3 Great Date Night Movie Genres That Aren’t Rom-Coms

We live in a fairly busy day & age, and one of the hardest things to do is spend quality time with each other. While it’s easy to turn this into a discussion on social constructs and the absence of communication between individuals, it’s also a time to think of one of the great byproducts of our busy world — “date night” and date night movies. Even if the week has been hectic, we know we can look forward to at least one night to let our hair down & have fun.

Date night movies are key to making this special night all the more impactful because you want a movie that sets a tone or even a mood. Perhaps this is the reason why the romantic comedy (“rom-com”) is so popular for couples looking to have a good time at the movies while still maintaining a little romance. Even this, it seems, is changing.

More couples are looking for more lofty movie material than the “paint-by-numbers” nature of your standard romantic comedy. They value the importance of a film’s subject matter and the subsequent conversation, or at the very least something completely unorthodox. As such, here are three other movie genres that are worth looking at when planning out your next date night:

1. Horror Movies – You’re right in thinking that the idea of watching a horror movie for a special night out with your significant other doesn’t seem like a great idea, at least on the surface. But remember that some of the best horror films being made today happen to have foundations in current social issues, which can start some deep conversations. Other horror movies are just terrible movies that are easy to poke at, especially if you have a partner in crime!

2. Science Fiction – OK. This may be on everyone’s list as nothing but nerd territory to be avoided at all costs especially during a date. But for the record, let it be known that 1) nerds did get their revenge at least three times; and 2) science fiction has been the genre of movies and literature that has culled the greatest minds of any era. If you need a movie that will expand your horizons and create the idea platform for discussion and debate, this is it. So, ditch the outdated “nerd” categorization, and get down with some sci-fi.

3. Musicals – If you still need the romantic leads & comedic interludes but are hungry for some jaunty tunes & phenomenal dance sequences, you might be in the mood for a humdinger of a musical. Not only do you have a long history of massively successful musicals during Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age’, but recent movies have shown a resurgence in the genre’s popularity & ability to still connect with new audiences. Who knows? You may both just be willing to get in on the singing and dancing!

Date night movies don’t have to consist of the usual “rom-com” fare. With a little creative thinking, you can make your next date night one for the books.