Romance is a trendy genre that all countries’ entertainment industries focus on. Rom-coms are a famous subgenre of romance, and since the 90s, they have achieved a significant amount of fans who rely on them to have a happy ending!
Rom-coms give us a place to escape, and that’s one of the main reasons people watch them repeatedly!
Here are some of the most popular movies. Some have received critical acclaim, some commercials, and some both! Please remember that the following list is not a numbered list. We are not citing any movie as the top rom-com movie of all time or ranking them.
To make a list easier to navigate, we have divided the top rom-com movies into sections: Classics rom-com movies, 1990s rom-coms, Early 2000s rom-coms, the latest of the lot, and lastly, the top Christmas rom-com movies!
Many people adore these famous rom-coms! Check out the list to see if your favorite rom-com movie is here and find new recommendations!
Here are the Top Rom-Coms of All Time:
Classic Rom-Coms
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It Happened One Night (1934)
A movie list can only be completed with It Happened One Night. It is a Black and white classic movie credited with the popularity of the romcom genre in the movies! It is the recipient of over five Academy Awards! Three are the Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress!
The story is centered around Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert), who plays the role of a spoiled heiress running from her father. On the way, she meets Peter Warne (Clark Gable), a newspaper reporter. They strike a deal and start to travel together. As one can expect, over the course, they get lovestruck!
2. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Starring Big Hollywood stars Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart, the movie is a famous rom-com! As one can expect from the title, the film is based in Philadelphia, where Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) will marry a second time, but chaos comes when her first husband (Cary Grant) re-enters her life.
When released, this top among the classic rom-com movies received 6 Academy Awards, winning awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and more! Fun fact: The commercial hit is based on a 1939 play by playwright Philip Barry!
3. Roman Holiday (1953)
In Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn (Ann) plays the role of a princess who falls in love with a normal newsman (Gregory Peck) during her trip to Rome! It’s a one-day movie where the couple explores Rome and finds love between them. Audrey Hepburn received the Academy Award for Best Actress for this famous rom-com. It also won the awards for Best Picture and Best Writing.
4. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn star in this classic rom-com. This is mainly cited as a screwball comedy. Still, it can also be considered among the top rom-com movies where we see David and Susan (Grant and Hepburn), a paleontologist and a socialite. Many situations make the film a funny romcom, including a missing dinosaur bone that David is trying to find and Susan’s pet, a leopard! Yes, you heard it right, a leopard.
5. My Man Godfrey (1936)
The American Film Institute places this classic romcom in the 83rd position as the most excellent film of all time! Of course, this also deserves a place in our classic romcom movies list! The story is about a wealthy socialite, Irene Bullock(Carole Lombard), who hires Godfrey Smith (William Powell) as her butler. Along the way, the couple eventually get infatuated with each other.
6. The Shop around the corner (1940)
Inspiration for You’ve Got Mail, an iconic 90’s romcom, The Shop Around the Corner is a romcom lover’s dream plot! It stars Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart, who argue with each other in real life but are fast pen pals who also write to each other regularly. They both work at a notions shop on Balta Street, around the corner of Andrassy Street. (Hence the title of the movie).
7. The Lady Eve (1941)
The Lady Eve is one of the top classic rom-com movies that has a strong female lead played by Barbara Stanwyck. The plot is based on Monckton Hoffe, a con artist who gets smitten with the man (Henry Fonda) she is trying to con! The movie earned nominations for Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor from the Academy!
8. City Lights (1931)
With a rating of 95 out of 100 on IMBD, this classic romcom holds up to date! Charlie Chaplin is a highly acclaimed movie writer, director, and producer! This silent story entails the story of a Tramp (Chaplin) as he gets lovestruck with a blind girl (Virginia Cherrill) who confuses him for a rich man whom Tramp is not.
9. Annie Hall (1977)
Woody Allen directs and acts as a lead in this classic. He plays Alvy Singer, a comedian, and we see iconic Diane Keaton playing the titular character of Annie Hall, a complex girl that Alvy is dating. In the film, we see the couple’s journey from meeting each other for the first time, getting into a relationship, breaking up, and getting back together.
10. His Girl Friday (1939)
His Girl Friday is a remake of another American film, “The Front Page,” released in 1928. It identifies as a screwball comedy like other movies of that time. Still, it deserves a place in a classic rom-com movies list as the main storyline rests on the two main characters (Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson) and how they get back into a relationship.
11. Adam’s Rib (1949)
We see long-time real-time partners Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in this charming classic rom-com movie. Alongside seeing the chemistry between the couple, we get a lot of hilarious moments in this story of a woman on trial. The twist is that the leads are the council fighting opposite each other for the women on the murder trial case!
12. Holiday (1938)
Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant pair up again in this classic rom-com movie. Katherine plays the character of Linda, and Grant’s character, Nick, is unhappy with their lives; thus, they swap places with each other as a holiday! Holiday has two Academy Awards—one for the Best Picture and another for the Best Director.
13. Some like it hot (1950)
We see iconic film actress Marilyn Monroe play a cheerful character in this classic romcom! Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) play two musicians who disguise themselves as girls to go to Florida, where they meet Sugar Kane (Monroe), who is the leader of an all-girls jazz group. Joe and Sugar develop a relationship, but hurdles arise because Sugar is already engaged to Osgood Fielding, a millionaire, and when Joe reveals his identity.
14. Ninotchka (1939)
Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas pair up against each other in this old classic rom-com. Ninotchka (Garbo) is on a mission to sell some art treasures in the city of love, Paris. There, she meets a count, Leon d’Algout (Douglas), and they get infatuated with each other. The Oscar-nominated movie is based on a German play of the same name by Melchior Lengyel.
