It’s date night again, and you and your special someone are looking for something to watch. We take a look at 25 of the best date night movies streaming on Netflix, which you’ll both enjoy.
Date night movies can sometimes end up with sappy endings, leaving at least someone unhappy, so we’ve taken a look at some of the best movies streaming on Netflix, which aren’t just romantic comedies, but movies that both viewers will enjoy. Click through our list of the best date night movies streaming on Netflix.
If any of our unique date night movies streaming on Netflix piqued your interest, and you’d like to know more about a specific one, we’ve included a bit about each movie’s plot in the sections below.
1) ‘Silver Linings Playbook’
After a stint in a mental hospital, Pat (played by Cooper) moves in with his parents and tries to win back his wife, until he meets a woman whose life is just as messed up as his. Jennifer Lawrence won an Oscar for her portrayal of Tiffany, the woman who’s dealing with issues after her husband is killed. Bradley Cooper’s character attempts to reconnect with his wife, but finds he needs to work on fixing himself first.
2) ‘Finding Neverland’
This Oscar-winning film reveals how imaginative author J.M. Barrie envisioned a world that was at once so wondrous and perilous. Johnny Depp pairs up with Kate Winslet wonderfully, and puts in one of his best performances to date. We’re also introduced to a young and incredibly talented Freddie Highmore, who now stars in A&E’s thrilling show Bates Motel. While this is one of the more romantic films on our list, it’s incredibly well shot, and has multiple great performances.
3) ‘The Ghost and the Darkness’
While working for a railroad baron in colonial Uganda, engineer John Patterson (played by Val Kilmer) finds his construction efforts stymied by a series of lion attacks. A very underrated movie, it’s great to see Val Kilmer at his best. Michael Douglas plays an excellent animal hunter, and he and Val Kilmer have some great dialogue which makes the movie worth watching outside of the thrilling adventure.
4) ‘Blue is the Warmest Color’
Adele’s life is changed when she meets Emma (Léa Seydoux), a young woman with blue hair, who will allow her to discover desire, to assert herself as a woman and as an adult. In front of others, Adele grows, seeks herself, loses herself and ultimately finds herself through love and loss.
5) ‘White Bird in a Blizzard’
When 17-year-old Kat Connors’ mom, Eve, vanishes, the teen relishes her newfound freedom, until the reality of her mother’s loss sets in. Shailene Woodley stars in a film which we aren’t used to seeing her in, and the always incredible Eva Green dazzles as her mysterious mother.
6) ‘Murder By Numbers’
A homicide detective (played by Bullock) and her young partner are profiling two cold, calculating killers whose dark secrets could end up explaining their crimes. A young Ryan Gosling portrays a killer, which Sandra Bullock sees right through. This is a very interesting film for the two stars, and is often overlooked when looking at their careers.
7) ‘Basic Instinct’
Detective Curran pursues a case involving Catherine, portrayed by Sharon Stone, a writer and temptress who is suspected in a murder reminiscent of a crime that she’s written about in a series of her popular novels. Michael Douglas chases a killer down, and gets tangled in Catherine’s web as he tries to figure out why someone would use the novels as inspiration for murders.
8) ‘Labor Day’
During Labor Day weekend, Winslet’s character gives a lift to a bloodied man which turns into a life-changing event for the divorced single mother and her 13-year-old son. Labor Day is a unique story, and Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin have some amazing chemistry.
9) ‘My Week with Marilyn’
While shooting a film in England, Marilyn Monroe hides away with a young Brit (played by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne) for a week of self-discovery and frivolity. Michelle Williams does an excellent job as the Hollywood icon, and Emma Watson also has a small, but interesting role in the film.
10) ‘Taking Lives’
FBI profiler Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) is recruited to assist the police in their search for a serial killer who later assumes the identities of his victims. Now that Jolie and Hawke are massive stars, it’s an interesting film to go back and watch, as you see how much they’ve changed over the years.
11) ‘Lawless’
Lawless is loosely based on a true story, which takes a look at the inner-workings of Virginia’s bootlegging Bondurant brothers, who are known for their exploits during America’s Prohibition era which made them heroes to many outlaws and locals. Tom Hardy has an excellent role as the unkillable brother, and Shia LaBeouf puts in one of his better performances. Jessica Chastain has a small role in the film, but memorable, and her talent is just as visible back when this film was shot.
12) ‘Inventing the Abbotts’
An obscure film set in a 1950s Illinois town, a pair of brothers born on the wrong side of the tracks set out to romance some upper-class sisters, much to the dismay of their father. Liv Tyler and Jennifer Connelly play sisters very well, and Joaquin Phoenix and Billy Crudup are opposites in nearly every way, other than being related by blood.
