We absolutely love a good romantic movie, but sometimes you just need a bit more humour to lighten up the movie. Say goodbye to all those sad and sappy love stories, and say hello to these romantic comedy movies that will have you literally rolling on the floor with laughter. That’s our promise to you. So, check out the best rom com movies right now!
Pretty Woman (1990)
Starring: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Ralph Bellamy, Jason Alexander
What rich entrepreneur Edward sees as a simple business venture sure does turn out complicated when love gets in the way! After suddenly breaking up with his girlfriend Edward hires sex worker Vivian to play as his girlfriend for the week to a series of business events, Vivienne agrees for a sum of money and a new wardrobe! Things don’t turn out quite so straightforward as the couple, played by Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, start to fall for each other despite the huge difference in their lifestyles. With the highest number of ticket sales for a romantic comedy and a slew of awards and nominations this definitely deserves it’s place in the romantic movie hall of fame.
Where to watch: Amazon
Bridget Jones Diary (2001)
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth
At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget decides it’s time to take control of her life — and start keeping a diary. Now, the most provocative, erotic and hysterical book on her bedside table is the one she’s writing. With a taste for adventure, and an opinion on every subject – from exercise to men to food to sex and everything in between – she’s turning the page on a whole new life. Based on the bestselling books by Helen Fielding this charming and funny blockbuster should be on your watch list!
Where to watch: Amazon
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Starring: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Jackson Geach, James Saito and Michelle Buteau
Sasha Tran and Marcus Kim are childhood friends who grew up next door to each other in San Francisco. As Sasha’s parents had to tend their store, Marcus’ parents often had her over for dinner and his mother teaches her how to cook. Their friendship continues into their teenage years, but they eventually argue and fall out of touch. Sixteen years later, they meet again and gradually reconnect and fall in love.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Image credit: Netflix
Pretty In Pink (1986)
Starring: Molly Ringwald, Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer, Annie Potts, James Spader and Andrew McCarthy
Andie is an outcast at her Chicago high school, hanging out with either her older boss who owns the record store where she works or her quirky classmate Duckie who has a crush on her. When Andie is asked out by one of the rich and popular kids, Blane, it seems too good to be true. As she starts to fall in love with Blane, Andie realizes that dating someone from a different social sphere is not easy.
Fun fact: It was filmed at the same Los Angeles high school where Grease (1978) was made.
Romantic Comedy Movies: Roxanne (1987)
Starring: Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah
In this modern take on Edmond Rostand’s classic play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” C.D. Bales is the witty, intelligent and brave fire chief of a small Pacific Northwest town who, due to the size of his enormous nose, declines to pursue the girl of his dreams, lovely Roxanne Kowalski. Instead, when his shy underling Chris McConnell becomes smitten with Roxanne, Bales feeds the handsome young man the words of love to win her heart.
Fun fact: When C.D. is consulting a plastic surgeon about his nose, he holds up a picture of the nose he wants. The picture is Steve Martin’s nose, who plays C.D.
La La Land (2011)
Starring: Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Finn Wittrock
Sebastian, a jazz pianist, and Mia, an aspiring actress, are drawn together by their common desire to do what they love. But as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.
Fun fact: Ryan Gosling spent two hours a day, six days a week in piano lessons learning the music by heart. So by the time filming started, Gosling could play all the piano sequences himself without the use of a hand double or CGI.
Where to Watch: Hulu
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger, Rob Reiner
After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah. When Jonah calls in to a talk-radio program to find a new wife for his father, Sam reluctantly gets on the line to discuss his feelings. A reporter in Baltimore, Annie Reed, hears him speak and falls in love with him. Despite being engaged. She writes a letter to Sam asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan give wonderful performances, which allows their characters to have truly great chemistry.
Where to watch: Amazon
Palm Springs (2020)
Starring: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, Peter Gallagher, and J. K. Simmons
Nyles is stuck in a time-loop on the day of his friends’ wedding reception. He bonds with the maid of honor, Sarah. And after getting attacked in the desert, Sarah ends up stuck in the time loop as well.
Fun fact: Multiple endings were written and shot. They held private screenings to family and friends of the different versions to see which ending they liked best.
