a lifestyle blog for book lovers

After a great recent discussion with author Julie Buxbaum (which inspired this post), our Book Club community manager Ginger Horton mentioned a beloved yearly tradition that involves two of my favorite things: bullet journals and rom coms. Of course I begged Ginger to tell me more.

I’ll let her tell it in her own words…


A few years ago, a little bored with my regular new year’s resolutions like “drink more water,” I decided from then on, I’d keep making resolutions each new year, but they would only be fun. Ones I’d have no trouble keeping.

That first year, my resolution was to wear proper, grown up pajamas. No more college t-shirts and yoga pants for sleeping. (Let me tell you, when people heard that, I got so many adorable pajama sets for gifts that year. People really love the idea of fun-only resolutions.)

I’ve done all kinds of different delight-only resolutions since then—drink tea out of proper teacups, learn to make good sourdough bread (which I never did; instead I learned to just buy the good stuff from a bakery), a year of Shakespeare (don’t worry, that’s fun for me), master eye makeup that’s not just mascara, learn origami. It’s my excuse to banish practicality and make a habit of something I already want to do, but might not in the name of pragmatism.

Last year might have been my best one yet: I decided to tackle all the romantic comedies I’d somehow missed in that golden age.

Of course I’d seen the Big Ones: You’ve Got Mail, While You Were Sleeping, 13 Going on 30. But there were too many that snuck by me. I grew up in more of a classics family. And while you can do much worse for a family movie night than the Hepburns (Audrey and Katherine — not related, in case you were wondering), a new rom-com renaissance happened, bringing with it new movies that are now considered modern classics.

I pulled out my bullet journal, scrawled at the top “Comfort Watching,” and started listing as many as I could. Then I hopped on Wikipedia to see the holes in my list (did you know there’s a wiki page dedicated to rom-coms by decade?). Friends began sending me their must-watch lists.

Now my own list has grown to over five pages in my bullet journal. Many of them obvious “how have I never seen this?” picks like Four Weddings and a Funeral and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, but I discovered so many not-so-secret gems: Fever Pitch (how adorable is a young Jimmy Fallon!), Ten Things I Hate About You (see, Shakespeare can be fun!), and French Kiss (Meg is always a good idea.)

That same year happened to usher in a mini-renaissance of its own, with a few hugely popular new rom-coms (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Set It Up, Crazy Rich Asians) so it’s been easy to keep the resolution, but my 2018 resolution has lasted well into 2019 and is going strong. And it might just live again for 2020…

I’ve come to think of this list as my rom com syllabus, and today I’m sharing a partial list with you. I’ve got pages aplenty in my bullet journal, so let me know your favorite comfort watching in the comments!

My (partial) Rom Com Syllabus

Checked off my list:

1. Four Weddings and a Funeral. This earns the title for my most shocking “how did I miss this?” award. Hugh Grant makes a frequent appearance on my syllabus and his trademark “charmingly befuddled” self does not disappoint. It was the first time Richard Curtis cast Grant, and the romantic comedy world is surely glad he did.

2. Ten Things I Hate About You. Have I mentioned I have a thing for Shakespeare? Ten Things does for Shakespeare exactly what he would have wanted it to, if he’d lived in the late 90s world of teens. Even though I love Wm. Shakes., skip The Taming of the Shrew if you must and watch this instead. Or better yet, grab a copy of this, the classic 1950’s Kiss Me Kate, and the 1967 Taming staring Elizabeth Taylor and have yourself a movie marathon.

3. Fever Pitch. I was surprised to find that a favorite author, Nick Hornby, is a prolific source of rom-com material—About a Boy, High Fidelity, An Education (even if An Education’s comedic and romantic themes might not put it firmly in the rom-com category). Fever Pitch is his adaptation for an American audience (Hornby’s obsession revolves around English football rather than baseball) but it doesn’t get any cuter than a young Jimmy Fallon in a ball cap.

4. Moonstruck. I did not think I wanted to watch Cher and Nicholas Cage in a love triangle. I was wrong. The loving and complicated family, an opera angle, plus an appearance by a caddish Martin Crane (also known as John Mahoney) won me over.

5. Joe Versus the Volcano. Proof that a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan combination can go wrong. Still, this one has a cult following and really, even the worst Hanks/Ryan movie is still a lot of fun. The premise reminds me of a long time favorite, Last Holiday with Queen Latifah, but a bit more silly.

6. French Kiss. File this under “movies you could watch on mute for the scenery and wardrobe alone.” The soundtrack isn’t bad, either. In fact, soundtracks from 90s rom-coms generally make for great road trip music.

7. Confessions of a Shopaholic. I’m surprised more of Sophie Kinsella’s books haven’t been adapted to films. She has the perfect blend of glitzy and clumsy characters that might make you roll your eyes in real life, but are perfect for cheering on on the screen. This one could not have come out one minute later because the culture might have (rightly) lost its appetite for conspicuous consumption, but if you close your eyes and pretend its 2009, you can enjoy this one for what it is.

8. The Importance of Being Earnest. Mistaken identity trope as told by Oscar Wilde, and starring Rupert, Colin, Reese, and Judi. Need I say more? (Anne’s note: I watched this with all my out-of-town friends the day before my wedding. SO FUN.)

9. Definitely, Maybe. Ryan Reynolds is no stranger to the rom-com genre, but his movies tend to fly under the radar—especially this rom-com mystery featuring adorable single dad Will Hayes and even more adorable young Abigail Breslin. (Reynolds’s rom-com leading man debut Just Friends is still on my TBW.)

10. Notting Hill. If Hugh Grant in Four Weddings didn’t get you to say “how did she miss this?” yet, Notting Hill will. I’ve since remedied that, and think I might have found the perfect rom-com. Julia Roberts channeling Audrey in Roman Holiday. Hugh Grant’s British accent. A quirky roommate. And a bookshop.

TBW (To Be Watched) list:

  1. Bridget Jones’s Diary
  2. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
  3. Little Black Book
  4. Just Wright
  5. Bride & Prejudice
  6. There’s Something About Mary
  7. America’s Sweethearts
  8. Heartburn
  9. Silver Linings Playbook
  10. Sideways
  11. Fool’s Gold
  12. Easy A
  13. About a Boy
  14. Splash
  15. She’s All That
  16. Two Week’s Notice
  17. Kate & Leopold
  18. My Life in Ruins
  19. Jerry MacGuire (I know!)
  20. Sleepless in Seattle (I really know!)

What are your favorite romantic comedies? What titles are on your To Be Watched list? Tell us all about it in comments!

P.S. Let’s reinvent the romantic comedy {a reading list}, and 43 favorite fictional couples. And did you know one whole chapter in my book I’d Rather Be Reading is inspired by You’ve Got Mail? Click here to get your copy.

A Rom-Com Syllabus

441 comments

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    • Vicki says:

      Yes! Ditto! I feel like this movie is underrated. The whole scene with the eggs just breaks my heart. AND my husband actually liked this one, which is rare. He’s not a romcom fan, but there is something deep under the current with Runaway Bride that even he appreciated.

    • Ginger says:

      Yes! I somehow did manage to see that one in a timely manner. Love it! My sister and I still sometimes say “candy!” to each other from that scene where he’s chasing after her and she tries to tell the children to ask him for candy. 🙂

    • Helena says:

      I was going to say Runaway Bride as well. It’s one of my favorites. Plus Richard Gere’s character is one of my longtime movie crushes. 🙂

    • Deb says:

      I agree that Runaway Bride is one of the great romcoms. I was obsessed with the soundtrack of it too (well, still am).

  1. What a fun, fun, FUN New Year’s Resolution! I’m not sure if they’re considered Rom Coms (I think they are) but I’m a big fan of Nancy Meyer’s movies It’s Complicated (my fave), Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday. They definitely fit into your “can watch on mute” category but for the houses alone.

  2. Tünde says:

    You do not have When Harry Met Sally on this list? Have you seen it? It is also considered a classic romcom.
    What’s Your Number? was a great surprise for me from the last decade.

    • Ginger says:

      I need to put When Harry Met Sally on the list. I’ve seen enough bits and pieces of it enough on TBS or something, that I feel like I have, but I probably haven’t seen it all in its together glory, and that’s a shame. Nora deserves better. 🙂

      I’ll look for What’s Your Number, because that one is new to me!

