So you want to Netflix and chill on Valentine’s Day? Sounds like a good plan. Now what should you watch? Well, it depends on how long you’ve been dating. There’s a fine line between trying to be romantic and sending out a vibe that could be misconstrued as creepy. Check out our guide on how to make the right (love) streaming choices for Valentine’s Day.

“We just met…”

Love-meter: Keep it casual like maybe a 5/10?

Don't say things like: "So... we up for marriage?"

Oh the magic of doing a Netflix and chill session for the first time together. Just to be clear… Netflix and chill really means just watching shows together right? Okay, let’s try to remember that.

The session should start with something light-hearted like a romantic comedy so take your pick from Sandra Bullock’s The Proposal to Made Of Honour with Patrick Dempsey or what should now be known as a modern classic To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. There’s also Set It Up (it’s all about the meet-cute) and When We First Met (time-travelling with a romantic twist).

If both of you are happy to stay away from Valentine’s Day cliches like rom-com (like seriously, who hurt you?) then choose a must-watch popular series such as Stranger Things, Riverdale, Narcos or the currently trending You. These shows are addictive and they always end on with jaw-dropping cliffhanger. So you have enough reasons to keep the date going…

“We’ve been dating for more than six months…”

Love-meter : Start with a 6 and then make your way towards an 8/10

Don't say things like: "So... will your hot friend be joining us?"

At this stage, there are no reasons for awkward first moves and wondering if the other person would be okay if your morning breath doesn’t smell like sunshine. Still, Valentine’s Day is a good time for remind that other person how you’re full of surprises and not boring at all. So how about a themed Netflix session!

You can;

1. Turn off all the lights for a horror marathon. Take your pick from the unsettling Spanish demonic possession thriller Veronica to The Ritual about a hiking trip gone wrong and Hush where a hearing-impaired woman is terrorised by a masked psycho. Keep the night going with The Haunting Of Hill House and see if you both can spot all the hidden ghosts in the background.

2. Have a night going through intriguing true crime documentaries that will give you both plenty of talking points like The Staircase, The Keepers and The Confession Tapes.

3. Or a food-themed Netflix session that will inspire you both to start making long term plans like travelling together. You know, so you can try out the places featured in the show. Go with Julie & Julia starring the delightful Meryl Streep, the romantic No Reservations with Catherine Zeta-Jones and then make your way towards eye-opening food shows like Chef’s Table and Ugly Delicious.

4. If you prefer a typical date night with romantic shows then choose some gorgeous Korean dramas like Memories Of The Alhambra or Something In The Rain.

“We’re stuck and want to spice things up...”

Love-meter: 11/10 or nothing

Don't say things like: "So... what now?"

Oh wow, your idea of spicing up a relationship that’s stuck in a rough patch is to stay home and watch shows on Netflix? Okay. Remember to include some fantastic meals to go with this session such as steak and wine or Korean fried chicken and beer. Put some thought and care into how this night should go. Think flowers, gifts and maybe a playlist filled with romantic songs to set the mood. Netflix is just part of the plan. Don’t make it your ONLY thing to do for Valentine’s Day.

Ask yourself, what is this Netflix and chill session for. Do you feel it’s a good time to gently bring up some unresolved issues? Then how about Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, a show where people sort out their problems by getting rid of things that no longer spark joy.

Or Wanderlust, a show starring Toni Collette where she and her husband decide to see other people. Or you know, Gone Girl where Ben Affleck is accused of murdering his wife and then… spoiler alert, this could be the movie you need to watch to revive your mundane relationship. There’s also this Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies and Cyber Attacks documentary about a website where people go to find someone to have an affair with.

Maybe… while watching some of these shows, both of you will feel inspired to open up about any problems that is making the relationship feel unremarkable. Whatever it is, you need to find ways to talk about it.

Another way of trying to bring back spark into a relationship is to invoke some sense of nostalgia. Try to remember the first movie you saw together and watch that again.

Perhaps, you can also consider classic romantic comedies like as Sleepless In Seattle with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz.

“We don’t want to see each other again after this…”

Love-meter: You broke it

Don't say things like: "So won't you stay with me! Because you're all I need!"

Oh wow, that escalated quickly. Luckily for you, there are shows on Netflix that you can use to scare your date away or just make that person realise it’s best to just hit it and quit it.

Your options include Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes because nothing says date from hell like spending the night watching a documentary about a serial killer who preyed on women.

Another exceptional choice would be thriller Contracted, a film where a woman slowly becomes a living corpse after a terrible night out with a stranger. Seriously, this one include the sound of fingernails getting peeled off and images of decaying flesh. Need something less gross? Then cry your heart out to 500 Days Of Summer where Tom, a greeting card writer played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt wonders how did he end up losing the perfect girl Summer (Zooey Deschanel) after dating for, you guessed it, 500 days.

Have fun and we’re sorry about your terrible Valentine’s Day. There’s always next year.

Cover Credit: C.L. via SOL 

Writer l JEM

I like Pina Colada and getting caught in the rain. Not into yoga. Wait, how does that song go again?