Romantic comedies: Love them or tolerate them—and let's be honest, you can't hate a rom-com—they're always good for a cozy evening and a life lesson or two. They're also versatile: As with all the best movies, you can enjoy a good romantic comedy with almost anyone in your life, from your partner to your parents to your friends on a girls' night in. For when nothing but a good rom-com will do, those of us obsessed with the genre at Marie Claire have put together our list of the best romantic comedies of all time.
On this list, the cinephiles on staff pulled together our top picks from the genre, which we qualified as romantic (duh!) and either being outright hilarious the whole way through or at least having some funny moments. We parsed through picks from Old Hollywood to today, which we'd qualify as contemporary, instant classics, and, although we left our list unranked, we organized it into subgenres. And while movies here may have different plots, we also looked for films that include classic romantic comedy tropes. Are you looking for an enemies-to-lovers romance? We got you—The Proposal made this list. Love watching a couple fake date only to fall in love à la 10 Things I Hate About You style? Same. Stressing over who two teenagers in a love triangle will take to the prom? That's our favorite activity! There's also the genre's queens, from iconic writers like Nora Ephron to stars like Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock.
Our point is that rom-coms are the feel-good movie butter of the film world—they go perfectly with whatever you're craving. We've ordered our list of the 100 best rom-coms by subcategories, from laugh-out-loud rom-coms to teen versions to bittersweet rom-coms that will make you laugh and shed a tear or two. Last, you’ll find our final section dedicated to the absolute best of this genre.
The Best Laugh-Out-Loud Rom-Coms
'27 Dresses' (2008)
This movie has dozens of gorgeous dresses and a "Bennie and the Jets" bar duet between Katherine Heigl and James Marsden. What more could you want? For anybody who feels like a forever bridesmaid, this 2008 movie will have you laughing and crying all at once.
'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' (2005)
The 2000s were one hell of a time for romantic comedies, with The 40-Year-Old Virgin reigning as one of the most hilarious movies of the period. This film marked Judd Apatow as a standout comedic director who can brilliantly weave together comedy and sweetness, and it's not the only film of his you'll find on this list. It also cemented Steve Carell as a comedy star as he would later go on to reach iconic status in The Office.
'50 First Dates' (2004)
Reuniting once again after starring in The Wedding Singer together, Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler's chemistry is undeniable in 50 First Dates (2004). Adam Sandler plays a man named Henry who falls in love with a woman named Lucy (Drew Barrymore) who has short-term memory loss. Every day, Henry tries to get Lucy to fall in love with him until she remembers him.
'Anyone But You' (2023)
After a bungled one-night stand, much to their horror, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) wind up at the same intimate wedding in Sydney, Australia where Bea’s parents are pressuring her to get back with the guy she recently dumped and Ben is desperate to win back his Aussie teenage fling. What else is there to do besides pretend to be dating to make his ex jealous and get her parents off her back?
'Coming to America' (1988)
There's a literal royal romance at the heart of this classic Eddie Murphy film. Prince Hakeem of the fictional nation Zamunda (Murphy) travels to Queens, NY, to find his true love, rather than have an arranged marriage. He falls for local beauty Lisa (Shari Headley), but he has to win her away from her Jheri-curl sporting boyfriend.
'Deliver Us From Eva' (2003)
Two men hire a sweet-talking Casanova named Ray (LL Cool J) to temporarily court their no-nonsense sister-in-law (Gabrielle Union), but things go awry when Ray also wins over the hearts of their lady loves. Deliver Us From Eva hits all the necessary points of a good rom-com: a contract relationship, insane chemistry, and a kidnapping plot.
'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' (2008)
Jason Segel stars as Peter, who becomes completely shattered when dumped by his famous, TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). In an attempt to get over her, he goes to Hawaii, only to find that he's staying in the same hotel as Sarah and her new, obnoxious boyfriend (Russell Brand).
'Friends With Benefits' (2011)
She’s been burned by one too many guys. He’s not ready to settle down (read: commitment-phobic). The obvious solution, of course, is to add casual sex into their friendship, right? It’s not like they’ll both quickly begin to catch feelings and be unable to figure out how to tell each other, to the detriment of their entire friendship, right?!
'I Want You Back' (2022)
This criminally underrated Prime Video original rom-com opens with Jenny Slate and Charlie Day’s characters each being broken up with. They then meet by chance and decide to help each other win back their exes—but not with a classic fake-dating scenario to inspire jealousy. Instead, they each set out on a mission to break up the new relationship with the other’s ex. Chaos and, of course, hilarity ensue.
