Summary
- Rom-coms are beloved for their unique takes on familiar tropes and their ability to appeal to all fans of the genre, showcasing love triangles, misunderstandings, and memorable characters like Meg Ryan.
- The best rom-coms require a delicate balance of humor and genuine emotion, with realistic love stories that avoid becoming overly saccharine. When the plot, stars, and tone align, even cynical movie lovers can enjoy a rom-com.
- Strong storytelling, chemistry between actors, and plenty of laughs can make a rom-com feel fresh and real, whether it's a breakthrough role for actors like Julia Roberts and Matthew McConaughey or a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Hollywood rom-com like "Bros".
Between their swoon-worthy love stories, hilarious scenarios, and unique takes on beloved trope, the best rom-coms appeal to all fans of the genre. All a romantic comedy needs to do is showcase a love triangle, a misunderstanding, or Meg Ryan, and odds are good the movie will cement itself in pop culture history. Rom-coms are a staple of Hollywood cinema, and many actors, from Julia Roberts to Matthew McConaughey find their breakout roles in these movies, as the romantic comedy gives actors the opportunity to display both their comedic and dramatic talents.
The formula for a great rom-com is difficult to master. It should be funny but not so much that it can’t be taken seriously. The movie’s love story needs to be realistic and genuine without being overly saccharine. Rom-coms are a balancing act that can fall apart quickly if the plot or tone doesn’t feel right. But when things stars, plot, and tone all line up correctly, a rom-com can be enjoyed by even the most cynical movie lover. The best rom-coms manage to make a familiar story feel fresh and real, which can be accomplished through strong storytelling, actors with chemistry, and a lot of laughs.
16 The Proposal (2009)
- The Proposal is available to stream on FuboTV
The Proposal stars Sandra Bullock as inflexible businesswoman Margaret who forces her assistant Andrew (Reynolds) to pose as her fiancé in order to ensure her work visa renews. Eventually, their fake, and sometimes loathing, feelings for each other give way to a very real romance. Both Bullock and Reynolds' exuberant charisma combines in The Proposal and leads to their characters' love story blossoming in a genuine way. Like all the best rom-coms, The Proposal allows each character to shine on their own before bringing them together for romantic fireworks. Bullock is particularly exceptional, delivering some excellent physical comedy; she was even nominated for a Golden Globe for her role.
15 Bros (2022)
- Bros is available to stream on Prime Video
For years, most Hollywood rom-coms featured straight white couples as the leads, but Bros proves the rom-com formula can be successful no matter the demographic at the center. In Bros, Bobby Lieber (Billy Eichner) is a proudly single gay man who refuses to commit to a serious relationship. But his life gets flipped after he meets Aaron Shepard (Luke Macfarlane) and discovers that he may want a committed relationship after all. Sadly, Bros was a financial flop that deserved to be a hit, as not only is it hilarious, but it's also the first LGBTQ+ mainstream Hollywood rom-com. Its commentary on queerness and poignant love story make Bros a must-watch.
14 To All The Boys (Franchise)
- To All the Boys is available to stream on Netflix
To All the Boys is a rom-com franchise based on the popular YA novels by Jenny Han. The series encomes three films To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018), To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020), and To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021); and XO, Kitty, a TV spin-off. In the movies, Lara Jean (Lana Condor), is a shy high schooler who writes five love notes to her crushes only to see them accidentally delivered. It’s a fun mystery to watch and see which boy she will end up with. Condor is effervescent in her role and leads an ensemble cast of charming and relatable characters.
13 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
- 10 Things I Hate About You is available to stream on Disney+
10 Things I Hate About You is a modern-day telling of Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew. Like the best rom-coms, this film puts a spin on a familiar tale, namely '90s hair, fashion, and music. Heath Ledger stars as Patrick, the resident high school bad boy who gets paid to date ice queen Kat (Julia Stiles) but finds himself falling for her. It’s one of the first movies that brought Ledger to mainstream attention and his charisma and charm are effortless. Stiles also pulls off a beautiful character arc as the sullen Kat slowly unfolds into a spirited and ambitious young woman.
12 How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (2003)
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is available to stream on Paramount+
Fake dating is one of the most popular rom-com tropes, and it succeeds again in 2003's How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. The film stars Andie (Kate Hudson) and Ben (Matthew McConaughey), two singles who use each other in order to further their careers. Both have ulterior motives in the relationship until they both realize their feelings are genuine. Like all the best rom-coms, the chemistry between Hudson and McConaughey crackles in every scene. The pair's whip-smart banter and Hudson's iconic yellow dress make How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days one of the best rom-coms, not just of the aughts but of the genre.
11 You've Got Mail (1998)
- You've Got Mail is available to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video
You've Got Mail is the perfect online dating rom-com, as it centers on two pen pals flirting over email. Unbeknownst to both, they're enemies in real life, as Kathleen (Meg Ryan) owns a indie bookshop that further struggles when Joe (Tom Hanks), a corporate bookstore chain magnate, opens a store across the street. You’ve Got Mail plays with the enemies-to-lovers trope, as neither Kathleen nor Joe realizes who they're falling for. The music and NYC spring setting perfectly encapsulate falling in love in a big city, while Ryan and Hanks are as always a perfect match. And in this go-around, they get to antagonize each other more than usual.
10 While You Were Sleeping (1995)
- While Your Were Sleeping is available to stream on Disney+
While You Were Sleeping took a quirky premise and made it a heartwarming love story. Lucy (Sandra Bullock), a toll worker, daydreams about Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher) and when he goes into a coma after an accident, a misunderstanding leads his family to believe Lucy is his fiancée. More misunderstandings with the Callaghans result in Lucy falling in love with Peter’s brother, Jack (Bill Pullman). As the charming oddball heroine, this is one of Bullock's best movies. While You Were Sleeping ranks among the best rom-coms because of just how sincere it is, never winking at the audience or acid-dipping the dialogue.
9 The Big Sick (2017)
- The Big Sick is available to stream on Prime Video
While the best rom-coms often take inspiration from the writer's experiences, The Big Sick bases its entire story on star and screenwriter Kumail Nanjiani’s relationship with his co-writer Emily Gordon. Nanjiani plays a fictionalized version of himself alongside Emily (Zoe Kazan), and the two begin a relationship that is fraught because of cultural differences, and made even more complicated when Emily falls into a coma. Despite the heavy, real themes of The Big Sick, it’s a charming and sweet film that allows Nanjiani and Kazan to utilize their comedic abilities to the fullest extent.
8 Amélie (2001)
- Amélie is available to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video
Amélie is a French rom-com that follows the life of the titular character Amélie (Audery Tatou). Amélie is an imaginative, but lonely young woman, working in Paris, and in order to assuage her boredom, she sets out to make others happy, believing it will eventually help her find her own joy. The film was a massive success, earning $174 million (via Box Office Mojo) and receiving five Academy Award nominations. Unlike many of the best rom-coms, Amélie is alone for most of the film, and the movie is better for it. Tatou gives a delightfully quirky performance that fills the film with whimsy and an unexpectedly sharp sense of humor.
7 Pretty Woman (1990)
- Pretty Woman is available to stream on FuboTV
Julia Roberts stars in many of the great quotes in Pretty Woman are iconic, and they made a star out of Roberts.
