With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, many people are probably trying to figure out their plans
for the holiday, whether it be going to a fancy dinner with your loved one or celebrating with your
best friends known as ‘Galentines Day.’ Even if you don’t have any specific plans and are
dreading the commercial holiday, there are still so many fun things you can do to enjoy the day.
One of my favorite things to do on Valentine’s Day is have a self-care night and watch a romcom
(romantic comedy) with friends so here is my official ranking of my top ten romcoms from a girl
who probably watches too many.
10. My Best Friend’s Wedding – the ultimate friends to lovers (somewhat) trope that is hilarious
but realistic at the same time and of course full of yearning and unrequited love. Starring
romcom icon Julia Roberts, it centers around childhood friends Julianne Potter and Michael
O’Neal who have a deal to marry each other by 28 if they’re both still single. However, when
Michael announces four days before Julianne’s 28th birthday that he’ll be marrying a young girl
named Kimberly, Julianne realizes she’s in love with Michael and decides to stop the wedding at
any cost. The movie is relatable, fun, and refreshing for its ending, though Julia Roberts’
character can be super annoying at times. However, I give extra points for the iconic running
scene between Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, and Dermott Mulroney.
9. You’ve Got Mail – Another classic that stars romcom veterans Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, this
movie is the perfect example of enemies to lovers without even knowing it since the main
characters are two rival bookstore owners who are secretly chatting online anonymously. Much
of the style and setting of the movie is nostalgic since people hardly chat with email anymore
but it is a perfect time capsule of how complicated love can be and that you should always strive
to be yourself despite any obstacles. Ryan and Hanks prove that they are the perfect team in
the third movie they star in.
8. Crazy Rich Asians – Many will argue that this isn’t a romcom but I have to disagree. A movie
with an all Asian cast that illustrates the decadence of the wealthy and showcases the stark
differences between Asians and Asian Americans all while having a beautiful, realistic
relationship between the two protagonists Nick and Rachel. Crazy Rich Asians has romance
and comedy but it also has incredibly serious moments and highlights the importance of Asian
culture and how one must make their own way in the world in order to survive. Rachel, the main
character, is also super lovable and you root for her the whole time.
7. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before – The movie that had all teenage girls in a chokehold in
2018. Adapted from the novel and eventually made into a trilogy, To All the Boys I’ve Loved
Before is one of the rare romcoms where most people can actually relate to and see themselves
in the character. Add in the fake dating plot with a headstrong protagonist and a swoon worthy
love interest and you have a high school movie that becomes a classic.
6. Clueless – One of the most defining 90s movies with quotable content, Clueless is an
adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma just with retro clothes, perfect one liners, and a ditzy, lovable
main character who thankfully experiences much growth as the movie progresses. This movie
introduced much of the world to Paul Rudd as Cher’s ex-step brother Josh and he and Alicia

Silverstone are the perfect combination together and you can’t help but laugh and aww
everytime you see them on screen. Clueless knows much of its plot is silly but it uses it to its
advantage so the movie becomes an instant classic.
5. The Proposal – Similar to the fake dating trope but using a fake marriage trope, this movie
stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds as the uptight CEO of a publishing company and her
lowly assistant. This movie has everything from hilarious arguments, beautiful scenery,
characters you root for, and even Betty White. It’s a simple plot but that’s what makes it so
endearing and the growth the characters all have is something to celebrate by the end of the
movie.
4. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days – This movie recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and
people are still discovering and enjoying it every single day. The plot is super interesting and
complex since the two main characters played by Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are
trying to seduce each other for work related reasons yet neither wants to back down or leave
each other, even after the truth is revealed. The movie is fun and bubbly, Hudson and
McConaughey have great chemistry, and the “we met under false pretenses but then fell in love”
story works perfectly.
3. When Harry Met Sally – What makes this movie so perfect compared to other romcoms is not
just its setting of being in New York in the 80s and having a stellar cast, but it focuses on the
buildup of a relationship and if it can last instead of when it actually happens. Set over the
course of 12 years, it centers around two friends who eventually fall in love with each other
though they are both very stubborn and deal with many obstacles. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
compliment each other perfectly and this is a movie that has and continues to be shown to
generation after generation.
2. 10 Things I Hate About You – The 90s, the music, the one liners, the characters, and of
course, Heath Ledger. This movie has everything you would ever want in a romcom and starred
some of Hollywood’s favorite actors at the time while also bringing in some newcomers. Based
on The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare, 10 Things I Hate About You brings the story into
a modern light with the main character Kat Stratford who continues to defy social norms and live
for herself despite being surrounded by her naive, lovestruck sister and classmates who don’t
understand her. Classic highschool stereotypes are used in this film but that’s what makes it so
lovable and the growth most of the characters experience is incredible. We also get many iconic
scenes like the bleacher scene where Heath Ledger sings his heart out and towards the end of
the movie, when Bianca finally comes to her senses and fights back against the guy she had a
crush on for years.
1. Crazy Stupid Love – The romcom to end all romcoms. This movie is certainly newer
compared to the classics but it sets a new standard for what a romantic comedy can be.
With an all star cast of Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, and Ryan Gosling,
this movie explores the different relationships between various characters and if there’s
a way to resolve your issues and simply love each other. The characters are vulnerable

but also hilarious at the same time and the kids in the movie also have their moment to
shine, proving that kids can experience love just as much as adults (though it may be
misguided). It has one of the best plot twists of all time in a romcom and movies in
general and I can’t help but laugh every time I watch the specific scene. Go watch Crazy,
Stupid Love if you haven’t yet. Seriously.