15 Rom-Coms Americans Will Fall In Love With
One of the most enduring genres in cinema, romantic comedies have always been popular with audiences. Despite the ebbs and flows in production, rom-coms never go away completely.
Indeed, Americans often crave this escapist entertainment. After all, who can’t appreciate stories about love overcoming all obstacles?
One can decipher the reasons behind the most beloved rom-coms in several ways: box-office numbers, popular culture references, and lasting appeal. From entering the cultural zeitgeist with memes to becoming yearly traditions, these films stand out in the American landscape.
1. The Holiday (2006)
Making a Christmas movie that strikes a chord with audiences will almost guarantee longevity. In the case of writer/director Nancy Meyers’s The Holiday, the cheerful, uplifting rom-com earned a modest profit domestically but has only gained popularity since its release in 2006.
The story follows two lonely, unlucky-in-love women who swap homes for the Christmas holidays. Iris (Kate Winslet) travels to Los Angeles, befriends an elderly neighbor (Eli Wallach), and finds love with a sweet film composer (Jack Black). Meanwhile, Amanda (Cameron Diaz) travels to England and quickly falls for the widowed father Graham (Jude Law).
Between the likable leads and romantic escapism, audiences have unsurprisingly made The Holiday a cozy yearly tradition — much to Meyers’s delight, who regularly shares photos and videos of fans enjoying the movie on social media.
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
In 2002, My Big Fat Greek Wedding became a surprise box-office smash, earning over $240 million in North America on only a $5 million budget. The movie owes its success to the delightful cast and script that resonates with multiple generations.
In the story, a shy Greek woman (Nia Vardalos) comes to terms with her heritage and big and loud family after falling in love with a non-Greek man (John Corbett).
Audiences across the U.S. adored the film because of its relatable themes, told with a healthy dose of fun, humor, and romance. So many people have overbearing families, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding gave a voice to those long-suffering individuals who, deep down, still love their families.
3. When Harry Met Sally…(1989)
When Harry Met Sally represents rom-com perfection in the hearts and minds of many Americans. The film features an impeccable combination of collaborators with director Rob Reiner, writer Nora Ephron, and stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. It also ponders a longstanding debate of whether men and women can truly be friends.
While the answer should be a resounding yes, what makes viewers continue to adore When Harry Met Sally stems from their realistic and evolving relationship. Sometimes, the greatest love blossoms out of friendship, and audiences love to escape into a world like that.
It helps that it comes in the form of witty banter and charming vignettes throughout the years, with two undeniably appealing actors in Crystal and Ryan.
4. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
The only rom-com pairing to rival Crystal and Ryan in the audience’s hearts would be Ryan’s frequent co-star, Tom Hanks. With Nora Ephron once again writing, they struck romantic comedy gold with 1998’s You’ve Got Mail. The film grossed over $115 million (an impressive number for the time) and has been beloved by many since.
The film remakes the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner, turning the anonymous pen pals from co-workers into rival bookstore owners. The added layers, unmatched chemistry between Hanks and Ryan, charming New York flair, and equally hilarious and romantic script contribute to You’ve Got Mail’s lasting success and appeal.
Audiences love rom-coms that feel escapist and yet still plausible, and You’ve Got Mail delivers.
5. How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Another rom-com to enjoy lasting success: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days which landed in cinemas in the early 2000s. When stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey took the romantic comedy reins, they gave us a funny, glossy romp much different than the typical movie.
The premise involves two individuals with opposing goals to help them rise at their respective jobs. Andie (Hudson) tries to drive Ben (McConaughey) crazy with all the ways women typically lose guys. At the same time, Ben wants to prove he can make any woman fall in love with him.
What could be mean-spirited instead results in laugh-out-loud scenes and moments of genuine tenderness aided by the actor’s palpable chemistry. A joy upon release, the film has found new generations of fans thanks to streaming. It continues to be popular with the actors even contemplating a sequel.
6. Pretty Woman (1990)
One of the most commercially successful romantic comedies ever, Pretty Woman hit all the right notes for audiences in 1990 and continues to be a favorite for fans of the genre.
The movie employed romantic tropes such as the “date-for-hire” and the scoundrel’s redemption in refreshing, mature ways previously unseen. Although Pretty Woman has much darker suspects than the other films on this list, that did not deter viewers from watching and adoring Vivian (Julia Roberts) and Edward’s (Richard Gere) story.
Indeed, the actors make the movie, particularly Roberts, whose star-turning performance made her a household name and continues to live on. The film’s most famous moment, when Roberts returns to a store that refused her service, still reigns supreme.
7. Hitch (2005)
Rom-coms typically feature a tried-and-true formula and casting. When filmmakers try something slightly outside the box, it can go one of two ways. With Hitch, audiences gravitated toward a film with different but still comforting elements that fans love.
The story follows the dating expert Hitch (Will Smith), who has his work cut out for him when Albert (Kevin James) asks for help wooing his co-worker. When Hitch meets Sara (Eva Mendes), his smooth-talking charms fall on not easily impressed ears.
Americans love Hitch for its charming, affable cast and relatable story about the awkwardness of dating. It resonated to the sum of nearly 180 million domestically and continues to be a favorite on streaming.
8. The Proposal (2009)
Much like Meg Ryan, most viewers consider Sandra Bullock a rom-com queen. Add the amiable Ryan Reynolds and comedy legend Betty White, and suddenly, The Proposal’s success doesn’t seem so surprising.
