The 42 Greatest Romantic Comedies of All Time

As this listing of one of the best romantic comedies ever proves, the demise of the style has been significantly—and downright shamefully—exaggerated. Sure, rom-coms have faltered in recognition since their Nineties heyday—however at the same time as time passes, audiences are hungry as ever for banter, meet-cutes, and completely happy endings. That’s been clear for years now, since Netflix hit pay filth by releasing scores of rom-coms, Loopy Wealthy Asians made financial institution on the field workplace, and Licorice Pizza grew to become a essential darling. 

This Valentine’s Day provides two heart-on-their-sleeves rom-coms. Style stalwart Aline Brosch McKenna (Loopy Ex-Girlfriend, 27 Clothes) makes her directorial debut with Netflix’s Your Place or Mine starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher. In the meantime, real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco crew up for Anyone I Used to Know, a 2023 refresh on the mayhem of 1997’s My Greatest Buddy’s Marriage ceremony.

Which acquired us considering: what are one of the best romantic comedies of all time, the movies that the majority completely exemplify this beloved however under-appreciated style? Self-importance Truthful’s Hollywood crew determined to search out out by making particular person high 10 lists, then crunching the numbers and consulting unimpeachable rom-com requirements (further factors for a running-through-the-airport or musical serenade scene) for the 42 rom-coms that in the end made the listing. The takeaway, maybe, is that “romantic comedy” is an elastic designation, one which lies no less than partly within the eye of the beholder—applicable sufficient for a style all about falling in love.

Our final listing of greatest romantic comedies is an eclectic combine, containing the whole lot from black-and-white classics to, properly, Learn how to Lose a Man in 10 Days. And whereas each single decide might not comprise each ingredient generally related to the romantic comedy, all of them match the American Movie Institute’s broad definition of “a style wherein the event of a romance results in comedian conditions.” After all, they’re all humorous, too.

42. Fireplace Island (2022)

Jane Austen’s Pleasure and Prejudice is the narrative foundation for this queer romantic comedy, written by and starring Joel Kim Booster. Set within the LGBTQ+ vacation spot of Fireplace Island, Booster performs Noah, a proudly single nurse whose outlook on relationship is rocked by the movie’s Mr. Darcy, Will (Conrad Ricamora). Confronted with an identical transformation is Howie (Bowen Yang), whose burgeoning courtship with Charlie (James Scully), will get combined opinions from his pals, together with Keegan (Tomás Matos), Luke (Matt Rogers), and Max (Torian Miller). “We made one thing actually, actually particular and distinctive and homosexual,” Booster informed Self-importance Truthful of his celebratory rom-com. “The truth that we did that feels miraculous, contemplating what we had been up in opposition to.” Added Yang, “A Jane Austen narrative assembly an Asian American narrative assembly a queer narrative: These three helices come collectively in a manner that’s larger than the sum of their elements. And to say that one thing is larger than a Jane Austen narrative is insane—unhinged of me—to do. However I mentioned it.” Even wilder: the film manages to show simply that. —Savannah Walsh

41. The Half of It (2020)

Netflix has been credited with reviving the rom-com lately by distributing common titles together with Set It Up and To All of the Boys I’ve Liked Earlier than. However maybe none has felt as wanted as The Half of It—a proudly queer love story from Alice Wu, director of the 2004 cult traditional Saving Face. On this Cyrano-inspired story, excessive schooler Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) helps a jock at her college (Daniel Diemer) win the affections of the woman they’re each in love with (Alexxis Lemire). However the movie is way much less involved with who will emerge victorious in these efforts as it’s the stunning friendship that develops between Ellie and Paul—two individuals who couldn’t seem extra completely different on the floor. “That’s actually only a crimson herring,” Wu informed Self-importance Truthful of her movie’s consequence. “Who will get the woman—not solely is it not the vital factor on this film, it’s not the vital factor in life. The vital factor in life is who you find yourself connecting with that finally ends up serving to you grow to be the particular person you should be.” —Savannah Walsh