15. Indiscreet (1958)
Cary Grant again presents a sharp classic romcom alongside female lead Ingrid Bergman in this love and betrayal-themed rom-com drama. Anna Kalman (Ingrid Bergman) plays a known theater actress who is in an affair with Philip Adams (Cary Grant), an economist who is married but is living separately from his wife. The British rom-com was nominated for two Golden Globes and two BAFTAs.
16. Desk Set (1957)
The iconic pair of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy once again act in this light classic rom-com. This movie is set around a workplace, making it different from other classic rom-com movies of that time. Bunny Watson (Hepburn) and Richard Sumner (Tracy) work alongside the Federal Broadcasting Network in Manhattan. Still, the introduction of Sumner and his computer may take away the jobs of Bunny and other librarians.
17. The Apartment (1960)
Set in the era of vintage 1960s New York, The Apartment is a rom-com drama where Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine play the lead. The movie received five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Billy Wilder, and Best Screenplay.’The Apartment is rented out by C.C. Baxter (Lemmon) to his boss’s mistresses. One day, he falls in love with one of them, Fran Kubelik (MacLaine).
18. Sabrina (1954)
Another Billy Wilder-directed movie, this is a recommendation for love triangle rom-com lovers. Sabrina includes performances by Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden. The story is based on the 1951 book- “Sabrina Fair” by Samuel Taylor. The story is about how a working-class girl, Sabrina, falls in love with her father’s boss’s son, Linus Larrabee (Bogart), but he doesn’t reciprocate her feelings.
19. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Audrey Hepburn’s classic character as Holly Golightly is still something that many consider an inspiration! Like Sabrina, this Audrey Hepburn rom-com movie is also based on a Novel, The novella by Truman Capote of the same name. The film shows beautiful New York, where Holly is a party girl with a complicated past and sparks a relationship with a new tenant in her building, Paul Varjak (George Peppard).
20. Barefoot in the Park (1967)
Barefoot in the Park is a classic rom-com adaptation of a 1963 play of the same name by Neil Simon Pens. It is also based in New York City, where the leads, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, play a recently married couple. They are struggling in their marriage, though. Throughout the movie, we see the couple adjusting to their new life and see why they fell in love with each other!
1990s Romcom
1990 was a big time for rom-com movies. After some time, they returned with a bang on the big screens, and many of them included plotlines that were diverse, hilarious, and instant hits! Here are some of the top 90s romcoms that are still an everyday watch for people!
21. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
This classic rom-com directed by Nora Ephron stars Tom Hanks (Sam) and Meg Ryan (Annie) as two individuals who fall in love when Sam’s son, Jonah, calls over a radio. The movie is one of the most recognized top rom-com movies, which people appreciate for the screenplay, direction, and acting. It was nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Song at the 66th Oscars.
22. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
We get to see the famous pair of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in another favorite rom-com directed by Sleepless in Seattle Director- Nora Ephron. The movie is based on another classic rom-com, The Shop Around The Corner (which we have already listed above). The plotline is about two people falling in love over emailing each other. In real life, they are competitive rivals trying to make their bookshops the best!
23. Pretty Woman (1990)
We see the chemistry of Hollywood legends Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. Roberts plays the character of a prostitute hired by a wealthy businessman (Gere) for two days. In that period, they fell in love.
Fun Fact: Even with a female lead playing a prostitute, the classic romcom is produced by Disney’s Touchstone Studios. The studio is known for producing children’s entertainment.
24. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Another Julia Roberts funny romcom where we also see another Hollywood superstar actress, Cameron Diaz, alongside Dermot Mulroney and Rupert Everett. The story is about Julianne finally realizing her true feelings about her best friend Michael (Mulroney) only when he announces his wedding to Kimberly (Diaz).
25. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Can boys and girls be friends? This universal, mysterious question gets a take from this iconic movie by Nora Ephron. We get the pair of top Hollywood actors Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, who play friends. We see them grow together from graduates to different points of life where they reconnect and may or may not develop into something more.
26. Runaway Bride (1999)
We get another funny rom-com by the queen of romcoms, Julia Roberts, in this movie, Runaway Bride. The titular character is played by Roberts, who has run away from her past three weddings. So, a journalist, Gere, goes to her hometown because he wants to write an article about her. We may not see love at first sight, but rather an exciting love story.
27. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
You’ll see the beautiful young Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell in this British rom-com about weddings and a funeral. The film is heavy on friendship as the group of friends is an integral part of this top rom-com, making this a diverse choice from the top rom-com movies list!
28. The Wedding Singer (1998)
The first movie to have the classic pairing of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, The Wedding Singer, is a simple yet cute romcom. The story may only be about a wedding singer (Sandler) and a waitress ( Barrymore) falling in love, but people loved the couple’s chemistry, story, and plotline!
29. Notting Hill (1999)
You’ll love this famous rom-com movie if you like the small, cozy, and beautiful scenery. Why? Because we get Hugh Grant as a small bookstore owner in a British town where one day our female lead, Juliet Roberts, who plays the character of a famous movie actress, visits and develops a connection with a handsome British bookseller!
30. Clueless
Clueless is another romcom in a high school setting based on a classic author’s work. The popular romcom is adapted from the Jane Austen Novel “Emma.” This can be considered a comedy and a famous rom-com since Clueless’s famous pair- Alicia Silverstone as Cher and Paul Rudd as Josh- are still famous couples that people ship together!