    • Krista Bruggeman says:

      When Harry Met Sally. All time great! Original Sabrina, While You Were Sleeping always makes me cry at the wedding scene. Invest the time in the BBC Pride and Prejuidice. Colin Firth, sigh.

  3. Elizabeth Whittakr says:

    I have to say I have watched Moonstruck at least 8 times. It is a funny, funny movie and Cher is perfect in the roll. Notting Hill is a must!!!

  4. French Kiss is so underrated! I am SO happy to see this on your list! It is one of my very very favorites. Another I enjoy is Danny Deckchair which is an Australian aughties movie. So cute! Bridget Jones and Bridget Jones’s Baby forever. A few more of my favorites: Austenland, Leap Year, Waitress, A Lot Like Love. 🙂 XO – Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

    • Tessa says:

      Oh yes! Austenland is absolutely fantastic! When it first came out, my roommates and I watched it EVERY WEEK and had the whole thing memorized!

    • Lauren says:

      Yes!!! I loved French Kiss and quote it often!! I liked the book Austenland so much more than the movie… I know, common story… also love the movie “the wedding date”

    • Kim Toombs says:

      “Leap Year” is adorable! Amy Adams! Will re-watch. Thanks for reminding me about this movie.
      Want to add “Must Love Dogs”.

  5. Chris says:

    Love Actually is great – but there is a rather explicit subplot, so don’t watch it with your 15 year-old daughter like I did

    • Lynda C says:

      My fave rom com /Christmas movie! My rule for myself is: I can only watch it once a year, the weekend after Thanksgiving…silly huh? 😊

    • Louise says:

      I recommended this movie to a friend who then watched it with her 11 year old daughter!! I had forgotten to mention that particular storyline ( which is actually a very sweet love story).

    • Cynthia says:

      My absolute favorite!!! I did watch it with my 6 (!) sons. Ok, they learned way too much!!! I was laughing so hard, I didn’t mind. One just has to see the irony of each situation! I also only watch it once a year between Thanksgiving and Christmas!!! Best soundtrack ever!!!

    • Elizabeth says:

      As I was reading the article I was trying to remember the name of this movie! I loved every minute of it!! I haven’t seen it in years – do I have to wait until Thanksgiving weekend to watch it again??

  6. Rachel says:

    Runaway Bride and Doc Hollywood are great movies! Also, What Women Want is really fun. (My all-time favorite from your list is Notting Hill!!)

    • Ginger says:

      Oh good ones! And I’ve been meaning to add the remake What Men Want to my list too. That would make a fun film flight. 🙂

      • Ulrike Coulliette says:

        Warning, What Men Want is very different from What Women Want. I love the charm and light humor and Mel Gibson’s character, but the remake has very crass humor and vulgar language, lots of profanity and crudeness, which is why it’s rated R. I started watching it with my husband and teenage daughter (who loves the Mel Gibson movie), and after fast forwarding through a rather explicit scene we finally turned it off… Not everyone will feel the same way about it of course, but if you don’t like vulgarity and expect something like the first movie, you will be disappointed.

    • Vicki says:

      Oh my gosh YES! to both of these!!! I’ve watched Return to Me waaaaay too many times. I love Bonnie Hunt. The scenes with her and Jim Belushi and their kids… Now I need to go watch it again. And Austenland! My husband saw it a few years ago on a flight and said he was laughing out loud so hard and no one else was! HA!!! “What is wrong with people?” he asked when he got home, and promptly rented it because he knew I would love it.

  7. Elizabeth says:

    I love Kate & Leopold! And Sleepless in Seattle, of course. I’d also second the recommendation for Leap Year if you haven’t seen it. What’s not to love about a young and bearded Matthew Goode and Amy Adams? This was also a good nudge toward some still-need-to-see classics for me — Notting Hill and Four Weddings & a Funeral still somehow haven’t made it to the top of my queue. Need to make it happen!

    • Wyndi says:

      YES! Kate and Leopold was what I was going to add … Sandra Bullock, Meg Ryan, and Julia Roberts … that’s a GREAT list! I’m not a huge Katherine Heigl fan, but I LOVED The Ugly Truth (not for the youngsters).

  8. Sarah Smith says:

    This is so so fun!!! I want to watch all of these. And I love the idea of making fun New Years resolutions- that’s something I’m definitely going to do next year!

  9. Laura K says:

    I love this! I will def have to start my own list, thanks for the great idea.
    So many awesome rom-coms. One that I’ve seen a multitude of times and always comes immediately to mind is– MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING. Another is HOPE FLOATS.
    I’m off to create my list…. 🙂

  10. Christa says:

    What a coincidence! I’m on summer break and have been renting rom com dvds from my library for downtime. When Harry Met Sally (I own it) is so good! Recently saw Sleepless in Seattle for first time and did NOT love :/ Thankcris you for this list!

    • Ginger says:

      My library has been a treasure trove of these backlist movies. I have Sleepless in Seattle in my possession right now, and I’m nervous. Isn’t it funny and sad? But it feels like a must-see.

      • Tessa says:

        Sleepless in Seattle starts out sad, but perks up and definitely has it’s funny moments! It’s one of my all-time favs! Plus there are so many quotable lines from it. They often reference An Affair to Remember – which is a 1957 romance staring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. I’ll admit I watched An Affair to Remember just because of how often it’s mentioned in Sleepless in Seattle.
        Christa, I’m so sad you didn’t love it!

  11. Tif says:

    Another vote for My Best Friend’s Wedding. Julia, Cameron, Dermot, and Rupert + killer music + Chicago in the summer!

      • Vicki says:

        ugh… that scene – such heartbreaker! I was thinking about it the other day while I was watching Good Girls with Mae Whitman all grown up. She was so good in Hope Floats! And ohhh…dancing with HC Jr… I mean, come ON! what could be more dreamy?

  12. Donna H. says:

    Fun resolutions is genius and rom-coms are the best, I’m stealing this idea for sure. Some of my favorites are: One Fine Day, Crazy Stupid Love, and The Truth About Cats & Dogs.

    • Ashley Cavell says:

      Totally second the recommendation for The Truth About Cats & Dogs! There’s so much honesty and realistic ideas in that one!

    • Lee Ann says:

      I really enjoyed Crazy Stupid Love, but I have problems with the last scene between the babysitter and the boy she was caring for.
      And yes to Bride and Prejudice! One of my all-time favorites.

    • Ginger says:

      Good ones! I’ve seen One Fine Day, but Crazy Stupid Love is on my list to watch, and I didn’t even have The Truth About Cats & Dogs on there, but I’ll remedy that asap.

    • Susan Clark says:

      Did you mean “One Day” book by David Nichols? Loved the book – movie good…not as good as the book…

  13. Nancy says:

    Not sure if it’s technically a rom/com, but I love Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam. It’s true to the Jane Austen book gorgeous scenery, costumes love triangles and witty dialogue with a spectacular ending.

    • Louise says:

      Yes!!! I have been in love with Jeremy Northam ever since the first time I watched this! And I’m not usually a Gwyneth fan but she is perfect in this role. One of my all time favourite movies.

    • Ginger says:

      Oh yes! I think that totally counts!

      That archery scene alone is probably responsible for my plans to someday make “learn archery” a resolution.

  14. Christine says:

    For 1930’s and 40’s Romantic comedies you can’t go wrong with His Girl Friday, The Philadelphia Story, and Bringing Up Baby. Each of these films has Cary Grant who was the master at portraying the fast talking rom-com hero, and Bringing Up Baby also has Katherine Hepburn as you’ve never seen her. Plus, Philadelphia features a young Jimmy Stewart. Pure fun, and you can watch all of these with your fifteen-year-old.

    • Ginger says:

      Oooh yes! These are my first loves. Zero disrespect to Hugh Grant, but the original king of rom-coms goes to another Mr. Grant.

      • Krista says:

        You must watch To Catch a Thief with Grant and Grace Kelly. Hitchcock and the French Riviera and gorgeous gowns. High Society is Kelly and Bing Crosby, the Philadelphia Story remade with Crosby singing. And any Doris Day rom-com. Love That Touch of Mink (Cary Grant) and Don’t Eat the Daisies (David Niven)

          • Leslie says:

            Yes! Pillow Talk is what I was going to suggest. I knew someone else would mention it. So cute and great conversations to have with your teenager about party lines (shared phone lines) back in the day. I absolutely love this film!

