Valentine’s Day is here again, folks, which means the stores are jam-packed with men and women (but mostly men) desperately searching for last-second gifts and purchasing overpriced flowers, jewelry, or greeting cards. I feel you.
Of course, after the shopping spree, you gotta prepare a romantic evening filled with wine, food, and entertainment. The first two items are simple enough, but choosing the right flick might prove more difficult than expected. Do you suffer through The Notebook or endure Pride and Prejudice?
How about neither? Instead, here’s a list of Valentine’s Day films that men can enjoy that don’t skimp on the romance. Read!
Armageddon (1998)
Michael Bay’s late 90s epic about a group of oil drillers who head into space to stop an asteroid is about as bonkers of an action film as there is. Yet, it remains the ultimate guilty pleasure and one helluva patriotic extravaganza with an all-star cast led by Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. The plot about a rock plummeting toward Earth may draw little attention, so lean on the romantic subplot between Affleck and Liv Tyler and point out that this movie inspired that insufferable Aerosmith song. Bonus points if you bring along a box of animal crackers.
Braveheart (1995)
The ultimate date movie, Braveheart, is a historical epic that chronicles the life of William Wallace (Mel Gibson) and his bid to attain freedom for Scotland in the late 13th century. Violent battle scenes will get the testosterone flowing, while the various romantic elements, notably Wallace’s relationship with a certain princess, ensure she remains enthralled, if not moved. If she’s still not convinced, mention that Gibson (in peak form) runs around in a kilt for three hours.
The Terminator (1984)
A classic beyond measure, The Terminator sees Arnold Schwarzenegger’s muscle-bound “Terminator” sent back in time to kill Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor. Don’t sell the movie on that premise. Instead, describe the picture as a love story about a time traveler named Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) who risks it all to save the woman he loves. “I came across time for you, Sarah,” he says before ditching his clothes for some hard-core lovin’. Action, romance, thrills, The Terminator has it all!
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie star in this steamy action comedy about a struggling married couple dealing with everyday life. Well, that and spy shit. See, John (Pitt) and Jane (Jolie) are spies, but neither knows it, resulting in a madcap adventure during which each gains a newfound appreciation for the other. Doug Liman keeps the action flowing but doesn’t shy away from the erotic elements, which is good considering the leads are incredibly good-looking. Sex, action, and comedy — what’s not to love?
Top Gun (1986)
The classic original stars a very young Tom Cruise as ace pilot Maverick, who begins an affair with Kelly McGillis’ too-hot-for-school instructor all set to Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away.” Don’t worry; the action flows like the salmon of Capistrano as Maverick duels Val Kilmer’s Iceman at Top Gun, a battleground designed for the best pilots in the world. Delightfully 80s and oozing with romance (and bromance), Top Gun should entertain both of you for two hours. Pitch the scene in which Cruise and Kilmer strip down to their, er, jeans for some sand volleyball action. Then, as a bonus, pop in Top Gun: Maverick and enjoy the lighthearted romance between Maverick and the ever-so-gorgeous Jennifer Connelly. Great balls of fire!
Bad Boys II (2003)
The mother of all action flicks, Bad Boys II, is like a gift bag full of Michael Bay’s best and worst tendencies, and it’s downright glorious to behold. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence bromance their way through a plot involving a Cuban drug lord and wind up destroying half of Cuba in the process. Bayhem multiplied by a thousand. Not her thing? Well, you could point to a romance between Smith’s carefree Mike and Gabrielle Union’s Syd to get her to endure 2.5 hours of nonsense. You could also say that Bad Boys II features Smith at his peak, both charismatically and physically, years before he went all crazy on us.
True Lies (1994)
If The Terminator proves too dark for her tastes, you could offer True Lies as an excellent substitute. A lighthearted spy comedy, this action masterpiece from the great James Cameron follows Arnold’s domesticated spy as he tries to balance international hijinks with marriage. The twist is that his wife Helen (a terrific and sexy Jamie Lee Curtis) doesn’t know he’s a spy, leading to a comedy of errors that eventually gives way to one of the great 90s action romps. Pitch it as a flick about a married couple discovering their greatest adventure is the person standing next to them. Then enjoy explosions, chases, fights, and one helluva strip tease.
Speed (1994)
Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock cruise around in a bus set to explode if the speedometer dips below 50 miles per hour in this early 90s effort from action maestro Jan de Bont. Packed with adrenaline-pumping set pieces and a hilariously over-the-top performance from Dennis Hopper, Speed provides plenty of date-night fun spiced with a smidgeon of romance between the two leads. Pitch it as a prequel to The Lake House.
Wonder Woman (2017)
Patty Jenkins directs this Zack Snyder production about a mighty Amazonian warrior who abandons her family to hang out with Chris Pine. Yeah, there’s a lot more to Wonder Woman than that, but the key to this terrific superhero feature is the delectable chemistry between the enchanting Gal Gadot and the always-reliable Pine. Action ensues, but so does the romance, as our leads develop a powerful relationship that ultimately ends in tragedy. Once she’s hooked, you can pivot to Batman v Superman or Zack Snyder’s Justice League to continue Wonder Woman’s journey.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Hear me out: When Harry Met Sally isn’t your typical rom-com. Rather, this classic Rob Reiner comedy explores romance from the male and female perspective. While the ending is a tad sappy, there’s enough sly humor for both parties to enjoy. At the very least, you can use it as a vehicle to woo that friend you wish was so much more, noting that it’s damn near impossible for men and women to remain friends. “The sex thing always gets in the way.” Pitch it as a lighthearted comedy and then kick back and enjoy Billy Crystal in top form as a cynical divorcee trying his damndest to maintain a platonic relationship with Meg Ryan (swoon!).
Deja Vu (2006)
Denzel Washington courts Paula Patton in this cute “time traveler meets woman he must protect from insane terrorist” caper. Admittedly, this one doesn’t rank high on Washington’s greatest track record, but thanks to the icon’s assured performance and solid direction from Tony Scott, you won’t be left wanting in the action department. The romantic subplot is merely a bonus. Pitch it as a time travel romance that also features Jesus Christ, and you may pique her interest.
