There is a reason why films have been such an influential part of our society. Several things that we can’t experience personally, we experience through movies. Out of the many things we learn from films, I believe we learn our various ‘how-tos’ about relationships just by watching them. Our behaviour in a relationship, our way of expressing our love, and our way of making it work are all heavily influenced by the films that we watch.
While you may have watched the best romances on the silver screen, there is a possibility that you missed out on some. And even if you did watch them, there is a possibility that you missed out on the valuable relationship lessons they gave. Whether it is a date night or a movie night, here are 25 films that every couple should watch together and learn from it.
1. The Spectacular Now
One of the best coming of age movies that I have watched in recent times, The Spectacular Now is a brilliant film that deals with relationships and family drama. The story revolves around a young boy who is trying to find meaning to his life while dealing with the agony of not knowing his father. Completely messed up (he does not know that he is messed up), he begins to see Aimee, who is stuck in between an irresponsible mother and a boyfriend who does not quite understand her love for him.
Why I recommend every couple to watch this movie together is to know how two different worlds can create a beautiful relationship. The film teaches you to deal with your temperament and how a situation can always be resolved if one person could just remain the sensible one.
2. La La Land
I watched La La Land alone, and after I realised what a masterpiece it was, I watched it with my boyfriend, who was a sceptic at first, but now loves the film. If you think that it is another Hollywood romance that you have already watched in a thousand ways before, you couldn’t be more wrong.
The film tackles with two people who are in a relationship and are trying to make it big in the dream city. Their journey is a rollercoaster ride full of excellent cinematography and magnificent dance sequences. And although all that is nice, the music takes not only the cake but also the bakery for me. The film is a passion project that wonderfully showcases the classic battle between your dream and your love.
3. Dum Laga Ke Haisha
When it comes to unique and unconventional romances, Dum Laga Ke Haisha is probably one of the most modern films made in Bollywood. It tears down the stereotype of size zero leading ladies and stands boldly on the silver screen without too much makeup. It hits us with the long-forgotten truth that beauty comes in all sizes and that love can bloom anywhere. But don’t think that the movie is boring just because it approaches love sensibly as well as emotionally. Dum Laga Ke Haisha is a fun and adventurous film with a bunch of “ha ha” moments.
4. The Vow
Based on a real incident, The Vow is a story about a woman who loses her memory in an accident. And now that she has forgotten that she was ever married to her husband, it is her man’s relentless mission to remind her of their history.
The movie teaches you about love, courage and sacrifice. It shows you how you never give up on your loved ones no matter how difficult it gets for you to move ahead. And that is why this film is something that every couple must watch together.
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5. The Devil Wears Prada
If you are in a relationship while being a workaholic, you are in for a treat. Torn between two worlds of career and love, these women in New York are trying to figure out what matters more to them. There is something for everyone in this movie and by that, I mean, while the women get to meditate their eyes with stunning outfits and accessories, the men get to enjoy the sight of three gorgeous and talented women stumbling and getting back up.
6. Easy A
Sex is such a big deal when you are in high school. This movie perfectly shows how difficult it is to survive your academic life when you are surrounded by people who know nothing but starting rumours and making other’s life miserable.
Now, this movie is a little too special for us, Indians. Easy A is about a girl who lies to her best friend about sleeping with a guy over the weekend when in reality all she was trying to do was ditch her and her family. What starts as a benign lie told inside the closed walls of a washroom, turns into a real mess when people begin to refer to her as the “school slut,” when she is absolutely chaste. Since we all know how sensitive Indians get when they come to know that someone is having sex and how a sizeable number of them start to slut-shame a person for doing something that is entirely natural, you would thoroughly enjoy this film and relate to it.
You won’t regret it.
7. Edward Scissorhands
My parents watched this on one of their dates, and they still talk about it. Edward Scissorhands is a fantasy about Edward who has, yes, you guessed it right, scissors instead of hands. He is more of a metaphor to the society than an actual believable character. And the movie is more than what we see on the surface. The film is about loving and accepting someone who is different from the rest of the world. It is about making sacrifices so you can keep them safe. Do watch it.
