The joy of cozying up to a romantic film on a rainy day is difficult to describe in words. To some, it’s an act of checking in with oneself, for others, it could translate to quality time with their romantic other half. What’s undeniable is the magic of the combination and how it adds a special charm to a somewhat normal day.
While rainy days instantly make most genres better, they go extremely well with romantic films, leaving the viewer with a mushy aftertaste and a heart full of love. Fortunately for us, Prime Video has a bunch of great options that are perfect for your next rainy day date. So without further ado, here are some of Prime Video’s best romantic films and TV shows that you should watch on a rainy day.
Chemical Hearts (2020)
Despite the congestion in the teenage love story genre, Chemical Hearts stands out as a love story that’s filled with metaphors and symbolism. While this can be off-putting to some, for those that have a taste for it, Chemical Hearts aspires to be the descendant of Perks of Being a Wallflower, but only more intellectual and directly romantic in its approach. The plot follows a 17-year-old high schooler who hopes to become a writer without ever being in love, till he meets the girl of his dream and his own story comes to full circle to inspire him.
Why it Makes the List
Since Chemical Hearts is full of endearing moments that are executed in a realistic, emotional way, the film can be watched at any time, but is thoroughly enjoyed on a rainy date night, with your beloved partner.
Made in Heaven (2019-Present)
Many believe that matches are made in heaven and actualized on Earth. Capitalizing on this chain of thought, Zoya Akhtar and Reema Katgi’s show documents the many themes and faces of an Indian wedding full of color and vibrant characters. Dealing with love stories across all strata of society, gender, and class, Made in Heaven aims to decipher the love between the bride and the groom via their choices pertaining to their wedding.
Why it Makes the List
While Made in Heaven has a more realistic approach to love, the show is filmed in a hybrid way that creates a contrast between the opulent side of the big fat Indian wedding, merging with the nightmarish logistics that go into creating that spectacle. While it may have a rarity of mushy moments, the show’s has enough vibrancy to binge on a gloomy rainy day.
Sylvie’s Love (2020)
If you’re in the mood for a bona fide swoon-fest, Sylvie’s Love is a great place to start. A lush and heartwarming slow-burn romance that sees Tessa Thompson at her best, the film is set against the backdrop of jazzy New York in the ’50s and centers around two ambitious creatives who go through a tumultuous relationship that spans over decades with their own set of highs and lows.
Why it Makes the List
The reason Sylvie’s Love would make for perfect rainy day viewing can be found in its strong set of performances and Declan Quinn’s sumptuous cinematography, taking the viewer on a stellar odyssey straight into the heart of the jazz-driven culture of New York.
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Something from Tiffany’s (2022)
Directed by Daryl Wein, Something from Tiffany’s is based on Melissa Hill’s book of the same name and is an adorable take on how a wrong turn can take you on the right road. Centering on when Rachel (Zoey Deutch) accidentally receives an engagement ring from a man who’s not her boyfriend, the two discover a bond they didn’t know existed before, and thus begin a romance that’s both heartwarming and fun to watch.
Why it Makes the List
Despite a little bit of a formulaic approach, Something from Tiffany’s makes the list as it is a tried and tested romance that’s bound to make you feel warm and mushy despite the stormy conditions outside.
Licorice Pizza (2021)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s propensity to capture the spirit of the human existence is unmatched and unbeatable. With Licorice Pizza, we get a glimpse into the American auteur’s shimmering vision of the ’70s San Fernando Valley, full of lush cinematography and dreamlike sequences along with a perpetual sense of adventure right around the corner.
Why it Makes the List
Having garnered three Academy Award nominations, and heaps of praise from critics and fans alike, Anderson’s film is a lighthearted tale about the magic of young love that’s told against the sun-kissed backdrop of the San Fernando Valley. The reason we’ve added Licorice Pizza to the list is because it provides some warm and lighthearted entertainment to make things bright on a gloomy, rainy day.
