I love a romantic comedy. Sure the genre is pretty crowded, and the story lines predictable, but I don’t watch them to be enlightened, I watch them to feel good. So if you’re looking to feel good, I’ve got a list of what I believe are the BEST feel good romantic comedies out there. Some are a no brainer, and some will be movies you’ve possibly never heard of or haven’t seen in quite a while, however all of them are in my opinion the BEST of the genre. So grab a glass of wine and your girlfriends, get Netflix up and running and prepare to laugh, cry and believe in that ever perplexing feeling, LOVE.
Love Jones
I couldn't get to a poetry reading fast enough after seeing this movie! Darius (Larenz Tate), an aspiring writer, and Nina (Nia Long), an aspiring photographer, share an instant connection after a chance meeting at a Chicago club. The two bond over music, photography and poetry, and eventually begin a torrid romance. However, when Nina decides to move to New York and mend her relationship with her ex-fiancé, Marvin (Khalil Kain), it leaves Darius heartbroken, and the couple's future in jeopardy.
Love and BasketBall
i don't think I cared much for basketball prior to seeing this movie! It also features Sanaa Lathan in her first staring role(she actually makes 3 more appearances on this list)..Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) are two childhood friends who both aspire to be professional basketball players. Quincy, whose father, Zeke (Dennis Haysbert), plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, is a natural talent and a born leader. Monica is ferociously competitive but sometimes becomes overly emotional on the court. Over the years, the two begin to fall for each other, but their separate paths to basketball stardom threaten to pull them apart.
Sixteen Candles
Molly Ringwald in the 80's was what Zooey Deschanel is today-quirky and funny with a style both attainable yet all her own... With the occasion all but overshadowed by her sister's upcoming wedding, angst-ridden Samantha (Molly Ringwald) faces her 16th birthday with typical adolescent dread. Samantha pines for studly older boy Jake (Michael Schoeffling), but worries that her chastity will be a turnoff for the popular senior. Meanwhile, Samantha must constantly rebuff the affections of nerdy Ted (Anthony Michael Hall), the only boy in the school, unfortunately, who seems to take an interest in her.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
This was the 80s version of Clueless and was actually directed by the same director. Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is a pretty, but inexperienced, teen interested in dating. Given advice by her uninhibited friend, Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates), Stacy gets trapped in a love triangle with nice guy Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) and his more assured buddy Mike Damone (Robert Romanus). Meanwhile, Stacy's classmate Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn), who lives for surfing and being stoned, faces off against Mr. Hand (Ray Walston), a strict teacher who has no time for the slacker's antics.
Dirty Dancing
The film that spawned the phrase "Nobody puts baby in a corner" and was responsible for my delusional idea that I could dance, is also an amazing love story. It leans more on the side of romance than comedy but there are some great comedic moments thrown in. I mean who can forget when Baby misses the dance lift in the initial performance scene and does the hand jive instead?
Runaway Bride
Richard Gere and Julia Roberts just have amazing chemestry that can't be denied! They're the reason why a story about a prostitute and a distinguished businessman falling in love actually seems feasible. Well they team up again for Runaway Bride only this time
Roberts plays a bride that just can't seem to commit and Gere the disgruntled journalist profiling her. Besides their chemistry, you fall in love with the supporting cast and the cute little upstate town the movie is filmed in.
Just one Of the Guys
File this movie under the first time I ever saw real boobs in a film. When Terry Griffith (Joyce Hyser) loses her high school's writing competition, she's convinced that it's because she's a girl. So Terry decides to change high schools and pose as a boy to prove her point. Her brother, Buddy (Billy Jacoby), helps her pass as a guy so well that she is soon making friends with the boys at school, including the attractive Rick (Clayton Rohner), who becomes her new best friend. But her gender-swapping makes things difficult when she falls in love with him.
The Wedding Planner
Jennifer Lopez KILLS in this one and Matthew McConaughey makes you forgive him for being the typical confusing disloyal guy with a wandering eye...While celebrating her newest and most lucrative account -- the wedding of Internet tycoon Fran Donelly (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras) -- Mary (Jennifer Lopez) is rescued from a near-fatal collision with a runaway dumpster by handsome pediatrician Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey). After spending the most enchanting evening of their lives together, Mary thinks she's finally found a reason to believe in love. What she doesn't know is that cupid and her career are about to collide head-on.
