Okay, girls and guys. (I think I know of maybe three guys that read this blog.) I have a little confession to make. And most of you probably won’t agree with me.
One of Todd’s favorite movies is Top Gun. I think he thinks it’s a good “date night” movie because it’s got stuff for the guy’s guy and stuff for the girls. But what he didn’t realize until recently is that Top Gun is one of my least favorite movies. *Gasp* I know.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t see it until I was in college, and by then it had been all hyped up as one of the great movies ever, so I was just a little let down. Maybe it’s just the general cheesiness and constant man-laughing and high fives. Maybe it’s the unrealistic love story between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. Or because by the time I saw the movie, Tom Cruise had shown his true colors on Oprah’s couch, and he just wasn’t all that appealing to me.
But I’m just not a fan. I’m so sorry. I love 80s movies. I still love Dirty Dancing and Footloose, and know that many people don’t. (Though, I’m not sure why!) I was introduced to those movies as a child (probably too young of a child), but I’ve loved them ever since.
But in honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, I wanted to tell y’all my top 10 favorite romantic movies. And they really aren’t in any particular order.
1. Serendipity
It’s safe to say that I like John Cusack. I love this movie because it’s a little bit different, it’s sweet, and it’s set in New York City- and embraces New York City. I love the characters and “chase” aspect of this movie. (Although, for the poor souls who get dumped in this movie, it’s not all that romantic.)
2. Pretty Woman
I could seriously watch this movie every time it’s on TV. I can quote it, sing “King of Wishful Thinking” from the soundtrack, and I always wanted that brown and white polka dot outfit with the hat.
3. When Harry Met Sally
I love the story of the best friends who should have always been together and finally end up realizing that they both love each other. And it’s just hilarious. My college roommate and I would frequently quote the scene at the end when Billy Crystal tells her why he loves her at the New Year’s Eve party.
“I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out.”
4. Definitely, Maybe
This one is a little unconventional, but I think it is such a fun movie. And Ryan Reynolds. Seriously. The love he has for his daughter is so endearing and I could seriously watch this movie over and over.
5. Sixteen Candles
Jake Ryan. And the scene at the end with them sitting on the table eating birthday cake. I can’t even tell you how many times I watched this movie in high school.
“You don’t spell it, son, you eat it!”
6. Bull Durham
Okay, maybe another one that’s a little bit unconventional, but I love a good baseball movie. This one is a good blend of comedy, romance, and drama.
7. Only You
This movie made me want to visit Venice. Robert Downey, Jr. and Marisa Tomei. Such a great story!
8. Say Anything
Lloyd Dobler standing there with his boom box playing Peter Gabriel trying to win back Diane Court.
“What I really want to do with my life – what I want to do for a living – is I want to be with your daughter. I’m good at it. ”
9. You’ve Got Mail
The adorable Meg Ryan haircut and the fantastic Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks chemistry. I also love the scene at the end when Tom Hanks walks up with Brinkley, the Golden Retriever. Who doesn’t love a Golden Retriever?
10. Notting Hill
Okay, this movie. It has the greatest characters and such a romantic story.
“I’m just a girl. Standing in front of a boy. Asking him to love her.”
Gah, love it. And I love the scene at the end with them on the park bench. I won’t say anymore in case you haven’t seen it, but please. Watch this movie.
What are you favorite romantic movies?
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Also, if you’re like me, and you’re a homebody, consider watching one of these movies with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day this year and incorporating my 20 Ideas for At-Home Date Nights!
i totally agree about top gun! and for the exact same reasons! i feel the same way about ‘the goonies’ because i never saw it as a child, and by te time i saw it i thought it was pretty dumb! probably no one else out there on that one! i do to this day say that dirty dancing is my favorite movie ever, and i saw it at ten for the first time! with my mom, not sure what he was thinking, but i watched it like 10 times that weekend and rented it from blockbuster at least once a month
Your list is SPOT ON with mine! I love every single one of those movies…love love love Serendipity and Definitely Maybe …and 16 Candles…Harry Met Sally…best ever!
Seriously not a Tom Cruise fan either…not a top gun fan and I do not get the obsession with him.
LOVE all these movies! I’m in the mood for them now too. I see a girly movie week coming on.
I do like Top Gun. I saw it when I was young though. I was in the era it was filmed. It held its charm. Plus, I like calling my friends Goose and having them call me Maverick. I’m cool like that 😉
I love a good love story!