Where to Watch: Hulu
Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)
Starring: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon Callow
This British romantic comedy stars Hugh Grant as Charles, who along with his group of friends, are unlucky in love. At a wedding Charles meets a beautiful American, Carrie. After one magical night together Carrie returns to the states, leaving both of them thinking that it has ended what could have been. As their paths continue to cross after a further series of weddings and a funeral (see what they did with the title there) the timing always seems to be off for the couple but are they truly meant to be? This is a very light hearted frothy film but a winsome performance from Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell make this a must see rom-com. The character of Carrie was voted one of the most annoying film characters of all time in a British online poll.
Where to watch: Amazon
His Girl Friday (1940)
Starring: Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy and Gene Lockhart
When hard-charging New York newspaper editor Walter Burns discovers that his ex-wife, investigative reporter Hildy Johnson, has gotten engaged to milquetoast insurance agent Bruce Baldwin, he unsuccessfully tries to lure her away from tame domestic life with a story about the impending execution of convicted murderer Earl Williams. But when Hildy discovers Williams may be innocent, her reporter instincts take over. Described as a definitive screwball romantic comedy and with a strong performance from Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, this is one not to miss!
Fun Fact: A lot of the lines were ad libbed by Cary Grant, most famously Grant’s character describes Bellamy’s character by saying “He looks like that fellow in the movies, you know … Ralph Bellamy!”
Where to watch: Amazon
Clueless (1995)
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy and Paul Rudd
Based on Jane Austen’s Emma, this is something of a loose adaption of the book. Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student Tai a makeover.
When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother was right about how misguided she was — and begins to fall for him. This movie was something of a sleeper hit that had a strong influence on fashion and lingo at the time. It is now regarded as a modern classic so if you’ve somehow missed this one then the time to watch is now!
Where to watch: Amazon
The Princess Bride (1987)
Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright and Billy Crystal
Buttercup is living in the fictional land of Florin on a farm. She realizes that the farmhand Westley is in love with her and she loves him. But after he goes oversees to earn a fortune so he can marry her, his ship is attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts. Buttercup and Westley will do anything so they can be reunited again.
Fun fact: During the filming of some scenes, the weather became markedly cold for Robin Wright. André the Giant helped her by placing one of his hands over her head, which were so large one would entirely cover the top of her head, keeping her warm. André the Giant also called everyone on set ‘boss’.
Where to Watch: Amazon
Sabrina (1995)
Starring: Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond, and Greg Kinnear
This a remake of the Billy Wilder 1954 film of the same name, which was based on the 1953 play, Sabrina Fair. Sabrina Fairchild is a chauffeur’s daughter who grew up with the wealthy Larrabee family. She always had unreciprocated feelings for David, the family’s younger son and playboy. But after returning from Paris, Sabrina has become a glamorous woman who gets David’s attention. His older, work-minded brother Linus thinks their courtship is bad for the family business and tries to break them up — but then he starts to fall for her too. This movie didn’t hit big at the box office but it is saved by the seasoned cast who bring us a movie that is definitely worth a watch!
Where to watch: Amazon
Splash (1984)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy and Eugene Levy
Eight year old Allen Bauer is on a boat trip when he falls into the water, he almost drowns when he is saved by a beautiful young mermaid. 20 years later the mermaid, Madison returns to land and seeks out Allen. On land Madison has legs and she only reverts to her fishy tail when she becomes wet. A scheming scientist becomes interested in the mermaid and before Allen can choose between life on dry land or a deep sea paradise with his dream woman.
Fun fact: Splash is credited with introducing the girl’s name Madison, which has since been one of the most popular names for newborn girls in the early 21st century.
The Holiday (2006)
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black
Dumped and depressed, English rose Iris agrees to swap homes with similarly unlucky in love Californian Amanda for a much-needed break. Iris finds herself in a palatial Hollywood mansion while Amanda navigates the lanes of a picture-perfect English village. Soon enough, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads perfect for a romantic pick-me-up. The cast have amazing chemistry and this movie wanders into sentimentality without being overtly sweet give this one a try!