31. Groundhog Day (1993)
Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell pair up with each other for the first time in this funny rom-com. Murray plays the role of a weatherman who is reliving the same day over and over again. Andie is the weather show’s producer, and on Groundhog, they go to cover, and all things start to unravel!
32. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
If you’d like to see a modern adaptation of the famous William Shakespeare play “The Taming of the Shrew,” you are in for a treat! Because this renowned romcom navigates the same story in the setting of a 90s- early 2000s high school. Starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gorden-Levitt, and more, this movie is a must for a rom-com lover!
33. French Kiss (1995)
A dream movie for a French scenery lover, French Kiss is a 1995 famous rom-com movie starring another rom-com queen, Meg Ryan, and Kevin Kline. The beautiful and funny film directed by Lawrence Kasdan focuses on Meg Ryan when she goes to Paris to confront her fiancé. On the way, she gets into all sorts of trouble when she meets a French crook (Kline) who uses her as a way to smuggle a necklace.
34. She’s All That (1999)
It stars 90s heartthrobs Freddie Prinze Jr. And Rachael Leigh Cook as the main leads in this funny teen rom-com. She’s All That is about an unpopular high school student who eventually gets into a relationship because of the bet made by the Male lead (Freddie) with his other friends.
The movie’s Makeover scene is famous for showing the lead’s transformation. Fun fact: You’ll see favorite late Hollywood superstar Paul Walker (known for his role in Fast and Furious Movie Franchise) as Freddie Prinze Jr.’s friend in one of his earliest appearances in this movie.
35. The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)
Another star-studded among our top romcoms list is this 1996 based on a classic story of Cyrano de Bergerac. We see Janeane Garofalo, Uma Thurman, Ben Chaplin, and Jamie Foxx as leads. The movie starts with cats and dogs fighting. Abby (Garofalo) is a veterinarian radio show host and gets infatuated with Brian (Chaplin) when he shows up for her show. But, Abby needs to be more confident and ask her friend (Thurman) to impersonate her.
36. Never Been Kissed (1999)
Drew Barrymore leads this high school rom-com when her character, Josie, a 25-year-old journalist, is disguised as a teenager in a high school for a story. There, she meets our love interest, Sam (Michael Vartan), the high school’s English teacher.
37. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Another love triangle classic romcom comes from another romcom queen- Sandra Bullock. Bill Pullman and Peter Gallagher play brothers in the movie. Lucy (Sandra) is a lonely train station token collector in love with a regular train commuter (Gallagher). One day, Peter gets injured at the station and goes into a coma. Due to situations, Lucy is mistaken for his fiance!
38. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
This movie truly made Cameron Diaz the leading lady we know today. Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, Joe Pantoliano, A man tries to track down the woman of his dreams after a disastrous blind date. Diaz plays the woman of his dreams, who is also hiding a few secrets.
39. Jerry Maguire (1996)
This classic 90s romcom is rare indeed. It is a sports romcom starring Tom Cruise! He plays the titular role, and Renée Zellweger is his love interest. The plot surrounds Jerry Maguire, who starts his management firm with only one client after being fired from his previous job. The sports star is played by Gooding Jr., who eventually won an Oscar for his role in the movie!
40. Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
This may not have achieved the same accolades as other movies on our top romcoms list. But it has since become a cult classic in the genre of teen romcoms! Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ethan Embry, Seth Green, Peter Facinelli, and many more actors play the role of high school students as they go to their graduation party!
Early 2000s romcom
You find a lot of romcoms produced in the early 2000s era. We can even say the decade was a golden age for them, with many romcoms coming in year after year! They are always an excellent option to watch to see how people used to romance before social media was there!
41. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is the first part of a trilogy. It is a funny romcom about a woman (Nia Vardalos) falling in love with Ian (John Corbett), a non-Greek man. The movie is big on family and culture. And if you like Greek scenery, a beautiful cast, and weddings, then I highly recommend at least watching the first part of this rom-com trilogy!
42. Miss Congeniality (2000)
One of the most unique plots for an early 2000s rom-com is in Miss Congeniality. Sandra Bullock produces and stars in this funny romcom about a pageant going on. She acts as an FBI agent, Gracie, who goes undercover in the beauty pageant to save the contestants and the guests. The twist of who the villain turns out to be also somewhat unpredictable!
43. Maid in Manhattan (2002)
Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes make a cute pairing in this early 2000s rom-com. Marisa (Lopez) is a single mother who is a maid in a posh hotel, Carlyle Hotel, where she meets a wealthy political candidate (Fiennes). All’s well, except Christopher mistakes her for a socialite instead of her real identity.
44. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Truly an iconic romcom, Bridget Jones’s Diary is one of the films that was not only appreciated when it was released but is still a rewatchable movie for our generation. It is based on a famous novel by Helen Fielding, who also wrote the screenplay for the British movie adaptation. The film is about Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), who writes in her diary starting in the New Year to fulfill different goals.
This is a love-triangle famous romcom, and we see Colin Firth and Hugh Grant romancing with the lead! The movie also has two sequels, making it a trilogy, with the latest one, Bridget Jones’s Baby, just released in 2016.
45. Legally Blonde (2001)
Reese Witherspoon shot to stardom with this early 2000s rom-com. Based on an Amanda Brown novel of the same name, Legally Blond tells the story of Elle Woods, who enters Harvard intending to win back her ex-boyfriend. Along this process, we see the growth of Elle. Robert Luketic directs it in his directorial debut!
The movie also got a sequel in 2004, but that wasn’t as big a hit as this one. The reason why it’s a hit and still a favorite for many people is because it shows that the lead is not only pretty but has brains as well. This makes her an empowered lead.
46. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo make this romcom a hit with their undeniable chemistry, unique plot, and great acting. With a touch of Magic, this funny rom-com is about a 13-year-old girl, Jenna, who wishes to get old on her birthday. The next day, her wish comes true, and she is now 30, a successful editor!
47. The Wedding Planner (2001)
Another Jennifer Lopez rom-com on our list is this one. She plays the role of Mary, a very successful wedding planner on the verge of being a partner if she completes this last wedding for her firm. It’s great until she gets into a forbidden romance with the groom (Mathew Macautney), the groom she is planning the wedding for!
48. America’s Sweetheart (2001)
Another Julia Roberts, early 2000s rom-com in our top romcoms list is this star-studded one with Billy Crystal, John Cusack, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. This is a love triangle rom-com where Catherine Zeta-Jones (a famous Hollywood actress) and Roberts (her assistant) play sisters. It’s only a story of a weekend, but the comedy by Billy Crystal in the movie as a Hollywood publicist is amazing!
49. The Wedding Date (2005)
This funny romcom is also based on a book. Asking For Trouble by Elizabeth Young was released in 2000. The story is also somewhat unique and funny; Kat (Debra Messing) hires Nick, a male escort (Dermot Mulroney), as her plus-one for her half-sister’s wedding. This charade continues throughout the movie while the couple is at the wedding venue until they realize they have fallen for each other.
50. 50 First Dates (2004)
Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler pair up again in their second venture together. They will go on to star in three famous rom-coms together. First is The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, and Blended (2015). 50 First Dates is about Henry (Sandler), who goes to Hawaii, where he meets Lucy (Barrymore), suffering from short-term amnesia. She can only hold the memory of a single day, and thus, they begin their 50-first-date journey.
51. Hitch (2004)
We get Will Smith is his first rom-com pair-up with Eva Mendes. Hitch (Smith) is a date doctor, a professional matchmaker who helps people to fall in love with their partner. He meets Albert (Kevin James), another client, to help him start a relationship with Allegra (Amber Valletta) While he starts dating Sara (Mendes), who does not believe in the famous “date doctor.”
52. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Another famous early yet best rom-coms 2000s by Reese Witherspoon is Sweet Home Alabama. She returns to her hometown, Alabama, from New York to get a divorce from her ex-husband. Along the way, we get to be a part of a love triangle between Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, and Josh Lucas.
53. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
This early 2000s romcom is more about comedy than romance, but I’m sure you’ll find this is the list of top rom coms if you search. The plot is definitely… unique. It’s about Andy (Steve Carell), a 40-year-old manager of an electronics store who is a virgin. His friends help him to find somebody, and he does meet Trish (Catherine Keener). But will they have a successful relationship?
54. She’s the Man (2002)
Another romcom that’s based on a play is She’s the Man. It’s inspired by the classic playwright William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum lead this early 2000s rom-com set in a high school.
Viola (Bynes) gets selected to play in a soccer team for boys. It’s when she disguises herself as one and falls in love with Duke (Tatum), another player on the team. What will happen when everyone gets to know the real identity of Voila?
55. Along Came Polly (2004)
One of Jennifer Aniston’s earliest romcoms, Along Came Polly, is about rediscovery and is one of the best rom-coms 2000s. The plot takes place when Reuben (Stiler) meets Polly (Aniston), a risk-taker who helps Reuben in his journey to discover himself after his divorce.
Throughout the movie, we see the couple doing various activities that make Reuben leave his comfort zone. They eventually fall in love during this time, but they are so different. Can or will they get together?
56. Two Weeks Notice (2002)
Truly a dream for an enemies-to-lovers fan, Two Weeks Notice is about two people who are very different from each other working together and finally, getting to see each other’s perspective and feelings for each other. In this funny romcom, Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant play leads against each other!
57. The Notebook (2004)
Based on the famous Nicholas Sparks novel, The Notebook is one of the most-watched romance movies on Valentine’s Day! Yes, it is more in the romance genre than comedy, but we couldn’t just include this classic romance movie in our top romcoms.
It tells the story of two people from different classes in the 1940s. The story is simple, but fans love this classic rom-com for its lines, screenplay, and chemistry between the leads, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
58. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Another one of the top rom-coms that are still a daily watch for some fans is this rom-com movie! The scenes between the leads Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are a vibe fans love today! Kate (Hudson), a magazine writer, must complete her article on ‘how to lose a guy in 10 days’. She finds Ben (McConaughey), but he has a different agenda. So, will their relationship survive after these truths come out?
59. Just My Luck (2004)
This is one of the funniest rom-coms on our list. When first released, it didn’t make waves, but it has become a fan favorite! We see young Lindsey Lohan and Chris Pine play different characters and fall in love with each other.
Ashley (Lohan) is a fortunate girl working for a publicity firm in New York. On the other side, we have Jake (Chris Pine), a manager for a music band, who clearly can use a little luck. One day, they kiss at a masquerade party, and their luck gets switched! Now, it’s an exciting journey to see what will happen when everything changes.
60. Just Like Heaven (2005)
You won’t see this underrated movie much in the top rom-com movies list, but Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo fans would like to see their favorite actors play opposite each other back then.
The movie is adapted from the French novel Et si c’était vrai (If Only It Were True), published in 1999 by Marc Levy. It is a character-driven plot full of emotions and backstories. Plus, there’s even a slight twist in the end!
