Add These Enemies-to-Lovers Movies to Your Valentine’s Watchlist

Why be a hater when you can be a lover instead, as seen through these movies that capture the magical feeling.

By Rafael Bautista February 06, 2026

Most would assume that the love of your life is someone you click with from the very beginning. But sometimes, that special someone is the person you least expect. That’s the energy that an enemies-to-lovers storyline captures. As cliché as the trope is, you can’t deny that the animosity of miscommunication and misjudgment turning into understanding, passion, and romance can be fun to watch. From the witty banter, biting comebacks, heart-tingling chemistry, and more, the trope gets the job done in the realm of romantic comedies. Don’t judge a book by its cover, after all. Below, see the films that understand what a good enemies-to-lovers plot is.

A Sapphic Edit: WLW Films and Shows to Watch This Love Month

How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days – Ulterior Motives Make Way for Real Love

This classic Y2K rom-com starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey centers on Andie, a magazine writer who starts dating Ben, an advertising executive. But what they don’t know is that they’re in the relationship for different reasons. For Andie, it’s a piece on how to lose a guy in ten days, while for Ben, it’s to make a woman fall in love with him in ten days to win an advertising contract. Their hidden agendas and quiet disdain for another another soon make way for the real deal, which is made more effective thanks to the solid chemistry between the two lead stars.

10 Things I Hate About You – The OG Good Girl and Bad Boy Couple

Who knew a modern teen-focused adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew would be so good? Cameron James wants to date the popular Bianca Stratford. But for that to happen, he needs her elder sister, the anti-social Kat Stratford, to start dating, too, so as to appease their father. So, Cameron pays the mysterious bad boy, Patrick Verona, to take Kat out.

Patrick and Kat couldn’t be more different, and things start off shaky between the two. But over time, as Patrick slowly realizes that he’s in love with Kat, their dislike of each other turns into something sweet. Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger make for a great pair in the film, with the latter in particular giving one of his best and most charming performances of his career.

Red, White & Royal Blue – You Could Say They Have a… Heated Rivalry

On paper, Alex and Prince Henry couldn’t be any more different. The former is the outgoing son of the American president, while the latter is the uptight British prince. Their opposite personalities spark a feud between the two, but when they cause an international incident, they are forced to hold a staged truce that, despite the odds, turns romantic. With tension turning to openness between the two main characters, this adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name delivers with its steamy romance and strong chemistry between stars Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine.

Pride and Prejudice – For the Jane Austin Girlies

This fan-favorite Jane Austin adaptation of her classic enemies-to-lovers novel tells the story of Elizabeth Bennett, a country gentleman’s daughter, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. The two do not like each other, but over time, as their walls begin to break, their animosity towards one another gives way to romantic feelings. Despite the many retellings of the novel, the 2005 movie adaptation remains a must-watch as it captures the book’s spirit and the essence of what a satisfying enemies-to-lovers story should be.

She’s Dating the Gangster – Romance Decades in the Making

Moving between two time periods, this KathNiel classic stars Kathryn Bernardo as Kelay and Daniel Padilla as Kenneth. The two discover the past love story between Kenneth’s father, Kenji (also Daniel, played by Richard Gomez as an adult), the gangster, and Kelay’s aunt, Athena (also Kathryn, played by Dawn Zulueta as an adult). The animosity and eventual connection between Kenji and Athena is what helps sell the movie’s enemies-to-lovers storyline. Also, you really can’t go wrong with a bad boy and good girl rom-com pairing.

The Princess Diaries 2 – Finding Love in 30 Days

Most may remember The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement for its epic sleepover scene at the palace. But the movie also features an enemies-to-lovers arc. Princess Mia, now settled as the Princess of Genovia, learns that in order for her to assume the throne, she needs to be married. In comes Lord Nicholas Deveraux as he and Mia begin a cute love-to-hate relationship.

Anyone But You – A Fake Romance in Australia

Mixing elements from enemies-to-lovers and fake dating tropes, this rom-com stars Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney as Ben and Bea, respectively. At first, they hit it off. But their spark quickly turns cold, and they end the relationship on bad terms. Things become complicated when the two reunite for a wedding in Australia, and making matters worse, their ex-partners are also there. Ben and Bea then devise a plan to pretend to be a couple for the wedding.

Light-hearted, funny, and heartfelt, Anyone But You came out at a time to remind audiences that modern rom-coms can still deliver as the bickering and chemistry between the two leads keep things entertaining. And bonus points for the movie’s memorable use of Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten.

Diary Ng Panget – A Wattpad Classic

A modern pioneer of the Wattpad-book-turned-movie genre, the film that introduced the world to the JaDine ship stars Nadine Lustre and James Reid as Eya and Cross, respectively. Eya is hired as the personal maid of the self-centered Cross, and the two do not like each other as Cross actively bullies Eya. But as they say, opposites attract, and Eya and Cross realize that they may be right for each other after all. Seeing Eya and Cross go from enemies to friends to more than that checks many Filipino rom-com boxes, and that includes having an iconic soundtrack.

A Walk to Remember – Get Ready To Feel and Cry

Now, if we’re talking about a rebel bad boy hooking up with a shy girl, A Walk to Remember should be in that conversation. This Nicholas Sparks adaptation centers on Landon and Jamie, two teenagers who form an unlikely relationship despite their differences. Equal parts tender and heartbreaking, A Walk to Remember teaches us the power of growth and understanding when it comes to love.

Me Before You – Finding Love in Unexpected Places

Prepare to have your heart beat with excitement and break with sadness in this movie about Louisa, a young woman who becomes the caregiver to the quadriplegic Will. Louisa and Will’s relationship is strained at first, but over time, as the two get to know more about each other, they form a bond that transcends Will’s disability.

Rafael Bautista

Senior Pop Culture Writer

Rafael Bautista is the Senior Pop Culture Writer of MEGA Asia, with a focus on producing articles and features about local and international entertainment, popular culture, and lifestyle.

Before this role, he spent five years in the youth-oriented magazine NYLON Manila, where he served multiple positions, including Deputy Editor, and created stories, profiles, and content on digital and print geared towards a Gen Z audience. In 2025, he was awarded Jr. Deputy Editor of the Year.

With years of experience in digital media, Rafael has an interest and passion for writing about movies, shows, pop culture, and entertainment, with a particular emphasis on titles, trends, and personalities who are making waves in modern culture or are on the cusp of becoming the next big thing people will talk about.

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