Top 25 Romantic Comedies
The romantic comedy is an often ridiculed genre, but there's a lot of people, including me, who love them! Here are the top 25, my favourites and which are actually good. I may have gone a little off-genre and included some that aren't necessarily pure romantic comedy, but they are still funny and romantic in their own way.
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- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenDiane KeatonTony RobertsAlvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.I still have a hard time calling this a romantic comedy, but it is not only Woody Allen at his best but also romance and comedy at their best.
- DirectorAdrienne ShellyStarsKeri RussellNathan FillionJeremy SistoJenna is a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in the deep south. She meets a newcomer to her town and falls into an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness.One of my favourite fims of all time. I don't consider it a romantic comedy, but others do. It is extremely funny and walks the line well between drama and comedy, and Keri Russell plays one of the best characters in the genre.
- DirectorStephen FrearsStarsJohn CusackIben HjejleTodd LouisoRob, a record store owner and compulsive list maker, recounts his top five breakups, including the one in progress.More of a guy's comedy about romance, but Nick Hornby is a fantastic writer, John Cusack play's one of the best male characters in the genre and it is touching and hilarious at the same time.
- DirectorLuke GreenfieldStarsEmile HirschNicholas DownsElisha CuthbertA teenager's dreams come true when a former porn star moves in next door and they fall in love.The Girl Next Door is a very clever take on the teen genre, it is very funny and Emile Hirsch and Elisha Cuthbert are so great together that you have to call it romance too!
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEthan HawkeJulie DelpyAndrea EckertA young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.Not your typical romantic comedy, but genuinely funny and Richard Linklater has written some of the best dialogue ever witnessed on film.
- DirectorCharles Herman-WurmfeldStarsJennifer WestfeldtHeather JuergensenTovah FeldshuhA woman searching for the perfect man instead discovers the perfect woman.So well written that this is smart and funny, and I couldn't help but fall in love with Jessica Stein.
- DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsAudrey HepburnGeorge PeppardPatricia NealA young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way.Audrey Hepburn in the quintessential romantic comedy heroine role, enough said.
- DirectorOl ParkerStarsPiper PeraboLena HeadeyMatthew GoodeA newlywed bride becomes infatuated with another woman who questions her sexual orientation, promoting a stir among the bride's family and friends.I was impressed with how they were able to write characters who behaved rather selfishly and had actions that caused pain to others, and yet you still sympathized with these characters and laughed throughout their journey towards love.
- DirectorNicholas StollerStarsKristen BellJason SegelPaul RuddDevastated Peter takes a Hawaiian vacation in order to deal with the recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah. Little does he know, Sarah's traveling to the same resort as her ex - and she's bringing along her new boyfriend.More of a guy's comedic romance, but Forgetting Sarah Marshall finally showed that you could write real characters in the genre and keep it hilarious.
- DirectorMark PalanskyStarsChristina RicciJames McAvoyReese WitherspoonA modern romantic tale about a young aristocratic heiress born under a curse that can only be broken when she finds true love with "one who will accept her as one of their own."Penelope is fairy tale first, so it may not belong on such a list, but you do spend the entire movie hoping that Christina Ricci and James McAvoy find love.
- DirectorMichael ShowalterStarsMichael ShowalterElizabeth BanksPeter DinklageIn the style of a Howard Hawks comedy, Baxter follows the twists and turns of a young man's life during the two weeks before his wedding.The Baxter is one of the best written, self-aware romantic comedies. Romantic comedies that know their genre and knowingly add their take on it.
- DirectorBlayne WeaverStarsTricia O'KelleyPatrick J. AdamsRyan DevlinA Seattle weather girl freaks out on-air over her cheating boyfriend, the morning show anchor, and moves in with her little brother.Weather Girl is like The Baxter in it's self-awareness, and the tongue-in-cheek lines at the end are not only hilarious, but stay true to the genre.
