Top 10 Rom Coms

A couple years ago, my mom introduced me to her favorite romantic comedies. I immediately fell in love with them and kept wanting to find more. Whether it was watching them from the 50s, 80, 90s or 2000s, romantic comedies are timeless and comforting.

So as we enter the last stretch of the year, here are my 10 picks of the BEST rom coms to make you smile, laugh, and fall in love!

 

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Sleepless in Seattle stars Meg Ryan as Annie Reed and Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin. Sam just lost his wife and grapples with becoming a single father for his son Jonah. He decides to move them to Seattle for a fresh start. On Christmas Eve, Sam finds himself on a late night talk-radio show that Jonah had called, asking for a new wife for Sam. Annie Reed, a reporter in Baltimore, hears Sam on the radio and falls in love even though she is engaged to someone else.
Along with its witty quips and romantic story, Sleepless in Seattle also has an excellent soundtrack. With popular jazz singers like Louis Armstrong, Harry Connick Jr. and Nat King Cole, the soundtrack perfectly fits the feel-good, comfort of the entire movie.

 

2. Runaway Bride (1999)

Maggie Carpenter, played by romantic comedy star Julia Roberts, has already left three men in the altar. In her small town she is already nicknamed the “runaway bride” and somewhat of a joke. Ike Graham, played by Richard Gere, catches wind of Maggie’s story and her upcoming fourth wedding. About to lose his journalist job, he races to exploit Maggie in assumption that she will leave this husband at the altar as well. However as he gets to know her, he finds himself falling in love with the heartbreaker.
Runaway Bride is an amazing movie. Not only is it a movie about love, and enemies to love trope actually, it also shows Maggie’s growth from backing out of love to allowing herself romance. 

 

3. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock) is a transit worker. She sees many people everyday but only one catches her eye – Peter. As the only person working on Christmas Day, Lucy watches as Peter falls on the train tracks and saves his life. She follows him to the hospital and finds he is in a coma. By the mistake of a nurse, Peter’s family ends up believing that Lucy is Peter’s fiancee. She does not correct them and is immediately welcomed into their family. Things get even more complicated when Lucy starts getting to know Peter’s younger brother, Jack (Bill Pullman.
The silly and unrealistic plot can be distasteful to some, but While You Were Sleeping has a perfect, swoony love story. The chemistry between Lucy and Jack is undeniable and though there is a lot of drama, confusion and betrayal, there is a happy ending.

 

4. Bride Wars (2009)

Childhood best friends, Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway), have been planning their wedding since they were younger. Now, both are engaged and are vying for the coveted Plaza Hotel where every bride wants to get married. Tensions rise when Liv and Emma’s weddings both fall on the same date. The two both become bridezillas as they compete to have the best wedding.
While there is romance in the movie, it is not as prevalent. Because of this, I would label this as more of a chick flick. The primary focus is the hilarious competition between the best friends. The movie is fun and witty, highlighting all of the stresses that come with planning a wedding.

 

5. 27 Dresses (2008)

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. For Jane, this has been her mantra. 27 times. All of her closest friends depend on her when it comes to wedding plans because of her dependability and inability to say no. Conflict arises once Tess – Jane’s younger sister – catches the eye of Jane’s boss who she secretly loves. Jane, jealous of her sister, reluctantly helps plan the quick wedding while reexamining her non assertiveness. Meanwhile, a Commitments reporter, Malcolm Doyle, hears of the serial bridesmaid and tries to write a story about her.
The romance in this movie is not my favorite part as Jane and Malcolm’s chemistry is forced. However, what saves the movie is Jane’s growth. Her journey to find her independence is inspirational as a lot of people can relate to her.

 

6. Sabrina (1954)

Sabrina, played by Audrey Hepburn, returns from Paris after two years as a changed woman. No longer the shy, flighty daughter of the chauffeur, instead she has matured. In turn, this catches the eye of David, the son of her father’s wealthy employers. Sabrina, having been in love with him since she was young, welcomes this attention and falls even more deeply for him. Desperate to save his brother from ruining the family business, David’s older brother – Linus (Humphrey Bogart) – comes in between their romance.
Though this is an old movie, filmed in black and white, the color derives from the romantic and elegant characters. Queen of elegance, Audrey Hepburn’s acting in the role of Sabrina is captivating to watch. Her outfits – in all of her movies, really – are also amazing.

 

7. The Proposal (2009)

Strong and scary book editor, Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock), is suddenly faced with deportation back to Canada. Wanting to save her job, she claims she is engaged to Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), her assistant. Andrew begrudgingly agrees while making sure he is granted an incentive. The two fly off to Alaska to meet Andrew’s family where they must hold on to their illegitimate engagement.
This is truly one of my favorites. It is true to romantic comedy names as the banter between Bullock and Reynolds is hilarious. The sarcasm and witty one-liners mix perfectly with the budding romance between Margaret and Andrew.

 

8. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Toula, played by Nia Vardalos, is 30 years old and still unmarried. This worries her heavily Greek family, as they watch her work at her parent’s restaurant, Dancing Zorba’s. When she takes a job at her aunt’s travel agency, she meets a teacher named Ian Miller (John Corbett). Ian is everything; handsome, kind…and not Greek. Toula navigates assimilating Ian into her family and getting her family to accept him.
There have been two other movies that came after this one but this is definitely the best. The family drama and uncertainty when it comes to letting a new person in is not just subjective to Greeks, being relatable to everyone.

 

9. 13 Going on 30 (2004)

Just about to turn 13, Jenna hosts a birthday party and invites a bunch of the popular girls. When things take a turn for the worse, Jenna fantasizes about being 30 and suddenly her wish turns into a reality. She transforms into a 30-year-old editor (Jennifer Garner). She quickly comes to realize that being an adult is not all it is made out to be.
This feel-good romantic comedy focuses on why wishing to be older is not a good thing. It teaches the importance of living in the moment and trusting the process. This is also another movie where the fashion and outfits are top-tier!

 

10. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Known as the “How-to girl”, Andie Andersen (Kate Hudson) attempts to write an article of a little more substance. She comes up with an idea on how to get a man to leave you in just 10 days. Meanwhile, cocky executive Ben Berry (Matthew McConaughey) decides to enter in a bet to make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days. When Andie and Ben meet, nothing goes according to plan.
This is my all-time FAVORITE romantic comedy and it never gets old! I’ve rewatched this movie so many times and always find myself laughing at the same parts. If you’re looking for a feel-good, hilarious and romantic movie, I highly recommend this one!