Emma Stone's character himself. Several love stories cross in surprising ways. Funny and warmer than you'd expect.
11. The Proposal (2009)
- Best forlight evenings
- Timeabout 2 hours
A tough Canadian book editor (Sandra Bullock) is about to be deported and forces her assistant (Ryan Reynolds) into a fake engagement. Then they have to visit his family in Alaska. Predictable in the best way.
12. Palm Springs (2020)
- Best forcouples who like a twist
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
Two wedding guests (Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti) get stuck in a time loop, living the same day over and over. A rom-com with a sci-fi idea that's funnier and smarter than it sounds. Better a few dates in than on the very first movie night.
Swoony and romantic date night movies
For anniversaries, slow evenings or when you just want to feel a lot.
13. Before Sunrise (1995)
- Best fortalkers, romantics
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
An American (Ethan Hawke) and a French student (Julie Delpy) meet on a train and decide to spend one night walking through Vienna before his flight home. Almost all conversation, and completely captivating. If you love it, the sequels Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013) make a perfect trilogy weekend. The Ferris wheel where they share their first kiss still turns in the Prater, one of our Vienna date ideas.
14. About Time (2013)
- Best forromantics, long-term couples
- Timeabout 2 hours
On his 21st birthday, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) learns that the men in his family can travel back in time. He uses it to win over Mary (Rachel McAdams), but the film becomes something bigger about family and everyday life. Have tissues nearby.
15. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
- Best forromantics, period drama fans
- Timeabout 2 hours
Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in Joe Wright's version of Jane Austen's novel. Misty fields, sharp dialogue and one famous hand flex. A great entry point if one of you has never seen an Austen adaptation.
16. La La Land (2016)
- Best formusic lovers
- Timeabout 2 hours
A jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) and an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) fall in love in Los Angeles while chasing their dreams. Gorgeous songs and colors, and an ending you'll want to talk about. Griffith Observatory from the film is on our list of Los Angeles date ideas.
17. Roman Holiday (1953)
- Best forclassic film fans
- Timeabout 2 hours
A princess (Audrey Hepburn) escapes her royal duties for a day in Rome and spends it with an American reporter (Gregory Peck), Vespa ride included. Light, elegant and in black and white. A perfect first classic for someone who doesn't watch old films.
18. Casablanca (1942)
- Best forclassic film fans, cozy nights
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
During World War II, nightclub owner Rick (Humphrey Bogart) meets his old love Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) again in Casablanca. One of the most quoted movies ever. "Here's looking at you, kid."
Funny date night movies
For nights when you want to laugh together more than swoon.
19. Game Night (2018)
- Best forcompetitive couples, game lovers
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
A very competitive couple (Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams) joins a murder mystery game night that turns into a real kidnapping, and nobody can tell what's part of the game. Fast, silly and great for a game-loving couple.
20. Date Night (2010)
- Best forlong-term couples
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
A tired New Jersey couple (Steve Carell and Tina Fey) wants one special evening in Manhattan, takes someone else's restaurant reservation and gets mistaken for criminals. Very funny, and very relatable for anyone whose date nights have gotten a bit routine.
21. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
- Best foraction fans
- Timeabout 2 hours
A bored married couple (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) discovers that they are both secret assassins, hired to take each other out. Action and marriage comedy in one.
22. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Best foradventurous viewers
- Timeover 2 hours
A laundromat owner (Michelle Yeoh) in the middle of a tax audit learns she can jump between parallel universes. Wild, ridiculous, moving and the Best Picture winner. Watch it when you're rested, there's a lot going on.
Scary movies for date night
Only if you both like horror. Ask first, and keep a blanket nearby.
23. A Quiet Place (2018)
- Best forthrill seekers
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
A family survives in a world where creatures hunt anything that makes a sound, so they live in near total silence. John Krasinski directed it and stars with Emily Blunt, his wife in real life. You'll find yourselves holding your breath and each other.
24. Get Out (2017)
- Best forthriller fans, a few dates in
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
Chris visits his girlfriend's parents for the first time, and the weekend gets stranger and stranger. Jordan Peele's debut is tense, clever and full of details you'll want to discuss afterward. A great pick for couples who like a thriller with something to say.
25. Scream (1996)
- Best forhorror fans, Halloween
- Timeabout 2 hours
A masked killer targets high school students in a small town, and the characters know all the rules of horror movies. Wes Craven's slasher is scary and funny at the same time. Perfect for an October date night.
Date night movies that start a conversation
For couples who know each other well. These will keep you talking long after the credits.
26. Past Lives (2023)
- Best forlong-term couples, thinkers
- Timeunder 2 hours
Two childhood friends from Seoul lose touch when one family emigrates. Decades later, he visits her in New York, where she lives with her husband. Celine Song's quiet film asks what might have been. Have a glass of wine ready for the conversation after.
27. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- Best forcouples who like strange films
- Timeabout 2 hours
After a painful breakup, Joel (Jim Carrey) learns that Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had him erased from her memory, and decides to do the same. Written by Charlie Kaufman, it's weird, sad and beautiful. Not for an early date, but a great one for an established couple.