    • Hildred Sullivan says:

      Oh yes – Bringing Up Baby! I haven’t seen that in forever. So good! And don’t forget The Quiet Man with Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne our annual St. Patrick’s Day treat!

  15. Ashley Cavell says:

    This is a great list! I would add Sliding Doors as another under the radar movie. Also, there’s a British version of Fever Pitch with Colin Firth as the British football fan.

  16. Kim says:

    One of my all time favorite romantic comedies is a 1984 movie called American Dreamer with Jo Beth Williams and Tom Conti. I also love Austenland, Letters to Juliet, Sweet Home Alabama, While You Were Sleeping, Sabrina (both 1995 & 1954), IQ, Leap Year & The Holiday. Can’t forget about Doris Day in Pillow Talk and A Touch of Mink.

    • Ginger says:

      Oh, you’ve given me so many good ones to add here!

      I must say I completely agree about the 1995 Sabrina. One of the few times where the remake is just as good as the original.

  17. Theya says:

    My very favorite Rom com is in French (sorry, but sooo good) called Heartbreaker with Vanessa Paradis (former love of Johnny Depp)…the perfect rom com. Treat yourself.

  18. Meagan says:

    I have so many that it’s hard to narrow down but I REALLY love The Holiday and About Time! Although About Time might not be a rom-com in the traditional sense… it’s just an incredible movie with an overarching theme of love and the different ways it manifests in our lives. About Time is legitimately one of the best, most surprising movies I have watched on Netflix, though sadly I think it’s been removed.

      • SoCalLynn says:

        It is! I just watched it for the first time and loved it. I want to watch it with my hubby, I think he’ll like it. He’s a softie.

    • Jane B says:

      Yes to About Time — a favorite! Love the ending thoughts about enjoying life as it comes— and great Cornwall scenery 🇬🇧

    • Ginger says:

      Yes! I have happened to see both of those (though they’re both worth rewatching). I adore the dad in About Time. I think about his use of extra time to read Dickens all the time.

    • Elise says:

      About Time is absolutely my favorite rom com of the past decade and ranks with When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail as my top 3 romantic comedies ever. I especially love Bill Nighy as the sad. How can you not love a character who uses his time-traveling abilities to do more reading? But it’s also a thought provoking story that makes me want to love my family and spend my time well.

  19. Cheryl says:

    ‘Only You’ 1999 a younger Robert Downey Jr and Marisa Tomei, great plot, great scenery and how do marisa and her best friend make so many great outfits from just their carry-on luggage!

    • Ginger says:

      Oh my goodness I had almost forgot about that one! I actually did see that when it came out and remember loving it. That might be worth a rewatch for sure.

  20. MBCance says:

    Music and Lyrics – lesser known Hugh Grant rom com with Drew Barrymore and it’s so cute. Moonstruck is the best and anything by Nancy Meyers but especially Something’s Gotta Give. The American President prob doesn’t qualify but I love it.

  21. Sara K says:

    This list makes me want to drop what I’m doing and binge watch Rom-coms!

    From the Syllabus:
    I love Four Weddings though it’s been years since I watched it.
    10 Things I Hate About You is a gem!
    The Importance of Being Earnest? Perennial favorite!
    Notting Hill hits all the right notes for me (it’s a tie between this and Love Actually as my favorite Hugh Grant film).
    Definitely, Maybe was a surprise delight!

    My favorites from your TBW:
    My Life in Ruins (soooooo need to watch this again!)
    Kate & Leopold
    Sleepless in Seattle
    How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
    Bridget Jones’s Diary

    There are quite a few that I haven’t watched yet so I think I need to make a TBW as well.

  22. Jackie Jones says:

    Breakfast at Tiffany’s, It’s Complicated, As Good as it Gets, Say Anything and Serendipity – I love John Cusack, and Reality Bites

    • Ginger says:

      I have not seen that one, but I recently watched Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and I always forget just how funny Steve Martin is.

  23. Jessie Coffey says:

    Serendipity. And, arguably, Grosse Point Blank (I consider it a rom-com but not everyone agrees with me). Also, very under the radar and maybe hard to find, but I love the Janeane Garofalo movie The Matchmaker.

    • Ginger says:

      Completely agree about Serendipity and I’ll add the others to my list because I totally trust your taste based on that one alone. 🙂

  24. Laura says:

    Not sure that this fits the Rom-Com category, but there is definitely romance. An all-time favorite is “Shakespeare in Love.”

    • Ginger says:

      Can. you. believe. after all my Shakespeare love that I haven’t seen it? I totally think it counts though because I’ve seen it on several best of rom-com lists.

  25. Anne says:

    Sweet Home Alabama, Something’s Gotta Give, The Proposal, and bump Two Weeks Notice to the top of your list! Or at least near the top. Bridget Jones’s Diary is excellent. Also, The Wedding Singer and Love, Actually. Have fun!

  26. Janean says:

    I’d love to see more of your happy resolutions. I need more of those in my life! As for the movies, mentioned above, I wholeheartedly agree with the Proposal, A Lot Like Love, Two Week’s Notice, and Only You. I’d add You’ve Got Mail (OF COURSE!), Keeping the Faith, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Working Girl.

    • Ginger says:

      Oh, and for resolutions… I think I’ve listed all the ones I’ve made so far. I’ve only been doing this a few years. I don’t know what I’ll pick next year, but some things that always come to mind are: stop by the florist and buy one single great bloom for your desk each week (I actually used to do this in my first grown-up job and wonder why I don’t still), visit all the obscure little museums in my town (my town has a lot, but most do within an hour or so drive), send out birthday cards through the year to everyone on my Christmas card list (I already have their address, and it would be pretty easy to get birthdays), check out one art book from the library each week to browse through, make french toast every Thursday morning (or some mid-week morning that’s a little calmer, but still a regular day), read through all the Agatha Christies in one year (or any favorite prolific author).

  27. Lizabeth Snell says:

    Love Affair.. 1939 version with Charles Boyer & Irene Dunne.. so so good and the first in the series of movies leading up to Sleepless in Seattle.

    • Ginger says:

      Oh yes… I know just enough about Sleepless in the cultural zeitgeist to know that film plays a part. That would make such a fun mini movie marathon some night with girlfriends.

  28. Saffron Garey says:

    Crazy, Stupid, Love, as everyone says, but can I also mention Dan In Real Life which is my personal Steve Carell favourite. Has anyone mentioned Some Like It Hot?

  29. Marcia says:

    While You Were Sleeping is tied with You’ve Got Mail for my all-time favorite. I especially like it because it was filmed in Chicago and also down the street from my home in La Grange. We got to meet Sandra Bullock the night they made snow to film the Christmas scene.

  30. Denise says:

    You CANNOT have a chic flick list without Julia Roberts’ movies (Pretty Woman, My Best Friends Wedding, Runaway Bride) and Molly Ringwald (16 Candles, Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club). 🙂

    • Ginger says:

      I was too ashamed to admit that I’d never seen Pretty Woman. 🙂 And agree about Molly Ringwald too, but those all deserve a rewatch from me.

  31. Kate Elkins says:

    I love Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan! I’ve watched You’ve Got Mail a zillion times. Nora and Delia Ephron crafted a perfect -and so witty!— beautiful movie. Going back to my youth- I loved romantic melodramas like Summer Place and Parrish, etc. Anyone else love those? I also really love Notting Hill and Runaway Bride. The endings! Also, love Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in An Affair to Remember. (Another perfect ending).

    • Jayne says:

      A Summer Place with Burt Lancaster was certainly sizzling HOT; Parrish with Troy Donohue has always been one of my FAVS; and my husband and I fell in love watching An Affair to Remember.
      Thanks for reminding me how fondly I remembr these GREAT rom-coms!

  32. Alexia says:

    The Jane Austen Book Club! (From 2007, on Netflix now, watched it recently and was very pleasantly surprised. Made me want to start watching more rom-coms so this list/post is perfect timing.)

    • Ginger says:

      Yes! I actually have seen that one and am always championing both the movie and the book. When Karen Joy Fowler won the Pen/Faulkner a few years ago, I felt vindicated.

    • Ginger says:

      Wasn’t TATBILB such a charmer? I teased Anne about calling this post To All the Girls Who Loved To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.

    • Ginger says:

      I’ve been so surprised how many my library has, even when Amazon or Netflix has failed me. I’ll take a look for that one.

