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New York Times critic A.O. Scott said it best: "It might be Kate Hudson, or maybe Mandy Moore, or possibly Rachel Weisz, Lindsay Lohan or a Jennifer (Lopez? Aniston? Garner?) But if it's February, you can be pretty sure that some pretty, plucky actress will be traipsing around some glamorous and photogenic American city (or its Canadian double) in search of the dimple-chinned fellow who embodies her one true love." Sure enough, he's right: Hudson can currently be seen in Bride Wars, and Aniston in He's Just Not That Into You (which opens today). That's not even mentioning Renée Zellweger in New in Town, or Last Chance Harvey, or next week's Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Even if this glut of less-than-inspiring movies doesn't exactly, well, inspire confidence in romantic comedies, the genre is far from dead. The best in recent years have often been the ones to bend and defy the genre—or, in other words, the ones that don't seem like romantic comedies. With that in mind, the past eight years have been especially fruitful for the genre. Here are 17 great examples from the past eight years. Romantic comedy is a sort of loose, malleable term, but the way I've defined it is this: the movie must be marginally funny and/or sweet, and there must be a romantic relationship (or relationships) at the movie's core. Fans of Love, Actually, prepare to be disappointed.
17. Waitress (2007)
"I don't want you to save me. Don't need to be saved."
Every bit as comforting as the delicious, candy-colored pies Keri Russell bakes in the film.
Waitress is a honeyed little comedy that should speak to anyone who has ever felt stuck in a situation. And as good as Russell is, the film's true star is its writer/director/co-star, the late Adrienne Shelly. Murdered before the film saw its release, the film stands as a wonderfully bittersweet testament to her considerable talent.
16. The Science of Sleep (2006)
"You could sleep with the entire planet and still feel rejected."The Science of Sleep is the story of a man who habitually distorts realities. The only thing that makes sense to him is his attraction to the girl next door. When she (Charlotte Gainsbourg) asks him (Gael García Bernal) why he likes her, he responds by saying "because everyone else is boring." Michel Gondry's visually rich, experimental tale depicts young love for what it really is: intense, immature and frustrating, yes, but also honest, deep and true.
15. Ghost Town (2008)
"It hurts when I smile..."
Audiences gave this Ricky Gervais vehicle the cold shoulder last fall, and who could blame them? The premise appeared to be nothing more than
The Sixth Sense redid as a rom-com. While that might be true,
Ghost Town is that and so much more. It's a sweet tale of lonely souls struggling to connect and to love, and a perfect showcase for Téa Leoni, Greg Kinnear and, especially, the terrific Gervais, who shines as the man who undergoes a Bill Murray in
Groundhog Day-type transformation.
14. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
"I'm still looking for something...more extraordinary than that."
Diehards may have been initially miffed at her casting, but Renée Zellweger was crucial to the movie's success. She's boundlessly charming as
Bridget Jones, gaining 20 pounds to play the British singleton who falls for Hugh Grant and (eventually) Colin Firth. From her appalling bad public
speeches to
lip-synching to Sad F.M. songs in her pajamas, Zellweger carries the film on her (still slender) shoulders.
13. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
"Is it true if you don't use it, you lose it?"
Judd Apatow has emerged as the major new voice in the world of romantic comedy. His first directorial effort,
The 40 Year-Old Virgin, is a big, goofy, hilarious mess of a movie that is anchored by the easy charm of its two principle leads, Steve Carell and Catherine Keener. Their no-nonsense romance is surprisingly understated and adult in a movie with an outrageous premise and lewd jokes. Leslie Mann also deserves credit for that hilarious French toast
scene.
12. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
"Only unfulfilled love can be romantic."
Woody Allen's
Vicky Cristina Barcelona centers on Javier Bardem's relationships with three wildly different women: the adventurous but indecisive Cristina (Scarlett Johannson), the practical but insecure Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and his fiery would-be soul mate Maria Elena (Penélope Cruz). The intoxicating locales of Spain hightlight this delightfully playful romp, a provocative film that blurs the lines between love and lust.
11. Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
"Sometimes I get so lonely I forget what day it is..."
Lars and the Real Girl's premise should have been cringe-worthy: Ryan Gosling dates a life-size sex doll, and the entire town goes to great lengths to protect the fairy tale. But Nancy Oliver's Oscar-nominated script is so gentle, and so melancholic, that it becomes a quietly powerful story of a stunted man who finally comes of age. Darkly funny but sweet-natured,
Lars is a small treasure.