Mid-2000s Romcoms
61. Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
Isla Fisher is the shopaholic in this funny rom-com. The movie is based on the worldwide popular novel of the same name by the author Sophia Kinsella, which was published in 2003. The story is about Rebecca Bloomwood (Fisher), addicted to shopping, and she sends a letter to the magazine editor (Hugh Dancy) and ends up working as a financial journalist there! This unique theme makes this one of the funniest rom-coms!
62. The Ugly Truth (2009)
Chemistry-filled performances by Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler make The Ugly Truth a re-watchable fun romcom! Abby (Heigl) is a TV producer for an American morning show where she invites the famous dating guru, Mike (Butler), to increase her show’s ratings. They make a bet that if Mike helps Abby date Colin, a doctor, then he will become a regular on her show. Otherwise, he leaves. It is one of the best rom-coms 2000s.
63. 27 Dresses
Another beloved funny romcom by Katherine Heigl is 27 Dresses, which tells the story of Jane, who has been a bridesmaid 27 times. I recommend this romcom if you like to see wedding planning in movies!
She likes the idea of marriage and is in love with her boss, George (Edward Burns). Things change when her younger sister, Tess (Malin Akerman), visits her and announces she is marrying George. A journalist (James Marsden) wants to publish a story on Jane as a 27-time bridesmaid.
64. Something Borrowed (2011)
Another romcom adapted from a best-selling novel is Something Borrowed. The movie is based on the 2004 novel by Emily Griffin of the same name. It is a love triangle with the theme of “will she or won’t tell.” The two friends, Darcy and Rachel (Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin), are in love with Dex (Colin Egglesfield), but Dex is already engaged to Darcy. But, before the wedding, Dex also sleeps with Rachel one night. Now the question is, will they tell Rachel or not?
65. Bride Wars (2009)
If you like wedding rom-coms, then make sure to check out Bride Wars. The movie wasn’t a smash hit, but we get to see the planning of a posh New York Wedding in this. Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) are childhood best friends planning their weddings since they were little girls.
Their dream location is the Plaza Hotel in NYC. But, the hotel only has a single date available, and both friends try different ways to sabotage each other’s weddings. Kristen Johnston, Steve Howey, Bryan Greenberg and
66. Friends with Benefits (2011)
Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake take the roles of Jamie and Dylan, who try the famous arrangement of “friends with benefits” with each other. The movie is praised for showing the real portrayal of sex and contains some of the funniest scenes.
67. Maid of Honor (2008)
Another wedding-themed romcom on our list is praised for its unique plot and humorous situations in this one. We see a man as a maid of honor in this unique romcom. Patrick Dempsey plays the titular role. He is the bride’s best friend, Hannah (Michelle Monaghan). But he agrees to be her maid of honor so that he can sabotage her wedding with Colin McMurray (Kevin McKidd).
68. Definitely, Maybe (2011)
It may be among the most successful and popular rom-com movies in every top rom-com list. If you want something emotional and heartwarming, you’ll like this story about Will (Ryan Reynolds), who is narrating his life story about his last three relationships with his daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin), to understand why her parents divorced. The female leads include acting by Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz, and Elizabeth Banks.
69. Valentine’s Day (2010)
We don’t have any top rom-com anthology that focuses on different Hollywood characters playing cute rom-com roles! Directed by Garry Marshall, the movie has other plotlines for different characters. We see Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Dempsey, and many more Hollywood superstars who lead their stories.
Fun Fact: This funny romcom also features a story about young love on Valentine’s Day starring Super popstar Taylor Swift! It is her debut movie, and she is paired up with Taylor Lautner.
70. New Year’s Eve (2011)
If we are including Valentine’s Day on our top romcom movies list, we also have to include New Year’s Eve! The movie follows the same format as anthologies. Just imagine a one-day rom-com taking place on the day of New Year, not Valentine’s Day. Directed by the same director of Valentine’s Day, Garry Marshall, we see a new second round-up of characters played by Hollywood superstars, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Zac Efron, Katherine Heigl, Seth Meyers, Ashton Kutcher, Hilary Swank, and many more.
71. What happened in Vegas (2008)
Hollywood superstars Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher act opposite in this fake marriage romcom. They are two people (who get married while drunk in Las Vegas after only spending a night. They plan to get annulled, but Mason wins a lottery, and to split the money, the judge orders the couple to stay together for six months.
72. Life as we know it (2010)
Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel’s first rom-com together that is as romantic as emotional is Life as we know it. Holly (Heigl) and Eric (Duhamel) are stuck together to raise their best friends’ children since they are godfathers after their friends die in a road accident. It is an enemies-to-lovers trope, and we gradually get to experience the love between the couple that is formed.
73. The Proposal (2009)
After being released in 2009 starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, The Proposal com has achieved almost a cult following of devoted top rom-com movie lovers! Sandra Bullock plays the role of a strict book editor who makes a deal with her assistant to avoid deportation to Canada.
The small town of Alaska and the acting by all the side characters like Betty Cooper, Malin Åkerman, Mary Steenburgen, and others make this a beautiful and fun movie.
74. Knocked up (2007)
Another Katherine Heigl rom-com that is a favorite is this one defined knocked up in most of the top movie lists. It has one of the best comedy timings. Seth Rogan plays the male lead, and together, the couple goes through an accidental pregnancy that happens when they spend one night together.
75. Date Night (2010)
Steve Carrell and Tina Fey, two of the most hilarious people in Hollywood, partner up in this funny rom-com. They okay the role of Phil and Claire, who have the picture-perfect suburban life with their kids. But, they are also bored with this. So, they try to spice up the date night. But that doesn’t go as planned because that date night takes a thrilling turn when they get involved in the case of mistaken identity.
