These Best Rom Coms Still Make Us Laugh, Sigh and Text Our Exes

Romantic comedies have been unfairly judged for years. People call them predictable, cheesy or unrealistic. And yet we keep watching them. Why? Because the best rom coms give us exactly what we want. A little chaos, a little charm, and just enough heart to remind us we are not completely hopeless.

The truth is, rom coms are comfort food. Some are clever, some are absurd, and some have aged like fine wine in a genre that never really goes out of style. This list brings together twenty of the best rom coms ever made. These are the ones that still make us laugh even when we know every line, that somehow feel personal no matter how ridiculous they get, and that make falling in love seem almost believable. Almost.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

If someone ever tried to define what makes the best rom coms work, they would probably just point to this one. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, it stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as two people who start off as strangers, become friends, and then spend years dancing around the idea of love. The chemistry between them is strange and real and a little awkward, which is exactly what makes it perfect. Also, yes, the diner scene is as iconic as everyone says it is.

What sets When Harry Met Sally apart is how it captures the messy in-between moments of relationships. It is funny without being silly, romantic without being sappy, and the timing of every conversation feels honest. For a movie that spends most of its time in dialogue, it never gets dull. It is one of the best rom coms ever made because it treats romance like something worth thinking about, not just chasing.

Notting Hill (1999)

This film is a daydream that somehow feels believable. Hugh Grant plays a quiet bookstore owner in London, and Julia Roberts plays a world-famous actress who walks into his life. Yes, it is unrealistic, but that’s the point. Directed by Roger Michell and written by Richard Curtis, Notting Hill is all about the fantasy of love mixed with the awkwardness of real life. The way their relationship unfolds is messy and kind, full of small moments that feel personal.

It is one of the best rom coms because it understands timing and silence as much as clever dialogue. The supporting characters are unforgettable, especially Rhys Ifans as the world’s most chaotic roommate. The ending might be predictable, but it still feels earned. Sometimes the best love stories are the ones that just let people be weird and hopeful together.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

A modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew set in a high school, this movie had no right to be as good as it is. But between the sharp script, the unforgettable cast, and the way it nails teen angst with humor, it earned its place in rom com history. Directed by Gil Junger, with standout performances by Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, the film manages to be both hilarious and genuinely sweet.

What makes it one of the best rom coms is how well it balances sarcasm with sincerity. The grand gestures are there, like that bleacher scene with Ledger singing Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, but so are the quieter moments of vulnerability. It understands that falling in love as a teenager is messy and dramatic and sometimes completely ridiculous, which is exactly why we keep watching.

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

Bridget Jones is chaotic, honest, and a little bit hopeless in the most relatable way possible. Directed by Sharon Maguire and starring Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant, this rom com somehow makes insecurity charming. Bridget smokes too much, drinks too much, and keeps a journal that is as messy as her dating life. And yet we love her for it.

What makes this one of the best rom coms is how imperfect it allows its characters to be. The love triangle is classic, the misunderstandings are ridiculous, and the humor never punches down. Bridget is never framed as someone who needs fixing. She just needs someone who sees her clearly, flaws and all. That’s what keeps this film from aging and what makes us come back to it again and again.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

This movie came out of nowhere and became a cultural phenomenon. Written by and starring Nia Vardalos, it tells the story of Toula, a Greek woman trying to navigate love, family, and identity in a world that wants her to stay exactly who she has always been. When she falls for a non-Greek guy played by John Corbett, everything gets complicated in the funniest and warmest ways.

It is one of the best rom coms because it understands that love is never just between two people. It is also about families, expectations, and learning how to blend very different lives without losing yourself. The humor is big, the heart is bigger, and every character feels like someone you have met at a loud, overly crowded dinner. It is comfort food in movie form.

Clueless (1995)

Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless brought Beverly Hills high school life into the spotlight with confidence and a lot of plaid. Directed by Amy Heckerling and starring Alicia Silverstone as the iconic Cher Horowitz, it is both a time capsule and a sharp rom com that still hits. Cher starts off shallow and overly confident but grows into someone you genuinely root for.