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Amélie = #1
I concur on Amelie being # 1 - and where the hell is Shaun Of The Dead? Romantic comedy with zombies!
eternal sunshine--excellent choice. one of my all-time favorite movies.
2 Nights in Paris anyone? I think a MUCH better Julie Delpy film.
I guess this just reminds me why I rarely like romantic comedies. "Waitress" in particular I thought was completely predictable and full of stereotypes. It insulted my intelligence.
Two more I would add to this list (while taking off Waitress and Sideways):
Dummy - one of Adrian Brody's most overlooked roles; sort of a proto-Lars and the Real Girl
All The Real Girls - I realize this might be a stretch for "romantic comedy," but it's about a romance and it's also hilarious
Why isn't Brokeback Mountain on this list?
For me, it's one of the most beautiful love stories ever, if not THE!
brokeback mountain was not a comedy thats why.
i like this list except i would take away juno and put in love actually. glad to see before sunset so high on the list tho.
Duh ... it's of course no comedy ... read first, comment afterwards. Sorry!
Amelie is absolutely the best of the decade.
How can you forget Serendipity, with real life best friends John Cusack and Jeremy Piven rapping off one another, and an undeniable Kate Beckinsale as the love interest?
How about Dan in Real Life, a film that takes captures us in the small town life courtesy a handful of great performances, and an amazing soundtrack from Sondre Lerche?
While Knocked Up was funny, it was not nearly as good as The 40 Year Old Virgin, and certainly not better than Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
While I agree with Serendipity, your comments of Forgetting Sarah Marshall over Knocked Up, and Dan In Real Life really cracked me up! They're both horrendous attempts of a rom-com. Knocked Up was original and incredibly funny, even when it was vulgar...at most times. Dan In Real Life was was another failure. It was very unconvincing.
BTW, agree with top 2. Excellent, excellent movies.
Thank you for including WALL-E in the top five. There was no better film in 2008 than Pixar's magnificently done romance.
High Fidelity? Seriously? You pick a movie about a man-boy who treats women like big pieces of poo as romantic?
I completely agree with Eternal Sunshine being #1
It is one of the most romantic films I've ever seen without being cheesy or schmaltzy. It's just beautiful and unconventional in that it doesn't end with the two leads getting together like so many of those other films, we see their whole relationship... even the bad bits and yet we still root for them. How could anyone not be moved by Jim Carrey's desperate attempt to try and hold onto his relationship with Kate Winslet when he realises he's about to lose her forever.
great list, but where's bill murray and scarlett johannson for the beautifully poetic "lost in translation?" their chemistry is perfect, and it earns the poignancy of that final scene, one that breaks my heart and fills it too; it is certainly amongst the sweetest and most touching moments in film history.
Where is Zack and Miri Make a Porno? One of the best rom-coms ever IMO.
I too agree about Serendipity - its one of those feel-good films which I can watch over and over again. Cusack and Beckinsale were in top form, as of course was the ever-witty Jeremy Piven.
However, I thought Eternal Sunshine was a pretty special film and truly deserves no. 1...its just so different from your average rom-com and turns in great performances from the cast.
Eternal Sunshine deserves its #1 spot. It's my favorite movie, and I really think that it has the most romantic ending ever. That scene in the hallway it just so heartbreaking and lovely at the same time, because you know that these people are never going to have a perfect relationship...but they're willing to try.
And, where is Definetely, Maybe..????
this may seem odd, but my girlfriend and I both think of Anchorman as a great romantic comedy. Whenever we are being goofy one of us ends up saying "Look, the most glorious rainbow!" "Do me on it!"
After going through the list for the first time, I was shocked that one particular movie didn't make the list.
Then I realized that it's made more than 20 years ago: MOONSTRUCK (1987), one of the greatest romantic comedy ever!
I agree with alot of films on your list, however I would like to add two more.
I thought 'Definitely, Maybe' was really good and a little different too.
I really liked 'A Life Less Ordinary' great film by Danny Boyle, funny, different and great.
hello...no one for The Girl Next Door its beautiful.
Really? We have forgotten LOVE ACTUALLY, which is pretty much a time-saver giving you all your romantic comedy plots in one two hour buffet.
I'm a fan of LOVE ACTUALLY. And of about 80% of the films on this list. Was I supposed to be disappointed by the list?
