It can be kind of tough to get a guy to watch a chick flick with you, because there’s just so much about them that we don’t understand. Most romcoms won’t hold our interest. Case in point: I once started absentmindedly beatboxing in a theater in the middle of 27 Dresses because I zoned out and completely forgot where I was and got yelled at. Here are some date night movies your boyfriend won't hate.
1. Casablanca. There are Nazis and intrigue and that guy who yells, “Hide me, Reek!” It feels like a spy film, but it’s really about the simmering tension between Rick and Ilsa. SPOILER ALERT: He may not get the girl, but that doesn’t make their final scene on the tarmac any less romantic.
2. Safety Not Guaranteed. I think this is one of the best movies to come out last year. It’s weird and quirky and oddly romantic. Also, Aubrey Plaza is in it. You should have no problem getting a guy to watch this.
3. Anything with John Cusack. There’s something known as the John Cusack Cinematic Pull Principle (JCCPP). Guys will watch anything with John Cusack. We’d prefer fare like Grosse Pointe Blank or High Fidelity. The JCCPP is the reason I accidently watched most of Must Love Dogs on TV by myself.
4. Up. Yeah, I realize that most of this movie is about an old guy and a little kid, but that beginning. Also, the end when (SPOILER ALERT) Carl realizes that Ellie never needed to go on an adventure because the real adventure was them spending their lives together? That tugs at the heartstrings. I mean, whatever, I hate romance and stuff AND I’M NOT CRYING RIGHT NOW! YOU’RE CRYING!
5. When Harry Met Sally. Billy Crystal when he was still funny and Meg Ryan before she cheated on Dennis Quaid. This is a movie that is a comedy and also romantic, but it skirts cheesiness so it’s not a romcom. Always a safe choice.
6. Annie Hall. Granted, this movie is kind of depressing, but there’s still an intense love between the two leads and also it’s a Woody Allen movie. That’s all you need to know.
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This one is pretty offbeat, but that’s why you can sneak it in there without it registering as romantic. Strip away all the sci-fi aspects and pretense and it’s still about two people who can’t imagine their lives without each other.
8. Bonnie and Clyde. Admittedly, this one might be a bit of a stretch, but there’s still something pretty romantic about lovers going on a crime spree together (or is that just me?). Also, it’s not as crazy and violent as True Romance and not as weird as The Fifth Element (don’t even try to argue with me that The Fifth Element isn’t romantic — the titular element is literally love). This is a great pick if both of you are psychopaths.
9. The Princess Bride. It has action and Andrè the Giant and also Westley on a quest to save his true love. The dynamics of the story are a bit antiquated, but it has “As you wish” for the ladies and “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die,” for literally everyone.
10. Forgetting Sarah Marshall. For the record, this is also a great break-up movie. Funny enough to be considered a straight up comedy, but it also has a lot of real human interaction and great views on love and moving on and mushy stuff.
Photo Credit: MGM/Focus Features/Warner Bros/Universal/Disney/Touchstone
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