25 Netflix Romantic Comedies to Brighten Your Day
The romantic comedies have resurfaced in recent times and Netflix has been home to many classics, but also to great new productions that have been successful worldwide. Here, check out the top 25 that you can't miss.
"No Hard Feelings" not only marked the first collaboration between Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman, but also the return of the X-Men actress to comedy and the young actor's big screen debut. It was released in 2023 and, as expected, was a resounding success.
The drama, directed by Gene Stupnitsky, follows Maddie, who on the verge of losing her home, finds an interesting job advertisement where she has to transform a shy 19-year-old boy before the summer ends or die trying.
The cast of the rom-com is quite extensive and not only consists of the two stars, but also includes some who have accompanied them in significant roles: Laura Benanti, Matthew Broderick, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Scott MacArthur, Natalie Morales and Kyle Mooney.
The list of great rom-coms is quite extensive, but everyone remembers "Set It Up" among the top 25, especially because Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch star in the office drama and comedy directed by Claire Scanlon. Over time, it became a popular choice among Netflix subscribers for its light and entertaining approach to the genre.
The story revolves around two overworked assistants, Harper and Charlie, who work for demanding bosses in the same building. Harper works for Kirsten, a demanding sports reporter, while Charlie works for Rick, a successful venture capitalist.
As they work together to orchestrate several romantic encounters between their bosses, they spend more time together and begin to develop feelings for each other. However, their plan begins to fail when the relationship between Kirsten and Rick becomes increasingly complicated.
"13 Going on 30" is appreciated for its charm, humor and positive message about the importance of authenticity and human connection. The film combines elements of comedy, romance, and fantasy in a way that makes it beloved by many, becoming a box office success and earning a special place in the hearts of genre fans.
Starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, the plot follows a 13-year-old girl named Jenna Rink, who is unhappy with her life and lack of popularity in high school. After a misunderstanding at her birthday party, she wishes to be 30, believing that adults' lives are much better than hers.
"Falling Inn Love" is the kind of romantic movie that offers a light and pleasant escape for viewers. It combines elements of romance, comedy, and property renovation, providing an entertaining and comforting experience for those who enjoy the romantic comedy genre.
Christina Milian and Adam Demos are the ones who joined forces to carry out the rom-com, which premiered in 2019 on Netflix's catalog. The story follows Gabriela Diaz, a woman who lives in San Francisco and works in the corporate world. After losing her job and her boyfriend in quick succession, she decides to enter a contest to win an inn in New Zealand.
To her surprise, Gabriela wins the inn, but upon arriving in New Zealand, she discovers that the property is in very bad shape. With the help of an attractive local contractor named Jake Taylor, she embarks on the task of renovating the inn, despite their initial differences.
"When We First Met" was released in 2018 and directed by Ari Sandel. Not only was it a success at the time, but it continues to shine in the streaming giant's catalog. The plot was led by four great actors: Adam DeVine, Alexandra Daddario, Shelley Hennig, and Robbie Amell.
The story follows Noah Ashby, a young man who falls head over heels for Avery Martin after a perfect night together. However, he ends up in the dreaded "friend zone" when she sees him only as a close friend. After spending three years lamenting his situation, Noah discovers a mysterious photobooth that takes him back in time to the night he met her.
What makes "The Incredible Jessica James" unique is Jessica Williams' charismatic performance and the film's fresh and realistic approach to modern relationships and the struggles of professional life in New York City.
The plot follows Jessica as she navigates her professional and romantic life after a painful breakup. Despite facing obstacles in her career and personal relationships, Jessica maintains a strong and optimistic spirit.
The story takes a turn when Jessica meets Boone (played by Chris O'Dowd), a recent divorcee who is also trying to find his way in life. As Jessica and Boone develop a connection, they both begin to learn important lessons about love, friendship, and authenticity.
After several years of anticipation, the sequel to Mamma Mia! was released in 2018 and not only was it a global success, but now it's also among the favorites of Netflix users. Like its predecessor, the movie is based on the songs of the famous Swedish group ABBA.
The plot follows two timelines: one set in the present and another that goes back in time to tell the story of how Donna Sheridan arrived on the Greek island of Kalokairi and met the three men who could be the father of her daughter Sophie.
In the present, Sophie is restoring her late mother's hotel and preparing for its grand reopening. Meanwhile, through flashbacks, Donna's love story with the three men - Sam Carmichael, Harry Bright, and Bill Anderson - is depicted.
