I wrote this post for Valentine’s Day 2021 but I loved how thoroughly I had researched and recommended movies and shows depending on your mood on the day of love. So I wanted to reshare it for everyone again this year but with some minor changes. Also, there are some popular show references that might be spoilers for people who haven’t watched it already!

Whether you are single or with someone – no one is immune to the madness that is Valentine’s day. Whether you get sucked into the madness voluntarily or just by the sheer volume of lovey-dovey stuff shoved into your face – you’re bound to feel something on Valentine’s Day. I for one don’t believe in celebrating ‘love’ on only one single day – I’d rather celebrate it in small ways every day. Nonetheless, the week leading up to Valentine’s day has my thoughts clouded. I inevitably end up watching a few shows/movies on and around Valentine’s day depending on my mood. Single, committed, heartbroken, happy -I’ve got you covered. Here are my recommendations –

IF YOU ARE COMMITTED AND HAPPY

Movies –

Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind – This will forever be my FAVOURITE romantic movie. It is so real and unlike the other cliched stories – it deals with real emotions, break ups, differences between people etc. Clementine and Joel are two very different people that fall in love but their differences get in the way and they break up. After the break up, they both opt to get their memories of the other wiped off and what follows. The underlying message – the people that are meant to be will find a way to each other. *sigh*

Before Sunrise – This movie is that dream romance we all wish for whenever we travel to a different country. Running into a stranger on a train, exploring a new country with them for a day and slowly falling in love. If you haven’t watched it, definitely give this one a watch this Valentines.

Pretty Woman – A hooker is picked up by a rich gentleman one night and agrees to spend the week with him. Despite their different backgrounds they are drawn to each other – helping each other through the week – only to fall in love.

Love Actually – Love actually is my go-to feel good movie. A bunch of love stories happening in parallel – this movie is bound to leave you feeling happy inside.

The Holiday – Another fairytale like story – two strangers swap houses to get away from their heartbreaks. Amanda heads to Iris’s cottage in UK and Iris heads to Amanda’s swanky apartment in LA. Little do they know that they’re going to end up finding true love thanks to this switch.

The Vow – Paige loses her memory after a terrible accident and is unable to recognize her husband, Leo. The story follows Leo’s attempts to help Paige remember him and their love. It is such a beautiful story that is bound to reinforce your faith in love.

Dil Waale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge – This one is for all the Bollywood romantics. The story of Raj and Simran is still one of my favourite reel love stories. Simran hails from an orthodox Indian family living in London. As she graduates, her father fixes her marriage with his best friend’s son without her consent. She convinces him to let her go on one last Euro trip with her friends before they move back to India. On the Euro trip, Simran meets Raj (Shahrukh Khan) and they fall in love. The movie revolves around Raj following Simran and her family to India to convince her dad to agree to their union.

Series –

The Office – Pam & Jim’s Wedding (Season 6|Eps 5) – Jim and Pam are couple goals and their wedding was nothing short of magical, with a lot of humour but also so much love.

FRIENDS – Monica & Chandler’s wedding proposal (Season 6| Eps 25) – I cried so much when Chandler finally gets to propose to Monica. The whole lead up to the proposal was so crazy and had me on the edge of my seat!

IF YOU ARE SINGLE AND HAPPY

Movies –

Mean Girls – This is the movie I watch when I can’t figure out what else to watch. It is a classic high school movie filled with a bunch of bitchy girls – definitely a fun watch for Valentine’s day on your own or with a group of friends.

Legally Blonde – Elle Woods works hard to get into Harvard to impress her boyfriend who dumped her but in turn discovers herself. Such a perfect movie to watch by yourself!

Queen – Rani, a girl from a conservative family in Delhi, gets dumped by her fiancée a day before her wedding and decides to go on their honeymoon alone. This one is for all of them girls yearning adventure.

Brave – This Disney movie doesn’t get enough dues. This is probably one of my favourite animated movies. Merida is a princess of a Scottish Kingdom. Her father, the King, has always encouraged her adventurous side making her an expert at archery and horse riding. As she turns 16, she is informed by her mother that as per tradition she would be married to the son of one of the other powerful clan leaders. Merida revolts against this and decides to take matters into her own hands when she isn’t able to convince her parents. The adventures that follow will make your heart melt.

Frozen – Another animated movie that I absolutely love. Elsa and Anna are princess sisters who have grown apart because Elsa wants to protect Anna from her secret powers. As Elsa inherits the throne, she is afraid of hiding her powers constantly from the world and runs away to lead a life on her own away from everyone. Anna undertakes the journey to go find Else and bring her back to the kingdom.