  33. Sue says:

    Moonstruck, French Kiss and Ernest are among the BEST!! For your TBW List, please move up Sleepless in Seattle and About a Boy!!
    And I might add, have you seen Overboard? (the one with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell) Awesome. What about New in Town, with Renee Zellweger? Love it. And, I think African Queen qualifies as a Rom-Com! What a classic.
    As well, I agree with other watchers, IQ, Sweet Home Alabama, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Wedding Singer are must-see’s.

    • Ginger says:

      I have Sleepless on DVD from my library as we speak. I suspect it will be next.

      Overboard is on the list (and I kept wishing they’d make a remake of that with Kate Hudson because wouldn’t that be too perfect?).

      Adding a couple of these to my list, but I completely agree with you about The African Queen and I haven’t seen it in years and now need to remedy that.

  34. Jody says:

    P.S. I Love You is always a good one. The Backup Plan with Jennifer Lopez. Hitch with Will Smith is really funny. This is a wonderful idea, thank you for sharing!

  35. Tracey says:

    I love (almost) all of these! Especially Say Anything, Love Actually, When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill…so many good ones!

    I would suggest another Wm. Shakespeare remake, a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet…Valley Girl…with a very young Nicolas Cage. It’s from 1983 so you have to get past the Val-speak. But it’s probably my all-time favorite movie and I’ve seen it more times than I can count! There are some adult scenes and language, but the leads are great.

    Some others:
    Romancing the Stone (Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner)
    Just Go With It (Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston)
    Warm Bodies (zombie romance, anyone?)
    Get Over It (zany teen version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Kirsten Dundst)
    And all the Drew Barrymore…
    Blended
    Never Been Kissed
    50 First Dates
    Ever After

    • Kristy says:

      I was beginning to wonder if I was the only fan of the Drew/Adam Rom coms! They are some of my favourites and ones my hubby will gladly watch with me 😉

  36. Return to Me – Minnie Driver and David Duchovny. Swoooon! I also loved Someone Like You with Ashley Judd. I just went through my DVD collection recently and there were so many romcoms I couldn’t bear to part with even though I haven’t watched them in years. But I held onto them in case I was in the mood for a pick-me-up rom com.

  37. Rhonda says:

    Crazy, Stupid, Love is one of my all time favorite movies, romcom or otherwise. Sweet Home Alabama is great, Wedding Singer is wonderful and bonus is my husband will actually sit down and watch that one with me every time. Finally, Love Actually is a yearly watch for me at Xmas (but can’t watch with kids since there is a graphic subplot that involves actors who meet as porn extras). I am inspired by your Fun Only New Years Resolutions!

    • Ginger says:

      Crazy Stupid Love might need to go right up top on my list because I think it’s been mentioned more than any other.

      And double thanks for the heads up on ones husbands might actually watch with me. I’ve been mostly alone on my rom-com education. He’s a pretty good sport, but catching up on the backlist has tested his limits. 🙂

      • Deirdre Keating says:

        Um, no. You need to watch “When Harry Met Sally” before you see (or do) anything else. Sorry to be so bossy. I liked CSL, but nothing on your list comes close to When Harry Met Sally.
        1. When Harry Met Sally
        2. Say Anything
        3. You Got Mail (which thankfully you have seen!)

  38. Lisa says:

    I am so glad to see Bride and Prejudice on this list. It is one of my favorites and one that no one else seems to have heard of.

  39. Nicole says:

    Made of Honor is cute, and it stars Patrick Dempsey. And speaking of Patrick Dempsey, Can’t Buy Me Love is one of my faves from the 80s. When Harry Met Sally is still one of the best!

  40. Ashley Robinson says:

    Can you show a pic of your list in your Dot journal? I just started using them and would love some new ideas!

    • Ginger says:

      I really need to watch that. I’ve seen bits and pieces on tv through the years, but never the whole thing at once so I’m not sure it counts.

      Earlier this year, I read the Nora Ephron history of sorts I’ll Have What She’s Having, and now must really watch/rewatch the NY trilogy.

  41. Erin says:

    What a fun list! And so many great movies! One of my favorites I don’t see on here is Drive Me Crazy. I have a weakness for late 90s/early 2000s teen romcoms, and this one with Melissa Joan Hart and Adrian Grenier is one of my favorites.

    • Ginger says:

      That one is not on my radar but I will add it to the list! I’m so intrigued to see what kind of romantic chemistry Melissa Joan Hart and Andy’s boyfriend from The Devil Wears Prada (sorry, Adrian) have. 🙂

  42. Ruth says:

    I enjoy a number of the Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy films, but my favorites are Adam’s Rib and Desk Set. Desk Set (1957) features a screenplay by Phoebe and Henry Ephron (Nora Ephron’s parents). Lot’s of witty dialogue, smart women who do their jobs (as librarians and network researchers) well.
    You’ll recognize many of the Rom-Com tropes used in Nora Ephron’s films, from a great female friendship between Hepburn and co-worker Joan Blondell, to Hepburn’s aimless romance with the “totally wrong for her beau” (Gig Young), and her sparing with the eccentric, blunt antagonist (Spencer Tracy).

    • Ginger says:

      Completely love both of those, but wow! I had no idea Desk Set was written by Nora’s parents. I’m going to have to watch it again with an eye to how brilliant the writing gene was in that Ephron family.

  43. Emily says:

    Moonstruck is one of my very favorite movies of all time! I saw it in the theater when I was about 11 years old (as an adult, wonder what my parents might have thought given a number of “racy” scenes”) and have watched it many, many times over. I feel like it’s an under rated rom-com. SO GOOD!

    • Ginger says:

      Oh my goodness, I definitely have movies like that. I mean, Grease at a middle school sleepover?? Luckily, I’m pretty sure most of the double entendres flew right over our innocent little heads but when I watch it now as an adult, I’m thinking !!!

  44. Elizabeth Hosto says:

    My all-time favorite, watched a million times rom-com is Year of the Comet. Penelope Ann Miller and Tim Daly are absolutely perfect! Hard to find but so worth it.

  45. Heather says:

    Another fun Ryan Reynolds one is The Proposal, which also stars Sandra Bullock. And speaking of her, one of my favorites with her from the late 90’s is Hope Floats. It is probably not a romantic comedy, as it has a couple of serious themes, but there are laughs and definitely romance.

    • Ginger says:

      I’ll take it!

      I actually have seen The Proposal, probably thanks to its frequency on tv, and I can almost never stop myself from watching it when I see its on.

    • Ginger says:

      Both such good ones! I’ve actually seen both, but it has been too long on Dan in Real Life for sure so it deserves a rewatch.

  46. Krysia says:

    Here’s a couple I haven’t seen listed above for the old-school black & white movie lovers: Bringing Up Baby with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant (very screwball comedy) and It Happened One Night with Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable (this movie won 5 Oscars in 1935 and rightly so!)

  47. Ali says:

    Always Be My Maybe (you can find it on Netflix) is my favorite of the year. I don’t know if That Thing You Do is considered a romantic comedy, but I definitely consider it a comfort film!

    • Lee Ann Roberts says:

      That Thing You Do! is one of my favorites. I’d love to see Tom Hanks direct more films because this one is a gem.

    • Ginger says:

      I’ve got Always Be My Maybe on my Netflix queue! Glad to hear it’s recommended.

      And we will all give you That Thing You Do because it’s adorable, funny, and romantic. Totally counts!

  48. Alyse B says:

    She’s the Man is the ultimate 90’s baby rom-com! I’ve watched it so many times with me friends all throughout the years. It’s also a loose retelling of Twelfth Night.
    I agree with others who have said When Harry Met Sally, My Best Friends Wedding, and About Time.

  49. Jane B says:

    Wedding Date is always fun — Deborah Messing and Amy Adams as sisters and a beautiful (screwball-ish) British wedding ❤️

  50. SHU says:

    Defending your life, 1991, Albert brooks and Meryl Strep. My fave rom com as a child! You’ve inspired me to watch it again 🙂

  51. Tracy Born says:

    The Philadelphia Story, with Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart 🥰 is my fav older rom com! ❤️❤️❤️ For a more modern one, You’ve Got Mail just cannot be beat, in my mind, but basically any Nora Ephron film will make me happy! 😄Btw, thanks for telling us about “How Nora Ephron’s Three Iconic Films Changed The Romantic Comedy Forever!” (Pretty sure I read that on your recommendation:) So good!