I really thought I was one of the only ones who loved Serendipity. I still have it on VHS! Definitely, Maybe, You’ve Got Mail (my all time fav), When Harry Met Sally, and Notting Hill are all movies I could watch and have watched a million times. Great choices!!
I agree on all these movies though there are couple I have never seen. My favorite love movie is very unconventional because it’s usually associated with Christmas….and that is Love Actually. I love all the different story lines and the soundtrack too.
Serendipity, Pretty Woman, You’ve Got Mail, Notting Hill.. I LOVE THEM ALL!! I want to watch them right now. I actually just DVR’d Definitely, Maybe when it was on TV this weekend! I love me some Ryan Reynolds. I’m pretty sure I have each of those movies on VHS! Ha! I wish we could have a movie marathon weekend together!
I love Top Gun. I remember seeing it in the movie theater when it was first released. Maverick, Goose, Ice Man – those were all names I won’t forget. I enjoyed many of the other movies you listed. I’m a sucker for romantic comedies – Bridget Jones’ Diary and Must Love Dogs are two that I can think of right now.
Excellent list! I agree with just about all of them and now I need a love story movie marathon!
I love all of those movies….great.
I LOVE Say Anything.
Other favs to add to the list:
THE HOLIDAY (awesome movie-Cameron Diaz)
and
Dances with Wolves and my all time fav. LEGENDS OF THE FALL. (love love love love love)
Kelly
Oh, The Holiday. I love it! And Dances with Wolves just gets me. Breaks my heart every single time. So beautiful.
Ha! I love Top Gun, but probably just because I first watched it when I was 4. (4! What were my parents thinking???) But I’d probably be in the same boat as you if I hadn’t seen it so young. That’s how I feel about Ferris Bueller – I just cannot get on board with that movie.
One I love that you didn’t list is Pride and Prejudice. If I see that it is on tv, I have to at least stop in and watch it for a bit to appreciate the tension between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. And the music!
We are HUGE Ferris Bueller fans in our family, but my dad introduced us to it as small children and we’ve been big fans ever since. I totally get it when you only love something because you saw it as a kid.
Notting HIll is my favorite movie of all time! Every once in awhile, I think that I don’t like it as much, then I watch it and love it all over again. “Happiness isn’t happiness without a violin-playing goat.” And when I started watching Downton Abbey, I couldn’t figure out why Lord Grantham looked so familiar. Of course, he’s in Notting Hill. Sigh, that movie.
“Amelie” is one of the most inventive romantic movies I’ve ever seen. Also, this one is quite old, but absolutely wonderful “The Man From Snowy River”. A-MAY-zing. Plus, there’s some cheesy 80s music on the soundtrack.
YES! Amelie is one of my faves too! 🙂 so sweet and quirky.
The Man from Snowy River!!! I never meet people who have seen this movie!
I grew up watching it over and over – back in the days when you had to rent a VHS player, along with the tape!
I’ll have to add The Man From Snowy River to my list of movies to see. I loved Amelie. It’s SO cute!
Who doesn’t like Footloose or Dirty Dancing!?! Seriously? I was introduced to those pretty young too. I used to come home from church on Sunday & sing “kick off my Sunday shoes” every time I changed out of my church clothes. I love all of these, but I’ve never seen Only You! I’ll definitely check it out.
Oh & I didn’t see Top Gun until later High School & don’t get the appeal either… I think it is a guy thing.
your list is pretty close to mine- Sixteen Candles is pretty high on my list too – when I was a teenage girl I always wanted Jake Ryan to fall in love with ME!
I also have to say that When Harry Met Sally is up there too. Love that.
Someone mentioned Amelie- and that is DEFINITELY one of mine, as is Definitely Maybe. Sweet movie.
oh, and one that is more of a comedy- but it has romance in it- Better off Dead. 🙂 I want my two dollars! 🙂
I love Top Gun, probably because of the first time I saw it. Summer before my senior year of high school and I was away at a youth leadership conference. First time in a college dorm, first time away from home on a co-ed trip that wasn’t church sponsored, first time I ever sat on a couch and watched a movie snuggled up with a boy… And then got my first “real” kiss. So yeah, I love Top Gun.
I also love all of the other movies you mentioned, but my favorites will always be Some Kind of Wonderful and Say Anything. Oh, and The Man from Snowy River and Return to Snowy River – set in Australia, if you’ve never seen them you should!
