Rom-coms have a way of tugging at our hearts while giving us a much-needed laugh. They’re like comfort food for the soul, mixing just the right amount of sweetness, humor, and those "aww" moments that leave us with a goofy smile.
But let’s be honest because sometimes the big-name rom-coms can start to feel a little too predictable like you might have seen the same story over and over with a slightly different cast. That’s where lesser-known gems come in. So all these hidden treasures offer fresh takes on love, often with unexpected twists, quirky characters, or storylines that feel a little more relatable and raw.
They are the kind of movies that surprise you and maybe they make you laugh harder than you expected, or their quieter, heartfelt moments linger with you long after the credits roll.
Here are the lesser know rom-coms that will keep you cozy this holiday season!
1) Man Up (2015)
Man Up is about Nancy (Lake Bell), a woman in her 30s who’s completely over the whole dating scene. After one too many bad dates, she’s ready to throw in the towel. But then, thanks to a mix-up at a train station, she ends up pretending to be someone else’s blind date.
That someone is Jack (Simon Pegg), a divorced guy trying to start over. The two spend a chaotic, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt evening together.
2) The Big Sick (2017)
The Big Sick tells the real-life love story of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, and it’s as funny as it is touching. Kumail (played by himself) is a stand-up comic juggling cultural expectations and his career when he falls for Emily (Zoe Kazan).
Things get messy when their relationship faces family drama and, unexpectedly, Emily falls seriously ill and ends up in a coma. Kumail bonds with her eccentric parents, played brilliantly by Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, in ways he never expected.
3) Plus One (2019)
Weddings are awkward when you’re single, right? That’s the whole setup of Plus One. Ben (Jack Quaid) and Alice (Maya Erskine) are longtime friends who decide to tackle the wedding season together by being each other’s “plus one.”
At first, it seems just about surviving a summer of over-the-top ceremonies, but soon enough, feelings start to complicate their arrangement.
Directed by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer, the film is packed with snarky humor and moments that hit close to home about relationships and growing up. Erskine and Quaid have an easy, natural chemistry that makes this one a standout.
4) The Decoy Bride (2011)
The Decoy Bride is as delightful as it sounds. Katie (Kelly Macdonald) is a local woman living on a tiny Scottish island when she’s roped into pretending to be the bride for a high-profile celebrity wedding. The goal? Throw off the paparazzi.
Of course, things go haywire when she meets the groom, James (David Tennant), and, surprise, they click. It’s a sweet, funny, and cozy rom-com set against a gorgeous Scottish backdrop.
5) Sleeping with Other People (2015)
This one’s not your typical rom-com, and that’s why it works. Jake (Jason Sudeikis) and Lainey (Alison Brie) meet again years after a one-night stand and quickly realize they’re both train wrecks when it comes to relationships.
Instead of diving into romance, they decide to keep things strictly platonic and help each other grow emotionally. But here is a spoiler: it’s harder than it sounds.
Directed by Leslye Headland, the movie is sharp, funny, and a little messy—kind of like real life. With great support from Adam Scott and Amanda Peet, this 2015 film brings a fresh, modern vibe to the rom-com genre.
6) Not Another Happy Ending (2013)
This quirky Scottish rom-com follows Jane Lockhart (Karen Gillan), a writer whose career is booming, but there’s a catch—she can only seem to write when she’s miserable.
Her publisher, Tom (Stanley Weber), who secretly has feelings for her, tries to sabotage her happiness to kickstart her next novel. Of course all things don’t go as planned, and their love-hate relationship takes center stage.
It also features a fun, colorful vibe and a strong supporting cast, including Iain De Caestecker and Kate Dickie.
7) Laggies (2014)
In Laggies, Keira Knightley plays Megan, a woman who’s drifting through life without direction, even as her friends settle down and grow up.
When her boyfriend proposes she panics and escapes for a week, hiding out with her new teenage friend Annika (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Annika’s single dad, Craig (Sam Rockwell).
What starts as a break from reality turns into an unexpected connection with Craig that forces Megan to face her fears.
8) They Came Together (2014)
This comedy is a total spoof on rom-com clichés, and it’s hilarious. Paul Rudd plays Joel, and Amy Poehler plays Molly, two people who seem completely wrong for each other but somehow end up falling in love. The movie pokes fun at every romantic comedy trope, from meet-cutes to over-the-top declarations of love.
9) The Five-Year Engagement (2012)
This rom-com looks at what happens after the “happily ever after.” Tom (Jason Segel) and Violet (Emily Blunt) are a couple who get engaged, but life keeps throwing curveballs that delay their wedding.
From career challenges to family drama, their relationship gets tested in ways that feel relatable and funny. Directed by Nicholas Stoller and released in 2012, the movie combines heartfelt moments with plenty of humor.
Alison Brie and Chris Pratt round out the cast, adding even more laughs. It’s a sweet, honest look at the ups and downs of long-term relationships and the compromises they require.
