I am proud to say that I have seen a lot of movies. I really like everything: action, adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, animated, everything except horror (why would I put myself through that). But of all the genres of movies, I have to say that romantic comedies are my favorite--I know, very original. I grew up in a house where movies were taken very seriously. If my family was going to sit down to watch a movie, it had to be good. Because of this, I grew up watching some of the best and most iconic romantic comedies of all time.

So I was rightfully shocked when none of my friends had seen these amazing movies. Thus started my valiant effort to educate my generation on what they are missing--because it's a lot. While this list is obviously not exhaustive, it is compiled of my favorites (in no particular order). So whether you've never seen any of these movies, or maybe only a couple are new to you, take time out of your busy week to watch them. I promise it's worth it: your life will never be the same again.

1. "Pretty Woman"

A re-imagined Cinderella story with a prostitute and a billionaire, featuring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. This movie is fun and will make you believe in love and romance again. It will get you every time you watch it. The chemistry between Gere and Roberts is perfection. You'll walk away wishing their story was true. With a great soundtrack and amazing costumes, this movie will forever be one of my favorites.

2. "You've Got Mail"

Not going to lie--a sigh of true happiness left me as I typed the title. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were made for each other in this movie. She plays a small book shop owner fighting for the fate of her store against the owner of a big chain store that moved in across the street. Set in the late 90s and the dawn of the internet and email, the two main characters start an anonymous email correspondence--using only their pen names. Little do they know they're in love with their worst enemy.

This movie is so heartwarming and touching that it will hit you right in the feels. Not only that, but it gave me the romanticized view of New York that I still see when I walk the city today. So pop some popcorn and grab the tissues, because you're going to need them for this one.

3. "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

A true classic. It doesn't get better than Audrey Hepburn dressed to the nines eating a danish and drinking coffee outside of Tiffany's. Hepburn plays a New York socialite trying to catch a man to support her extravagant lifestyle. Although I don't fault you as much if you haven't seen this one, it is still incredible, and once you see one Audrey Hepburn movie, you have to see them all.

4. "Notting Hill"

This is the story you'll want to happen to you. Julia Roberts plays a superstar actress who falls in love with a bumbling travel book shop owner Brit played by Hugh Grant. This movie will have you on the floor laughing one second, then reaching for the tissues the next. It brought the world the iconic line, "I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her." If that's not true romance and love, then I don't know what is.

5. "Sleepless in Seattle"

This movie stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan again. They are two such amazing actors that you believe that they are two totally different people who fall in love again. Hanks plays a widower living in Seattle whose son believes he needs a new wife. His son, played by the adorable Ross Malinger, calls a national radio talk show that Ryan tunes in to. She falls in love with him over the radio and the rest is history. There is so much love portrayed in this movie that by the end, it will be coming out of your ears.

6. "Jerry Maguire"

While this is a romantic comedy there is a large sports component. This is the first of the romantic comedy movies to watch with your boyfriend. If you start with any of the other ones, they'll have to pretend that they're too macho and cool for these mushy movies. You have to start them off slow and this is the one do it with. This movie stars Tom Cruise as a fast-talking sports agent who is fired for his new idea. He starts his own company, bringing along one secretary played by Renee Zellweger. The two become partners in more ways than one and it is beautiful to watch their love develop on screen.

7. "While You Were Sleeping"

This may be a holiday movie, but it is perfect all year round. The plot centers around Sandra Bullock, who plays a train ticket collector who falls in love with a daily commuter, to whom she's never spoken. She saves him when he falls onto the tracks and then pretends to be his fiance so she can visit him in the hospital and check on his condition. She gets trapped in her story and ends up fooling his family, praying that when he wakes up he'll feel the same way about her--too bad she begins to fall in love with his brother. This movie is about love, but also the importance of family. This is the perfect movie to watch with your family by the fire.

8. "When Harry Met Sally"

This may be the last on the list, but it is certainly not the least. The movie stars Meg Ryan as a neurotic woman who meets and drives to New York with Billy Crystal after college. On the way, they get into a heated discussion about whether men and women can ever be platonic friends. They bump into each other a few times in the film, until they meet again when they are older and decide to be friends. Can men and women really be friends? I guess you'll have to watch it to find out. Although you may think Billy Crystal an odd choice for a leading man, don't worry: you'll fall in love with him by the end. The dialogue in this movie is so funny and witty that you'll wonder how you've lived your life for this long without it.

Each of these movies is amazing and incredible in its own way. As I was writing this, I was trying to decide which was my favorite and I couldn't because they're all that good. So I wish you happy watching: I'm about to pop one in myself!