76. Just Go With It (2011)
Before The Murder Mystery franchise became a hit on Netflix, Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler did a funny romcom together in 2011 adapted from the Oscar-winning movie- Cactus Flower! The story’s about a plastic surgeon, Sandler, getting help from his manager, Aniston. Why? To lie and convince his new girlfriend, (Decker) that he will be getting divorced soon from his wife. So, the couple’s free to date.
77. Dan in Real Life (2007)
Dan in Real Life sees the acting by Steve Carell playing the lead role, Dan. He has three daughters and a single father. One day at a reunion, he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche). However, hurdles arise when he finds that Marie is already dating his brother Mitch (Dane Cook).
78. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2009)
This is a popular romcom anthology. It follows three stories where the characters go through different points of relationship with them in their lives. Hollywood Celebrities like Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, and Emma Stone have their own stories. There is even a twist in the end that people would find humorous!
79. Music and Lyrics (2007)
Music and Lyrics bring two of the most beloved Hollywood superstars together. Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant work together as Alex and Sophie in the movie to produce music that can bring back the successful career Alex had ages ago. Along the way, as in most romcoms, they develop feelings for each other.
80. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is such a funny and enjoyable top rom-com movie! It is the story of Peter (Jason Segel), who is trying to move on from his past relationship with his ex-girlfriend (Kristen Bell). So, he books a flight to Hawaii to take his mind off this situation. He does meet a girl there, Jansen (Mila Kunis), and all’s well. But, he needs to think about finding his now ex-girlfriend there at the same location with her new boyfriend (Russell Brand).
81. Mamma Mia! (2008)
This popular rom-com, which has become a classic musical franchise, now focuses more on the musical side than comedy. But even an excellent Musical romance deserves a spot on our list! It mainly includes acting by legends like Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Pierce Brosnan, and many more!
The movie is based on an ABBA-inspired musical play in 1999. It tells the story of Sophie (Seyfried), who is getting married and finally wants to know who her father is. So, she invites her mum’s (Streep) past relationship lovers (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård).
82. When In Rome (2010)
If you love the scenery of beautiful Rome, then you’ll love this Multiple star-studded romcom! Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel are the leads in this rom-com. With a touch of magic, Beth wishes for love in her life at her little sister’s wedding while she is drunk. She picks up three coins from a famous Rome fountain that magically makes the owner of those coins instantly fall in love with her. Now, she has to find a way to make things right again!
Fun fact: One of the three men who fall in love with the lead is played by the real-life husband of Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard!
83. 500 Days of Summer (2009)
We experience a relationship in 500 days, as suggested by the title of this emotional rom-com. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are the leads. They were both very well praised for their realistic acting in the movie. The plot is simple: A man and woman date while they meet and work, and we go through their relationship’s ups and downs throughout the movie.
84. Letters to Juliet (2010)
We can find one of the prettiest movie scenes in Letters to Juliet. It takes place in Italy and is inspired by a nonfiction book by Lise Friedman and Ceil Friedman. The fiction rom-com movie tells the story of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), who goes to Italy with the man Victor (Gael García Bernal).
While traveling, Sophie finds a wall where women leave letters to Juliet. The famous William Shakespeare’s heroine of Romeo and Juliet. There, she reads the letter of Claire(Vanessa Redgrave), a heartbroken woman from 1957, and writes to her. After reading that letter, Claire tries everything to meet her past lover, Lorenzo (Franco Nero).
85. Leap Year (2010)
This might be rare in the romcom list as it is the only rom-coms 2000s major motion picture in Dublin, Ireland! With leads Amy Adams and Matthew Goode, the movie is also on point with Romance and comedy! We see the couple, Anna and Declan, on their way to meet Jeremy Sloane (Adam Scott), fiance, because she wants to propose to him on the 29th of February because of an Irish tradition!
86. The Switch (2010)
Another top rom-coms 2000s is The Switch from our beloved rom-com queen Jennifer Aniston. She stars in the movie alongside famous Hollywood actor Jason Batman. I think the plot is unique as the lead, Kassie, played by Aniston, wants to get pregnant, so she gets the sperm from a donor, Roland Arfwedson (Patrick Wilson). But Kassie’s best friend, Wally, accidentally switches the sperm. Like other top rom-com movies, this is also inspired by a story, “Baster” from author Jeffrey Eugenides.
87. Bridesmaids (2011)
Bridesmaids is one of those wedding-themed rom-coms high on female friendship. Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, and Wendi McLendon make a wedding bridesmaid party! The movie got nominated for two Academy Awards the year it was released! One for the Best Original Screenplay and another for the Best Supporting Actress (this is for Melissa McCarthy).
The story’s about Lillian (Rudolph) getting married and asking her best friend Annie (Wiig) to be her maid of honor. But the other bridesmaids? They are all so different from each other! How will this wedding go? But, Even though the bride’s style is highly pointed at female friendship, we also get to see the romance aspect as Annie does get entangled with a police officer (Christopher O’Dow) in the movie.
88. Knight and Day (2011)
More of an action romcom, Knight and Day had two of the most famous Hollywood actors playing leads against each other: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. And Don’t think that just because it has Tom Cruise and action in the movie, it won’t have Romance Because the audience certainly gets loads of chemistry-filled scenes.
The story is about Roy (Cruise) and how he is being hunted by the CIA agents. Along the way, the CIA also assumes that June (Diaz) is Roy’s partner, even if she isn’t. Thus, June also gets tangled up in this deadly and, for our audience, adventurous situation with Roy.