If we talk about classics, "The Holiday" is one of the most popular and acclaimed. With a stellar cast, featuring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black in the lead roles. Released in 2006, the plot follows two women, Amanda Woods and Iris Simpkins, who are going through difficult times in their love lives.
Determined to leave their love troubles behind, they decide to swap homes during the Christmas holidays. Amanda travels to Iris's cozy countryside cottage in England, while Iris heads to Amanda's luxurious home in Los Angeles. Both women hope to find a change of scenery and a fresh start in life.
Throughout the movie, the two women experience romance, personal growth, and a renewal in their perspective on love and life. It's a charming film that combines humor, romance, and touching moments, making it a popular choice for the holiday season and beyond.
"Love and Leashes" is a South Korean romantic comedy film from 2022, based on the webtoon Moral Sense by Gyeoul. Like several K-dramas in Netflix's catalog, the title triumphed on Netflix and starred Seohyun as Jung Ji-woo and Lee Jun Young as Jung Ji Hoo.
"The love has never made harm so tempting for two co-workers who agree to engage in a consensual relationship full of teasing, pleasure and pain", describes the official synopsis of the Asian rom-com.
"The Kissing Booth" is an original Netflix movie released in 2018, based on the novel of the same name by Beth Reekles. Directed by Vince Marcello, the movie, starring Joey King, Jacob Elordi and Joel Courtney, quickly became a hit among younger viewers.
The plot follows Elle Evans, a high school student who has been friends with Lee Flynn since childhood. Their friendship is based on a set of rules, one of which prohibits her from having a relationship with Lee's brother, Noah. However, she secretly finds herself in love with Noah.
"Long Shot" brought together two big stars, Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, in 2019. At the time, it was praised for the chemistry between them, as well as for its intelligent humor and refreshing approach to typical romantic comedy tropes.
The movie also addresses contemporary issues such as sexism in politics and journalism, making it relevant and entertaining for modern audiences. Throughout the story, the characters must navigate the complexities of their relationship while facing challenges.
Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, and Amanda Peet in one movie? Of course it was going to be a hit, especially if it belongs to the romantic comedy genre. Released in 2003, "Something's Gotta Give" was directed and written by Nancy Meyers. It was praised for its smart script, solid performances, and chemistry between Nicholson and Keaton.
The story addresses themes such as aging, vulnerability, and the search for true love in a humorous and touching way, making it a success both with critics and audiences. The plot follows Harry Sanborn, a successful businessman who has a long history of relationships with younger women. During a weekend at the beach house of his latest girlfriend, Erica Barry, he suffers a heart attack.
"Alex Strangelove" is a comedy and romance film, released in 2018 and directed by Craig Johnson. The plot follows Alex Truelove (played by Daniel Doheny), a high school student and aspiring filmmaker who seems to have it all: an amazing girlfriend, a loyal best friend, and a brilliant academic outlook.
The production has been praised for its authentic and sincere representation of the teenage and LGBTQ+ experience, as well as its blend of humor and emotional moments. It offers a refreshing and positive look at the journey of self-discovery of a young man searching for his sexual identity.
Ali Wong, Randall Park and Keanu Reeves joined talents in 2019 to bring to life "Always Be My Maybe", the rom-com of 2019 directed by Nahnatchka Khan. The movie offers a fresh and heartfelt look at second chances in love and the importance of friendship and authenticity in relationships.
The plot follows Sasha Tran and Marcus Kim, two childhood friends who drifted apart after a disagreement in their adolescence. Sasha becomes a successful world-renowned chef, while Marcus continues to live in his hometown of San Francisco, working for his father and pursuing his passion for music.
"It's Complicated" is praised for its clever script, compelling performances, and sense of humor. The film addresses themes such as love, divorce, family, and the pursuit of happiness in middle age, offering a touching and amusing look at the complexities of human relationships.
Nancy Meyers was the one who directed the title released in 2009, which was starred by a top-notch cast including stars like Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin. The plot follows Jane Adler, a successful baker and mother of three adult children who is divorced from her husband Jake.
"My Best Friend's Wedding" was released in 1997, directed by P.J. Hogan, and since then, it has become one of the most beloved by the audience. The classic was starred by Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett, so it was expected to be a great success.
The film is known for its witty humor, charming romance, and memorable soundtrack. It stands out for its exploration of themes such as friendship, unrequited love, and emotional maturity. Through comedic and heartfelt situations, it offers an entertaining look at the complexities of relationships and matters of the heart.
"The Half of It", directed by Alice Wu, is a modern and unique version of the Cyrano de Bergerac story, focusing on the life of Ellie Chu (played by Leah Lewis), an intelligent and shy high school student who lives in a small town.