Series –

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Her husband’s cheating leads to Midge discovering her stand-up comedy skills. Based in NY in the 50s- it shows the coming of age of Mrs.Maisel as she rises to fame and deals with her family and relationships.

Dead to Me – Jen and Judy form an unlikely friendship having recently lost their husbands. But as their friendship deepens they uncover secrets about each other that are dark and bound to jeopardize their friendship. Perfect watch to binge watch through the day. Read my full review here.

IF YOU ARE SINGLE AND HOPEFUL

Movies –

Eat, Pray, Love – The quintessential ‘find yourself and love will find you’ movie. Elizabeth embarks on a journey across the world after her divorce. Each stop along her journey helps her rediscover herself and ultimately fall in love. Follow her journey from Italy to India all the way to Bali.

He’s Just Not That Into You – A rom-com with a lot of parallel stories that are intertwined. The love stories that I love out of all are – Alex – Gigi and Beth-Neil. Both the stories are about going after what you want, in this case love and commitment, and you’ll eventually get what your heart desires.

When Harry Met Sally – A classic rom-com about Harry and Sally – who keep meeting and parting every few years – only to eventually fall in love.

Bridget Jones Diary – Another rom-com that is bound to leave you feeling good and hopeful. Bridget is a middle-aged woman working a dead-end job and is single. Things look up in her life when she starts dating her irresistible boss, Daniel only to find out that he is cheating on her. She soon develops feelings for her childhood neighbour, Mark, who has now grown into a surly yet charming lawyer. Who will Bridget choose?

Series –

Crash Landing On You – Ah the ever romantic, this series is for you. I recommend this to you to help you realize that there is someone perfect out there for you and they are waiting to ‘Crashland on you’. This K-drama will make you fall in love with falling in love. A South Korean heiress crash lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident goes wrong – there she meets Captain Ri who helps her to find her way back home. (PS: Keep tissues handy for this one – I cried A LOT!)

Modern Love (Eps 1): The first episode of this series is the cutest! Based in NY, Maggie navigates through her dating life while seeking approval of her romantic suitors from her forever disapproving doorman, Gunzim. When she accidentally gets pregnant, Gunzim morally supports her through her pregnancy. It is such a heartwarming story – it will make you go ‘awww’.

FRIENDS – Phoebe & Mike’s wedding (Season 10) – Phoebe is the only friend in the group who hasn’t had a normal childhood and longs for a normal family. When she and Mike finally get their happy ending – it is a beautiful wedding on the streets during a snowstorm – which is perfect since Phoebe isn’t the most conventional bride.

IF YOU ARE SINGLE AND MISERABLE/ IF YOU ARE COMMITTED AND MISERABLE

Movies –

500 Days of Summer – The quintessential modern love story. Tom meets Summer and falls in love. He wants to spend the rest of their lives together but Summer doesn’t believe in relationships and ends up breaking Tom’s heart.

The Way We Were – Katie and Hubbell fall in love despite being total opposites. She is strong-headed with a lot of principles whereas he chooses to do what is easiest for him. They get married but are unable to keep up with each other because of their differences and end up parting ways. The last scene of this classic is beautiful.

La La Land – Sebastian and Mia meet while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. He is an upcoming pianist and she’s a struggling actor – their passion for their work sparks their attraction. But with growing success and fame – they must choose between their love and their dreams.

Series –

Fleabag – This is such an amazing show! This one’s for all the damaged people – follow Fleabag’s journey through everything that breaks her and makes her who she is.

How I Met Your Mother – Ted & Robin Break up (Season 2) – Even though we already knew that Robin wasn’t going to end up with Ted – their break up still hurt. I’ve re-watched this episode so many times when I’ve been sad.

FRIENDS – Ross & Rachel Break up (Season 3| Eps 17) – THIS one really hurt. I didn’t see this coming and I was so shook when they broke up. Another break-up episode that I re-watch every time I’m sad.

The Mindy Project – Mindy & Danny breakup (Season 4| Eps 13) – While the show was on the whole average, this episode stood out for me in the entire show. Mindy and Danny are very different people who fall in love and are engaged to be married. But they want different things from life – Danny wants a big family and Mindy wants to work. In this episode, Mindy looks to the universe for a sign. (this one is for you if you are looking for a sign too)

Sex And The City – Big’s Engagement to Natasha (Season 2| Eps 18) – Big’s relationship and quick engagement to Natasha – leaves Carrie feeling heartbroken and confused. This one is for people wanting to get closure from a previous relationship.

I love this post so much. I think I’m going to keep updating and resharing this post every year for Valentine’s Day. Leave your recommendations in the comments!

Ps: My brand is having a Valentine’s Day sale on organic skincare and haircare. Check it out here.

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