Valentine’s Date Ideas Inspired by Iconic Rom-Coms

Romantic, fun & straight out of a movie – no Hollywood budget required!

handmade valentine’s day cards in pink and red, decorated with lace, bows, and hearts, scattered with crafting supplies.
(Image credit: Dupe Photos)
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Because nothing says romance like a little movie magic.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to live out your rom-com fantasy whether you’re dreaming of a grand, cinematic moment or just want a sweet, simple date night with the person you love. Inspired by our favourite iconic rom-coms, these date ideas bring the magic of the big screen into real life. And because romance isn’t about the price tag, we’ve included splurge and save options for every date, so you can make memories no matter your budget.

From dancing under the stars to painting each other’s portraits, these Valentine’s Day dates are all about romantic moments, effortless fun, and just the right amount of main-character energy.

La La Land

A romantic scene from La La Land featuring a couple embracing under a glowing streetlamp, with a city skyline and a dreamy, starry sky in the background.

(Image credit: La La Land, directed by Damien Chazelle, 2016)

Jazz Club & Stargazing

If you’re the kind of couple who would drop everything for a spontaneous dance break, this date is for you. A little music, a little moonlight, and a lot of romance.

  • Splurge: Dress up and hit a real jazz club, then find a quiet spot for late-night stargazing.
  • Save: Stream live jazz at home with candles and cocktails, then stargaze from your balcony, garden, or a local viewpoint.

10 Things I Hate About You

A scene from 10 Things I Hate About You, where Patrick and Kat gaze at each other closely, their faces speckled with colorful paint after a playful paintball fight.

(Image credit: 10 Things I Hate About You, directed by Gil Junger, 1999)

Paintballing

Perfect for couples who love to laugh, get competitive, and maybe throw a little chaos into date night. Messy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.

  • Splurge: Book a paintball session & go all in.
  • Save: Get some cheap paints & do a splatter art date together! Even better, thrift a white t-shirt each & make them your ‘date night shirts’.

Pride and Prejudice

A romantic scene from Pride and Prejudice, where Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy stand closely together in a misty countryside, their foreheads almost touching as they share a tender moment.

(Image credit: Pride and Prejudice, directed by Joe Wright, 2005)

A Romantic Countryside Picnic

For those who love a little old-school romance, long conversations, and possibly some dramatic hand-touching.

  • Splurge: Go all out with a dreamy meadow picnic - think fancy charcuterie, sparkling wine, soft blankets, and golden-hour vibes. Bonus points if you read poetry to each other.
  • Save: Pack up a homemade picnic with simple sandwiches, fresh fruit, and a cozy blanket. Find a quiet spot in a local park or countryside meadow and enjoy the fresh air.

Notting Hill

A peaceful moment from Notting Hill, where William sits on a park bench reading a book, while Anna rests her head in his lap, eyes closed, surrounded by lush greenery.

(Image credit: Notting Hill, directed by Roger Michell, 1999)

Bookstore & Coffee Date

If your dream date is browsing shelves, finding a hidden gem, and getting lost in conversation over coffee, this one’s for you.

  • Splurge: Browse a bookshop, buy each other a book, then hit a cozy café to read.
  • Save: Go to a library, pick a book for each other, and bring homemade coffee or hot chocolate in a flask for a reading date.

The Notebook

A romantic scene from The Notebook, where Noah and Allie sit closely in a rowboat on a calm lake, surrounded by swans, sharing a tender moment.

(Image credit: The Notebook, directed by Nick Cassavetes, 2004)

Romantic Rowboat Date

For couples who love the idea of a peaceful, intimate moment on the water (but hopefully without the storm).

  • Splurge: Rent a rowboat, float around a lake, live your Noah & Allie dreams.
  • Save: Find a local pond or lake, sit by the water, feed the ducks (peas, not bread!), and soak up the romance.

Lady And The Tramp

A charming scene from Lady and the Tramp, where Lady and Tramp share a plate of spaghetti under the stars, their noses almost touching as they enjoy the meal together.

(Image credit: Lady And The Tramp, produced by Walt Disney Productions, 1955)

Spaghetti Date

Because nothing says romance like one plate, two forks, and the potential for an accidental spaghetti kiss.

  • Splurge: Go to an authentic Italian restaurant with live music for a spaghetti dinner by candlelight.
  • Save: Set the table with candles, cook an Italian meal together and enjoy with some soft Italian music in the background.

Up

A scene from Up showing the scrapbook Ellie made.

(Image credit: Up, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, 2009)

Scrapbooking Date

If your idea of romance is celebrating the little moments, the inside jokes, and the memories you’ve made together, this is the perfect way to do it.

  • Splurge: Take a mini road trip to collect cute little souvenirs, and start a scrapbook.
  • Save: Use an app like FreePrints to print your favourite memories together, then make a scrapbook at home with stickers, doodles & cute notes.

Crazy, Stupid, Love

A scene in Crazy, Stupid, Love where Hannah and Jacob embrace affectionately in a bustling room.

(Image credit: Crazy, Stupid, Love, directed by directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, 2011)

Cocktail Making & The Dirty Dancing Lift

For couples who love a fun, flirty date night with a side of pure chaos. Perfect if one of you is convinced you could absolutely nail The Lift (or at least wants to try).

  • Splurge: Go to a cocktail-making class & dress to impress (bonus points if there's a dance floor after).
  • Save: Grab the ingredients for DIY cocktails, dress up like you’re out at a fancy bar & rate each other’s drinks.

Whether you’re saving or splurging, the real romance is in the little moments - the laughter, the inside jokes, the way you look at each other when no one else is watching. So go ahead, plan a date that feels like it’s straight out of a movie, and make your own love story.

Which rom-com date are you trying this Valentine’s Day? 💕

Issie Nelson
Issie Nelson
Social Media Executive & Contributing Editor

I started at MyVoucherCodes as a Deal Finder in the vouchers team, where I worked on sourcing deals and helping people save money and in January 2024, inspired by my passion for social media, I took the initiative to launch and grow the MyVoucherCodes TikTok account, creating all the content in my spare time. Creating and designing for social media has always been my dream, and now I get to bring that passion into my role full-time as a Social Media Executive across all of our social media platforms, as well as being able to combine my creativity with my writing by producing articles that correspond with the content I create.

Outside of work, I love gaming, cooking, and singing. I’m also planning my wedding, managing all the DIY and sourcing myself, which has given me a newfound appreciation for budgeting and creativity.