My Best Friends Wedding
Julia Roberts makes it on the list once again. This time however shes joined by a stellar cast of Cameron Diaz, Rupert Everette and Dermot Mulroney. Childhood friends Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) and Michael O'Neal (Dermot Mulroney) had a deal to marry each other if they were still single by age 28. Now, four days before her 28th birthday, O'Neil announces that he's marrying a gorgeous 20-year-old named Kimberly (Cameron Diaz). Suddenly realizing that she's actually in love with him, Julianne vows to stop the wedding at all costs. However, when she is appointed maid of honor, things get even more complex. The "Say a Little Prayer" scene is enough to make you watch this one over and over again.
The Good Girl
My Favorite Line in this movie goes as follows
Justine: Whatcha readin'?
Holden: Catcher in the Rye... I'm named after it.
Justine: What's your name?
[Holden stares at her blankly]
Justine: Catcher? Justine (Jennifer Aniston) is the good girl. Thirty years old and working in a Texas discount store, she is dissatisfied by her routine and disgusted by her lazy, pot-smoking husband. Her life is nearly at a standstill, until she suddenly notices Holden (Jake Gyllenhaal) a few cash registers away. He is young and seemingly as disaffected as she, and together the two forge a passionate connection destined to shatter everything Justine stands for, or at least thinks she does.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Not much of a Woody Allen fan, I was surprised that I'd love this movie so much! It tells the story of Americans Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) arrive in Spain for a summer vacation at a friend's (Patricia Clarkson) Barcelona home. Visiting an art gallery, they meet seductive painter Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), who invites them for a weekend of food, art and sex. Sparks really ignite when his fiery former lover (Penélope Cruz) arrives on the scene, making for a very crowded house.
Clueless
I still remember the date I was on when I went to see this movie, and not because of the guy who took me but because of the awesomeness of the characters, clothes, and crazy one liners.."AS IF?!?!?. Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school's pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) a makeover. When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother (Paul Rudd) was right about how misguided she was -- and falls for him.
Cousins
In this American remake of the popular French romantic comedy "Cousin Cousine," Larry (Ted Danson) and Maria (Isabella Rossellini) meet at the wedding of Larry's uncle to Maria's mother. At the reception, the newly minted cousins realize that Larry's wife, Tish (Sean Young), has been having an affair with Maria's husband, Tom (William Petersen). Bonding over their shared outrage at their spouses' behavior, they decide to pretend that they're having an affair as well.
This is 40
I don't think there is a Judd Apatow production that I haven't LOL'd my ass off to and This is 40 is no exception! Dubbed as the "sort of" sequel to Knocked Up, This is 40 stars Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd as Pete and Debbie, both turning 40 and having to navigate a three-week course of sex and romance, career victories and financial hardships, aging parents and maturing children. They'll have to learn to forgive, forget and enjoy the rest of their lives -- before they kill each other.
The Best Man
After writing a soon-to-be bestselling novel, writer and committed bachelor Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs) attempts to hide the fact that his saucy new book is loosely based on the lives and loves of his tight-knit group of friends. Harper is set to be best man at his friend Lance's (Morris Chestnut) wedding, and all his friends will be in attendance. When an advance copy of the book makes its way into the hands of his ex-flame, Jordan Armstrong (Nia Long), Harper attempts to keep it under wraps.
Something New
Career-minded stick in the mud Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) is set up on a blind date with architect Brian Kelly (Simon Baker), but backs out when she realizes that he is white. However, Impressed with his work on a friend's mansion, McQueen hires Kelly to design her new garden -- and he sweeps her off her feet. You'd think that would be the end of it, but Kenya still can't handle the fact that her new love is white and her family and friends don't let her forget that fact either. The chemistry between Kenya and Brian is intense and will have you asking yourself if what's missing in your life is a little "Something New".
Boomerang
The tagline says it all "A player who's about to get played". Marcus (Eddie Murphy) is a ladies man However, Marcus gets a taste of his own medicine when a merger finds him working under the beautiful Jacqueline (Robin Givens), who has a similarly cavalier attitude about romance. Marcus and Jacqueline become involved, but he is put off by her noncommittal approach to their relationship. With star making turns by Halle Berry and Martin Lawrence, Boomerang was created in 1992 but can still hold its own against romantic comedies of today. Plus with a soundtrack that spawned such hits as "End of the Road" by Boys to Men, it's no wonder this one makes the cut.
Picture Perfect
As if climbing the corporate ladder for a woman weren't already hard enough, throw in a boss that won't take you seriously unless you're married! Well that's exactly what Kate (Jen Anniston) is struggling with at her advertising agency. Her boss, passes her up for a promotion because she is "not stable enough". Enter sidekick Darcy who invents a story claiming Kate is engaged to Nick (Jay Mohr), a freelance videographer. What ensues is typical romantic fluff, but set against the backdrop of New York and played with perfect spunk and heart by Jennifer Anniston this romantic comedy is anything but!
