The movie: Spiderman
The gist: A nerdy teen is transformed into a heroic web-slinging superhero, and forced to juggle fighting bad guys and wooing the girl he loves.
Why you should watch it: “Spiderman suggests to both men

	Still just friends? Pop in When Harry Met Sally.

and women that even the dorkiest person-next-door can come to your rescue and be revealed as your true love,” notes John Devore, a film critic for the New York Sun. As if that weren’t reason enough, remember these words: upside-down kiss. “That kiss is fantastic,” says Pat Flanagan, a Blockbuster Video employee in Cleveland, OH. “It’s romantic enough for girls, but cool enough to not seem mushy.”

The payoff: If you and your date aren’t inverted and kissing after this movie, you might want to check your pulses. It may be tricky at first, but remember: Practice makes perfect.

The movie: Swingers
The gist: Egged on by his smooth-talking buddy Trent (the hilarious Vince Vaughn), sensitive Mike (Jon Favreau) desperately tries to find fame and love in Los Angeles.

Why you should watch it: “It’s a romantic comedy written from a guy’s perspective,” explains Flanagan. “The plot is a basic chick flick, but tailored to men.” So it’s a love story he’ll watch. Part of Swingers‘ appeal is its laughably wretched male leads. “Swingers shouldn’t be a good date movie,” points out Devore, “but it is. It proves that dogs are only dogs until they meet the right woman.” Vince Vaughn may remain a shallow womanizer, but Jon Favreau realizes he’s happiest with one woman by his side.

The payoff: If you’re a guy, this movie is a great way to introduce your girlfriend to your buds or the idea of meeting them—chances are none of them are as smarmy as Vince Vaughn. If you’re a girl who thinks guys have it cake-easy when it comes to dating, you’ll get a kick out of watching hapless cads trip up while trying to woo the “beautiful babies.”

The movie: The Princess Bride
The gist: A classic tale of an abducted maiden and her brave rescuer, complete with mythical beasts, undying love, and André the Giant.

Why you should watch it: “It’s a fairy tale,” explains Flanagan. “The Princess Bride proclaims the virtues of true love, while blending action and comedy into a movie that both guys and girls will enjoy.” Devore goes so far as to claim that, with its lack of mushiness and sap-filled sentiments, The Princess Bride is “the greatest guy-friendly romantic movie of all time.”

The payoff: The way guys love fights and explosions is the way girls love an unapologetic love story. This movie blends both into a captivating spectacle. (The only thing guys should worry about is looking miserable in comparison to suave, courageous Wesley and his tight black pants.)

The movie: Bull Durham
The gist: When a fading baseball star is demoted to the minors, he searches for a dignified end to his career and ends up falling for a free-spirited woman searching for more than a one-night stand.

Why you should watch it: “Guys love this movie because it’s a map for living the perfect guy life—find a way to play sports for a living and have a whip-smart, beer-drinking chick to watch your

Bull Durham is a classic romance disguised as a sports movie.

back,” says Devore. “You get the feeling that, after the film ends, Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon spend their lives together watching baseball, drinking beer, and having sex.” Bull Durham is a perfect date movie because “it’s a classic tale of romance disguised within one of the all-time great sports movies,” adds Flanagan.

The payoff: In addition to the pre-Waterworld, still-swoon-worthy, Kevin Costner, the ladies will appreciate Sarandon’s unabashedly sexy yet independent character. And, well, guys like that, too.

The movie: When Harry Met Sally
The gist: Through ups and downs, two very opposite friends (Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal) start to realize that their ideal matches may be — drum-roll, please! — each other.

Why you should watch it: It’s all about how friendship is the most important part of love, says Devore. But hearts and flowers aside, there is a scene that can be a bit too revealing for the average guy. “Fellas,” cautions Flanagan, “take note of how hard your girl laughs during the fake orgasm scene. She could be trying to tell you something.”

The payoff: If you’re just friends (but want to be more), watch this film together. Then, fill in Billy Crystal’s “I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out” speech with your own list of endearing quirks.

The movie: Psycho
The gist: Strange and terrifying events plague guests at the ominously secluded Bates Motel.