'Knocked Up' (2007)
Judd Apatow has made many raunchy comedies, but don’t discount how sweet they are at their helm! Take Knocked Up, for instance. Seth Rogen and Katherine Hiegl play a pair of strangers who have a one-night stand and one thing leads to another, a.k.a. Hiegl’s Alison gets pregnant. As Alison decides to see the pregnancy through, Rogen’s Ben has a lot of growing up to do but they grow closer nonetheless.
'No Strings Attached' (2011)
In the other of the two friends-with-benefits-themed rom-coms that came out in 2011 and starred one-half of the Mila-Kunis-Ashton-Kutcher marriage, Kutcher plays an aspiring TV exec, Adam, who begins casually hooking up with his childhood friend Emma (Natalie Portman). He quickly catches feelings—and confesses them—only to be shut down by the extremely commitment-averse Emma, setting up a confusing few rounds of will-they, won’t-they.
'The Parent Trap' (1998)
Come for Lindsay Lohan being absolutely iconic in her role as twins Hallie Parker and Annie James trying to get their parents back together, stay for Daddy Dennis Quaid who broke all of our late '90s hearts.
'The Proposal' (2009)
A hotshot book editor (Sandra Bullock) facing deportation to Canada forces her younger male assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her for a green card. When they take a trip to visit his family in Alaska to sell the lie, sparks start to fly. Yes, it's a #MeToo nightmare, but rom-coms sometimes live in their own special alternate universe.
'Some Like It Hot' (1959)
Marilyn Monroe plays a member of a traveling jazz band who believes she's fallen in love with a millionaire, when in fact she's being duped by one of her fellow band members (a man on the run who's pretending to be a woman). The classic film features one of the steamiest kisses in film history and lots of great Marilyn Monroe song numbers.
'There's Something About Mary' (1998)
After an unusual accident screwing up their prom date, Ted (Ben Stiller) thought his chance with Mary (Cameron Diaz) was over. 13 years later, he realizes he's still in love with Mary so he hires a private investigator (Matt Dillon) to track her down, only for the P.I. to also fall in love with her. There's Something About Mary has no shortage of funny, often ridiculous scenes, and it still holds up just as well today as it did in 1998.
'Something Borrowed' (2011)
What happens when you're in love with your best friend's fiancé and you don't know what to do about it? Allow Something Borrowed (2011) to show you! Things get messy and multiple declarations of love ensue.
The Best Bittersweet Rom-Coms
'500 Days of Summer' (2009)
All of the millennial angst of meeting someone who you believe to be the one, followed by disillusionment and despair, is captured in this excellent film starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. Bookmark this to watch alone and experience all the feels.
'Before Sunrise' (1995)
Kicking off what would become known as Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy, Before Sunrise takes place over one night after two travelers meet on a train in Europe. Unlike many of its rom-com peers of the era, Before Sunrise poses philosophical questions framed by romantic tension. Bursting with energy from the first frame, the movie's ending is equally as dramatic and will have you pulling up the second installment right after.
'Dirty Dancing' (1987)
"Nobody puts Baby in the corner!" It takes a lot for a movie to become so entrenched in culture that its lines still get tossed around in conversation, decades after its premiere. And yet, Dirty Dancing has done just that. This film has it all: Dancing, drama, and countless one-liners. For the newbies, Dirty Dancing upgrades a classic coming-of-age plot with some very sweaty rehearsals and sexual tension so thick you could plié on it.
'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)
With a comical air, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind dives into breakups, breakdowns, and breakthroughs. When Clementine (Kate Winslet) decides to forget her painful relationship with Joel (Jim Carrey) through a new procedure, Joel decides to do the same thing. As his memories with Clementine fade, he realizes he may be making a mistake. Its sweet message, outstanding performances, and trippy visuals will stay with you long after the credits roll.
'He's Just Not That Into You' (2009)
Interlocking storylines are a great way to show all the good and bad that can come with love, which is the case in He's Just Not That Into You. In this film, you've got a woman who wants to get married to her non-committal boyfriend, a man who can't stop cheating on his wife, plus a needy woman who's tired of waiting by her phone for men who never call. These characters and a few more show how much love is never a clean-and-cut story.
