Best Rom-Coms
The loveliest time of year has arrived! At the heart of Valentine’s festivities lies the infamous romantic comedy: these films glue the holiday together, honoring both the magic of Valentine’s Day and the enchanting essence of love.
As a romantic comedy connoisseur, I have gathered a list of the most perfect rom-coms to watch this Valentine’s Day, ranging from laugh-out-loud films to heart-wrenching love stories. Check them out this holiday weekend!
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
When 16-year-old Lara Jean Covey’s love letters are secretly mailed out to her 5 former loves, she finds herself striking up a fake relationship with one of her recipients, the charming Peter Kavinsky, to mask her feelings for her older sister’s boyfriend, next-door neighbor Josh. Throughout the franchise, Lara Jean discovers the truth about love, honesty, and self-discovery in the midst of romance. Starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, the three films are available for streaming on Netflix.
Set It Up
In an effort to reduce their bosses’ demanding natures and make more time within their personal lives, assistants Harper and Charlie create an elaborate plan to set their higher-ups, chief editor Kirsten Stevens and capitalist Rick Otis, into a relationship. While the film focuses on the dubious nature of Harper and Charlie’s schemes, the ending materializes the lingering romantic emotions shown between the two assistants as seen throughout the movie. Starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell, Set It Up is available for streaming on Netflix.
While You Were Sleeping
After years of pining over the mysterious “Subway Guy,” Lucy Moderatz’s romantic dreams come true when the supposed “love of her life” is injured in a freak accident. Posing as his fiancé, Lucy not only becomes a fixture within her fake lover’s family but falls in love with her coma-induced fiancé’s brother, aspiring carpenter Jack Callaghan. Set around Christmas time, this movie is currently my favorite romantic comedy, starring Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. The film is available for streaming on Disney+.
Enchanted
After dreaming of true love and a “happily ever after,” maiden Giselle is set to marry Prince Edward of the magical kingdom of Andalasia. However, his stepmother, the evil Queen Narissa, transports Giselle to New York City, where divorce lawyer Robert Phillip and his young daughter Morgan take in the distraught Giselle. After spending a few days in the real world, Giselle realizes the beauty within real-world struggles and where her true “happily ever after” lies. Starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, and James Marsden, Enchanted is available for streaming on Disney +.
The Parent Trap
During their summer at camp, Napa Valley tween Hallie Parker and London-based Annie James realize that they are twins, estranged from each other since their parents’ tumultuous divorce 12 years ago. The sisters organize a divisive plan, swapping places with each other for the rest of their summer vacation in efforts to reunite their parents, vineyard owner Nick Parker and wedding-dress designer Elizabeth James. However, the presence of Nick’s 26-year-old fiance, the fashionable yet fraudulent Meredith Blake, nearly thwarts the twins’ plan of reconciling their parents’ relationship. Featuring envious fashion statements and international sight-seeing, the Lindsay-Lohan-led film is available for streaming on Disney+.
Sweet Home Alabama
After 7 years, up-and-coming fashion designer Melanie Carmichael (née Smooter) returns to her hometown of Pigeon Creek, Alabama, in search of her estranged husband and childhood sweetheart, glass-welder Jake Perry, to finalize their divorce. With a JFK-esque fiance in the North and dreamy NYC-based lawyer Andrew Hennings, Melanie is fervent on beginning a new life void of her southern past. However, after spending a week in her hometown, Melanie rediscovers the spark between herself and stubborn Jake. However, her romantic feelings are made further difficult when Andrew arrives unexpectedly in Pigeon Creek, proposing the idea of holding their wedding in Melanie’s hometown in two days. Yet another rom-com featuring McDreamy Patrick Dempsey, the film also stars Reese Witherspoon and Josh Lucas. Sweet Home Alabama is available for streaming on Disney+.
50 First Dates
After meeting waffle-architect art teacher Lucy Whittemore in a local diner, playboy veterinarian Henry Roth organizes a detailed scheme to get the young woman to fall in love with him. The catch? After a traumatic car crash a year prior, Lucy suffers from short-term memory loss, a condition that causes her to remember until the day of her accident. After Henry discovers Lucy’s amnesia, he decides to formulate daily schemes to earn Lucy’s heart and indent his presence into her memory. This movie is one of my personal favorites, earning both laughs and tears from audiences alike. Starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, the film is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
13 Going on 30
With teenage cliques and a desire for popularity, 13-year-old Jenna Rink makes a life-changing wish at her birthday party, using magic dust to age herself up in an effort to become “30, flirty, and thriving.” When Jenna awakens the next day, she discovers that she is a 30-year-old fashion editor at Poise magazine. Searching for her childhood best friend Matty Flamhaff, Jenna realizes that their friendship has fractured due to her obsession with their former middle-school popular girl, the Six. Throughout the next few weeks, Jenna overcomes the difficulties of growing up and discovers her underlying love for Matty. An excellent film for gal pals, 13 Going on 30 stars Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, and is also available for streaming on Netflix.