(Credit: Netflix)

When it comes to picking movies for a “Netflix and Chill” night, it’s not a mere task. It’s an art to pick the right one for a night in. It can’t be too heavy, or you’ll spend the evening debating life choices, and it can’t be too boring either, because then you’re scrolling your phone before the first act is over.

What you want is a story that takes you in, characters you want to root for, and just enough romance to set the mood. Luckily for you, Netflix is loaded with choices, but not all of them hit that sweet spot. The perfect “Netflix and Chill” movie has to balance comfort with some thought. Something you can sink into but also enjoy with company.

From friends-to-lovers twists to grand romantic gestures, these movies offer the kind of escape you need on a night that calls for warmth and ease. They’re not about complicated plotting or edge-of-your-seat thrills. They are about people, feelings, and those little turns in love that feel both cinematic and surprisingly relatable.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect lineup to keep the evening smooth, here are five Netflix films that deliver just the right mix of romance and mood.

Five perfect ‘Netflix and Chill’ movies:

About Time (Richard Curtis, 2013)

If someone ever tells you that the perfect movie doesn’t exist, you tell them about About Time. This masterpiece takes the rom-com formula and presents it with a touch of magic. Tim Lake, played by Domhnall Gleeson, discovers on his 21st birthday that the men in his family can travel through time. But our hopeless romantic hero doesn’t use it to become rich or powerful… he uses it to find love.

That love comes in the form of Mary (Rachel McAdams), and their relationship happens across first meetings, awkward dates, and all the everyday happenings of trying to build a life together. What makes the film perfect for a chill night is how grounded it feels despite the time-travel hook. It is warm, funny, and deeply human. The story isn’t about big sci-fi questions but about how we spend our days with the people we love. But the most important part is the end, where you’ll get a message that’ll stick with you forever.

Love, Rosie (Christian Ditter, 2014)

The film starts with Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Claflin), who have been best friends since childhood, but timing never seems to be on their side. Just when one of them is ready to confess, life throws a curveball. Let’s see, you have a surprise pregnancy, a job, and a move across the ocean. The story stretches across years, showing how love can be both persistent and endlessly complicated.

What makes Love, Rosie such a good pick is that it captures the bittersweet side of romance without losing its charm. It’s funny and occasionally breaks your heart, but it’s always hopeful. For a cosy night in, it is a story that’ll have you rooting for Rosie and Alex while nudging your own plus-one and saying, “See? Timing really is everything.”

Palm Springs (Max Barbakow, 2020)

Once you watch this film, you will realise how little it has been spoken about despite its brilliant storyline, cast and humour. Detective Jake Peralta and The Mother, sorry, we mean Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, meet at a wedding in the desert, only to discover they are both stuck in a time loop. They are reliving the same day over and over again. What starts as a nightmare slowly turns into something tender, as the two learn how to make peace with repetition… and with each other.

The film is sharp and funny while being unexpectedly romantic. It takes the well-worn time-loop premise and turns it into a love story about choice, fate, and second chances. For a Netflix and chill night, Palm Springs is perfect with a capital P.

Friends with Benefits (Will Gluck, 2011)

Just like the title, the film is pure fun. From the director of Anyone But You, this film starts with Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Mila Kunis) thinking they have cracked the code to modern dating. All they have to do is skip the emotions and keep the fun. What starts as a no-strings-attached arrangement between two friends quickly turns into something much more complicated. They say you fall in love the most when you are not supposed to, and this film proves that point.

Oh, and have we alerted you to how sexy it is? But it’s surprisingly sweet by the time the credits roll. Friends with Benefits might not reinvent the wheel, but it nails the mood. It is light-hearted enough for casual viewing, with just enough spark to set the tone for a cosy night in.

Set It Up (Claire Scanlon, 2018)

If you haven’t come across this title yet, then you are missing out on a lot. It’s high time you dive into the lives of Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell), who are two overworked assistants in New York. Tired of their bosses, they hatch a plan: if they set their demanding bosses up with each other, maybe they will finally get some free time. Their scheme quickly turns into hilarious mishaps, unexpected connections, and, of course, the two of them realising that maybe they have been setting up the wrong couple all along.

Set It Up is witty and endlessly rewatchable. The story is pure rom-com gold, filled with the kind of meet-cutes and witty dialogue that make you grin. You can say it’s the perfect mix of an old-school romance mix with modern-day shenanigans. It’s the easiest movie to throw on when you want a Netflix and chill night with mix of laughs and feel-good vibes.