'Love and Basketball' (2000)
This movie includes one of the sexiest scenes of all time, a good old-fashioned friends-to-more-than-just-friends storyline, and some heart-wrenching heartbreak. Oh, and Omar Epps.
'Love and Other Drugs' (2010)
Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a medical sales rep and chronic womanizer until he meets his match in Maggie (Anne Hathaway) a woman who won't let anything tie her down. As the two attempt a "friends with benefits" type of relationship, they can't help but fall for each other, leading Maggie to reveal she's sick with Parkinson's. While there are certainly laugh-out-loud moments and undeniable chemistry between the leads, this movie will leave you in deep thought on our healthcare system and the harsh reality of living with a disability.
'Me Before You' (2016)
Fair warning: This will feel like a gut punch to the heart, but don't let that dissuade you from watching this. This may be the most bittersweet of bittersweet rom-coms in the best way possible. Small-town girl Lou (Emilia Clarke) is hired as the caretaker for a recently-paralyzed man named Will (Sam Clafin). While they spend more and more time together, she learns that Will has plans to die by assisted suicide so she tries to show him how great life can be.
'The Notebook' (2004)
If you've watched this film once or thousands of times, you'll still need a box of tissues for this tearjerker. Largely set in South Carolina in the '40s, Allie (Rachel McAdams) is a wealthy girl busy living up to expectations—until she meets Noah (Ryan Gosling), a rough-and-tumble hottie from the wrong side of the tracks. Pearls are clutched, rules are broken, and a love affair is had. Then Noah has to ship off to war. What comes next is a testament to finding your person and loving them for as long as possible.
'Obvious Child' (2014)
Obvious Child is by no means a typical rom-com, as it's centered around a one-night stand that results in an unplanned pregnancy—which it tackles with poise. Jenny Slate plays a struggling, unemployed stand-up comedian in N.Y.C. who hooks up with a sweet grad student (Jake Lacy) and finds herself having to stand on her own two feet for once. Slate is utterly adorable in this indie flick, and it's a compelling story about coming-of-age as an independent woman as it is an unconventional romance.
'Reality Bites' (1994)
Fresh out of college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) and her misfit friends must figure out what to do with their lives in this film directed by Ben Stiller. Capturing the attitude of Gen X, Leilana, an aspiring documentarian resists selling out—until the guy she's dating takes it upon himself to help her. But, will she choose between the guy who loves her potential or the one who loves who she is?
'Silver Linings Playbook' (2012)
It's about mental illness, and it also manages to be sweet and incredibly funny. It doesn't hurt that the two leads, played by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, are giving some of their best work. (Lawrence won an Oscar for the role.) Come for the snappy banter, stay to watch two people who are imperfectly perfect for each other fall in love.
'Waitress' (2007)
Director: Adrienne Shelly
Stars: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Sisto
Rom-com tropes: Forbidden romance
Before it was a hit Broadway musical, Waitress was a charming indie rom-com. Both tell the story of a small-town waitress (Keri Russell) who begins an affair with her OBGYN (Nathan Fillion) after she accidentally becomes pregnant by her no-good husband.
The Best Teen Rom-Coms
'A Cinderella Story' (2004)
The title says it all: As a modernized take on the iconic fairytale, this 2004 teen classic follows the secret romance between a high school star quarterback (Chad Michael Murray) and a much less popular classmate he’s barely noticed (Hilary Duff). In true early-aughts fashion, instead of a glass slipper, she leaves behind her bedazzled flip phone while running away from the ball (a.k.a. school dance) to get home before her wicked stepmother and stepsisters notice her absence.
'Easy A' (2010)
The true “rom” of this rom-com doesn’t kick in until the end, but when it does, it easily lives up to main character Olive’s dream of a John-Hughes-movie-style declaration of love. Before then, the (loosely) Scarlet Letter-inspired film sees Olive (Emma Stone) pretend to have sex with classmates in return for various gift cards and then, when that earns her a notorious reputation at school, parade around with red “A”s sewn onto her clothes.
'Grease' (1978)
Okay, so you don't immediately shout "ROM-COM!" when Grease (1978) appears on your screen, but it is a romantic musical movie that has a lot of snarky comedy throughout. Plus, it's just iconic!
'Juno' (2007)
Featuring gorgeous performances by Elliot Page and Michael Cera, Juno features an unplanned pregnancy between high school besties, the journey towards adoption, and the cutest (unconventional) on-screen romance since... ever?
