The Best Romantic Comedies to Watch Right Now

There's probably never been a better time for a movie marathon, and because we love a good emotional rollercoaster, we've rounded up the best romantic comedies to hit you right in the feels. Pull on your coziest pajamas, grab your fluffiest blanket, pop some popcorn (and maybe grab a bottle of wine — something from our list of the best cheap wine brands, perhaps?), snag a box of tissues, and get ready to giggle and sniffle along with your favorite stars as they remind us that love isn't dead after all.

We love a good rom-com watch sesh from time to time (especially if it happens to feature some of the best romantic movies on Netflix) because it reminds us that sometimes, everything really does work out OK in the end. So what if some of them are so far-fetched, they'd also fit perfectly in the fantasy section? When you need to escape the real world and just want to turn off your brain for awhile, you can't beat a good love story. Let's stop calling the genre a "guilty pleasure" and acknowledge that there's nothing wrong with having a little fun. Here are the best options you could ask for, from old classics to fun new flicks. Hit play and enjoy!

We don't know if it's the 90's nostalgia, the throwback storyline, excellent soundtrack and costumes, or the on-point performances by Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield, but this dual-timeline love story has us convinced that matters of the heart know no timeframe.

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This tech-era film becomes more relevant every year. It follows a lonely writer, Theodore, (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with his virtual assistant (Scarlet Johansson). She's programmed to meet his every need, but that doesn't help much when he has to reckon with complicated feelings about a machine.

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In comedian Ali Wong’s directorial debut, she also plays Sasha Tran, a big-shot chef who returns home to San Francisco to open a new restaurant. Of course she runs into her childhood best friend, Marcus Kim (Randall Park) whose life hasn't exactly gone as he'd hoped. Sparks fly, banter follows, and so does plenty of drama.

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Comic book artist Holden (Ben Affleck) develops the hots for his colleague Amy (Joey Lauren Adams), and decides to make his move. There's just one problem: Amy's a lesbian. This quirky rom-com delves into what happens when you fall for someone who can't reciprocate, with plenty of laughs along the way.

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Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) meets his dream girl, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), but must defeat her seven evil exes in combat before they can be together. This cult classic feels like a video game in movie form. If you haven't watched yet, it's well worth your evening.

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This rom-com brings every girl's worst nightmare to life: Lara Jean's secret love letters get mailed to each of her five crushes. She has to do some serious damage control as her high school existence gets turned upside down. You'll laugh and cringe along with her as she tries to wiggle her way out of it.

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Calling all cynics: You'll find a kindred spirit here. Natalie (Rebel Wilson) has rolled her eyes at romance her entire life. So when she gets knocked unconscious by a mugger and wakes up living in a stereotypical rom-com, let's just say she's not exactly excited about it.

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When a struggling New York City playwright (Jessica Williams) gets back out on the dating scene, her exceptions aren't exactly high. But she soon makes a connection with an older app designer (Chris Dowd) after getting set up on a blind date. He slowly breaks down her defenses, and the results are "awww"-worthy.

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Romance isn't just for spring chickens. Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton star in this sweet rom-com about two older people who fall in love in spite of themselves. Nicholson plays Harry, a music industry man who likes 'em younger. When he has a heart attack at his girlfriend's mom's house (that's Keaton), he ends up falling for her. The results are as hysterical as they are heartwarming.

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This classic ugly ducking story may be a bit stereotypical these days, but it's held up this long for a reason. After high school hottie Zack gets dumped by his pretty but mean girlfriend, he makes a bet that he can turn an ordinary girl into prom queen with a little window dressing. But the joke's on him as he begins to fall for his target, Laney.

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Rom-coms that explore LGBTQ+ relationships are still somewhat scarce, which makes this one from 2001 even more lovely. Jessica Stein is a journalist from a very Jewish family who just hasn't found love. That is, until she meets Helen Cooper. It follows all of your favorite rom-com tropes with a refreshingly queer bent.

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Can men and women ever truly just be friends? That's the question this film by rom-com queen Nora Ephron attempts to answer. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal's chemistry just bleeds through the screen, and who can forget that iconic scene at Katz's Delicatessen? With scenes including Central Park in the fall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and that famous deli, it's a love letter to New York City.

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Speaking of NYC, the image of Audrey Hepburn clad in a black evening gown in front of Tiffany & Co. is one of the most recognizable scenes in movie history. The film also introduced audiences to Henry Mancini's sweet ballad "Moon River," which went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Admit it, you're humming already.

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So many of us sympathize with Julianne (Julia Roberts) when she only realizes she's in love with her best friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) once he gets engaged to Kimberly (Cameron Diaz). We'll never forget the group sing-along scene to Dionne Warwick's "I Say a Little Prayer."

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Both the hardships and surprising upsides of long-distance dating come to light in this film about a recent widower (Tom Hanks) and a newspaper writer (Meg Ryan) who live on opposite sides of the country. It might feel especially relevant to many of us this year.

