Romantic comedyis a beloved genre, filled with compelling romantic relationships, entertaining friendship dynamics, and hilarious misunderstandings that are guaranteed to delight. However, if you’re not a fan of rom-coms, the generic, formulaic, and predictable plot lines and the problematic and regressive story lines that feature in many rom-com films make them impossible to watch. Despite romantic comedy films being the go-to genre forcomfort movies, the abundance of formulaic rom-coms makes it difficult to find the well-written and complex gems.
Thebest romantic comedy movies of all timeare unique, fun, entertaining, and resonate with the audience. Romantic comedy movies done right can turn rom-com skeptics into die-hard fans with their lovable and relatable characters, heartwarming romances, and beautiful stories that explore themes of both platonic and romantic relationships, love, connection, and growth.
Sleeping With Other People
Cast
Sleeping With Other People is a romantic comedy directed by Leslye Headland, featuring Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie. The film follows two former college acquaintances who meet again years later and form a platonic friendship to support each other’s commitment issues. Their evolving relationship challenges their initial intentions, setting the stage for an unconventional love story.
Sleeping with Other Peopleis anunconventional rom-comstarring Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie as two people who reconnect and become best friends after confiding in each other about their relationship issues and difficulties with commitment. Lainey (Brie) and Jake (Sudeikis) are charming and fun people, but they’re not perfect and are deeply flawed and struggle with forming meaningful relationships. Their growing bond inevitably turns into a romance despite their determination to keep their friendship platonic.
Sudeikis and Brie’s comedic chops and chemistry make the leads compelling and entertaining to witness.Sleeping with Other Peopleserves as a modern take on the classic premise ofWhen Harry Met Sallyand asks whether men and women can remain friends. Despite the familiar premise,Sleeping with Other Peopleis a refreshingly grounded and hilarious rom-com with lovable characters.
The Half of It
The Half of It is a 2020 Netflix original movie about Ellie Chu. Ellie is an intelligent teen who agrees to write a love letter for a jock to send to his crush. But things get complicated when she makes an unexpected friendship with the boy and falls in love with his crush.
The Half of Itis a coming-of-age romantic comedy movie revolving around Ellie Chu, played by Leah Lewis, a talented writer and intelligent high school student who gets roped into helping the sweet jock Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) write love letters to Aster Flores, the girl they both have a crush on.The romance story line between Ellie and Aster isn’t the central focus of the film, despite it being a major source of growth for Ellie, Aster, and Paul.
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At its core, theLGBTQ+ rom-comThe Half of Itis a coming-of-age examination of love and friendship that encourages audiences to make the “boldest stoke” they can.The Half of Itis a wholesome and touching tale that doesn’t fall into the trap of traditional love triangles and needless drama.The Half of Itis a romantic comedy that focuses on friendships and platonic love and acknowledges that love isn’t inherently romantic, making it the perfect movie for people who don’t like romantic comedies.
About Time
When Tim Lake learns that he, like all the men in his family, has the ability to travel back in time, he decides to use this ability to help him find love and improve his and his loved ones' lives.
The science fiction rom-comAbout Timeis a heartwarming and wholesome love story that stands apart from other rom-coms.About Timefollows Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson), a young man who has the ability to travel through time and change his past in an effort to improve his future and find the love of his life. The charming relationship between Tim and Mary (Rachel McAdams) faces normal hurdles in addition to issues caused by complications with time travel.
While the lovely relationship between Tim and Mary is enough to draw in audiences,the rom com film throws a curveball when it begins to explore the importance of living in the moment and not living in the past. The profound and heartbreaking beauty ofAbout Timeis the emphasis it places on enjoying the small moments of love and joy that we take for granted.About Time’sthought-provoking endingand unique premise cements it as a must-watch rom-com movie.
Amélie
With a story and screenplay by Guillaume Laurant and direction from Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Amelie is a Romantic Comedy presented in the French language. The 2001 release stars Audrey Tautou as Amelie, an isolated young waitress who sets out to solve her own problems by helping those around her.
The French romantic comedy filmAméliestars Audrey Tautou as the titular quirky waitress who embarks on a journey to help people find happiness despite her isolation and loneliness and ends up finding true love. Amélie active imagination and penchant for mischief makes her an endlessly endearing lead that audiences can’t help but cheer for. While theFrench comedy filmhas a beautiful and intriguing love story between Amélie and the eccentric Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz), the film’s true focus is Amélie and her journey of finding hapiness for other people and herself against the backdrop of Paris.
Amélie and Nino make a perfect match as the couple doesn’t force themselves to conform to societal norms, and watching the duo chase each other around Paris and explore is a delightful treat.Amélie’s quirky characters and humourous incidents won over the hearts of critics and audiences alike.With its sweet romance and compelling lead characters,Amélieis an iconic and beloved rom-com.
