Top 10 Most Unhinged Rom-Com Moments

“The Wedding Ringer” (2015)

When you put Josh Gad, Kevin Hart, and Kaley Cuoco in a romantic comedy together, you’re bound to get some type of wild energy. If nothing else, “The Wedding Ringer” definitely delivers on that hyped up energy. In the film, Kevin Hart’s character runs a company that provides friendless guys with groomsmen for their weddings. When he meets one client’s family, things get a little out of hand. The client, played by Josh Gad, tells his family that Hart is a military priest. But when the lie starts to get away from them, Hart decides to create a distraction – an almost deadly one. He spills hot food on Gad, and ends up setting an elderly family member on literal fire.

“Marry Me” (2022)

A rom-com that starts unhinged and keeps going from there, normal, rational decisions aren’t really part of the playbook in 2022’s “Marry Me.” When pop star Kat Valdez (played by Jennifer Lopez) finds out that her fiancé has cheated on her, she makes a somewhat rash choice. While on stage at a concert, she sees a man, played by Owen Wilson, with a sign in the crowd that says “Marry Me.” Now, this is the name of one of her songs, so it makes sense that someone would have a sign. It’s clearly not an ACTUAL proposal. But does that stop Kat? Absolutely not. She agrees to marry this complete stranger, and it literally happens right then and there.

“13 Going on 30” (2004)

With a premise like this, things are bound to get a little wonky. When 13-year-old Jenna Rink wishes that she was 30 after a disastrous birthday party, her wish comes true. Trouble is, while her body may be 30 years old, her mind is still very much stuck as a preteen. While out with her friend Lucy at a bar, Lucy encourages Jenna to go hit on a guy. Jenna gets up, but does she walk to the fully-grown man? Absolutely not. Instead, she walks over to a young boy and proceeds to flirt with him in the most awkward manner possible. The comedy chops of Jennifer Garner somehow make this moment hilarious. But that doesn’t stop it from achieving unhinged status.

“Sweet Home Alabama” (2002)

An early Reese Witherspoon entry into the romantic comedy canon, “Sweet Home Alabama” capitalizes on the actresses’ southern roots. The movie follows Melanie, a woman stuck between two men: her stylish city boy fiancé Andrew, and her rough around the edges country husband Jake. We’d explain, but it’s a long story. The film climaxes at Melanie and Andrew’s wedding, but just before she says, “I do,” Melanie realizes her heart belongs with Jake. Andrew’s mother – the mayor of NYC – has something to say about that. After she insults Melanie’s mother, the southern pops out of Mel and she socks the mayor right in the kisser.

“The Proposal” (2009)

When you think of “The Proposal,” you probably think of Sandra Bullock dancing to “Get Low.” While that is a strong contender for the most unhinged thing that happens in the film, it’s beat out by this ridiculous moment. While on the phone with an important client, Margaret Tate is shocked when a giant eagle swipes up her fake fiancé Andrew’s family dog. Margaret saves the dog, but when the eagle gets hold of her cell phone, she changes her mind. The image of Sandra Bullock running around waving a dog in the air as she tries to persuade the eagle to trade her pup for phone is something that has stayed with us since 2009.

“There’s Something About Mary” (1998)

If there’s one indelible image from “There’s Something About Mary,” it’s got to be this one. Now, other bonkers things happen in this movie, such as bathroom mishaps and ridiculous dog fights. But Cameron Diaz’ special … erm, hair gel, is the thing that never leaves our mind. When Ben Stiller’s character somehow gets a very personal body fluid on his ear, Diaz mistakes it for hair gel. In a completely disgusting move, she decides to take some for her own. The best thing about the scene is how completely seriously Diaz takes such a preposterous turn of events. She plays it completely straight while the rest of us are truly flabbergasted.

“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003)

There’s nothing more deserving of our laughter than a love fern. Okay, except for maybe Kate Hudson’s performance in this magnificently wacky scene. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” follows Andie and Ben as they drive each other crazy while secretly trying to win separate bets. Ben is determined to stay with Andie and make her fall in love with him, while Andie is determined to make Ben dump her. The best scene showcasing their covert competition occurs on Ben’s friendly poker night. Andie makes it her mission to make the night miserable – including, famously, crying over a plant. Watching Ben put up with the madness is endlessly entertaining.

“Sleepless in Seattle” (1993)

The scene most often associated with “Sleepless in Seattle” comes at the end. When Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan meet atop the Empire State Building, it’s like we go into a sort of trance. The moment is so effortlessly magical, we forget all past transgressions - including one fairly significant one involving stalking. In the middle of the film, Ryan’s character Annie flies to Seattle, where Hanks’ character Sam lives. Does she approach him? Absolutely not. Instead, she creepily watches him and his son from afar, never introducing herself once. Listen, we love this movie – but we can’t deny this behavior is a bit off kilter, at best!

“Bridesmaids” (2011)

Judd Apatow did produce this movie, so it’s not that we didn’t expect some gross-out body humor. We just never expected it to this degree. “Bridesmaids” follows a woman named Annie and the trials and tribulations of serving as maid of honor for her best friend’s wedding. Here’s a pro-tip, Annie – maybe going to a questionable steakhouse before wedding dress shopping is a bad move. During the dress appointment, the gang all get food poisoning, leading to a mesmerizingly disgusting scene where the entire crew disgorge their lunches. If you remember anything about this scene, you probably remember Melissa McCarthy relieving herself in a sink. For that, we salute her.

“He’s Just Not That Into You” (2009)

It’s one thing to be a cheater. But in “He’s Just Not That Into You,” Bradley Cooper takes jerk to a whole other level. Cooper plays Ben, a man who begins an affair with Anna, played by Scarlett Johansson, under the pretense he can help her with her music career. In one scene, Anna and Ben are about to have sex in his office when his wife Janine enters the picture. Ben forces Anna to hide in the closet wearing only her underwear, and then proceeds to have sex with Janine while Anna is in the closet. It’s probably one of the most despicable things a man has done in a rom-com, and so unhinged we can barely believe it.