The latest rom-com of the lot
Following, you’ll find the latest of the romcom bunch that the generation of today is watching and loving. Good things that come today in our 21st-century romcoms are that we find romcoms and movies with more diverse characters, more representation, and the new problems that people face today.
89. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Based on the popular novel of the same name by author Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians is a rarity. It is the latest Asian l-cast lead film in our and everyone’s top romcom movies list! In this movie, we get to see a rom-com based in the beautiful country of Singapore!
The story starts with Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) traveling to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick (Henry Golding). While boarding the airline, she gets that Nick is wealthy and belongs to a powerful family in Singapore. As an economics professor, Rachel is surprised to find out how the rich live in Singapore. Now, we’ll see if Nick and Rachel can come together regardless of their financial classes.
90. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before Franchise (2018-2021)
This movie truly got back the trend of teen rom-coms today. The famous rom-com movie is based on the first part of the popular books To All The Boys I’ve Loved Trilogy by Jenny Han. The plot involves Laura Jean writing a letter to all her crushes or the boys she has loved before until today. But, when her younger sister, Kitty, sends the letters to her, she crushes. It leads to fake dating. Due to their different intentions, Lara Jean and Peter are dating each other. But, we all know what comes up with this arrangement in every rom-com movie: love.
91. The Kissing Booth Franchise (2018-2021)
Another one of Netflix’s trilogy aside from To All The Boys I Loved Before that was released within the same period as that one is The Kissing Booth. It is also based on Beth Reekles’s novel, published in 2011. All three movies navigate the life of Ella (Joey King), her best friend Lee (Joel Courtney), and Lee’s big brother Noah (Jacob Elordi).
When Ella and Lee need to think about a project for charity in their school carnival, they think of kissing both. While the activity takes place, Ella kisses Noah for the first time. They start a relationship afterward. But they don’t tell Lee because of Ella and Lee’s childhood agreement. Now, the question is, will Ella be able to have a relationship with Noah and continue her friendship with Lee?
92. Lost City (2022)
Based on an old rom-com, Lost City has big stars like Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, and Daniel Radcliffe. We also get a special appearance by Brad Pitt (Don’t worry, I’ve not spoiled anything, as it is already seen in the trailer, so you are safe.) In the movie, we see Loretta (Bullock), a successful novelist, and her cover model, Alan (Tatum), trying to escape the jungle where Abigail (Radcliffe), a billionaire, has kidnapped and taken her.
93. Shotgun Wedding (2023)
Released on the streaming service Amazon Prime, Shotgun Wedding is one of the latest rom-coms released this year, with Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel as its main leads. The critics weren’t favorable to the movie, but the audience loved it! So much so that they made it one of the most-watched films on Prime Video!
The premise is that the couple has to save their wedding guests as they are taken as hostages. Personally, I feel that if you like weddings, especially destination weddings, adventure, and one-day stories, then you will need to see this latest romcom! The reason is that the chemistry between the leads is amazing, the comic timing is bang on, and the supporting cast is great!
94. Ticket to Paradise (2022)
Julia Roberts and George Clooney have been friends for years, but this is their first time working together on a romcom! They play ex-partners to each other in this second-chance romance movie! The scenario is that Georgia and David (Roberts and Clooney) are going to Bali. Why? Because they have to stop the wedding of their daughter Lily (Kaitlyn Dever). So that she doesn’t make the same mistake of marrying too soon like her parents did when they were younger.
95. Love & Gelato (2022)
Another book-to-movie adaptation that Netflix has done specifically for their teen and young audience is Love and Gelato. This movie is also based on a fan-favorite novel series by Jenna Evans Welch. The story’s about Lina (Susanna Skaggs) traveling to Italy to meet her father for the first time. She makes the trip because of her mother’s wishes. I think you can add it to your top rom-com movie list if you like coming-of-age rom-com, beautiful locations of Florence, Italy, and stories about young love.
96. Set It Up (2018)
If you want a sublet modern rom-com with the background of an office romance, then I highly recommend Set It Up. This underrated funny romcom is about two assistants doing the cupid’s work and trying to make their respective bosses fall in love with each other! Zoey Dutch and Glenn Powell play the role of those assistants, while Lucy Lui and Taye Diggs play the role of their bosses.
97. Marry Me (2021)
Another love triangle in our top romcoms list is Marry Me. We see Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson marrying each other in the movie. Why? Because the female lead finds her fiance, Bastian (Maluma), cheating on her. So, she does the absolute over-the-top thing and thinks of marrying a guy carrying this scene in one of her concerts! The movie is based on a graphic novel, not a fictitious book by Bobby Crosby!
98. Palm Springs (2020)
Adam Sandler, famous for the TV sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Cristin Milioti, famous for another popular show, How I Met Your Mother, star in this time travel rom-com. If you love Groundhog Day, you’ll also like this wedding-themed time-traveling movie about two people stuck on the same day. They try different ways to get out of the loop and have feelings for each other!
Christmas Romcoms
Christmas is a big time for the movies. Rom-com Christmas movies are not far behind in entertaining their audience to the fullest! Many winter-themed funny rom-coms have become a favorite of many for this joyous time!
99. Holiday (2006)
This movie by rom-com filmmaker legend Nancy Meyers is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants to experience change. Why? Because we see Hollywood legends Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz play the characters of Iris and Amanda, who decide to interchange their homes for the Holiday Season! We see two very different stories of women, but they are both charming!
100. Love, Actually (2003)
A staple in any top Christmas romcom list, Love, Actually is a very romantic movie that shows different love stories in 10 different stories! It is a British romcom directed by famous director Richard Curtis instead of an American one. Some famous actors who have roles in the movie include Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, and Emma Thompson.
