Movies

17 Great Bucket List Ideas From Romance Movies

17 Great Bucket List Ideas From Romance Movies

The world of romance can take us on an adventure and open our eyes to things we didn’t know we wanted. A few of your bucket list ideas may have come from watching romance movies, and you didn’t even realise it. Here are 17 activities that we want to do (or have done) because we saw them in a romance movie.

1. Art Exhibitionn

Bucket List Ideas The-photograph-2020-art-exhibition
The Photograph (2020)
Movies like The Photograph make attending a gallery and staring at artwork seem so cultured. As though the ability to talk about how an art piece makes you feel while referencing other pieces is the key to sophistication. The fact that art tends to be expensive does contribute to this impression. If you find yourself going to a galley, do some research beforehand, and you’ll come off just as cultivated as those in the movie. 

2. Baseball

Bucket List Ideas the-princess-diaries-baseball
The Princess Diaries (2001)

As a Brit, I only see anything baseball-related in movies, and there are two ways they make you want to play baseball. The first is as a form of revenge or to silent haters. In The Princess Diaries, Anna swings the bat and hits the guy who pranked her right in the balls – so satisfying. The second is to have the guy you like, stand behind you to teach you how to swing the bat and then surprise him with a home run. Technically, any sport with a bat will do, but baseball and golf seem like the most popular sports we see this action done.  

3. Boating

The Notebook (2004)

The scene in The Notebook where swans surrounded their boat looked so beautiful that it made us want to experience it. In reality, the thought of being surrounded by so many swans is terrifying, but a boat trip would be nice. It doesn’t even need to be a boat; a canoe, yacht, ferry, cruise ship, or anything that floats on the water will do. Safe Haven, What a Girl Wants, Fifty Shades Darker, and 365 Days are just a few movies that come to mind. 

4. Cinema

Grease-movie-drive-in-cinema
Grease (1978)

How often do romance movies show the guy fake yawning with arms stretched so he can rest his arm over the girl’s shoulders and kiss her? Too many to count. Movies such as Grease, The Wedding Planner, and Valentine’s Day convince us that we need to go to a drive-in and outdoor cinemas take a cinema; it takes the experience to a whole new level. 

5. Clubbing

save-the-last-dance
Save The Last Dance (2001)

In the words of 50 Cent, “You can find me in the club.” Movies like Save the Last Dance, Step Up, and Footloose will have you thinking you can put on your favourite outfit, go to your favourite club and do your favourite dance, which everyone in the club happens to know. Unless the song is Candy, Cha Cha Slide or Macarena, I would lower my expectations on that last part. 

6. Dancing

The Wedding Planner
The Wedding Planner (2001)

Whether you have natural rhythm or can’t do a simple two-step, romance movies like The Wedding Date, Shall We Dance and Hitch make us want to sign up to the nearest dance studio. Maybe you’ll learn the waltz, contemporary or hip-hop; either way, you’ll have something new to add to your hobbies. 

7. Funfair/Carnival

Mr and Mrs Smith
Mr and Mrs Smith (2005)

Is there a better place for a date than the funfair? Yes, but not according to the movies. You can follow Love, Simon and The Notebook‘s example and take a ride on the Ferris wheel, or you can be like Mr and Mrs Smith and test your skill at the shooting game. There are so many options at your fingertips. 

8. Gambling

Bucket List Ideas what happens in vegas
What Happens in Vegas (2008)

Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps, where anything is possible, or so the romance movies have us believe. In What Happens in Vegas, a gamble on the slot machine ended in love and a lifetime of marriage for two strangers. In Think Like a Man Too, when all hope is lost, Cedric wins big at the slot machine. So what’s the takeaway here? Hit the casino and gamble at the slot machine. The likelihood of winning the jackpot is slim, but you can at least enjoy the lively atmosphere.

9. Horseback Riding

The-Longest-Ride-Britt-Robertson-and-Scott-Eastwood

If you watch any Hallmark movie set in the country, there’s a good chance you’ll come across a scene where the couple goes horseback riding in an open field. Lessons may be an excellent way to start; otherwise, you may embarrassingly fall off the horse like in The Princess Switch and He’s All That. An evening carriage ride through the park on a clear night when it’s a full moon and the stars are shining will also do nicely.