  52. Carrie says:

    Oldies but goodies: While You Were Sleeping, The Cutting Edge, Tin Cup, Bull Durham, Picture Perfect, Pretty Woman, and Mystic Pizza

    • emily says:

      Oh my goodness— The Cutting Edge is taking me back! That one doesn’t hold up very well, but I still quote it regularly…
      Another 80’s gem: Some Kind of Wonderful. Never gonna win any awards, but I was (and still kind of am) obsessed with Mary Stuart Masterson’s hair!

  53. Nina says:

    In Her Shoes with Toni Colette and Cameron Diaz. Not sure if it’s technically a Rom Com, but it definitely includes romance, a wonderful story and lovable characters. I read somewhere that it is a “character-driven” movie, which is apparently rare in Hollywood. It’s a little more subtle, which I love.

    • Ginger says:

      Oh, iinnnteresting. We talk some about character-driven novels, but I’ve never thought about character-driven movies. Hm…

    • Ginger says:

      I think La La Land might have been the very first one I watched for my project! It had already been out a year or more old, and I figured might as well start there.

      It proved I can no longer say, “they don’t make them like they used to.” 🙂

  54. Jennifer says:

    My favorite rom-com is Amelie. It’s french so the comedy part is a bit more subtle than what we Americans are used to…
    I love seeing all of those Doris day and 1930’s recommendations above. Good stuff!

    • Ginger says:

      Oh totally! Amelie has long been a favorite, and I’m not sure why I’ve never thought of it in the rom-com category because of course it is!

  55. Laura says:

    So many good ones already mentioned (Bridget Jones, Moonstruck, Dan in Real Life). I’d add The Holiday with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz (she’s ok in this one!)

    • Ginger says:

      I feel kind of like Kate Winslet in The Holiday with all these movie recommendations I’m getting!

      I actually have seen that one, and have to watch it every Christmas.

  56. Vicki says:

    I can’t stop commenting on other people’s recommendations! Apparently this is something I’d really like to talk about. I don’t have a RomCom buddy any more. *sigh* Dan in Real Life, Runaway Bride, Spanglish… so many I want to revisit. Always Be My Maybe and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before are both REALLY fun recents.

  57. Catherine says:

    Have you seen the original Fever Pitch? It’s got Colin Firth! Think ‘While you were Sleeping’ is my favourite rom-com though 🙂 And I love Priceless – which is a weird French one with the girl from Amelie.

    • Ginger says:

      I didn’t even know Colin Firth was in a Fever Pitch but I will seek that out for SURE.

      And you’re speaking my language with weird French ones. 🙂

  58. Phaedra says:

    If When Harry Met Sally isn’t on your list /hasn’t been watched? It should be there! Bridget Jones is another fave,
    I did want to say that Silver Linings Playbook IMHO is not the traditional Rom-Com. It has some of those aspects, but I found it to be much more …dra-medy?

    • Ginger says:

      I was too ashamed to say I’ve never seen When Harry Met Sally all the way through!

      And I thought that too about Silver Linings. I think I thought it was more dra-medy from the trailers, but I kept seeing it popping up on rom-com lists, so it will get watched, if only because I’m always here for Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.

    • Ginger says:

      Kerry! Thank you so much for chiming in. How did I not know you had this Tumblr?

      Talk about an expert! I will take your suggestions accordingly and with gratitude.

  59. Shawntaye says:

    If you haven’t seen Hope Floats, you have to add it. It’s one of my all-time favorites. Also, can I add a new release? I just saw Yesterday, and it was refreshing, hilarious and sweet. It’s the movie where suddenly only a few people remember The Beatles. (Don’t ask questions. You just have to go with it.) It definitely counts as a rom-com, and it was nice seeing something in the theater that wasn’t a superhero movie, a remake, or the eighth movie in a franchise.

  60. Hortensia says:

    Bridget Jones’s Diary is my absolute all time favorite rom-com and being the Anglophile that I am, I also love About a Boy, Love Actually, About Time and of course Four Weddings and a Funeral. 2 Weeks Notice is also a lot of fun and I really enjoyed Music and Lyrics as well. I have yet to watch Notting Hill all the way through. I’ve seen pretty much all of it but in bits and pieces. I prefer the Brit version of Fever Pitch starring Colin Firth. (I love Hugh Grant and Colin Firth!)

    • Ginger says:

      I have been duly chastised about the Bridget Jones’s thing. 🙂 Really, can I even call myself a proper Austenite until I remedy that?

  61. Stacy says:

    I was a 90s kid, so Can’t Hardly Wait and Clueless are two of my all-time favorites. My mom also loved rom-coms, and I remember French Kiss and Fools Rush In being her favorites (two movies that I also can’t say no to!).

    • Ginger says:

      Of that list, I have only seen French Kiss (insert blushing face here). Really good suggestions that I need to add!

  62. Suzanne says:

    Definitely add It Happened One Night and The Philadelphia Story to your all-time greatest rom-com list. (Am I the only one who didn’t think Bringing Up Baby was particularly funny?)

    You could also do a movie night with You’ve Got Mail, In the Good Old Summertime (1949, with Judy Garland), and The Shop Around the Corner (1940, with Jimmy Stewart).

    • Ginger says:

      Completely agree with all yours here, and yes! What a fun movie marathon that would be.

      Did you see She Loves Me they recorded from Broadway too recently? Another Shop Around the Corner type story, and I want to say the source material for all those, but don’t quote me on that.

    • Dawn McCormick says:

      Yes! I was wondering if anyone had mentioned The Shop Around the Corner and In the Good Old Summertime. So fun to compare with You’ve Got Mail!

  63. Beth says:

    Before you watch Easy A try and watch the 1980s movies that are alluded to in the plot because that is a lot of the fun of the movie if you are in the know on those films. Those 1980s movies are Say Anything, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles and Can’t Buy me Love (with a very very young Patrick Dempsey). I’m a huge rom-com fan so I loved seeing the references to those movies in Easy A. I’m also just about old enough that I saw them in the era they were first released (yikes!)

    • Ginger says:

      Ok! That’s so good to know. I love a good allusion and will plan my watch lists accordingly. (Wouldn’t that be a fun girls’ weekend slumber party marathon thing?)

  64. Molly Parker says:

    Not sure how I missed it all these years, but I just watched When Harry Met Sally this weekend for the first time and LOVED it!

  65. Amy Fink says:

    Hi Ginger!!!
    LOVED 10 Things I Hate About You!! So good. In looking over the list by decades, here are a few I liked:
    Say Anything
    When Harry Met Sally (Fun Fact: My husband was a student at U of C when they filmed there–he saw them shooting the film–sadly HE is not captured as an extra)
    Clueless (Based off of Jane Austen’s Emma!)
    My Best Friend’s Wedding
    The Wedding Singer
    American Pie
    Coyote Ugly
    Sweet Home Alabama
    And, I would even say Hope Floats though that may have been classified as drama. Enjoy!! What a fun resolution!!

    Happy Watching,
    Amy

    • Ginger says:

      I really cannot understand why I have not seen one starring Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman because what is wrong with me?

  66. Angie Arey says:

    You must put When Harry Met Sally at the top of your list- it is my favorite along with While You Were Sleeping (which I saw you have watched). Kate and Leopold, The Proposal, Clueless, Return to Me, 50 First Dates are also really good ones. Also, there are a few Netflix ones that are really good- The Setup and When We First Met were both really cute!

  67. Tara Nichols says:

    Say Anything… is my favorite rom com. Everyone knows the boom box scene, but the whole movie is just so wonderful. Funny, strange, and so full of heart.

  68. Katie says:

    While you were sleeping! The Proposal, Something Borrowed, Leap Year, An Affair to Remember (watch before Sleepless in Seattle), Emma, Pride and Prejudice (Kiera Knightly one), he’s just not that into you, Life as we know it, Made of Honor, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, New in Town, Serendipity, The Wedding Planner

  69. Meg Albright says:

    I haven’t seen this mentioned yet – and I feel like it’s a sleeper right now but I LOVED LOVED LOVED Juliet, Naked (and no it has nothing to do with nudity 😆). It is the perfect new rom-com for 2019. No cheesy romance, just awkward real life moments ( including online shopping) and a woman able to figure her own life out by the end. And it has the best ending I’ve ever seen in a rom-com (because I have a deliciously sarcastic sense of humor) – Note: must watch through end credits. 😂 Everyone, please add this to your lists!!
    (It just got put on Hulu.)

