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A Definitive Ranking of the 45 Best Romantic Comedies Ever Made
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll have what she’s having
There’s nothing quite like a good love story to get Hollywood ticking. For generations, romantic comedies have reigned supreme at the box office. From classic Old Hollywood films starring the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant to the golden age of romcoms, which saw the rise of megawatt stars like Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts, this genre has long proved to be an indomitable cultural force that keep theaters filled to the brim time and time again.
Today, it probably goes without saying that the romcom has yielded less box office success when compared to its cinematic predecessors (an observation that rings true for pretty much all genres these days), but plenty of contemporary romcoms are still capable of sparking conversation—and chemistry. Just look at the likes of Jon M. Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians or Netflix’s Anyone But You.
Below, Harper’s Bazaar has compiled the definitive list of the 45 best romcoms ever made. Keep scrolling to see if your favorite made the cut.
Something Borrowed (2011)
Based on the book of the same name by Emily Giffin, Something Borrowed tells the tale of two best friends whose friendship is challenged by a man. Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) has grown up in the shadow of her friend Darcy (Kate Hudson)—which includes conceding the man she likes, fellow lawyer Dex, to her bestie. But on Rachel’s 30th birthday, she accidentally reveals her crush to Dex, throwing her whole world into jeopardy.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
Confessions of a Shopaholic is both a traditional rom-com and a love letter to shopping, based on the book series by Sophie Kinsella. Isla Fisher stars as Rebecca Bloomwood, a writer with an awful shopping habit who lands a job giving advice in a financial magazine. There, she meets editor Luke (Hugh Dancy), with whom she has a surprising connection, despite having wildly different approaches to money. But can Rebecca curb her shopping habit before the debt collectors catch up to her?
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) are childhood best friends who have a dramatic falling out as teenagers. Sixteen years later, they reconnect as adults, and easily rekindle their friendship. However, romantic feelings remain and things get complicated, particularly when Sasha starts dating a well-known celebrity.
About Last Night (2014)
About Last Night is based on David Mamet’s 1974 play Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and its star-studded cast includes Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, and Joy Bryant. The story follows two sets of best friends who engage in relationships with one another. Danny, Debbie, Bernie, and Joan attempt to build romantic relationships that will last in the real world, but love is never simple.
Anyone but You (2023)
Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Anyone but You stars Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney as warring acquaintances Bea and Ben. Thrown together at a wedding, Bea and Ben pretend they’re dating to stop their meddling friends from trying to set them up. But the more time they spend together, the more obvious it becomes that their fiery chemistry is legit.
50 First Dates (2004)
Sometimes, the premise of a romcom would be a disaster if it happened in the real world. 50 First Dates is one such romcom. Henry (Adam Sandler) is a womanizer who makes a genuine connection with an Oahu local named Lucy (Drew Barrymore). Unfortunately for Henry, Lucy suffered a car crash that gave her permanent memory loss; everyday, Lucy wakes up with no recollection of any memories that occurred before her accident. Despite this, Henry is determined to win Lucy’s affections anew everyday. The idea of being in a long-term relationship with someone who can only remember you for 24 hours? Nightmare. But, for the purposes of this romcom, it somehow works.
Red, White and Royal Blue (2023)
Adapted from Casey McQuiston’s best-selling romance novel of the same name, Prime Video’s Red, White and Royal Blue portrays the enemy-to-lovers love story between Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the President of the United States, and Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), a member of the British royal family.
She’s All That (1999)
She’s All That is a quintessential high school teen romcom. A loose adaptation of My Fair Lady, the movie stars Freddie Prinze Jr. as Zack Siler, a popular kid whose girlfriend dumps him for a reality TV star after spring break. In an effort to save face, Zack bets that he can transform any girl at their school into prom queen material—even if that means transforming Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook), a deeply unpopular art student.
Materialists (2025)
Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a highly sought-after matchmaker for New York City’s wealthy elite. Despite her streak of successful pairings, she herself isn’t convinced that she has found “the one.” While being courted by a handsome and rich financier (Pedro Pascal) who promises to give her the life she has always dream of, Lucy finds herself getting pulled back to her past—specifically, to her broke ex-boyfriend, John (Chris Evans).