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Take two of the best actors in the biz, give them some showstopper musical numbers and gorgeous Givenchy 'fits, and you've got one remarkable film. Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn make magic on screen and you'll be humming George Gershwin's tunes, like the iconic "S'Wonderful," for days after the credits roll.

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Even though there are now three Bridget Jones films, the original remains one of our favorite rom-coms of all time. You can't not love Renée Zellweger's charming performance as awkward heroine Bridget, her flirtatious boss (Hugh Grant) and adorably odd family friend (Colin Firth). The hilarious fight between Firth and Grant that spills out onto London's streets gets us every time.

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Julia Roberts and Richard Gere make one cute couple, but Roberts' antics really earned this one its place in the canon. "Big. Huge." became part of our lexicon after watching the scenes of her shopping in Beverly Hills and most of us can't even picture a polo match again without Roberts stomping divots.

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A modern update on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, this teen flick pairs angsty Julia Stiles with charming Heath Ledger for a high-school romance that set the standard for so many of our real-life crushes. We dare you not to swoon while watching Ledger performing "I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You."

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As if! Based on Jane Austen's Emma, this Valley Girl classic starring Alicia Silverstone not only reveals unexpected love, but how friendships evolve over time, too. The clothes! The quotes! The whole film is worth at least an annual screening.

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Everyone has a different preferred character storyline in this multidimensional holiday favorite. It follows the trials and tribulations of eight different couples: the prime minister and his assistant, two adult film actors, a couple with marital issues, and a has-been pop star. The rumors are true: love really is all around us.

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You've heard the saying "aways a bridesmaid, never a bride." Jane (Katherine Heigl) personifies the saying. She's already jaded when her sister gets engaged to the guy Jane has a secret crush on. Enter Kevin (James Marsden) a wedding writer who, as he interviews Jane for a story about her 27 turns as a bridesmaid, starts to fall for his subject.

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Reese Witherspoon is a romantic comedy master, and this one's no different. Packed with humor and #RealMom jokes, Home Again is the story of a newly separated famous director's daughter, Alice who invites three aspiring film makers to live with her and her two young children. As a romance blossoms with one gentleman, her husband makes a visit to the L.A. home. That turns out about as you'd expect.

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Anyone who's ever been an awkward teenager will cringe right along with this relatable rom-com. Samantha (Molly Ringwald) has a not-so-sweet 16th birthday, at which almost everything that can goes wrong. Luckily, all's well that ends well with one of the most iconic movie kisses on the books.

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Charles (Hugh Grant) is always a wedding attendee, never a groom. But he keeps running into Carrie (Andie MacDowell), and ultimately has to consider that might finally change. This quirky comedy still feel fresh, even more than 20 years after it came out.

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Based on a true story, this tearjerker follows the love story of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily (Zoe Kazan). As they fall in love, he worries about what his traditional Muslim family will think of their relationship (his mom does constantly invite suitors over for dinner, after all). When Emily becomes seriously ill, Kumail and her parents form a bond that changes everything. Grab the tissues before hitting play.

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Haven't seen The Princess Bride? Inconceivable! This cult favorite follows the love story of Buttercup (Robin Wright) and Westley (Cary Elwes), who battle swashbuckling swordsmen with a revenge fixation, screaming eels, ROUSs (Rodents of Unusual Size), and even death for the chance to be together. It's also one of the most-quoted rom-coms of all time, so watch if you want to be in the know.

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Invite your gal pals over, grab some sweet and salty snacks, and turn on this spicy flick. Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall, and Tiffany Haddish play four lifelong friends who venture to New Orleans for the annual Essence festival. Be prepared for drinking, dancing, and randy romance.

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Weatherman Phil (Bill Murray) finds himself living the minor holiday over and over again in what starts out as a frustrating nightmare. But once he starts falling for Rita (Andie MacDowell), he realizes his seeming immortality can help him win her over. What follows is lots of trial and error — and some personal growth too.

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This unlikely romance between a struggling bookshop owner (Hugh Grant) and a movie star (Julia Roberts) is a fairytale for the modern age. You may already know its most iconic line: "I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." A lovable group of supporting characters like Grant's onscreen roommate Spike (Rhys Ifans) and quirky sister (Emma Chambers) round out the cast.

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We all know that timing is everything in relationships and this lovable rom-com proves it. Adam (Justin Long) feels some kind of way when he finds out his ex Allison (Colbie Smulders) has invited him to her wedding. As he makes his way home for the big day, he's got to deal with his lingering feels, while hiding his struggles from the rest of the guests.

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Falling in love is hard enough without short-term memory loss, but that's exactly the situation in this sweet Sandler flick. Watching Henry (Adam Sandler) cultivate a relationship with Lucy (Drew Barrymore) in spite of her memory issues will hit you right where it matters. Filmed in Oahu, this flick also scores points for its stunning scenery.