    • Ginger says:

      Oh thanks for reminding me of this. I remember being excited another of Nick Hornby’s books was getting adapted, but I hadn’t seen it anywhere, so I’ll check Hulu asap.

  70. Jill says:

    There’s a movie I watched on Netflix- not sure if it’s still there- but it’s called Blind Date. It’s in French (subtitled) about a girl who is a pianist and her neighbor next door who hates noise and the walks are super thin and it’s just wonderful. Super cute, highly recommend it

  71. Tessa says:

    Oh my gosh I love this blog post! I’d have to say my all-time favorite rom-com would be About Time! I watch it when I need to laugh or when I need to cry. Usually both end up happening no matter what mood I’m in.
    I feel like 90s/early 2000s rom-coms are the best and for the most we’ve fallen away from these gems. But I adore Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and I will watch While You Were Sleeping anytime of the year (even though some people insist it’s a Christmas movie – they’re WRONG!).
    I also love My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Hitch, The Proposal, The Holiday, Music and Lyrics, PS I Love You (which definitely has it’s share of heart-wrenching moments as well), and A Touch of Mink.
    This is such a fun list!!

  72. Sue says:

    I love “Win A Date with Tad Hamilton” — it has Josh Duhamel, Topher Grace and Kate Bosworth. I also love “Heaven Can Wait” with Warren Beattie, Dianne Cannon, and Julie Christie– it’s so fun.

  73. Jill D says:

    A favorite – An Ideal Husband with Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett, and Jeremy Northam, it is a delight. It has serious underlying themes but is effervescent and charming. Enjoy your TBW list, what fun!

  74. Jacki says:

    I would recommend Sabrina (both older and newer), The Proposal, Sliding Doors, and last but certainly not least Leap Year.

    • Ginger says:

      Yes! I’ve seen both Sabrinas, and it’s one of the very few that a remake is just as good as the original.

  75. Vanessa says:

    A couple more to add to your list:
    Can’t Buy Me Love – Patrick Dempsey 1980s classic that holds up
    The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates – Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler movies that are cute and silly
    Always Be My Maybe – New fave on Netflix

  76. Mary Kay says:

    I would add “Father of the Bride” (either/both versions) to any must-see romantic comedy list (I know that the romance isn’t the main plot, but there is a wedding, and it is a love story!)
    A recent rom-com I really enjoyed on Netflix was”My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend “

  77. Dawn McCormick says:

    Yesterday (in theaters now) is one to add to your list. It’s a little more fantasy, but it has a romantic comedy subplot. It’s also written by Richard Curtis (Love Actually, About Time, Four Weddings and a Funeral). I didn’t realize how much I missed His British comedies!

  78. Raelene says:

    Can I just say that I LOVE everything about this whole post?
    1. syllabus
    2. bullet journal lists
    3. delightful resolutions only
    4. so many fun recommendations
    5. so many memorable films I loved and feel inspired to revisit
    hoorayhoorayhoorayhoorayhooray

  79. emily says:

    Reading this post and its comments has made my afternoon! Thank you all—looks like I’m going to be busy/not busy this weekend!

  80. Jen W says:

    This isn’t such a fun post! So many rom coms I haven’t see yet… You must add Serendipity to the list. I love John Cusack!

  81. Sissy says:

    Here are a few obscure but awesome movies you’ll love: Only You, That Touch of Mink, Crossing Delancey, Room With a View, Return to Me, Circle of Friends, The Ghost & Mrs Muir & Austenland

  82. Andrea says:

    Just watched the mini-series of Pride and Prejudice – the one with Colin Firth. Love that one. The 1950’s movie, Come September always makes me laugh out loud. The Family Man is always good – with Tea Leoni. Is it weird that I watch a few times a year the old and new version of The Parent Trap.

  83. Jem says:

    What a great idea!!! And list. Here’s a few more that I would add.

    Love actually
    Hope floats
    New Year’s Eve
    Romeo and Juliet
    Serendipity
    Maid in Manhattan
    Music and lyrics
    Forces of nature
    17 again
    Crazy stupid love
    Sweet home Alabama
    Ghosts of girlfriends past
    The proposal
    Just married
    Never been kissed
    She’s all that

  84. Debbie says:

    Adding one I most recently watched, Always Be My Maybe, which is on Netflix. Ali Wong and Randall Park are hilarious!

  85. Jacelyn says:

    There are many favorites mentioned above, but I’ll add two more: The Cutting Edge and Clueless. Can you tell I was a teen in the 90s?

  86. Anna Morton says:

    The American President with Annette Bening and Michael Douglas is such an underrated 90’s romcom (the clothes! the apartment!)! Like if The West Wing were turned into a romcom…in the best way possible. Hard to beat Aaron Sorking writing and Rob Reiner directing!

  87. Krista says:

    Blast From the Past needs to be added. Alicia Silverstone, Brendan Fraser, Christopher Walden and Sissy Spacek. And underrated is Mrs Winterbourne with Rikki Lake and Shirley MacClaine.

  88. Mercedes says:

    The Wedding Date is my go to comfort watching rom-com, it never gets old! Bonus: Michael Buble is on the soundtrack!

  89. Kristy says:

    The Wedding Singer, and all the other Drew Barrymore/Adam Sandler movies. Love them!
    Plus, I’ve read through most of the comments and haven’t seen these:
    Peggy Sue Got Married, Chances Are, and one of my all time favourites, Heart and Souls.

  90. Alicia says:

    Addicted to Love, French Kiss, and About last night were ones I loved checking out from the library for years.

  91. Donna says:

    The Big Sick. So good! I love actor/comedian Kumail Nanjiani, and this is based on the real life story of him meeting his wife, writer Emily Gordon. A great supporting cast too.

  92. Angela Gray says:

    Leap Year!
    Picture Perfect
    Hav Plenty
    The Proposal

    I have seen most of the TBW list, and agree with most. I started What I Hate About You with one of my daughters, and the language prevented me from finishing it. These are four less mainstream favorites of mine. (Bride and Prejudice is a favorite, too!)

  93. Melissa says:

    Speaking of classics, did you watch An Affair to Remember? The one in Sleepless in Seattle? Boy, could they make movies then! What’s even more fun is to watch it with your mom who will most likely have seen it when she was younger!

    • Ginger says:

      Yes! I’ve seen it, but you must watch it with a box of tissues. It would make a fun mini marathon with Sleepless I’m guessing… ending on a happier note. I’ve not seen Sleepless (yet), but it’s so ubiquitous I feel like I know the plot a little. I’m sure that still won’t keep me from being delighted by it.

  94. Emily says:

    The Rebound with Catherine Zeta-Jones – I found it on Netflix a few years ago, but it’s not on there currently. Super funny and some unexpected twists, but still with the all important happy ending.
    Other favorites: Father of the Bride 1 and 2, Music and Lyrics, About a Boy, The Wedding Planner, The Wedding Date, My Best Friend’s Wedding, No Reservations, French Kiss, You’ve Got Mail, Mrs. Winterbourne, Baby Boom, Just Like Heaven, When Harry Met Sally, First Daughter, Chasing Liberty, Hitch, The Holiday, Last Holiday, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Perfect Man (with Hilary Duff), The Prince & Me, The Princess Diaries 1 and 2, Under the Tuscan Sun, What a Girl Wants, Crazy Rich Asians, The Bodyguard (with Whitney Houston), The Young Victoria (with Emily Blunt), Did You Hear About the Morgans?

  95. Julie says:

    Two Weeks Notice
    Hitch
    Love, Actually
    Betty White and Sandra Bullock in The Proposal dancing around the fire may be the only time I’ve ever almost peed my pants in a movie theatre from laughing so hard.

  96. Tracey says:

    This comment thread is bananas! One of my favourite rom-coms is Something Borrowed. Loved the book, maybe actually loved the movie even more.

  97. Lindsey says:

    My very favorite rom com is Confessions of a Shopaholic, however I like Leap Year, Just Like Heaven, and Kate and Leopold a lot too.

  98. Michelle L says:

    What a fun project – I want to give a shout out to some 60s rom coms from the OG rom com actresses. From Doris Day – Glass Bottom Boat (Doris as a mermaid and possible Russian spy – AND singing Que Sera). And Sandra Dee – If A Man Answers (SD takes over Bobby Darren’s apt because she thinks he’s out of town (she’s his maid/she’s never met him). Then she starts dating him. Hijinks ensue).