Where to watch: Amazon
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle and Glynis Johns
Lucy Eleanor Moderatz works as a fare token collector for the Chicago Transit Authority. With no family of friends Lucy finds herself lonely and develops a crush on daily commuter Peter Callaghan. On Christmas Day she saves Peter after a gang of muggers push him onto the tracks. Although she does save his life Peter ends up in a coma in hospital and after a nurse hears Lucy mutter ‘I was going to marry you’ it is presumed that she is Peter’s fiancee.
Lucy is unconditionally accepted into the quirky Callaghan family. She is swept along with the pretence as she enjoys the feeling of belonging in a family. Things get further complicated when Lucy meets his younger brother Jack and Peter awakens from his coma. Will Lucy’s deceptions come to light and will she still be accepted by this family when the truth is known? With Sandra Bullock highly praised for a charming performance and Peter Gallagher and Bill Pulman as the Callaghan brothers this is a perfect feel good film for some warm hearted cheer.
Where to watch: Amazon
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, and Regina King
When slick sports agent Jerry Maguire has a crisis of conscience, he pens a heartfelt company-wide memo that promptly gets him fired. Desperate to hang on to the athletes that he represents, Jerry starts his own management firm. With only single mother Dorothy Boyd joining him in his new venture. Banking on their sole client, football player Rod Tidwell, Jerry and Dorothy begin to fall in love as they struggle to make their business work. The film has been praised for the performances from the stellar cast. With Cuba Gooding Jnr winning a best supporting actor Oscar and Tom Cruise a nomination for his performance, this movie is also regarded as being Renee Zellweger’s break out role. If you haven’t already then give this movie a watch right now!
Where to watch: Amazon
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck and Judi Dench
This is a fictional story about William Shakespeare, pleated by Joseph Fiennes. Shakespeare is suffering from writers block and feels he is in need of a muse. Viola de Lesseps, daughter of a wealthy merchant (Gwyneth Paltrow) disguises herself as a man to gain the attention of Shakespeare, as women were not allowed to act in plays at the time. But she loses her nerve when she speaks to him and runs away.
When Shakespeare meets Viola at a ball at her familial home he becomes taken by her. She becomes her inspiration to write a little known play Romeo and Juliet. The two begin an affair. However her daring determination to act in his play puts their already forbidden relationship on even more dangerous ground. This movie was a big box office hit and Gwyneth Paltrow was lauded for her first big starring role and she eventually took home the Oscar for her performance. With this movie also winning the best picture Oscar that year and the stunning chemistry between the two leads this is one romance movie you need to watch!
Where to watch: Amazon
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Starring: Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, John Howard and James Stewart
This classic romantic comedy focuses on Tracy Lord, a Philadelphia socialite who has split from her husband, C.K. Dexter Haven, due both to his drinking and to her overly demanding nature. As Tracy prepares to wed the wealthy George Kittredge, she crosses paths with both Dexter and prying reporter Macaulay Connor. Unclear about her feelings for all three men, Tracy must decide whom she truly loves. Full of fun and wit with great direction and excellent performances from the cast don’t miss out on this classic!
Where to watch: Amazon
Sliding Doors (1998)
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, John Lynch, and Jeanne Tripplehorn
This film perfectly encapsulates that moment that could change everything. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Helen, she is fired from her job as a London ad executive and rushes out to catch a train. The plot then splits and two scenarios play out. In one, she gets on the train and comes home to find her boyfriend, Gerry, in bed with another woman. In the second, she misses the train and arrives after the woman has left. The movie then explores the two different paths that her life could take, changed by that one single moment. Is Helen destined for happiness or a life of misery?
Fun fact: Completely irrelevant to the movie, but sliding doors have been around since 1st Century AD. Roman sliding door tracks were found in Pompeii, Italy dating back to 1st Century AD.
Where to watch: Amazon
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Starring: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan
Struggling boutique bookseller Kathleen Kelly hates Joe Fox, the owner of a corporate Foxbooks chain store that just moved in across the street. When they meet online, however, they begin an intense and anonymous Internet romance, oblivious of each other’s true identity. Eventually Joe learns that the enchanting woman he’s involved with is actually his business rival. He must now struggle to reconcile his real-life dislike for her with the cyber love he’s come to feel and then consider how much he should reveal to her. Meg Ryan has already been on this list many times as she is one of the 90s seasoned rom com actors. This performance is no exception and her and Tom Hank’s performance are solid with charming chemistry between the leads. Don’t miss this one!
