The World’s Most Popular Romantic Movies: Shocknaue’s Guide
Welcome to Shocknaue Entertainment News! The allure of romance on screen has captivated audiences for generations, filling theaters and homes with laughter, tears, and unforgettable connections. Identifying the Most Popular Romantic Movies In The World is a fascinating endeavor, reflecting diverse tastes and timeless storytelling. Drawing upon extensive data from Rotten Tomatoes, Shocknaue is proud to present a comprehensive guide to the most celebrated romantic comedies of all time. This curated list highlights films that have achieved critical acclaim (“Certified Fresh”) and resonated deeply with viewers (“Audience Score”), spanning nearly a century of filmmaking. From the witty banter of classic Hollywood to the relatable complexities of modern love stories, these movies represent the enduring power of the romantic comedy genre.
The latest update to this extensive list includes recent Certified Fresh titles, ensuring it stays current with the evolving landscape of romantic comedies. Notable additions feature Glen Powell’s Golden Tomato winner Hit Man (#23), the unique coming-of-age anti-musical Música (#22), and Anne Hathaway’s charming The Idea of You (#107). Meanwhile, timeless favorites like Pretty Woman (#200) and Love Actually (#199) continue to hold their place, showcasing the enduring appeal of diverse romantic narratives.
Compiling such a list is complex, requiring a deep dive into film history to find every kind of courtship and love story captured on camera. This list balances the dazzling wit of the early studio system with the realistic portrayals of the ’70s and the sweeping romances that bridge the gap. It acknowledges the influence of the John Hughes era, the bubbly 90s, and the emergence of new voices in the 21st century exploring messy, authentic relationships.
To qualify for this list, movies needed at least 20 reviews and a positive Audience Score to ensure broad appeal. Films released after 2016 also required a Certified Fresh rating. The ranking prioritizes Certified Fresh films first. If you enjoy exploring various film lists, check out our guide to movies about traveling the world.
Let’s delve into the list of movies that have defined and continue to shape the romantic comedy genre, capturing hearts across the globe.
1
The Philadelphia Story (1940) 100% 92%
Critics Consensus: Offering a wonderfully witty script, spotless direction from George Cukor, and typically excellent lead performances, The Philadelphia Story is an unqualified classic.
Synopsis: This classic romantic comedy focuses on Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), a Philadelphia socialite who has split from her husband, C.K. [More]
Starring: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey
Directed By: George Cukor
2
His Girl Friday (1940) 99% 90%
Critics Consensus: Anchored by stellar performances from Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, His Girl Friday is possibly the definitive screwball romantic comedy.
Synopsis: When hard-charging New York newspaper editor Walter Burns discovers that his ex-wife, investigative reporter Hildy Johnson, has gotten engaged to [More]
Starring: Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy, Gene Lockhart
Directed By: Howard Hawks
3
The Shop Around the Corner (1940) 99% 91%
Critics Consensus: Deftly directed by Ernst Lubitsch from a smart, funny script by Samson Raphaelson, The Shop Around the Corner is a romantic comedy in the finest sense of the term.
Synopsis: Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) are employees at Matuschek and Company, a general store in Budapest. [More]
Starring: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut
Directed By: Ernst Lubitsch
4
The Lady Eve (1941) 99% 87%
Critics Consensus: A career highlight for Preston Sturges, The Lady Eve benefits from Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda’s sparkling chemistry — and a script that inspired countless battle-of-the-sexes comedies.
Synopsis: It’s no accident when wealthy Charles (Henry Fonda) falls for Jean (Barbara Stanwyck). Jean is a con artist with her [More]
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette
Directed By: Preston Sturges
5
It Happened One Night (1934) 98% 93%
Critics Consensus: Capturing its stars and director at their finest, It Happened One Night remains unsurpassed by the countless romantic comedies it has inspired.
Synopsis: In Frank Capra’s acclaimed romantic comedy, spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) impetuously marries the scheming King Westley, leading her [More]
Starring: Claudette Colbert, Clark Gable, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns
Directed By: Frank Capra
6
Broadcast News (1987) 98% 79%
Critics Consensus: Blockbuster dramatist James L. Brooks delivers with Broadcast News, fully entertaining with deft, deep characterization.
Synopsis: Intelligent satire of American television news. A highly strung news producer finds herself strangely attracted to a vapid anchorman even [More]
Starring: William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, Robert Prosky
Directed By: James L. Brooks
7
Big (1988) 98% 82%
Critics Consensus: Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy.
Synopsis: At a carnival, young Josh Baskin wishes he was big, only to wake up the next morning and discover his [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard
Directed By: Penny Marshall
8
Say Anything… (1989) 98% 85%
Critics Consensus: One of the definitive Generation X movies, Say Anything… is equally funny and heartfelt — and it established John Cusack as an icon for left-of-center types everywhere.
Synopsis: In a charming, critically acclaimed tale of first love, Lloyd (John Cusack), an eternal optimist, seeks to capture the heart [More]
Starring: John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor
Directed By: Cameron Crowe
9
Defending Your Life (1991) 98% 83%
Critics Consensus: With Defending Your Life, writer-director-star Albert Brooks softens his trademark caustic humor — and proves he’s every bit as funny when he’s tugging heartstrings.
Synopsis: Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) isn’t having a good week. For starters, he died after he got hit by a bus. [More]
Starring: Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Lee Grant
Directed By: Albert Brooks
10
The Big Sick (2017) 98% 88%
Critics Consensus: Funny, heartfelt, and intelligent, The Big Sick uses its appealing leads and cross-cultural themes to prove the standard romcom formula still has some fresh angles left to explore.
Synopsis: Kumail is a Pakistani comic, who meets an American graduate student named Emily at one of his stand-up shows. As [More]
Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano
Directed By: Michael Showalter
11
Rye Lane (2023) 98% 85%
Critics Consensus: Good news, rom-com fans: Anyone looking for a smart, funny, and heartwarming new addition to the canon can find it waiting on Rye Lane.
