Young women often have three different reactions in response to Valentine’s Day: They’re either 1) excited to spend it with their loved one, 2) dreading being alone, or 3) happy to spend it with their friends. For all the girls that are deciding to have a Galentine’s Day this year, here are my top 5 romantic comedies that I think everyone will love. Spend this Valentine’s day sitting on your couch, in your pajamas, surrounded by your besties.
P.S. Feel free to crack open a box of chocolates too!
5) 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
This iconic high school-set romantic comedy will leave you needing the tissues while also smiling like a little kid. This film follows a young Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger as they attempt to determine their feelings for one another while also juggling school, friendships, family, and the high school ladder of hierarchy. Stiles plays the stubborn Kat Stratford who could not care less about high school popularity and social norms. Ledger plays the rugged, bad-boy Patrick, whom everyone is equally in love with and scared of. The two could not be more the same, yet completely different. It all concludes with the ending of all endings when Patrick sings “I Love You Baby” over the loudspeakers in the football stadium, and when Kat breaks all of our hearts with her poem. All in all, this movie will leave you and your friends feeling giddy and wanting more.
4) The Wedding Planner (2001)
Who wouldn’t love a movie starring two romantic comedy legends like Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey? During the peak of the rom-com era, The Wedding Planner ignites the magical feeling we all get when watching two people fall in love. Mary (Lopez) is great at her job, but when the man that saved her life ends up being the groom to the wedding she is excited to plan — let’s just say the plan becomes a mess. Mary has a nonexistent love life because she devotes all of her time to planning for others. As she says, “those who can’t wed, plan.” However, everything changes when Mary meets the handsome pediatrician, Steve (McConaughey). There’s instant chemistry between these two but, plot twist, Steve is engaged to another woman and their wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Mary to plan. Watch as Mary and Steve attempt to hide their feelings from each other and themselves while trying to stick to the wedding plan. Things may be harder than they originally thought, but I think we can all agree, it’s about time Mary had a romance of her own. Who gets married in the end? Find out in this chaotic romantic comedy.
3) How to Lose a Guy in 10 days (2003)
This smash hit had a second wind of popularity recently thanks to the viral TikTok of Andie Anderson played by the magnificent, Kate Hudson, singing “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon to Benjamin Barry portrayed by Matthew McConaughey. The resident “How-to girl” Andie is challenged with the task of losing a guy in 10 days. Her goal: lose the man to uphold her plan. Andie wants to write stories that are meaningful, no more “how to…” articles. The assignment seems easy enough for her, however, it just so happens that the man she chose to lose has a bet that he can make any girl fall in love with him. This top-10 rom-com is full of charisma, flirting, and second-hand embarrassment. Many laughs will be had, whether it’s at Andie’s ridiculous nicknames for “Benny boo-boo” or Ben’s adamant determination to win his bet. Squirm in your seat as you watch the two most competitive, stubborn people play a game of who will lose first. Who knows, they just might fall for each other.
2) Pretty Woman (1990)
“Pretty woman, walking down the street, pretty woman” the kind we all like to see. Nothing’s better than the classic fairytale story. You know, when the prostitute and the businessman fall for each other? A classic Cinderella story. All joking aside, I don’t know one person who doesn’t love this classic romantic comedy. Julia Roberts plays the beautiful Vivian, and Richard Gere the fancy businessman, Edward. When Edward pulls over to ask for directions on his business trip in L.A. he ends up taking Vivian back to his hotel room — but not for the reason you think — maybe. Edward hires Vivian to stick around for the weekend as he takes her to all his work engagements. It’s all strictly business until they start to really fall for each other. Full of charm and wit, this film will definitely brighten up your holiday.
1) When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
It’s a timeless classic that set the standard for rom-coms to come. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal bring all the charm, chemistry, and banter to this talkative romantic comedy. Who doesn’t love a happy friends-to-lovers story? I assure you there’s way more to it. Harry and Sally go waaaaay back. Way back as in the boyfriend of your best friend. Yeah, that’s all they were until they needed to share a car ride from Chicago to New York. They go their separate ways, but ten years later, find themselves in each other’s lives again…and again…and again. Is it fate or a coincidence? Witness a more realistic take on your favorite rom-com. Full of love and heartbreak this movie will leave you believing in true love after all.