10) In a World... (2013)
This indie gem dives into the world of voice-over artists, following Carol (Lake Bell), a struggling voice coach trying to break into the male-dominated industry of movie trailers. Her biggest competition? Her arrogant father, Sam (Fred Melamed), and the hotshot voice-over king, Gustav (Ken Marino).
Written, directed by, and starring Lake Bell, the film is sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. Released in 2013, it also features standout performances by Rob Corddry and Demetri Martin. It’s a clever, behind-the-scenes look at an industry most people don’t think about, paired with a story of self-discovery and unexpected romance.
11) The Broken Hearts Gallery (2020)
This movie is a refreshing rom-com about Lucy (Geraldine Viswanathan), a young woman who can’t seem to let go of her past relationships—literally. She keeps mementos from all her breakups until one day, after a public meltdown, she meets Nick (Dacre Montgomery), an aspiring hotel owner.
Together, they create The Broken Hearts Gallery, a space for people to leave behind items tied to their exes. Directed by Natalie Krinsky, the film is filled with humor, charm, and a lot of heart.
12) Heartbreaker (2010)
Heartbreaker is a clever French rom-com about Alex (Romain Duris), a professional charmer hired to break up couples. His latest job involves sabotaging the engagement of Juliette (Vanessa Paradis), a wealthy woman about to marry the “perfect” guy.
The twist? Alex starts falling for her, making his job way more complicated. Set against the beautiful backdrops of Monaco, this 2010 film is funny, romantic, and full of great chemistry between the leads.
13) What If (2013)
What If is about Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), a med school dropout who’s sworn off love after a bad breakup. Then he meets Chantry (Zoe Kazan), who seems perfect—except she has a boyfriend.
The two form a close friendship, but their feelings for each other complicate things. Directed by Michael Dowse, this 2013 film is a sweet and witty exploration of whether men and women can really just be friends.
With a strong supporting cast, including Adam Driver and Mackenzie Davis, the movie is filled with relatable humor and tender moments about love and timing.
14) Ruby Sparks (2012)
In Ruby Sparks, Paul Dano plays Calvin, a struggling writer who creates a character, Ruby (Zoe Kazan), in his novel—and then she somehow comes to life. At first, it seems like a dream come true, but things take a turn when Calvin realizes he has the power to control Ruby’s actions.
Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, this 2012 film is quirky, thoughtful, and unexpectedly emotional. The real-life chemistry between Dano and Kazan (who also wrote the script) makes it even more compelling and it’s a unique spin on the idea of love and what it really means.
15) Our Idiot Brother (2011)
Paul Rudd stars in Our Idiot Brother as Ned, a well-meaning but overly trusting guy who disrupts the lives of his three sisters after he’s released from jail for selling pot to a cop.
While his sisters (played by Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer) think he’s clueless, Ned’s honesty and optimism end up teaching them some valuable lessons about family and relationships. Rudd’s lovable performance is the heart of this sweet comedy.
16) Friends with Kids (2011)
Friends with Kids is about Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott), two lifelong best friends who decide to have a baby together while keeping things strictly platonic.
They watch their married friends (played by Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm, and Chris O’Dowd) struggle with parenting and think they can do it better on their own terms. But, as you’d expect, feelings complicate their perfectly laid plans.
17) Your Sister’s Sister (2011)
This intimate rom-com centers on Jack (Mark Duplass), who is grieving his brother’s death and accepts an offer from his best friend, Iris (Emily Blunt), to stay at her family’s remote cabin.
Things get complicated when Iris’s sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) shows up, and an unexpected connection forms. Directed by Lynn Shelton, the film, released in 2011, is a quiet and emotionally raw story about love, loss, and awkward, real-life moments.
18) Happy Anniversary (2018)
Happy Anniversary follows Sam (Ben Schwartz) and Mollie (Noël Wells), a couple at a crossroads on their third anniversary.
While Mollie questions whether they should continue their relationship, Sam tries to convince her they’re meant to be. The story unfolds over a single day, with flashbacks showing the highs and lows of their relationship. Directed by Jared Stern and released on Netflix in 2018, this movie is equal parts funny and bittersweet, exploring how love changes over time.
With Schwartz and Wells’s relatable performances, it feels like a slice of real life mixed with plenty of humor.
19) Submarine (2010)
This coming-of-age rom-com focuses on Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts), a quirky teenager navigating first love and family troubles in Wales. Oliver is determined to save his parents’ crumbling marriage while also trying to win over his crush, Jordana (Yasmin Paige).
His oddball perspective and dry humor make for a unique, heartfelt story about growing up. It’s a little awkward, a little sad, and entirely charming, just like its main character.
20) About Time (2013)
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In About Time, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) discovers he can time travel, a family secret passed down from his father (Bill Nighy). He uses this gift to fix awkward moments and win over Mary (Rachel McAdams), the love of his life.
But as Tim learns, time travel can’t solve everything, especially when it comes to love, family, and life’s inevitable challenges. It’s as much about family and loss as it is about romance, making it unforgettable.
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