10 Rom-Coms That Are Bangers From Start to Finish
The romantic comedy genre has become one of the most beloved and entertaining, whisking audiences away into worlds where laughter and love are just around the corner. The best and most essential of them all, though, offer more than just a few clever jokes — they provide an immaculate blend of humor and heart, paired with relatable characters and, of course, believable chemistry.
While there are plenty of romantic comedies that keep us grinning from beginning to end, others inevitably fade from memory before the credits roll. So what is it exactly that makes certain rom-coms stand out and endure while others are so quickly forgotten? We look back at some of the most essential romantic comedies of all time, from contemporary classics like When Harry Met Sally… to Old Hollywood must-watches such as The Philadelphia Story.
10
‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ (2003)
Directed by Donald Petrie
Starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days follows a magazine writer and an advertising executive’s unlikely relationship with hidden agendas: Andie aims to drive Ben away in 10 days for an article, while Ben bets he can make any woman fall in love with him in the same time frame to win a major ad account.
As likely expected, this comedic battle of wills delivers a romantic comedy that is both unique and wildly entertaining, with believable feelings developing between the two charming leads. Thanks to the palpable chemistry between McConaughey and Hudson (as well as their delightful back-and-forth), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days strikes the perfect balance of romance and comedy. It’s a great example of the enemies-to-lovers trope done right, with a brisk and engaging pacing that never falters. Over the years, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days continues to charm audiences even today, which is why it has easily become one of the most rewatchable rom-coms of the 2000s.
9
‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ (2011)
Directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Following Steve Carell‘s middle-aged Cal Weaver, who is blindsided after his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) asks him for a divorce after 25 years of marriage, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a gentle, timeless nudge that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and find your path in life — especially after befrending suave womanizer Jacob Palmer (played by Ryan Gosling).
Boasting an incredibly talented all-star cast — including not only Carrell, Gosling, and Moore, but also Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, and Kevin Bacon — Crazy, Stupid, Love is filled with memorable performances and an iconic final twist that further elevates its story. By interconnecting the engaging romantic misadventures of characters across ages, the Glenn Ficarra and John Requa film delivers a fun and fresh take on classic rom-com tropes while embracing the delightful messiness of love in all its forms.
8
‘Clueless’ (1995)
Directed by Amy Heckerling
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This contemporary retelling of Jane Austen‘s “Emma” is set in the sun-soaked world of Beverly Hills. At its center is Alicia Silverstone‘s Cher Horowitz, a wealthy and popular teen who loves matchmaking and makeovers. Cher eventually takes new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) under her wing. However, as Cher’s own romantic schemes unravel, she faces unexpected challenges, including the messy feelings for her former stepbrother (yup, you read that right).
Featuring legendary outfits (think Cher’s plaid outfit) and an entertaining narrative, Clueless instantly cemented itself as a cult classic upon its release, leaving an indelible mark not just on film, especially teen cinema, but on fashion and pop culture at large. With its perfect mix of heartfelt romance and iconic costumes to match, Amy Heckerling‘s iconic, highly rewatchable film resulted in a project as influential as it is endlessly engaging, with its sharp, satirical take on high school life and privilege setting it apart from the generic wave of teen comedies.
7
’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)
Directed by Gil Junger
Another essential classic literature re-imagine, 10 Things I Hate About You is a refreshing adaptation of William Shakespeare‘s “The Taming of the Shrew,” also set against a modern high school. The story follows the fiercely independent Kat (Julia Stiles) and her popular sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). When their overprotective father decrees that Bianca can only date if Kat does, Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) hatches a plan, enlisting a mysterious bad boy (Heath Ledger) to steal Kat’s heart.
Anchored by iconic characters and performances, 10 Things I Hate About You is a wonderfully entertaining romantic comedy packed with clever dialogue, memorable one-liners, and a handful of laugh-out-loud moments. Among many of its most memorable aspects, the sharp writing is definitely a part of what makes it such a banger from start to finish, with its beautiful exploration of love and identity also giving it real staying power.
6
‘Notting Hill’ (1999)
Directed by Roger Michell
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Featuring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in some of their most memorable roles, Notting Hill, directed by Roger Michell and written by Richard Curtis, illustrates the unlikely romance between bookshop owner William Thacker and the world-famous Anna Scott after she enters his shop, leading to a series of chance encounters, misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments.
