10 Alternative Films to Watch This Valentine's Day

Not a Richard Curtis movie in sight.

Who said romance was dead?

Need some help choosing what to watch this Valentine’s Day? Sure you do.

Sick of the same old rom-coms? Sure you are!

Need a little inspiration? We got you.

Our list features ten classic movies worth enjoying with that special someone in your life… or you know, just to curl up with on your own alongside a selection of snacking options.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Romantic Zombie Comedy

Is that a love bite?

The classic Rom-Zom-Com, Shaun of the Dead heads up our list, making for a perfect night in. It’s a charming tale of an ordinary bloke, his best friend and his long-suffering girlfriend as they navigate a viral pandemic that brings the dead back to life. The script is truly genius and rammed full of endlessly quotable lines, blink and you’ll miss it pop culture references and classic horror homages. The direction is slick and stylish and the performances from the ensemble cast are nothing short of impeccable. Shaun of the Dead is a fantastic movie with buckets of blood, lashings of gore and even more laughs.

Air Doll (2009)

Fantasy Drama

Love is in the air.

Air Doll is a tragic love story based on the Japanese manga series Kuuki Ningyo and follows Nozomi, an inflatable sex doll, who gains consciousness and finds love with local store clerk Junichi. The story is a classic fish out of water tale and we experience the light and dark of our beautiful yet cruel world through Nozomi’s unassuming eyes. It’s a fascinating and original watch about life, loneliness and the human condition. Sometimes seedy, often bizarre and in its final act, truly heartbreaking; Air Doll is essential viewing.

The Wackness (2008)

Marijuana Drama

Love is a drug.

Coming-of-age drama The Wackness tells the story of Luke, a high-school student who also deals weed to his friends and aquaintances from an ice-cream cart in a New York City district. After graduation and with all his friends leaving for the summer, Luke befriends and ultimately falls for Stephanie, the stepdaughter of his regular client and psychiatrist, Dr Squires. With stellar performances from its primary cast (Josh Peck, Ben Kingsley and Olivia Thirlby) and featuring a killer hip-hop soundtrack, The Wackness is a real underrated gem.

Black Book (2006)

WWII Espionage Thriller

Undercover lover.

Paul Verhoeven is perhaps best known for his ultraviolent, satire tinged action movies such as Robocop, Total Recall and Starship Troopers, but it’s his lesser-known espionage thriller Black Book that makes the cut here. Set in World War II, the film follows Rachel Stein, a young Jewish woman who joins the Dutch resistance and infiltrates the Nazi regime. One of my girlfriend’s personal favourites, Black Book is full of nail-biting twists and turns, it’s shocking, tense and refuses to hold back in its depictions of historical violence and cruelty. Essential viewing.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)

Grossly Inappropriate Romantic Comedy

Let us f**k!

Ask anyone to name a Kevin Smith movie and Zack and Miri Make a Porno is unlikely to be a common answer, and that’s a damn shame because it’s loads of fun and has a great cast. When roomates and childhood chums Zack and Miri can’t afford to pay their bills they come up with an unusual moneymaking scheme, you know, to make a porno…try to keep up. The usual and somewhat divisive dick and fart jokes are present and correct here but as with many of his movies, Kevin Smith’s slick and witty dialogue, pop culture touchstones and likeable characters make Zack and Miri Make a Porno a charming and touching watch.

Juno (2007)

Offbeat Teen Comedy

“Either I just peed my pants or um…”

Most people will be familiar with Juno. It’s that film about teenage pregnancy, right? Well, sure it is but it’s really just a heartwarming coming-of-age comedy about a high-schooler who decides to give birth to her unplanned baby and put it up for adoption. It sounds complicated but it’s really quite a simple story held together by Ellen Page’s spellbinding performance as the unique personality that is Juno MacGuff (supported ably by the awkward and adorkable Michael Cera). The at times too cool for school dialogue may be off-putting for some but persevere and you’ll be rewarded by a delightfully fun and quirky gem.

I Lost My Body (2019)

Animated Body Fantasy

Free hand job.

I Lost My Body is a beautifully animated French film, a Cannes award winner and an Oscar nominee. It tells the story of Naoufel whose childhood is turned upside down by a tragic accident. As a young, depressed adult, he becomes infatuated with Gabrielle who he delivers pizza to late one night. Nafouel’s story and his relationship with Gabrielle are told through a series of flashbacks as his disembodied hand (yes, you read that right) tries to find its way back to its lost body. The hand’s journey is a surprisingly frightening and harrowing one, through a dangerous world we rarely see so close up. A future cult classic.

Chasing Amy (1997)

Cult Indie Comedy

“What’s a Nubian?”

If you haven’t seen it, you could be forgiven for assuming Chasing Amy is just another crude comedy from cult indie director Kevin Smith, but to those in the know, it’s arguably his best film. The smartly written script delivers a tonne of laugh out loud and quotable moments but it also casts a more serious spotlight on sexuality and insecurity, delivering a heart-wrenching climax in its final act. As always, the dialogue is spot on, the characters relatable and the performances from Ben Affleck, Jason Lee and Joey Lauren Adams are spot on.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Classic Cult Fantasy

“You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you.”

A classic fairy tale adventure re-told as a storybook read to a young boy by his Grandfather. The Princess Bride is a swashbuckling affair filled with pirates, swordplay and tales of revenge where the dashing Westley must rescue Buttercup, the love of his life, kidnapped by a group of dastardly outlaws. Whilst it didn’t set the box office alight on release, it eventually became a cult classic on VHS (like a rectangular Blu-ray with tape inside) and is now regarded as one of the best comedy-adventure films of all time. Quirky and romantic but most of all, loads of fun.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Galactic Sci-Fi

“Who’s scruffy looking?”

Following the poorly received prequel trilogy and the disastrously handled sequel trilogy, Star Wars has perhaps become a bit of a joke over the last couple of decades. Despite the dilution of a once strong and culturally significant brand, there’s no denying that the original trilogy of films is still a wonderful blend of fantasy, sci-fi and mysticism and The Empire Strikes Back is the best of the bunch. The special effects are spectacular, the story dark and exciting and the romance between the roguish Han Solo and the strong-willed Princess Leia is dealt with naturally and believably. Unfortunately, George Lucas’ merciless tinkering means that the official versions leave a lot to be desired and the best version now available is a lovingly recreated special edition by a fan editor known as Adywan. With a little digging, you can find it easily. The trailer is below.

Peace.