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8. Anjaana Anjaani
Another Hindi film that dared to be different with a better storyline than most Bollywood films that we are so used to, Anjaana Anjaani is an excellent movie that focuses on self-discovery after the end of a relationship. It is important for everyone to learn how to deal with a breakup if there is one and come out of it stronger than before. While it may appear to be your ordinary tale of romance where two people find love in each other, Anjaana Anjaani is more than that. It is about loving yourself before loving someone else.
9. Ki & Ka
I am really glad I watched this movie even if it was only for my guilty pleasure. Because I was happy with the way things turned out in this one. R Balki tried taking a different route in Ki & Ka and focused on the female ego instead of the male one, which was quite refreshing.
Ki & Ka is about an unconventional couple wherein the woman is a workaholic, but the man wishes to be a stay-at-home husband because he wants to build a home rather than a bank account. What seems to be the perfect arrangement initially, turns into a real sticky situation. Things go south when the man begins to excel at his chores and gets famous for being the ‘best husband’ that there can be. The focus is then shifted from our male protagonist who is a rising star to the female protagonist who is also excelling at her work, however, starts to go unnoticed.
Besides the many, many, many brand integrations, there is a lot of learnings available in this film, mainly because it looks at relationships from a very different perspective.
10. 10 Things I Hate About You
Apart from the beautiful actors (Heath Ledger and Joseph-Gordon Levitt, I know!), the film features two different sets of relationships. It shows their journey right from they meet to when they fall in love and begin to have issues. The film embraces young love. And even though people don’t give much importance to it, 10 Things I Hate About You draws our attention to it because it is an impressionable age and it can really influence an individual’s personality. And that is why it is such a must-watch movie for couples.
11. The Lunchbox
Bollywood’s ground-breaking romantic flick opened a path for the unusual, elderly romance with extreme poise. The Lunchbox is one of the more mature arts that was produced in Bollywood, which needs to be appreciated. It was such a beautiful take on blind dates. It was precisely what true romance is about.
The film tells a story about a housewife who is bound in an unloving marriage. It also follows a widower who has nothing much to look forward to in his life. Their paths cross due to a rather fateful exchange of a lunchbox, which was supposed to go to the woman’s husband. Upon realisation, they begin to communicate with each other through letters — kind of like pen pals.
If you still have not watched The Lunchbox, you are missing out on a gem of a production. Seriously, go watch it right now.
12. Juno
Another film that focuses on young-adult romance, Juno is bolder than any of the other movies on the list. Juno, a 17-year-old, gets pregnant with her boyfriend’s baby and decides to keep it. We follow the story of this young woman who roams around the school corridors with a baby bump. She deals with pregnancy shame like a boss lady.
More than being entertaining, this film is really inspiring. And it is not just for girls, mind you. The movie is for every couple who wishes to know the ‘what happens if.’ It tells you how you can deal with an accidental pregnancy the right way.
13. Get Out
I was really horrified when I watched this film because I never expected a relationship to go so wrong. It is impossible for me to tell you anything about this film without giving any spoilers. All I can say is that there is a reason why it reigned over the Oscars the year it was released.
14. Marley & Me
Usually classified under a dog movie, Marley & Me is more than that. If you see it from a different point of view, you will notice that it is not just about Marley. It is also about the couple who adopted him. About how wonderful your romantic life is after your dog decides to sleep in your bed every night (sense the sarcasm?) And also about not having any privacy when you constantly have a big baby (who doesn’t think he is that big, no matter how big he is), to take care of.
If you have recently adopted a dog, believe me, this film is for you. You would not regret adopting your fur-baby after watching Marley & Me. Or maybe you would. Let’s see!
