I LOVE a good rom-com. They’re fun to watch alone or in groups when you’re wanting something not so serious. No, I’m not going to call these “chick flicks” because hey, these are movies everyone can enjoy! They’re fun, lighthearted, romantic, and we can all use a little bit of that sometimes. Now I’ve seen my fair share of romantic comedies, but these five are my absolute favourite. If you enjoy reading these “Top Favourites” posts, check out all the ones I’ve written here.
1. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Devil Wears Prada is one of my favourite guilty pleasure movies – it’s my go to whenever I’m feeling a bit down, but I also enjoy it when I’m in a good mood and just want something fun to watch. Meryl Streep is the star of this movie as she absolutely shines as the iconic Miranda Priestly. I honestly can’t imagine anyone else nailing that role. Of course, the movie also wouldn’t be as good without Anne Hathaway as Andrea, who is a lovable protagonist that we all root for, Stanley Tucci as Nigel (the best sidekick), and Emily Blunt as Emily (nice) who really deserved to go to Paris. This movie is full of glam and fashion, but underneath it all, it’s really a story about staying true to oneself. Despite the expensive and classy life we see Andrea experience, her story is a relatable one. Juggling work, friendships, relationships, and self-identity is a struggle we can all identify with. This definitely is a more mature rom-com which is why I’ve grown to appreciate it even more as I’ve grown older myself (everything sure became a lot more relatable and understandable!). If you haven’t seen this one, you really have to check it out.
2. Legally Blonde (2001)
Here’s another ICONIC rom-com that holds a special place in my heart. I actually grew up watching Legally Blonde at a very young age and have continued to love it all these years. It’s definitely one of my favourite rom-coms to put on during a sleepover. Elle Woods is such a hilarious yet inspirational character that I’m sure many girls have treated as a spiritual role model. While she first appears as a clutzy “dumb blonde”, she soon reveals herself to be an extremely dedicated, respectable, and intelligent woman who overcomes all the obstacles thrown at her (not to mention the fierce mistreatment by her peers). While there’s definitely some romance involved in this film (I mean, she chases Warner all the way to Harvard for crying out loud), the film takes a turn and actually focuses more on independence and friendships. I also can’t not mention the best scene in the movie where Elle starts becoming serious after realizing she’ll “never be enough” for Warner. Now that’s a motivational montage.
3. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
As an Asian myself, I couldn’t not love this movie. I loved seeing my culture being represented on screen, from the language, to the food, to the people. While the plot itself is pretty generic, it’s definitely sweet and will satisfy anyone wanting to watch something romantic. The cast is wonderful (I love anything with Michelle Yeoh in it) with Henry Goulding as a handsome and swoon-worthy main love interest, and Constance Wu as a stubborn yet strong protagonist who bravely faces the criticism of, well, everyone. The movie is certainly funny and filled with cute, romantic moments, but what I really loved was its emphasis on culture and family. Just want to quickly add that the wedding scene in this movie is so gorgeous and stunning (also made me cry at how beautiful it was!) and was unlike any I’d seen in a rom-com before. So if you’re looking for a rom-com that takes place in a completely different setting, you’ll love this one.
4. Me Before You (2016)
Okay, out of all the rom-coms on this list, Me Before You is definitely the saddest one. I had read the book before watching this movie so I knew what was going to happen, but when the ending finally came, the waterworks was still never-ending. All the characters are so lovable in this movie, with Emilia Clarke as the quirky, funny protagonist and Sam Clafin playing the guarded yet sweet love interest. They had amazing chemistry together and their affection for each other felt so genuine. Most of the comedy comes from the weirdness of Clarke’s character (Louisa) and the initially offbeat dynamic they had together. Once their relationship finally begins to blossom, you’ll find yourself rooting for them. Of course, with one half of the relationship being paralyzed, many problems begin to arise and you’ll dread the direction the ending is headed. If you want something a little more tear-worthy but still funny and wholesome, I’d recommend this one for you. Just prepare a box of tissues next to you. No really, you’ll need it.
5. 500 Days of Summer (2009)
So…as the movie starts off by saying, this movie isn’t really a “love story”. It’s really about a man in a relationship who finds himself in love, but his other half isn’t. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel make the perfect offbeat couple and create a wonderful, realistic portrayal of what relationships can be like. This movie isn’t like the others on the list, to me, it hits harder to home because it feels so real. It shows how a relationship can start off perfect, but it can crumble just as quickly; it really shows the audience how it takes two to have a solid relationship. It’s an unusual, almost eccentric rom-com, but it’s effective. It’ll make you think deeply about relationships and love and what those things mean to you. If you’re looking for a rom-com that feels more sincere and real, check out 500 Days of Summer.
Have you seen all these rom-coms? If so, what do you think of them? Let me know in the comments below! Feel free to comment your own personal top 5 favourites list too! 🙂
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