Runaway Bride (1999)
This iconic ’90s romcom gives new meaning to the phrase, “She’s a runner, she’s a track star.” Julia Roberts once again enters the romcom spotlight as Maggie, a young woman who gains a local reputation as “The Runaway Bride” after ditching three different fiancés at the altar on their wedding day. A jaded journalist named Ike (Richard Gere) publishes a scathing story about Maggie, unknowingly using one of her scorned exes as a source. When the facts of his story get called into question and, consequently, his job gets put on the line, Ike heads to Maggie’s hometown to discover the truth.
The Wedding Planner (2001)
Jennifer Lopez is the rom-com queen for a reason, with The Wedding Planner proving that viewers love to watch J.Lo fall in love onscreen. Mary (Lopez) is a workaholic wedding planner who is unlucky in love until she discovers an unexpected spark with Steve (McConaughey) after he saves her life. The only problem? She’s planning his imminent wedding to an heiress.
Hitch (2005)
Will Smith plays Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a “date doctor” who helps men land dates with the women of their dreams. Sworn off of love, Hitch finds himself falling for journalist Sara (Eva Mendes), who seems just as cynical as he’s always been. While he attempts to work his magic on behalf of his clients, Hitch helplessly tries to impress Sara—and fails horribly.
500 Days of Summer (2009)
Can an old dog learn new tricks? Can a hopeless romantic ever really change? That question is at the heart of this romcom/dramedy that follows Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a greeting-card writer who embarks on a whirlwind affair with known commitment-phobe Summer (Zooey Deschanel). When Tom gets hit with a romantic curveball that everyone but him saw coming, he reflects on his 500-day-long relationship with Summer—and learns something about himself in the process.
Fire Island (2022)
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the film focuses on a group of gay friends who travel to Fire Island every year. Noah (Joel Kim Booster) is this story’s Elizabeth Bennet, and he finds himself clashing with his very own Mr. Darcy, Will (Conrad Ricamora). As the group of friends enjoy a fun-filled vacation, Noah questions whether he may have found an important connection.
Last Holiday (2006)
Georgia (Queen Latifah) quits her job after receiving a sudden and unexpected terminal diagnosis. She embarks on her dream vacation to a luxury hotel in the Czech Republic, where she challenges herself to live life to the fullest. Despite finding a kinship with world renowned Chef Didier (Gérard Depardieu) and winning a ton of money in the casino, Latifah misses coworker Sean (LL Cool J) from back home.
Set It Up (2018)
Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) are both assistants to demanding bosses. Together, they hatch a plan to set up Kristen (Lucy Liu) and Rick (Taye Diggs) in an attempt to make their own work lives less stressful. However, as their plan starts to work, the two assistants find they might have an unexpected connection beyond their shared hijinks.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Stella (Angela Bassett) is a 40-year-old single mom who hasn’t had the best luck in love. When her friends convince her to take a vacation, she heads to Montego Bay, Jamaica, where she meets 20-year-old Winston, a local chef’s assistant who invites her to a party. They keep in touch, even once Stella returns home. But can they really make their unexpected romance work?
Imagine Me and You (2005)
At her own wedding to Hector (Matthew Goode), Rachel (Piper Perabo) locks eyes with florist Luce (Lena Headey) in the congregation. Newly married, Rachel keeps running into Luce, who reveals she’s a lesbian and isn’t interested in Rachel’s husband’s best friend. The more time she spends with Luce, it becomes apparent that Rachel’s sexuality isn’t as clear-cut as she once thought.
Notting Hill (1999)
Notting Hill is for every romance lover obsessed with the dating-a-celebrity trope. Hugh Grant stars as William Thacker, a divorcé who owns a travel bookshop in London. When superstar American actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) walks in one day, William finds himself getting sucked into her orbit. The real test of their relationship isn’t whether or not they have feelings for each other—that much is already obvious—but whether or not William can survive in Anna’s world.
The Proposal (2009)
When publishing executive Margaret (Sandra Bullock) gets threatened with deportation to her home country of Canada, she convinces her assistant, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), to marry her in exchange for a promotion. Now, the two must convince their immigration officer that their romance is real by flying to Andrew’s Alaska hometown, where Margaret bonds with his eccentric family.
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![new york, new york march 06: lalisa manobal of blackpink attends a pop up for her album alter ego at chelsea walls gallery in nyc at chelsea walls gallery on march 06, 2025 in new york city. (photo by thestewartofny/getty images for aba)](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2204007592-698500d41753e.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.668xh;0,0.0299xh&resize=360:* "Lisa Of BLACKPINK Pop-Up For Her Album "Alter Ego"")