Romantic comedies are a genre of movies often attributed to hopeless romantics. While I do not consider myself to be a hopeless romantic, I can appreciate the simplicity and cozy nature of a romantic comedy—and you should, too! Romantic comedies are the type of feel-good movies for when you just need some comfort. So, here is a list of some of the best comfort romantic comedies.
- “She’s The Man”
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This movie is perfect if you need a laugh! It’s based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (you’ll quickly learn that many romantic comedies are based on classics). Amanda Bynes delivers a light-hearted and comedic performance and you cannot help but love her character, Viola’s, commitment and passion to her sport.
- “Mamma Mia!” & “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”
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How could I not put Mamma Mia on this list? This movie is loved by many and for good reason! The music by ABBA alone is enough to make you love both movies!
- “Bridget Jones’s Diary”
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A great movie to teach you about loving yourself despite all your flaws and quirks, plus it’s very funny! Bridget Jones is lovable and her eccentricities make you love her more.
- “Fever Pitch”
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As a Boston native and Red Sox fan, this movie has a special place in my heart. Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore have great chemistry and play off each other well. It’s just an overall great story. This is one of my personal favorite comfort movies!
- “There’s Something About Mary”
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Love, fraud, pining, flashbacks, jealousy, plot twists, and musical sequences; There’s Something About Mary has it all! If you’ve never seen it, I recommend going in completely blind and letting the story surprise you at every turn! If you have seen it, you know how unique it is and why it’s such a gem!
- “How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days”
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This is one of the best romantic comedies ever made. Not only for the alluring story, but for the acting. Every character brings something to the table and engages you into the world of the story. The chemistry between Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey is electric!
- “The Wedding Singer”
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This is arguably Adam Sandler’s best movie. It is endearing, funny, and witty. Plus it has an unmatched soundtrack of 80’s hits!
- “Clueless”
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This modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma set in 1990s Beverly Hills is brilliant. Amy Heckerling’s Clueless was well-loved in its release in 1995 and that praise still holds up to this day! The protagonist Cher Horowitz is a kind-hearted, loveable, but ultimately clueless teenage girl; she learns much about love, friendship, and comes of age through the duration of the film. If you haven’t seen Clueless, it’s sure to become one of your favorites!
- “10 Things I Hate About You”
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The best comfort romantic comedy of all time (in my opinion)! I love how it’s a feminist take on Shakespeare’s notably misogynistic The Taming of the Shrew. The film’s screenwriter Kirsten Smith envisioned that the shrew (the protagonist named Kat) would not be tamed and would be represented as the “indie rock riot grrl”. Riot grrl, which was a popular subculture of the 90s, embraced feminism and started to emphasize women in the punk scene. Portraying Kat as the riot grrl really captures the essence of feminism in the 90s and fits well in the world of the film. Growing up, I looked up to Kat Stratford as she reminded me that it’s okay to be strong-willed, driven, and a feminist.
Find an extended list on my Letterboxd and watch away! Happy watching!