    • Ginger says:

      Ok, I just looked up Music from Another Room (I hadn’t heard of it), and there’s a rom-com starring Jude Law that I haven’t seen? Must remedy that immediately!

  99. Dawn says:

    My all time favorites:
    While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman
    Music and Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore

  100. Isobel says:

    The Sandra Bullock movie ‘While You Were Sleeping’ is perfect for watching cosied up when the days get shorter, whilst ‘Letters To Juliet’ will make you want to hop on a plane to Verona. ‘The Love Punch’ stars Emma Thompson, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Spall and Celia Imrie – what’s not to love?

    • Karen says:

      Emma Thompson and Pierce Brosnan? Sign me up! Also, I see no one has mentioned Mama Mia! Love that movie! Such a great cast and so singable. Letters to Juliet with Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave was lovely, and the scenery was amazing. A real oldie, the original screwball comedy, I think, is My Man Godfrey with William Powell and Carole Lombard, 1936. Some Cary Grant’s not mentioned – Topper, My Favorite Wife, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dreamhouse. Strictly speaking the latter may not be a RomCom, but it has elements of it and is certainly a Com.
      And thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions!

  101. Bria says:

    this is the best. i wrote down a bunch in my journal for “sad days” or days when my husband travels and i don’t know what to put on. this is such a good idea and brings such a warm, fuzzy feeling. great idea girl!

  102. Carole says:

    I may have missed this in the many comments, but My Big Fat Greek Wedding is pretty good. And I agree about Love Actually and The Holiday. Love both and I’ll watch them even in the middle of summer.

  103. Barb says:

    I love John Cuzak and so this is a JC list for you!
    The sure thing with JC and Daphne Zuniga – my all time favorite rom-com. Also includes a road trip which is just epic!!! Say Anything got more attention, but I think The Sure Thing is the better film.
    Serendipity
    High Fidelity
    Must Love Dogs

  104. Grace Furman says:

    My Best Friend’s Wedding (young Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz) is not only my favourite rom com, but one of my all-time favourite movies, period. Wash it!!

  105. Raela says:

    Another big vote for Return to Me! It’s just so warm-hearted and charming, along with an excellent balance of truly sad and absolutely hilarious moments.

    On a very different note, The Cutting Edge is totally a guilty pleasure rom-com for me 🙂

  106. Jasmin says:

    It Happened One Night – A great old movie (with Clark Gable!) and considered to be the first rom com.
    My Sassy Girl – If you don’t mind subtitles, this one is my favorite. It’s a quirky and heartfelt rom com from Korea. The story is so good.

  107. courtney lyons says:

    I love Bridget Jones – the book and the movie. There are some seriously funny moments but the best part for me is you get Colin Firth & Hugh Grant! i do hate that Hugh Grant is the bad guy but Colin as Darcy (again) is just the best!

  108. Dorothy says:

    50 First Dates w/ Drew Barrymore, Spanglish with Adam Sandler, Foul Play with Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase and Burgess Meredith(this movie always makes me laugh soooooo much).

  109. Dana Kumerow says:

    Music and Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore and The Holiday with Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Kate Winslett ones that I enjoy watching over and over. I also like Runaway Bride with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. My fave is You’ve Got Mail.

  110. Heather M says:

    I haven’t seen anyone mention PS I Love You. Next to Serendipity, it’s my favorite lesser known rom com. It’s got a more dramatic premise, but Hilary Swank and the rest of the cast are so adorable and quirky and the story is really sweet.

  111. Andrea says:

    I love the idea of “fun” resolutions! Such a great idea I’ll have to try! Also, I am a rom-com and Shakespeare lover myself! 10 Things I Hate About You has been one of my favorite movies forever!! She’s the Man is another great Shakespeare inspired one! The list of great rom coms never ends though. My go-to lately has been Crazy Stupid Love!
    http://expeditiontoeuphoria.com

  112. Raquel Evans says:

    My favorites tend to not be quite classic rom-coms–I like a dash of fantasy, escape to the Regency era, or at least explosions to keep things interesting, so these are my true comfort watches:

    Penelope
    Knight and Day
    Enchanted
    Stranger than Fiction
    North and South
    RED

    I did have also enjoyed quite a few ‘classic’ rom-coms when I watched them though:
    Hitch
    50 First Dates
    The Proposal
    The Holiday
    Elizabethtown
    Leap Year
    Music and Lyrics
    My Big Fat Greek Wedding
    Mamma Mia!
    Groundhog Day
    Blast from the Past

  113. Susan says:

    So many good ones! Have you seen Ghost? Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg. It is definitely not my favorite Rom Com (Legally Blonde), but it is memorable!

  114. Amanda says:

    I haven’t seen Wimbledon in the comments, really cute movie! Some of my other favorites are How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days, The Holiday and The Wedding Date.

  115. Ellen Cole says:

    Love The Holiday, Leap Year, Sabrina (I’ve only seen the, dare I say “newer” one from the 90s…with Harrison Ford), The American President. Of course, love Notting Hill and You’ve Got Mail too.

  116. karen says:

    Two more great films:
    Teacher’s Pet – Clark Gable and Doris Day
    Green Card – Andy McDowell and Gerard Depardu

  117. Rachel says:

    Wait, no Pretty Woman?? Big mistake. Huge!

    One of my favorites is The Family Stone. It’s a holiday film and it’s definitely flawed, but I love it so much – cozy and sweet and silly and a little sad. Great cast too: Diane Keaton, Craig T Nelson, Luke Wilson, Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, and Rachel McAdams.

  118. Caroline Brost says:

    You should move Sleepless in Seattle to the top of your list and add 27 Dresses and My Best Friend’s Wedding (if for nothing else than the scene where they’re all singing in the restaurant). Thanks for the list! There are several on there I want to watch now, too.

  119. Kandace says:

    You HAVE to watch Bed of Roses with Christian Slater! THE most romantic and sweet breakfast scene EVER. If I ever found a guy like that I might actually think about marriage!

  120. Ann says:

    I am so happy that I viewed most all of these with my two daughters! Their dad endured most all as well. Now he is not too willing to watch Rom Coms! A few to suggest that may be under the radar. Desk Set & Woman of the year-Katherine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy. Overnight Delivery, Man in The Moon- Both early Reece Witherspoon. For Beautiful Scenery. The Decendants ft George Clooney. Not Really Rom com but excellent.

  121. Bev says:

    Always, with Holly Hunter, Richard Dreyfuss, & John Goodman
    When Dorinda says, “you bought me girl clothes!” I melt every time!
    Bonus…my husband likes this movie too.

  122. Leanne says:

    Did anyone mention Win a Date With Tad Hamilton? It’s super cheesy but Topher Grace places an awkward guy with a huge crush and does a great job. His facial expressions are worth watching.

  123. Lucinda says:

    I’m late to the conversation, so apologies for repeats. If you like Oscar Wilde, then you have to see An Ideal Husband. I like it better than Earnest.
    Then: Easy Virtue, The Wedding Planner, P.S. I Love You, The Inheritance, based on a book by Louisa May Alcott, Loving Leah, from Hallmark Hall of Fame. Hallmark Hall of Fame has some great romances. And have you watched all the classic Cary Grant romantic comedies? He made a lot. One of my favorite classic rom-coms is The More The Merrier with Jean Arthur, Charles Coburn and Joel McCrea. That one has the best kissing scene of all time.

  124. Michelle says:

    Since all of my favorites were mentioned, I won’t repeat them, but in the old Rom-Com category – check out Barefoot in the Park with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. My mom and I used to watch old movies on TBS back in the ’80’s and this was a favorite (along with Pillow Talk).

  125. Gwynneth says:

    I’m late to this and no excuses as I’m in the other hemisphere so I’ve had 9technically) more time but another one which I don’t think I’ve noticed is ‘The Other Sister’ with Juliette Lewis.

    Love ‘The Proposal’ and ‘You’ll Always be My Maybe ‘and will also put my hand up for ‘Duets’ which although not strictly a rom-com it has a massive feel-good factor.

  126. Ulrike C. says:

    The Mirror Has Two Faces, with Barbara Streisand and Jeff Bridges is one of my favorite movie. I love the characters (Lauren Bacall as the vain mother is wonderful), and the whole story about finding love not based on physical attraction is different from the usual plot lines. Streisand’s character makes me want to go back to college and enroll in her literature classes!

