25 Rom-Coms That Still Delight Us
Whether it's a grand gesture or a clumsy meet-cute, these films continue to hold a special place in our hearts. Here are 25 rom-coms that remain endlessly rewatchable.
Few romantic comedies have aged as gracefully as Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally. With Nora Ephron’s sharp script and unforgettable performances by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the film explores whether men and women can ever be just friends.
At its core, Notting Hill is a fantasy wrapped in understated charm. Hugh Grant plays the everyman with such endearing awkwardness that it's easy to believe a famous actress, portrayed by Julia Roberts, could fall for him. The film’s setting in a quaint London neighborhood only adds to its timeless appeal, making it a favorite for romantics who believe love can truly cross worlds.
This modern retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew became a defining rom-com for Gen X and Millennials alike. Set in a Seattle high school, it features a young Heath Ledger in a role that launched his international stardom, and made people fall in love with him. With its clever dialogue, feminist undertones, and an unforgettable musical number on the bleachers, the film strikes a smart balance between teenage angst and heartfelt romance.
A milestone in Hollywood for its all-Asian cast and stunning Singaporean backdrops, Crazy Rich Asians reinvented the genre for a new era. It combines old-school rom-com charm with modern sensibilities, diving into issues of identity, tradition, and economic disparity—all while delivering laugh-out-loud moments and tear-jerking scenes.
What began as a small independent film quickly grew into a global hit, thanks to its universal themes and cultural specificity. Nia Vardalos wrote and starred in this heartfelt story about a Greek-American woman falling for a non-Greek man, challenging her family’s expectations.
Set against the bright lights and impulsive energy of Las Vegas, this rom-com leans into chaos and chemistry. Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher play two strangers who marry after a drunken night, only to win a jackpot they’re legally forced to share. What begins as a battle of wills turns into an unexpectedly sweet exploration of compromise, timing, and second chances.
A playful war of intentions, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days pairs Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson at their most charismatic. She’s writing a column on how to push a man away; he’s trying to prove he can make any woman fall for him. Her yellow dressed became the dream of many girls.
More a tapestry than a single story, Love Actually intertwines multiple narratives to celebrate love in all its forms. From budding office romance to unrequited love and enduring marriage, the film captures the emotional highs and lows of the holiday season. Despite its ensemble structure, each storyline resonates, anchored by a stellar cast that includes Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, and Alan Rickman. It remains a festive favorite, revisited year after year.
Garry Marshall’s Valentine’s Day attempts to capture the chaos, excitement, and pressure of February 14 through a sprawling ensemble cast. While the stories vary in depth, the film mirrors real-life experiences: awkward dates, surprise breakups, new beginnings. With appearances from Julia Roberts, Taylor Swift, Ashton Kutcher, Anne Hathaway, and Bradley Cooper.
Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, New Year’s Eve spins its romantic charm through a similar multi-story format, set against the backdrop of the final day of the year. It thrives on the emotional promise that comes with countdowns and clean slates. Whether it’s a rekindled romance or a first-time spark, the film celebrates love’s unpredictability. The A-list cast includes: Halle Berry, Zac Efron, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, and Robert De Niro.
Set in the scenic wilds of Alaska, The Proposal flips the traditional rom-com script by having its female lead—played by Sandra Bullock—initiate a fake engagement to avoid deportation. Her dynamic with Ryan Reynolds is filled with bite and banter, but what starts as a cold business arrangement slowly warms into something unexpectedly sincere
Bridget Jones is gloriously flawed, refreshingly relatable, and endlessly lovable. Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of a single woman navigating life, love, and London launched a franchise and sparked a wave of more grounded heroines in romantic comedy. Between her awkward run-ins with Mark Darcy and the charming chaos brought by Daniel Cleaver, this modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice manages to balance honesty with humor in every scene.
A classic. Jennifer Garner shines in this time-jumping tale of self-discovery, where a 13-year-old wakes up in her 30-year-old body and must navigate the adult world with a childlike sense of wonder.
Alicia Silverstone’s Cher is superficial yet sweet, clueless but kind-hearted, navigating high school with charm, confidence, and a penchant for matchmaking. Underneath its glossy exterior lies a surprisingly thoughtful message about growth.
A film about swapping homes and accidentally swapping lives, The Holiday pairs two heartbroken women from opposite sides of the Atlantic—played by Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz—and lets them fall into unexpected romances in snowy England and sunny California. With Jude Law and Jack Black as their counterparts, the story is steeped in warmth, introspection, and cozy seasonal charm.
A quintessential high school rom-com of the late ’90s, She’s All That plays on the classic Pygmalion trope. Freddie Prinze Jr. plays the popular jock who bets he can transform any girl into prom queen, only to fall for the quietly artistic Laney Boggs, played by Rachael Leigh Cook. While the makeover storyline hasn’t aged perfectly, the film’s charm lies in its sincerity and the chemistry between its leads. It also cemented “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer into pop culture memory.
Set in the neon nostalgia of the 1980s, The Wedding Singer is one of Adam Sandler’s most heartfelt films, balancing goofy humor with genuine emotion. Drew Barrymore’s soft-spoken sweetness pairs perfectly with Sandler’s earnest wedding singer, creating a romance rooted in friendship and vulnerability.
In 27 Dresses, Katherine Heigl plays Jane, the perpetual bridesmaid whose selflessness borders on martyrdom, until her patience and loyalty are tested by her sister’s engagement to the man Jane secretly loves.
With minimal screen time shared between its leads, Sleepless in Seattle dares to build romance through fate and faith. Tom Hanks plays a grieving widower whose story touches thousands, including Meg Ryan’s Annie, who becomes captivated by his voice and vulnerability. Inspired by An Affair to Remember, this film captures the magic of serendipity.
Reviving the genre for a new generation, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before took Netflix by storm with its heartfelt story of teenage crushes and unexpected connections. Lana Condor’s portrayal of Lara Jean Covey brought a thoughtful, quiet heroine to center stage, while Noah Centineo’s Peter Kavinsky redefined the modern rom-com leading man.
Set in San Francisco and steeped in cultural specificity, Always Be My Maybe is a fresh, funny love story led by Ali Wong and Randall Park. Childhood friends turned near-strangers reconnect years later, only to realize the spark between them never really faded. The film balances sharp comedy with heartfelt moments, and Keanu Reeves’ unforgettable cameo adds an extra layer of unexpected brilliance.
Email was still novel when this Tom Hanks–Meg Ryan reunion hit theaters, but the heart of You’ve Got Mail is timeless: two people connecting anonymously while clashing in real life. Nora Ephron once again brings her signature wit and warmth to a story that questions competition, connection, and what it really means to know someone.
Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton spar and flirt with magnetic chemistry, while writer-director Nancy Meyers crafts a world of airy beach houses, jazz soundtracks, and late-in-life realizations. Keaton’s performance is particularly memorable, bringing humor and vulnerability to a story about rediscovering passion when you least expect it.
Though more fairy tale than pure rom-com, this sequel finds its heart in the classic tension between duty and love. Anne Hathaway’s Mia must choose between a politically arranged marriage and following her own heart. Enter Chris Pine in his breakout role, and the chemistry practically crackles. With Julie Andrews lending grace and gravitas.
A sharp-tongued enemies-to-lovers story set against the idyllic backdrop of an Australian wedding, Anyone But You breathed new life into the rom-com formula. Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell play two former flings forced to pretend they’re a couple, only to discover unresolved feelings bubbling beneath the surface. The film blends classic tropes with modern flair, earning its spot as a fan favorite in the genre’s recent revival.