Moreover, The Proposal features a mix of refreshing elements with familiar staples. Fans love a good “fake dating” scenario. The Proposal works so well because Bullock plays against type as a very guarded, closed-off woman, while Reynolds has the more open, congenial character.
Viewers loved the two together, earning the movie over $163 million in North America.
9. 50 First Dates (2004)
After the success of the sweet and nostalgic The Wedding Singer, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore teamed up again with 50 First Dates. The film received praise from fans who helped it garner even more commercial success than its predecessor, earning $120 million dollars at the box office.
In the film, a man tries to make a woman with short-term memory loss fall in love with him every day.
A key reason Americans love 50 First Dates lies in the appeal of its leads and the unique movie magic they make together. Sandler has a goofy, raucous humor that viewers in the U.S. gravitate towards. When paired with Barrymore, she grounds him. In the case of 50 First Dates, the story has a deeper meaning than much of his other work, making the film appealing to his fans and those who love rom-coms.
10. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
My Best Friend’s Wedding subverts expectations, continues to find new audiences, and inspires filmmakers. The film’s unique premise features its lead star Julia Roberts in the antagonist’s role as she attempts to sabotage the wedding of her best friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) and his fiancée Kim (Cameron Diaz).
There’s something unmistakably American about My Best Friend’s Wedding, which explains the film’s box-office success ($127 million on a $38 million budget). It also demonstrates why the film still resonates with viewers today who clamor for a sequel and still watch it on repeat.
Anyone But You star Glen Powell also says that the cast (including Mulroney) watched My Best Friend’s Wedding as inspiration before they began filming their movie. A film that can inspire others in the genre deserves nothing but praise.
11. Love Actually (2003)
Much like The Holiday, Love Actually has become a Christmas tradition in many households worldwide. That’s true in the U.S., where Americans have a propensity for British culture and entertainment, so Love Actually’s everlasting appeal should not surprise anyone.
Despite modest domestic box-office numbers, the film has steadily grown in popularity, inspiring memes, skits, etc., across the board.
Although the infamous romantic declaration on cards scene has arguably become the most famous, fans adore all of the stories, from the shy Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) falling in love to a widower (Liam Neeson) helping his stepson win over a classmate.
Though in some circles, hating the film has become fashionable, Love Actually still retains legions of American fans who enjoy the warm holiday cheer and romance.
12. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Although most assume the most popular rom-com of Reese Witherspoon’s career to be Legally Blonde, that film emphasizes comedy much more than romance. For a pure rom-com, Americans adore Sweet Home Alabama, which co-stars Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey.
The story follows up-and-coming fashion designer Melanie (Witherspoon), who finds herself torn between her old life- and legal husband Jake (Lucas) in Alabama, and her glamorous New York life with her boyfriend, state congressman Andrew (Dempsey).
As American as they come, the southern charm of Sweet Home Alabama gives the film its heart and soul, and the cast brings it to life with enthusiasm. The infectious laughter and unabashed romance continue to make the movie a favorite and one that fans would love to see a sequel.
13. Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Crazy, Stupid, Love appeals to so many because of its interwoven, relatable stories and fantastic cast, which includes Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, and Kevin Bacon.
In the movie, Carrell receives life advice from the slick Gosling after learning of his wife’s infidelity. Of course, Gosling has his world turned upside down when he meets Stone’s character. The movie has many layers too good to spoil, showcasing its appeal among rom-com fans.
Crazy, Stupid, Love has also become the meme that keeps giving, with several scenes frequently used as gifs across social media. Beyond that, the film’s charms helped it earn critical and commercial success, making it a 21st-century classic.
14. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
A romantic comedy that has been a long time coming, Crazy Rich Asians features a familiar storyline but with something rarely seen before in the genre: an all-Asian cast. Indeed, one of the most underrepresented cultures in cinema gets its due in the 2018 film.
The story follows Rachel (Constance Wu), who finds herself overwhelmed and judged by her boyfriend Nick’s (Henry Golding) very wealthy family, especially his taciturn mother (Michelle Yeoh), when they travel to Singapore for a wedding.
Earning over $174 million in North America, Crazy Rich Asians found a captive audience among Asian and non-Asian communities. The movie explores themes of love, familial pressure, insecurity, and self-confidence that anyone can relate to. It showcases how much viewers can enjoy a universal story through an engaging, refreshing lens.
15. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
American audiences frequently clamor for updated retellings of classic literature. As far as modern William Shakespeare movies, 10 Things I Hate About You (which updates The Taming of the Shrew) remains a classic for its generation.
Teenage movies do not always lean heavily into romance but instead comedy. 10 Things I Hate About You balances both, centering on the love stories of two very different sisters. Standoffish Kat (Julia Stiles) reluctantly falls for Patrick (Heath Ledger), who agrees to romance her for money. Meanwhile, Bianca (Larisa Oleynick) has eyes for stuck-up Joey, while the much sweeter Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) hopes to win her heart.
The filmmakers keep close to the Shakespearean source material with impressive style, adding the appropriate modern touches without losing the play’s soul and profundity. Aided by earnest and funny performances, 10 Things I Hate About You continues to delight viewers with its equally nostalgic and timeless feel, reminding us that the finest stories never go out of style.