Someone Great
Someone Great is a romantic comedy directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. The film stars Gina Rodriguez as Jenny Young, an aspiring music journalist who navigates a fresh breakup with the support of her two best friends, played by Brittany Snow and DeWanda Wise. As they embark on one last adventure in New York City, the trio rediscovers their bond, embracing the theme of personal growth and friendship.
Someone Greatisn’t a story about finding love, it’s abittersweet movieabout letting go and accepting change and break-ups, no matter how tragic they are. The romantic comedy film follows the artist Jenny Young (Gina Rodriguez) after she gets hired for her dream job across the country and her boyfriend of nine years, Nate (LaKeith Stanfield), ends their relationship instead of trying things long distance. After the seemingly perfect couple call it quits, Jenny and her friends Erin (DeWanda Wise) and Blair (Brittany Snow) decide to have the perfect last night in New York City.
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Someone Greatand its realistic and grounded portrayals of life, romance, and friendships make it an incredible romantic comedy. Despite the movie starting off with a break-up,Someone Greatdoesn’t fall into the trap of blaming Jenny or Nate for their relationship ending, and acknowledges that relationships are messy and sometimes don’t work out. The poignant and touching film is a perfect balance between comedy, drama, and heartwarming moments.
High Fidelity
Adapted from a British novel of the same name, High Fidelity stars John Cusack as Rob Gordon, a record store employee who, after a bad breakup with his latest girlfriend Laura, sets out to find a reason for all of his failed relationships and tries to win Laura back in the process. The cast includes Iben Hjejle, Jack Black, and Lisa Bonet.
High Fidelityis a romantic comedy film based on the 1995 novel of the same name, written by Nick Hornby. The movie follows Rob Gordon (John Cusack) as he chronicles his painful break-ups and failed romances following a recent break-up with his girlfriend of two years Laura (Iben Hjejle). Unlike other rom-coms, a majority ofHigh Fidelityrevolves around how Rob’s relationships fell apart and why the couples broke up. In addition,High Fidelityisn’t afraid to have a deeply flawed protagonist who learns and grows through the course of the movie.
While Rob is initially an unlikable protagonist, his reminiscing on his past failed relationships helps him gain self-awareness regarding his behavior and how he treated his partners. By the end ofHigh Fidelity, Rob’s clear personal growth results in him and Laura rekindling their romantic relationship again. The well-written characters in the romantic comedy are the highlight ofHigh Fidelity,and its charming setting, humor, and soundtrack cement its status as atimeless masterpiece movie.
Set It Up
Set It Up is a romantic comedy directed by Claire Scanlon, featuring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as two overworked assistants in New York City. To gain some free time, they scheme to set up their demanding bosses, played by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs, with each other. As their plan unfolds, unexpected romantic entanglements ensue, leading to comedic and heartfelt moments. The film explores themes of love, ambition, and the grind of modern work life.
Set It Upis not just a romantic comedy film between two people, it’s a romantic comedy between 2 sets of couples. The film follows two stressed and overworked assistants Harper Moore (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie Young (Glen Powell) as they try to set up their workaholic and demanding bosses, Kirsten Stevens (Lucy Liu) and Rick Otis (Taye Diggs), for their personal benefit.Set It Upmasterfully adds a refreshing take on classic rom-com tropes, and Powell and Deutch’s chemistry and banter makes them a perfect couple.
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InSet it Up,the side characters Kirsten and Rick have an interesting and entertaining dynamic with each other and their assistants, giving the characters are given depth, which makes it easier to get invested in their story lines.Set It Upuses clever and humorous writing, well-written characters, and creates a modern classic using the formula for rom-coms.
When Harry Met Sally
Written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner, When Harry Met Sally chronicles the life and relationship of Harry Burns and Sally Allbright, who meet just after college on a road trip to New York City and begin a decade-long relationship that slowly evolves from friendship to true love. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star as Harry and Sally, with a further cast that includes Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby.
When Harry Met Sallyis one of the most popularenemies to lovers romantic comedy films.The titular characters and lead couple, Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) don’t have a meet cute and start off at opposite ends. Over the course of 12 years, the duo repeatedly run into each other and struggle to get along with each other. However, each encounter leaves Harry and Sally changed and the two begin to bond. Harry and Sally’s journey from enemies to friends to lovers is amusing and heartening to witness.
When Harry Met Sallyisn’t just a touching romantic story, the comedic scenes are hilarious and iconic. The infamous deli scene and the quote “I’ll have what she’s having” remains a unforgettable cultural icon even more than 35 years after the movie’s release.When Harry Met Sallyis a quintessential rom-com with an incredible script that solidifies its status as an amazingrom-comthat anyone can enjoy.
