The BEST 10 Romantic Comedies (as told by a fanatic)
As promised, this entry lists MY top ten romantic comedies. Now I acknowledge this will be a controversial list, but it is my list, and therefore it stands. I did my best to compromise and exclude movies like Twilight from here, because even though they are truly amazing, they are actually not comedic (unless you count Jacob imprinting on Renesme- that is HILARIOUS). If you for some reason have not had the privilege to watch the movies below, you should do so immediately. Today is a Sunday and this is a three-day-weekend, so no one has any excuse. And hey, there’s also two good movies out now – Maybe I Do in theatres and Your Place or Mine on Netflix- so I guess check those out too.
Without further ado, the top ten romantic comedies that will give you the perfect post-Valentines dopamine kick! These are in no particular order, so take your issues up with my imaginary manager.
1.) When Harry Met Sally
I’m sure no one is shocked by my first pick, as this movie was the catalyst for every good rom-com since. Set in NY in the 1980s, the movie pegs the question, “can men and women ever just be friends?” My favorite part of this movie is how realistic it is. It isn’t a straight line from meeting to marriage, as it often is with terrible romantic comedies today; it is convoluted, scary, confusing, and genuine. And the diner scene never fails to make me laugh, ever since we watched it in one of my classes in London.
2.) 10 Things I Hate About You
I discovered this movie fairly recently, but since then, it is my go-to Valentines day watch. Similar to “When Harry Met Sally”, this movie is just so raw and relatable. The movie follows Kat, a hot-headed, abrasive teenager as she is set up with Patrick so that her younger sister can be allowed to date. She begins to lower her guard, but what will happen when she discovers the truth? I’m sure you can make assumptions, but just do yourself a favor and watch the movie first. Oh, and apparently this was filmed and set in WA- so now I like it even more.
3.) Just Go with It
I am well aware that there are probably very few “top rom-com” lists online that include “Just Go With It”, but again, this is one was mandatory on any list I created. Not only am I a sucker for ANYTHING Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston, but I love the story behind this one: Trying to charm his dream girl (Palmer) who believes he is married with kids and in the midst of getting a divorce, Danny recruits his assistant, Katherine, to pose as his fake wife- and recruits her kids as their fake children- and takes them all, along with Palmer, to Hawaii to bond. This movie may be bad, but boy is it good- funny, heartfelt, and just super sweet- a story about the love that might be right in front of you all along.
4.) The Princess Bride
I love this movie because it is a cross of every single genre: romance, adventure, fantasy, comedy, drama- the whole nine yards. Follow along with Wesley and Buttercup’s adventure and you will probably finish this movie in tears. That is, if you somehow are reading this and haven’t watched it yet, in which case- what are you really doing?
5.) 50 First Dates
The second Adam Sandler movie on this list, and I have zero shame. This is truly a great, absolutely hilarious movie about the power of love over all else, even the loss of memory. With two incredible leads, an ingenious plot, and wonderful acting, I just have to watch this one at least twice a year because it is THAT good.
6.) Bridget Jones’ Diary
This movie is just hilarious- it is seriously so relatable and it is so easy to imagine yourself as Bridget. Plus this movie is based off my favorite movie AND book of all time: Pride and Prejudice (which is only not on this list because I figured it broke the same rule as Twilight of not being considered a rom-com). Enemies to lovers with so many twists, and it will have you on the edge of your seat.
7.) 13 Going on 30
Remember being a geeky 13 year old with braces? Well, I remember it- and I remember watching this movie for some kind of preteen, puberty healing. The movie follows Jenna Rink, whose best friend Matty is secretly in love with her, even though Jenna yearns to be popular and “thriving in her thirties” instead. When her wish comes true, Jenna is forced to confront that there is more to life than that, and I am forced to confront that this will always be a timeless rom-com.
8.) My Big Fat Greek Wedding
No words for this amazing movie which was set in Chicago (yay!) at the start of the century. This movie follows Toula, part of a huge, eccentric Greek family, and Ian, who she falls in love with. Out of love and a desire to be accepted by her family, Ian agrees to be baptized into the Greek Orthodox Church. The movie is yet another funny, relatable example of the lengths people will go to for love.
9.) Clueless
I mean….I left this one for number nine because as everyone knows nine is my favorite number, and this one happens to be my favorite on this list. We’ve probably all watched Clueless, but if you’ve been living under a rock, this movie follows Cher (a total badass), who sees herself ass the Beverly Hills designated matchmaker. When she sets out to help klutzy new student Tai fit in at school, she learns a lot about love, friendship, and growing up. “As if” I could leave this one off the list, right? Plus, it is yet another movie based off a Jane Austen classic- Emma.
10.) Life as we Know It
After Holly and Eric are set up on a blind date by their mutual friends, they agree on one thing: they hate each other. But when their friends die in a tragic car accident, the two learn they have been named the joint guardians of their child, Sophie. This movie follows the two as they go from hating to tolerating each other, and ultimately -you guessed it- to love.
Honorable mentions (ie movies I liked but not enough to go above and I have to mention them or I’ll get yelled at): Sleepless in Seattle, Love Hard, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Holidate, Senior Year, The Proposal, basically all the Cinderella modern remakes, and Notting Hill.
Non-honorable mentions (ie movies you should only watch if you want to pee yourself laughing at how horrible they are): Falling for Christmas, I Believe in Santa (ft the mom from Jessie!), A Perfect Date, The Royal Treatment, The Kissing Booth (partly because the lead has one of the most punchable faces of anyone in TV today), and lowkey anything else that has Laura Morano in it.
I’d consider myself a bit of a rom com afficionado (as my sorority ritual chair, I assigned every new member a different rom-com and had them write a page long book report on each), but even I can admit that these suggestions swing more recent than classical. However, I think the list I have here is a MUST list for everyone. These are really timeless movies that I think will stand for the ages. And with that, V-day season is over and we’re on to…..the bland late February time frame? Don’t worry, I’ll have something exciting brewing for the next entry. Until then, stay safe, stay warm, and watch a rom-com. It just might make you smile.