Why you should watch it: “Horror movies are always the best date movies,” says Devore. (Well, as long as the guy doesn’t screech like a girl.) The whole point of a “horror” film is for the girl to get scared and grab the guy’s arm so he can protect her.” Flanagan concurs. “Alfred Hitchcock was a master of creating legit suspense, which is an emotion that can quickly turn into a need for cuddling. That’s a good thing.”

The payoff: As the American Film Institute’s #1 most thrilling movie of all time, all you’ll need is a dark room and a blanket to find each other’s arms. Just make sure you’re a few dates into bonding with one another before you suggest this unnerving thriller (you know, so as not to come off as a sociopath).

The movie: Meet The Parents
The gist: An apprehensive nice guy meets his girlfriend’s parents—specifically her father, an ex-CIA operative, determined to crack anyone not good enough for his daughter.

Why you should watch it: “Meeting your partner’s parents is one of the most terrifying parts of a relationship,” says Devore. “But this film turns even the most embarrassing and horrible situations into comedy.” Besides, this flick is bound to be reassuring, because no father is as intimidating as DeNiro’s Jack Burns. “Your partner’s Dad might be tough, but he doesn’t have a lie-detector chamber in his basement,” points out Flanagan, “or hidden cameras stashed throughout the house.” Or does he?

The payoff: After watching Ben Stiller bumble through mishap after mishap under the scrutiny of a stone-faced DeNiro, your first meeting with the parents will seem like an open-book test.

The movie: Splash
The gist: A man (Tom Hanks) reunites with a beautiful mermaid (Daryl Hannah) who saved him from drowning thirty years earlier, and falls hard—not knowing what she really is.

Why you should watch it: It’s quite literally a “fish out of water” story. “Misfits in love always make for a good date movie,” says Devore. “The message is that true love will survive—no matter what.” This movie helps couples put minor differences in perspective, adds Flanagan: “Hey, at least she’s not a mermaid!”

The payoff: This film follows the recipe for romantic comedy (boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy and girl reunite, fall in love, and live happily ever after in an underwater kingdom). When it’s over, you and your partner will realize how lucky you are to have each other… and not have to sprout fins to be together.

The movie: Breakfast At Tiffany’s
The gist: In early 60s New York City, Holly Golightly (played by glamour icon Audrey Hepburn) enjoys the life of beautiful party girl, but slowly realizes that she might want something more.

Why you should watch it: It’s a real-world tale that still resonates today. “The main character is a hard-drinking, single woman who loves teasing men,” states Devore. “Every man she meets, she charms into falling in love with her… and then runs the other way.” You may even know a Holly or two… “When she does get her happy ending, it’s after a lot of crap, and it shows the reward of persistence when love is true,” Devore notes. “It’s a great date flick because it proves that even drunken, crazy non-conformists can find love, even if they have to be patient.”

The payoff: Got a girl who’s afraid of commitment? Expose her to Holly’s mega-flakiness (she wouldn’t even name her cat because it was too much of an obligation) and its resulting loneliness, and she might have a change of heart. Or, if you’re a girl with an overbearing beau, you’ll gain a perfect discussion-starter regarding his domineering demeanor.

The movie: Annie Hall
The gist: After breaking up with his girlfriend (Diane Keaton), a neurotic comedian (Woody Allen) rehashes their relationship, trying to make sense of why they’re no longer together.

Why you should watch it: Knowing from the get-go that Woody Allen doesn’t get the girl, why would you want to pick this movie on date night? “It’s a movie about the one that got away, and it’s also a movie that celebrates unconventional love and chemistry between two unique individuals,” explains Devore. (See the lobster scene.) “Everyone can relate to the feeling you get when you see Woody Allen trying to re-create the romance he shared with Annie Hall while on a date with another woman. I think every guy has a set of his dating ‘greatest hits’ and has tried to recreate them.”

The payoff: This one’s tricky, and should be reserved for only the strongest relationships. You’re definitely going to end up talking about past relationships once the credits roll. Even more scary: You’ll probably crave lobster, so budget accordingly!

Matt Christensen has written for Maxim and WWE Magazine. His favorite date movie is Street Fighter, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Yup, he’s very single.