  127. Kristian says:

    … Okay, there are so many fabulous recommendations here! But there is one I thought would be here that isn’t. Pretty Woman! Yes, Julia Roberts does play a Hooker with a Heart of Gold BUT it also is on a lot of official movie critics’ lists and it created a playbook that many later romcoms did use bits from. It has some iconic moments.

    Also- Miss Congeniality should be on the list too! And Bewitched (the movie, not the TV show) is a romcom also by Norah Ephron.

  128. Well, my absolute favorite is You’ve Got Mail because it is so similar to the way my husband and I met. I’ve watched it more times than I can count and cry every time.

    A few other favorites are Love Actually, Up Close and Personal (Robert Redford…enough said), Hope Floats, Dirty Dancing, and Pure Country. This is just a few of my long list of favorites but they all have a bit of a different plot so you can find something maybe that interests you.

  129. June says:

    This is going waaaaay back, but “What’s Up, Doc?” is a gem. Barbara Streisand and Ryan O’Neil in a slapstick rom-com that will leave you aching from laughing and smiling at the romance.

  130. Karen Jeanne says:

    Check out My Best Friend’s Wedding! For a holiday romcom, I love(x4) the movie Four Christmases with Reese Witherspoon.

  131. Connie Janke says:

    I have had so much fun reading the rom-com recommendations. Some are old favorites and some now are on my to-be-watched list. Two of my favorite oldies but goodies are The Goodbye Girl with Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason and Same Time Next Year with Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn.

  132. MFW says:

    I tried to read all other comments, but wow – there are a lot. So I’m just jumping in to note all the Drew Barrymore bests:
    50 First Dates
    Never Been Kissed
    Wedding Singer
    He’s Just Not That Into You

  133. I LOVE My Life in Ruins, and Last Holiday. I’m late to the party and people may have already mentioned these (I’m not going to read through 356 comments to see), but add P.S. I Love You, Shirley Valentine, The Holiday, and Under the Tuscan Sun if you haven’t already seen them. They are SO GOOD.

    OK, I’ll stop with the all caps.

  134. Karen Jo Gustafson says:

    I need to watch The Philadelphia Story and Music and Lyrics again soon. Those are two of my favorites.

    – Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing – Actual Shakespeare being fun. Word for word the play filmed with great actors and in a real Italian villa. Some of the best opening scenes ever.
    – Anything by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They’re all romcoms – with dancing. My husband and I have a tradition of watching Fred and Ginger on New Years Eve.
    – Charade is a romcom/thriller/mystery mashup that could only have been done successfully when and by whom it was. Audrey Hepburn and Clark Gable.

    • Karen says:

      Haven’t seen Music and Lyrics, but the others are all wonderful. And speaking of wonderful – how about It’s a Wonderful Life? A couple of other Christmas RomComs are Christmas in Connecticut and White Christmas. Can you tell I love old movies? The Shop Around the Corner with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan is what You’ve Got Mail was based on.

  135. Jessica Eustace says:

    My Best Friend’s Wedding is a good one. I love the scene when the whole casts sings I Say a Little Pray for You.

  136. Amanda says:

    Such a great list. French Kiss is my all time favorites. A couple that I didn’t see on your list are Mickey Blue Eyes and Fools Rush In.

  137. Oh, how I *loved* Ten Things I Hate About You, perhaps more than any other I saw as a teenager. I’ll have to pull it up and watch it again! And thank you so much for the idea of setting FUN resolutions – I love it! I’m already getting my thinking cap on to come up with some fun I can resolve to have in 2020…

  138. Elisabeth says:

    Seconding Doc Hollywood, it’s got Woody Harrelson and Bridget Fonda in addition to Michael J. Fox. Only the Lonely (John Candy, Ally Sheedy, Maureen O’Hara plays his mom!) is also a good one. Early 90s, I believe. I would include the the 1985 Adventures in Babysitting even though some people might not consider it a rom-com. It’s been a family favorite since it came out.

  139. Deb Garvey says:

    Don’t know if New in Town has been mentioned. 2009 starring Renée Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr. Love the Minnesota talk and scrapbookers and ‘cold weather scenes.’

    Someone REALLY needs to make this extensive list into a spread sheet with # of times movie mentioned, year, etc. Too many to scroll through, but a list I want to have handy! Please post titles in a spreadsheet!!

  140. Katie T says:

    How did I miss this post?? Like so many,You’ve Got Mail is my favorite. I watched it as a young teen and have been smitten ever since. My mom and I love “It’s Complicated” with Meryl Streep (it’s rated R – just a heads up). We’ve also watched “Dan in Real Life” too many times! I recently watched “The Love Letter” which wasn’t that great, but it had a fantastic cast!

  141. Pattie Halbach says:

    Leap Year, One Fine Day, and The Holiday! Those are of my rotation of favorites to be watched again and again as comfort movies! One of my favorite classics is Born Yesterday with Judy Holiday and William Holden. Superb!

  142. Cris says:

    I was getting worried scrolling your To Be Watched list , but finally saw ‘Kate & Leopold’ at #17. It’s a top 10 favorite movie & my absolute fav rom com.

  143. Karla Teague says:

    I stumbled in very late, but figured I’d add a few of my favorites that I didn’t see anyone else mention. Imagine Me & You, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, Hope Springs (Colin Firth!), and Arthur are some of my go-to faves.

  144. Kim says:

    Old but great – The Goodbye Girl with Marsha Mason/Richard Dreyfus. Same Time Next Year with Alan Alda/Ellen Burstyn. And all the movies with Doris Day, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, Kathryne Hepburn, Spencer Tracy. The original Parent Trap: Brian Keith and Maureen O’Hara had beautiful chemistry. Not sure this counts but the original Yours Mine and Ours with Lucille Ball/Henry Fonda was such fun.

  145. Siobhan says:

    I only recently watched “My Best Friends Wedding” and loved it! A little different from other rom-coms but so incredibly enjoyable!

  146. Dominique says:

    It might take a minute to understand the English with thick Australian accents, but STRICTLY BALLROOM is one of my favorites, character development is amazing and it’s such a ‘swoony’ story. Also Under The Tuscan Sun and Crazy rich Asians!

  147. Patricia says:

    I live in Seattle, and we just did a boat trip right past the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat. Still looks dreamy. Fun fact: the New Year’s Eve fireworks Tom watches are actually 4th of July. The 4th fireworks are shot off on Lake Union very near the houseboat and NYE occur at the Space Needle, which he can’t see from his home.

  148. Agnes says:

    I recommend adding more international romcoms to your list! I’ve watched most of those on your list and also enjoyed: Top End Wedding (Australia), Amelie (France), Monsoon Wedding (India), Like Water for Chocolate (Mexico), Eat Drink Man Woman (China), Isoken (Nigeria), Cinema Paradiso (Italy).

  149. KW says:

    One of my all time favorites is the Wedding Planner with JLo and Matthew McConaughey. I will watch it ever single time it is on TV. I think this is where my love of Judy Greer kicked in – she is so darn delightful in this film!
    I also love the original Overboard. It is so silly, but such a great film.
    There are so many good ones that others have shared – The American President and Dave are fun. Sweet Home Alabama is another great one!

  150. Suz Stewart says:

    If you can handle the Irish accents and the cussing (hey, they’re Irish!) give 1997’s “The Matchmaker” a try. Janeane Garofalo, Denis Leary, David O’Hara and some stunning Irish countryside views all add up to a cozy night in.

  151. Virginia Hume says:

    80s: Mystic Pizza, Legal Eagles, Working Girl. Broadcast News, plus the brat pack oeuvre)
    Some favorite oldie oldies:
    High Society (the musical version of The Philadelphia Story, which is brilliant, too, of course)
    Sabrina (the og with Audrey Hepburn).
    Desk Set (K Hepburn and Spencer Tracy)
    Holiday with K Hep and Cary Grant (not a lot of com, tbh)
    How to Marry a Millionaire

  152. Diane says:

    Have you seen Romancing the Stone (1984) starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner? A successful romance novelist who lacks romance in her own life finds herself on a dangerous adventure with a handsome mercenary – a story line that could have come from one of her own novels. Fun and funny.

  153. Liz says:

    My favorite Rom Com is Shop around the Corner with Jimmy Stewart in it, You’ve Got Mail was based on that movie.
    I love Parent Trap also.

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