'Never Been Kissed' (1999)
Anyone who had a hard time in high school can definitely relate to this movie. Drew Barrymore stars as aspiring journalist Josie, who goes undercover at a high school for an assignment and falls in love with her English teacher. It's a bit problematic based on modern standards, but thanks to Barrymore's charm, it's still worth a watch.
'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist' (2008)
Michael Cera was basically the king of the mid-aughts rom-coms. In Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Cera stars as high school student Nick who meets Norah (Kat Dennings) after she asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend. Throughout the night, they bond over their love for music.
'Pretty in Pink' (1986)
Ah, teen angst. This all-time classic flick is full of it. Deutch's film follows Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald), a decidedly alternative girl with a crush on prep, Blane McDonagh (Andrew McCarthy), who has no problem stringing her along. Further complicating matters: Andie's BFF Duckie (Jon Cryer) realizes he's lovestruck, too. Between its timeless soundtrack, jaw-dropping costumes, and thrumming plot, this film belongs in the rom-com Hall of Fame.
'Say Anything' (1989)
This is a classic '80s film—from the famous Peter Gabriel boombox scene to the teenage coming-of-age love story. You'll never look at trench coats and sneakers the same way.
'She's All That' (1999)
A jock (Freddie Prinze Jr.) bets his friends that he can turn any girl into the prom queen and they choose the ultimate challenge: Rachel Leigh Cook with glasses and paint on her clothes. Problematic teen comedy tropes aside, it's a quintessentially '90s rom-com.
'She's the Man' (2006)
This underrated gem is guaranteed to make you laugh. Amanda Bynes stars as Viola, a soccer star who impersonates her brother to make the team at an elite boarding school. There, she meets the swoon-worthy jock, Duke (Channing Tatum), and things get complicated. The chemistry between Tatum and Bynes is off the charts and Bynes' take on how girls think guys act is nothing short of comedy gold (We're still laughing about the tampon-in-the-nose bit).
'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' (2018)
Based on Jenny Han's beloved YA book series, To All the Boys I've Loved Before is basically a high school nightmare that becomes a teenage dream. When the letters Lara Jean (Lana Condor) writes to her crushes but never sends are mailed out, she pretends to date one of them (Noah Centineo) to mitigate the fallout.
The Best Classic Rom-Coms
'The Apartment' (1960)
The Apartment follows C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon), an insurance clerk who lends his apartment to his bosses for their extramarital affairs in the hopes of moving up the corporate ladder. He's also in love with his company's elevator operator (Shirley MacLaine), who happens to be one of his boss' mistresses. It's a surprisingly modern view on men in power and workplace harassment, but one filled with romance and humor.
'Bringing Up Baby' (1938)
In this classic screwball comedy, Cary Grant stars as a paleontologist who needs a donation from a wealthy benefactor for his museum. Things get complicated when he meets said benefactor's wacky niece (Katherine Hepburn), who pulls him into an adventure involving, among other things, a dinosaur and a (kind of) tamed leopard.
'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (1995)
The longest-running Hindi film ever literally rewrote the rom-com as a modernized Romeo and Juliet-inspired tale that celebrates Indian culture and explores important issues like liberalization. In perfect Bollywood fashion, there are also catchy songs and gorgeous dancing.
'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' (1953)
In this classic, Marilyn Monroe plays a showgirl who gets engaged to a wealthy man (Tommy Noonan)—much to the chagrin of his family. The man's father (Taylor Holmes) hires a private detective to follow Monroe's character during a cruise with a girlfriend, looking out for anything that might ruin the marriage.
'Groundhog Day' (1993)
This charming rom-com starring Bill Murray set the premise for dozens of modern films. Murray stars as a conceited weatherman forced to relive February 2, a.k.a. Groundhog Day, over and over. After spending what may be months reliving the day, Phil decides to pursue Rita (Andy MacDowell) and devotes the repeating day to becoming the best version of himself for her. This one features a lot of hilarious and moving moments.
'His Girl Friday' (1940)
If you like witty banter and dialogue so fast it would make the Gilmore Girls tongue-tied, then His Girl Friday is the rom-com classic for you.