101. Serendipity (2001)
John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale make this iconic Christmas romcom in New York a remarkable movie. Especially for people who believe in luck and, well, serendipity! Both main characters meet one day while shopping at Christmas time. After a few more accidental encounters, they write their numbers on a money note and hand their future all on luck.
102. Holiday Inn (1942)
We see Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire as a singer and a dancer in this classic Christmas rom-com musical. They are competing to win the love of Marjorie Reynolds, an actress in the Christmas rom-com. The movie’s name is Holiday Inn because they stay at a hotel that opens only on holidays. The famous song “White Christmas” comes from this movie!
103. Happiest Season (2020)
Kristen Stewart, famous for her Twilight Movie role, stars in this cute LGBTQ Christmas romcom. We also get some of the best comedic timing actors, including Aubrey Plaza, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, and Daniel Levy as other characters in this Netflix romcom.
The story is about a couple, Abby and Harper (Stewart and Davis), going on to the next step in their relationship: Engagement. But that doesn’t happen when Harper tells Abby that Harper’s family doesn’t know she’s gay.
104. Let it Snow (2019)
This star-studded Christmas romcom adaptation is based on an anthology book of the same released in 2015. It has many young and fresh faces of young adults who are all navigating their own stories around this one day around Christmas. Odeya Rush
Liv Hewson, Kiernan Shipka, Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore and Mitchell Hope are just some of the stars playing different important characters in their stories.
All stories around different high school seniors and how they are handling this Christmas time. We get to see the themes of young love, LGBTQ relationships, friendship, and more in this cozy Christmas romcom.
105. The Princess Switch (2018-2021)
Venessa Hugdges, known for her role in Disney’s High School Musical Trilogy, makes another mark in a trilogy. The first movie’s plot is a Princess switching between a Chicago baker and a princess. They do a switch because they have the same face and get to see what the other person goes through in their lives.
106. Falling For Christmas (2022)
Lindsay Lohan comes back to major motion picture acting with this Netflix rom-com. She is paired with Chord Overstreet, who makes this super winter and Christmas theme romcom a rewatchable! The story is about Sierra (Lohan) losing her memory due to an accident and getting help from the neighboring widower (Overstreet) at the lodge.
107. A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019)
Stars Laura Marano and Gregg Sulkin have had a loyal following with their fans since they were teenagers, pairing up in this fifth installment of A Cinderella Story movie franchise. You get your typical story of a stepmother and two stepsisters, just like Cinderella, but switch her role as an aspiring singer falling in love with a charming modern prince!
108. Single All The Way (2021)
One of the most popular LGBTQ movies released around the Christmas theme is another by Netflix! This Christmas romcom sees Peter (Michael Urie) wanting help from his best friend (Philemon Chamber) to act like his boyfriend around Christmas. But, while faking their way and due to Peter’s family playing matchmaker, the couple’s relationship gets real! Jennifer Coolidge and Kathy Najimy act as the supporting cast.
109. The Christmas Prince (2017)
This is a very romantic trilogy produced by Netflix that may not have the most original story. It is about a working girl falling for a prince, but fans love the whole Christmasy vibe of the movie and the chemistry between the leads, Rose McIver and Ben Lamb, as they include it in their Christmas rom-com movie lists!
110. Ghosts of the Girlfriend Past (2009)
This modern adaptation of the classic Christmas story A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Michael Douglas as the main star cast. McConaughey is Connor, a successful photographer who doesn’t care about others’ feelings. One day before his brother’s wedding, Conner’s uncle, Wayne, an inveterate, comes to him. He says that tonight, he will get visits from his past girlfriends.
111. Something from Tiffany’s (2022)
Something from Tiffany’s was released just last December, and this particular romcom is also adapted from a popular book fans love. The book by Melissa Hill was released in 2009. The story is about two couples and how confusion about some jewelry from Tiffany’s leads to a change in their lives. Zoey Dutch, Shay Mitchell, Kendrick Sampson, and Ray Nicholson. We get to see the beautiful-lit New York in this romcom!
112. Holidate (2020)
Another superstar to do a Christmas rom-com movie is Emma Roberts. She acts as the lead alongside Luke Bracey in this fake dating romance! The couple decides to act as each other’s date for a year; thus, their “holidate.” But, like most fake dating romances, they find each other falling for each other.
113. Love Hard (2021)
Nina Dobrev, famous for her Vampire Diaries role, marks her journey to Christmas rom-com starting with Love Hard! She is playing the role of a writer who, like most people nowadays, meets a man on a dating app. But, after a while, she learns that she has been catfished. To get to know the real person she has been texting, she goes to the real home of the person to confront her! The movie is set in December, so you’ll find a lot of Christmas scenery!
114. Last Christmas (2019)
Famous stars Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) star together in this modern top Christmas rom-com. Clarke plays the character of a singer stuck doing a job for the holidays as a Santa’s elf. But, she meets a mysterious man (Golding), and we see them develop a connection in a few meets. There’s even a slight twist ending in this movie!
115. Four Christmases (2008)
This hilarious romcom takes us on a journey of four different Christmases that Brad and Kate (Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon) spend at different houses of their parents. We get to see different types of Christmases and traditions at each house. This makes the movie a must-watch for the wintertime!
Conclusion
These are some of the most loved romcoms by people of all generations. Everybody has their favorite picks. The 40s, ’90s, and early and best rom-coms 2000s were the most in-demand. But, they made a comeback in the 21st century by releasing many book adaptations and Netflix rom-coms.
Romcom core is a thing now, making us fans super happy!
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