Love at first swipe!

Then, of course, there’s the popular choice of watching a movie or TV show together. While most face-to-face dates are about getting to know someone, watching something allows you to bond in a different, deeper, way. All our experts agree that sharing this experience, even virtually, builds closeness and intimacy.

A study conducted by Hinge found that 61% of people plan to continue meeting virtually even when social distancing ends. Two-thirds of Hinge users said they’d felt a growing connection over video chat and a third said they’d enter into an exclusive relationship with someone they’ve only met over video chat. It would appear that virtual dates are here to stay, so you might as well make a good first (third, fifth or thirteenth) impression with a film or show choice that is bound to tick all the right boxes and stir up thoughtful conversation.

Find out what our experts, many of whom have been in high demand since lockdown began, recommend and why – and check out their tips so you don’t freeze, but rather aim to please, on your virtual date. Dress up, show up, and most importantly, drink up! 
 

What the experts say

You don’t want to just watch something together, you want to both be really thrilled by it and talk about it after. Great shows and movies leave you thinking. Seeing somebody cry over a film or a TV show is actually kind of cute. It’s about being vulnerable enough to show that side of yourself to another person.
 

1. When Harry Met Sally

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

I dare anyone on a date to sit through the orgasm scene in the café, because it will either make you both laugh or you’ll cringe and go, “What the hell are we doing?” It’s a really great love story, but it’s not your traditional love story, so it won’t bore you and it’s got that old school Meg Ryan feel.
 

2. Me Before You

Find it in Apps & Games > Prime Video

It’s a super sad film, so it’s not a first date film – this is a third date, maybe even a sixth date, kind of film. If you both want to feel the love a little bit, and it’s at the point where you’re comfortable with each other, go for this one. It will probably leave you in tears, but it’s also so romantic.
 

3. Killing Eve

Find series 1-3 in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer

It’s about murder and people dying and two women basically hunting each other across the world, but there’s also a weird romantic undertone between the two main characters. Going through the seasons together could be your thing. Maybe you do it every week – you’ve got plenty of time.
 

4. Avengers: Endgame

Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame + Digital Bonus, available to buy on the Virgin Media Store and rent on Virgin Movies. Cert 12

I actually watched this with a date. Any Marvel movie will do well, just because most people like them and there is something for everyone in that Universe. They’re action-packed and will make sure you stay awake. You could work your way through an entire series of them if you wanted to, like all the Spider-Man films.

5. Normal People

Find it in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer

Obviously people are loving Normal People. Again, hold off for somebody you know a bit better or that you’ve dated for a few weeks. It’s quite emotional and there’s a lot going on. It might make you think about your past and what you’ve done. It makes you reflect on your love life and that could be a good thing for you personally, but also for you going forward dating.
 

People don’t want casual hook-ups anymore because they can’t have them. They’re much more serious about long-term strategies now, which is what I teach. They’re not just swiping away at people, they’re giving them a proper chance. You don’t have to wait around to meet someone, you just go online, turn the camera on and speak to them, which is wonderful isn’t it?
 

6. The Cabin In The Woods

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

When you watch a scary movie, it releases the same chemical in the body as falling in love – dopamine – and what happens is your body reacts. Your heart rate and blood pressure increase, your skin flushes, your pupils dilate and you feel really good. If you watch a scary movie together, you’re gonna associate those feelings with falling in love.

In real life, if you watch a scary movie, you’re gonna hold onto your date, but you can’t do that, so the last thing you want to do is freak them out too much. The Cabin In The Woods is almost like a parody. It’s not so scary that it’s gonna give you nightmares, which is not what you want after a date.
 

7. First Dates

Find series 1-14 in Apps & Games > All 4

Watch other couples on their dates and you can also associate with them in the same situation, almost like it’s irony. You can compare and discuss how they’re getting on, how they mess things up or how they do well. People love to observe other people. I’ve run many speed dating events and one of the most fun things to do is to just observe other people doing it rather than do it yourself.
 

8. America’s Got Talent

Find seasons 14 & 15 in Apps & Games > Netflix

You can pretend you’re the judges and say, “I vote this person to the next round” or “I’m getting rid of them, I can X them.” You can even get a sound effect to do a little “X” noise. It’s really fun. I did it years ago with Eurovision.
 

9. Grease

It starts in a love story and it ends in a love story. Everyone’s seen it and because you know it so well, you can sing along to it together if you want to.
 

10. The Goop Lab With Gwyneth Paltrow

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

I watched a lot of it with my wife and she recommended it to me to recommend to you. The episodes are only half an hour and they do experiments, like trying magic mushrooms one week and seeing a psychic the next week. Because it’s so bizarre, you’ve got so much to talk about. This programme isn’t just to kill and fill time – you can react to it afterwards. 
 

Before you start watching, ask your date, “Are you someone who likes to talk during the movie or do you like to watch it in silence?” It shows that you’re taking consideration of their feelings and that makes them feel appreciated and seen. You don’t want to watch anything that’s too controversial, because you’re just getting to know each other. When you’re laughing together, it builds closeness and intimacy.
 

11. Spy

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

It stars Jude Law, Jason Statham and Melissa McCarthy. It has a female lead and a male lead, it’s comedic, but it’s still an action film as well, so it should cover all bases.
 