- DirectorAlek KeshishianStarsBrittany MurphyMatthew RhysCatherine TateAn American intern at U.K. Vogue helps her friends find love.A fast-paced romantic comedy that is all about screenwriting and "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Also has Matthew Rhys in one of the best gay-guy-best-friend roles.
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsZooey DeschanelJoseph Gordon-LevittGeoffrey ArendAfter being dumped by the girl he believes to be his soulmate, hopeless romantic Tom Hansen reflects on their relationship to try and figure out where things went wrong and how he can win her back.I had a hard time accepting this as a good film, but once I figured out the twist with Zooey Deschanel's character, I realized its brilliance. And I never had a hard time falling in love with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
- DirectorAmy HeckerlingStarsMichelle PfeifferPaul RuddSaoirse RonanA mother falls for a younger man while her daughter falls in love for the first time. Mother Nature messes with their fates.Only makes this list because of its comedy, and also because what woman wouldn't want to be with Paul Rudd?
- DirectorNicholas HytnerStarsJennifer AnistonPaul RuddKali RochaA pregnant New York City social worker begins to develop romantic feelings for her gay best friend, and decides she'd rather raise her child with him, much to the dismay of her overbearing boyfriend.This is the first time I fell in love with Paul Rudd. Every cute character is just so irresistable that they make this film actually pretty good.
- DirectorRobert CaryStarsJennifer WestfeldtChris MessinaJason AlexanderA hastily married couple quickly devolve into a life of affairs, meddling parents, and therapy.Jennifer Westfeldt (of Kissing Jessica Stein fame) has written another great film in her version of the romantic comedy.
- DirectorMichael LehmannStarsUma ThurmanJaneane GarofaloBen ChaplinA successful veternarian & radio show host with low self-esteem asks her model friend to impersonate her when a handsome man wants to see her.This film so ably created characters that we can all relate to and laugh with them, that it has become a classic in the genre.
- DirectorRicky GervaisMatthew RobinsonStarsRicky GervaisJennifer GarnerJonah HillA comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.The intelligence to the comedy and casting Ricky Gervais as a leading man makes The Invention of Lying absolutely hilarious.
- DirectorJudd ApatowStarsSeth RogenKatherine HeiglPaul RuddFor fun-loving party animal Ben Stone, the last thing he ever expected was for his one-night stand to show up on his doorstep eight weeks later to tell him she's pregnant with his child.Surprisingly very funny and with surprisingly genuine characters.
- DirectorJosh GordonWill SpeckStarsJennifer AnistonJason BatemanPatrick WilsonSeven years after the fact, a man comes to the realization that he was the sperm donor for his best friend's boy.I was surprised by how great of a leading man Jason Bateman is and this film actually is very funny.
- DirectorJac SchaefferStarsEmma Caulfield FordScott HolroydKali RochaIf a clock could count down to the moment you meet your soul mate, would you want to know?A very creative and clever take on the romantic comedy genre. You have to enjoy it for its sheer intelligence.
- DirectorAdam BrooksStarsRyan ReynoldsRachel WeiszAbigail BreslinA political consultant tries to explain his impending divorce and past relationships to his 11-year-old daughter.Really not ground-breaking in any way, but all of the actors are adept at enough in comedy that I find myself completely enjoying it.
- DirectorPeyton ReedStarsEwan McGregorRenée ZellwegerDavid Hyde PierceIn 1962 New York City, love blossoms between a playboy journalist and a feminist advice author.Down with Love is completely ridiculous and over-the-top and that's why it is so much fun.
- DirectorValerie BreimanStarsFamke JanssenJon FavreauNoah EmmerichKate's fired from a women's magazine for writing about blow jobs, based on own experience as requested. She gets a last chance - 2500 happy, perky words on finding/keeping that perfect man. She tells about her relationships.One of the first films to make me fall in love with the genre. It has enough intelligence, comedy, and romance to make it pretty good.