'It Happened One Night' (1934)
This 1934 classic rom-com from acclaimed director Frank Capra focuses on a spoiled heiress named Ellie (Claudette Colbert) who marries a scheming man (Walter Connolly). Her dad then does the only logical thing and kidnaps her away on his yacht. Ellie—a free spirit—jumps ship and meets up with a hardened newspaper reporter (Clark Gable), who sets off to help her link back up with her husband but ends up catching feelings.
'Jerry Maguire' (1996)
In this classic '90s movie, the titular sports agent (Tom Cruise) has a crisis after he's suddenly fired at the top of his game. Clinging to his career, Maguire starts his own management firm with the only employee who would leave, a single mother named Dorothy (Renée Zellweger). While struggling to make the business work, the two grow closer than ever before in this sweet, corny-at-times rom-com. Cruise earned an Oscar nomination with his performance, but we'd argue Zellweger deserved a nom, too.
'Love Jones' (1997)
In this classic, a poet (Larenz Tate) and a photographer (Nia Long) fall in love in '90s Chicago, but their ambitions and exes get in the way of their relationship.
'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon' (2003)
A girl (Kareena Kapoor) gets set up with the heir (Hrithik Roshan) to a multi-million dollar company and falls in love with him only to discover that he's not who everyone thought he was. This iconic Bollywood rom-com is considered a classic for a reason, complete with dreamy, longing gazes and killer dance sequences.
'Moonstruck' (1987)
The full moon sometimes makes us do crazy things—or, at least, that's what we'd like to blame—which is the central theme of this film about a widow (played by the fabulous Cher) who falls for the baker brother (Nicolas Cage) of the man she's agreed to marry. Her father and mother, meanwhile, engage in extra-marital affairs. The romantic hijinx won over critics who awarded the film three Oscars, including a Best Actress award for Cher.
'Much Ado About Nothing' (1993)
With such a stacked cast, this movie is well worth the watch. Kenneth Branagh brilliantly adapts the Shakespeare play for the big screen, while also serving as one of the main characters. He plays Benedick, a stubborn bachelor constantly sparring with Beatrice (Emma Thompson) and set up in a "love trap" by his friends. Give this one a chance if you're a fan of period pieces and ensemble comedies.
'Serendipity' (2001)
Rom-coms are all about fate bringing two perfect-for-each-other people together, and Serendipity takes that idea and runs with it. This quintessential winter movie stars Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack as strangers who share a perfect, romantic night in N.Y.C. and then, instead of exchanging contact information, put their phone numbers on random objects and send them out into the universe, trusting fate to bring them back together if it's truly meant to be.
'The Seven Year Itch' (1955)
The Seven Year Itch is about a man who considers cheating on his wife with his gorgeous, model neighbor. Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell show that infidelity (or at least the idea of it) can be more hilarious than you'd imagine.
'The Shop Around the Corner' (1940)
If you love You've Got Mail, you'll love The Shop Around the Corne. It's the original, black-and-white film the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan classic is based on (but, you know, pre-AOL).
'Something's Gotta Give' (2003)
There's something about sticking the enemies-to-lovers trope in a couple in their golden years to make a rom-com really special. In Something's Gotta Give, womanizer Harry (Jack Nicholson) shows up at his young girlfriend's (Amanda Peet) Hamptons home only to find her disapproving mother (Diane Keaton) residing over. The two come to blows over the age-inappropriate relationship but they soon find their heated arguments make way to love.
'The Wedding Planner' (2001)
Two words: Jennifer Lopez. The actress/singer/goddess takes us back to 2001 when she stars opposite Matthew McConaughey in the classic 2000s movie The Wedding Planner. If you can get past the white male savior complex at the start of the movie (Matthew McConaughey saves Lopez from getting run over by a huge cart and also happens to be the doctor who takes care of her in the hospital), the plot will completely throw you for a loop.
'While You Were Sleeping' (1995)
A woman named Lucy (Sandra Bullock) saves her secret crush from being hit by a train. She goes to the hospital with him and accidentally implies to his family that they're engaged (oops). When he wakes up and doesn't remember her, everyone assumes he has amnesia and he just... is engaged to her. But then—awkward—Lucy starts to fall for Mr. Right's brother (Bill Pullman, in peak awkward-adorable form).
The Best Modern Rom-Coms
'Always Be My Maybe' (2019)
Always Be My Maybe is so good that you'll want to watch it as many times as possible. The Netflix original stars comedians Ali Wong and Randall Park as childhood sweethearts who reconnect after 15 long years. Heartthrob Daniel Dae Kim makes an appearance, as does Keanu Reeves—pretty much playing himself. It's the perfect new movie for girls' night.