What makes this one of the best rom coms is how clever it is beneath all the valley girl slang and mall makeovers. The film does not just mock teen culture, it embraces it with surprising insight. The romance sneaks up on you, and when it lands, it feels well earned. Also, the outfits alone are legendary. It is a classic that never stops being quotable or relevant.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

This film brought rom coms back into the spotlight with color, humor, and insane amounts of wealth. Directed by Jon M Chu and based on the novel by Kevin Kwan, it follows Rachel, an American professor who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick, only to find out he is basically royalty. From there it becomes a wild ride through family drama, social expectations, and love that has to prove itself.

What makes this one of the best rom coms is its mix of over the top fantasy and down to earth emotion. The visuals are dazzling but the core story is simple and sincere. It celebrates culture without simplifying it and gives us characters who are lovable even when they are complicated. Also, the mahjong scene? Perfectly played.

The Proposal (2009)

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds make a fake marriage look way too good in this office romance turned accidental love story. Directed by Anne Fletcher, the film starts with Bullock’s character forcing her assistant into a green card marriage to keep her job. From there, it turns into an awkward family trip to Alaska that somehow ends up being adorable.

This is one of the best rom coms not because the plot is groundbreaking but because the chemistry is undeniable. The banter, the awkward silences, and the unexpected sweetness all hit just right. Betty White steals every scene she is in and the pacing keeps things fun without ever dragging. It is the kind of movie you watch once and then keep rewatching every year.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Yes, it is part fairy tale. Yes, it has sword fights and giants. But make no mistake, The Princess Bride is a romantic comedy at heart. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman, it tells the story of Westley and Buttercup with humor, charm, and just enough absurdity to feel timeless. It is a film that knows it is a story and has fun with that fact.

This is one of the best rom coms because it somehow appeals to almost everyone. It is clever without being smug, silly without being stupid, and romantic without being overly sentimental. The quotes are endless, the characters unforgettable, and the love story is told with just the right mix of sincerity and sarcasm. Inconceivably good.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

This Netflix original hit a nerve in the best possible way. Based on the novel by Jenny Han, it follows Lara Jean, a quiet high school student whose secret love letters accidentally get sent to every crush she ever had. What follows is part embarrassment, part emotional chaos, and a surprisingly sweet fake relationship that turns into something more.

One of the best rom coms in the streaming era, it proves that teen romance is not just for teens. The characters feel honest, the stakes are small but meaningful, and the chemistry between Lana Condor and Noah Centineo makes the whole thing shine. It is gentle, funny, and just heartfelt enough to stay with you after the credits roll.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

This film is the ultimate game of romantic chicken. Kate Hudson plays a magazine writer assigned to make a guy fall for her and then drive him away in ten days. Matthew McConaughey plays an ad executive who makes a bet he can make any woman fall in love with him in the same amount of time. Naturally, they pick each other without knowing the plan. Chaos, of course, follows.

It is one of the best rom coms because it leans fully into the absurdity and makes every moment sparkle. The chemistry between the leads is electric, the script is ridiculous in the best way, and somehow it still manages to land a sweet and believable ending. The supporting cast is fun, the outfits are pure early 2000s, and it never takes itself too seriously. A total comfort watch.

The Holiday (2006)

What if you could just trade lives with someone across the world for a few weeks and accidentally fall in love while doing it? That is the idea behind The Holiday, directed by Nancy Meyers, with Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Jack Black all giving lovely, grounded performances. It is snowy, cozy, and surprisingly thoughtful.

Among the best rom coms, this one stands out for its tone. It is quieter than most, not built on gags but on warmth. The idea of escaping your own life for a bit is something many of us have thought about, and this movie gives that daydream a beautiful soundtrack. It is the kind of film you watch with a blanket and hot tea, then immediately want to rewatch.

Pretty Woman (1990)

This film walks a very strange line and somehow pulls it off. Julia Roberts plays a sex worker with charm and honesty, Richard Gere plays a cold businessman who slowly thaws out, and together they build a romance that feels impossible but weirdly works. Directed by Garry Marshall, the film is full of classic lines and big gestures.

It is one of the best rom coms because it commits fully to its fantasy. It is glossy and over the top, but it lets the characters breathe and connect in real ways too. Roberts owns every scene she is in, and the chemistry between the leads is undeniable. The shopping montage alone could earn this movie its spot on any list.

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Email might be old school now, but in this movie it is full of charm. Directed by Nora Ephron and starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, this film follows two people who fall in love over the internet while unknowingly battling each other in real life as bookstore owners. It is witty, warm, and filled with all the early internet nostalgia you never knew you missed.

