15 Most underrated rom-com leads in Hollywood 

Romantic comedies, in many ways, live on the strength of their leads; many of those actors became household names because of this very quality on screen: chemistry and charisma. But not every performance in the genre has earned its due accolades. The indie gems that touch your heart, the cult classics that did not get their rightful place, had these actors portraying unforgettable roles to make their movies all the more memorable. This list honors the 15 most underappreciated romantic comedy leads in Hollywood—performances that are due a reevaluation for their resonance, humor, and undeniable charm.

1. Obvious Child (2014)

Jenny Slate is a no-brainer for one of the most authentic and heartfelt portrayals of a woman navigating life, love, and an unexpected pregnancy. As Donna, Slate brings this awkwardness into the role, combining humor with vulnerability in a way mostly not even possible in mainstream rom-coms. The unflinching look into painful themes, such as abortion and heartbreak, all wrapped in the soft glove of comedy, is revolutionary. Although Slate didn't succeed so big at the box office, the charm and emotion embedded into this actress created the right sensation of undervalued genius.

2. The Big Sick (2017)

The breakthrough role by Kumail Nanjiani in The Big Sick has been a game-changer for rom-coms and the underrepresentation of diversity in Hollywood. Based on his real-life relationship with his wife, Emily V. Gordon, Nanjiani plays himself in a story about culture, illness, and love. What stands out is how he elegantly balances humor with poignant moments without relying on clichés. Zoe Kazan also shines in a great performance, making one of the most interesting couples in recent rom-com history.

3. Letters to Juliet (2010)

The better-known Amanda Seyfried, Letters to Juliet, sees her as the quiet scene stealer with the help of her co-star, Christopher Egan, and the enduring Italian backdrop. Here is a woman trying to reunite an elderly lady with her lost love. With the film now imbued with magic due to the picturesque backdrop of Verona coupled with exploring love lost and found, she reveals subtle depth. For all its charm as a delightful rom-com, it did not quite get the accolades it deserved, especially for Seyfried's emotional performance.

4. Kate & Leopold (2001)

Meg Ryan's performance in Kate & Leopold often gets overshadowed in the pantheon of her romantic comedies. Her interpretation of a modern woman falling for a time-traveling duke (Hugh Jackman) is one of the best she ever did. Ryan plays Kate with just the right amount of skepticism and wonder, making this odd romantic lead feel completely grounded in reality. Its original concept and the easy charm balanced by a streak of cynicism Ryan gives make this an underplayed gem of a genre piece, and neither is it lessened by the considerable magnetism that Hugh Jackman brings to bear.

5. Think Like a Man (2012)

While Think Like a Man is quite memorable for being an ensemble play, it is the unrecognized performances of women like Taraji P. Henson that cut through the heart of the work. Henson plays Lauren here, a rather sensible career woman drawn into a player's games on love, comedy, and emotional seriousness blending in fluid harmony. It is based on Steve Harvey's self-help book, but Henson's nuanced performance turns the story away from its assumptions and into a level of realism that infuses so much relatability into the rom-com formula.

6. Leap Year (2010)

My Adams, no stranger to the rom-com genre, usually gets relegated in favor of the more dramatic work she has been doing lately. She plays the role of Anna in Leap Year, who's determined to get her boyfriend down on bended knee to propose in Ireland on February 29. To her dismay, she gets taken on a rollercoaster ride by a surly innkeeper named Matthew Goode. Adams' natural charm and impeccable timing breathe some life into a familiar plot, turning it into an enjoyable and frequently laugh-out-loud comedy of love.

7. Love, Rosie (2014)

Lily Collins plays the role of Rosie in Love, Rosie perfectly. Coming from the original novel by Cecelia Ahern, the film is about a girl named Rosie and her best friend, Alex. They seem fated for one another but just can't help but be thwarted by their circumstances. Collins brings both vulnerability and relatability to Rosie, where she goes through love, heartbreak, and the joy of new beginnings. Despite its feel-good storyline, the film did not deserve the accolades it failed to get, but Collins's role as a lady going through uncertainties in life warrants a review.

8. Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

This latest installment brought a new twist to the rom-com genre with the tale of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the U.S. president, and his unlikely romance with Prince Henry of England. The leads, Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine are brilliant and bring out the heart of the film with a perfect balance of humor and emotion. Alex is a young man learning to understand politics and love in Perez. The genre comes alive with what Galitzine does with the character of Prince Henry, showing vulnerability and giving depth to something that could otherwise have been a run-of-the-mill fairytale romance.

9. Plus One (2019)

Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine give one of the most authentic, under-the-radar rom-com duos in Plus One. The film follows the usually platonic Ben and Alice, best friends who come up with a desperate plan to survive this wedding-laden summer by dating each other. Erskine's fast wit and comedy timing for Quaid's boyish charm meld together in an undeniably refreshing dynamic. What makes Plus One special is the grounded portrayal of modern relationships. The movie steers clear of clichés while still managing to give heartfelt moments.

10. Ruby Sparks (2012)

Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan's Ruby Sparks is a little quirky and not so dark yet still manages to be a fair take on a rom-com, touching on the boundaries between love and control. Calvin is a writer who creates the fictional woman- Ruby, played by Kazan-that comes to life. Ruby, in Kazan's hands, is both beguiling and creepy, the contradictions of a character who exists both in the real world and as a figment of someone else's imagination.

11. To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

Lana Condor, playing Lara Jean Covey, is a quiet high schooler whose private love letters to her crushes inadvertently get sent out in this charming Netflix rom-com. Condor's portrayal of Lara Jean Covey is very relatable and charming, from the awkward moments of teenage love to the deeply vulnerable ones. Her chemistry with Noah Centineo (Peter Kavinsky) is magnetic, so their love story feels natural and sweet. It makes this movie a little different, as Lara Jean's inner development is an element more than just the standard rom-com.

12. Friends with Benefits (2011)

Mila Kunis adds depth and humor to the role of Jamie, a headhunter with a no-nonsense attitude toward relationships. Her comedic timing and emotional sincerity shine as she explores a "friends with benefits" arrangement with Justin Timberlake's Dylan. Kunis' natural charisma and layered performance elevate what could have been a simple rom-com into something sharper and more heartfelt. It has some self-aware humor, yet Kunis still makes Jamie seem authentic and relatable as the underrated heroine in a true romantic comedy about the perfect blend of independence with romantic vulnerability.

13. About Time (2013)

Rachel McAdams's role as Mary in this film is pretty much overlooked amidst her remarkable performance in The Notebook. In About Time, she truly gives life to the character, doing justice to that subtle emotional depth. This richly crafted by Richard Curtis film takes that fantasy to dig deep into questions of love and loss and encourages people to truly live in the moment. McAdams has a sparkling chemistry with Domhnall Gleeson, and she makes the transition between the lighter and heavier moments of the film impressively easy to take.

14. Me Before You (2016)

The portrayal of Louisa Clark in Me Before You, tender and multifaceted, was brought by Emilia Clarke; she adds many layers to this film's romantic premise. Louisa Clark, an awkward caregiver in love with a paralyzed man, will find a mix of humor and heartache at her hands by Emilia Clarke. The film raises some heavy issues about disability and euthanasia, but Clarke can retain Louisa's optimism and glee in the face of these setbacks that ground the story. While the movie was polarizing, Clarke should have been acknowledged for her great acting.

15. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

While Crazy, Stupid, Love can be easily remembered for Steve Carell's physical transformation and Ryan Gosling's suave performances, it also owes a lot of credit to its second lead - Emma Stone as Hannah. Stone displays effortless charm and wit in her portrayal as she navigates her complicated relationship with Carell. Her interaction with Gosling, in which she plays the character that isn't easily charmed, makes the movie emotionally deep and more than just a comedy. Stone could adeptly play the romantic and comedic sides, which is why her role deserves more credit.