Synopsis: Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Jonsson), two twenty-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups, connect over the course of an [More]
Starring: David Jonsson, Vivian Oparah, Charlie Knight, Simon Manyonda
Directed By: Raine Allen Miller
12
Bringing Up Baby (1938) 97% 89%
Critics Consensus: With Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant at their effervescent best, Bringing Up Baby is a seamlessly assembled comedy with enduring appeal.
Synopsis: Harried paleontologist David Huxley (Cary Grant) has to make a good impression on society matron Mrs. Random (May Robson), who [More]
Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Charlie Ruggles, May Robson
Directed By: Howard Hawks
13
Annie Hall (1977) 97% 92%
Critics Consensus: Filled with poignant performances and devastating humor, Annie Hall represents a quantum leap for Woody Allen and remains an American classic.
Synopsis: Comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) examines the rise and fall of his relationship with struggling nightclub singer Annie Hall (Diane [More]
Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane
Directed By: Woody Allen
14
Bull Durham (1988) 97% 82%
Critics Consensus: Kevin Costner is at his funniest and most charismatic in Bull Durham, a film that’s as wise about relationships as it is about minor league baseball.
Synopsis: In Durham, N.C., the Bulls minor league baseball team has one asset no other can claim: a poetry-loving groupie named [More]
Starring: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Trey Wilson
Directed By: Ron Shelton
15
Sideways (2004) 97% 79%
Critics Consensus: Charming, thoughtful, and often funny, Sideways is a decidedly mature road trip comedy full of excellent performances.
Synopsis: Struggling writer and wine enthusiast Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes his engaged friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church), on a trip to [More]
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Directed By: Alexander Payne
16
Appropriate Behavior (2014) 97% 64%
Critics Consensus: Warm, funny, and quietly profound, Appropriate Behavior serves as a thoroughly compelling calling card for writer, director, and star Desiree Akhavan.
Synopsis: A secretly bisexual Brooklynite (Desiree Akhavan) from a traditional Persian family struggles with her identity and the disintegration of her [More]
Starring: Desiree Akhavan, Rebecca Henderson, Scott Adsit, Halley Feiffer
Directed By: Desiree Akhavan
17
The Half of It (2020) 97% 81%
Critics Consensus: For viewers in search of an uncommonly smart, tender, and funny coming-of-age story, The Half of It has everything.
Synopsis: A shy, introverted student helps the school jock woo a girl whom, secretly, they both want. [More]
Starring: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Enrique Murciano
Directed By: Alice Wu
18
The Princess Bride (1987) 96% 94%
Critics Consensus: A delightfully postmodern fairy tale, The Princess Bride is a deft, intelligent mix of swashbuckling, romance, and comedy that takes an age-old damsel-in-distress story and makes it fresh.
Synopsis: A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a [More]
Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon
Directed By: Rob Reiner
19
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) 96% 84%
Critics Consensus: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before plays by the teen rom-com rules, but relatable characters and a thoroughly charming cast more than make up for a lack of surprises.
Synopsis: A teenage girl’s love letters are exposed and wreak havoc on her life. [More]
Starring: Lana Condor, John Corbett, Noah Centineo, Emilija Baranac
Directed By: Susan Johnson
20
Spontaneous (2020) 96% 68%
Critics Consensus: A dark teen comedy with an explosive twist, Spontaneous reaffirms Katherine Langford as a rising star — and marks debuting director Brian Duffield as a filmmaker to watch.
Synopsis: When students in their high school inexplicably start to explode, seniors Mara and Dylan struggle to survive in a world [More]
Starring: Katherine Langford, Charlie Plummer, Yvonne Orji, Hayley Law
Directed By: Brian Duffield
21
The Worst Person in the World (2021) 96% 87%
Critics Consensus: The Worst Person in the World concludes Joachim Trier’s Oslo Trilogy with a romantic comedy that delightfully subverts the genre’s well-worn tropes.
Synopsis: The Worst Person in the World is a modern dramedy about the quest for love and meaning in contemporary Oslo. [More]
Starring: Anders Danielsen Lie, Maria Grazia Di Meo, Renate Reinsve, Herbert Nordrum
Directed By: Joachim Trier
22
Música (2024) 96% 86%
Critics Consensus: Rudy Mancuso’s use of magical realism elevates Música, infusing its familiar narrative framework with a bracingly personal touch.
Synopsis: Based on writer, director and star Rudy Mancuso, Música is a coming-of-age love story that follows an aspiring creator with [More]
Starring: Rudy Mancuso, Camila Mendes, J.B. Smoove, Francesca Reale
Directed By: Rudy Mancuso
23
Hit Man (2023) 95% 89%
Critics Consensus: A deceptively dark thriller that’s also loaded with laughs, Hit Man is an outstanding showcase for leading man Glen Powell — and one of the most purely entertaining films of Richard Linklater’s career.
Synopsis: Oscar-nominated director Richard Linklater’s sunlit neo-noir stars Glen Powell as strait-laced professor Gary Johnson, who moonlights as a fake hit [More]
Starring: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta
Directed By: Richard Linklater
24
I’m Your Man (2021) 95% 80%
Critics Consensus: With a thought-provoking concept brought to humorous life by a pair of well-matched leads, I’m Your Man is an AI rom-com whose intelligence is anything but artificial.
Synopsis: In order to obtain funds for her research, Alma (Maren Eggert) is persuaded to participate in an extraordinary study. For [More]
Starring: Dan Stevens, Maren Eggert, Sandra Hüller, Hans Löw
Directed By: Maria Schrader
25
City Lights (1931) 95% 95%
Critics Consensus: One of the best underdog romance movies ever, with an ending that will light up any heart.
Synopsis: A hapless but resilient tramp (Charlie Chaplin) falls in love with a blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill) on the tough [More]
Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Harry Myers, Hank Mann
Directed By: Charlie Chaplin
26
Ninotchka (1939) 95% 89%
Critics Consensus: With Greta Garbo proving her comedy chops in the twilight of her career, Ninotchka is a can’t-miss classic.