'The Beauty Inside' (2015)
Director: Jong-Yeol Baek
Stars: Han Hyo-joo, Park Seo-joon, Juri Ueno
Rom-com tropes: Third-act declarations of love, fantasy/vacation setting
This sweet Korean film follows Woo-jin (Kim Dae-myung), who wakes up in a different body every day. No matter if he's a man or a woman, an adult or a child, one thing never changes: He's in love with Yi-soo (Han Hyo-joo). Once she falls for him, the couple has to figure out how to find their happily ever after in this strange situation.
'The Big Sick' (2017)
Romances are always sweeter when based on real-life stories, which is why this rom-com from Kumail Nanjiani is such a breath of fresh air. It grounds the typical rom-com tropes in a time of Uber and dating apps, portraying an interracial romance between stand-up comic Kumail (played by himself) and his wife Emily (played by indie rom-com queen Zoe Kazan). They face their biggest challenge when Emily develops a sudden sickness that lands her in a coma.
'Bros' (2022)
Billed as the first major studio rom-com about a gay romance, Bros follows the ups and downs of a relationship between two very different men—one who’s proudly out and is well-known among the LGBTQ+ community (Billy Eichner) and one who’s much quieter about his sexuality (Luke Macfarlane)—and the things they learn from each other about embracing their identities and pursuing their dreams.
'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018)
For the first time, Asians finally got the representation and recognition they deserved on the big screen with this smash blockbuster based on Kevin Kwan's best-selling novel. In the heartwarming film, Constance Wu and Henry Golding star as a couple who visits his family on a summer trip to Singapore. He fails to mention a few details—like how his family is mega-rich, hard to please, and, oh yeah, that he's the country's most eligible bachelor.
'Definitely, Maybe' (2009)
A father (Ryan Reynolds) going through a divorce is thrown for a loop when his 11-year-old daughter (Abigail Breslin) asks about his romantic past. As Reyonlds narrates a sanitized version of a 1992 bachelor lifestyle, we get to guess with Breslin which woman becomes her mom.
'Enchanted' (2007)
A Disney fairytale is brought to life in this mostly live-action film following a princess (Amy Adams) sent to N.Y.C. on the eve of her wedding by an evil queen (Susan Sarandon). Expect the sweet moments, musical numbers, and light-hearted jokes as you would in any Disney movie, plus an unbelievably good performance from James Marsden as the stereotypical Prince Edward.
'Fire Island' (2022)
It's a beautiful thing when a film manages to nail a queer storyline, but the fact that this film combines queer and Asian American narratives makes it a real storyline. Fire Island follows a group of gay best friends as they head to, you guessed it, Fire Island, for their annual week-long romp on the beach. Not only is it hilarious, but it's also inspired by Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice.
'Happiest Season' (2020)
This film nails a lot of things simultaneously: It's a funny rom-com, an adorable, sweet, sensitive love story between two women (Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis), and a painfully relatable story about complicated family dynamics and how we present ourselves to the world. And it's a perfect holiday movie? It's got everything!
'The Idea of You' (2024)
In this instant smash for Prime Video based on Robinne Lee's novel, an almost 40-year-old single mom (Anne Hathaway) takes her daughter (Ella Rubin) to Coachella, expecting nothing more than to watch the teen finally get to meet the boy band she’s loved for years. Instead, said single mom catches the eye of one of the boy band’s members (Nicholas Galitzine), more than a decade and a half her junior. Thus begins a whirlwind romance straight out of a good old-fashioned fanfic.
'Just Wright' (2010)
Queen Latifah plays a down-on-her-luck physical therapist who finds herself in the employ of a hotshot basketball player (Common) after he suffers from a career-threatening injury. The chemistry in this one is something—prepare to swoon.
'Long Shot' (2019)
Who knew Seth Rogen would be the ideal rom-com lead? This seemingly odd couple pairing between him and Charlize Theron makes perfect sense once you get them in a room for five minutes. Pair it with sharp, literally laugh-out-loud dialogue and this becomes an underrated gem.
'Palm Springs' (2020)
Two guests at a wedding (Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti) have to relive the same day over and over again, in true Groundhog Day style. If you've ever had to go to multiple weddings in the same year, it's even more relatable.