13) ‘The Fifth Element’
While this may not seem like a date night movie, the film’s sci-fi elements play second fiddle to the relationship which forms between Bruce Willis’ character and the alien (played by Milla Jovovich) that is sent to save Earth. Gary Oldman plays a wicked villain and, as always, never fails to disappoint.
14) ‘Bruce Almighty’
When Bruce Nolan angrily gives up on God, he responds by giving Jim Carrey’s character all of his divine powers. Bruce struggles to deal with everyone’s problems, but all he really wants is to be with his one true love, played by Jennifer Aniston. Bruce Almighty is a great comedy, with romance at its core.
15) ‘American Beauty’
One of the best films on our list, Kevin Spacey puts in one of his best performances of his career while struggling to endure his tightly wound wife, an unfulfilling job. His daughter wants nothing to do with him, and he becomes secretly obsessed with his daughter’s teenage friend.
16) ‘I.Q.’
A smart comedy/romance which features Albert Einstein’s incredibly intelligent niece, played by Meg Ryan, grabbing the attention of a mechanic (Robbins) who has an interest in science fiction. It’s a unique look at the life of one of the smartest men of our time, and has a very rewarding story.
17) ‘Vanilla Sky’
One of the more interesting films in the list, Tom Cruise’s character is a man who has everything. More money and good looks than he knows what to do with. When he nearly loses everything after a terrible accident which leaves his face disfigured, Penelope Cruz’s character comes to the rescue. It’s a mind-bender, and will have you second guessing every scene from start to finish.
18) ‘Big Fish’
When a man’s father is on his deathbed, he decides to learn more about his father’s true life, which he believes has been held from him during his childhood. Ewan McGregor does an excellent job as the young father, as he goes on adventures that seem entirely impossible. But, are the tales more true than his son would have ever imagined?
19) ‘The Duchess’
If you’re a fan of Keira Knightley, you’re bound to enjoy her in this period piece which sees her as the unhappy, young duchess Georgiana Spencer. She later begins a scandalous affair with a politician which could ruin her husband’s (played by Ralph Fiennes) political reputation. One of her wigs catches on fire at one point, which is certainly a highlight, and the sets couldn’t be more beautiful.
20) ‘Forces of Nature’
Ben Affleck plays a straight-laced man who’s about to be married, when the flight to his wedding is grounded. He rents a car with a free spirited woman, portrayed by Sandra Bullock, and the two find themselves in situations which have him questioning his life, and future marriage.
21) ‘A Knight’s Tale’
A young squire who tends to a knight takes a chance after his master dies, puts on his armor, and risks being put to death by pretending to be a knight in a jousting tournament. He wins the competition, and it alters his future, as he turns into a legendary knight that falls in love with an unattainable princess. The late Heath Ledger puts in a great performance in this period piece which uses some excellent non-period music, and Paul Bettany shows that he’s one of the more talented actors in Hollywood.
22) ‘Extract’
When Joel is just about to sell his successful flavor extract company for a lump sum allowing him to retire, an accident in his factory puts everything in question. Mila Kunis gets hired at his company, and he longs for passion from a woman other than his wife, played by the hilarious Kristen Wiig. Oscar winner J.K. Simmons plays the company’s manager, and while his role is small, he puts in a great performance. Ben Affleck also has an unlikely, and hilarious cameo, which is worth seeing.
23) ‘In Bruges’
When a lethal job goes terribly wrong in London, two hitmen are ordered to stay out-of-sight in the town of Bruges, Belgium, until their boss (played by Ralph Fiennes) decides what to do with them. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson have some of the funniest lines ever, despite being such a dark comedy. This film is truly a must-see, and it will leave you talking about it for days.
24) ‘Phenomenon’
When a humble mechanic is knocked unconscious one night after staring at a curious light in the sky, he wakes up with intellectual powers that rival anything anyone has ever seen, especially in his small town. It’s not too long after the incident that the FBI is interested in how he breaks one of their codes, and he finds out that the powerful intellect might not be the best thing in his life after all.
25) ‘Adventureland’
Jesse Eisenberg’s character, James Brenna, isn’t able to afford to join his friend on a trip that he’s always wanted to go on after his parents inform him they’re on hard times. So, he reluctantly takes a summer job at an amusement park, where he meets many unique characters, including Kristen Stewart, who puts in a great performance as a young woman who doesn’t know what to do with her life yet. Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader bring some hilarious moments to the film, and this is one movie we promise is worth seeing if you’ve yet to watch it.
