Romantic Malaysian movies to watch
Ah, February – the month of love. If you find yourself searching for sappy, sweet romantic movies to binge on, you may either be getting ready to cosy up to a love story with your boo or looking forward to cursing at the happy couple on your screen. Either way, a heart-fluttering romance film is always a good idea no matter your status.
While we do love the Hollywood staples – think Pretty Woman, You’ve Got Mail, and 10 Things I Hate About You – Malaysia also has its own selection of homegrown romantic movies that’ll get you feeling all tingly and warm. So, skip that overpriced dinner and pick a movie to stream from this list of 8 romantic Malaysian movies – your heart will be bursting with love when the credits roll.
1. Sepet (2005) – two teenagers fall in love despite their differences
Image credit: IMDb
Directed by the beloved late Yasmin Ahmad, Sepet – which is Malay for ‘slit eyes’ – is a classic gem of a teenage romantic comedy, and a Malaysian-favourite.
Set in Ipoh, the movie tells of a Romeo-and-Juliet-esque love story between a typical neighbourhood samseng Jason, and a well-educated Malay school girl, Orked. Upon locking eyes for the first time when Orked was buying films from Jason’s VCD stall, the two fell in love despite their racial and cultural differences.
Image credit: Mashable SEA
The movie is much more than a simple love story among star-crossed lovers. It portrays a painfully realistic outlook on the conflicting cultures and ethnicity issues in Malaysia extremely well. Overall, the endearing and genuine love story between the two young lovers and the tender tone of the film will take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions.
Video credit: Singapore International Film Festival
2. Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004) – epic love story between a princess and a legendary warrior
Image credit: Astro Awani
Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like a yearning love story. One of the greatest Malay love stories ever told, Puteri Gunung Ledang explores the forbidden love between the princess of Majapahit, Gusti Puteri, and a legendary warrior from Melaka, Hang Tuah. romantic Malaysian movies
Starring the beautiful Tiara Jacquelina and M.Nasir as the leads, the film follows the folklore of the princess that Malaysians grew up reading portrayed on a grand scale. The period film is beautifully narrated against a handsome backdrop of the 16th century Malaccan empire, complete with a visual treat of cinematography and poised acting by the cast.
Image credit: Astro Awani
Above all that, the movie is simply a magical one, and a tragic love story at its core. If you have watched Titanic more than enough times already, pick this one up and be swept off your feet by an epic love story.
Video credit: Netflix Asia
3. The Garden of Evening Mists (2019) – a mellow historical romance film
Image credit: IMDb
Based on the award-winning novel by Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng, The Garden of Evening Mists is a good romance movie to stream if you’re looking for one to trigger the waterworks.
The historical film stars Sylvia Chang as Teoh Yun Ling, a War Crimes Tribunal researcher and judge who is haunted by the death of her sister and wartime violence. Years later, she travels to Cameron Highlands, where she meets a Japanese Imperial gardener Nakamura Arimoto, played by Hiroshi Abe, and falls in love with him.
Image credit: The Sun Daily
This heartbreaking romance movie also contains the tragic stories of lives and loved ones lost during the difficult history of World War II when the Japanese occupied then-Malaya. It also touches on post-war repercussions and trauma suffered by the victims.
Slow, subtle and heartfelt – this movie will take you on a meaningful and healing journey of love, with its tale as mesmerising as the visuals of the film.
Video credit: Astro Shaw
4. Mukhsin (2006) – endearing tale of childhood sweethearts
Image credit: Wikipedia
Love at any age is beautiful, but there’s something a little more special and magical about your first love. Mukhsin is a bittersweet movie about the growing friendship and budding love story between a 10-year-old girl, Orked, and a 12-year-old boy, Mukhsin.
Another gem by the late Yasmin Ahmad, this film depicts a personal story from the director and screenwriter herself, with subtle messages about Malaysian society scattered throughout the movie.
Image credit: Goggler
Mukhsin is the third instalment of the “Orked Trilogy”, a prequel to Yasmin Ahmad’s other films, Sepet and Gubra. Threaded with gentle humour and the naivety of young love, this film is the perfect light-hearted movie to watch with your beau or your pals.
Video credit: Disney Hotstar
5. Ice Kacang Puppy Love (2010) – small town romance
Image credit: IMDb
Bring back those wonderful feelings experienced during the days of young romance with Ice Kacang Puppy Love, a charming and sweet movie about love and friendship.
Set in the 1980s in a small Perak town, the story revolves around a reserved and timid lad called Botak who works at his father’s coffee shop. He harbours a long-time crush on a feisty girl nicknamed Fighting Fish, who is the daughter of a char kuey teow seller.
An endearing coming-of-age love story that also touches on family conflicts, dreams and growth, the movie is truly a package of comfort. Get ready to swoon even more – Ice Kacang Puppy Love is actually based on the childhood experience of the director and lead actor of the movie, Ah Niu, and is a love letter to his long-time childhood crush.
Video credit: dimsum entertainment
6. Cun! (2011) – city girl falls in love with a country boy
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Starring Maya Karin and Remy Ishak, Cun! Is the perfect movie to tune into to brighten up your V-day with some laughs.
The protagonist, Luna, is a popular reality TV host who runs away to a rural village in Kedah after finding out that her boyfriend is cheating on her. There, she meets Atan, a kind villager. Slowly, Luna finds herself falling for not just the serene village lifestyle, but also for Atan as well, in classic Hallmark fashion of the big-city girl falling in love with the small-town hunk.
Video credit: Astro Shaw
7. Venpa (2019) – love triangles galore
Image credit: Wikipedia
If you’re a sucker for the typical rom-com with tons of love triangles, you’ll find yourself revelling in the refreshing romance in Venpa.
With a talented cast consisting of Yuvaraj Krishnasamy, Agalyah Maniam, and Santeinii Chandrabos, the movie centres around Thenavan who meets a sweet girl named Sheila. She is head over heels for Thenavan, who is still in love with a girl from his past, Kalyani.
Image credit: Amazon
The storyline may be a simple one but the execution of the film is great, with an ideal blend of love, humour and sentiments. The delightful soundtrack, coupled with the flawless on screen chemistry of the leads, makes the film a perfect, feel-good Valentine’s Day treat.
Video credit: Vadai Entertainment
8. Autumn in Wales (2022) – chick-flick in England fall
Image credit: IMDb
Quirky, predictable, and Emily-In-Paris fun – Autumn In Wales is a local rom-com flick that’s reminiscent of the early-2000s Hollywood chick flicks where the klutzy female lead trope was vast and accidental love was the perfect love line.
The bubbly Aira, played by Eyka Farhana, decides to head to Wales to surprise her fiance Darwish, played by Keith Foo, after he broke off their engagement without a reason. She arrives in Wales only to find that Darwish has fallen in love with the elegant and gorgeous Marissa, who is played by Wanna Ali.
Image credit: Gempak
Aira teams up with a cafe worker Jaka, played by Jaa Suzuran, to win her ex-fiance back – but both find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other in the process.
Video credit: Astro Shaw
Romantic Malaysian movies for Valentine’s Day
Whether you want an epic love story, a huge tearjerker, or a sappy rom-com, there are many movies that celebrate love in all forms. So, no matter what your love life looks like, bookmark this list for some staple romantic Malaysian movies to stream that’ll evoke the feelings of love in you.
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