Top 10 Underrated Romantic Comedies of the 1990s

"Can't Hardly Wait" is the quintessential 90's teen rom-com. The story follows high school senior and outcast Preston Meyers as he attempts to muster up the courage to profess his love for the most popular girl in school, Amanda Beckett, at their graduation party. The movie is a wild, hilarious and sometimes heartwarming ensemble comedy as we follow them and their classmates throughout the night. The cast is a who's who, both of 90s stars, and then-rising talents. They’re endlessly entertaining as they take us through their interconnected plotlines. In a decade with so many teen comedies, "Can't Hardly Wait" is an underappreciated fav.

From "When Harry Met Sally..." to "Mr. Saturday Night," Billy Crystal was one of the 80s and 90s most beloved comedy stars. Pair him with Academy Award-nominated actress Debra Winger, and you have rom-com magic. In 1995, the two co-starred as love interests in "Forget Paris." Crystal plays Mickey, an NBA ref who falls for an airline staffer, Ellen, en route to bury his recently deceased father. Not only does Crystal act in the film, but he also co-wrote and directed it. Featuring a bevy of NBA All-Star players like Charles Barkley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the picture was a box-office success but is often overlooked. We may be able to "Forget Paris," but we definitely don’t want to forget this rom-com treasure.

Set against a beautiful Italian backdrop, 1994's "Only You" is all about fate and destiny. Marisa Tomei stars as lovestruck Faith, a woman who has grown up believing the name of her one true love is Damon Bradley. When she learns her fiance has a connection to a man with that name, she drops everything and travels to Venice to meet him. During her travels, she encounters a man, played by Robert Downey Jr., who lies about being Damon, and sparks start to fly. In 2015, a Chinese remake of the film was released, proving that "Only You" is a hidden rom-com gem.

Weddings can be very stressful, but 1999's "The Best Man" takes stress to a new level. When author Harper Stewart steps in as best man for his old pal Lance's wedding, things go very wrong very fast. Stewart's latest novel, which is gaining a lot of public attention, ruffles feathers as his friend group suspects it's based on them. Dynamics start to shift, and secrets are revealed that will forever change their bond. The ensemble features big names like Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall and Terrence Howard. The flick did well at the box office and included a 2013 sequel, "The Best Man Holiday," and a 2021 series, "The Best Man: The Final Chapters."

Sometimes, love comes in the most unexpected and surprising ways. In 1997's "Still Breathing," Brendan Fraser plays Fletcher, a street performer from Texas. He has visions of a woman, Rosalyn, which leads him to Los Angeles, where he goes on a mission to find her. The only problem is that unbeknownst to him, she's a con woman, and he becomes her next target. The two leads, Fraser and Joanna Going, share a lot of chemistry, which is one of the film's highlights. Although it might not be one of the most memorable rom-coms of the 90s, it's definitely one of the most charming.

"But I'm a Cheerleader" is a dark rom-com that is the very definition of a cult classic. Natasha Lyonne plays Megan Bloomfield, an All-American cheerleader whose friends and family suspect she is a lesbian. After staging an intervention for her, she is sent off to a conversion therapy camp and falls for a fellow participant, Graham. Don't let the dark plot fool you, "Cheerleader" is a satirical comedy that is very self aware. Woven into the hilarious dialogue and campy humor is a message about the importance of acceptance, LGBTQ rights and the deconstruction of social norms. In 2022, a musical adaptation of the flick opened in London, where the story continues to stand high on the pyramid of queer storytelling.

Between films like "The Best Man" and "Love Jones," actress Nia Long appeared in some of the 90s most romantic flicks. In the latter, Nia portrays a photographer from Chicago who begins a relationship with a poet named Darius, played by Larenz Tate. Over the course of their courtship, they encounter a bumpy road caused by lingering exes, broken trust and complex feelings. "Jones" doesn't shy away from delving into the hardships of dating in the modern age. Even years later, its story still holds up and offers a very intimate and honest exploration of love.

1994’s “It Could Happen to You” is a love story all about chance. In the flick, Nicholas Cage and Bridget Fonda star opposite each other as a cop and waitress whose lives get flipped upside down when a lottery ticket they split turns out to be a winner. Four million dollars later, they become the center of public attention and this experience bonds the two together. A true story actually inspired the plot, although the romantic aspects were fictionalized. Taking a chance on love is always a gamble, and in the cast of this rom-com, it paid off.

"The Truth About Cats & Dogs" is one of the '90s most undervalued rom-coms. A retelling of Edmond Rostand's 1897 play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” the film stars Janeane Garofalo and Uma Thurman. The former portrays Abby, a vet and radio host. When a listener, Brian, asks her out, her insecurities kick in, and she recruits her neighbor, Noelle, to pretend to be her. Not only does "Cats & Dogs" feature a sweet love story, but it is also a great story about female friendship. Plus, all the appearances from some cute canines and felines make it a must-watch.

Weddings can be stressful occasions. Throw in secret, and you have "The Wedding Banquet." Directed by Ang Lee, the Taiwanese and American film follows Wai-Tung Gao, who is in a committed relationship with his partner Simon in New York City. However, his family does not know he is gay, and he ends up being forced by his parents to marry a woman. The movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and even received a stage adaptation in 2003. The flick is a lot darker than the usual rom-com fare but still offers a lot of comedy and warmth, making it one of the best in its genre.