Whether you’re single, in a relationship or in a more complicated situation this Valentine’s Day, watching a movie can be the perfect way to spend your evening. Finding the perfect movie can be a challenge, so here are some recommendations for you to consider, depending on how you feel about the holiday.

If you love love but you’re single, watch “Love Actually.” Though it is usually more of a Christmas movie, the 2003 romantic comedy “Love Actually” is perfect for you because it showcases many different types of love. Whether it’s between siblings, friends, family, coworkers or couples, love is a key part of the human condition, and “Love Actually” is a celebration of it. There’s some heartbreak, but there are plenty of sweet moments. As a bonus, Mr. Bean is in it, along with some of your favorite “Walking Dead” and “Harry Potter” characters.

If you claim you’re just friends with someone and don’t want anything serious, watch “500 Days of Summer.” The movie perfectly captures both the excitement and frustration of early relationships and the bitterness of having your heart broken because you weren’t on the same page as someone. With a soundtrack featuring some token hipster artists like The Smiths and Regina Spektor, “500 Days of Summer” is funny, poignant and will definitely make you think.

For the serious, long-term relationship folks, watch “The Notebook.” I’ve personally never seen it because I’m a cynic, but I hear that it’s good.

If you don’t want to watch a movie about love, watch “The Social Network.” If you don’t really dig the whole love thing and just want to listen to smart people argue instead of watching a Valentine’s Day movie, “The Social Network” is the way to go. Keep your mind off of the Valentine’s Day stuff and ponder other questions. Does power destroy friendship? Did Mark Zuckerberg aide in Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election? Does Armie Hammer actually have a twin?

If you want love but you’re scared of it, watch “When Harry Met Sally.” It’s a sweet movie following Harry and Sally, two friends navigating the dating scene while maintaining their platonic relationship. It’s hilarious and frustrating and will leave you rooting for them the entire time you’re watching. 

For the most cynical of the cynics, watch “Blue Valentine.” If you haven’t heard of it, maybe you did a quick IMDb search and quickly scoffed because it looks like just another mushy romance. Oh, no. “Blue Valentine” is one of the most emotionally scarring movies I have ever seen. It’s beautiful, intricate and it feels so real. Everything about it is raw. It documents a couple’s relationship from the very beginning to its bitter end, showing the most ugly and heartbreaking moments. It will make you think. It will probably make you cry. It will probably make you more horrified to fall in love than you already are.

For the hopeless, or not so hopeless, romantics, watch “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” This movie isn’t going to change the cinematic world, but it’s funny, cute and enjoyable.

Features reporter Laurel Deppen can be reached at 270-745-6291 and [email protected].