These days, it seems like everyone and their mother has someone to snuggle up to on Valentine’s Day. While we love celebrating love (or do we?), some of us single folks may want to snuggle up with our pets, our besties, or even just ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with a little me-time, but it can be especially lonely on Valentine’s Day (when couples are encouraged to broadcast their love to the world).

That’s why, sometimes, the best companion is a great movie. Who needs a partner when you’ve got a bowl of popcorn, an ice cream sundae, perhaps a furry friend, and best of all, your favorite movie? So we’ve compiled a list of the best movies to watch on Valentine’s Day for single people.

Romantic Comedies for Single People

Even though we’re single, we still want to cry over a great love story. While some might be too real or not real enough, we’ve found some rom-coms that are the perfect balance.

‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is the epitome of a break-up film, but it’s also a solid rom-com. Jason Segel’s Peter goes on a vacation to get over his ex, played by Kristen Bell, who happens to be at the same resort. Luckily he meets Mila Kunis’s Rachel, proving that even at our lowest lows, someone even better for us could be right around the corner.

‘(500) Days of Summer’ (2009)

The quirky tale starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel notoriously begins, “This is not a love story.” But it is definitely a story of romance. Their characters fall into a tumultuous, heart-wrenching relationship that proves toxicity and passion don’t necessarily equal love. For those of us who have our heads in the clouds, 500 Days of Summer is a perfect rom-com to bring us back to reality while still hoping for healthy love.

‘Knocked Up’ (2007)

We might not think of Knocked Up as a rom-com considering its place in the Judd Apatow catalog of comedies, but it’s definitely a comedy and there’s definitely romance. After Katherine Heigl’s Alison gets pregnant from a regrettable one-night stand with Seth Rogan’s Ben, their unpredictable dynamic creates humor and of course, romance. 

Movies That Highlight Friendship

Plenty of rom-coms and other films are all about love … but we’re not talking about romantic love. There are so many different kinds of love to celebrate on Valentine’s Day from friend love to family love.

‘Bridesmaids’ (2011)

Bridesmaids is considered a top-tier comedy that hinges on the friendships between four women. From the film’s complex relationships (can you have more than one bestie?) to its hilarious moments, such as the unforgettable food poisoning scene, Bridesmaids is the perfect flick to celebrate friend love.

‘Legally Blonde’ (2001)

Ten years before Bridesmaids, Legally Blonde put Reese Witherspoon front-and-center as a powerful and feminine protagonist. The movie begins with a break-up, leading us to think it’ll be a rom-com, but instead, it’s the story of Elle Woods finding her voice and talent as a lawyer (and love along the way). It encourages us to embrace our passions and support the women around us, just like Elle, who proves that you can be successful without stepping on other women to do so.

‘First Wives Club’ (1996)

Starring Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton, First Wives Club is an underrated ‘90s gem all about how friendship trumps romance any day of the week. A series of tragic events bring four former friends back together as they team up to get revenge on their first husbands. In doing so, they reform bonds that prove that no marriage is stronger than a best friend … and also that some men make laughably poor decisions that make “revenge” irrelevant.

Movies That Celebrate Independence

Perhaps you’re feeling particularly self-loving this year. There are plenty of films about soul-searching and being on your own. For all intents and purposes, we all need to learn to be alone in our own ways, so being single on Valentine’s Day might be the best opportunity to watch a movie celebrating your independence.

‘How to Be Single’ (2016)

Starring Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson, How to Be Single is a friendship romp that also focuses on being single and independent. There are several love interests and relationships throughout the movie, but while some characters end up with their “person,” others learn to find satisfaction in being alone. If you want a good laugh and a good cry, this is the perfect flick to watch solo.

‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ (2003)

Diane Lane’s Frances Mayes takes off on a vacation to Tuscany after her husband cheats on her. It’s a classic “woman finds herself after a breakup” story, but in doing so, she finds her identity, a little bit of romance, and the perfect escape in the Italian countryside. It proves that being alone can be better than being with someone.

‘Uptown Girls’ (2003)

The legacy of Uptown Girls has superseded its initial response, which was largely negative. Now, especially after Brittany Murphy’s death, the film is an anthem for being an independent woman. Brittany’s character, Molly, falls for a singer played by Jesse Spencer, but she eventually learns that his philandering ways aren’t worth her energy. By the end, she focuses on herself and her relationship with Ray (Dakota Fanning), who actually appreciates her.