Nobody can resist a good, corny, cute, happy-ending-guaranteed, sweet rom-com. With their delightful mix of touching scenes, predictable yet irresistible love stories, and surprisingly funny bits, these movies have captured the hearts of audiences for years. Be it about a chance encounter in a small bookstore or an insanely rich wedding, these romantic comedies will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and leave you feeling warm, fuzzy and in love. So grab the popcorn, for here are some classic sappy rom-coms that continue to steal our hearts.
10 The Holiday (2006)
Would you swap homes with a complete stranger to get a break from your life? This is what happens in The Holiday (2006), when Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz), a successful businesswoman from Los Angeles, decides to trade houses with Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet), a small-town journalist from Surrey. While Iris is trying to get over her unrequited affection for a colleague, Amanda has just broken up with her cheating boyfriend. Little do they know that sometimes all it takes is a new location with new people for love to bloom.
With its witty dialogue and lovable characters, The Holiday is a delightful movie about healing, self-discovery and the importance of taking chances. And, of course, kudos to Jack Black for stealing the scene in an iconic showcase of knowledge about movie soundtracks and proving that he is, indeed, boyfriend material.
9 Leap Year (2010)
This one is so, so silly, but oh, so good. With Amy Adams and Matthew Goode, Leap Year (2010) follows Anna Brady (Adams), a real state stager, in her journey to try and propose to her sweet, but very busy cardiologist boyfriend Jeremy (played by Adam Scott). After waiting too long for his proposal, she discovers an old Irish tradition that declares that a woman can propose to a man on the 29th of February and doesn't think twice before setting foot in Ireland to ask for his hand. The trip, however, turns out to be more of an adventure than expected – with cancelled flights, tiny roads, and a rough but sweet Irishman who helps her along the way and changes her views on love.
The high point of this movie is, undeniably, the chemistry between the characters. Adams manages to be uptight but charming and romantic, while Goode plays a perfect cynical brute that we can't help but root for. It's the kind of story that will make you want to get lost in the Irish countryside, change your life and fall in love.
8 You've Got Mail (1998)
Now we're talking classics. Directed by Nora Ephron, You've Got Mail (1998) centres around Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), who end up becoming book industry rivals – he owns a large chain of discount bookstores, while she runs a small independent children's bookstore. The catch: they have been corresponding anonymously through email, sharing secrets, ideas, personal stories, and inevitably falling in love... without knowing they are each other's hated rivals. As far as rom-com plot devices and meet-cutes go, this one is definitely a bestseller.
7 Think Like a Man (2012)
Based on Steve Harvey's best-selling book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man," Think Like a Man (2012) is a fun and dynamic exploration of modern romantic relationships, with an interesting new approach to the old battle of the sexes trope. It follows a group of friends that, after dealing with multiple relationship issues, discover Harvey's book and decide to apply the strategies and advice presented there to their own love lives. Obviously, what might be easy in a book is not so simple in real life, and both men and women end up realizing that what a romantic relationship truly needs to thrive is honesty, trust, and genuine connection.
Beyond its excellent combination of humour and wisdom, this movie also has a superb ensemble cast: Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Michael Ealy, Gabrielle Union, and more.
6 50 First Dates (2004)
This one is guaranteed to make you forget all your troubles and fall in love. Set in Hawaii, 50 First Dates (2004) gives the usual romantic formula a twist by presenting the question: What if the other person can't remember anything the following day? When Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) meets Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore), they hit it off right away. On their next encounter, however, Henry realizes that Lucy has no memory of him.
Even after discovering that she has a short-memory loss as a result of a recent car accident, Henry is still determined to win Lucy's heart – he will just have to make her fall in love with him every day. With its charming chemistry and uplifting message about love in the face of adversity and loss, 50 First Dates has a sure spot in our hearts.
5 To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)
The 2000s might have been the golden age for rom-coms, but the 2010s also had gems. And To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018) is a gem, no doubt about it. Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) is a high schooler who writes secret love letters to all the boys she's ever had a crush on, and keeps them safe in a box, never to be seen by anyone but her – that is, until they are found by her sister and mailes without her knowledge. So ensues a series of events which lead to Lara Jean pretending to date Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), one of the most popular guys in school, and a recipient of one of her letters.
The first of a trilogy of movies, To All The Boys I've Loved Before is a perfect exploration of first love, difficult feelings and the hardships of being a teen.
4 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Be careful what you wish for when you're thirteen! 13 Going on 30 (2004) tells the story of Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen), a teenager unhappy with her life who wishes to be "30, happy and thriving". To her surprise, her wish comes true. She wakes as a 30-year-old version of herself (played by Jennifer Garner), with a perfect job and perfect life, but no memories of how she got there or how to behave like an adult. The only one who might be able to help her is her childhood best friend, Matt (Mark Ruffalo), but it seems they are no longer such good friends... It is up to Jenna to discover what to do, who to trust and what she truly wants.
Delightfully nostalgic, whimsical and authentic, this film proves that growing up shouldn't mean giving up on what you love or sacrificing the joy and innocence that make life special, and that love and friendship often go hand in hand.
3 Enchanted (2007)
Who hasn't dreamed of true love's kiss? Enchanted (2007) begins with a literal Disney princess named Giselle (Amy Adams) happily preparing to marry her true love, only to be banished from the fairy tale kingdom by an evil witch who sends her to a terrible, dark dimension – New York City. In order to go back home, she enlists the help of Robert Philip (Patrick Dempsey), a divorce lawyer and single father, and his young daughter, Morgan (Rachel Covey). But finding the way back to true love might not be as simple as it seems... Perfectly blending modern storytelling with fairytale tropes, this movie will have you singing along and believing that Amy Adams is, indeed, a real-life princess.
2 2. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) was and continues to be a cultural milestone. Starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding, it follows Rachel (Wu), a professor in New York City who is invited by her boyfriend, Nick (Golding), to accompany him to his best friend's wedding and to meet his family in Singapore. When she gets there, however, she discovers that Nick's family is rich. Well, not just rich. Crazy, insane, unbelievably rich. Now, she must navigate the complexities of Singapore's high society while facing the judgment of his family and friends and also trying to keep her relationship intact.
Exploring themes of love, cultural clashes and family dynamics, this film provides a fresh perspective on contemporary Asian identity as well as a captivating love story.
1 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Unstoppable objects, meet immovable force. In How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), a writer for a women's magazine, is trying to write an article on how to lose a guy in 10 days by showing all the classic mistakes women make in relationships. Meanwhile, Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey), an advertising executive, is betting his boss that he can make any woman fall in love with him in just 10 days. Yes, they meet by chance in a bar, and yes, they become each other's targets. No, they don't know it. Do they fall in love? Watch and see. Famous for its humor and for the chemistry between its lead actors, this movie might just be the quintessential light, feel-good rom-com.