Propose Day 2024 – Top 5 Hollywood movie proposals ranked

February 8 marks Propose Day on today’s capitalistic calendar, which banks on celebrating every day as an occasion. However, unlike other marketing gimmicky days, like World Nutella Day, which was on February 5, Propose Day has a nostalgic grip on our adolescent and teenage days.

Back then, Propose Day meant gathering courage since New Year to ask out your crush via a chit or a brave face-to-face encounter. Invoking those nostalgic moments, here are the top five Hollywood film proposals that remain iconic, irrespective of the film’s popularity or plot, ranked from least to most memorable.

Made of Honor (2008)

Made of Honor sees Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan in the lead roles of Tom and Hannah, college best friends who share an unacknowledged chemistry since their ‘getting into the wrong bed’ first-time encounter.

But it takes Hannah’s engagement with a different man and himself being labelled her ‘made of honour' to make Tom realise his love for her and make one of the most iconic rom-com entries. Flying off a horse, right into the church, just when the officiator asks about any objections.

His heartwarming acceptance of his follies, simple declaration of love and prolonged, passionate kiss, amidst all the tough, Scottish men and jilted grooms cracking their knuckles, easily go down as one of the most amusing.

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Streaming on Netflix and Prime Video.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as the memorable Harry and Sally, the film traces their chance encounters with one another, at odds, sometimes in sync, over a period of 12 years and 3 months. Back then, the film explored the notion of whether men and women can be friends in a traditional manner and ended with the leading pair getting together.

The reality is quite different, especially today, but the film’s epic love proposal on New Year's Eve remains memorable for its iconic dialogue. When Sally tries to leave, citing Harry’s sudden proposal as a result of loneliness and festivities, he lists a few of the reasons he loves her, ranging from her getting cold at 71 degrees Fahrenheit to the little crinkle that forms right above her cute nose when she is shocked.

The closing line of Harry enshrines the scene in rom-com history: “I came here tonight because when you realise you wanna spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Streaming on Prime Video.

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

The film’s iconic proposal scene between Patrick Dempsey’s Andrew and Reese Witherspoon’s Melanie is memorable for its ultra-rich and dreamy premise. Which girl does not sigh once or twice in a lifetime about being proposed to in Tiffany’s and that too with any ring of their choice, in the most romantic manner possible? The scene showcases a realistic, awe-struck reaction for Melane, who is unsure how to behave, while Andrew is a swoony rich dude with beauty and charisma enough to challenge his net worth.

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Available for rent on Prime Video and Apple TV.

Sex and the City (2008)

Though the film was mostly binge-watched by Sex and the City TV series fans, many viewed it as a standalone film as well. And the entire film’s angst gets a sweet respite with its unique and appropriate stiletto proposal scene. After stranding Carrie at the altar in a temporary cold fit, Big comes to his senses too late.

By the time his car makes a U-turn to get hitched, his relationship has already crashed. Thankfully, Carrie and Big make up when the former runs back to their erstwhile home to pick up her new Manolo Blahnik shoes and encounters him there. Communication and sweet reconciliation occur before Carrie wonders why they ever chose to get married.

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However, Big takes no chance and decides to go all Cinderella on Carrie by slipping a bejewelled Blahnik shoe onto her feet and simply proposing that she be his partner forever. The film highlights the fact that, despite having so much wealth, simplicity and sincerity are the ultimate keys to a relationship’s success.

Available on Jio Cinema with a premium subscription and for rent on Prime Video.

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Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Arguably the best Pride and Prejudice film adaptation, this version of the Jane Austen classic stars Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The film features two proposals between the two. While the first is rich in rhetoric, the second is sincere in emotion.

The first proposal, shot in a steamy, rainy backdrop, features a passionate conflict between Elizabeth and Darcy, with the two parting as estranged acquaintances instead. Darcy’s “I love you,” followed by “most ardently,” is enough to stir even the angriest of us, amidst all the insults he casually mentioned just before it.

However, fate has something else in store for them, as the two cross paths again and again, irrevocably protecting and helping one another selflessly and silently. But when it all comes out in the open, the two enemies-to-admirers finally develop undeniable feelings for one another and that leads to the second memorable proposal within this film.

In a foggy dawn, unable to sleep, Elizabeth and Darcy cross paths again, with the latter returning with a bud of hope in his heart, of winning her back. Mr. Darcy shows off his improvement both in temperament and love by professing some of the most poetic lines used for proposals. “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love...I love...I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on,” simply tops the list.

Streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, and available on Jio Cinema and Apple TV at a price.