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The Best Romantic Comedies of All Time to Help You Believe in Love Again
Get ready to swoon
The romantic comedy genre continues to delight audiences, with 2023’s Anyone but You breaking all sorts of records and reminding audiences that they love love. From classic rom-coms starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn to modern classics featuring some of today’s most swoon-worthy stars, the films on this list include something for everyone. Whether you’re ready to be transported back to the ’90s or searching for the streaming era’s biggest hits to date, we’ve got you covered. Here, we round up 25 of the best romantic comedies of all time that will have you falling in love all over again.
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Socialite Tracy (Katharine Hepburn) is set to marry George,
when she finds herself in the middle of two other men: ex-
husband Dexter (Cary Grant) and charming yet persistent reporter Macaulay (James Stewart). With three very different choices before her, Tracy must decide which man she truly loves before her wedding day.
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) are childhood best friends who have a dramatic falling out as teenagers. 16 years later, they reconnect as adults, and easily rekindle their friendship. However, romantic feelings remain, which gets complicated, particularly when Sasha starts dating a well-known celebrity.
Set It Up (2018)
Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) are both assistants to demanding bosses. Together, they hatch a plan to set up Kristen (Lucy Liu) and Rick (Taye Diggs) in an attempt to make their own work lives less stressful. However, as their plan starts to work, the two assistants find they might have an unexpected connection beyond their shared hijinks.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Constance Wu and Henry Golding have unmistakable chemistry as economics professor Rachel and history professor Nick. When they travel to Singapore for a wedding, Rachel is introduced to Nick’s exceedingly wealthy family and friends. She feels completely out of her depth with the level of wealth her boyfriend has grown up with. Rachel is also subject to judgment from Nick’s mother, leading to cracks in their relationship.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Kate Hudson’s and Matthew McConaughey’s performances in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days remain iconic. Magazine writer Andie and ad executive Benjamin get caught in each other’s web of deceit. While Benjamin bets he can make a woman fall in love with him in just 10 days, Andie is writing a piece about how to drive a romantic partner away in the same amount of time. Hilarious situations ensue.
Last Holiday (2006)
Georgia (Queen Latifah) quits her job after receiving a sudden and unexpected terminal diagnosis. She embarks on her dream vacation to a luxury hotel in the Czech Republic, where she challenges herself to live life to the fullest. Despite finding a kinship with world renowned Chef Didier and winning a ton of money in the casino, Latifah misses coworker Sean (LL Cool J) from back home.
The Wedding Planner (2001)
Jennifer Lopez is the rom-com queen for a reason. The Wedding Planner proved that viewers love to watch J.Lo fall in love onscreen. Mary (Lopez) is a workaholic wedding planner who is unlucky in love until she discovers an unexpected spark with Steve (McConaughey) when he saves her life. The only problem? She’s planning his imminent wedding to beloved heiress Fran.
Bros (2022)
In Bros, Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane play Bobby and Aaron, two gay men living in New York who find themselves drawn to one another, despite both being commitment-phobes. After dating for several months, and experiencing a multiple of personal and professional failures together, the pair break up. But as they pursue their dreams independently, Bobby and Aaron find out that their connection may be more powerful than they realized.
Something Borrowed (2011)
Based on the book of the same name by Emily Giffin, Something Borrowed tells the tale of two best friends whose friendship is challenged by a man. Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) has grown up in the shadow of her friend Darcy (Kate Hudson)—which includes conceding the man she likes, fellow lawyer Dex, to her bestie. But on Rachel’s 30th birthday, she accidentally reveals her crush to Dex, throwing her whole world into jeopardy.
About Last Night (2014)
About Last Night is based on David Mamet’s 1974 play Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and its star-studded cast includes Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, and Joy Bryant. The story follows two sets of best friends who engage in relationships with one another. Danny, Debbie, Bernie, and Joan attempt to build romantic relationships that will last in the real world, but love is never simple.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
When Harry Met Sally is written by Nora Ephron and stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as friends trying to prove that men and women can remain platonic. After initially hating one another, Harry and Sally eventually decide to be friends. Set over a sprawling time period, Harry and Sally’s friendship never fades, even when their lives become incredibly complicated.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
Confessions of a Shopaholic is both a traditional rom-com and a love letter to shopping, based on the book series by Sophie Kinsella. Isla Fisher stars as Rebecca Bloomwood, a writer with an awful shopping habit who lands a job giving advice in a financial magazine. There, she meets editor Luke (Hugh Dancy), with whom she has a surprising connection, despite having wildly different approaches to money. But can Rebecca curb her shopping habit before the debt collectors catch up to her?
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Jules (Julia Roberts) and Michael (Dermot Mulroney) are best friends who made a pact to marry one another if they were still single at 28. Just before Jules’s 28th birthday, Michael announces he’s marrying the much younger Kimmy (Cameron Diaz). Shocked at the news, Jules dedicates the next few days to winning Michael back and ruining the upcoming nuptials.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Stella (Angela Bassett) is a 40-year-old single mom who hasn’t had the best luck in love. When her friends convince her to take a vacation, she heads to Montego Bay, Jamaica, where she meets 20-year-old Winston, a local chef’s assistant who invites her to a party. They keep in touch, even once Stella returns home. But can they really make their unexpected romance work?
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Nora Ephron’s You’ve Got Mail is the epitome of ’90s romance. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star as Kathleen and Joe, rival bookstore owners who have no idea they’re talking to one another online. As their romance blossoms via the internet, they’re at war whenever they meet in person. As usual, the chemistry between Hanks and Ryan is pure perfection.
Brown Sugar (2002)
Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) have been friends since childhood, having bonded over their love of hip-hop. While dating other people, Sidney and Dre realize there may be some unresolved romantic tension between them. Before Dre gets married, he kisses Sidney, causing them to wonder if their friendship could turn romantic.
Fire Island (2022)
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the film focuses on a group of gay friends who travel to Fire Island every year. Noah (Joel Kim Booster) is this story’s Elizabeth Bennet, and he finds himself clashing with his very own Mr. Darcy, Will (Conrad Ricamora). As the group of friends enjoy a fun-filled vacation, Noah questions whether he may have found an important connection.
Anyone but You (2023)
Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Anyone but You stars Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney as warring acquaintances Bea and Ben. Thrown together at a wedding, Bea and Ben pretend they’re dating to stop their meddling friends from trying to set them up. But the more time they spend together, the more obvious it becomes that their fiery chemistry is legit.
Hitch (2005)
Will Smith plays Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a “date doctor” who helps men land dates with the women of their dreams. Sworn off of love, Hitch finds himself falling for journalist Sara (Eva Mendes), who seems just as cynical as he’s always been. While he attempts to work his magic on behalf of his clients, Hitch helplessly tries to impress Sara—and fails horribly.
Romancing the Stone (1984)
Until now, romance novelist Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) has only ever written about love and adventure, but never experienced it herself. Upon learning that her sister has been kidnapped, Joan travels to Colombia to pay a ransom. There, she meets exotic bird smuggler Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas), whom she loathes immediately. Together, they attempt to find Joan’s sister.
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