Where to watch: Amazon
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Starring: Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
With the fake orgasm scene almost becoming bigger than the film, that scene alone makes this film worth a watch! When Harry Burns and Sally Albright meet as college graduates they share a car ride from Chicago to New York, a particular argument proves contentious about whether men and women can truly remain platonic friends without sex becoming involved. Ten years in the future, Harry and Sally meet again at a bookstore and their friendship is rekindled leading to them attempting to remain friends without sex getting in the way. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are the titular couple in this now iconic romantic comedy.
Where To Watch: Amazon
Roman Holiday (1953)
Starring: Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck
Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European Princess Ann takes off for a night while in Rome. When a sedative she took from her doctor kicks in, however, she falls asleep on a park bench and is found by an American reporter, Joe Bradley, who takes her back to his apartment for safety. At work the next morning, Joe finds out Ann’s regal identity and bets his editor he can get an exclusive interview with her, but romance soon gets in the way. The movie was so popular that a sequel was said to be in the works but unfortunately it never took off the ground so for now we have to make do with just this one classic!
Where to watch: Amazon
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, and Michelle Yeoh
The film based on the book of the same name from author Kevin Kwan. Rachel Chu is happy to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. She’s also surprised to learn that Nick’s family is extremely wealthy and he’s considered one of the country’s most eligible bachelors. Thrust into the spotlight, Rachel must now contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives and something far, far worse — Nick’s disapproving mother. Starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding this a romantic comedy must watch!
Where to watch: Amazon
Coming To America (1988)
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones and Shari Headley
Prince Akeem is the prince of a wealthy African country and wants for nothing – except a wife who will love him in spite of his title. In order to escape an arranged marriage, Akeem flees to America with his persnickety sidekick Semmi. Disguised as a foreign student working in fast food, he romances Lisa but struggles with revealing his true identity to her.
Fun fact: Most of the dance performed the royal dancers in that sequence was actually a high-tempo rendition of the dance from Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ .
Where to Watch: Amazon
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Tom Wilkinson
This film has gained something of a cult following since it’s release. The title is based on the poem from 1717 Eloisa to Abelard by Alexander Pope. Jim Carey and Kate Winslet play the titular couple Joel and Clementine who begin a relationship after a train journey together. The couple are unaware that they were already a couple once but have had the memories of each other clinically erased after a painful breakup. As without any knowledge of each other they begin to bond again, could this mean that they were truly meant to be?
Where To Watch: Amazon
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick
Scott Pilgrim has never had any trouble getting a girlfriend as a bass guitarist for a garage-rock band. Usually the problem is getting rid of them. But when he meets Ramona Flowers and falls in love with her, he finds she has the most troublesome baggage of all: an army of ex-boyfriends who will stop at nothing to eliminate him from her list of suitors. Starring Micheal Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead this is a quirky romantic comedy that is hard not to love!
Where to watch: Amazon
Say Anything… (1989)
Starring: John Cusack and Ione Skye
Lloyd seeks to capture the heart of the beautiful and straight A-student Diane. It surprises everyone when she returns the sentiment. But her overly possessive, divorced father doesn’t approve. It will take more than the power of love to conquer all.
Fun fact: During the iconic boombox scene, the actual song being played during filming was reportedly ‘Turn The Other Way’ by Fishbone. ‘In Your Eyes’ was added post-production.
Where to Watch: Amazon
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Starring: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell and Russell Brand
Struggling musician Peter Bretter is better-known as the boyfriend of TV star Sarah Marshall. After she unceremoniously dumps him, he feels lost and alone but makes a last-ditch bid to get over it by going to Hawaii. However, she and her new boyfriend are there in the same hotel. With the right mix and romance and raunchy comedy and a stellar performance from the cast this is one to watch!
