Top 10 Date Night Movies

Directed by Doug Liman, the man who gave us “Swingers,” this film works as an ideal date night flick, mostly because of the playful sexual chemistry between its leads. After all, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie first fell for each other while filming “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Given the comedic narrative of the husband and wife assassins literally trying to kill each other, long-time couples may briefly press pause on their constant bickering, while those on a first date might get turned on by the film as a whole.

On date night, both parties involved typically ask themselves two important questions: will I get naked and will I embarrass myself? So, when Ben Stiller’s character zips up his nutsack in this Farrelly Brothers comedy, the scene allows nervous individuals to realize that most date night disasters will probably never be THAT bad, and thus enjoy a sense of calm. Of course, a couple of glasses of wine may do the trick as well, but overall, the collective group of goofballs in “There’s Something About Mary” will keep you upbeat and set the tone for the evening.

If some date night flicks help relieve physical anxieties, here’s a classic Rob Reiner comedy that will help one spark up a conversation about the ethics of hooking up. On the one hand, you have Billy Crystal’s snarky Harry Burns, a man who takes a practical approach to love, but then you have Meg Ryan’s Sally, a woman who shows no fear in the face of adversity… and you know exactly what we’re talkin’ about. This film puts everything out on the table, and if you’re unable to discuss the narrative at the end of the evening, well, then you should probably be looking for somebody else.

Now here’s one for all you hopeless romantics. Directed by Cameron Crowe, “Jerry Maguire” represents the hope and wonder of new love, and through a diverse set of characters, everybody can find someone to root for. Above all, however, “Jerry Maguire” reminds that ideal love does exist, if only in the movies. While the dialogue may sound cheesy at times, it just may leave an impression on your significant other, perhaps serving as the foundation for some late night lovin.’

Okay, so not everybody wants to see a gushy dramedy on date night or movies fueled by unrealistic plot devices. Some people want action. You know, action complemented by unrealistic yet exciting plot devices. In this scenario, “Speed” fits the bill, as you have the lovable Sandra Bullock working hand-in-hand with the one and only Keanu Reeves, both attempting to stop a psychotic bomber portrayed by the frightening Dennis Hopper. Directed by the ridiculously awesome Jan de Bont and featuring the city of Los Angeles, “Speed” provides the necessary jolt to the senses that will keep you ramped up and ready for your own bit of action.

Given the amount of horror movies that feature American tourists being tortured every time they set foot overseas, Woody Allen’s esteemed dramedy offers up a more realistic narrative in regard to worldly wanderlust. Featuring an all-star cast of modern sex symbols, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” investigates the pleasures of traveling and certainly the perils of passionate love. Through Woody’s careful direction, the beautifully flawed characters come to life, and hey, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem are a real-life couple, so you know their chemistry is real – real hot, that is.

At the time of release, this polarizing David O. Russell film caused a stir simply because of its light-hearted approach towards mental illness, but therein lies the beauty, as we all struggle with personality flaws in one form or another. With Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in the lead roles, “Silver Linings Playbook” showcases the power of the human element, as the seemingly troubled characters find comfort in each other’s misgivings. Of course, the iconic Robert De Niro produces one of his most acclaimed performances in recent years, serving as the cherry on top of this wildly entertaining production. It’s edgy yet charming, and will make for the perfect movie to watch together during a cozy night in.

Now here’s one geared more towards the experiences of women, but with Paul Feig directing and Judd Apatow as producer, you know there’s a little something for everybody. In a breakout performance, Kristen Wiig leads the way as a loveable, but distressed bridesmaid, in large part due to her mildly insane group of friends. Consisting of over-the-top gags, a laugh-out-loud cameo by Don Draper himself, and a collective ensemble of natural comedians, “Bridesmaids” set a new bar for big screen comedy and remains a surefire way to experience a memorable date night.

For this realistic take on life, the title alone speaks volumes. However, the cast elevates “Crazy, Stupid, Love” to something more. With the bankable Steve Carell starring as a down-and-out middle-aged man, in comes Ryan Gosling as the self-assured Jacob, a man that seems like bad news but may actually know a thing or two about love. Of course, when the fun and games become personal, all involved find something to learn about themselves, thus offering up a life lesson for millennial couples and dropping a wink of an eye to older lovers who managed to survive the storm.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004)

“Hitch” (2005)

“Casino Royale” (2006)

“The Wedding Singer” (1998)

“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008)

Some may call this romantic comedy a chick-flick, and while most females will usually approve, it may just already be a favorite for some of you fellas out there. Perhaps the ultimate modern holiday film, “Love Actually” explores ten narratives of love over the course of 136 minutes and features our favorite charming British performers. Not too serious and not too emotional, “Love Actually” is the go-to flick for anybody that understands cinema’s power to warm the heart. Though some may snicker and roll their eyes at certain bits of dialogue, they’ll never have to worry about a dreadful date night when “Love Actually” comes into the equation.