'Plus One' (2019)
Each facing down a long list of weddings to attend all summer and no significant other to go with, a pair of friends (Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid) from college agree to be each other’s plus ones. With all that time spent together watching other people’s declarations of everlasting love, it’s no surprise that things quickly get complicated.
'Red, White, and Royal Blue' (2023)
This much-beloved LGBTQ+ book got the adaptation treatment for Prime Video. In case you weren't one of the millions to read the novel, the story follows a British prince (Nicholas Galitzine) and the son of the American president (Taylor Zakhar Perez) who have hated each other since they met. When their sour relationship threatens U.S. and Britain relations, the two are forced to act as best friends, and (of course) this leads to a different kind of relationship. Sure, some parts are especially cheesy, but that makes this movie more entertaining.
'Set It Up' (2018)
Nothing's better for our nostalgic hearts than a film that takes inspiration from the best rom-coms of all time. Underlings Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) use all the tricks from the book to set up their demanding bosses Kirsten (Lucy Liu) and Rick (Taye Diggs), with interesting results for both of the pairs.
'Sleeping With Other People' (2015)
This subversive rom-com has been called the "raunchy When Harry Met Sally." It stars Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie as college exes who reconnect and decide to stay platonic friends as they look for love with super-messy consequences (both are prone to cheat and they meet again outside a sex addiction meeting).
'Someone Great' (2019)
Right before she's supposed to move across the country, Jenny's (Gina Rodriguez) boyfriend of nine years (LaKeith Stanfield) breaks up with her, leaving her devastated. To cheer her up, Jenny's best friends give her one last hoorah in the city, which amounts to some hilarious moments. While this may not be your typical love story, it is a story about love and the loss that can come with it.
'Trainwreck' (2015)
Bill Hader should be the leading man in everything. Forever. And Amy Schumer's immense writing and acting skills are on full display. This movie is a perfect storm of a great script, great casting, and great chemistry.
'Think Like a Man' (2012)
This rom-com based on Steve Harvey's best-selling advice book considers what happens when single women start acting more like the men they date. Instead of focusing on one romance, the film follows multiple couples in a star-studded cast, including Union, Michael Ealy, Hall, and Megan Good.
The All-Time Best Rom-Coms
'10 Things I Hate About You' (1999)
One of the most clever teen comedies of all time, 10 Things I Hate About You is a classic for its whip-smart script and hilarious camaraderie between the actors (see: a young Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt). That's not to mention all the signature rom-com moments, from epic dance and song scenes (honestly, it's worth watching just for Ledger's immortal dance number with a marching band) to public declarations of love.
'13 Going on 30' (2004)
All Jenna Rink wants to be is "30, flirty, and thriving" until she gets what she wishes for. The bewilderment of being 13 in a 30-year-old's body is played pretty much perfectly here by Jennifer Garner, and this film captures the exact moment when the world truly fell in love with Mark Ruffalo.
'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961)
This Audrey Hepburn classic spawned a million dorm room posters and remains an enduring classic. The movie follows Holly Golightly, a young woman looking for a rich, older man to marry—but finds herself falling for a young man (George Peppard) in her apartment building instead. Some aspects have aged poorly, but Hepburn's performance is timeless.
'Bridget Jones's Diary' (2001)
The hilarious and uncensored Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) forever has our loyalty as a news anchor caught in a love triangle with her boss (Hugh Grant) and her childhood friend Mr. Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, naturally modeled off the brooding Pride & Prejudice suitor). The British humor is pitch-perfect and we can't help but love how it glorifies the idea of waiting for someone who likes you "just as you are."
'Clueless' (1995)
Chances are you've seen Clueless, but if you need a refresher, it's a modern update of Jane Austen's Emma. Silverstone stars as the iconic Cher (Alicia Silverstone), a California high-schooler balancing her social life, bettering herself and others, and keeping up her expansive closet.
'Crazy, Stupid, Love' (2011)
Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Stars: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
Rom-com tropes: Multiple storylines, trouble with the ex, the player falls in love
Hopefully, there'll be more romantic movies starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, because they're irresistible as a pair. Gosling plays a ladies' man who falls for the deadpan, unsinkable Hannah (Stone), while he's also trying to help a hapless divorcee (Steve Carell) get his manly groove back.