Brown Sugar
It's a love story to hip hop set in Brooklyn New York. Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) can attribute their friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant ... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, music executive. As they plan their futures they continue to realize that hip hop isn't the only thing that binds them together.
Can't Buy Me Love
Another one they tried to remake but couldn't come close to the original Can't Buy Me Love tells the story of nerdy high schooler Ronald Miller (Patrick Dempsey) who rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson) from parental punishment after she accidentally destroys her mother's designer clothes. Ronald agrees to pay for the ,000 outfit on one condition: that she will act as though they're a couple for an entire month. As the days pass, however, Cindy grows fond of Ronald, making him popular. But when Ronald's former best friend gets left behind, he realizes that social success isn't everything.
Pretty Woman
Can there BE a list of the top romantic comedies of all time without Pretty Woman? The movie that gave you lines like "big mistake HUGE" and made Julia Roberts a household name created the blueprint for romantic comedies. Romantic love story CHECK! Covetous make over, CHECK! Richard Gere lookin all kinds of daper and foine CHECK CHECK CHECK!
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
The 80s were all about big hair and dance tv! Starring a young Sarah Jessica Parker, Girls Just Want to Have Fun tells the story of Janey and Lynn(Helen Hunt) two friends devoted to hot new show Dance Tv. When a competition is announced to find a new Dance TV regular couple, Janey and Lynne are determined to audition. The only problem is that Janey's father doesn't approve of that kind of thing. Throw in a cameo from Shannon Doherty and a hot bad boy who sweeps you
off your feet you've got yourself one of the cutest romantic comedies of that time
Lars and the Real Girl
One day a package arrives to Lars Lindstroms house and to the surprise of his family and small Wisconsin town, that package holds a life-size plastic woman- Lars' new girlfriend. Starring an awkwardly lovable Ryan Goseling ( a role that garnered an Oscar nom), Lars and the Real Girl peels back the layers of what loss, love, and real intimacy look like. You'll be laughing, crying and believing in the power of what true love and support can do to save a person by movies end.
Away We Go
With raw emotion and humor “Away We Go” perfectly captures the angst and joy that comes with being first time parents. As Verona and Bert(John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph) await the birth of their baby they decide to travel across America in search of the perfect place to raise her. During their travels they share misadventures and reconnect with old friends and relatives. These experiences help them define the word home on their own terms for the first time in their lives.
About Last Night
So good they created a remake starring Kevin Hart in 2014. However the original is where it's at! , About Last Night tells the story of Debbie and Danny (Starring a young fresh faced Demi Moore and Rob Lowe) who both embark on a passionate love affair after a one night stand to the chagrin of their best pals, played with wit and heart by Jim Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins. A surprising standout to the film is the incredible soundtrack! Mixed with equal parts R&B, pop and rock, each scene is made palpable with sexual energy.
This is a great post for me. I am always looking for new movie recommendations. I love romantic comedies as well. I have seen some on this like like sixteen candles, but there are many I haven’t seen. Can’t wait to watch some new movies!
Away we Go is one of my favorite movies. I think I might watch it tonight now that you reminded me of it again! Great movies for sure!!
Great suggestions! I finally saw Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the first time last year. I can’t believe I had never seen it before then. There are quite a few movies here that I haven’t seen and I’m always looking for new movies to watch. I’m going to check if they are on my Amazon Prime. Sometimes I can find a good movie on Amazon. Eddie Murphy is one of my favorite comedian actors, I think I’ll start with Boomerang.
Thanks!
I don’t watch too much romantic movies but if it’s romantic comedy then count me in! I love it when love stories are injected with humor. It is a great entertainment for me. I’d love to watch any of these movies.
I don’t allow myself a lot of time to watch tv or movies, but when I get in the mood to watch something good I never know what that is. lol. thanks for the list. I haven’t seen any of them besides The Best Man!
I LOVE a good rom com. Probably my most watched movie genre next to animated movies. I’ve seen almost all of these ones! I enjoy sixteen candles but my list would include love actually, 10 things I hate about you, and he’s just not that into you. So many good ones to choose from!!
Picture Perfect is a wonderful movie and one of my favorites with Jenifer Aniston. I don’t get to watch a lot of romantic comedies because nobody in my house will watch them with me. So, I guess it’s just you and me!
Boomerang is awesome! One of my favorite movies of all time. The best man and the wedding planner are also faves. These movies bring back a lot of great memories for me and I am sure they are nostalgic for others also. These are going on my must watch movies list.
SIxteeen candles will always be a favorite!! I’ve loved that movie since I was younger ( not trying to tell my age here, but you get it! LOL) And Love Jones is a classic!! It’s a must see! The soundtrack was SOOOO good!