Synopsis: A no-nonsense diplomat of the Soviet Union, Nina Ivanovna Ninotchka Yakushova (Greta Garbo) arrives in Paris to ensure the sale [More]
Starring: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire, Sig Ruman
Directed By: Ernst Lubitsch
27
Roman Holiday (1953) 96% 93%
Critics Consensus: With Audrey Hepburn luminous in her American debut, Roman Holiday is as funny as it is beautiful, and sets the standard for the modern romantic comedy. You might also enjoy exploring movies about traveling the world.
Synopsis: Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) takes off for a night while in Rome. When [More]
Starring: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert, Tullio Carminati
Directed By: William Wyler
28
Dave (1993) 95% 72%
Critics Consensus: Ivan Reitman’s refreshingly earnest political comedy benefits from an understated, charming script and a breezy performance by Kevin Kline.
Synopsis: Shifty White House chief of staff Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) hatches a scheme to use a double for the president [More]
Starring: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Ben Kingsley
Directed By: Ivan Reitman
29
The Artist (2011) 95% 87%
Critics Consensus: A crowd-pleasing tribute to the magic of silent cinema, The Artist is a clever, joyous film with delightful performances and visual style to spare.
Synopsis: In the 1920s, actor George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a bona fide matinee idol with many adoring fans. While working [More]
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell
Directed By: Michel Hazanavicius
30
Enough Said (2013) 95% 75%
Critics Consensus: Wryly charming, impeccably acted, and ultimately quite bittersweet, Enough Said is a grown-up movie in the best possible way.
Synopsis: Eva (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a divorced single parent, seems generally happy but dreads her daughter’s departure for college. Unexpectedly, Eva begins [More]
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette
Directed By: Nicole Holofcener
31
Sabrina (1954) 89% 89%
Critics Consensus: With its humorous script and its stars’ immense charm, Sabrina remains a resonant romantic gem.
Synopsis: Chauffeur’s daughter Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn) returns home from two years in Paris a beautiful young woman, and immediately catches the [More]
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, Walter Hampden
Directed By: Billy Wilder
32
Some Like It Hot (1959) 95% 94%
Critics Consensus: Some Like It Hot: A spry, quick-witted farce that never drags.
Synopsis: After witnessing a Mafia murder, slick saxophone player Joe (Tony Curtis) and his long-suffering buddy, Jerry (Jack Lemmon), improvise a [More]
Starring: Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, George Raft
Directed By: Billy Wilder
33
Groundhog Day (1993) 94% 88%
Critics Consensus: Smart, sweet, and inventive, Groundhog Day highlights Murray’s dramatic gifts while still leaving plenty of room for laughs.
Synopsis: Phil (Bill Murray), a weatherman, is out to cover the annual emergence of the groundhog from its hole. He gets [More]
Starring: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Directed By: Harold Ramis
34
Palm Springs (2020) 94% 89%
Critics Consensus: Strong performances, assured direction, and a refreshingly original concept make Palm Springs a romcom that’s easy to fall in love with.
Synopsis: Stuck in a time loop, two wedding guests develop a budding romance while living the same day over and over [More]
Starring: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J.K. Simmons, Meredith Hagner
Directed By: Max Barbakow
35
Fire Island (2022) 94% 89%
Critics Consensus: Brought to life by a tremendously talented cast, the breezily entertaining Fire Island proves there are still fresh ways to update Austen.
Synopsis: Set in the iconic Pines, Andrew Ahn’s “Fire Island” is an unapologetic, modern-day rom-com showcasing a diverse, multicultural examination of [More]
Starring: Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho, Conrad Ricamora
Directed By: Andrew Ahn
36
The Apartment (1960) 93% 94%
Critics Consensus: Director Billy Wilder’s customary cynicism is leavened here by tender humor, romance, and genuine pathos.
Synopsis: Insurance worker C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) lends his Upper West Side apartment to company bosses to use for extramarital affairs. [More]
Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston
Directed By: Billy Wilder
37
Juno (2007) 93% 88%
Critics Consensus: One of the brightest, funniest comedies of the year, Juno‘s smart script and direction are matched by assured performances in a coming-of-age story with a 21st century twist.
Synopsis: When precocious teen Juno MacGuff becomes pregnant, she chooses a failed rock star and his wife to adopt her unborn [More]
Starring: Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
Directed By: Jason Reitman
38
Manhattan (1979) 93% 92%
Critics Consensus: One of Woody Allen’s early classics, Manhattan combines modern, bittersweet humor and timeless romanticism with unerring grace.
Synopsis: Director Woody Allen’s love letter to New York City stars Allen as frustrated television writer Isaac Davis, a twice-divorced malcontent [More]
Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, Michael Murphy
Directed By: Woody Allen
39
Enchanted (2007) 93% 80%
Critics Consensus: A smart re-imagining of fairy tale tropes that’s sure to delight children and adults, Enchanted features witty dialogue, sharp animation, and a star turn by Amy Adams.
Synopsis: Banished by an evil queen, Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) from a fairy-tale world lands in modern Manhattan, where music, magic [More]
Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall
Directed By: Kevin Lima
40
Midnight in Paris (2011) 93% 83%
Critics Consensus: It may not boast the depth of his classic films, but the sweetly sentimental Midnight in Paris is funny and charming enough to satisfy Woody Allen fans.
Synopsis: Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) is a screenwriter and aspiring novelist. Vacationing in Paris with his fiancee (Rachel McAdams), he has [More]
Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen
Directed By: Woody Allen
41
The Kids Are All Right (2010) 93% 74%
Critics Consensus: Worthwhile as both a well-acted ensemble piece and as a smart, warm statement on family values, The Kids Are All Right is remarkable.
Synopsis: Lesbian couple Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) have been together for almost 20 years and have two teenage [More]
Starring: Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska
Directed By: Lisa Cholodenko
42
Shakespeare in Love (1998) 92% 80%
Critics Consensus: Endlessly witty, visually rapturous, and sweetly romantic, Shakespeare in Love is a delightful romantic comedy that succeeds on nearly every level.