12. Dinner Date

Find series 1-10 in Apps & Games > ITV Hub

Just going to have food in someone’s house is helping these people decide whether or not they might want to see someone again. You can think about your own situation of having a virtual date, how it’s different, but how it can still lead to something long-term and serious. 
 

13. Ninja Warrior UK

Find series 5 in Apps & Games > ITV Hub

It’s literally just watching people either fall in the water or succeed. It’s relaxing and you’ll have a good time. You can both be cheering for the same person – or not!
 

14. Ocean’s Eleven

It’s got both female and male eye candy for those who are into that kind of thing, but it’s also a thriller. It’s all about the money, the glitz, the glamour. It highlights how you can think outside the box and still get a great outcome.
 

15. RuPaul’s Drag Race

Find seasons 1-12 in Apps & Games > Netflix 

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Even with the relationship being virtual, dig deeper than the surface, because you might actually realise that this is the start of something great.
 

People are biologically wired to date, so even in crisis times, like now, they’re not gonna stop dating. Now there’s even more necessity because many people are at home alone. I always recommend the Google Chrome plug-in Netflix Party, because that helps sync your Netflix viewing.

16. Now You See Me

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix 

It’s a heist in the form of a magic trick with a bigger story behind it. It’s actually mind-blowing, so afterwards, you’re going to be left with a “wow” effect.
 

17. Explained

Find seasons 1 & 2 in Apps & Games > Netflix 

The short, informative documentary-style episodes go into the details of things everyone has heard about, but might not necessarily know the history behind. The point here is to evoke discussion, not to just watch something and go, “That was nice,” and end the conversation there.

18. Our Planet

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

Besides the fact it’s narrated by the much-liked Sir David Attenborough, the picture quality is amazing. How they filmed it is outstanding and the beauty and the diversity of the planet will impress you. The episodes don’t need to be watched consecutively, so there’s no pressure of watching one after the other. You’re gonna start asking questions that might even lead to deep philosophical thought.
 

19. Hitch

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

Will Smith is Alex Hitchens, a professional date doctor who helps his clients impress the women of their dreams. You may or may not try to apply his method to your own partner or potential partner.
 

20. Love Actually

Love Actually is about the emotion that connects us all – love – and it has eight different love stories in two-and-a-half hours. It’s often recommended as an ideal date movie, whether that’s virtual or in person. It will make you laugh and will show you our imperfections as humans. Just like in life, not everyone ends up getting what they want.
 

I didn’t envisage this, but halfway through lockdown, I started getting lots more enquires about people wanting to date. I’ve actually taken on staff. We used to run about five singles social events a week, but with lockdown, we’ve created online events – speed dating nights, quiz nights, fitness nights – where people can still stay connected.

21. You’ve Got Mail

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

That’s how we’re starting off dating at the moment, with texts and emails. It’s not perfect, but it does allow you to expose yourself quicker emotionally, because in a face-to-face environment, you don’t want to open up too much. It’s a great build-up before you actually meet, creating this trepidation and building up trust. You can think about things that might be irritating in the long term or the nice things they do.
 

22. Just Friends

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

It raises the question: can men and women ever be just friends? It deals with communication problems, because with virtual dates or texting, the right thing doesn’t always come across.
 

23. Pretty Woman

On dating apps, when people type in what they’re looking for, it’s not always the person they end up with. Say you like tennis, swimming and walking, for example, and there might be someone on there who doesn’t necessarily have those same interests, but that you have the best connection with. With Pretty Woman, Edward and Vivian are from two completely different backgrounds, but they find love.
 

24. Romeo + Juliet

It’s such an old story, and it’s been construed in so many different formats over the years, but ultimately, it is a hugely romantic story. Letters To Juliet, The Notebook, Notting Hill, Amélie, Casablanca and Four Weddings And A Funeral are also all great classics.
 

25. Love Is Blind

Find it in Apps & Games > Netflix

You’re not physically meeting someone necessarily, you really don’t know who that person is – you’re going in blind. I’m creating an online version of Blind Date, which is very pertinent in the current environment.

How to watch Netflix with Virgin TV

If you have a TiVo^® box or Virgin TV V6 box, powered by TiVo^®:

Press home on your remote

Select Apps & Games

Select All Apps 

Select Netflix

If you’re already a Netflix subscriber, you can also access the app through Search & Discover or by pressing Red on channel 204. Just sign in with your existing login and start watching. And you’ll only have to log in the first time you use it. 

If you’re new to Netflix, then you’ll need to subscribe to use the app. The easiest way to do this is by going to netflix.com/virginmedia. You can also subscribe using the Netflix app in Apps & Games.

How to watch Amazon Prime Video with Virgin TV

Prime Video is available to all Virgin TV customers with a V6 box, powered by TiVo^®. Simply sign up to Amazon Prime Video via their website, and you can log in on the box. And because Prime Video is fully integrated into TiVo®, you can search without even going into the app. Just select Search & Discover from the Home menu and type in the name of the show or movie you’re after.

Stay connected

From handy show recommendations to little WiFi wins, we’re bringing together a few things to help make more time at home feel a bit easier.