Top 20 Romantic Comedies
As a Valentines treat, we recommend you treat yourself to one of these fantastic films. Our favourite 20 RomComs.
You’re sat in the aisle seat on an outbound flight to Paris. Your bags are packed and you’ve just spoken to the Flight Attendant, all’s well with the flight and there’s a bag of crisps coming your way. You open your book and before gaining the chance to indulge in its opening chapter, you spot a familiar face stood ahead of you. Stood in the doorway at the end of the plane, your best friend stands and tells you he’s in love with you.
Why is all this happening? What does this mean? How do you know my life story? Well, the likelihood is, if this has happened to you, you might just be the protagonist in a romantic comedy.
The above will feel so familiar, because romantic comedies follow a structured, tried and tested formula full of clichés and predictable plot beats. But those RomComs that have steered away from the formula are the ones that stand above the rest. Here, we (Ellis, Gareth, Becci and Oli) have merged our favourite Romantic Comedy rankings to create Focus Film’s Top 20. Enjoy!
20. Midnight in Paris
Rent or Buy now - Directed by Woody Allen
Owen Wilson is known for his legendary “wow”, but his turns as the romantic lead should not be overlooked. Here he battles with a thought-provoking Woody Allen script and wanders through the beautifully captured streets of Paris. It’s dreamlike!
19. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Prime Video / Paramount+ - Directed by Donald Petrie
It takes a great actor to realise a great script, no matter the genre or subject material, and when Oscar winner Kate Hudson and then soon-to-be Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey received the script for How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the page said yes for them! The Poker game, the “couples counsellor” and the films final moments all elevate this to one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time.
18. Love, Rosie
Disney+ / Paramount+ / Prime Video - Directed by Christian Ditter
You’d be forgiven for seeing the poster for this and giving it a miss. It looks like every other RomCom you’ve ever seen, but this goes to places less cheery than expected, with a frankly hilarious Lily Collins and swooning, typical romantic lead in Sam Claflin, bringing that RomCom familiarity you’re searching for.
17. There’s Something About Mary
Disney+ - Directed by The Farrelly Brothers
A classic. An iconic piece of romantic comedy fun, with Cameron Diaz being as charming as ever in the lead role. A strange combination of Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon and Lee Evans makes for some dated scenes, but some undeniably brilliant moments of silly comedy.
16. Silver Linings Playbook
Rent or buy - Directed by David O.Russell
This would probably appear higher on the list, but it’s definitely more Rom than Com. Although it’s humour is dry and witty, there’s a crushingly human story at its centre. There is one of the greatest dance scenes in cinema history in this film, and we’ll always stand by that notion.
15. Groundhog Day
Netflix / NowTV & Sky Cinema - Directed by Harold Ramis
Although not initially perceived as a romance, it’s that subplot between Phil (Bill Murray) and Rita (Andie MacDowell) that grounds the film (if you’ll pardon the pun). You come for the time loop concept, and stay for the blossoming romance.
14. Coming to America
Prime Video / NowTV & Sky Cinema
This classic 80’s film is operating on so many different levels. Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) leaves his kingdom in search for a Queen. And where better to find a Queen, than in a place called Queens in New York. Travelling with his friend Semmi (Arsenio Hall), the quest turns in to a riotous comedy with a fish-out-of-water concept at its centre.
13. 10 Things I Hate About You
Disney+ - Directed by Gil Junger
Based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, this is another piece of 90’s nostalgia. It has that comfort movie feel about it, and the performances are so much fun. It’s astounding that Heath Ledger managed to turn in such a diverse lineup of roles over his career, and this is no different. He’s perfect! Julia Stiles is a perfect casting too, and that poem delivery will forever be etched in our brains.
12. Crazy, Stupid Love
Prime Video / Netflix - Directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
From start to finish, this subverts expectations and creates a series of hilarious moments. It twists and turns in less predictable ways than Romantic Comedies tend to, and every performance sings. It takes it’s time, it saves its bombshell and it absolutely delivers!
11. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
NowTV & Sky Cinema - Directed by Edgar Wright
WE ARE SEX BOB-OMB! The inclusion of this electric piece of cinema on our list may confuse some, as there’s a lot more at play than simply the romance plot, but Scott is driven from start to finish by love, and the absurdity that follows its bold opening sequence sets its tone. Every single evil ex is more zany and exciting than the last, and the visuals are so much fun. This is so expertly directed and the romcom elements are awkward and uncomfortable in all the right ways.
10. Notting Hill
NowTV & Sky Cinema - Directed by Roger Michell
1999 was a brilliant year for cinema, with Fight Club, The Matrix and The Sixth Sense all big hits, the start of the Star Wars prequels and animated films like Toy Story 2, Tarzan and The Iron Giant all making an impact. But it was comedy that really excelled, and Notting Hill was one of the best among them. The film saw off its competition and having Julia Roberts leading a Romantic Comedy was a sure success. Not to mention the inclusion of RomCom royalty Hugh Grant. The film is a super romantic watch for any night in.
