Top 24 favourite romantic comedies of all time
Some plot lines might be a little suspect, but the best romantic comedies defy time and fashion. Here’s a list of our favourite romantic comedy movies … so far.
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True love never dies – and neither does J.Lo’s rom-com career, as the actor is back on the big screen this week in Marry Me.
It’s back to the future for Jennifer Lopez, who has not only reunited with old flame Ben Affleck in real life, but on-screen has returned to her romantic movie past, appearing in Marry Me, with Owen Wilson.
The movie, which has had warm reviews, sees J.Lo as pop star Kat Valdez preparing to marry her famous fiancé live on TV, when she discovers he’s been cheating with her assistant, so picks Charlie Gilbert (Wilson) out of the crowd and marries him at first sight, instead.
But will it stand the test of time and make it into the canon of most beloved rom-coms of all time?
In time for Valentine’s Day, we’ve put together our favourite rom-coms so far, for cheesy goodness no one can resist…
1. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
This 2003 movie with Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, should be renamed How to Make a Rom-Com in 10 Steps. Flawlessly good/bad.
2. When Harry Met Sally
One of the ultimate rom-coms of all time, 1989’s Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan pairing was deservedly a smash hit and made us all want to have what she’s having.
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
Ah, Heath Ledger… how perfect he was in this 1999 teen Taming of the Shrew, with Julia Stiles. His rendition of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You really was too good to be true. Heath forever.
4. Bridget Jones’s Diary
Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant acted their granny pants off in 2001’s brilliant movie. It’s a film you can watch over and over and never get tired of it.
5. Love Actually
Love it or hate it, Richard Curtis’ 2003 all-star outing with Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson and more, is one of the most watched rom-coms of all time.
6. Pretty Woman
The sex-worker storyline might be a little suspect these days, but the romance is still there between Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in this 1990 hit. It would be a big mistake – huge – to cancel this movie.
7. Four Weddings and a Funeral
Richard Curtis’ first big hit of 1994 made a household name of Hugh Grant, even if we do secretly reckon he should have ended up with Kristin Scott Thomas instead of Andie MacDowell – who didn’t even notice it was raining.
8. The Wedding Singer
The first pairing of rom-com pros Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore in 1998, was, in our opinion, the best.
9. My Best Friend’s Wedding
This 1997 rom-com with Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz almost starred Russell Crowe, but Dermot Mulroney got the gig instead. No matter, as the show was stolen by Rupert Everett, anyway.
10. Notting Hill
It was the pairing of rom-com royalty, when Hugh Grant co-starred with Julia Roberts in Richard Curtis’ 1999 offering, but she was still “just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
11. There’s Something About Mary
We never looked at hair gel the same way again, but underneath the gross gags, the 1998 movie with Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon and Ben Stiller, had a sweet heart.
12. Roman Holiday
This lovely 1953 movie with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn earned her an Oscar, made her a star and deserves to be re-watched immediately.
13. Sleepless in Seattle
The 1990s were all about rom-coms and one of the best was 1993’s Sleepless in Seattle starring star-crossed and separated lovers Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.
14. Crazy Rich Asians
This hilarious adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s novel starring the brilliant Constance Wu and Henry Golding was deservedly a smash-hit of 2018.
15. Moonstruck
We were all moonstruck at Cher’s Oscar-winning performance in this 1987 movie with Nicolas Cage and Olympia Dukakis.
16. Muriel’s Wedding
P.J. Hogan’s 1994 Aussie classic with Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths was anything but the traditional rom-com, but that’s why we love it. Definitely not terrible, Muriel.
17. The Princess Bride
Rob Reiner’s 1987 fairy-tale with a difference was a cult hit that never gets old – starring Robin Wright and Cary Elwes on a quest for “twue wuv.”
18. Groundhog Day
Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell starred in the most unusual rom-com of all time, following weatherman Murray getting stuck on repeat in the 1993 movie.
19. Jerry Maguire
Cameron Crowe’s 1996 movie about down-at-luck sports agent Tom Cruise and his assistant Renée Zellweger had us at hello.
20. Crocodile Dundee
The 1986 movie with Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski deserves a place in the rom-com hall of fame for its final subway scene. “He’s coming through,” still gets us every time.
21. Lost in Translation
Sofia Coppola’s 2003 Oscar-winning indie movie with Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray doesn’t follow rom-com rules, but the goodbye scene remains one of the best cinematic moments, ever.
22. Coming to America
John Landis’ silly but sweet comedy, starring Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem searching for true love in New York City, as well as multiple other characters, was a box office smash in 1988.
23. Roxanne
Steve Martin’s 1987 spin on the Cyrano de Bergerac story, with Daryl Hannah, was one of the comedy king’s best.
24. Pretty in Pink
We adored Sixteen Candles, but John Hughes’ 1986 teen romance with Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy and Jon Cryer doesn’t date – unlike the mess of a dress Molly made…
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