Synopsis: “Shakespeare in Love” is a romantic comedy for the 1990s set in the 1590s. It imaginatively unfolds the witty, sexy [More]
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench
Directed By: John Madden
43
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) 92% 74%
Critics Consensus: Hugh Grant ably snatches up the bouquet of leading man status with Four Weddings and a Funeral, a sparkling romantic comedy given real charm by its chummy ensemble and Richard Curtis’ sharp-witted screenplay.
Synopsis: Lovable Englishman Charles (Hugh Grant) and his group of friends seem to be unlucky in love. When Charles meets a [More]
Starring: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon Callow
Directed By: Mike Newell
44
Hairspray (2007) 92% 84%
Critics Consensus: Hairspray is an energetic, wholly entertaining musical romp; a fun Summer movie with plenty of heart. Its contagious songs will make you want to get up and start dancing.
Synopsis: In 1960s Baltimore, dance-loving teen Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) auditions for a spot on “The Corny Collins Show” and wins. [More]
Starring: John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, Amanda Bynes, Christopher Walken
Directed By: Adam Shankman
45
Silver Linings Playbook (2012) 92% 86%
Critics Consensus: Silver Linings Playbook walks a tricky thematic tightrope, but David O. Russell’s sensitive direction and some sharp work from a talented cast gives it true balance.
Synopsis: After losing his job and wife, and spending time in a mental institution, Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper) winds up living [More]
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver
Directed By: David O. Russell
46
Love, Simon (2018) 92% 87%
Critics Consensus: Love, Simon hits its coming-of-age beats more deftly than many entries in this well-traveled genre — and represents an overdue, if not entirely successful, milestone of inclusion.
Synopsis: Everyone deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon Spier, it’s a little more complicated. He hasn’t told his [More]
Starring: Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner, Tony Hale
Directed By: Greg Berlanti
47
The Heartbreak Kid (1972) 92% 73%
Critics Consensus: An uproariously funny confluence of top-shelf talent, The Heartbreak Kid finds bittersweet humor in attitudes toward love and marriage in early ’70s America.
Synopsis: Soon after Lenny (Charles Grodin) marries Lila (Jeannie Berlin), the needy and unrefined side of her personality begins to emerge, [More]
Starring: Charles Grodin, Cybill Shepherd, Jeannie Berlin, Eddie Albert
Directed By: Elaine May
48
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) 91% 76%
Critics Consensus: With a terrific cast and a surfeit of visual razzle dazzle, Crazy Rich Asians takes a satisfying step forward for screen representation while deftly drawing inspiration from the classic — and still effective — rom-com formula.
Synopsis: Rachel Chu is happy to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. She’s also surprised [More]
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan
Directed By: Jon M. Chu
49
High Fidelity (2000) 91% 90%
Critics Consensus: The deft hand of director Stephen Frears and strong performances by the ensemble cast combine to tell an entertaining story with a rock-solid soundtrack.
Synopsis: Rob Gordon (John Cusack) is the owner of a failing record store in Chicago, where he sells music the old-fashioned [More]
Starring: John Cusack, Iben Hjejle, Todd Louiso, Jack Black
Directed By: Stephen Frears
50
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) 92% 90%
Critics Consensus: Smart, tender, and funny in equal measure, Hannah and Her Sisters is one of Woody Allen’s finest films.
Synopsis: Three successive family Thanksgiving dinners mark time for Hannah (Mia Farrow), her younger sisters Lee (Barbara Hershey) and Holly (Dianne [More]
Starring: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Michael Caine, Carrie Fisher
Directed By: Woody Allen
51
The American President (1995) 91% 77%
Critics Consensus: A charming romantic comedy with political bite, Rob Reiner’s American President features strong lead performances and some poignant observations of politics and media in the 1990s.
Synopsis: With the end of his first term in sight, widowed U.S. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) knows that overwhelming public [More]
Starring: Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox
Directed By: Rob Reiner
52
L.A. Story (1991) 91% 75%
Critics Consensus: A romantic comedy that doubles as a love letter to the titular city, L.A. Story is Steve Martin at his silly, sweetly soulful best.
Synopsis: Harris K. Telemacher (Steve Martin) has the easiest job in the world: he’s a TV weatherman in Los Angeles, where [More]
Starring: Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant, Richard E. Grant, Marilu Henner
Directed By: Mick Jackson
53
Splash (1984) 91% 65%
Critics Consensus: A perfectly light, warmly funny romantic comedy that’s kept afloat by Ron Howard’s unobtrusive direction and charming performances from Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah.
Synopsis: A young boy saved from drowning by a beautiful mermaid, falls in love with her 20 years later when she [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, Eugene Levy
Directed By: Ron Howard
54
Show Me Love (1998) 91% 86%
Critics Consensus: A naturalistic depiction of teenage life, Show Me Love has a charming, authentic feel.
Synopsis: Teens Elin (Alexandra Dahlström) and Agnes (Rebecca Liljeberg) are schoolmates. Elin is upbeat and popular, while Agnes is morose and [More]
Starring: Alexandra Dahlström, Rebecca Liljeberg, Erica Carlson, Mathias Rust
Directed By: Lukas Moodysson
55
Licorice Pizza (2021) 90% 65%
Critics Consensus: Licorice Pizza finds Paul Thomas Anderson shifting into a surprisingly comfortable gear — and getting potentially star-making performances out of his fresh-faced leads.
Synopsis: LICORICE PIZZA is the story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and falling in love in [More]
Starring: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits
Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson
56
Obvious Child (2014) 90% 72%
Critics Consensus: Tackling a sensitive subject with maturity, honesty, and wit, Obvious Child serves as a deeply promising debut for writer-director Gillian Robespierre.
Synopsis: An immature, newly unemployed comic (Jenny Slate) must navigate the murky waters of adulthood after her fling with a graduate [More]
Starring: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann, Gabe Liedman
Directed By: Gillian Robespierre
57
Much Ado About Nothing (1993) 90% 86%
Critics Consensus: Kenneth Branagh’s love for the material is contagious in this exuberant adaptation.
