What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than watching a classic rom-com or steamy drama with your significant other or closest friends?
From Pretty Woman to The Notebook, they are iconic films that will make you laugh, cry and feel all the feels.
Let’s be honest, most people want a love like the main characters – and many, more than would care to admit, have fanaticised about living out the scenes that make these movies so popular.
So for those with a theatrical flair, here are a few SA homes where you could recreate those memorable moments.
Get ready to realestate.com.au and chill!
The Notebook
Rachel McAdams as Allie and Ryan Gosling as Noah in 2004 film The Notebook.
Let’s start off with arguably the most recognisable romantic dramas of the modern era.
Most people know that lake scene in the The Notebook, even if they haven’t seen the 2004 movie – one second Noah and Allie are peacefully rowing along when it starts to pour with rain.
They quickly rush back to land and like the rain, emotions buried for years suddenly pour out before they embrace for a passionate kiss – the frozen shot is literally the movie’s promotional poster.
For those who daydream about recreating that heartfelt moment, a Yatala Vale property at 488-500 Yatala Vale Rd is the place to do it.
It has a lake that looks almost identical to the one in the movie, just smaller, and even has a jetty to moor a small boat.
The Yatala Vale home at 488-500 Yatala Vale Rd comes with a lake.
Love Actually
Love Actually wedding scene when Peter and Juliet get married. Picture: Peter Mountain. Copyright: 2003 Universal Studios.
With several scenes and one-liners that are regularly referenced more than two decades later, the 2003 Christmas film Love Actually is still wildly popular.
There are several famous moments in the film, some heartwarming and some heartbreaking.
One of the biggest celebrations of love is Peter and Juliet’s wedding – a surprise rendition of “All You Need is Love” plays after they’re declared husband and wife, bringing a smile to everyone’s face.
To replicate the touching scene, all you need is love, obviously, a singer with a heavenly voice, a choir and the converted church at 18 Victoria Rd, Clare.
Set them up on the mezzanine level while you and your significant other enjoy the private show from the ground floor by the fire.
18 Victoria Road, Clare
The Holiday
Cameron Diaz in The Holiday.
Another romantic viewing staple, The Holiday is jam-packed with sickly sweet moments in romantic locations.
One spot regularly featured in the 2006 film is a quaint English cottage, which is owned by Kate Winslet’s character Iris.
Cameron Diaz’s character Amanda stays at the home for a period where she meets and quickly falls in love with Iris’ brother Graham, played by Jude Law.
Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or exploring a new one, cozying up by the fire with a bottle of wine in this Burra cottage at 5 Penglawdd St is the closest you’ll get to recreating the movie moments without leaving the state.
Anyone But You
Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney star as Ben and Bea in Anyone But You. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.
A more modern rom-com, Anyone But You follows the classic enemies-to-lovers storyline.
Even if you didn’t dislike your lover before getting together, scenes from the 2023 film are some of the easiest to recreate because it was filmed in Australia.
The steamy and widely publicised moment between lead characters Bea and Ben on a boat as they try to convince their friends and family they like each other is a perfect example.
With some warm weather and firey attraction, the waterfront of a Hindmarsh Island property at 40 Edison St could easily set the scene for a similar moment.
Although, if you’re “hot-girl fit” like Ben, we don’t recommend swimming out too far …
The Hindmarsh Island property at 40 Edison St has waterfront access.
When Harry Met Sally
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally.
We all know the restaurant scene – say “I’ll have what she’s having” and most people will instantly understand.
For those who don’t, go watch the 1989 movie that’s considered a defining film of the romantic comedy genre because this is not the place to describe such a scene in detail.
If you’ve ever thought about testing whether you could get away with acting out the scene but worried you’d be kicked out of the establishment, why not buy the restaurant first?
There’s one at Munno Para, Lot 203/2 Curtis Rd, it’s home to a Nando’s.
The owners surely won’t be ejected for attempting the classic scene, if anything it might bring more people in wanting the same.
We suggest you warn patrons what you’re doing first though to give some people time to leave – it is a family restaurant, after all.
A Nando’s at 203/2 Curtis Rd, Munno Para, is for sale.
Romeo + Juliet
Leonardo DiCaprio at Romeo in Romeo + Juliet.
OK, so this one isn’t strictly a romantic comedy, but we felt it deserved a mention because, let’s face it, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is arguably the greatest love story ever told.
It’s just not strictly speaking a comedy. And that’s due in large part to all of the death and tragedy.
Anyway, buy this Port Lincoln place and you’ll be able to recreate director Baz Luhrmann’s iconic scene where the doomed lovers first meet, their eyes locking across an aquarium.
Admittedly, one of you will have to get into this one, but still. You get the point …
The Port Lincoln property at 16-18 North Point Ave has an epic aquarium.
American Beauty
Kevin Spacey with Mena Suvari in American Beauty.
Again, not strictly a romantic comedy, but Valentine’s Day is the time for red roses and this scene’s got a bunch of them (if you’ll pardon the pun)
Sometimes love is forbidden, so while we don’t necessarily recommend you recreating the scene in which Kevin Spacey attempts to seduce his daughter’s friend, there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from treating your loved one to a bath full of rose petals.
And when it comes to baths, we don’t know of one any cooler than this one at 26 Caloroga Street, Wattle Park.
Plus its see-through nature allows you to be able to gaze upon your loved one in all their glory.
The Wattle Park home at 26 Caloroga St has a cool bath.
– with Tom Bowden
English (US) · 