Beyond how grounded the film’s central relationship feels (essentially free of tired clichés), Notting Hill shines with the beautiful chemistry between Grant and Roberts. Their dynamic never feels rushed; instead, it unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to genuinely care about each of the characters. However, part of what makes it the perfect rom-com, in addition to its iconic London setting, is the way it addresses timeless themes of heartbreak, joy, and the magic of human connection.
- Release Date
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May 13, 1999
- Runtime
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124minutes
- Director
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Roger Michell
- Writers
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Roger Michell
5
‘Bringing Up Baby’ (1938)
Directed by Howard Hawks
This iconic Howard Hawks movie follows the hapless paleontologist David Huxley (Cary Grant) as his life is upended by the free-spirited and unpredictable heiress Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn). What begins as a chance encounter turns into an adventure involving a missing dinosaur bone, a dog named George, and a leopard called Baby.
A masterclass in screwball comedy, Bringing Up Baby is the gold standard in the genre, perfect for those looking to get into old Hollywood or just in the mood for nonstop fun. Hawks’ film keeps the pace quick and delivers constant chaos with one disaster after another, and audiences can’t help but tag along. In addition to that, the film is also elevated by unconventional but endearing characters and legendary chemistry between the leads, delivering both visual gags and just the right amount of wit with incredible results.
4
‘His Girl Friday’ (1940)
Directed by Howard Hawks
Another Hawks screwball that deserves a place among these is His Girl Friday. Set in the fast-paced world of newspaper journalism, it stars the fan-favorite Grant as a cunning editor and Rosalind Russell as his ace reporter and ex-wife. After she announces her engagement to the mild-mannered Bruce Baldwin and plans to leave journalism behind, Walter schemes to win her back, both professionally and romantically.
His Girl Friday‘s charm lies in its groundbreaking dialogue and pacing, which set a new standard for cinematic realism. Whether it’s Hawks encouraging actors to speak over each other to fully capture the chaos of a busy newsroom, or the electrifying chemistry between this perfect comedic duo, the 1940 film is innovative and essential in many ways, delivering not only an engaging love story but also a clever social commentary on the cutthroat world of newspapers.
3
‘It Happened One Night’ (1934)
Directed by Frank Capra
It’s hard to talk about classic romantic comedies without mentioning Frank Capra‘s It Happened One Night. The film follows a headstrong heiress who escapes her controlling father to reunite with her fiancé, only to meet a down-on-his-luck reporter who recognizes her and offers to help in exchange for an exclusive story. Their misadventures on the road are packed with banter, chemistry, and a clever combination of escapist fun and social commentary.
With Gable and Claudette Colbert‘s beautiful performances at its heart, It Happened One Night has helped pioneer the romantic comedy genre, offering an unforgettable dynamic and dialogue as well as a clever balance of escapist fun with real social insight. Not only did it set the template for the rom-com as we know it, but it was also the first film to sweep the five major Academy Awards (Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay) — an achievement that remains, to this day, a testament to its lasting impact.
2
‘The Philadelphia Story’ (1940)
Directed by George Cukor
Based on the play by Philip Barry, The Philadelphia Story stars Katharine Hepburn as a wealthy Philadelphia socialite preparing for her second marriage. Her plans, however, are thrown into chaos by the arrival of her charming ex-husband and a tabloid reporter (James Stewart), both of whom threaten to upend her life.
Equally charming and clever, The Philadelphia Story is certainly tough to beat when the subject is essential rom-coms, throwing into the mix a compelling blend of comedy, screwball antics, and genuinely heartfelt moments to keep the audience guessing about Tracy’s ultimate choice right up until the end. Meanwhile, the movie subverts character arcs and gender roles — Tracy, for one, isn’t your typical damsel; she’s proud, intelligent, and refreshingly flawed. Add to that its razor-sharp wit and modern exploration of love, and it’s not difficult to understand why The Philadelphia Story remains a standout even today.
1
‘When Harry Met Sally…’ (1989)
Directed by Rob Reiner
Although plenty of iconic romantic comedies have cemented their names in movie history, When Harry Met Sally… is the modern rom-com blueprint for many fans of the genre and critics alike. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, the story follows Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) over twelve years, from their first contentious car ride from Chicago to New York through a series of chance encounters.
Although plenty of aspects make Reiner’s film a standout, When Harry Met Sally‘s heart lies in the electric chemistry between Ryan and Crystal, both delivering career-defining performances. Their banter and comedic timing make Harry and Sally’s bond feel authentic, relatable, and certainly entertaining. With its sharp, funny, and emotionally honest moments, the turn-of-the-decade picture distills the genre to its essentials and delivers a friends-to-lovers story that unfolds naturally and keeps audiences engaged.
