For decades, romantic comedies have been considered by the film-going masses to be little more than “chick flicks,” designated as lighter fare that falls more intothe guilty-pleasure viewing categorythan, say, Scorsese’s latest film. However, with the modern era of 24-hour news cycles and social media addiction, there’s nothing like watching two people fall in love to briefly quell the existential angst. These movies allow you to get lost in the moment-by-moment nuances of courtship and supply you with a hefty dose of witty banter, unlike a plot-heavy piece of Oscar bait.
Despite a lack of rom-coms starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan these days, the genre is experiencing a resurgence, with new movies coming out all the time and old classics finding new audiences. Streaming services are popping out original content faster than it can be consumed, with hidden gems on every platform imaginable. OnNetflixalone, there are enough titles to keep you in the world of meet-cutes and quirky dates until you run out of popcorn.
Viewers often slight themselves sticking to films set in specific genres when Netflix hosts so many movies that bend genre stereotypes. Rom-coms, although often characterized in their own genre, can cross the lines from period pieces to horror. Luckily, we’ve curated a diversified list of the best rom-coms on Netflix for fans across the board.
20Your Place or Mine (2023)
Your Place or Mine
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Releasing exclusively to Netflix in 2023,Your Place or Minestars Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher. Best friends Debbie, played by Witherspoon, and Peter, played by Kutcher, have a long-standing relationship. Debbie, living in Los Angeles, has to venture to NYC in hopes of receiving a better-paying job. Without anyone to watch her son, Jack, Peter, living in NYC, says he will fly out and spend the week with him while Debbie works. Despite their contrasting personalities, the two realize the feelings they’ve harbored for years andadmit they love each other.
What Makes It Great
Receiving average reviews from critics, the story ofYour Place or Mineis not one that hasn’t been written. It has the standard best-friends-to-lovers narrative playing out in subtle reluctance and the weight of balanced adult lives pushing down two people’s feelings. Also, a grand airport confession that we all see coming. And yet, there’s something about watching Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher exude immense charm, grace, and romance that makes the movie sing. It was definitely a guilty pleasure film that enlivened the story well and had a decent reception.
19Nappily Ever After (2018)
InNappily Ever After, Violet (Sanaa Lathan) is plagued by deep-seated insecurities about her natural hair. The insecurities stem from her mother’s criticism of her as a child and her insistence on straightening her hair before she went out in public. As a grown woman, Violet’s diffidence begins to affect her love life negatively. After a challenging break-up, Violet must learn to accept and love herself, and, in turn, she finds love again. According toSheila O’Malley of Roger Ebert’s website, Lathan’s performance inNappily Ever Afteris “fearless.”
Thriving on representation not only of Black women but also their person,Nappily Ever Afteris a bold and unapologetic rom-com directed by Haifaa al-Mansour. Through its careful examination of one woman’s struggle, it allows room for empathy and understanding. Beyond the piercing messages, the film is very sweet and heartwarming, with Sanaa Lathan’s performance being extraordinarily beautiful. That said, it is a movie everyone should watch at least once in their life.
18Holidate (2020)
The premise of two people pretending to be a couple, only to end up falling in love in the end, predates the existence of filmmaking itself. Spoiler alert:Holidateis one of those fake-couple-becomes-real-couple movies. Of course, we don’t watch romantic comedies to wonder if the leads will get together in the end — it’s all about seeing the process of how it happens. In this case, Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey play the main characters who fall in love while pretending to be a couple for the sole purpose of being able to bring someone home for the holidays.
Related:Best Romance Movies That Use the Fake Dating Trope
Under John Whitesell’s incredible direction, the overused trope comes alive in vibrant style. A crisp and joyful ode to love,Holidatestars Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey in the main roles, and despite their clashing beliefs on the holidays, their chemistry is wonderful. Even though the ending is predictable, the film keeps you engaged throughout, and much of the credit for that goes to the seamless acting from the stars. Ultimately reminding the audience to take the pressure off of dating and enjoy each other’s company,Holidateis a must-watch.
17All The Bright Places (2020)
Though more on the drama side with hints of comedy through the adversity that the characters face,All The Bright Placesis a standout rom-com. The story follows Violet Markey, whose sister died in a car crash that Violet survived. Having survivor’s guilt, Violet refuses to ride in a car even though almost a year has passed. Not only that, but she is suffering the loss of her best friend, making her unmotivated to do anything, especially schoolwork. When Theo, known as Finch, played by Smith, notices how unhappy Violet is, he makes an effort to be partners with her for their class project. Not knowing that Finch suffers from depression as well, Violet gives him a hard time until she finally realizes that he truly cares about her and is trying to be her friend. The plot turns when Finch attempts suicide and is successful.
This Netflixadaptation of a best-selling novelwritten by Jennifer Niven blends teen romance with a deeply affecting profundity. Known to stay faithful to the emotional intensity of its source material, it stars Elle Fanning and Justice Smith alongside one another. As Theo and Violet, their performances tug at your heartstrings. Despite its devastating ending, the movie leaves you with a reminder that even in our loneliest moments, it’s small acts of kindness towards oneself that can lead to a brighter future than you could ever imagine.
