Every year I face the same question: what shall I do as a loner on Valentine’s Day? And more importantly, what movie should I watch? Here, I disclose my top five movies perfect for wallowing in self-pity. 

10 Things I Hate About You (1999):

First up on my list of rom-coms perfect for your average loner is none other than “10 Things I Hate About You,” starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. This 1999 flick is perfect for anyone looking for a movie that will illuminate how lonely they actually are, with its enemies-to-lovers storyline, while also making you chuckle at its cheesiness. The plot exhibits a budding relationship between the miscreant misfit Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) and the rebellious feminist Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles). Because of her overprotective dad, Kat’s sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) is not allowed to date until Kat does. Some boys who want to have a shot at dating Bianca, who is super popular, recruit Patrick to go on a few dates with Kat in exchange for some cash. This movie, while it can be quite cliche at times, is one of my favorites to watch while drowning my sadness in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s.

The Notebook (2004): 

Of course this classic made it on this list. Not to be overdramatic, but I would do anything to kiss Ryan Gosling in the rain. Everything about this movie screams being lonely on Valentine’s Day. When Allie and Noah are together and happy, I want to wallow in my loneliness a little more and when they are separated and despairing, I feel a deep connection to their sorrow. The entire movie will pique the watcher’s interest while also igniting different emotions.

Romeo and Juliet (1996):

This movie starring none other than Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes takes a “modern” twist to a classic. It is set in a more modern setting with technology such as handguns, but the characters talk and act like Renaissance times. Everyone knows the tragedy of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” but this movie takes the story to the next level, and considering the fact that this Valentine’s Day is a day to mourn loneliness, a tragedy is just what the doctor ordered. The ups and downs of this young love and the impetuous actions of these kids will make you want to find someone to accompany you on your shenanigans, and the tragic ending will make you cry your heart out. And who doesn’t like a nice cry?

Dirty Dancing (1987):

“Dirty Dancing,” my all-time favorite movie, stars Patrick Swazye as Johnny and Jennifer Grey as Baby. The energy, dancing and drama of this movie make it top tier in my eyes. Baby is on vacation at a resort where Johnny works as a dance instructor. When Johnny’s dance partner gets pregnant, Baby steps in to help. The rebellious love that grows between Baby and Johnny causes great tension between Baby and her family. The movie leads you through the ups and downs of this relationship and will bring the viewer on an enthusiastic high of joy and tear them down to a sad low.

Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012):

The last movie I recommend to a loner on Valentine’s Day is the utterly depressing “Perks of Being a Wallflower.” This movie follows a socially awkward teen, Charlie (Logan Lerman), who lives life blending in as a wallflower. That is, until he meets and becomes friends with a free-spirited senior named Patrick (Ezra Miller). Charlie ends up meeting and forming a tense friendship with Patrick’s step sister Sam, played by Emma Watson. The movie not only follows the progression of Charlie’s feelings for Sam, but also the development of Charlie’s internal storm.