Because Brokeback Mountain is hardly a romantic comedy,
High Fidelity is my absolute favorite, though I agree with the top slot!
All in all a good list of film for the stated genre...Has everyone forgotten about "Elizabethtown"? - Very good movie with great soundtrack. Should have been top ten. Peace. Out.
I completely agree with the majority of the films that were chosen, i.e., Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [!], Amelie, The Science of Sleep, High Fidelity, et cetera.
Random Observation:
Both Judd Apatow and Michel Gondry have two movies on the list. ;)
Other Movies I Think Should Have Made It:
-Garden State
-Lost In Translation
-The Go-Getter [indie goodness]
-Eagle VS Shark [Not really make-the-list good, but it's still pretty awesome.]
-Puccini for Beginners [Because I couldn't think of any other romantic comedies that don't involve "Straight White People" exclusively.]
:)
*Is going to check out Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Before Sunset*
End.
zach and miri make a porno should make the short list
others off the top
wedding singer
wedding crashers
wedding planner
shrek
50 first dates
knocked up
meet the parents
good luck chuck
As much as I love this list -- I own most of the movies listed and concur -- I have to agree with the commenters who've noted the lack of great rom-coms featuring people of color -- well, I suppose The Science of Sleep is an exception. Oh, wait -- we're still waiting for that movie to be made. Damn.
SO:
I definitely agree with Before Sunset (amazing movie) and Amelie (Audrey Tautou is so cute). High Fidelity? Brilliant movie, but ahem he was an *coughassholecough*.
Garden State and Elizabethtown could've been candidates for this list, great soundtracks are a definite bonus (THE SHINS + Rolling Stone critic's wet dream).
I am so angry, I've watched so many romance films and I cannot remember a single one that is mention-worthy, although I know I've definitely seen one. Dammit. Oh wait.
27 Dresses, fantastic movie. Should be on this list.
Just kidding. Did anyone with good taste just vomit in their mouths? But seriously, The Last Kiss would've been nice on this list, albeit the predictability.
Where is Stranger than Fiction, I think it is far better than High Fidelity.
YES! what a great list...quite impressive compilation here Jeremy
I totally disagree with Vicky Cristina Barcelona being on here. It is NOT romantic, nor is it a comedy! Just people having threesomes and cheating on their fiances. Fantastic. Also... Definitely, Maybe is possibly one of the worst movies you could think of to add on this list.
I agree with Dan in Real Life. I felt that it was real and honest and still funny in a quieter kind of way.
Bridget Jones' Diary is a piece of tripe. There, I said it.
what about the notebook?
Garden state should be on the list and also Spanglish, it's one of the few things that Sandler has done that wasn't SOS (stuck on stupid)
Did anyone else out there like "The Family Stone"? Yeah, the family members were a bit cruel to the Sarah Jessica Parker character, but they were pretty realistic...and funny! I'd put it over "Bridget Jones' Diary", which I found a bit contrived (plus I've never been much of a Renee Zellweger fan).
When Harry Met Sally?
No Reservation should be mentioned here too.
I hate to admit it, but I'm a guy that loves rom-coms. I liked the list but honorable mentions should be.
Garden State
All The Real Girls
Love Actually
In the Land of Women
Wristcutters a Love Story
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
and must see!
Chasing Amy
There is a lot of hype on this new movie coming out called 500 Days of Summer. A lot of good reviews from the Sundance Festival. Here's the trailer:
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/500daysofsummer/
Also forgot to mention
Almost Famous
Definitely, Maybe (great one)
Amazing list.
Although, I think "10 things I hate about your" deffinatly needs to be mentioned.
Superb list overall. Personally I thought 'Lars and the Real Girl' and 'Punch-Drunk Love' sucked arse, but I realize I'm in the vast minority on those two.
'Kissing Jessica Stein' would be an excellent addition to the list in my humble opinion.
I'm pleased Amélie made the list as it's one of my favorite films. I must respond to J. Medina's wording, "A delicate, delicious little French trifle," however. Trifle? Come on! This film is multi-layered and brave, providing a heroine who risks the familiarity/prison of isolation in order to share her life, defining love as vulnerability and strength of character at the same time. I would say it's "A delicate, delicious little French TRIUMPH!" peace ...
No "Life Less Ordinary?!"
Agree with almost all except for Vicky Cristina. NOT romantic. The choices are between rational love (boring) or passion (psychotic). The voiceover narration was cringeworthy and Woody's lingering shots of ScarJo are creepy. LOVE that you have Ghost Town on here -- I loved that movie and no one else saw it. I vote for ONCE to fill out the list.
