Date Night Made Easy

It’s that time of the week again, date night, sometimes it’s a fancy dinner out or a fun activity but more often than not lately it is a simple night in, snuggled on the couch with take-out and a captivating movie.

I’ve read that date nights are important for relationships; they are a true necessity that requires you to increase feelings of intimacy while decreasing the chances of taking each other for granted. So, with that said, this then brings us to the most important part of date night at home, other than being together and the food (obviously). The choosing of the movie. It is a task not to be taken lightly, the mood here is key and the vital element needed is passion, otherwise it’s not really a date night movie it’s just another movie you’re watching with your significant other and you’ll be wishing you went out for the night to feel more special.

A fundamental part of ensuring date night runs smoothly at home is by choosing the movie beforehand. It’s no fun if you spend the whole time back and forth searching for a movie instead of watching it. Hello, overwhelmed and goodbye romance. It is a big task though, as not only are you trying to choose a movie for two different people possibly in two different headspaces at the end of the day but you’re trying to do this while still maintaining a loving date mood. It’s these kind of nights when some may think scary is a good idea to get those hugs in as the music begins to get eerie and something is around the corner. However, scary or horror can cross a line with gruesome scenes and once over, there is no going back to romance.

Is it a comedy that is needed, a good laugh between you two? Do you need some romance to feel the love? A drama you can work through and dissect at the end? What is the perfect formula for finding the right movie for date night? How about a little bit of all of those but mostly love? Meaning a formula of some laughter plus some tears (leading to hugs) plus characters to swoon over plus a twist to keep you talking and folks there you have your date night movie.

So, light some candles, pour a glass of wine and put on…. The Notebook. Yes, the most beloved romance flick which if you haven’t seen yet, you have definitely heard of. Firstly, it includes Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams– the true rom com king and queen. Secondly, this movie is all about making you really believe in love again, that ‘us against the world’ type young love. You know, the love that never goes away and can make you do crazy things like lay in the middle of the road or hang off a Ferris Wheel or write a letter 365 days of the year with no response. Everyone needs a good love story now and then, especially in times when you need to escape the real world and to be reminded that love isn’t dead after all. It’s in these moments you either have a giggle to yourself or you hold your special person a little tighter and grab a tissue. It’s a movie that focuses on this love that many crave and for those a little older it brings those memories of first encounters flooding back. Allie and Noah have so much passion between them you feel really connected with them and the story that is being told from the very beginning. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll more than likely swoon over one of the characters. Perfect. Basically, this movie will have you feeling all the feels and using lines such as “if you’re a bird, I’m a bird” and really thinking in the end that love conquers all.

If this is right up your alley and you loved the emotional rollercoaster that The Notebook had to offer, then I highly recommend you check out The Longest Ride on the following date night. Yet again, another Nicholas Sparks film which just goes to show when struggling to find the next movie to watch, be sure to check out the author of the previous one you enjoyed as it may lead you in the right direction. Let’s see, funny moments? Check. Teary moments? Check. Characters to swoon over? Big Check. A twist at the end? Check. Plenty of passion between the characters? Check. We’ve ticked all the boxes for a perfect next film to follow The Notebook, what more could you want from date night? (A bull named Rango, don’t worry, The Longest Ride has that also). This movie is especially recommended for daters who are a bit more country at heart.

It’s another city girl meets country boy theme where they are from two different worlds, their paths cross, sparks fly and they both realise very quickly this is a different feeling than anything they have ever felt before (ring any bells). Although there are plenty of feel-good sweet moments, a few bull riding scenes and a cowboys hat that starts it all, the best part is the added bonus of two beautiful love stories in the one movie. Two 'connected by fate' love stories in which despite all their differences, they make sacrifices for each other and hope that it will all be worth it in the end. The final twist once again will touch you at the heart and leave you feeling all those wonderful loved up feelings for your significant other and have you saying things like “if we’d never met, I think I would have known that my life wasn’t complete.” Just the sort of feelings you want to be feeling at the end of date night.

Laughter plus some tears plus beautiful characters plus a twist and most importantly passion between them. It’s the formula that never ceases to fail when searching for your next date night movie. You'll be grateful for watching them and you'll be especially grateful to have your special person beside you when doing so. Also, studies show that watching movies is good for relationships so there’s no need to feel guilty about not getting dolled up to go out, it’s officially ok to plan your romantic date night around these movies.