Look, Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone. Some people are deeply in love, basking in the glow of overpriced roses and heart-shaped dinners. Others are aggressively single and pretending to be above it all. And then there’s the rest of us—just trying to survive February with some quality television.
Whether you’re celebrating with a significant other, a group of friends or a very persistent DoorDash driver, these 14 Valentine’s Day TV episodes are the perfect way to embrace (or mock) the holiday. Some are romantic, some are chaotic and all of them remind us why love—whether it’s romantic, platonic or completely disastrous—is always good entertainment.
1. The Office (Season 2, Episode 16) – “Valentine’s Day”
Michael heads to New York City for a corporate meeting, and back in Scranton, everyone is trying to navigate the mess that is workplace romance. Phyllis gets showered with gifts and Pam gets nothing (classic Roy) all while Michael—well, Michael makes a complete fool of himself. It’s a classic Office blend of cringe and heart, proving that sometimes the best love stories happen in fluorescent-lit break rooms.
2. That ’70s Show (Season 1, Episode 16) – “First Date”
Eric finally takes Donna on a real date, and it goes about as smoothly as you’d expect from two awkward teenagers in the ‘70s. Meanwhile, Hyde is busy catching feelings for Donna, setting up a love triangle that makes things even messier. It’s peak That ’70s Show: full of cringe, bad advice and one-liners that still hold up decades later.
3. New Girl (Season 6, Episode 16) – “Operation: Bobcat”
Jess is determined to make her first Valentine’s Day with Robby special, only to realize (far too late) that they might just be really, really good friends. Meanwhile, Nick plans a surprise for Reagan that is about as smooth as you’d expect from Nick Miller. The whole thing is sweet, chaotic and full of loft shenanigans (aka everything that makes New Girl great).
4. Friends (Season 6, Episode 17) – “The One with Unagi”
This technically isn’t a Valentine’s Day episode, but here us out: it is a lesson in love, self-awareness and the importance of always watching your back. Ross tries to teach Rachel and Phoebe about “Unagi,” a state of total awareness that absolutely no one takes seriously. Meanwhile, Chandler and Monica’s homemade Valentine’s Day gifts go wildly off course. It’s ridiculous, it’s romantic, it’s peak Friends chaos.
5. Arrested Development (Season 1, Episode 12) – “Marta Complex”
Michael is deep in his very inconvenient crush on Marta, GOB’s girlfriend, while the rest of the Bluth family is busy being their usual dysfunctional selves. What happens next is a Valentine’s Day full of mistaken identities, wildly inappropriate family dynamics and some of the best deadpan humor the show ever delivered.
6. How I Met Your Mother (Season 6, Episode 16) – “Desperation Day”
Barney declares February 13th “Desperation Day,” the last-ditch effort for singles to find a date before Valentine’s. Meanwhile, Marshall, still reeling from Lily being away, learns that sometimes love looks like eating pizza alone in your pajamas. It’s classic HIMYM: equal parts ridiculous, sweet and filled with life lessons you probably shouldn’t take seriously.
7. The Office (Season 7, Episode 16) – “PDA”
Michael and Holly have reached a new stage in their relationship: absolute, unfiltered, unbearable PDA. As the rest of the office suffers through their overly affectionate antics, Jim and Pam rediscover their spark in a way that reminds us why they were TV’s favorite couple for a solid decade.
8. Modern Family (Season 1, Episode 15) – “My Funky Valentine”
Phil and Claire decide to spice things up with a hotel rendezvous that quickly goes off the rails, because of course it does. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria attempt a romantic night out and Cameron and Mitchell face their own Valentine’s Day disasters. It’s an episode that proves romance is never smooth, but it is hilarious.
9. Parks and Recreation (Season 2, Episode 16) – “Galentine’s Day”
Leslie Knope invented Galentine’s Day, and for that, we are forever grateful. She gathers her closest friends for waffles and women’s empowerment, proving that February 13th is the true superior holiday. Meanwhile, she tries to set her mom up with an old flame, leading to some peak Parks and Rec awkwardness. It’s a love letter to friendship, and honestly, what more do you need?
10. Friends (Season 1, Episode 14) – “The One with the Candy Hearts”
Ross accidentally ends up on a Valentine’s date with his ex-wife, because of course he does. Meanwhile, Joey tries to help Chandler find love, but it somehow leads him straight back to Janice. This episode is early Friends at its best—romantic disasters, last-minute revelations and a reminder that the best Valentine’s Day plans never go as expected.
11. New Girl (Season 1, Episode 13) – “Valentine’s Day”
Jess is newly single and determined to have a one-night stand. The problem? She’s Jess, and casual flings are not in her DNA. Meanwhile, Schmidt takes Cece out on a date that is equal parts smooth and deeply uncomfortable. It’s messy, funny and somehow still heartwarming.
12. Everybody Hates Chris (Season 1, Episode 14) – “Everybody Hates Valentine’s Day”
Chris thinks he’s got the perfect plan to impress his crush, but middle school romance is nothing if not humbling. What follows is a Valentine’s Day filled with heartbreak, humiliation and the kind of teenage awkwardness that is both hilarious and deeply relatable.
13. Community (Season 2, Episode 14) – “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons”
Not a Valentine’s episode, but stay with us—this one is all about love. When the study group realizes one of their classmates is struggling, they decide to play Dungeons & Dragons to lift his spirits. The result? One of the most brilliantly written, unexpectedly emotional and still laugh-out-loud funny episodes of the series. Love isn’t just about romance—it’s about friendship, too.
14. Abbott Elementary (Season 2, Episode 14) – “Valentine’s Day”
Valentine’s Day at Abbott Elementary means love is in the air, and it is uncomfortable. Gregory, still in denial about his feelings for Janine, receives an unexpected Valentine from a student. It’s awkward, endearing and full of the show’s signature humor that makes even the most cringeworthy romantic moments feel charming.
Whether you’re celebrating or just trying to get through the day, these episodes remind us that love—romantic, platonic and everything in between—is always complicated, usually messy and, at the very least, great TV. Happy watching.
