Distracting Yourself,  Movies,  Recommendations

ROMANTIC MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHILE YOU’RE STUCK AT HOME // distracting yourself part 1: for all the feels and touching moments

Yes, I am indeed hopping on this sort of trend as I get my blogging mojo back. But also the world is super messed up right now, so I wanted to help you out, take your mind off this very stressful world.

I kinda know my way around the “rom-com” genre, not to brag HA. I’ve seen basically all of them. I may not have a life but it’s fine. I want to do more movie recommendation posts. Anyways, I lowkey hate the term “romantic comedy” because usually there’s never anything comedic about the movies under the category. Now’s not the right time for this debate though. The point is, these movies are supposed to be uplifting. Which is perfect for this moment in time. I’ve been gravitating a lot toward these types of movies so hopefully, this post can be of some use to you as well.

P.S. all the movies I’m mentioning are on this list I’ve made on Letterboxd which is a platform I’m lowkey OBSESSED with and highly suggest you use. Especially if you’re a film buff like me *flips hair*

Ha I almost had you fooled. You thought that I wouldn’t be talking about all the popular films. Well, my friend, that is why I have a shortlist here for movies that I won’t be talking about but also HIGHLY recommend.

I also just remembered that I have a whole list of “teen rom-com” recommendations. It’s a tad old so it may be cringe-y but click here if you’re interested 🙂

 

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

A smol list that I also wanted to mention because I HAVE TOO MANY RECSSSS!!!!

  • Anne With An E (which is a show and not romantic BUT perfect to binge rn)
  • Some Kind of Wonderful (an underrated John Huges film WATCH IT!)
  • The Princess Diaries (because OBVIOUSLY,,,)

THE ACTUAL LIST:

 

𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚐 𝚛𝚢𝚊𝚗

When Harry Met Sally

To be quite honest with you, I don’t know why I refused to watch this movie for so long. The title just really put me off but omg it’s like so good? I mean the only reason you really need is MEG RYAN. But also it’s a great 80s movie that I was so engrossed in. It starts off with Harry and Sally totally despising each other and over the years randomly coming across one another and they eventually become the greatest of friends. And you know, things kick off from there. Just know you’ve been sleeping on this movie

Sally is such a great character. You’ll probably thoroughly despise Harry at first because he’s very cynical but eventually, he becomes more likeable. Just watch it okay. I swear you can trust me. And if you don’t want to, then have faith in Nora Ephron.

Available to stream: Hulu

 

𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎’𝚜 𝚊 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢

Life As We Know It

Do I watch films because of the lead actress? Yes, indeed I do. I freaking LOVE Katherine Heigl. This film is actually quite sad though as it’s about a couple who’ve just had a baby but they pass away in a car accident. And they, of course, leave their baby in the care of the godparents who basically hate each other and don’t get along at all. In true enemies-to-lovers style, they’re forced to live in the same house with absolutely no idea how to parent.

This one is quite cheesy but very touching and you really start to root for the main characters. As I said, very heartbreaking but also a really beautiful story, that in my opinion, is quite well done.

Available to stream: Netflix SA | HBO

 

𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚒𝚗 𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚋𝚘𝚢𝚜

Letters To Juliet

This movie is one of my absolute faves. 12-year-old Ruby watched it way too many times, young and inexperienced as she was. But I mean it’s still good. My taste wasn’t totally untrustworthy thank god.

Anyways, this movie is super sweet. It’s about this girl played by Amanda Seyfriend (who’s so great LOVE her) who is on “vacation” with her fiancé (who’s the actual worst) in Italy and comes across this wall where young heartsick women deposit their letters to Juliet, and this group of women, Juliet’s Secretaries, write them back. Sophie is interested and lands up replying to a woman who had a forbidden love with a man 50 years ago. The woman, old now, comes to Italy to find the man she was in love with, bringing her grandson, and the three travel all over the place to find him. And it’s GREAT. Recently rewatched it and man is it a fun time. Currently wishing that I was a) in Italy and b) had an adventure with cute British boys.

Available to stream: Showmax SA | Showtime

 

𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚊 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚏𝚝. 𝚛𝚢𝚊𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚜

Definitely, Maybe

Oh my oh my did this movie surprise me or what? I’m not mad about Ryan Reynolds, don’t get the hype tbh. But, ya know, being the trash person that I am with no life, I do occasionally go through the cheesy stupid-looking romance movies that Netflix recommends to me. And this movie seriously surprised me with how good it was. I got SO into it. Plus also Elizabeth Banks and the adorable Abigail Breslin!!

It’s a story about a guy and his daughter, who wants to know the story of how her parents met, as they’re going through a divorce.  She’s very adamant about it all so he just tells this long story, starring three ladies that could all possibly be her mother. And I just sat there desperately trying to figure out who she was. It’s really good okay. Definitely give it a try.

Available to stream: Netflix SA | Starz

𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚊 𝚍𝚞𝚖𝚋 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘

It’s a Boy Girl Thing

This story is kinda dumb and silly. Truly, don’t take it seriously. It’s also very overdramatic. But it’s what makes it fun. This one, I just realised, is also enemies-to-lovers. Huh, I think I think I’m seeing my craving. Anyways, this movie has BODY-SWITCHING!! Yes, you heard me right. It’s full of cliches (also has mild swearing and one nude scene, so be aware younger viewers). It’s basically about these two rival next-door neighbours, also a great trope, our female lead is an over-achiever and a princess and male lead a total jock. They don’t get along, but leave it to the mysterious spiritual statue at a museum to swap these idiot’s bodies at a critical time in their school careers.

