Valentine’s Day viewing habits tell a fascinating story about how people really feel about love. Some lean fully into romance and happy endings, while others prefer thrillers, horror, and stories where love goes spectacularly wrong.

New data from JustWatch reveals that U.S. audiences are sharply split between offbeat love stories and Anti-Valentine’s movies—and the results are surprisingly fun.

The Big Trend: Valentine’s Day Splits Viewers in Two

According to JustWatch streaming engagement data, audiences don’t just want traditional romance. They’re equally drawn to unconventional love stories and darker relationship narratives. JustWatch Most Watched Offbeat …

The biggest takeaway?
Love isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither are the movies we watch to celebrate (or avoid) it.

The Most-Watched Valentine’s Love Stories

Instead of classic rom-com comfort food, viewers gravitated toward unexpected, modern, and sometimes messy love stories.

Top 10 Valentine’s Love Story Movies (U.S.)

1. Anora (2025)
2. Anyone But You (2023)
3. Babygirl (2024)
4. Past Lives (2023)
5. Going the Distance (2004)
6. Valentine’s Day (2010)
7. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)
8. Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
9. Queer (2024)
10. We Live in Time (2024) JustWatch Most Watched Offbeat …

What stands out

1. A surprising #1:
Anora topping the list shows audiences are embracing unconventional romance. It’s not your typical Valentine’s comfort watch—proof that modern viewers want complex love stories.

2. The rom-com comeback:
Anyone But You landing at #2 confirms romantic comedies are back in a big way.

3. Nostalgia still wins:
Early-2000s and 2010s titles like Going the Distance and Valentine’s Day still have serious staying power.

4. Love stories are getting more diverse:
From Queer to Past Lives, audiences are clearly interested in romance that feels fresh, inclusive, and emotionally layered.

The Anti-Valentine’s Crowd Is Thriving

Not everyone celebrates February 14 with candlelight and roses. Some viewers prefer chaos, horror, and dysfunctional relationships—and their watchlist reflects it.

Top 10 Anti-Valentine’s Movies (U.S.)

1. Midsommar (2019)
2. My Bloody Valentine (2009)
3. Heart Eyes (2025)
4. Gone Girl (2014)
5. Scream (1996)
6. The Shining (1980)
7. X (2022)
8. Get Out (2017)
9. Pearl (2022)
10. Ready or Not (2019) JustWatch Most Watched Offbeat …

Why these movies dominate

1. Breakups and betrayal are trending
Films like Gone Girl and Ready or Not show audiences love relationship thrillers where love turns dangerous.

2. Horror and Valentine’s Day go hand-in-hand
Classic and modern horror—from Scream to Get Out—remain go-to Anti-Valentine picks.

3. “Love stories gone wrong” are irresistible
JustWatch specifically notes that audiences enjoy movies where romance takes a dark turn. JustWatch Most Watched Offbeat …

And honestly? That tracks.

The Florence Pugh Fun Fact

One of the most interesting crossover moments this year:

• Midsommar (#1 Anti-Valentine’s)
• We Live in Time (#10 Valentine’s list)

Florence Pugh appears on both lists, proving she can make you cry from heartbreak—or from sheer terror. JustWatch Most Watched Offbeat …

What This Says About Modern Viewers

This year’s rankings show something bigger than just movie preferences:

People don’t just want fairy-tale romance anymore.

They want:

• messy relationships
• unconventional love stories
• dark humor and thrillers
• emotional realism

Valentine’s Day entertainment has evolved from “perfect love stories” to stories that reflect real, complicated relationships.

And that’s probably why audiences split right down the middle every year.

Final Thoughts: Choose Your Valentine’s Mood

Whether your February 14 vibe is:

❤️ hopeful romance
💔 complicated love
🔪 chaotic relationships
👻 full-on horror

There’s a streaming list ready for you.

So the real question is:
Are you watching Anora… or Midsommar? 😄