19 Rom-coms you shouldn't miss for a perfect movie night

The right romantic comedy for an ideal movie night doesn't need to be incomplete. Be it a collection of classic love stories, funny quirky characters, or hilarious misadventures, a rom-com surely delivers that perfect combination of heart and humor. From classic-all-time favorites like When Harry Met Sally and Pretty Woman to the latest crazy gems such as Crazy Rich Asians and Challengers, these films can be enjoyed on any occasion. Every movie brings an extraordinary shot on love, proving romance can be funny, complex, and very often, worthy of the watch. These are 19 romantic comedies that you should not miss for a movie night.

1. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

The ageless wonder, When Harry Met Sally ushered in a new blended genre romcom stele with its perfect combination of witty dialogues between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. The movie outlines whether or not a man and a woman can be straightforward friends, which leads to one of cinema's most famous love stories. That now much-referenced scene in the diner, with Meg Ryan's most heroic lean of "I'll have what she's having", remains one of the most quoted scenes in history: once again, just a part.

2. Pretty Woman (1990)

Pretty Woman is a contemporary fairytale that Julia Roberts and Richard Gere bring to life. The movie turns the popular fairytale called Cinderella inside out. The rich businessman hires a sex worker for a week before falling madly in love. The endearing quality is the sexual tension in Roberts, that infectious laugh, and this unforgettable montage on shopping. Of course, it feels a little dated, but the principle that love is bigger than social boundaries transcends time itself.

3. Notting Hill (1999)

I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her. Julia Roberts' poignant line from Notting Hill has become an instant classic. This charmingly cute romantic comedy pairs Roberts and Hugh Grant, an unlikely duo-a superstar actress and a lowly bookshop owner- whose love story is told against beautiful backdrops of London. The movie's offbeat humor, the touchingly eccentric supporting characters (especially Rhys Ifans as the odd roommate), and the dreamy soundtrack are others that cement this as a feel-good classic.

4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

This 1999 rom-com is not merely a tale of high school love; it's the retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Heath Ledger's version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is going to win hearts, while Julia Stiles' quick-think puts the icing on the cake as the lead actress. It's infinitely re-watchable in the way that it combines comedy, teenage defiance, and romance. This is where Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt broke out.

5. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

Bridget survives hilarious misadventures and her relatable struggles with Hugh Grant's charmingly bad boy and Colin Firth's reserved but lawful Mark Darcy. The insider's diary format and sprinklings of self-deprecating humor make this movie one that stands out from the rest. With all the holiday charm it conveys as well as the message to love yourself and be proud of your imperfections, Bridget Jones's Diary is perfect fare for anyone who has ever felt slightly adrift in matters of love.

6. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Few romances and comedies, without them being kitschy, come even close to being as funny, romantic, and moving as Crazy, Stupid, Love. With an all-star cast—including Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Julianne Moore—the film follows multiple intertwining love stories. The sizzling chemistry between Gosling and Stone (which later carried over into La La Land) and the twist at the end make this movie a little different than most films about love and relationships.

7. The Proposal (2009)

Two of America's biggest stars- Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds- light up The Proposal, a very funny romantic comedy that takes full advantage of the magnificent backdrop of Alaska. The movie tells the story of a high-powered editor who fakes an engagement with her assistant in a last-ditch effort to avoid deportation, which results in unexpected (and side-splittingly hilarious) romantic entanglements. Already an expert in stealing scenes, Betty White adds another layer of charm to the film.

8. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Projection of love and race within a culture, this film Crazy Rich Asians redefines the world of romantic comedy. Lavish locations as well as an emotional journey from start to finish using a fabulous cast lighted up this romantic comedy. Rachel (Constance Wu) is a New York University graduate student who dates the very much sought-after bachelor Nick Young, played by Henry Golding, the last scion of a very rich family in Singapore. The iron-fisted mother-in-law role is played by Michelle Yeoh delivering a gripping performance.

9. Love Actually (2003)

A Christmas classic, Love Actually interweaves a series of love stories—some sweet, some painful—across London during the holiday season. From Hugh Grant's dancing Prime Minister to the iconic "To me, you are perfect" cue card moment, this is a film that is full of memorable moments. The all-star cast, including Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, and Emma Thompson, makes each of the stories compelling. Although some of the stories are painful, the general message of the film is clear: love is messy, uncertain, and worth fighting for.

10. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey's sizzling chemistry drives this battle-of-the-sexes romantic comedy. Andie (Hudson) is a journalist writing an article on how to lose a man in ten days, and Ben (McConaughey) places a bet that he can make a woman fall in love with him. Their silly antics—cringe-worthy baby talk and an over-the-top rendition of "You're So Vain"—make this film a pleasure to watch. With its mix of humor, romance, and emotionally surprising conclusion, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is a must-see for those who enjoy old-school rom-com formulas with a twist.

11. Set It Up (2018)

A modern take on the classic rom-com, Set It Up is about two frazzled assistants (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) who devise a scheme to set their neurotic bosses up with one another. What starts as a scheme to arrange the setup turns into a romantic surprise for the planners themselves. Brimming with witty banter, fresh chemistry, and a delightful turn by Deutch, this Netflix original is a love letter to classic rom-coms but still manages to carve out its own niche in the genre.

12. Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Ali Wong and Randall Park provide a charming mix of humor and heart in Always Be My Maybe. Childhood friends reunite years later, only to discover that their lives have gone in wildly different directions. Wong is now a star chef, and Park brings his signature comedic timing. But the scene-stealer? Keanu Reeves is a wildly over-the-top version of himself in one of the greatest rom-com cameos of all time. Underneath the humor, the movie offers a beautiful tale of love, ambition, and second chances, making it one of the most invigorating rom-coms of the decade.

13. Palm Springs (2020)

When it comes to rom-coms that can be compared to Groundhog Day, this would be it. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti play the leading roles in the film focusing on two wedding guests who find themselves unable to escape a repeating day. Existential horror is quickly turned into an unusual kind of love story in which the two protagonists try to learn more about their strange lives. Wry humor combined with unexpected depth and a new take on love makes Palm Springs a very original rom-com in years.

14. The Big Sick (2017)

Based on Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon's actual romance, The Big Sick is a rom-com and then some—it's an intimate and heart-wrenching film. The film follows Kumail (playing himself) as he navigates the thin tightrope between his Pakistani family's demands and falling in love with Emily (Zoe Kazan), who suddenly falls into a coma. Merging humor with real drama, the film explores cultural conflicts, familial stress, and the power of love in the darkest of times.

15. About Time (2013)

Beyond a romantic comedy, About Time is a beautiful meditation on love, family, and cherishing every moment. The film stars Domhnall Gleeson as a man who learns he can travel through time and uses that gift to seduce his dream girl (Rachel McAdams). But the movie centers on the father-son relationship, which is really what propels it to the heart. First-time director Richard Curtis gives us all the warmth, smart dialogue, and a love story that literally spans time.

16. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

With its well-cast leads and sweetly told narrative, this Netflix rom-com revived the teenage romance genre. Lana Condor is lovely as Lara Jean, a high school senior whose secret love letters are sent to her former crushes, leading to an unexpected fake relationship with the school's most desired boy, Peter (Noah Centineo). Their entire romance and adorable chemistry make this flick just easily adorable. Unlike many high school rom-coms, To All the Boys I've Loved Before feels fresh, inclusive, and full of heart.

17. Clueless (1995)

A style-forward remake of a rom-com, Clueless is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. Alicia Silverstone's Cher is the '90s' ultimate icon—rich, fashionable, and happy to play cupid at a moment's notice. But when her own love becomes complicated, she realizes she's been "totally clueless" about what matters. With forever-quotable lines, a killer soundtrack, and Paul Rudd in his forever young prime, Clueless is one of the most beloved rom-coms ever produced. It's light, effortless, and proof that even the most together people can still mess up love along the way.

18. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This unconventional romantic comedy is a story about mental health, self-recovery, and personal discomfort seasoned with dark humor. Directed by David O. Russell, starring Bradley Cooper in the role of Pat, who has just been released from a psychiatric hospital following his breakdown, while Tiffany played by Jennifer Lawrence is the widow trying to deal with her emotional constraints. Their paths cross as both of them struggle with their issues and help each other face their pasts. An amazing film, with unforgettable performances, including that of Lawrence, who won the Oscar, the film shows that love heals the brokenness of places within ourselves.

19. Challengers (2023)

Luca Guadagnino directs and stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor, and recasts the dynamics of a love triangle against a professional tennis backdrop. The character Tashi who seems to be played by Zendaya is a tennis player conflicted by her past with an ex again played by Faist, and her current partner, played by O'Connor. Not only competition and desire but also personal and professional lives getting tangled up create messes in this film.