17 Rom-Coms To Binge While On Lock-Down

For many, the current quarantine situation means lots of extra down-time we didn’t have before. If you’re looking for ways to occupy yourself, why not binge-watch these seventeen rom-com movies? Start wherever you’d like and make your way through one at a time. If you love classics, the first three are sure to entertain. More of an early-2000s fan? It’s got those too. If you’ve seen all the throwback titles by now, why not get up to date with rom-coms from the last decade?

No matter where you start or end, you’re guaranteed to enjoy yourself. Go ahead, put on some pajamas (because we’re not going out anyway), grab some snacks, settle in, pick a title, and get watching. Maybe have some tissues handy too because you might tear up, I’m just saying.

Pre-2000s Rom-Coms

To kick off this list, we’re going to start with three movies that we all know and love — or at least we should. All three boast fantastic casts, and the plots are guaranteed to leave you swooning and cackling. They’re classics for a reason, so if you’ve managed to get this far in life without watching them, do yourself a favor and watch them ASAP.

1. Roman Holiday (1953)

It wouldn’t be a list of rom-coms if Roman Holiday wasn’t included. The monochrome film from 1953 stars the legendary Audrey Hepburn alongside the wildly-popular Gregory Peck.

Hepburn plays the quirky and independent Princess Ann who has a chance meeting with a charming American reporter named Joe, Peck’s character. It’s a timeless piece about meeting the right person at the wrong time and forming a connection despite the circumstances. It’s really quite an adorable classic.

2. Pretty Woman (1990)

Everyone knows the catchy Roy Orbison song that inspired the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman—and for good reason. Part of what makes the film iconic, aside from the soundtrack, is the rapport between the cast and the unconventional storyline.

The premise of the movie may seem a little odd for the genre but the comedy and chemistry carry the narrative. Oddly enough, the two main characters, portrayed by Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, nearly ended up being played by different actors. It’s tough to imagine what the film would have turned out like without those two and, frankly, I don’t want to guess.

3. Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)

Four Weddings and a Funeral is a classic British rom-com. If that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, it just so happens to star veteran rom-com actor Hugh Grant. This was actually the film that put Hugh Grant on the map, especially in the States. It earned a record number at the box-office and received multiple awards, despite its relatively small production budget.

It’s got more going for it than just romance and, in all honesty, the comedy is what really shines. The relationships are somewhat unconventional but it’s clear that they’re a very tight-knit group. The ragtag bunch of friends banter back and forth while attending (you guessed it) weddings after weddings, and it never gets old. If you’ve seen Grant’s similar films (like Two Weeks Notice and Notting Hill) you’re sure to find this one just as charming.

Rom-Coms From 2000 to 2010

Alright, we have highlighted a few classic rom-coms (though it’s a wide genre that I encourage you to explore) and we’re on to the next group. These movies might not be old enough to be considered classics just yet, but they’re not quite modern either. They occupy the funny space that is the first decade of the 2000s — you know, where it feels like yesterday but was really over a decade ago? They’re nostalgic throwbacks that never feel outdated. These are actually some of my personal favorites, and I cannot recommend them enough.

4. Maid In Manhattan (2002)

Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes star in this early 2000s rom-com—that’s right, Jenny from the Block and Lord Voldemort. I know, it sounds really weird, but it’s actually pretty perfect on screen. Lopez plays a headstrong maid and single mother who works in Manhattan and, after a coincidence or two, she meets a handsome senatorial candidate played by Fiennes.

The film did much better than expected at the box-office; the A-list duo drew quite the crowd, and the cliché yet dreamy plot appealed to die-hard rom-com fans. I fell into both categories, incidentally, so it was a win-win for me. If you’ve got time and you’re in the mood for fluff, I certainly recommend it.

5. How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days (2003)

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is pretty iconic; if you haven’t seen it already, you really should. The leads, Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, have great on-screen chemistry, and it shines when combined with the hilarious banter back and forth between the cast.

Fair warning, the song “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon will never sound the same once you watch this one, just wait.

