Samuel L. Jackson

Avengers: Age of Ultron isn’t just this weekend’s splashiest movie; it’s expected to be one of the biggest spring/summer blockbusters of all time. But don’t let the studio’s high hopes overshadow these worthy alternatives, both in theaters and in your living room.

Pick your Valentine’s Day poison: An edgy tale of sexual domination, a warm and fuzzy rom-com with the ever-charming Hugh Grant, or an explosion-packed secret-agent spectacle. Choose wisely; the ultimate outcome of your romantic dinner-and-a-movie date depends upon it.