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Some of the technology in this late '90s standard might be a tad dated, but the message still lands. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have starred in three films together, but You've Got Mail is our favorite for the way it makes the most of their infectious onscreen chemistry.

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Out of the mouths of babes comes some real wisdom. The youthful insight of 12-year-old Marcus (a young Nicholas Hoult) shows Will Freeman (Hugh Grant) what love and relationships are all about. This is a great movie about growing up — for grownups.

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The overbearing Margaret (Sandra Bullock) basically forces her employee Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her so she can avoid deportation to Canada, which is uncomfortable enough. But when they visit his family in Alaska, sparks start to fly in the snow. Come for the gorgeous Alaskan property, stay for Betty White's turn as Andrew's lovably blue grandma.

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Wedding singer Robbie (Adam Sandler) and waitress Julia (Drew Barrymore) work together and are both engaged to the wrong people. This '90s movie about the '80s has a fantastic soundtrack, throwback pop culture references, and outrageous fashion that makes it even more fun.

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Audrey Hepburn flexes her considerable talent as a bored Princess Ann, who escapes from her guardians for an adventure with American newsman Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) in this romantic comedy that set the stage for so many. You may already know the iconic scooter scene that basically created the trend of driving a Vespa around city streets with your crush.

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Peter (Jason Segel) can't catch a break when he runs into his ex Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) in Hawaii on a trip to get over his broken heart. But this comedy of errors shows that even what starts out as the worst possible circumstance can turn out just fine.

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Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) abandons tradition when he leaves his fictional home country to search for the love of his life in Queens instead of agreeing to a more customary arranged marriage. Antics ensue, but with the help of his sidekick Semmi (Arsenio Hall), Murphy eventually finds love.

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When Ted (Ben Stiller) gets the chance to meet up with his high school crush Mary (Cameron Diaz) thanks to a private detective (Matt Dillon), things get a little out of hand — especially when the detective also catches feelings for Mary. It's sweet, silly, and a little raunchy so save it for grown-up date night. You'll have "Build Me Up, Buttercup" stuck in your head for days.

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If you were a teen in the '80s, you likely lusted after the wardrobe of Andie (Molly Ringwald), a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who falls for rich boy Blane (Andrew McCarthy). While many of us still wish Andie ended up with her friend Duckie (Jon Cryer) instead, Pretty in Pink reinforces that you can't choose who awakens your heart.

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This John Cusak classic probably sold about a million boomboxes, after the scene in which Lloyd (Cusak) stood outside Diane's (Ione Skye) window holding one overhead, Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" blasting from its speakers. It was the epitome of romance in the early '90s, and that move would still melt our hearts today.

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They say hindsight is 20/20 — and luckily for Jenna (Jennifer Garner), a birthday wish to turn 30 helps her to see the love that's been with her all along. With star performances by Mark Ruffalo and Judy Greer, this offbeat time-travel story will resonate with fans of any age.

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It's nearly impossible to watch this flick without dancing around your living room to all the great ABBA tunes. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) has invited three men who might be her father to her wedding, but hasn't told her mom Donna (Meryl Streep). To absolutely no one's surprise, Donna doesn't love reuniting with her old flings – Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth), and Bill (Stellan Skarsgård). All sorts of musical hilarity ensues.

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When Andie (Kate Hudson) makes a bet that she can get rid of a guy in 10 days and Ben (Matthew McConaughey) makes a bet that he can get a girl in 10 days, they find themselves in the sort of scenario that seems doomed to fail. The pair's electric chemistry makes this one so much fun to watch.

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Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsale) spend one amazing night together in New York City, but then lose track of each other for years afterward. As they both get ready to marry other people, they develop a case of cold feet and search for one another instead. If you don't believe in fate, you will by the end.

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A Greek woman (Nia Vardalos) falls in love with a non-Greek man (John Corbett). If you think that's no big deal, hit play. Romance is a family affair in this movie that shows in-laws — especially those with a strong connection to their culture — can pose a hilarious challenge.

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This story about "love at second sight" goes to show that sometimes The One arrives when we least expect it. Or anyway, that's what Lucy (Sandra Bullock) comes to understand as she gets to know Jack (Bill Pullman) while pretending to be his comatose brother's fiancée. Yes, you read that right.

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Grab the tissues before you watch this tearjerking favorite. Young widow Holly (Hilary Swank) is grieving her late husband (Gerard Butler), who died of a brain tumor when she starts finding messages from her late beau, encouraging her to move on. It's a beautiful story about how love can transcend even death.

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Dysfunctional families, mental illness, and past mistakes threaten to keep Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) apart, but a common goal keeps their paths in tandem. Despite adversity and some seriously stubborn attitudes, romance finds a way. Silver Linings Playbook also stands out in the field for one of the most satisfying dance scenes we've ever seen.

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