Synopsis: In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio’s commanding officer, [More]
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves
Directed By: Kenneth Branagh
58
Amélie (2001) 90% 95%
Critics Consensus: The feel-good Amelie is a lively, fanciful charmer, showcasing Audrey Tautou as its delightful heroine.
Synopsis: “Amélie” is a fanciful comedy about a young woman who discretely orchestrates the lives of the people around her, creating [More]
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus, Yolande Moreau
Directed By: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
59
Knocked Up (2007) 90% 83%
Critics Consensus: Knocked Up is a hilarious, poignant and refreshing look at the rigors of courtship and child-rearing, with a sometimes raunchy, yet savvy script that is ably acted and directed.
Synopsis: Rising journalist Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) hits a serious bump in the road after a one-night stand with irresponsible slacker [More]
Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann
Directed By: Judd Apatow
60
Bridesmaids (2011) 89% 76%
Critics Consensus: A marriage of genuine characters, gross out gags, and pathos, Bridesmaids is a female-driven comedy that refuses to be boxed in as Kristen Wiig emerges as a real star.
Synopsis: Annie (Kristen Wiig) is a single woman whose own life is a mess, but when she learns that her lifelong [More]
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper
Directed By: Paul Feig
61
Moonstruck (1987) 90% 81%
Critics Consensus: Led by energetic performances from Nicolas Cage and Cher, Moonstruck is an exuberantly funny tribute to love and one of the decade’s most appealing comedies.
Synopsis: No sooner does Italian-American widow Loretta (Cher) accept a marriage proposal from her doltish boyfriend, Johnny (Danny Aiello), than she [More]
Starring: Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis
Directed By: Norman Jewison
62
When Harry Met Sally… (1989) 89% 89%
Critics Consensus: Rob Reiner’s touching, funny film set a new standard for romantic comedies, and he was ably abetted by the sharp interplay between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. See how these stars compare with a list of top Hollywood actress names.
Synopsis: In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago [More]
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby
Directed By: Rob Reiner
63
Waitress (2007) 89% 74%
Critics Consensus: Sweet, smart, and quirky, Waitress hits the right, bittersweet notes through this romantic comedy through its witty script and a superb performance by Keri Russell.
Synopsis: Jenna (Keri Russell) works in a diner in a small Southern town and is a genius at creating luscious desserts, [More]
Starring: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Shelly
Directed By: Adrienne Shelly
64
What’s Up, Doc? (1972) 89% 88%
Critics Consensus: Barbra Streisand was never more likable than in this energetic, often hilarious screwball farce from director Peter Bogdanovich.
Synopsis: Two researchers have come to San Francisco to compete for a research grant in music. The man seems a bit [More]
Starring: Barbra Streisand, Ryan O’Neal, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars
Directed By: Peter Bogdanovich
65
Bros (2022) 89% 89%
Critics Consensus: Bros marks a step forward in rom-com representation — and just as importantly, it’s a whole bunch of fun to watch.
Synopsis: Universal Pictures proudly presents the first romantic comedy from a major studio about two gay men maybe, possibly, probably, stumbling [More]
Starring: Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane, TS Madison, Monica Raymund
Directed By: Nicholas Stoller
66
Plus One (2019) 88% 78%
Critics Consensus: Plus One reinvigorates the rom-com with an entertaining outing elevated by well-matched leads and a story that embraces and transcends genre clichés.
Synopsis: Longtime single friends agree to be each other’s plus one at every wedding they are invited to. [More]
Starring: Maya Erskine, Jack Quaid, Ed Begley Jr., Finn Wittrock
Directed By: Jeff Chan, Andrew Rhymer
67
Submarine (2010) 88% 82%
Critics Consensus: Funny, stylish, and ringing with adolescent truth, Submarine marks Richard Ayoade as a talent to watch.
Synopsis: Oliver (Craig Roberts) is a Welsh teen who has some things on his mind. First is losing his virginity before [More]
Starring: Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige, Noah Taylor, Paddy Considine
Directed By: Richard Ayoade
68
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) 88% 91%
Critics Consensus: It contains some ugly anachronisms, but Blake Edwards is at his funniest in this iconic classic, and Audrey Hepburn absolutely lights up the screen.
Synopsis: Based on Truman Capote’s novel, this is the story of a young woman in New York City who meets a [More]
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen
Directed By: Blake Edwards
69
Strictly Ballroom (1992) 88% 87%
Critics Consensus: As emotionally rich as it is eye-catching, Strictly Ballroom uses its infectious energy as the fuel for a modern dance classic with all the right moves.
Synopsis: A top ballroom dancer pairs with a plain, left-footed local girl when his maverick style earns him the disdain of [More]
Starring: Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter, Barry Otto
Directed By: Baz Luhrmann
70
Saving Face (2004) 88% 88%
Critics Consensus: A charming tale of a love affair that overcomes cultural taboos.
Synopsis: Wil (Michelle Krusiec) is a lesbian, but she not dare tell her widowed mother, Hwei-lan (Joan Chen), or her very [More]
Starring: Michelle Krusiec, Joan Chen, Lynn Chen, Jessica Hecht
Directed By: Alice Wu
71
Roxanne (1987) 88% 63%
Critics Consensus: Though its sweetness borders on sappiness, Roxanne is an unabashedly romantic comedy that remains one of Steve Martin’s funniest films.
Synopsis: In this modern take on Edmond Rostand’s classic play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” C. D. Bales (Steve Martin) is the witty, [More]
Starring: Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah, Rick Rossovich, Shelley Duvall
Directed By: Fred Schepisi
72
Funny Ha Ha (2003) 88% 64%
Critics Consensus: This modest, unpretentious character study astutely captures the emotional states of the 20-something slacker.
