Whether you’re planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special someone, a group of friends or enjoying some quality time alone, a movie makes an excellent addition to the festivities of this season of love. The Communiqué has selected a list of films that are perfect for the occasion and where to watch them. 

Carson Gates – Editor in Chief

Sleepless in Seattle

“It was like coming home… only to no home I’d ever known… I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like… magic.”

• Sam, a widower, is still grieving his late wife when his son calls into a radio show seeking a new partner for his father. Annie, a journalist from Baltimore, becomes intrigued and ultimately fate intervenes to bring them together in a tale of love and destiny.
  • Free on Tubi, Peacock

Leyna Laurent – Lifestyle editor

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

“What a loss to spend that much time with someone, only to find out that she’s a stranger.”

• The plot follows Joel after he discovers that his ex-girlfriend, Clementine, has undergone a procedure to have all memories of him erased. Heartbroken, he resolves to undergo the same procedure. The story is an all-encompassing examination of relationships, delving into both their positives and negatives, as well as unveiling the significance that the painful elements can hold in shaping our lives.
  • $3.99 on Amazon Prime and Vudu

High Fidelity

“Now, the making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art. Many do’s and don’ts. First of all you’re using someone else’s poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing.”

• Rob Gordon, the owner of a failing record store, attempts to understand his lack of success with romance by reconnecting with his former partners. The film navigates the complexities of romance, self-reflection and the path to personal growth, all while remaining chock-full of varied music references.  
  • $3.79 on Amazon Prime

Sarah Naccarato – Digital Editor

Frances Ha

“Sometimes it’s good to do what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it.”

• Frances, a struggling dancer in New York City, faces upheaval when her roommate Sophie decides to move out, meaning Frances must search for a new place to live. She bounces between living arrangements as her friendship with Sophie strains. Through travels and temporary jobs, Frances navigates personal and professional challenges culminating in a story that emphasizes the role of friendships in the face of adversity. 
  • Free on Tubi, Netflix

Stand By Me

“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?”

• Four friends set off on a journey to find the body of a local boy who had gone missing during the summer of 1959. Along the way, they confront fears, learn about friendship and navigate the complexities of growing up in an exploration of childhood innocence and companionship. 
  • Netflix, $3.59 on Amazon Prime

Olivia Harris – Contributing Writer

10 Things I Hate About You

“I hate you so much it makes me sick, it even makes me rhyme.”

•  Inspired by Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” the film revolves around high school student Cameron, who falls for Bianca Stratford. The only problem is, Bianca’s overprotective father imposes a rule that she can only date when her unsociable older sister Kat does, leading Cameron to enlist the help of the rebellious Patrick Verona to win Kat’s heart.
  • Hulu, Disney +

Riley Hurst Brubaker – Media editor

Footloose

“See, this is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life. It’s the way it was in the beginning. It’s the way it’s always been.”

•  After Ren McCormack moves from Chicago to a small town, he discovers the council has put a ban on dancing and rock music within the town boundary. He attempts to overturn this ban, but he soon begins to form a relationship with the pastor’s daughter, further complicating things.
  • $3.99 on Vudu

Emily Brooks – Layout editor 

La La Land

“They worship everything and value nothing.”

• Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz musician pursue their dreams while navigating the challenges of artistic ambition and personal relationships while their romance unfolds. With vibrant musical numbers and an exploration of the bittersweet realities of life in the entertainment industry, “La La Land” subverts expectations while reflecting on the pursuit of happiness and the sacrifices it sometimes requires.
  • Free on Tubi

Jada Jenkins – Social Media Team

Madly Madagascar

“Wake up, Africa! It’s Valentine’s Day!”

• In this 22-minute short film, characters from the “Madagascar” film series celebrate Valentine’s Day after what they suspect is a love potion seemingly falls from the sky. 
  • $3.99 on Vudu

Madison Butina – Contributing writer 

While You were Sleeping

“Do you believe in love at first sight? Nah, I betcha don’t, you’re probably too sensible for that.” 

• A lonely transit worker, Lucy,  pulls her long-time crush, Peter,  out of the way of an oncoming train, landing him in a coma. At the hospital, a miscommunication leads Peter’s family members to believe that Lucy is his fiancée. 
  • Disney +, $3.79 on Amazon Prime