Related: Paul Thomas Anderson Films, Ranked from Worst to Best
The Big Sick (2017)
The Big Sick serves as an inspiration for many small-budget and big-hearted films. What sets Michael Showalter’s film apart from run-of-the-mill comedies is that it’s steeped in reality and doesn’t attempt comedy for the sake of comedy. Rather, The Big Sick lets the context dictate the terms of the comedy, making it more organic and relatable to the viewer.
Why it Makes the List
The plot sees Kumail Nanjiani star as a Pakistani-born comedian who falls in love with Emily (Zoe Kazan), a grad student, and the complications their relationship goes through with regard to the contrast in their cultures. Despite its subtle comic approach, The Big Sick makes for ideal rainy day viewing as it has a bit of everything, ranging from romance, to culture shocks and everything in between.
Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
Set in the early part of the 19th century, Downtown Abbey follows the lives of an aristocratic family, the Crawley’s and their domestic day-to-day interactions and aspirations in a post Edwardian era. Do not let its periodic backdrop put you off as Downtown Abbey moves quickly and makes for ideal rainy day binge material, keeping the viewers hooked by ingeniously sprouting plot points that revolve around jealousy, betrayal and the thirst for power.
Why it Makes the List
Over time, Downton Abbey has solidified its status as a classic of the period-romance genre and amassed a legion of fans. Despite some harsh moments and explicit content, Downton Abbey provides a staple costume drama experience with a healthy influx of emotion and inter sibling rivalry that’s told at a pace that’s fast and easy to follow.
The Handmaiden (2016)
Operating on a simple yet sinister premise, The Handmaiden follows a Korean con-man who plans on marrying a rich heiress, who lives with her sadistic uncle, in a bid to steal her fortune. With a simple plot and a barrage of sexual innuendos, The Handmaiden is a classic gem of Korean cinema and a film that’s considered by many to be essential viewing, regardless of the genre. If sunshine and rainbows aren’t your thing, and you’re in the mood for something dark and twisted to binge while it rains outside, then The Handmaiden should definitely be on your list.
Why it Makes the List
Part romance, part thriller, total entertainment, Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden is a downright erotic film that’s bound to keep you hooked on a rainy day. Heavily inspired by Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith, Park Chan-wook changed the setting from Britain to Korea under Japanese rule, creating some sort of contrast and depth within the narrative. The film went on to becoming one of the best films of the year in Korea, having been selected to compete in 2016 Cannes Film Festival for the prestigious Palme d’Or award.
Charade (1963)
Charade displays Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn at the peak of their power, playing out as a romance that’s filled with mystery. This dual-genre approach gives Charade more narrative substance, as the film isn’t very overtly romantic, but rather approaches the subject organically. Severely underrated, largely beloved, Charade is very reminiscent of a Hitchcockian film but with an added degree of romance. The film follows Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn), who falls in love with a mysterious man named Peter (Cary Grant) while on a skiing holiday. When she returns home, she finds her husband has been murdered, and three of his ex-cronies are to blame. Teaming up with Peter, Regina follows the trio of sketchy characters, while some shades of Peter’s true identity also come to the surface.
Why it Makes the List
The reason we’ve added Charade to our list of rainy day films is because old films and rainy days go well together, with the rain and stormy skies creating the perfect ambiance to counterbalance the technological age of the film.
Bones and All (2022)
Furthering on their heart-tugging partnership after Call Me By Your Name, Bones and All recreates the magical combination of Timothée Chalamet and director Luca Guadagnino as it sees two teenagers go on an odyssey to discover their own identities and walk away from the harsh realities of their pasts. Revolving around a sense of love that’s damaged and ruptured, but still manages to hold on, Bones and All is an emotionally charged film that will make you rethink the definition of love all together.
Why it Makes the List
Led by an incredible Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell, Luca Guadagnino’s film dives deep into the hardships of life on the road and the comfort of love when all’s lost. Bones and All can be viewed anytime, but due to the emotional depth,watching it on a rainy day will just add to the narrative and make the viewing experience all the richer.
