Whether it's for Valentine's Day or a simple night's in where you need a light-weight movie for entertainment, romantic comedies are great choices. And like I always think to myself, they don't make them like they used to anymore. Some of the best rom-coms are movies made years ago or in black-and-white.
It has been a challenging list for me to put together because there are so many great choices out there but I finally did it! Here is the list of my top 15 romantic comedies. And because I cannot just ignore other good ones, I have them under the special mentions list. Do share your favourites too as I would love to get acquainted with more. As they say, you can never watch enough rom-coms.
15. As Good As It Gets (1997)
This one surprised me that I had included it in the list. I mean it was not easy imagining Jack Nicholson's character as a romantic lead at all. He is not romantic. In fact, he is not normal at all. But by the end, you are left feeling that just maybe, there is some hope that he and Helen Hunt finds a deep, meaningful relationship together.
One-Line Synopsis
A single mother, a neurotic author and a homosexual artist find comfort and understanding in each other.
Favourite Scene: When Jack Nicholson cried for "an ugly dog". I don't know, it just gave me so much hope that feeling transcends people's perception of normalcy.
14. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Some Kind of Wonderful is a sweet, little teen romance, one of a few on this list. It has surprised me how many teen romances I have on my list. I guess they just bring out nostalgic feelings in me.
With Some Kind of Wonderful, I was introduced to Mary Stuart Masterson who I thought just turned in such a genuine performance! Lea Thompson is of course, her usual great.
One-Line Synopsis
A tomboy realises she might have feelings for her best friend when he seeks her help to woo the most popular girl in school.
Favourite Scene: The garage kiss! It's probably because of that scene this movie is on this list!
13. Pretty Woman (1990)
Pretty Woman is truly a fairytale come true story. And it features Julia Roberts in one of her most iconic role! I mean she could make anyone fall in love with her. And her chemistry with Richard Gere is electric.
But Pretty Woman might offend feminist sensibilities if you allow it to. My advice... forget all that, curl up with love in your heart and get swept off your feet!
One-Line Synopsis
A wealthy businessman hires a prostitute for a week and ends up losing more than his money to her.
Favourite Scene: How can anyone not like that finale with Richard Gere, Julia Roberts and the ladder?
12. 50 First Dates (2004)
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore together have got to be one of those iconic onscreen couple. They just go so well together. It's unfortunate that I don't have more of their movies on this list.
50 First Dates can get a little tough to watch at times because the female lead is suffering from a condition and things do get sad but stick to the end and you will understand why many have appreciated this film!
One-Line Synopsis
A commitment-phobic starts falling for a woman suffering from short-term memory loss.
Favourite Scene: When Drew Barrymore asks Adam Sandler, "how do I know you?" Just surprises you how love can transcend all.
11. Crazy, Stupid Love (2011)
Ryan Gosling is in this one, this goes on my list!
Beyond that though, "Crazy, Stupid Love" packs some good intergenerational love story. We see the relationship between a middle-aged couple, young couple and teenagers. We have people of different ages and societal roles coming together and interacting.
One-Line Synopsis
A middle-aged man goes through a rough relationship patch, and learns to spice up his love life.
Favourite Scene: Emma Stone blasting into the club and shouting, "You" at Ryan Gosling and the kiss that follows. Swoon!
10. Love Actually (2003)
Fancy a Christmas-time rom-com with multiple, interconnected love stories? Look no more because all you need is Love Actually. There is teenage love or shall we say teenage angst. Love between siblings, an old couple, a young couple. Love that transcends language barriers, that kindles quickly but fizzles out just as fast. Basically, many different scenarios one might encounter when in love.
One-Line Synopsis
Love is in the air Christmas time as interconnected couples and individuals navigate the holiday season.
Favourite Scene: There are many good ones but probably the interaction between Rowan Atkinson and Alan Rickman at the jewelry section of the shopping mall. Hilarious!
9. Sixteen Candles (1984)
There may be quite a bit wrong with Sixteen Candles especially when viewed with the more woke lens of the 21st century but it's still a charming, little teenage romance that I constantly go back to. No matter what strange/awkward/questionable things were going on with the subplots, we know the main plot at least is going the best way it can, leaving us feeling warm and light by the end of the film.
One-Line Synopsis
A newly-turned 16 year old is surprised to learn that her entire family had forgotten her birthday but maybe things are not completely bleak on the romance front.
Favourite Scene: How can anyone not like that scene near the end, outside the church when Molly asks in surprise, "who me?". Watch it to know what I mean.
8. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Whenever I need a light-weight movie to take my mind off anxiety-inducing thoughts, I put on "While You Were Sleeping". I will tell you right off that this is your average light-weight rom com, don't expect anything life-changing But I will take anything with Sandra Bullock man. She just gives perfect romantic lead vibes.
One-Line Synopsis
A subway clerk gets accidentally engaged to a comatose man but ends up fancying his brother.
Favourite Scene: The whole conversation about leaning. It's just too cute!
7. The Holiday (2006)
I seem to love watching my romances set during Christmas time and The Holiday is the perfect definition of Christmas rom-com. Throw in a movie trailer editor, a writer, her brother and a potential love interest and we got ourselves an interesting, heart-warming rom-com.
