Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day alone, with your partner, or not at all, there are plenty of fitting movies to watch on the memorable holiday. A romantic comedy might be the obvious choice — some silly, sappy love story with relatable characters and a feel-good ending. But maybe you’re a fan of genre films, and you’re looking for something different from your typical rom-com fare. Who says you have to put your love of sci-fi on hold just for a holiday?
We’re here to help. Though science fiction films are often associated with techy jargon or extraterrestrial adventures, they’re often a fantastic vessel for exploring human emotions and relationships. Don’t believe us? Here are ten sci-fi movies that are perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Updated February 1, 2025: This collection of science fiction films for Valentine’s Day has been updated with additional entries and brand-new information, including where to find each movie featured on streaming.
10
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Directed by Mamoru Hosada (Mirai, Wolf Children), and produced by Madhouse, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a fun treat for anime fans and science fiction enthusiasts alike. When Makoto Konno, a seemingly ordinary teenage girl, is granted the power to travel through time via her aunt, she finds out firsthand what the possibilities — and consequences — are for using such a miraculous ability. Riisa Naka, Takuya Ishida, Mitsutaka Itakura, and Sachie Hara make up the main cast of this classic time travel story.
An Acclaimed Journey
This acclaimed animated film would go on to win the Japan Academy Film Prize for Animation of the Year, along with hefty critical praise both domestically and internationally. Although full of optimism at first, you’ll come to find that this story is one that’s full of emotion as well, with Makoto’s frivolous fun inadvertently throwing a wrench into a budding romantic relationship. It’s a fun twist on the classic time loop setup, and through the medium of animation, it’s able to create some really fantastic-looking shots and sequences. Stream The Girl Who Leapt Through Time on Crunchyroll.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Release Date
July 15, 2006
Runtime
98 minutes
Director
Mamoru Hosoda
Writers
Satoko Okudera
Producers
Jungo Maruta, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, Yuichiro Saito
-
Takuya Ishida
Chiaki Mamiya (voice)
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Riisa Naka
Makoto Konno (voice)
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Mitsutaka Itakura
Kousuke Tsuda (voice)
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Ayami Kakiuchi
Yuri Hayakawa (voice)
9
Vanilla Sky (2001)
An American remake of Alejandro Amenábar’s Open Your Eyes, Vanilla Sky places Tom Cruise in the shoes of an adulterous magazine publisher named David Aames. In a series of flashbacks, we’re given a look at how Aames’ life took a turn for the worse after a disastrous car crash disfigures his face and leaves his lover dead. Despite his face being repaired through plastic surgery, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur as strange experiences, miraculous healing, and more questions than answers begin to pile up. Penélope Cruz and Cameron Diaz co-star as Sofia and Julie, respectively.
A Surreal Twist
Though this film’s science fiction edge may not present itself immediately, Vanilla Sky definitely delivers in the dramatic romance department until then. An effective blend of thrills and mystery, Tom Cruise plays a surprisingly effective lead in a story that’s sure to leave you anticipating the next bizarre discovery. It’s dreamy, it’s sentimental, and it’s a fairly good remake of what was already an incredible sci-fi film. Stream Vanilla Sky on Paramount+.
4
/5
Release Date
December 14, 2001
Runtime
136 Minutes
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8
WALL-E (2008)
One of Pixar’ Animation Studio’s highest achievements, WALL-E is a heartwarming story of a small but intrepid trash-collecting robot who has been left behind on Earth after humanity departed for space. He meets another robot, EVE, and the two end up working together to return life to Earth with a rare living seedling. Along the way, they’ll discover what happened to humanity alongside a plot to keep Earth in its current desolate state.
A Pixar Powerhouse
The story’s environmentalist messaging is no less impactful than the sweet-beyond-words romance that springs up between WALL-E and EVE. Though WALL-E and EVE barely speak, Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Garlin, and even the late Fred Willard provide plenty of entertaining performances in their vocal absence. Brilliant in its visual design and its cartoonish yet enthralling vision of the future, WALL-E remains as one of Pixar’s best films to date. It’s also one of the best animated movies you could watch on Valentine’s Day. Stream WALL-E on Disney+.
Release Date
June 27, 2008
Runtime
98 Minutes
7
Arrival (2016)
Arrival belongs to that class of bittersweet cinematic experiences that remind us how fragile love (and life) can be. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Arrival tells the story of Louise Banks, a professional linguist who finds herself in the job of a lifetime. When a dozen spaceships belonging to extraterrestrials make contact with Earth, Louise is tasked with establishing formal communications with these new arrivals before uneasy tensions escalate into something dangerous. Amy Adams stars as Louise, with Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Tzi Ma co-starring.
An Unconventional Love Story
If this seems like an odd choice for a holiday that celebrates love, hear us out. For starters, there are plenty of suspenseful alien-centric scenes to distract you from the film’s undercurrent of sadness. And although we wouldn’t go so far as to say it has an ending, Arrival is ultimately a celebration of love. Put simply, it offers up the perfect blend of hardcore science fiction and thoughtful romance, anchored by Amy Adams’ brilliant performance. Stream Arrival on Paramount+.