Synopsis: After graduating from college, Marnie (Kate Dollenmayer) is living in Boston. Looking for temporary work while trying to figure out [More]
Starring: Kate Dollenmayer, Christian Rudder, Myles Paige, Jennifer L. Schaper
Directed By: Andrew Bujalski
73
2 Days in Paris (2007) 87% 71%
Critics Consensus: Delpy proves not only to be an adept actress, but makes her mark as a writer and director in this thought-provoking comedy that breaks the romantic comedy mold.
Synopsis: A European vacation was intended to repair the tattered relationship between American Jack (Adam Goldberg) and French native Marion (Julie [More]
Starring: Julie Delpy, Adam Goldberg, Daniel Brühl, Albert Delpy
Directed By: Julie Delpy
74
Italian for Beginners (2000) 87% 79%
Critics Consensus: Unlike many romantic comedies, the charming Italian for Beginners feels natural and genuinely heart-warming.
Synopsis: Italian for Beginners follows the stories of six insecure singles whose lives interweave one dreary Copenhagen winter. Soon after arriving [More]
Starring: Anders W. Berthelsen, Anette Støvelbæk, Peter Gantzler, Lars Kaalund
Directed By: Lone Scherfig
75
Chasing Amy (1997) 87% 83%
Critics Consensus: Although Chasing Amy‘s depiction of queer sexuality is frustratingly clumsy, it handles an array of thorny themes with a mixture of sensitivity, raw honesty, and writer-director Kevin Smith’s signature raunchy humor.
Synopsis: Holden and Banky are best friends and authors of a popular comic book. Holden falls in love with Alyssa, who [More]
Starring: Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, Dwight Ewell
Directed By: Kevin Smith
76
The Parent Trap (1998) 87% 70%
Critics Consensus: Writer-director Nancy Meyers takes the winning formula of the 1961 original and gives it an amiable modern spin, while young star Lindsay Lohan shines in her breakout role.
Synopsis: In this update of a 1961 film, twins Annie and Hallie (Lindsay Lohan) are strangers until happenstance unites them. The [More]
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Elaine Hendrix
Directed By: Nancy Meyers
77
I Want You Back (2022) 87% 71%
Critics Consensus: With a stellar cast playing well-rounded characters, I Want You Back is the rare rom-com that delivers its romance as capably as its comedy.
Synopsis: Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate) are total strangers, but when they meet, one thing instantly bonds them: they [More]
Starring: Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood, Manny Jacinto
Directed By: Jason Orley
78
EMMA. (2020) 86% 72%
Critics Consensus: Other adaptations may do a better job of consistently capturing the spirit of the classic source material, but Jane Austen fans should still find a solid match in this Emma.
Synopsis: Beautiful, smart and wealthy, Emma Woodhouse navigates her way through misguided matches, romantic missteps and the challenges of growing up [More]
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Mia Goth
Directed By: Autumn de Wilde
79
Garden State (2004) 86% 88%
Critics Consensus: Delivering a quirky spin on familiar twentysomething tropes — with a cannily-placed soundtrack — Garden State has enough charm to mark a winning debut for first-time director Zach Braff.
Synopsis: After many years away, television bit part actor Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) returns to his small home town in New [More]
Starring: Zach Braff, Ian Holm, Ron Leibman, Method Man
Directed By: Zach Braff
80
Much Ado About Nothing (2012) 86% 77%
Critics Consensus: Lighthearted to a fault, Much Ado About Nothing‘s giddy energy and intimate charm make for an entertaining romantic comedy — and a Shakespearean adaptation that’s hard to resist.
Synopsis: After a successful campaign against his rebellious brother, Don John (Sean Maher), Don Pedro (Reed Diamond) visits the governor of [More]
Starring: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Fran Kranz
Directed By: Joss Whedon
81
Beginners (2010) 86% 77%
Critics Consensus: Wearing its twee heart on its sleeve, Beginners explores the depths of modern, multi-generational romance with wit and depth.
Synopsis: After his mother dies, Oliver (Ewan McGregor) is stunned when his father, Hal (Christopher Plummer), recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, [More]
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic
Directed By: Mike Mills
82
Paris, je t’aime (2006) 86% 84%
Critics Consensus: Paris Je T’aime is uneven, but there are more than enough delightful moments in this omnibus tribute to the City of Lights to tip the scale in its favor.
Synopsis: A collection has 18 vignettes set in Paris. In “Bastille,” a man (Sergio Castellitto) considers leaving his wife (Miranda Richardson) [More]
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Nick Nolte, Juliette Binoche, Bob Hoskins
Directed By: Bruno Podalydès, Gurinder Chadha, Gus Van Sant, Joel Coen
83
As Good as It Gets (1997) 86% 86%
Critics Consensus: James L. Brooks and Jack Nicholson, doing what they do best, combine smart dialogue and flawless acting to squeeze fresh entertainment value out of the romantic-comedy genre.
Synopsis: Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is an obsessive-compulsive writer of romantic fiction who’s rude to everyone he meets, including his gay [More]
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Directed By: James L. Brooks
84
Harold and Maude (1971) 86% 93%
Critics Consensus: Hal Ashby’s comedy is too dark and twisted for some, and occasionally oversteps its bounds, but there’s no denying the film’s warm humor and big heart.
Synopsis: Cult classic pairs Cort as a dead-pan disillusioned 20-year-old obsessed with suicide and a loveable Gordon as a fun-loving 80-year-old [More]
Starring: Bud Cort, Ruth Gordon, Cyril Cusack, Vivian Pickles
Directed By: Hal Ashby
85
(500) Days of Summer (2009) 86% 84%
Critics Consensus: A clever, offbeat romantic comedy, 500 Days of Summer is refreshingly honest and utterly charming.
Synopsis: Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), suddenly dumps [More]
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz
Directed By: Marc Webb
86
Top Five (2014) 85% 64%
Critics Consensus: As smart, funny, and trenchant as writer-director-star Chris Rock’s best standup work, Top Five is a career highlight for its creator — and one of the comedy standouts of 2014.