One-Line Synopsis
Two unlucky-in-love women decided to go on a holiday and swap houses for two weeks, in the process meeting potential love interests.
Favourite Scene: When Kate Winslet first reached Cameron Diaz's home and got all excited at the extravagance of it! You just have to watch it to understand why it brings a smile to my face every time.
6. The Proposal (2009)
Another Sandra Bullock movie! This one is a true gem. It never fails to tickle my funny bones. And throwing into the mix a Ryan Reynolds, with whom she has incredible chemistry, makes The Proposal the perfect movie to keep coming back to when you are in need of a romantic comedy without too much cheese.
One-Line Synopsis
A book editor forces her assistant to marry her to avoid getting deported out of the country.
Personal Favourite Scene: The forest dance between Sandra Bullock and Betty White. Never fails to make me laugh!
5. Moonstruck (1987)
Okay, so my friend found this one slow and boring. I do agree it might be a little slow-moving but don't let that deter you! If you give Moonstruck a chance, it just might strike a sweet chord inside you, before leading to a most satisfying conclusion. Plus the sprinkle of Italian vibes in the movie makes it all the more interesting to watch.
One-Line Synopsis
A widowed Italian-American's marriage plan is thrown into disarray when she meets her fiancé's moody and passionate brother.
And watch out for Nicolas Cage - I just really love the way he delivered his monologues!
Favourite Scene: Nicolas Cage's passionately delivered monologue at the bakery about the reason for his estrangement from his brother.
4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
You think just because this is a movie of a bunch of teenagers that you can just dismiss it? Oh no way! It still surprises me how great of a chemistry all the actors had with each other. And then there is Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles - you won't be able to help falling in love with them yourself.
One-Line Synopsis
A high-school boy pays the school's weirdo to take out the school's shrew so that he can date her sister.
Favourite Scene: Julia Stiles final monologue on the things she hates. Major tear-jerker!
3. Pillow Talk (1959)
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I love Pillow Talk. Doris Day did a kick-ass job here. And Rock Hudson is hot!
One-Line Synopsis
A case of mistaken identity leads to a spunky interior designer falling for a Broadway composer with whom she actually has a long-standing beef with over a shared telephone line.
Favourite Scene: Not to hand out spoilers but the final sequence when Rock Hudson carries Doris Day through the streets. I won't say more, go watch it for yourself!
2. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Though not as well-known a Christmas movie as It's A Wonderful Life, The Shop Around the Corner has always brought me joy during Christmas time.
You will see tons of 'great romantic comedies' lists featuring 'You've Got Mail' in them but not this little gem, which came way before and has a very similar theme, and which very likely served as inspiration for 'You've Got Mail'.
One-Line Synopsis
The movie is set in Budapest, Hungary where two gift shop employees who can't stand the other are actually secret pen pals who falls for each others' written words.
Going beyond the one-liner here but just had to bring up the other characters. On the periphery of the romance are a host of other characters including the store owner, Mr Matuschek, and his employees who take us on a fun ride through their everyday store experiences.
Favourite Scene: There are so many great moments - but Christmas night when Mr Matuschek is asking everyone for their plans always tug on my heartstrings.
1. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
And the top spot goes to none other than When Harry Met Sally. I can't tell you the number of times I have watched this movie. Years after the first view, I still come back to this on days when I need to cheer myself up or just simply need a good movie to watch.
One-Line Synopsis
The movie follows Harry and Sally through their 13 years of acquaintance and how their relationship evolves through the years, from intense dislike to... you guessed it - Love!
Why When Harry Met Sally is so special?
The unique characters: Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal plays characters who are hard to like but you still continue to root for them anyway. And what's not to love about Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby's characters? They give us some of the most funny moments in the movie!
Their character arcs: You get to see how they change and evolve through the years. For the better.
Relationship changes: Their relationship continuously evolves and in very believable ways. It is interesting to watch how two people who dislike each other so much could move on to become friends and then lovers.
Real laughs: There are genuinely funny situations and characters that are extremely relatable.
Need I say more? Go watch it already!
Favourite Scene: That iconic fake orgasm scene, of course!
Special Mentions
It was such a tough job, trimming the list to my top 15. I had initially wanted to do a top 10 but that would have left out too many good ones. So, here are a few special mentions that while not making it into my Top 15 list, are pretty good watch themselves.
Salaam Namaste (2005)
If you are up to watching a Bollywood movie, this rom-com will really tickle your funny bones while turning on your waterworks.
The Sure Thing (1985)
A teenage romance with John Cusack. He was a true chocolate boy of the 80s.
How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days (2003)
My guilty pleasure and somehow Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson looks great together.
The Wedding Singer (1998)
Clueless (1995)
Another teenage romance and you get to see a young, sweet Paul Rudd.
Amelie (2001)
A quirky French movie that feels like a bit of a fairy tale.
He's Just Not That Into You (2009)
Interconnected couples and individuals navigate relationship woes.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
A heartbroken composer hightails to Hawaii to get over his ex only to find her there with her new boyfriend.
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones, 30 and single, starts to write journal to take back control of her life.
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