Release Date
November 10, 2016
Runtime
116 Minutes
6
About Time (2013)
About Time is the closest thing on this list to a standard romantic drama, with one huge caveat: it’s a time travel movie. Upon turning 21, Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) learns from his father that he has the ability to go back in time to any moment that he’s lived before (so no leaping back to the age of dinosaurs). Tim uses his power to try and improve his unfortunate love life, but things get increasingly complex, and tragic, as the story progresses. Rachel McAdams co-stars as Mary, Tim’s eventual love interest.
Tragedy and Romance Together
As we may expect, time travel has unforeseen consequences, but the film’s romantic center always remains intact. It’s a wonderful blend of sentimentality and genuine sadness that’s sure to remind you of all the good and bad that comes with developing relationships. It’s made all the stronger by the terrific chemistry shared between Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams. You’ll want to bring tissues for this one. Buy or Rent About Time on Prime Video.
Release Date
September 4, 2013
Runtime
123 minutes
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5
Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan’s space epic Interstellar probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Valentine’s Day. But there’s a moving love story nestled in with all the theoretical physics and space-time trickery. Set in the deep future, this space-faring story follows a group of astronauts led by Joseph Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) who are tasked with finding a new planet to colonize after Earth succumbed to a series of blights. However, as the team uses a wormhole to expedite their journey, they’ll come to find that they’re in a deadly race against time.
A Hidden Love Story
Under one reading, the film is really about love, which Film Is Just Moving Pictures says is its major theme. However far we travel into outer space, we remain inextricably bound to the people we care about. Matthew McConaughey, along with the wider cast featuring Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Ellen Burstyn, all deliver a series of fantastic performances that’ll viciously tug on your heartstrings. If you like sci-fi that says something profound about the human condition, Interstellar is the Valentine’s Day movie for you. Stream Interstellar on Paramount+.
Release Date
November 7, 2014
Runtime
169 Minutes
4
Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (2020)
Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes is a COVID-era sci-fi production shot primarily on a cell phone in a single take. Without giving too much away, this is a time travel concept film in which a café owner discovers that his computer screen reveals what is happening two minutes in the future. The film was directed by Junta Yamaguchi in his first-ever feature-length production, with Kazunari Tosa, Riko Fujitani, Masashi Suwa, and Aki Asakura making up a majority of the main cast. Yamaguchi also served as the film’s central cinematographer and editor.
A Charming Indie Film
Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes is funny, charmingly acted, and blissfully short. Though its initial debut in theaters was severely undercut by the COVID-19 pandemic, it would later see positive reception when it debuted on more widely-available digital formats. It’s a rare example of a film that transcends its budgetary and technical limitations in favor of telling a fascinating story, earning critical acclaim from just about everyone that’s ever seen it. We recommend it for Valentine’s Day because it contains a lovely little romance subplot that’s guaranteed to warm your heart (when your head stops spinning, that is). Buy or Rent Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes on Apple TV.
3
12 Monkeys (1995)
This may be a surprising pick, but Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys actually includes a rather bittersweet romance between its protagonist, James Cole (Bruce Willis), and Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe), a well-known psychologist. The two meet after Cole travels back in time in order to prevent a life-destroying virus from bringing about the apocalypse, which turns out to be a very complicated task indeed. Falling in love is the perfect distraction from such high stakes, a truth Cole discovers firsthand.
A Stellar Sci-Fi Thriller
Much like Terry Gilliam’s other films, 12 Monkeys is a delightfully surreal trip that just so happens to jump between different points in time. It also happened to be an incredible success both commercially and critically. At the box office, it netted a total of $168 million on a budget of $29 million, while also earning Brad Pitt an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actor. If you’ve never seen a movie by Terry Gilliam before, this is a fantastic way to get started. Buy or Rent 12 Monkeys on Prime Video.
Release Date
January 5, 1996
Runtime
129minutes
2
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
While it might not be the best choice for happy couples, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a great choice for the hopeless romantics among us. Be warned: its touching vision of loss and love is bound to bring on the waterworks. The film’s science fiction element takes the form of memory-erasing technology, which unhappy people can use to forget their ex-lovers after a breakup. But forgetting is rarely so simple. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star as a couple who undergo this fickle procedure, later going on to develop a severe case of déjà vu as they feel sparks forming between them once again.
A Brilliant Tearjerker
Per Vanity Fair, it’s a film that will continue to resonate with viewers for a long time. Directed by Michel Gondry and co-authored by the brilliant Charlie Kaufman, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is not only an amazing science fiction film — it’s considered to be one of the greatest movies ever made. It would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay against movies like The Incredibles and Hotel Rwanda, whereas Kate Winslet would earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Stream Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on MGM+.
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1
Her (2013)
In our present age of rapid artificial intelligence development, Her is the most timely of Valentine’s Day movies. Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly, a lonely man whose impending divorce has sent him down an emotional spiral. However, when he acquires an A.I.-powered operating system voiced by Scarlett Johansson, he may find himself falling in love once more with something that isn’t even human. Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, and Olivia Wilde round out the main cast in this acclaimed Spike Jonze film.
A Timely Romance Film
This is a film that asks us to consider whether love can exist between a human being and a sufficiently advanced A.I. If so, how might that make us think differently about what it means to be human, and what it means to love? These are Her’s central questions, and pondering them may lead you to a new outlook on life. It’s a sad but thoroughly romantic study of relationships in an increasingly post-human world, with director Spike Jonze later earning an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in addition to four other nominations, including Best Picture. Buy or Rent Her on Prime Video.
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