I like this list. Be prepared to make room for 500 Days of Summer. I saw it at SXSW, and it is charming, and stylish and everything a romantic comedy should be.
ESotSM is, simply put, one of the greatest films of all time.
Two notable exclusions; Once and Garden State.
What about Enduring Love???
Secretary!
I know people where complaining about straight white people, and actually, one of my favorite rom-coms, actually, is Saving Face. It's quite a delicious little movie. Look it up. I think it might make it on the list if many people had heard about it at all.
To Trav, I definitly DISAGREE with including "In the Land of Women" everyone I've talked to who's seen it has agreed that it was the biggest movie-disappointment everrrrr! The ads made it look so good, but then the movie was just all over the place... *shudder of remembering spending money to see this*.
Great list. Waitress definitely fits this list of quality films that superbly and realistically examine relationships in a sweet, poignant, and funny way. But where's "Once" with Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova??
Starter for Ten (2006) - a charming, nerdy James McAvoy falls for two girls at Bristol University, circa 1985. Great soundtrack too.
@megan
Hey I am so glad you mentioned a life less ordinary, I thought no one would and was very dissapointed, what a witty, inventive, passionate film with leads with great chemistry!!!!
But knocked up, for crying out loud, sadist, misogynist crap with no plot....disgusting.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall should have been on this list. Chasing Amy could have been, as well. I could even make a case for Music and Lyrics.
What about 13 going on 30. You should also this year's the Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
"The Truth About Cats and Dogs" is a glaring omission. "If You Only Knew," a really cute sleeper of a RoCo with Allison Eastwood and Jonathan Schaech, is also a favorite.
what about Two Weeks Notice?
It was so cleverly written! Witty and funny. So much so my husband loved it and... well, he's a guy.
The dialogue is just incredible!
At the risk of being pedantic:
10 Things I Hate About You: '99
Life Less Ordinary: '97
Wedding Singer: '98
The Truth About Cats and Dogs: '96
When Harry Met Sally: '89
The article is "The Best Romantic Comedies This Decade."
Is there something I missed here? I thought the category was romantic COMEDIES. Before sunset? Great movie, but comedy? Eternal Sunshine...? comedy? I know not everyone will agree on what's funny, but we risk making the the term "romantic comedy" meaningless if we include every movie that has a 'meet cute' premise and no laughs. Nobody is going to call the new Star Trek a "science fiction comedy", yet it had more laughs that a bunch of the movies listed.
Remember is a Romantic (modifier) Comedy (subject). It has to be/work as a comedy first.
I think Ghost World fits nicely, however unconventionally, on this list.
Also, Rocket Science.
Also, while this is a new film, so understandably not on the list, The Brothers Bloom was amazing and hilarious (and for some reason I feel completely alone in this feeling...)
thank you for giving a top nod to Eternal Sunshine! I love Kate Winslet as Clementine!!!!!
"Dear God,
PLEASE don't let Lindsay Lohan EVER be in another movie. She is HORRIBLE. And one of the MANY, MANY, Hollywood Drains on Society as I like to call them.
Thank you Lord.
That is all."
**side note... not to God... to the writer of the article: AWESOME list. Hands Down.
But I was a little dissapointed and I completely agree with other commentors that "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" & the ever- so hilarious "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" should have DEFINITELY made the list. ("You sound like your from London! hahahahaha...)
And hell, why not "Role Models"?
CLEARLY one of the most romantic movies EVER made!
hahaha... maybe I just like Paul Rudd.
MJay Out.
As a whole the list is great. I personally own many of these movies and the list confirms that I have good taste in movies. With that said one movie not on this list, nor any other is "Dan in Real Life". If this film did not go over looked I feel it would of rated high. AS good as "About A Boy" is, I think Dan should replace it, for "About A Boy" lacks romance by comparison. Another element that makes "Dan in Real Life" great is the music. So EVERYONE, WATCH AND ENJOY!
this list is sexy,
aside from About a Boy(because that was not sexy at all,) tskkk no.
&& whoever thinks "secretary" should be on this list has a weird butt spanking fetish and need serious help.
