Top 10 Best Movies for a First Date

This sci-fi rom-com made quite the splash when it dropped on Hulu in mid-2020. A sort of modern take on “Groundhog Day,” the story follows two people who have become trapped in a time loop. As they live the same day over and over, they find creative and often hilarious ways to pass the time. However, like the film that inspired it, “Palm Springs” isn’t just a goofy comedy. It actually incorporates some heavy themes. You and your date will laugh, cry, and stay up all night debating what you would do if you were stuck in a time loop.

There’s been a lot of debate about whether it’s a good idea to watch a horror movie on a first date. Obviously, scary movies are not everyone's cup of tea. But if you and your date are both horror buffs, there’s no better choice than “The Cabin in the Woods.” Funny, scary, and gorey in equal measure, this movie deconstructs the genre while also paying homage to the classics. You can make a game out of spotting Easter eggs and background details, or just sit back and enjoy the gruesome spectacle.

Set in two different time periods, this romantic drama follows two couples struggling to make their relationships work as life pulls them apart. The story is simple, but it examines some big questions, like how much one person should be willing to sacrifice for love. In an era when rom-coms seem to dominate the romance genre, “The Photograph” feels like a beautiful throwback to classic love stories of the past. Gorgeous cinematography and fantastic performances from the leads make it a must-watch for any cinephile. And the palpable chemistry between LaKeith Stanfield and Issa Rae makes it a must-watch for any hopeless romantic.

If you love vampire romance but want something more sophisticated than “Twilight,” this is the movie for you. Adam and Eve have been together for centuries, but lately, Adam has become cynical and sick of immortality. Eve is determined to help him rediscover his passion for the things that matter – and for her. “Only Lovers Left Alive” is less about falling in love with another person and more about falling back in love with life. That might sound pretty heavy, but the movie is also surprisingly funny. Tom Hiddleston’s dry British wit makes him totally believable as a gloomy, centuries-old vampire who’s seen it all. Ultimately, the film is a unique look at the importance of true connection.

If you’re looking for an action movie to enjoy on date night, you can’t do much better than the fourth installment in the “Mad Max” series. What can we say about “Fury Road” that hasn’t been said before? The cinematography and visual effects are stunning, the performances are flawless, and the themes are timely and powerful. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting it for the hundredth, “Mad Max: Fury Road” is the ultimate popcorn movie, perfect for kicking back and enjoying on the biggest screen you can find.

The gorgeous set pieces alone are enough to make this movie one of the most romantic of all time. Mia struggles to find work as an actor, while Sebastian hopes to someday own his own jazz club. Along the way, they meet, fall in love, and sing and dance their way across L.A. A tribute to the blockbuster musicals of the past, “La La Land’s” colorful, dreamlike numbers are true cinema at its finest. And it doesn’t hurt that the movie stars two of the most beautiful people in Hollywood. The plot follows some pretty standard romantic story beats, but Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are so compelling, you won’t even notice the cliches.

If you think this is an odd choice for a date night, we’re guessing you haven’t actually seen it. The story follows teenager Miles Morales as he goes from being a scared kid to assuming the mantle of Spider-Man, but this is not your average superhero movie. “Into the Spider-Verse” has something for everyone: fantastic action sequences, incredible visuals, an engaging story, and well-developed, relatable characters. Even if you’re not usually a fan of the genre, we guarantee you’ll be blown away by this modern masterpiece. Seriously, there’s a reason it’s Rotten Tomatoes’ highest-rated superhero movie of all time.

Wes Anderson movies tend to be polarizing. Most people either love his colorful, quirky, and oddly symmetrical style, or they hate it. If you’re a fan, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is the perfect movie for finding out whether your date shares your taste in film. Like most of Anderson’s work, it’s full of off-the-wall humor, but also features a surprisingly moving story. The film follows a young refugee in eastern Europe who’s fleeing a fascist regime and befriends an eccentric hotel concierge. Ralph Fiennes is at his comedic best, while Tony Revolori turns in a breakout performance as Zero Moustafa. If your partner doesn’t tear up at the end, you might not want to plan on a second date.

After Sam is killed by a mugger, his spirit can’t rest. But since he can no longer interact with the physical world, he’s forced to stand by helplessly while his girlfriend Molly grieves. When he learns that the killer is targeting her too, he enlists the help of a medium named Oda Mae to warn her of the danger. The chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore is off the charts, especially in the famous pottery scene. Meanwhile, Whoopi Goldberg gives this intense film some much-needed comic relief. If you’ve seen this classic supernatural thriller, you know exactly why it made our list. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?

This brilliant murder mystery is the thinking person’s date night movie. Featuring a star-studded ensemble cast filled with delightfully quirky characters, “Knives Out” is a highly entertaining romp from start to finish. Director Rian Johnson uses incisive humor to deliver some pretty pointed social commentary, while Daniel Craig flexes his acting chops as an eccentric southern detective. Best of all, the movie is highly rewatchable. Every scene contains so much attention to detail, there are plenty of new things to pick up on even if you’ve seen it before. And if you haven’t seen it, you and your date will get a kick out of competing to see who can identify the killer first.

Which movie do you want to watch while snuggling up with that special someone? Let us know in the comments.