Where to watch: Amazon
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
Starring: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart
What happens when secret love letters you wrote for every boy you’ve ever been in love with gets mailed to them? Lara Jean is about to find out and her love life spins from imaginary to out of control. She even kisses one of the boys, Peter, in order to avoid confrontation with another, Josh. And then she pretends to date Peter to make his ex-girlfriend jealous.
Where to watch: Netflix
Image Credit: Netflix
Love Actually (2003)
Starring: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, Rowan Atkinson
Eight couples search for love and holiday cheer in London, among them: the Prime Minister who’s smitten with his caterer; a widower whose young son nurses the ultimate schoolboy crush; a writer who falls for his Portuguese housekeeper; a devoted wife and mother coping with her potentially unfaithful husband; and a lovelorn American who’s desperately attracted to a colleague. This star-studded movie is one you don’t want to miss.
Where to watch: Amazon
Moonstruck (1987)
Starring: Cher and Nicholas Cage
No sooner does Italian-American widow Loretta accept a marriage from her doltish boyfriend, Johnny, than she finds herself falling for his younger brother, Ronny. Although she tries to resist, when Johnny is out of the country, Ronny has no scruples about aggressively pursuing her. As she falls deeper in love, she comes to learn that she’s not the only one in her family with a secret romance.
Fun fact: Nicolas Cage’s screen test didn’t impress the studio and they wanted someone else to play Ronny. But Cher insisted that Cage was the one to play that role and threatened to quit unless he was hired. After a few days, the studio relented.
Where to Watch: Amazon
The Big Sick (2017)
Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher and Zenobia Shroff
Kumail is a Pakistani comic, who meets an American graduate student named Emily at one of his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms, he soon becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think of her. When Emily suddenly comes down with an illness that leaves her in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond with her deeply concerned mother and father. Regarded as hilarious yet heartbreaking this isn’t one to miss!
Where to watch: Amazon
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Starring: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Larisa Oleynik
This title is loosely based on the Shakespeare classic, Taming Of The Shrew. Kat Stratford is beautiful, smart and quite abrasive to most of her fellow teens, meaning that she doesn’t attract many boys. Unfortunately for her younger sister, Bianca, house rules say she can’t date until Kat has a boyfriend. So Bianca tries to set Kat up for romance. Things are starting to look up for Bianca when Kat crosses paths with the handsome new arrival Patrick Verona. What really makes the movie a masterpiece is the way Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger portray the bittersweet relationship.
Where to watch: Amazon
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, and Kevin Bacon
Cal Weaver is living the American dream. He has a good job, a beautiful house, great children and a gorgeous wife. However, Cal’s perfect life unravels when he learns that Emily has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Over 40 and suddenly single, Cal is adrift in the world of dating. Luckily for him, Jacob Palmer, a self-styled player, takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies. With stars like Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone, this movie is one you need to watch now!
Where to watch: Amazon
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Starring: Cary Grant, May Robson and Katherine Hepburn
Harried paleontologist David Huxley has to make a good impression on society matron Mrs. Random, who is considering donating one million dollars to his museum. On the day before his wedding, Huxley meets Mrs. Random’s high-spirited young niece, Susan Vance, a madcap adventuress who immediately falls for the straitlaced scientist. The ever-growing chaos — including a missing dinosaur bone and a pet leopard — threatens to swallow him whole. Although this movie was something of a flop at the box office it has been praised by critics and movie lovers alike. With both of the leads praised for an effervescent performance the box office was clearly wrong on this one.
Fun Fact: Bringing Up Baby is one of four films starring Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn
Where to watch: Amazon
Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
Starring: Toni Collette, Bill Hunter and Rachel Griffiths
Socially awkward Muriel Heslop wants nothing more than to get married. Unfortunately, due to her oppressive politician father, Muriel has never even been on a date. Ostracized by her more socially adept friends, Muriel runs into fellow outcast Rhonda Epinstalk, and the two move from their small Australian town to the big city of Sydney, where Muriel changes her name and begins the arduous task of redesigning her life to match her fantasies. A heartfelt and quirky romance with a bopping Abba soundtrack, what’s not to love?
Where to watch: Amazon