-as much love
from Saudi Arabia as possible,(Ali)
You have incredible taste! Eternal Sunshine is perhaps my all-time favorite movie, not just a favorite rom-com. I sought this list hoping there was such a one by someone with taste so I have an idea what to rent with girlfriends next time. Based on the films on the list I *have* seen, I now trust your opinion on the ones I haven't.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for not suggesting tripe like The Notebook. Most of the comment suggestions are of similar ilk, IMO. However, I do think As Good As It Gets and Love, Actually would not be far behind your 17. Also, I have a personal soft spot for Trust, a lower-budget innocent love story between two broken people. Not sure it would make "the list", though.
Upon reading, not skimming, this article, As Good As It Gets was last decade, and Love, Actually was given a mention, so I rescind: this list is (pending review of a couple films with which I am unfamiliar) perfect!
I thoroughly enjoyed this article; I own 10 of these films and plan to own three more of them in the near future. I had been wondering about Ghost Town but had not seen it yet, and now that I have seen it listed alongside some of my all-time favorite movies, I will definitely have to check it out.
I do, however, have one small suggestion. In the creation of the list, the inclusion of very off-beat romantic comedies was mentioned. Some might think I'm crazy, but I would like to suggest that Shaun of the Dead should be included in the ranks of the best romantic comedies of the past decade. It's sharp and hysterical, and (alongside, of course, the zombies) there is a strong and interesting romantic relationship between Shaun and Liz. Shaun's almost-entire motivation to stand up and lead his little group to safety involves saving the woman he loves, even though she just broke up with him. The chemistry is superb and surprisingly without any melodrama. Plus, the film's tagline (which automatically inspired me to go and see it with no further persuasion when it came to theatres) is: "A romantic comedy. With zombies."
Just a thought. (:
One of the best lists...or maybe one of the lists I agree with the most. Eternal Sunshine is one of the best films of the decades. Even though, I hate Knocked Up, I love this list.
Good list. But totally agree with the criticism of Knocked up. Awful movie, lead character was such an a**hole!
My faves: Notting Hill, Runaway Bride, hello, THE NOTEBOOK!! it had as much comedy as some on the list. Oh Miss Congeniality, 10 Things i Hate About You freaking rocks, That Kevin Kline movie where he realizes he's gay is SO good, I think Grosse Pointe Blank was way better than High Fidelity, I agree, No Reservations was good too.
Cool list though, thanks.
great list. Eternal Sunshine is one of my all time favorite movies. Awesome love story that's not a chick flick.
Incredible! Well done. When I saw the title of this article, I knew which four I thought deserved the top spots. You got them right (Eternal is the best romance in the last ten years easy), and in the same order too. Wow. And to those who say Amelie is number 1, no. Eternal Sunshine makes you embrace the idea of love itself. A. was cute and all, but Eternal Sunshine is a meditation on both the unpredictability and the risk that love is.
And a moment of silence that Before Sunset was not even given a best picture nom that year. Besides Sideways, it was the best picture in the 77th.
Great list overall, as well as the comments which followed. I agree that High Fidelity and Knocked Up (I had to turn that one off after about 15 minutes) have less than endearing male leads and would not have made my list, and the only thing I liked about Vicky, Christina, and Barcelona was Penelope Cruz, who I would watch in anything. I normally do not leave comments, but after reading all of yours (is the list over 50 yet?) without seeing one that I enjoyed a lot, I feel compelled to nominate P.S. I Love You for the list. Or maybe it was omitted because the title is so obvious ?!?!?
Thanks again, list is informative and entertaining to read.
Ghost Town deserves some GOOD attention. It's a well-made movie.
And this is a pretty decent list.
(and to the user who said "Brokeback Mountain" should be on this list, the title is called 17 Best Romantic COMEDIES this decade)
But some of these are more "cute" then "funny"
I totally agree about All the Real Girls. and where is Stranger Than Fiction?
As for Amélie being a trifle. It is and it isn't at the same time. Yes, it is multilayered and relatively complex, but compared to most French films it is very light and trifle is not as big of an understatement as you think...
(by relatively complex I mean relative to the typical Hollywood movie)
What about Keeping the Faith (2000)? It was a great look at the role faith and religion can play in relationships. Most rom-coms don't have the guts to touch it. Keeping the Faith soars.
How about "Happy Accidents" with Marisa Tomei and Vicent D'Onofrio?? Or "Away We Go"?? "Bridget Jones"...eh!? But otherwise, some good movies on that list.
Why they forget Wong Kar wai ??
The mood of love , The fallen angels,My Blueberry Nights are the best romantic movies !!!