14 Rom-Coms to Watch This Valentine’s Day
As a certified lovergirl, Thanks Drake, rom-com movies are a year-round lifestyle choice. Season doesn’t matter. Holidays don’t matter. Emotional state definitely doesn’t matter. Christmas? A rom-com is still getting played. There’s something about romantic rom-com movies that hits every single time. The pacing. The chemistry. The comfort of knowing things will work out, even when the characters completely fumble their way there.
And when it comes to the best rom-com movies, especially Black romantic rom-com movies, the ones that stay with you aren’t always the newest or the most hyped. They’re the classics. The rom-com movies from the ’90s and early 2000s you grew up watching. The ones that shaped how you thought about love, friendship, and attraction long before dating apps existed. The movies you still put on today, whether you’re watching on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or wherever you stream your comfort films, not just because they’re romantic, but because they feel familiar in the best way.
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Love Don’t Cost a Thing
This movie had me in a chokehold. Nick Cannon and Christina Milian together was elite early-2000s rom-com energy. It wasn’t overloaded with drama, but it had just enough tension to keep you invested. I fell completely in love with Nick Cannon’s character and the way his dynamic with Christina felt playful, awkward, and genuine all at once. This is one of those rom-coms that makes you root for the underdog without making it feel cheesy, which is exactly why it still holds up.
The Best Man
This wasn’t a movie I chose at first. This was a movie my mom always had on. And somehow, through repetition, it became one of my favorites. The friendships, the history, the complicated relationships, the Black love layered throughout—it all felt real. It’s romantic, but it’s also about loyalty, growth, and how people change over time. This is one of those movies that feels richer the older you get.
Love Jones
College me was obsessed with this movie. Like, once-a-week obsessed. Usually with Chinese food. Love Jones is pure vibe. The poetry, the conversations, the intimacy—it’s romantic in a way that feels deep and intentional. This is the kind of love story that makes you believe in connection, timing, and emotional chemistry. Every woman deserves to experience a love that feels like this, even if it’s just through a screen.
Two Can Play That Game
Let’s talk about Vivica A. Fox because she taught an entire generation how to play the game and look flawless doing it. This movie is funny, confident, and unapologetic. And can we please give a chef’s kiss to Morris Chestnut? The banter, the strategy, the back-and-forth—it’s rom-com energy with a little bite, which makes it perfect for Valentine’s Day when you want something playful instead of overly sentimental.
Just Wright
This movie is the reason vision boards became a thing for me. Queen Latifah was grounded, confident, and relatable in a way that felt refreshing. And Common? So fine!! The romance wasn’t rushed, and it wasn’t flashy it was soft, steady, and rooted in friendship. This is the kind of love story that reminds you that being seen for who you are is the real goal.
Brown Sugar
Friends-to-lovers done right. Brown Sugar is all about timing, ambition, and growing alongside someone. The music, the culture, the conversations it all feels warm and familiar. This is the kind of love story that makes you believe the best relationships start with real friendship.
Something New
This movie is about love, expectations, and letting go of boxes you didn’t even realize you built. Sanaa Lathan’s character navigating career success, attraction, and vulnerability feels deeply relatable. It’s soft, thoughtful, and quietly romantic in the best way.
The Photograph
Moody, intimate, and beautifully shot. The Photograph feels grown. It’s about emotional inheritance, timing, and learning how to be open with someone when you’ve learned to protect yourself. This is a slow-burn romance that rewards patience.
Think Like a Man
This one is pure fun. Multiple storylines, big personalities, and a lot of humor layered with real relationship dynamics. It’s playful without being shallow and makes for an easy Valentine’s Day watch when you want laughs mixed with romance.
Deliver Us from Eva
Gabrielle Union was unforgettable in this. The tension, the banter, the slow shift from annoyance to attraction—it all works. This movie is flirty, funny, and confident, with a love story that feels earned instead of rushed.
Love & Basketball
This is romance with depth. Childhood love, ambition, sacrifice, and growth all wrapped into one story. It’s emotional without being heavy and romantic without being unrealistic. A classic for a reason.
Hitch
Smooth, funny, and endlessly rewatchable. Hitch is one of those rom-coms that balances humor and heart perfectly. It’s light, charming, and ideal when you want romance without emotional exhaustion.
The Five-Year Engagement
This one is for the girls who understand that love doesn’t always follow a straight line. It’s honest about timing, compromise, and how life can shift plans in unexpected ways. Not overly sweet, but deeply real.
Sylvie’s Love
Soft, nostalgic, and visually stunning. Sylvie’s Love feels like a love letter to romance itself. The pacing, the longing, the restraint—it’s beautiful in a quiet, intentional way that lingers long after the credits roll.
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