Synopsis: Though he began in stand-up comedy, Andre Allen (Chris Rock) hit the big-time as the star of a trilogy of [More]
Starring: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union
Directed By: Chris Rock
87
The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005) 85% 84%
Critics Consensus: Steve Carell’s first star turn scores big with a tender treatment of its titular underdog, using raunchy but realistically funny comedy to connect with adult audiences.
Synopsis: Three dysfunctional co-workers embark on a mission to help their newfound friend lose his sexual innocence. [More]
Starring: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco
Directed By: Judd Apatow
88
Shortcomings (2023) 85% 85%
Critics Consensus: Randall Park’s directorial debut has humor and heart, giving star Justin H. Min a swoonworthy starring vehicle with few Shortcomings. While rom-coms bring joy, sometimes a different kind of intensity is needed, like exploring World War 2 war movies.
Synopsis: Ben, a struggling filmmaker, lives in Berkeley, California, with his girlfriend, Miko, who works for a local Asian American film [More]
Starring: Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki, Debby Ryan
Directed By: Randall Park
89
Your Sister’s Sister (2011) 85% 66%
Critics Consensus: Superbly acted and satisfyingly engaging, Your Sister’s Sister subverts rom-com conventions with sensitive direction, an unconventional screenplay, and a big heart.
Synopsis: A man (Mark Duplass) falls into bed with his best friend’s (Emily Blunt) sister (Rosemarie DeWitt), leading to an unexpected [More]
Starring: Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mark Duplass, Mike Birbiglia
Directed By: Lynn Shelton
90
An Ideal Husband (1999) 85% 69%
Critics Consensus: Brevity is the soul of wit, eh? This adaptation gets to the nitty gritty of Wilde’s stage piece and plays on eternal human foibles.
Synopsis: Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam) is a respected government official and a loving husband. His friend, Lord Arthur Goring (Rupert [More]
Starring: Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, Jeremy Northam, Cate Blanchett
Directed By: Oliver Parker
91
Jerry Maguire (1996) 85% 79%
Critics Consensus: Anchored by dazzling performances from Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Renée Zellweger, as well as Cameron Crowe’s tender direction, Jerry Maguire meshes romance and sports with panache.
Synopsis: When slick sports agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) has a crisis of conscience, he pens a heartfelt company-wide memo that [More]
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, Kelly Preston
Directed By: Cameron Crowe
92
Emma (1996) 84% 76%
Critics Consensus: Emma marks an auspicious debut for writer-director Douglas McGrath, making the most of its Jane Austen source material — and a charming performance from Gwyneth Paltrow. For more on leading ladies, explore our list of top Hollywood actress names.
Synopsis: In this adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, pretty socialite Emma Woodhouse (Gwyneth Paltrow) entertains herself by playing matchmaker for [More]
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Toni Collette, Greta Scacchi
Directed By: Douglas McGrath
93
Trainwreck (2015) 84% 66%
Critics Consensus: Trainwreck drags commitment out of all but the most rom-com-phobic filmgoers with sharp humor, relatable characters, and hilarious work from Amy Schumer.
Synopsis: Ever since her father drilled into her head that monogamy isn’t realistic, magazine writer Amy has made promiscuity her credo. [More]
Starring: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn
Directed By: Judd Apatow
94
Notting Hill (1999) 84% 79%
Critics Consensus: A rom-com with the right ingredients, Notting Hill proves there’s nothing like a love story well told — especially when Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts are your leads.
Synopsis: William Thacker (Hugh Grant) is a London bookstore owner whose humdrum existence is thrown into romantic turmoil when famous American [More]
Starring: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers
Directed By: Roger Michell
95
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) 84% 76%
Critics Consensus: With ample laughs and sharp performances, Forgetting Sarah Marshall finds just the right mix of romantic and raunchy comedy.
Synopsis: Struggling musician Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is better-known as the boyfriend of TV star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). After she [More]
Starring: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand
Directed By: Nicholas Stoller
96
There’s Something About Mary (1998) 84% 61%
Critics Consensus: There’s Something About Mary proves that unrelentingly, unabashedly puerile humor doesn’t necessarily come at the expense of a film’s heart. Explore other intense film experiences like the world’s best horror thriller movies.
Synopsis: Ted’s (Ben Stiller) dream prom date with Mary (Cameron Diaz) never happens due to an embarrassing injury at her home. [More]
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Lee Evans
Directed By: Robert Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
97
Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) 83% 65%
Critics Consensus: A trite but refreshing and comical spin on nature of love.
Synopsis: Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) is at the end of her emotional rope. She happens upon an intriguing personal ad, whose only [More]
Starring: Jennifer Westfeldt, Heather Juergensen, Scott Cohen, Tovah Feldshuh
Directed By: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
98
Working Girl (1988) 83% 67%
Critics Consensus: A buoyant corporate Cinderella story, Working Girl has the right cast, right story, and right director to make it all come together.
Synopsis: Savvy New York City receptionist Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) gives her conniving boss, Katharine Parker (Sigourney Weaver), an excellent business [More]
Starring: Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Alec Baldwin
Directed By: Mike Nichols
99
Cold Comfort Farm (1995) 83% 81%
Critics Consensus: Cold Comfort Farm sends up high-minded classics with a wit and impressive restraint that rivals its inspirations.
Synopsis: In this adaptation of the satirical British novel, Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale), a plucky London society girl orphaned at age [More]
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Sheila Burrell, Eileen Atkins, Ian McKellen
Directed By: John Schlesinger
100
Long Shot (2019) 82% 74%
Critics Consensus: A sharp and deceptively layered comedy that’s further fueled by the odd couple chemistry of its leads, this Long Shot largely hits its marks.
Synopsis: Fred Flarsky is a gifted and free-spirited journalist who has a knack for getting into trouble. Charlotte Field is one [More]
Starring: Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, June Diane Raphael, O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Directed By: Jonathan Levine
101
Happiest Season (2020) 82% 72%
Critics Consensus: A jolly good time with heartfelt performances and more than enough holiday cheer, all you’ll want for Christmas is Happiest Season.