The plot follows Ellie as she helps Paul Munsky (played by Daniel Diemer), a popular but not very bright high school student, write love letters to Aster Flores (played by Alexxis Lemire), a girl they both have feelings for.
The film addresses themes such as identity, friendship, unrequited love, and personal acceptance. It stands out for its sensitive and authentic approach to teenage and LGBTQ+ experiences, as well as its smart humor and heartfelt performances.
"Someone Great" is not the typical movie about girlfriends and relationship problems, but quite the opposite. It has been praised for its realistic portrayal of relationships and the lives of twenty-somethings, as well as for its intelligent humor and compelling performances.
With a stellar cast including Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, DeWanda Wise, and Lakeith Stanfield, the drama follows Jenny Young, a young music journalist living in New York City who is about to move to San Francisco to start a new job.
After her long-term relationship with her boyfriend Nate comes to an end, she and her two best friends, Blair and Erin, decide to spend one last night together in New York City before Jenny leaves.
The comedy and romance are not the only elements that characterize "The Lovebirds", but also mystery and suspense. The movie, which continues to be one of the best in the Netflix catalog, features a main cast composed of Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae.
The plot follows a couple, played by Nanjiani and Rae, who are in the midst of a relationship crisis. Just when they are about to break up, they become involved in a mysterious murder and become fugitives from the law. To clear their names and solve the crime, they embark on a series of adventures and comedic situations as they try to uncover the truth behind the murder.
The first installment of the original Netflix trilogy of "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" was directed by Susan Johnson and is based on the novel of the same name written by Jenny Han. Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, and Janel Parrish bring the main characters to life.
The plot follows Lara Jean Covey, a high school student who writes love letters to all the boys she has ever been in love with, but never sends them. However, one day, these secret letters are mysteriously sent to their recipients, triggering a series of events that change her life.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is the sequel to the successful first installment, which debuted on the big screen in 2002 and features a cast including Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and Lainie Kazan, among others. The film explores themes of family, tradition, and cultural identity, while delivering plenty of comedic moments.
The plot follows Toula Portokalos and her husband Ian Miller, who are now dealing with their teenage daughter, Paris, who is preparing to go to college. When Toula's parents discover that their marriage certificate was never signed by the priest, they decide to plan an even bigger and more extravagant Greek wedding to make everything official.
She's All That is the great classic of the 90s, which many cinema lovers have categorized as one of the best rom-coms of the generation. It is known for its plot that follows the archetype of the "ugly duckling" who becomes the most popular girl in school after a transformation.
The plot follows Zack Siler (played by Freddie Prinze Jr.), a popular high school student who bets with his friends that he can turn any girl into the prom queen in just six weeks.
His target is Laney Boggs (played by Rachael Leigh Cook), a shy and marginalized artist. Zack sets out to transform Laney into a popular and attractive girl, but as they spend more time together, he begins to truly fall in love with her.
Mark Steven Johnson is the one who directed and wrote "Love in the Villa", the romantic comedy starring Kat Graham and Tom Hopper. The story follows Julie's dream journey to Verona, which seems to take a twist when she discovers that the villa she has rented is already occupied by a (annoyingly) attractive stranger.
The incredible landscapes, the chemistry between the main stars, the freshness of the narrative, and the dialogues made the drama one of the most-watched during its premiere week in 2022. Not only did it compete against other popular titles, but it also managed to rank in the Top 10 in the United States.
Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes star in "Happiness for Beginners", the adaptation of the novel of the same name by Katherine Center, which was published in 2015. Vicky Wight directed and adapted the screenplay.
The plot follows Helen, who signs up for a wilderness survival course a year after getting divorced. Through this experience, she discovers that sometimes, one must truly get lost to find oneself.
Netflix brought together multiple stars from the streaming giant again in "Sierra Burgess Is a Loser", which premiered in 2018. Shannon Purser, Kristine Froseth, RJ Cyler, and Noah Centineo star in the teenage drama that follows a smart but socially awkward high school student.
The story follows Sierra, who becomes involved in a deception when she starts exchanging text messages with a popular boy named Jamey, who believes he is talking to someone else. She teams up with Veronica, one of the popular girls at school, to maintain the illusion, but meanwhile, develops feelings for Jamey.
The film addresses themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and relationships in the age of technology. Although it has received mixed reviews, it has been praised for the performances of Purser and Centineo, as well as for its focus on the importance of authenticity and inner beauty.