Lose yourself on Love Island this Valentine’s Day

Love Island has become an undeniable cultural phenomenon. In the first season of Showmax cult favourite Euphoria, Zendaya’s character Rue admits to watching “22 hours straight of Love Island over a two-day period” and still “yearning for more.” Similarly, Girls creator Lena Dunham wrote in her love letter to The Guardian about the reality TV sensation: “I was totally unprepared for how wholly it would take over my life and days.”

This Valentine’s Day, Showmax has lined up not one but four new seasons of Love Island, including two brand new spinoffs. Whether you’re in it for the romance, the drama, or both, here are the must-watch series to keep your heart racing this Valentine’s.

Love Island: All Stars S1 | First on Showmax | Binge from Friday, 14 February

Love Island: All Stars brings together fan favourites from past seasons for a second chance at love – at the same luxury villa in Franschhoek in South Africa’s Winelands that was used in Season 9 of the UK edition. 

Hosted by Maya Jama, with narration by Iain Stirling, the series sticks to its signature format of coupling up, challenges, and unexpected twists – but now the contestants have seen each other compete before, and sometimes dated too…  

As The Guardian says, “Bringing back the show’s greatest contestants is a stroke of genius.”

Love Island Games S1 | First on Showmax | Binge from Friday, 14 February

All’s fair in love and games… on Love Island Games.

The spin-off series features an all-star cast of Islanders from Love Island series across the globe – including the USA, UK, Australian, German, Spanish and even Swedish editions of the show. They get a second shot at love as they compete in a brand-new format to be crowned champions of Love Island Games.

Romance comes face to face with reality as fan-favourite Islanders are faced with both team and couples’ challenges, all while navigating dating, eliminations, recoupling, dramatic arrivals and new competition twists and turns like never before.

Already renewed for a second season, the cheeky new iteration is hosted by Maya Jama from Love Island UK.

Love Island USA S6 | First on Showmax | Binge from Friday, 14 February

The latest season of Love Island USA once again sweeps us off to Fiji, but this time with a brand-new vibrant villa (including a spicy Casa Amor and an unforgettable Hideaway), and a new host! 

TV personality Ariana Madix (from Dancing with the Stars and Vanderpump Rules) steps in to guide the Islanders on their romantic journey, while Irish presenter and Love Island UK alum Maura Higgins hosts a sizzling Aftersun.

Season 6 of the ever-popular reality dating show promises more drama than ever before with jaw-dropping revelations, new couples’ challenges and even a few surprise guests along the way (including some familiar faces from last season), as each instalment reveals who will go home heartbroken and empty-handed, and who gets to remain in the villa.

Love Island UK S11 | First on Showmax | Binge from Friday, 14 February

The BAFTA- and MTV TV Award-winning reality show Love Island UK is back, and this is one season you definitely don’t want to miss.

Once again filmed at the iconic Mallorca villa and hosted by Maya Jama, Love Island returns with a sizzling new line-up of Islanders looking for love. Among them are mental health nurse Mimii Ngulube, financial advisor Lionel Awudu, model Ayo Odukoya, PE teacher Omar Nyame, model and footballer Josh Oyinsan, and a TV personality bombshell, all promising even more drama, passion, and surprises than ever before.

Check out everything coming to Showmax this month of love here, including The Mommy Club S3 (from Saturday, 15 January); The Bachelorette S21 (from Wednesday, 19 January); and Mnawekthu Happily Ever After? S4 (from Monday, 24 February).