Wonderland

MAD ABOUT THE SOLD-OUT BRIDGET? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED

Didn’t manage to snag tickets for Renée Zellweger and Leo Woodall’s latest Bridget Jones adventure? No stress—these films are just as swoon-worthy and make for the perfect Valentine’s Day company.

This year, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy hits cinemas just in time for Valentine’s Day. It seems like the ultimate V-Day plan: basking in the glow of Renée Zellweger’s charm, cosying up with popcorn (perhaps a bottle of wine or two), and fully embracing our inner Bridget. But fate—much like the boy in your Hinge DMs you flirt with out of sheer boredom—had other plans.

Tickets for Bridget Jones on Valentine’s Day? Sold out. It seems Londoners all had the same bright idea and conspired to watch Miss Jones stumble her way through love once again, leaving us latecomers with nothing but a severe case of FOMO and a decidedly unromantic evening ahead.

But fear not, rom-com fans. If Bridget has taught us anything, it’s how to bounce back from disappointment—with humour, style, and a well-curated movie marathon. So, here’s a list of iconic rom-coms to keep you company this Valentine’s Day:

1. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Ten days, a ticking clock, and Matthew McConaughey at peak heartthrob status. Andie’s (Kate Hudson) How to Lose a Guy experiment takes a turn when her target has his own agenda. Expect sizzling chemistry, questionable dating tactics, and proof that love (and that yellow slip dress) can withstand just about anything.

2. 50 First Dates

One of rom-com’s most beloved duos, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, deliver laughs and heartache in this tearjerker. Henry falls for Lucy—who, due to short-term memory loss, forgets him every morning. So, he woos her every single day. Romantic? Unhinged? The line is blurry, but we’re here for it.

3. Notting Hill

A rom-com fantasy where a humble London bookshop owner finds himself in the orbit of an A-list actress. Proof that even the most ordinary bloke can win the heart of a movie star—provided he’s played by Hugh Grant.

4. When Harry Met Sally

Can men and women really just be friends? Also, where did Billy Crystal get that sweater? Only one of these questions is explored in When Harry Met Sally, but with Nora Ephron’s signature wit and charm, it remains one of the most relevant love stories of all time.

5. The Notebook

A love story for the ages—or at least for a solid cry. The Notebook will have you swooning, sobbing, and wondering if the guy in your DMs would… build you a house?

6. Call Me by Your Name

More than just a summer fling, Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name is a breathtaking exploration of first love, identity, and the intoxicating beauty of Italy. A film that lingers long after the credits roll, starring a young Timothée Chalamet.

7. About Time

If you could relive moments in your life, would you? A poignant, time-traveling love story that will make you laugh, cry, and cherish your own beautifully messy timeline—while also appreciating Bill Nighy’s effortless charm.

8. 10 Things I Hate About You

Shakespeare, but make it ’90s. Julia Stiles oozes cool, Heath Ledger is the ultimate heartthrob, and the film serves up some of the best teen rom-com tropes—plus an era-defining soundtrack and endless style inspiration.

9. Valentine’s Day

From the director of Love Actually, this star-studded ensemble rom-com intertwines multiple love stories over the course of one fateful Valentine’s Day. Featuring Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Taylor Swift, and more, it’s a sugary treat best enjoyed with a box of chocolates.

10. 13 Going on 30

13-year-old Jenna dreams of fast-forwarding to adulthood—until she wakes up in her 30-year-old self. Cue Michael Jackson flash mobs, chaotic fashion shoots, and peak Mark Ruffalo heartthrob energy. A hilarious, heartwarming reminder that growing up isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

11. 27 Dresses

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride—Jane’s overflowing wardrobe of bridesmaid dresses holds the key to her own love story. Expect wedding chaos, chiffon catastrophes, and a satisfyingly rom-com-worthy ending.