Who doesn’t love a good rom-com? Most humans do, and the other half are probably lying to themselves. For those who truly aren’t fans of the mushy romance stuff and would rather enjoy a nice action-packed sci-fi film, we get it (well, not really, but we try to understand your strange brains).
If romantic comedies are brutal to get through, it’s understandable. Most seem to follow the same cliché storyline, and you can consistently guess what’s going to happen next. Thankfully, along the way, all of the right people happened to come together at the right times to create a select few out-of-this-world rom-coms.
Whether you watch them because you’re a sucker for love, want to learn some good life lessons or want to be on your game for Tuesday night Trivia, these five rom-coms are must-sees. They’ve set themselves apart from the pack by constructing unique and captivating screenplays and maximizing the potentials of their A-list cast members. Plus, each one was filmed and set in a different decade, so you’ll get a good taste of bell-bottoms and skinny jeans alike.
The list of good rom coms could honestly be dragged out for a fairly long time, but these are five that should (arguably) be held a little higher than the rest.
1. Annie Hall (1977)
Even though this movie is nearly 40 years old, it is still a completely relevant love story (but since when is love irrelevant?). It singlehandedly created the romantic comedy genre. The storyline is raw, and it isn’t overdone with Hollywood glamor. A brilliant, comical male lead and an independent, quirky female lead make for a relatable match, and it has four Academy Awards to back up my word.
2. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
This is yet another romantic comedy that keeps it interesting with a unique dialogue. The personality differences of the leads are insanely entertaining to watch over the course of their relationship. The story plays out over many years, which is a fun twist. The witty banter that ensues throughout will keep you hooked and probably wanting to befriend Harry.
3. Pretty Woman (1990)
Has a movie ever gone wrong with Julia Roberts? Once again, this storyline defies the odds of the cliché-rom-com-category. A hooker and a businessman? Okay, sure. The screenplay is marvelous, and one again the contrast in personalities is entertaining in itself.
4. The Notebook (2004)
Okay, okay…so this choice is painfully cliché. The blue-collar boy and the upper-class girl fall for one other, many emotional toils ensue, and a nice, sappy ending just epitomizes it all (sorry to ruin it, but you knew it was coming). It is the perfect embodiment of all basic romantic movies, but that’s why it has a place on this list - It perfectly pulls out all the stops and leaves viewers teary-eyed and emotionally distraught without fail. It is arguably a bit out of place on this list, but so many girls love this movie, you should probably just see it to stay relevant with the times, if nothing else.
5. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Another A-list duo that dominates with impeccable on-screen chemistry. Two mentally unstable humans who both have horrendous social skills and ambiguous life tactics; what more could you ask for? There’s a lot going on – romance, drama, and comedy – but the critics don’t lie. It won one and was nominated for seven other Academy Awards. It’s an exemplary example of everyone and everything coming together at the right time to create a cinematographic masterpiece.
If you’ve seen them all, then bravo to you. If not, then consider adding them to the bucket list. They could be around for another 40 years, plus you never know when someone is going to quiz you on the extent of your rom-com knowledge.