16Love, Guaranteed (2020)
Released exclusively to Netflix in 2020,Love, Guaranteed, follows Susan, played by Rachel Leigh Cook, and Nick, played by Damon Waynes Jr. Susan works for a law firm that is doing research on an online dating application. Nick, who has been on 986 dates before meeting with Susan, decides to sue the company behind the dating app. They offer him $100,000 to settle outside of court, but Nick declines. During their client and lawyer relationship, Susan and Nick grow feelings for each other. Not only did Susan and Nick fall in love, they were asked to be the face of the dating app, giving them more than they could have imagined.
A well-written and beautifully shot film starring Rachael Leigh Cook and Damon Wayans,Love, Guaranteedis the kind of movie you put on when you just want to sit back and relax after a long day at work. It tackles several aspects of modern relationships, like embracing messy truths and seeing beyond surface assumptions in order to truly open your heart to love. Director Mark Steven Johnson steers away from complexity or flaws to prove that rom-coms can have their cake and eat it, too.
15Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between (2022)
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Betweentells the story of two high school sweethearts who promise to break up before college. On their last night of high school, the two plan to share one last night of dates, but Aidan, played by Jordan Fisher, hopes to change his girlfriend’s mind. Clare, played by Talia Ryder, is adamant about the breakup remaining permanent, and despite Aidan’s attempts, the two part ways after a fight. The ending shows the two meeting again while Clare is on summer break, suggesting that anotherHello, Goodbyemovie could be in the works.
Starring Talia Ryder and Jordan Fisher in the lead roles, thiscoming-of-ageadaptation of Jennifer E. Smith’s novel of the same name is the authentic portrayal of first love and how it does not always mean forever, and that it’s important to treasure little moments before two souls drift apart. The movie is Michael Lewen’s directorial debut, and through the tender storyline and minimalist style of cinematography, he brings out the deepest nostalgia and poignancy of being in love.
14The Kissing Booth (2018)
The Kissing Booth
The Kissing Boothis a Netflix original movie that showcases three films starring Joey King, Jacob Elordi, and Joel Courtney. King plays Elle, a high school girl who has had a crush on her best friend Lee’s (Joel Courtney) brother since childhood. When she signs up to run the school’s kissing booth at the spring carnival, Elle is pushed face-to-face with her crush Noah, and the two have to work together. The three-film series shows the ups and downs of the couple’s relationship from start to finish and leaves the ending up for interpretation.
Even though the latter films received criticism for being a sun-kissed fantasy and downright problematic, the inaugural film in the series still had a beginner’s luck thing going for itself. Taking the teen rom-com genre in a direction we’ve seen several times before, it featured Joey King and Jacob Elordi. Their charming imperfection and relatable growth, paired with that chemistry, made their heartwarming journey somewhat memorable.
13Someone Great (2019)
Someone Greatfollows Jenny, played by Gina Rodriguez, gets dumped by her long-time boyfriend Nate,played by LaKeith Stanfield. Shortly after, she spirals into a deep depression and makes the decision to move to San Francisco. Before her big move, Jenny and her two closest girlfriends take on New York City for one last hoorah. The film concludes with a confrontation between Nate and Jenny, and closure is surely delivered.
Related:Someone Great: Why It’s the Best Movie to Watch with Your Girl Friends
The movie, like its storyline suggests,taps into post-breakup emotions. But instead of being mopey, it choses a rather vibrant and hilarious aesthetic to the art of letting go by focusing on female friendships. Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow and DeWanda are simply gorgeous as long-time friends whose bond runs deeper than blood. From the dramatic highs to the thought-provoking lows,Someone Greatreminds us that when one chapter ends, a new one begins.
12My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Imagine having a best friend so oblivious of their feelings that it takes an entire wedding for them to finally get the courage to confess their love for you? But first, they’ll sabotage the said wedding. That’s basically the premise ofMy Best Friend’s Wedding, a beloved ‘90s romantic comedy that features all the tropes that made the decade iconic. Julianne is appalled when her best friend breaks the news of his wedding and gives up on their arrangement of marrying one another at age 28. This sends Julianne into a spiral, and the rest, well is for you to witness for yourself.
Starring Julia Roberts and Dermot Mulroney in mesmerizing roles,My Best Friend’s Weddingis an entertaining and hugely rewatchable rom-com. The two put their heart into making this seemingly ordinary narrative filled with depth, nuance, and an effortless charm that was only synonymous with the decade. Directed by P.J. Hogan, the movie also delivers underlying commentary on the human dread of existentialism and the emotional melancholy we all endure.
11Frances Ha (2013)
Frances Ha
Along with displaying her outstanding talent as a director, Greta Gerwig has also delivered brilliant on-screen performances, such as inFrances Ha. The story is about a 27-year-old aspiring dancer named Frances, living in Brooklyn without so much as an apartment, especially now that her best friend Sophie has moved in with her boyfriend. Adrift, she tries to navigate life and adulthood on her own, always striving for unanticipated happiness and self-discovery.
Written and directed by Noah Baumbach,Frances Hapays a whimsical homage to the twenties and theperpetual feeling of losing control of your adulthood. Through Frances’ journey and Gerwig’s relatable heroine, it shines a light on the poignancy and beauty of finding one’s way in this world. Moreover, the black-and-white cinematography, wry humor, and perfectly written dialogue enhance the dreamlike quality of the narrative.