'Failure to Launch' (2006)
With their 35-year-old son Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) showing no signs of being ready to move out, two aspiring empty-nesters hire an expert, Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker), to pretend to woo him and, in doing so, convince him to move out on his own. Unfortunately, Tripp doesn’t fit into Paula’s usual profile, throwing her off her game and—oops—causing her to fall for him. As a bonus, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Bartha, and Bradley Cooper steal the show as a trio of delightfully wacky best-friend characters crucial to any respectable 2000s rom-com.
'Four Weddings and a Funeral' (1994)
Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell led this rom-com classic about an Englishman and an American woman who meet at a wedding...and then (just like the title says) three others and a funeral.
'The Holiday' (2006)
Two women (Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett) from opposite sides of the pond who are unlucky in love decide to swap home and, in the process, maybe totally find their soulmates.
'How Stella Got Her Groove Back' (1998)
Stella (Angela Bassett) vacations to Jamaica and meets a hot man almost half her age (Taye Diggs). The two hit it off, but can their love make it outside the vacation bubble?
'How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days' (2003)
A journalist at a women's magazine (Kate Hudson) wants to take on more serious pieces, so her boss assigns her one last fluff piece as a final challenge: a story on how to lose a guy in 10 days. She uses all of the behavior men have been calling women "crazy" for ages but ends up falling for the guy (Matthew McConaughey) she's trying to get rid of. What she doesn't know is that he's taken a bet that he can make her fall in love with him, so it's a classic conflict of interests.
'Love Actually' (2003)
The gift that keeps on giving. Love Actually is a go-to comedy during the holiday season, and everyone has their favorite plot line from the many diverging love stories that take place.
'Mamma Mia' (2008)
If you need a reminder of how great of an actress Amanda Seyfried is, watch Mamma Mia!, then bask in the glory of Meryl Streep, who plays her mother in the film. The premise: Sophie (Seyfried) goes on a quest to find her birthfather to walk her down the aisle by inviting all potential suitors (read: her mother's exes) without telling her. The Greek setting will make you want to book a vacation ASAP and the soundtrack will make you want to download several ABBA albums.
'My Best Friend's Wedding' (1997)
No movie captures the frustration of being in love with your best friend quite like My Best Friend's Wedding, a sublime rom-com starring '90s screen queens Cameron Diaz and Julia Roberts. Roberts plays a 27-year-old food critic who realizes she's in love with her best guy friend (Dermot Mulroney). When he announces he's engaged to a college-aged student (Diaz), she decides to sabotage their wedding.
'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' (2002)
You'll never look at Windex the same after watching this movie. But in all seriousness, this '00s favorite stars Nia Vardalos and John Corbett (during his SATC days). Vardalos plays a young Greek woman who comes from a—you guessed it—insanely big Greek family and falls in love with a non-Greek man. Things get complicated.
'Notting Hill' (1999)
This rom-com is just the story of a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her—after a long, complicated love story, that is. Julia Roberts plays a world-famous actress (a stretch, right?) who falls for an average London bookshop owner (Hugh Grant).
'Pretty Woman' (1990)
This is a requirement. Julia Roberts is epic in this movie about a wealthy businessman (Richard Gere) who becomes smitten with a sex worker he hires on a whim.
'The Princess Bride' (1987)
Equal parts fairytale romance and laugh-out-loud comedy, The Princess Bride is a classic for all ages—with its self-described best kiss of all time.
'Roman Holiday' (1953)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's love story is only the second most romantic tale of European royalty falling for an American. The first is Roman Holiday, which stars Audrey Hepburn as an overwhelmed princess who runs away from her responsibilities on a trip to Rome and ends up romantically entangled with an American reporter (Gregory Peck).
'Sleepless in Seattle' (1993)
When Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan come together, rom-com magic happens. (Not-so-spoiler alert: This isn't the only film with them on this list.) In this classic, a recent widower's son (Ross Malinger) calls into a radio show to find his dad (Hanks) a new love.
'When Harry Met Sally' (1989)
This quintessential rom-com begs the question: "Can guys and girls ever truly be friends?" Rom-com queen Meg Ryan goes toe-to-toe with Billy Crystal in a story about an 11-year friendship between two friends who (hilariously) try to keep the line between friends and lovers separate. Nora Ephron's immaculate screenplay is poetry.
'You've Got Mail' (1998)
Set in '90s N.Y.C., Meg Ryan plays Kathleen, the owner of a small children’s bookstore, and Tom Hanks plays the rival owner of a bookstore chain. They meet online and, well, we won't spoil the rest for you.