One of the best rom coms for anyone who loves slow burn romance and smart dialogue. The leads have incredible chemistry and the pacing gives the story time to breathe. It is gentle and kind and full of lovely small moments that make it feel personal. You know exactly where it is going, and it still works every single time.

Moonstruck (1987)

Cher won an Oscar for this role and honestly, she earned it in the first five minutes. Directed by Norman Jewison, Moonstruck is a rom com wrapped in Italian-American family drama, sprinkled with opera, and filled with energy. Nicolas Cage plays her love interest and somehow it all makes perfect sense.

This is one of the best rom coms because it is not trying to be cute. It is loud, it is dramatic, and it is full of characters who feel like actual people with real problems and desires. The romance is wild and unexpected and yet totally believable. Plus, it reminds you that sometimes love comes when you stop looking for it and start embracing the madness.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This one sits right on the edge of the genre, but it earns its spot. Directed by David O Russell and starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook is about two broken people who find something hopeful in each other. It deals with mental health, grief, and family tension, but somehow wraps it all in humor and charm.

What makes this one of the best rom coms is how raw it feels. The romance builds through awkwardness, honesty, and tiny moments of connection. There is dancing, football, shouting, and the kind of chemistry that does not feel scripted. It is messier than most rom coms, but also more grounded. That mix is what makes it work.

The Big Sick (2017)

Based on the real life relationship of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V Gordon, The Big Sick is funny, smart, and completely refreshing. It follows Kumail as he navigates cultural expectations, stand up comedy, and an unexpected medical crisis that turns everything upside down. Zoe Kazan plays Emily with wit and vulnerability, and Holly Hunter steals every scene she is in.

This is one of the best rom coms of the past decade because it does not follow a typical structure. The love story pauses, changes shape, and comes back around in a way that feels real. The humor is sharp but never cruel, and the emotion sneaks up on you. It is romantic, but also just a great story about what it takes to love someone well.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

This film is not just a rom com, it is practically a mood. Directed by Nora Ephron and starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, the movie follows two people who fall in love through a radio show without ever meeting face to face until the very end. It is about fate, timing, and the quiet belief that love will find a way.

Among the best rom coms of all time, this one earns its place by being both emotional and restrained. The leads are charming, the music is lovely, and the story pulls you in even though it is built on longing more than actual interaction. Sometimes love is not about being in the same place at the same time. Sometimes it is about knowing you are meant to be.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

Jennifer Garner absolutely carries this film with wide eyed charm and perfect comic timing. She plays a 13 year old girl who suddenly wakes up in her 30 year old body after a birthday wish. What follows is a mix of awkward grown up life, childhood wonder, and a very sweet slow burn romance with Mark Ruffalo’s character.

It is one of the best rom coms because it lets innocence and adult life mix without being cringey. It is fun, colorful, and full of heart. The dance scene to Thriller alone is worth the watch, but it is the final act that brings it all together. A reminder that sometimes love is just waiting for you to grow into it.

Love Actually (2003)

Yes, it is a Christmas movie. But it is also a rom com through and through. With an ensemble cast that includes Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and more, Love Actually weaves multiple love stories together in a way that is messy, touching, and often very funny. It has become a seasonal tradition for many, but it works any time of year.

What makes it one of the best rom coms is how many different kinds of love it explores. Romantic, platonic, familial, awkward, unrequited. Some stories land better than others, but the film as a whole delivers charm and emotion in equal parts. It is not perfect, but that is kind of the point.

Some Rom Coms Fade. These Just Stay With You.

There is something about romantic comedies that makes them feel less like movies and more like memories. You do not just remember the plot. You remember how it felt the first time you watched it. Maybe you were wrapped in a blanket. Maybe it was a rainy afternoon. Maybe you were heartbroken. Maybe you were just bored. But whatever the reason, the best rom coms have a way of finding you at exactly the right moment.

I’ve watched more of them than I’d like to admit, and I still come back to Notting Hill more often than I expect. It is soft and funny and just a little bit sad in the right places. And sometimes that’s exactly what you want. A reminder that love might not be perfect, but it can still be surprising and kind.

The twenty films on this list are not here because of big awards or perfect scripts. They are here because they linger. Because they made us laugh and maybe feel a little less alone. And because honestly, there is no such thing as too many rom coms. There is just not enough time to watch them all at once.