Synopsis: This romantic comedy is about longtime lesbian couple Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis), who made plans to go [More]
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber
Directed By: Clea Duvall
102
Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) 82% 84%
Critics Consensus: Miranda July’s debut feature is a charmingly offbeat and observant film about people looking for love.
Synopsis: Single dad Richard (John Hawkes) meets Christine (Miranda July), a starving artist who moonlights as a cabbie. They awkwardly attempt [More]
Starring: John Hawkes, Miranda July, Miles Thompson, Brandon Ratcliff
Directed By: Miranda July
103
Priceless (2006) 82% 75%
Critics Consensus: Priceless is a light, farcical rom-com that features sharp performances from Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh.
Synopsis: Irène (Audrey Tautou) loves nice things and loves to have wealthy men pay for them. One night, she mistakes Jean [More]
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh, Marie-Christine Adam, Vernon Dobtcheff
Directed By: Pierre Salvadori
104
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) 82% 86%
Critics Consensus: A high-concept high school reunion movie with an adroitly cast John Cusack and armed with a script of incisive wit.
Synopsis: After assassin Martin Blank (John Cusack) has trouble focusing on his work, resulting in a failed assignment, he returns to [More]
Starring: John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd, Alan Arkin
Directed By: George Armitage
105
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) 81% 84%
Critics Consensus: Lars and the Real Girl could’ve so easily been a one-joke movie. But the talented cast, a great script, and direction never condescends to its character or the audience. Fans of diverse cinematic experiences might also enjoy exploring lists of anime movies.
Synopsis: Extremely shy Lars (Ryan Gosling) finds it impossible to make friends or socialize. His brother (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law (Emily [More]
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Paul Schneider, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson
Directed By: Craig Gillespie
106
Clueless (1995) 81% 76%
Critics Consensus: A funny and clever reshaping of Emma, Clueless offers a soft satire that pokes as much fun at teen films as it does at the Beverly Hills glitterati.
Synopsis: Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking scale. [More]
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd
Directed By: Amy Heckerling
107
The Idea of You (2024) 81% 67%
Critics Consensus: The Idea of You offers a welcome reminder that Anne Hathaway remains a thoroughly delightful romcom lead — and reaffirms that few filmmakers understand the genre better than Michael Showalter.
Synopsis: Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), [More]
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Annie Mumolo
Directed By: Michael Showalter
108
While You Were Sleeping (1995) 81% 79%
Critics Consensus: While You Were Sleeping is built wholly from familiar ingredients, but assembled with such skill — and with such a charming performance from Sandra Bullock — that it gives formula a good name.
Synopsis: Lonely transit worker Lucy Eleanor Moderatz (Sandra Bullock) pulls her longtime crush, Peter (Peter Gallagher), from the path of an [More]
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle
Directed By: Jon Turteltaub
109
Muriel’s Wedding (1994) 82% 84%
Critics Consensus: Heartfelt and quirky, though at times broad, Muriel’s Wedding mixes awkward comedy, oddball Australian characters, and a nostalgia-heavy soundtrack.
Synopsis: Socially awkward Muriel Heslop (Toni Collette) wants nothing more than to get married. Unfortunately, due to her oppressive politician father [More]
Starring: Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths, Jeanie Drynan
Directed By: P.J. Hogan
110
Sixteen Candles (1984) 81% 85%
Critics Consensus: Significantly more mature than the teen raunch comedies that defined the era, Sixteen Candles is shot with compassion and clear respect for its characters and their hang-ups.
Synopsis: With the occasion all but overshadowed by her sister’s upcoming wedding, angst-ridden Samantha (Molly Ringwald) faces her 16th birthday with [More]
Starring: Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Michael Schoeffling, Paul Dooley
Directed By: John Hughes
111
Crossing Delancey (1988) 82% 78%
Critics Consensus: A small-scale delight fueled by Amy Irving’s irresistible charm, Crossing Delancey celebrates love with contagious optimism.
Synopsis: Thirty-something Isabelle “Izzy” Grossman (Amy Irving) spends her time going from her tiny, solitary West Side apartment to that of [More]
Starring: Amy Irving, Reizl Bozyk, Peter Riegert, Jeroen Krabbé
Directed By: Joan Micklin Silver
112
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) 80% 74%
Critics Consensus: A beguiling tragicomedy, Vicky Cristina Barcelona charms with beautiful views of the Spanish city and a marvelously well-matched cast.
Synopsis: Americans Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) arrive in Spain for a summer vacation at a friend’s (Patricia Clarkson) [More]
Starring: Javier Bardem, Patricia Clarkson, Penélope Cruz, Kevin Dunn
Directed By: Woody Allen
113
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) 79% 81%
Critics Consensus: Zellweger’s Bridget Jones is a sympathetic, likable, funny character, giving this romantic comedy a lot of charm.
Synopsis: At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget (Renée Zellweger) decides it’s time to take control of her life [More]
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gemma Jones
Directed By: Sharon Maguire
114
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) 80% 66%
Critics Consensus: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again doubles down on just about everything fans loved about the original — and my my, how can fans resist it?
Synopsis: In 1979 young Donna, Tanya and Rosie graduate from Oxford University — leaving Donna free to embark on a series [More]
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Lily James, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth
Directed By: Ol Parker
115
Man Up (2015) 80% 69%
Critics Consensus: Thanks to fine performances from Lake Bell and Simon Pegg, Man Up largely strikes the deceptively difficult balance between romance and comedy.
Synopsis: When a man (Simon Pegg) mistakes her for his blind date, a woman (Lake Bell) decides to play along to [More]
Starring: Simon Pegg, Lake Bell, Ophelia Lovibond, Olivia Williams
Directed By: Ben Palmer
116
The Lost City (2022) 79% 83%
Critics Consensus: The Lost City doesn’t sparkle quite as brightly as some classic treasure-hunting capers, but its stars’ screwball chemistry make this movie well worth romancing.
Synopsis: Reclusive author Loretta Sage writes about exotic places in her popular adventure novels that feature a handsome cover model named [More]
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Directed By: Adam Nee, Aaron Nee
117
