Romantic comedy is 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 for comfort movies, the abundance of formulaic rom-coms makes it difficult to find the well-written and complex gems.

The best romantic comedy movies of all time are 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.

8

Sleeping With Other People (2015)

Directed By Leslye Headland

Sleeping with Other People is an unconventional rom-com starring 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 People serves as a modern take on the classic premise of When Harry Met Sally and asks whether men and women can remain friends. Despite the familiar premise, Sleeping with Other People is a refreshingly grounded and hilarious rom-com with lovable characters.

7

The Half Of It (2020)

Directed By Alice Wu

The Half of It is 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.

At its core, the LGBTQ+ rom-com The Half of It is a coming-of-age examination of love and friendship that encourages audiences to make the “boldest stoke” they can. The Half of It is a wholesome and touching tale that doesn’t fall into the trap of traditional love triangles and needless drama. The Half of It is 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.

6

About Time (2013)

Directed By Richard Curtis

The science fiction rom-com About Time is a heartwarming and wholesome love story that stands apart from other rom-coms. About Time follows 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 of About Time is the emphasis it places on enjoying the small moments of love and joy that we take for granted. About Time’s thought-provoking ending and unique premise cements it as a must-watch rom-com movie.

5

Amélie (2001)

Directed By Jean-Pierre Jeunet

The French romantic comedy film Amélie stars Audrey Tautou as the тιтular 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 the French comedy film has a beautiful and intriguing love story between Amélie and the eccentric Nino (Mathieu Kᴀssovitz), 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, Amélie is an iconic and beloved rom-com.

4

Someone Great (2019)

Directed By Jennifer Kaytin Robinson

Someone Great isn’t a story about finding love, it’s a bittersweet movie about 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.

Someone Great and 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 Great doesn’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.

3

High Fidelity (2000)

Directed By Stephen Frears

High Fidelity is 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 of High Fidelity revolves around how Rob’s relationships fell apart and why the couples broke up. In addition, High Fidelity isn’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 of High 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 of High Fidelity, and its charming setting, humor, and soundtrack cement its status as a timeless masterpiece movie.

2

Set It Up (2018)

Directed By Claire Scanlon

Set It Up is 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 ᴀssistants 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 Up masterfully adds a refreshing take on classic rom-com tropes, and Powell and Deutch’s chemistry and banter makes them a perfect couple.

In Set it Up, the side characters Kirsten and Rick have an interesting and entertaining dynamic with each other and their ᴀssistants, giving the characters are given depth, which makes it easier to get invested in their story lines. Set It Up uses clever and humorous writing, well-written characters, and creates a modern classic using the formula for rom-coms.

1

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)

Directed By Rob Reiner

When Harry Met Sally is one of the most popular enemies to lovers romantic comedy films. The тιтular 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 Sally isn’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 Sally is a quintessential rom-com with an incredible script that solidifies its status as an amazing rom-com that anyone can enjoy.