Someone else mentioned The Man From Snowy River. I’ve never seen it, so I’ll have to Netflix that one.
All my favorites – but I would add all the British period romances like Pride and Predjiduce and Sense and Sensibility 🙂
Would you believe I’ve never seen Pride and Prejudice? I know, i know! I have got to remedy that! Maybe this week!
I want to add a movie I haven’t seen on anyone’s list, Just Like Heaven. It stars Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. I had never heard of it but watched it recently and really enjoyed it.
jean
That is a great list! I would have to add Because I Said So. I know its main focus is more on the relationship between the mom and her girls but I still feel like it’s a great romantic comedy / chick flick!
These are all some of my favorites. But my absolute favorite is The American President. A strong smart woman who can tell it like it is + politics + rom com = my absolute favorite 🙂
Yes! The American President. It’s such a classic, low-fuss love story and I love it! I may need to watch that one soon!
I completely agree about Top Gun. I honestly have found that I have a hard time enjoying anything with Tom Cruise (old or new) in it these days, I’m so over him.
I think Pretty Woman has to be my all-time favorite! That, and The Notebook!!!
Lots of great movies and even more great movies in the comments above.
Here are a few more of my favorites:
Cutting Edge
Princess Bride
Ghost
Love Actually
I almost put Ghost on my list. I could watch it over and over again.
Also…. “Toe pick!!!”
I love fun, carefree posts like this one. I also love all of these movies! 🙂 However, I’ve never been a huge fan of Top Gun either and my husband just doesn’t get it!
“Valentine’s Day” that came out a few years ago is also really cute!
JAKE !!! sigh. thing is, he’s timeless. his look and the way her dresses would work today. i did some research not to long ago and i think i read he was a carpenter or made customer furniture or something super masculine and wonderful.
i digress.
i adore “serendipity” and i really, really liked “notting hill”, too!
“love actually” is another favorite.
i’m a sucker for steve carell and liked “dan in real life” and “crazy, stupid, love”….though i don’t know if they would qualify as pure romance….not in the conventional sense, anyway.
JAKE!!! lol 🙂
Ha! You’re cracking me up. I love Dan in Real Life and Crazy, Stupid, Love. Crazy, Stupid, Love should be on my list! So great!
Okay, delurking here… what about Sabrina, While You Were Sleeping and P.S. I Love You? Ahhhh, time to rent some movies again, love the lists above!
I love Tom Hanks so I have to agree with You’ve Got Mail. I could watch that movie over and over again. I also love The Proposal and Hope Floats. Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actresses
I thought Top Gun was ok but was never a huge fan. Now Dirty Dancing? Yes, please! I think I’ve watched it about 986875 times. Love that movie! My #1 movie is by far When Harry Met Sally. We seem to have the same taste in movies. 😉
Notting Hill. Number 1, for sure.
I named our dog “Goose” so I think I would be safe to say, yes, I do love Top Gun. I do not love Tom Cruise in real life. That guy is a serious whack-a-doodle!
Those are great ones! I love “Sabrina” w/ Harrison Ford/Julia Ormond.
Notting Hill is one of my all time favorites…that scene at the end in the park brings me to tears every time, and I had to download the song that plays so I can listen to it often.
Just Like Heaven is a wonderful movie with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo – but the book is even better!
should i admit? i was kinda a big fan of top gun … 🙂
and some of those other movies!?! i can’t believe i saw them at such a young age!! i JUST watched pretty woman with my almost 18 year old daughter {her first time seeing it} and was shocked seeing it through “new eyes!”
dirty dancing, footloose … my favs!! and again, i can’t believe i saw those at such a young age!! 🙂
oh! and grease too … not a vday movie necessarily … but a classic in my book!
love this post!
Just checked and, yep, “Happiness isn’t happiness without a violin playing goat” is still one of my “favorite quotes” on my facebook page (from god knows how many years ago). And I watched 16 Candles 27 times in a row when I had my wisdom teeth taken out and had a terrible reaction to anesthesia. I think I about wore out that VHS copy. Jake Ryan is The Ultimate high school crush.
My favorite romantic movie is Pride and Prejudice, the one with Kiera Knightly. And I don’t like Top Gun either. 🙂
LOVE all of these- especially love that you mentioned Definitely, Maybe. It’s so good. And Notting Hill has been my favorite Julia Roberts movie for a long time, but I feel like not a lot of people appreciate it. That quote slayed me the first time I saw it. Also, the roommate? HILARIOUS.