Best Rom-Com Movies
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it starts to feel like there are only two types of people in this world. There are the picture-perfect couples that gear up for date night and chocolate-covered strawberries, and then there are their painfully single counterparts who insist the right person just hasn’t come along yet. Personally, I fall into the second category and always end up pulling out my pink pajamas and watching rom-coms with a bowl of popcorn and a side of unrealistic expectations. Whether you are painfully single or hot-date-ready, there is something comforting about the predictability of a good rom-com.
I LOVE watching people find love. Now, I may be projecting, but I think it’s safe to say that we all crave that sappy love story. There’s just something so heartwarming and lovely about boomboxes in the rain (even in the age of the iPhone) and catching the girl before she gets on the plane. The best rom-coms are the ones that can make you laugh while you’re crying and give you a nice warm feeling in your chest. Whether it’s a slow burn or love at first sight, these movies just scratch the itch for anyone searching for a happy ending. My Valentine’s Day gift to you: a list of the top 5 rom-coms of all time.
The Half of It
There are so many things to love about this movie. Shy Ellie Chu lives in a small town called Squahamish with her widower father. He doesn’t leave the house, so she performs his job as the train stationmaster while picking up extra money writing papers for her classmates. She’s approached by the school jock, Paul, who asks her to write a love letter to his crush, Aster. An inspiring love story ensues in which Ellie, through texts and letters, forms a heartfelt connection with Aster – except Aster believes the letter-sender to be Paul. Through their shenanigans, Ellie and Paul bond as she teaches him about Aster’s interests, which include art and literature. Heartwarming and hopeful, The Half of It showcases connections and beautiful moments that will have the viewer in happy (and sad) tears before the credits roll.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Kate Hudson plays Andi Anderson, a successful advice columnist on the hunt for a new story. After her clingy friend goes through a breakup, she decides to write about dating mistakes women make in relationships – how to lose a guy in 10 days. Matthew McConaughey plays Benjamin Barry, an advertising executive looking to land a diamond ad for his company. His boss tells him that if he can get a girl to fall in love with him, he’ll give him the ad. Andi and Benjamin meet, and the rest of the plot is a complete pandemonium of comedic chaos and adorable romancing as they attempt to force a relationship to further their respective careers.
Pretty Woman
A classic, Pretty Woman features Julia Roberts as Vivian, a hooker who is picked up one night by a wealthy businessman, Edward. Her straightforward nature takes Edward by surprise, and the two form an unlikely bond that prompts him to ask Vivian to accompany him to his business deals. She agrees to stay the week with him, and Edward outfits her with fine clothes and etiquette lessons. The pair must then navigate the rift between their worlds and face many challenges before they secure their happy ending.
The Wedding Singer
This movie has a special place in my heart. Adam Sandler plays Robbie Hart, a sweet guy whose job is to sing at weddings. After his fiancee leaves him at the altar, he loses all hope of finding love when his next wedding performance flops. Despondent and depressed, he meets a waitress played by Drew Barrymore (a classic combo) and falls for her, heartbroken again when he learns she is engaged to someone else. The movie has a lot of twists and turns that have the audience simultaneously exasperated and giggling until the final scene, when everything falls into place.
Definitely, Maybe
“Like a love story mystery,” this movie has you hooked from the first scene. A father in the midst of a divorce, Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds), attempts to explain the complexities of love to his 10-year-old daughter, Maya. He decides to tell her the story of how her parents met but omits names and details, leaving her to guess which woman in the story is her mother. Will takes his daughter through his college experience, career, and all the in-betweens that lead up to their present time. Heartwarming and endearing, this movie showcases a father-daughter duo that will have you laughing and crying for the entirety of the film while you attempt to guess which woman won Will’s heart.
Rom-coms offer a delicious escape into a whimsical world of love and laughter. The journey is filled with hilarious mishaps and quirky characters that wrap themselves around your soul and tug at your heartstrings. Somewhere on this list is a film you can fall in love with, so pull out your pink pajamas and prepare to binge on Netflix and heart-shaped candy.