6. Love Actually (2003)

Once again, no list of rom-coms would be complete without Love Actually, and one of its selling points is that it can be watched year-round. Valentine’s Day? Love Actually. Christmas? Love Actually. A random Tuesday in July? That’s right, Love Actually. With such a stellar cast, you really have no reason not to watch it. So, don’t wait until the next holiday season to watch this one, there’s no time like the present after all.

The twelve intertwined stories each offer unique peeks into the characters’ lives and watching them all unfold is quite interesting. I cannot rave enough about this cast—Alan Rickman, Kiera Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, and Hugh Grant, just to name my favorites. It’s not on this list (because of the genre) but if you haven’t seen Colin Firth in the comedy-drama What a Girl Wants, you’re missing out big time.

7. A Cinderella Story (2004)

A Cinderella Story is the pinnacle of teen rom-coms. Not to be confused with the dozens of similarly titled fairy-tale adaptations, this gem stars Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. I have to have watched this movie no less than three dozen times—it’s that fantastic—and I quote from it probably once a week.

Did I mention the soundtrack? Another great aspect of this movie (aside from the hilarity and the unique plot adaptation) is the early-2000s score. Jimmy Eat World, Goo Goo Dolls, and Hilary Duff herself all feature on the soundtrack, and the songs make the scenes twice as memorable. This is the perfect pick-me-up movie, and the sense of nostalgia it brings is undeniable—you’ve got to watch it.

8. The Wedding Date (2005)

The Wedding Date is equal parts undeniable romance and quirky comedy. Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney see to the romance aspect from the get-go; the supporting cast, which includes Amy Adams, makes joke after joke in the interim. The actors do an admirable job of depicting the complicated interpersonal relationships between characters, and it enhances the already promising plot.

Of course, given the title, viewers are in for a wedding somewhere along the line. The plot twists and turns eventually lead there, but the real magic happens along the way.

9. Monster-In-Law (2005)

Monster-in-Law is first and foremost a comedy (at least in my opinion). Don’t get me wrong, the movie features a fair bit of romance between the likable couple played by Jennifer Lopez and Michael Vartan, but it’s not the highlight. Jane Fonda (the mother-in-law to be) and Wanda Sykes (her assistant/friend) steal the show along with Jennifer Lopez; their interactions are downright hilarious and there’s no end to their crazy antics.

Like others on this list, (they’re all rom-coms, after all) it features a wedding—but that’s not the focal point. From start to finish, the comedy doesn’t let up, and the women fight to win the affection of Michael Vartan’s sweet main character. It has a happy ending, but it’s a hilarious uphill battle to get there. If you need a laugh though, this is the one for you.

10. 27 Dresses (2008)

Katherine Heigl stars in this hilarious rom-com about being a woman who is always a bridesmaid and never the bride. She has a complicated relationship with her sister, she’s in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same, and she’s trying to be happy with the way things are—basically, everyone can relate in some way. Then walks in James Marsden, and he shakes things up unapologetically. He’s goofy, messy, and sure of himself, and he ends up being exactly what she didn’t know she needed.

You know how I said How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days would change the way you hear “You’re So Vain”? Well, 27 Dresses has the same effect and then some on Elton John’s classic “Bennie and the Jets”. I seriously cannot sing the right words after watching this movie, and I’m okay with that.

11. The Proposal (2009)

Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock star in the ridiculous rom-com movie The Proposal. Both known for their sharp wit and constant humor, the duo delivers in both the comedy and romance aspects. Both actors never fail to entertain regardless of the genre, but combined they bring The Proposal to the next level. This movie is a staple in the modern rom-com genre; just watch it and see for yourself.

Okay, so maybe there’s a common thread here with rom-coms ruining (is it really a bad thing though?) songs for viewers. The Proposal does this twice. Ryan Reynolds’ brief cover of Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two” is hilarious. But Sandra Bullock’s dancing in the woods with Betty White while chanting Lil Jon’s “Get Low” is oh-so memorable. I laugh just thinking about these scenes, so actually watching them is a riot.

Rom-Coms From The Last Decade

While the early-2000s rom-coms are fantastic in their own right, these upcoming movies have modernity going for them as well. Starting with the turn of the decade and culminating with some new releases, the rest of the list has a little something for every viewer.

