In the mood for love? 12 Wilmington-made movies to watch on Valentine's Day

Whether you're in a relationship or maybe just want to be in one, Valentine's Day is a big day for watching movies.

More:4 ideas for celebrating Galentine’s Day with your gal pals in the Wilmington area

If you're all about keeping your movie-watching local this year, here's a list of 12 films made in the Wilmington area, all of which explore love and romance of various types. With old-fashioned romantic comedies, romantic thrillers and more, there should be something here for everyone.

'Remember Yesterday'

A love story that's also a love letter to Wilmington, this independent romantic drama written and directed by J.R. Rodriguez features an all-local cast and crew and a raft of Wilmington locations (Lula's pub, the Community Arts Center, Castle Street, the old Luna Cafe, and many, more). It's also the newest film on this list, and will be released Feb. 14 for streaming on Video on Demand.

Adrian Monte and Jana Allen star as Jenny and John, whose long-dormant romance is rekindled after a decade when John returns to their old hometown, where Jenny's running a diner, semi-supporting her affably drunken brother (Rick Forrester) and dealing with a cheating husband (Ron Fallica), to work on a movie.

It's short (77 minutes) and sweet and quite endearing, and Rodriguez gets wonderful performances out of Monte and Allen, with plenty of fun moments from the rest of the cast, most of whom have spent lots of time on the Wilmington boards doing theater over the years.

"We did it on a shoestring budget and on a hope and a prayer," Rodriguez said.

Shooting started in 2017, and "It would've been easy to say, 'We tried,' and walk away," Rodriguez said. "But I didn't want to quit," and neither did a dedicated cast and crew that included producer Jon Landau ("The Devil's Stomping Ground") and editor Ryan Risley.

"We've got something really special," Rodriguez said, "and we want the whole world to see it."

'Along for the Ride'

You can catch this sweet, 2022 teen romance and family drama, which is also a visual showcase for Carolina and Kure beaches, on Netflix. It's about introverted high school graduate Auden (Emma Pasarow), who moves to the beach town of Colby for the summer before college, both to escape her domineering college professor mother (Andie MacDowell) and to bond with her self-absorbed author father (Dermot Mulroney). It's not long, however, before romance rears its complicated head, when Auden meets a mysterious, bike-riding local named Eli (Belmont Cameli).

A closer look:Carolina, Kure Beach make for romantic setting in Netflix's scenic 'Along for the Ride'

'A Walk to Remember'

This 2002 adaptation of the novel by Nicholas Sparks is for traditional romance fans. When the town bad boy (Shane West) gets into trouble with the law, for some reason his punishment is being forced to participate in the big high school play. There, he meets Jamie (Mandy Moore), and (a little Psychology 101 here) the "Moore" her parents want to keep them apart, the "Moore" intense their attraction. Lots of area locations in this one, including New Hanover High School and the North Front Theatre (formerly City Stage).

More Wilmington film & TV industry:WilmOnFilm Flashback: 'A Walk to Remember'

'The Longest Ride'

If you like your movie romances with a Western flair and based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, this 2015 film stars Scott Eastwood (son of Clint) as a professional bull rider who falls for an art student (Britt Robertson of TV's "Under the Dome"). It can't be that simple, though, because wouldn't you know it, while rescuing an old man (Alan Alda) from a car accident, this modern-day love story becomes entangled, dare I say star-crossed, with one from long ago. Look for shots of the beaches and Orange Street downtown.

'Safe Haven'

This Southport-shot movie based on yet another Nicholas Sparks novel celebrates the 10th anniversary of its release this year. Julianne Hough plays a woman fleeing her old life as the abused wife of a police detective. Naturally, in the Southern town where she goes to find refuge, she meets a hunky widower (Josh Duhamel) nursing some wounds of his own. This romance comes with a frisson of danger, however, when the abusive ex makes a "Sleeping with the Enemy"-style return.

More on Wilmington film:WilmOnFilm Flashback: ’Safe Haven’

'Nights in Rodanthe'

A Nicholas Sparks, made-in-the-Wilmington-area quadruple feature? Are you insane? I'd advise against it, but if the flames of your love for Sparks are that strong, go ahead and complete the binge with this 2008 weeper. Technically, a lot of "Rodanthe" was shot on the Outer Banks, but the rest of it was made in Wilmington. Richard Gere plays a man attempting a reconnection with his estranged son when he stumbles into the life of an unhappily married woman played by Diane Lane. As we all know, as soon as Richard Gere takes an interest in your wife it's pretty much over for you, happily married or not, but, spoiler alert, this one takes a bit of a tragic turn some might not expect.

'Stuck in Love'

This smart and witty romantic comedy from 2013 has a solid cast, with Greg Kinnear playing a novelist whose wife (Jennifer Connelly) has left him for a younger man. Meanwhile, the novelist's daughter (Lily Collins) and son (Nat Wolff) have romantic problems of their own. A compelling story with shots of local beaches, the Cotton Exchange, the Forest Hills neighborhood and more.

'Date with an Angel'

Wilmington's answer to "Splash," this goofy romantic comedy from 1987 is about a poor schlub (Michael E. Knight) engaged to a spoiled brat (Phoebe Cates). Said schlub then wakes up from his bachelor party to find an angel (Emmanuelle Béart) in his bed. You know, from heaven, with wings and everything. Absolutely panned by Roger Ebert ("This movie should be shot"), "Date with an Angel" goes down best if you're in a forgiving mood and/or an aficionado of totally '80s schlock.

'To Gillian, on her 37th Birthday'

In this 1996 movie, Peter Gallagher plays a man mourning the death of his wife, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, whose spirit he regularly communes with. Trouble is, he's got a living daughter (played by Claire Danes) who needs his attention, if only he could stop talking (and taking long, nighttime ocean swims) with the ghost of his wife. Lots of shots of area beaches here, along with a warm and fuzzy story line and moments of unexpected humor.

'Quarantine Relationship'

Inspired by the pandemic lockdown, this 2020 romantic thriller from Wilmington filmmaker Nakia Hamilton centers on an undercover detective pretending to be in a relationship with a woman he's investigating. With some intense moments, this one turns the idea of a traditional romance film on its head.

'Blue Velvet'

OK, bear with me here. Writer/director David Lynch's mysterious, 1986 Wilmington-shot noir isn't usually considered a movie about love. But if you like your love stories more than a little dark and twisted, well, "Blue Velvet" might fit the bill. There's the puppy love romance of Jeffrey (Kyle MacLachlan) and Sandy (Laura Dern), as well as the demented sexual attraction between Jeffrey and abused lounge singer Dorothy (Isabella Rossellini). Underworld lowlife Frank (Dennis Hopper) even loves Dorothy in his own damaged way.

'One True Loves'

So, this one's not out yet, but when it is released, it could be one for the (Wilmington romance movie) books. Based on the best-selling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, “One True Loves” is about a woman (played by Grammy-winning, Tony-nominated actress Phillipa Soo of "Hamilton") whose husband (Luke Bracey of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation") mysteriously disappears and is given up for dead — but then mysteriously reappears years later after she's involved with another man.

More:Meet the Wilmington bar whose karaoke party inspired a 'Saturday Night Live' sketch

The new "Love" is played by Simu Liu, best known for his star turn in Marvel superhero film "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 12 movies made in Wilmington NC to watch for Valentine's Day