28. Her (2013)
- Best forthinkers, tech fans
- Timeabout 2 hours
A lonely writer (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with his computer's operating system, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Spike Jonze's film feels more relevant every year and asks what it means to really connect.
Cozy and animated date night movies
For tired evenings, rainy Sundays or when you want something gentle.
29. Up (2009)
- Best foranyone, cozy nights
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
A grumpy widower ties thousands of balloons to his house to fly to South America, with a young scout accidentally along for the ride. The opening love story of Carl and Ellie is one of the most moving few minutes Pixar ever made.
30. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
- Best fordreamers, Studio Ghibli fans
- Timeabout 2 hours
A young hatmaker named Sophie is cursed into an old woman and ends up in the walking castle of the vain wizard Howl. Hayao Miyazaki's fairy tale is magical and romantic. If you love it, try Spirited Away (2001) next.
Musicals and dance movies
Sing along, dance in the living room, no judgment.
31. Mamma Mia! (2008)
- Best forsing-along couples
- Timeabout 2 hours
On a Greek island, a bride-to-be (Amanda Seyfried) secretly invites the three men who might be her father to her wedding. Meryl Streep and a whole film full of ABBA songs. Lyrics on screen recommended.
32. Dirty Dancing (1987)
- Best fornostalgic romantics
- Timeabout 1.5 hours
Summer of 1963, a family resort in the Catskills: Baby (Jennifer Grey) falls for the resort's dance instructor Johnny (Patrick Swayze). Yes, you'll try the lift afterward. Please use a soft surface.
Seasonal date night movies
For December, when nothing beats a blanket and a holiday rom-com.
33. The Holiday (2006)
- Best forDecember nights
- Timeabout 2 hours
Two women with broken hearts (Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet) swap homes for Christmas: a Los Angeles villa for an English country cottage. Jude Law and Jack Black are the new men in their lives. Peak cozy.
34. Love Actually (2003)
- Best forholiday couples
- Timeabout 2 hours
Many interwoven love stories in London in the weeks before Christmas, from a new prime minister to a man with cue cards on a doorstep. Some stories are sweet, some bittersweet. Watching it and debating your favorite storyline is a December tradition for many couples.
Movies to save for later
These are great films, but not for an early date:
- Relationship breakdowns. Marriage Story (2019) and Blue Valentine (2010) are brilliant and devastating portraits of couples falling apart. Not a great vibe on date three.
- Very long films. Titanic is more than three hours. Wonderful, but a big ask on a weeknight.
- Lots of explicit scenes. Watching them with someone you just met can feel awkward for both.
- Your all-time favorite, if they might not like it. If they're bored, you'll take it personally. Save it until you know their taste.
How to turn a movie into a real date night
A movie on the couch can feel like any other evening. A few small extras make it a date:
- Match the snacks. Dumplings with Crazy Rich Asians, pizza with Knives Out, a Viennese pastry with Before Sunrise.
- Make a double feature. Two films with one theme, dinner in between. Our dinner ideas for date night help with the menu.
- Pick for each other. Each brings one film the other has never seen. No eye rolling in the first 20 minutes.
- Talk after. Best scene, worst decision, what would you have done? That's the date part.
- Go out sometimes. A small cinema, an outdoor screening in summer or a drive-in feel more special than the couch.
More ideas for a cozy evening are in our at-home date ideas and date night ideas.
Saturday: movie night at mine 🍿 I'm making popcorn and you get to veto one of my three picks. Blanket fort optional, but encouraged.
psst … this makes it easier
Let the wheel pick tonight's movie night
Send a tiny invite with a spinning wheel: rom-com, thriller or cartoon? They spin, pick a time and get a ticket.
- Scratch card, spin the wheel, quiz or secret code
- Your date picks the day and the food right away
- Free, no account, sent as a link
Frequently asked questions
What is a good movie for date night?
A good date night movie fits your mood and isn't too long. Crowd-pleasers like The Princess Bride, Knives Out, When Harry Met Sally... and Crazy Rich Asians work for almost any couple. For laughs try Game Night, for something romantic Before Sunrise or About Time, for thrills A Quiet Place.
What is the best movie for a first date?
If you're going to the cinema on a first date, choose something light and fun and grab a drink afterward, so you still get to talk. For a first movie night at home, films like The Princess Bride, 10 Things I Hate About You, Knives Out or Paddington 2 are safe: funny, warm and not awkward to watch with someone new.
Is a scary movie a good date movie?
It can be, if you both enjoy horror. Tension makes people move closer, and you'll have plenty to talk about afterward. A Quiet Place, Get Out and Scream are good picks because they're gripping without being endless gore. Ask first, because some people really don't like scary films.
What movies should you avoid on a date?
On early dates, skip very long films, dramas about breakups or divorce like Marriage Story or Blue Valentine and anything with lots of explicit scenes that might feel awkward. Later on, when you know each other well, those can be great conversation starters.
How do you pick a movie together without arguing?
Each person suggests three films, then each crosses one off the other's list and you draw from the rest. Or set a theme (a decade, a director, a country) and take turns choosing. Decide in under ten minutes, then commit.