10. Hot Air Balloon Ride

The Ugly Truth (2009)

If you can wake up early, a romantic hot air balloon is a dreamy way to spend the morning. Sure, you’ll be thousands of feet up in the air where a fall would mean certain death, but what are the chances? If you have unresolved issues with your partner, The Ugly Truth shows it’s an effective way to resolve the conflict since neither can escape. So pack the picnic basket and get ready for a peaceful journey across the sky. 

11. Karaoke

Bucket List Ideas 500 days of summer karaoke
500 Days of Summer (2009)

It’s hard to watch a karaoke scene in a romance movie when you don’t know whether it’s going to go well, especially if you suffer from second-hand embarrassment like myself. But the great thing about karaoke is that singing ability is irrelevant. You can smash it with great vocals, as we saw in 500 Days of Summer or with a terrible voice but conviction as in My Best Friend’s Wedding and P.S. I Love You (as long as you don’t fall off the stage). It takes courage, but the nerves are worth it for the feeling you get by the end. 

12. Motorcycle Riding

The-Kissing-Booth-motorcycle

A woman sitting behind a man on a motorcycle with her arms wrapped tight around his chest is common in action movies like Mission Impossible and James Bond. We also see it in romance movies like 10 Days to Lose a Man, Knight and Day and The Kissing Booth. As scary as it appears, it also looks thrilling, so maybe something to add to the bucket list. Just remember, safety first!

13. Paintballing

Failure-to-Launch-paintballing

Scenes involving paintballing are some of the most hilarious. Although it’s painful and will leave your body hurting for days, movies like This Means War show how it can reveal just how competitive your partner really is. It can also be a great distraction from sad news, as we saw in Failure to Launch. It’s time to release your inner beast and get your game face on, as paintballers take no prisoners.  

14. Pottery

ghost-patrick-swayze-pottery-scene
Ghost (1990)

Who would have thought making pottery could be romantic. If ever in doubt, watch Ghost and let Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore chase those doubts away. They made it seem as though the feel of clay between your hands while Unchained Melody plays in the background is the perfect combination to get your heart pumping. However, I wish Patrick never destroyed the pottery she was making because it looked rather impressive. Maybe you can recreate the moment in a pottery class when the instructor leaves the room. 

15. Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

Into-the-Blue-Scuba-Diving-Snorkelling
Into the Blue (2005)

If you can’t swim, you need to book some lessons because scuba diving and snorkelling are two activities we see in romance movies that you do not want to miss. Into the Blue and Fools’ Gold convince us that the clear blue sea and colourful marine wildlife make these experiences you will never forget. 

16. Shopping

Confessions-of-a-Shopaholic
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)

I’ve lost count of the number of shopping montages in romance movies; it’s as though a romance movie isn’t complete unless one is included. It’s always a fun day out with friends or a mother-daughter bonding session where they try an excessive number of outfits until they find the perfect one. It makes us wonder if they even look at the clothing before trying it because some are clearly terrible. Confessions of a Shopaholic took a new spin on shopping. We saw the downward spiral of overspending, a valuable warning to anyone with credit cards. But it also showed that within reason, it could be fun and give you something you love that you can keep forever (or until it breaks or goes out of fashion). 

17. Swimming

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996)

What do Romeo + Juliet, The Best of Me, and Everything Everything have in common? Swimming scenes. Whether at the beach, pool, or lake, being half-naked surrounded by water is great for creating intimacy. You’re likely no stranger to scenes where the couple splashes water at one another and chase each other on the white sandy beach. Whatever the scenario, romance movies never fail to make swimming look like a fun way to spend your day.  

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Hello! My name's Chantelle, and I'm a romance enthusiast and aspiring author. Welcome to Just a Little Romance.
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And that’s a wrap on 17 fun bucket list ideas from romance movies. Is there an activity missing that would be on your list? What movie made you want to do it? Let us know in the comments below, and if you liked this article, please follow the Facebook and Pinterest page.

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