12. When In Rome (2010)

When in Rome is undoubtedly a rom-com, it’s got some unusual plot twists along the way. Starring Josh Duhamel and Kristen Bell—along with Will Arnett, Danny DeVito, and Bell’s now-husband Dax Shepard—the movie is a roller coaster from start to finish.

Josh Duhamel stars in a number of other notable movies, including Safe Haven, which is based on the Nicholas Sparks novel. Kristen Bell got her start in the fantastic Veronica Mars series and has since had a number of voice-acting and comedy roles. The two make a great on-screen match, and you can’t help but root for them from the beginning.

13. Leap Year (2010)

I stumbled across Leap Year a few years ago and it instantly became one of my favorite movies. Then again, I’ve said that about most of these titles, so take that how you will. But seriously, it’s funny, romantic, and ridiculously enjoyable! The various plot and character details are so well implemented you’ll catch something new each time. Amy Adams stars alongside Adam Scott and Matthew Goode, and it takes place in the beautiful Irish countryside — need I say more?

By now I’m sure you’ve noticed some names repeating on this list. It’s certainly not without good reason, and it’s great seeing your favorite actors in similar yet unique roles. Matthew Goode (who sadly is on this list only once) is just marvelous. He stars in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and A Discovery of Witches (among countless other titles), so if you like his unique brand of charm in Leap Year, check out his other works.

14. Something Borrowed (2011)

If you’ve seen The Office (and haven’t we all by now?) then I’m sure you noticed that John Krasinski stars in this rom-com alongside Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, and Colin Egglesfield. It deals with friendship, romance, and the struggles between the past, present, and future. The characters are flawed and real, so much so that we either know someone like them or we are like them. It invites you to get immersed from the start and consider your own ‘what-ifs’ in life just like the characters do.

The path to happiness may seem pretty straight-forward when the movie kicks off, but viewers (and the characters) soon realize that’s not the case. You’ll laugh and sigh and wonder why you can’t just smack some sense into this group, but you’ll be entertained nonetheless.

15. The Other Woman (2014)

The Other Woman might be more of a comedy than a rom-com, but I’ll omit the spoilers and let you decide that for yourself. Leslie Mann, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Upton comprise the unconventional trio, and the supporting cast consists of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Don Johnson, and Nicki Minaj. It sounds messy, and it sort of is, but they all come together to form a complementary and entertaining ensemble.

If you’re looking for something empowering and hilarious with just a hint of romance that won’t make it fluffy, this one’s for you. It’s about finding friendship in the most unexpected places and figuring out how to move forward when everything gets turned upside-down.

16. Set It Up (2018)

Netflix has really stepped up its game recently when it comes to producing and releasing its own content. The rom-com movie Set it Up is no exception.

Neighboring office executives Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs are paired up by their overworked and underappreciated assistants Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell, and hijinks ensue. It’s a look at modern office life with all of the stress and compromises baked in, but with the unexpected addition of romance.

17. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Crazy Rich Asians is a rom-com of epic proportions. It features a knock-out cast including Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Nico Santos, and Michelle Yeoh—just to name a few. The plot is both classic and complex, and the cast carries it splendidly. It has everything and then some: Humor? Check. Romance? Check. Family drama laced with ultimatums and secrecy? Check!

This movie is cinematically breathtaking. The costumes, settings, and soundtrack are all marvelous, and the acting is excellent. It feels larger-than-life, but the emotions it evokes are as universal as it gets. It’s guaranteed to make you laugh and cry in equal measure, and you won’t be able to help watching it a second (and third and fourth) time. The song to watch out for in this one? Kina Grannis’s moving rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”—trust me.

Rom-Com Rundown

Alright, readers, that sums up our list of seventeen rom-coms to binge-watch while we’re all quarantined. From the classics to new releases, everyone can discover a new favorite or rewatch an old one.

With so much uncertainty in the outside world, now is the perfect time to seek shelter inside a cozy homemade pillow-and-blanket fort armed with snacks, twinkly lights, and your favorite rom-coms. Set up your projector, laptop, television, stream or put in your movie of choice, and get comfy. If you and some friends want to have a movie night, go ahead and video-chat from the safety of your own fort and let the good times (and good movies) roll! Stay safe, everyone, and stay positive.