This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Montclair chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
Itโs beginning to look a lot like hot girl autumn! And with it comes pumpkin-spiced lattes, apple cider donuts, and Gilmore Girls rewatches. As the weather gets colder, I like to retreat back to my baser instincts (similar to polar bears) and snuggle up under my blanket with only the heat of my laptop fan to warm me up, along with a fun, cozy romance that fits the season. Here are 5 romantic comedies that you should make time to watch this season before Santa comes bearing down in his sleigh!
- Sweet November (2001) Starring Keanu Reeves & Charlize Theoron
- Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron introduce millions of people to the concept of a situationship in Sweet November, a chill romantic comedy following two strangers who meet at the DMV and start a whirlwind romance โ that was always meant to be temporary. In my opinion, the real star of this film is Charlize Theronโs perfectly coiffed pixie cut that lifts ever so slightly in every scene.
- Practical Magic (1998) Starring Sandra Bullock & Nicole Kidman
- A cult classic among fantasy fans, Iโd liken Practical Magic to The Craft, if you trade in covens of high school girls that get scathing revenge on bullies for sisters trying to stick together and protect their families against otherworldly forces. Though whatโs less frightening than a family curse โ or even worse โ having to return to your hometown! The horror! Rumors are swirling that thereโs a 2026 requel in development starring both leads.
- The Edge of Seventeen (2016) Starring Haliee Steinfeld
- A classic coming-of-age story starring Hailee Steinfeld. The Edge of Seventeen has all your favorite messy romantic comedy tropes: love triangles, high school drama, and clique politics. Not to be confused with the 80s flick Edge of Seventeen (1998) or the Stevie Nicks song Edge of Seventeen (1981), though both provide great inspiration for the film!
- Autumn in New York (2000) Starring Winona Ryder & Richard Gere
- Featuring one of the largest age gaps Iโve ever seen in a rom-com, Autumn in New York, is perfect for a cozy night with chestnuts roasting on a (hopefully not open โ thatโs dangerous!) fire. Richard Gere plays a Playboy nearing his 50s who falls head over heels for the free-spirited, 21-year-old Winona Ryder. This one has a bit of a plot twist that I wonโt spoil, but will for sure leave you breathless.
- The Half of It (2020) Starring Leah Lewis
- The most recent recommendation on this list, The Half of It, is a queer coming-of-age story inspired by Cyrano. A girl offers to write love letters to her crush on behalf of a popular boy in her class, but things quickly get complicated when she catches real feelings for the girl, while becoming close friends with the boy. There are some really funny moments throughout that make it a must-watch! Warning: You will have extreme second-hand embarrassment throughout. Donโt say I didnโt warn you!
As hard as it is to let go of swimsuits and sun, trading those in for holidays and family fun is just as interesting. These five films will definitely help you up your cinephile game this holiday season!