I recently rewatched this one and I was just reminded how fun it is to watch. The characters are so wacky but you eventually start to relate to them. It’s very reminiscent of my favourite era aka the early 2000s, which means there’s an awesome soundtrack. Just overall very lighthearted, a tad problematic at times, but still worth it in my opinion.

Available to stream: Hoopla | Vudu | Tubi TV

𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚜𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚋𝚘𝚢𝚜

Love, Rosie

I just watched this one for the first time the other day and truly feel offended that NOBODY TOLD ME to watch it sooner. I thought you guys were MY FRIENDS?!?! Lowkey still mad but it’s fine.

Okay but LOOK how cute the cover is. Also Lily Collins. And Sam Claflin. PERFECTION. I was stupid to not watch it sooner. It’s about these two BEST friends that have known each other since they were five years old. And have been secretly in love with each other ever since. But every time they almost get together or realise feelings or SOMETHING, something (or someone) else always gets in the way. Rosie gets pregnant, Alex moves away. Basically it’s SERIOUS slow-burn. And it’s a great time. The two of them have great chemistry. And it’s got great music. All-in-all, a really great love story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Available to stream: Showmax SA | Netflix US | Amazon Prime

𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎’𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚍𝚊𝚢

He’s Just Not That Into You

This movie, you guys is one of my ultimate fave feel-good movies. I watch it all the time and always feel better afterwards. Anyways, yeah it’s sort of similar to Valentine’s Day and Love Actually, but it doesn’t revolve around a holiday celebration. There are lots of actors and actresses you’ll recognise and you’ll probably only care for a few of the storylines. Like for me, I really only care about Ginnifer Goodwin and Justin Long and also Jennifer Annison and Ben Affleck. Also Drew Barrymore. Never liked Bradley Cooper nor Scarlett Johannson, I said what I said.

It’s just really fun to watch and in my opinion quite well made. It’s just very light-hearted and fluffy. Also, I related to it very hard when I first watched. Me, an idiot, was like “THIS IS LITERALLY MY LIFE”. Just watch it, your life will most likely feel 1% better. I’m not a therapist so I can’t guarantee anything though.

Available to stream: Netflix

𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚐 𝚛𝚢𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚖 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜

You’ve Got Mail

I’m slightly more biased when it comes to this movie which is low-key one of my all-time unofficial favourites. I’m so sad it took me so long to watch tbh because it’s THAT good. I know it’s a bit slow, but push through because it’s SO worth it.

It’s about Meg Ryan, who’s an independent bookstore owner, and then Tom Hanks who runs a bookstore franchise and is opening one near Meg’s business, so the two are business rivals. BUT online they’re anonymously basically falling in love. And aghhhh it’s so great. It’s set in the late 90s, which is just such a lovely era of film. This movie is so colourful. And the soundtrack is also lovely. It’s just incredibly charming, and also in my opinion way better than Sleepless In Seattle. We’ve just got to give it to Nora Ephron folks.

Available to stream: Netflix SA | CBS Amazon

𝚊 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝-𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚐 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍’𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢

Flipped

Hmm yeah hi hello. Yes, I have watched this movie approximately 123456789 times because it is indeed one of my top five favourite movies of all time. Have you heard of it before? Well, my friends, now is the time that YOU WATCH THIS MOVIE. It just,,, Okay so it’s about these two kids, Julie has had a huge crush on Bryce, her neighbour across the street, since they were little but he doesn’t necessarily reciprocate those feelings. In fact, in his opinion, she’s incredibly annoying. It’s set in the 60s and is just AHHH SO GOOD. Anyways, about half-way through the film the two characters start to doubt their opinions of one another, they “flip”. Hah, get it??

Julie is just wow, such a well-written character (I need to read the book in its entirety you guys ahhh), and I think the reason I love it so much is because I relate to her a lot. She’s the odd one out in her small town and she’s just a full of life and character. Bryce takes a while to come around, but he does. JUST GO WATCH IT PLEASE AND THANK YOU!! I have a very old review of this one actually, click here for that.

Not available to stream, only rent.

𝚊 𝚙𝚘𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚖𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍

Before Sunrise (and Before Sunset & Before Midnight)

Yes, this film is part of a trilogy so you’re in for a TREAT. This movie is not rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for nothing my sweet internet friends. Because OH MY GAWD does this movie hit DIFFERENT man. Firstly, our two main leads are quite stunning people to lay eyes upon? Secondly, just look at that rating!! Anyways, this movie is about these two strangers who meet on a train ride and both will be in Vienna for like half a day, don’t remember the exact time, so decide to just spend the day and rest of the night in each other’s company. We’ve got Ethan Hawke wh plays Jesse, an American, and Julie Delpy who plays Celine, a French woman, and they basically just walk around the city talking about life and love and everything in-between

Their conversations are really, for lack of a better word, deep. Half the time, I don’t even know what they’re talking about tbh. It’s just REALLY good people. And the sequels are almost equally good, with just as high ratings. Your life doesn’t know what it’s missing and I HIGHLY recommend you watch these if you haven’t already.

Not available to stream, only rent.

And that’s it for my list folks.

This is for sure now officially one of my absolute favourite posts I’ve ever done. I don’t know why but it is.

Also, I’m very adamant about these movies and urge you to watch them and then DM me or whatever so we can discuss. That’d be so AWESOME.

That’s it for today. Stay safe friends. Wash your hands and stay at home!!


HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OF THESE? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? ARE ANY OF THEM SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITES? DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD ONES TO RECOMMEND TO ME? LET ME KNOW!

xo

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