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15. The Imitation Game
Finally, we have a movie about a brilliant mathematician who is gay. How is that important you ask? Well, The Imitation Game is a period drama and a biography. And back then, homosexuality was a crime in the United Kingdoms. The film focuses on Alan Turing who deals with the pressure of decoding the Enigma (German technology, I tell you) to save thousands of lives and struggles to remain in the closet to save his own life.
16. The First Time
Although this film does not deal with any World War or homosexuality, it still is a pretty significant film for couples who are planning to have sex for the first time. So, you know why it was titled that way.
Leaving aside the romantic, jittery part, The First Time is quite an honest take on how first-time sex works. It shows the exact emotions of both the boy and the girl and handles the entire scenario with great maturity.
17. Gone Girl
Do you think you are in a relationship with a psycho? Gone Girl is going to increase your tolerance level; I assure you that. The film is maddening, extraordinarily graphic and downright disturbing. That said, it does an outstanding job of portraying flawed characters so, they are quite relatable. I bet you won’t be able to take sides because it is a paradoxical tale. Also, a small disclaimer for you–you might start seeing each other with suspicious eyes. Get ready to sleep with one eye open!
18. Vicky Donor
Bollywood has such great potential. And yet we don’t get to see more exceptional movies like this one here. Vicky Donor is a film that follows an idle young man who decides to become a sperm donor because… he can!
While his donor career is rocketing sky-high, the real trouble begins when he decides to settle down. Being from a conservative society, not everyone would be tolerant of sperm donation. Hence, starts the drama.
Vicky Donor is funny, charming and light-hearted. And it really makes you ask one question; would you accept your boyfriend/husband if he were a sperm donor?
19. Bruce Almighty
Anyone can blame God for everything that goes wrong, but what happens when you become one? Bruce has a good job and a great relationship. But he is never happy. Tired of his constant complaining, God decides to resign from His post and hands over His duties to Bruce. And soon, we witness the doom.
If you are unhappy with what you have, this is the movie for you. Also, if that is not enough reason for you to watch this movie, then this might motivate you a little; the film has Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell together.
20. Up
Not the movie, really, but the first 10 minutes are something that no one should miss. Seriously, what is with animated films? They are so incredibly relatable that it is almost annoying.
Once you are done watching Up, ask yourself this, “What would you do for your love?”
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21. Friends with Benefits
If there is one thing that movies teach us, it is that there are all kinds of relationships. And if there is love, they deserve to be accepted. For me, Friends with Benefits reflects how relationships are being approached these days. Nobody wants the emotional baggage. Everybody is merely running behind the physical stuff. And that is extremely upsetting. But what happens when things become complicated even in a strictly physical, unemotional arrangement?
22. Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar
I am very proud to be one of those who belong to the small group of people who truly appreciate this film. Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar may not appear to be a movie about romantic relationships, but Sanjay’s struggle to belong to the higher economic class and his failure to understand the true meaning of love and friendship are things that set this film apart. It is an absolute winner!
23. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
No, no. ZNMD is not just about Spain tourism. It is about friendship, love, resolving issues and moving forward. The film focuses on three different patterns of relationships and leaves the audience a lasting smile. For me, it is more of an experience than just a movie.
24. Chhoti Si Baat
Apart from its brilliant music and performances, the most striking element about Chhoti Si Baat is its story. It revolves around a young fellow named Arun who is hopelessly in love with Prabha but finds it very difficult to court her. After failing multiple times, Arun decides to seek help from a love expert Col. Singh, who has a reputation of bringing couples together with his guaranteed formula.
The love portrayed in this film is so innocent that it will warm your heart. It is refreshing even for that time, and it is sure to make you nostalgic.
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25. Barfi
Barfi was shamelessly ripped off from The Notebook. But there is something about Barfi that made me pay triple the price to watch it than I usually would have. Barfi deals with the romance kindling between an autistic girl, Jhilmil and a hearing and speech-impaired boy, Murphy. This peculiar romance is emotional, child-like and so pure that it would make any heart melt. Another example of how the definition of love changes for different relationships!