This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Glasgow U chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
Whether it’s a rainy day you want to spend indoors all by yourself or you’re coming home after a day out with all your friends, rom-coms are perfect way to wind down and have a fun, relaxing evening. The genre can provide comfort and hope when the world might feel hopeless. So, here are ten films from various cultures, whether you’re in the mood for a Can’t Take My Eyes Off You(Boys Town Gang) night or an I’m Your Man (Leonard Cohen) one.
- Jab We Met(2007)
First on the list is the Bollywood 2000s classic, Jab We Met, a vibrant and hilarious story about two complete opposites, a depressed businessman and a spunky, carefree young woman who end up on a journey that changes the trajectory of both of their lives. The majority of the film features a cross-country trip, which shows glimpses of India’s beautiful and diverse landscapes along with timeless music and fashionable costumes. - Caramel(2007)
The 2000s Lebanese film follows the lives of five women, exploring their daily tribulations as they deal with tradition, sexuality, and aging, which all meet at the epicentre of a beauty salon. While the film explores romantic and sensual themes, it also does a wonderful job of presenting the sisterhood between the female characters in the movie. - Our Times(2015)
Possibly the most endearing film on the list, Our Times is a Taiwanese film centred around an office worker who takes a trip down memory lane, thinking about her time in high school. The film is filled with hijinks and cute moments when our main character recruits the help of the school delinquent to tear apart the golden couple and help each other get their crushes. If you’re in the mood to watch a film that is hilarious yet heartwarming, this is the one for you. - AmĂ©lie(2001)
While AmĂ©lie is infamous for its instantly recognisable stills, the iconic titular character, and its ability to make you appreciate the small things in life, it also has the greatest love story for all the shy, weird girls out there. When you’re feeling a bit depressed or hopeless, this movie can envelop you in a warm hug and is proof of how a good film can completely transform you. - Happy(2006)
Tollywood is famous for its mega blockbuster action films like Bahubali or RRR, but it is also home to the underrated rom-com, Happy, which had all your favourite tropes before they became classics: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, polar opposites, and marriage of convenience. The movie’s strongest points are the electric leads who are complete characters whose stories don’t revolve solely around their romances. - Cherry Magic(2020)
As the only series in the list, this Japanese show follows the absurd plot of a 30-year-old virgin office worker who wakes up to find he can read the minds of people and learns that a high-achieving co-worker harbours feelings towards him. Despite the absurd storyline, the setting is strangely down-to-earth and teaches us about the impact we may leave on people and, in a bizarre way, is also a story about self-love. - Falling in Love Like the Movies(2023)
The fairly recent Indonesian film, Falling in Love Like the Movies, is a brilliant story about a film screenwriter and a widow. The movie is about falling in love later in life and is captured through the witty lens of Yandy Laurens, capturing the attention of any viewer, but is especially a treat for cinema lovers. - Secretary(2002)
Unlike most of the other films on this list, this American film doesn’t follow the cheery humour of romantic comedies but is rather a dark comedy about a peculiar lawyer and his strange secretary who form a sadomasochistic sexual relationship. The movie is not only visually breathtaking but also a fascinating story about two eccentric characters who share a mutual understanding of each other. - Rye Lane(2023)
This recently released British rom-com has quickly become a staple of the genre for the 2020s, a vibrant film about two heartbroken twenty-somethings’ day across London, helping each other heal while something else begins to grow in the background. The film has a strong yet underrated cast and is a great watch for anyone who values the role of a city in a film, with the film being essentially a love letter to South London. - Premalu(2024)
Finally, the last recommendation on the list, from the Malayalam film industry, is Premalu by director Girish A.D., a maestro of the rom-com field, about an aimless and unlucky youngster, Sachin, who falls for the ambitious Reenu and their journey as friends in the great city of Hyderabad. The movie is packed with entertaining characters in every still, delivering hilarious one-liners even in their limited appearance. While the film is centred around the romance, it still features enviable friendships for both the male lead and female lead; these friendships and other side characters make the world feel more full and real, helping immerse you in the world of Sachin and Reenu.
Each film on the list is completely diverse in terms of plot, characters, and culture, each exploring a corner of the genre you may not have yet discovered. Whether you prefer dark comedies with more mature themes such as Secretary or more lighthearted younger rom-coms like Premalu, broadening your horizons not only helps you find what you like, but also expands your worldview and how you approach life.