Top 10 Rom-Coms That Are Reviving the Genre
#10: “Somebody I Used to Know” (2023)
Top 10 Feminist Moments in Rom Coms
We love when a real-life couple collaborates to bring a new story to the screen. And we love it even more when that movie is actually pretty good. “Somebody I Used to Know” was written by husband-and-wife team Alison Brie and Dave Franco, and is directed by Franco. Brie stars as Ally, a reality TV showrunner who heads back home after hearing her show is going to be canceled. There, she runs into an old flame who is getting married. The best romance in this movie isn’t necessarily between Ally and her ex-boyfriend, but rather Ally’s relationship with herself. Plus, the film marks a reunion between Brie and “Community” co-star Danny Pudi, which we love to see.
#9: “Happiest Season” (2020)
Where You Know the Cast of Happiest Season From
This holiday rom-com hit our screens in 2020, when audiences were desperate for a new movie to talk about during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the reception of “Happiest Season” wasn’t spectacular, we still think Clea DuVall’s film deserves a spot here. We can argue about how healthy the relationship is between Abby and Harper, played by Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis. However, the fact that the film centers around a relationship between two women and can inspire these conversations is a breath of fresh air. It got audiences talking and strayed away from the heteronormativity of most holiday films.
#8: “Palm Springs” (2020)
Science fiction, romance, and comedy mix seamlessly in director Max Barbakow and writer Andy Siara’s 2020 film “Palm Springs.” The movie stars Cristin Milioti as Sarah, a woman who ends up stuck in a time loop on the day of her sister’s wedding. But she isn’t alone in her purgatory — Andy Samberg’s Nyles is caught in the same recycled day. Playing off of a classic like “Groundhog Day” was a risk, but the clever script and charming direction bring something new to the familiar concept. Plus, the chemistry between Milioti and Samburg is off the charts.
#7: “I Want You Back” (2022)
Top 10 Best Rom-Coms of the 2020s So Far
What if two spurned lovers decided to con their ex-partners into getting back with them? That might not sound like a surefire premise for a romantic comedy, but the combined power of Charlie Day and Jenny Slate can do a lot. The lengths that the two main characters go to sabotage their exes' new relationships can be fairly extreme. Day and Slate excel at that kind of absurdity though, and they actually have pretty natural chemistry despite all the chaos. By the end of the film, even if you’re turned off by some of the pair’s shenanigans, you probably can’t help but admit that they deserve each other.
#6: “Always Be My Maybe” (2019)
Top 10 Rom-Coms for People Who Hate Rom-Coms
Ali Wong and Randall Park are two stars we can always count on to show us a good time. Add a little Keanu Reeves in the mix, and you’ve got yourself a quality rom-com. “Always Be My Maybe” follows childhood friends who lose touch after hooking up as teenagers. Almost two decades later, they meet again and try to answer that age old question – can love conquer all? Watching Wong and Park play two old flames trying to see if they can have a relationship is delightful. The two play up the silliness of the movie without compromising on the romance.
#5: “Rye Lane” (2023)
Top 10 Movies That Changed Genre Halfway In
An exceptionally strong feature directorial debut for Raine Allen-Miller, “Rye Lane” follows two South Londoners as they deal with the fallout from their respective breakups. Main characters Yas and Dom charm the audience in this walk-and-talk kind of movie, carried by the chemistry between actors Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson. Not only does their connection leap right off the screen, but cinematographer Olan Collardy delivers arguably one of the most beautifully shot rom-coms in recent memory. The colorful joy and sparkling conversation of “Rye Lane” make it a must-see for fans of the genre.
#4: “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018)
Top 10 Most Heartwarming Rom-Coms of All Time
In a lot of ways, 2018 was the year for the revival of the romantic comedy. Netflix played a large part in that movement, in part with its teen romantic comedy “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Based on the book by Jenny Han, the movie follows Lara Jean Covey, a teen who becomes embroiled in scandal when a series of love letters she’s written over the years are suddenly delivered. To try and save face, she agrees to fake date one of the recipients of the letters, the popular Peter Kavinsky. Actors Lana Condor and Noah Centineo play into the fun and the yearning of the false relationship trope perfectly.
#3: “Fire Island” (2022)
Top 10 Kids' Movies with the Most Fire Soundtracks
When it comes to adaptations, the works of Jane Austen are a popular choice. In 2022, “Fire Island” joined the canon of contemporary takes on the author’s writings. Inspired by “Pride and Prejudice,” the movie translates the story to the present day and sets it in the gay villages off the coast of New York State. Writer Joel Kim Booster, who also stars in the film, provides fresh takes on race, class, and LGBTQIA+ communities in the midst of the familiar tale. The entire supporting cast is hysterical. Plus, Conrad Ricamora as a modern Mr. Darcy? Sign us up, please.
#2: “Set It Up” (2018)
Top 10 Rom-Coms That Are So Bad They're Good
If we had our way, Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch would make a series of romantic comedies together to rival those of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The pair’s chemistry shines through in one of the best rom-coms of 2018, “Set It Up.” Powell and Deutch play two assistants who try to make their bosses a little less intense by nurturing a romantic connection between them. Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs deliver worthy performances in supporting roles, but the movie rests largely on the shoulders of the two leads. They’re playful, passionate, and genuine — everything you could ever want from a rom-com pairing.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“The Big Sick” (2017)
Sadder than Most, but Still a Rom-Com at Heart
“The Lost City” (2022)
Sandra Bullock & Channing Tatum Bring the Adventure Rom-Com Back
“Rosaline” (2022)
The Shakespeare to Rom-Com Pipeline Continues
“The Lovebirds” (2020)
Issa Rae & Kumail Nanjiani Make Being on the Run Look Fun
“The Perfect Find” (2023)
Gabrielle Union Shines in This Fashion-Forward Novel Adaptation
#1: “Crazy Rich Asians” (2018)
Top 3 Reasons You Need to See Crazy Rich Asians
2018 gave us several quality romantic comedies, but nothing charmed audiences quite like “Crazy Rich Asians.” Based on the novel by Kevin Kwan, the movie became the highest grossing romantic comedy of the 2010s, and for good reason. The film follows Rachel Chu, a professor who goes with her boyfriend Nick to Singapore and meets his family. Upon arrival, she realizes that his family isn’t just rich — they’re crazy rich. Everything about “Crazy Rich Asians” delivers on its promise of opulence, from the sets to the locations to the wardrobe. There’s plenty of humor and drama to be found, and we love the chemistry between the two leads, played by Constance Wu and Henry Golding.
Did we miss any of your favorite rom-coms? Let us know in the comments below.