9. The Apartment
ITVX - Directed by Billy Wilder
One of the best films on the list, just not as romantic as those above it. The Apartment is a timeless classic. Jack Lemmon’s Bud Baxter is a clerk for an Insurance company; he soon discovers a shortcut way to climb the ranks. A minor detail throughout is Bud’s cold. It’s such a subtle detail that makes this film different and a great piece of character acting. The Apartment may have slipped your radar, we can’t recommend it enough.
8. Palm Springs
Prime Video - Directed by Max Barbakow
The most recent film on the list is 2021’s Palm Springs, and for it to appear so high should highlight just how great it is. It’s that time loop concept yet again and though it does pay homage in places to the brilliance of Groundhog Day, it does more with the romance element to make it work on the many levels it’s operating on.
7. Bridget Jones’s Diary
Paramount+ / NowTV & Sky Cinema - Directed by Sharon Maguire
Bridget Jones is described as chaotic and imperfect, and that’s what makes her so likeable and in turn the film. Renée Zellweger plays one of the most relatable characters we’ve seen, and the list of supporting actors is a who’s who of British mainstays. Some people will argue it’s a Christmas film, but we think it’s an ideal watch this Valentines Day.
6. Sleepless in Seattle
NowTV & Sky Cinema - Directed by Nora Ephron
There are a handful of actor combinations that have worked together for a number of romantic comedies: Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore; Julia Roberts & Richard Gere; Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling. But none of them are as iconic as Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks. And why is Sleepless in Seattle the best of the bunch? Well it’s the element of spontaneity and chance that makes you long for their happily ever after, and after spending an hour and 45 minutes with them, they feel familiar.
5. About Time
Rent or buy - Directed by Richard Curtis
Making it into the Top 5, About Time isn’t just about romantic love, it’s also about the love one has for their family and all of the complexities that come with it. The leading pair are perfect together and with such an out-of-the-box concept for a RomCom, the film couldn't be more grounded.
4. Pretty Woman
Disney+ / Netflix - Directed by Garry Marshall
Now there’s iconic, and then there’s Pretty Woman. That scene became sewn into the fabric of the genre as soon as Julia Roberts uttered the words “Big mistake…huge” and it still goes from strength to strength. Shown every week (at least it feels that way) on late night television and full of glamour, tension and some brilliant pieces of comedy, it’s no surprise that it’s ranked as one of the greatest Romantic Comedies of all time.
3. (500) Days of Summer
Disney+ - Directed by Marc Webb
This isn’t your typical RomCom, but combine Zooey Deschanel & Joseph Gordon-Levitt with a killer soundtrack, a brilliantly frustrating story and some excellent set pieces, and you’re in for an instant classic. The concepts used are so nuanced, and a non-linear narrative makes for more emotional ups-and-downs. This is not a love story…but it’s definitely a top tier romantic comedy.
2. The Holiday
Netflix / NowTV & Sky Cinema - Directed by Nancy Meyers
Perhaps a strange choice for your February RomCom, The Holiday just is a Romance masterclass. It makes every character desirable and leans into its cheesiness so much that you can’t help but melt at its clichés and revel in its wintery warmth. Jude Law and Cameron Diaz’ storyline is what we’re here for, and it’s joyous.
1. When Harry met Sally
Rent or buy now - Directed by Rob Reiner
We would of course first recommend you watch this in the Autumn. You only have to look at the image above to notice the bright oranges and reds that are synonymous with the time of the year. But When Harry Met Sally does jump around in time and isn’t all set in the Autumn/Fall. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are so brilliant together, because they’re not always wide-eyed and covered in love hearts when they’re together, in fact for a lot of the film they’re engaged in arguments and intellectual conversations of opposing circumstance. This works because it’s more true, it’s less make believe than any other RomCom and is performed effortlessly. If there’s ever an argument that a Romantic Comedy should gain more Academy recognition, this is the place to start.
Rob Reiner is one of the most underrated directors of the 80’s. He was everywhere yet his name is not uttered nearly as much as Spielberg or Hughes or Zemeckis. Reiner turned his hand to every genre: Horror with Misery; Fantasy with The Princess Bride; Drama with A Few Good Men; Comedy with This is Spinal Tap!; And of course Romance with When Harry Met Sally. Every single credit feels like his field.
When Harry Met Sally is an ideal date night movie, an ideal Galentines watch, and an ideal sit at home and watch something emotional…watch. It doesn’t swoon too much, it has a script better than most and every inch of the frame is stunning. And all of those things make it our Number 1 Romantic Comedy.
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