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The Top 10 RomComs

By Steph Greegor · April 2, 2015

You may think that having an enormous selection of romantic comedies to choose from would make creating this list easy; but, no. The truth is, the supply of “love conquers all” romantic comedies with Hollywood A-list leads overwhelmingly meets the love-starved demand. From the timeless classics such as The Seven Year Itch, starring Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell, to current controversial titles like Fifty Shades of Grey, the possibilities for romantic nights of riding off into the sunset are endless.

However, I put on my best Valentine’s Day date night thinking cap and indulged in a box of Russell Stover chocolates to bring you this top 10 list of romantic comedies for date night, girl’s night or just for you night. From Shakespeare reinvented, to prostitution meet-cutes, prepare yourself for the sweet and sassy world of love.

 

10. Footloose (1984)

All roads start from, and lead to, Kevin Bacon, which is why he kicks off this top 10 list with the classic Footloose. A big city outsider courting the small-town girl with big dreams—and don’t forget the red cowboy boots. YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE COWBOY BOOTS. This is the stuff romantic movies are made from.

While garnering mixed critical reviews when it initially opened, the film grossed over $80 million domestically and spawned a remake in 2011—not too shabby for a movie that had a hard time deciding exactly what it was. Still, the love story at the heart of it and the clever ways Bacon made Ren McCormak human, make this a rom-com classic.

9. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

This charming rom-com is a salute to chubby girls everywhere who are beating out stick thin models for the loves of their lives every day—bravo! This smart and sassy flick helped audiences fall in love with real girls everywhere—even ones who wear granny panties under their dresses and smoke like a chimney. Raking in over $281 million at the box office, Diary earned Renee Zellweger a Best Actress nod at the Academy Awards as well as our hearts with her comical antics turned love with the ever-so-handsome, Mark Darcy.

8. Pretty in Pink (1986)

Come on, you knew the brat pack and 1980s rom-com queen Molly Ringwald would be on this list. But which one to pick? Pretty in Pink takes the cake thanks to the enduring plot line that ages beautifully—poor girl falls for rich guy; romance ensues. Andrew McCarthy, the sort of Matthew McConaughey of the 80s—minus the muscles and the bongos, was a perfect fit opposite the freckled-face Ringwald. The film grossed over $40 million domestically and originally had Ringwald and Jon Cryer (Duckie) ending up together, but test audiences hated it. The ending was then re-shot. If only we could do re-shoots in real life, I’d re-think that one guy with the…well, that’s a different top 10 list…

7. You’ve Got Mail (1998), When Harry Met Sally (1989) & Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

The number of romantic comedies that Meg Ryan has starred in could be a top 10 list of its own. Starting with the classic When Harry Met Sally (1989), opposite Billy Crystal and featuring the classic fake orgasm scene, to the charming Sleepless in Seattle. So note that these two films are included in this bucket. However, this modern take on the 1937 play Parfumerie by Miklós László, pairs Ryan and Tom Hanks together again, in a clever, new-age way. Chat rooms and AOL were hot at the time, and even the movie title reflects what AOL users would hear when getting a new email. The smart comedy and inspired acting earned it over $250 million at the box office and a permanent spot in our lovey, dove-y hearts.

6. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This critically acclaimed rom-com was a sleeper hit at the box office, eventually earning over $236 million and eight Academy Award nominations, of which Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress. Bradley Cooper and Lawrence set the screen afire with their chemistry, but the true heart of this film rests in their ability to give true depth to the characters they portray. This is the closest “real life” romance you can find, where each lead is battling tough life issues and still manage to find love in darkness. Kudos to a film that brings mental illness into the spotlight and doesn’t shy away from its complications or beauty.

5. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

This fresh take on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew set the tone for teen angst films produced in its wake. Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger are the film’s anti-social teenagers who would rather hate on each other than anything else. The smartly written film scored over $53 million at the box office and was second only to The Matrix on its opening weekend 16 years ago this past weekend. The scene with Ledger singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” along to the high school marching band for Stiles is almost as iconic as Cusak’s boom box—almost. And the supporting cast of this sharp rom-com (Ms. Perky writing porn as she disciplines students) give depth and edge to a timeless classic.

4. Say Anything (1989)

Say Anything boasts one of the most iconic scenes in rom-com history: John Cusak standing in Ione Skye’s yard blasting Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” from his boom box. Cameron Crowe’s directorial debut only scored $21 million at the box office, but it’s become a classic in the hearts of many for its simple storytelling focused on a complex time of life—just after graduation when young hearts are deciding what to do next. Cusak’s performance, like many of his other performances in the 80s, gave audiences reason to root for the lovable loser with a heart of gold. If you’re going to say anything about this flick, say yes to renting it for a night of love.

3. Pretty Woman (1990)

Well, we can thank this film for encouraging prostitutes everywhere to believe their next great love is just a car ride and $3,000 away. But, once you get past that whole “I’m a hooker,” thing…ok, it’s tough to get past the hooker thing. But even mixed critical reviews about the notion didn’t stop this rom-com from soliciting over $462 million from the viewing public in exchange for a hot night at the theater. And while Julia Roberts was not even close to being the first actress considered for the Vivian role (she was the last), she got her proper recognition when she was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award.  Unfortunately, she didn’t win. Slippery little sucker.

2. Jerry Maguire (1996)

“Show me the money!” shouted Cuba Gooding Jr.—and audiences did. The critically acclaimed rom-com snatched over $270 million from America’s wallets and garnered five Academy Award nominations for this sports-world based romantic comedy. It starts with Tom Cruise shoplifting the pootie, which doesn’t exactly make him likeable, but certainly makes him human. And before long, he’s completing Renee Zellweger with one of the most repeated lines in history. I don’t necessarily buy into the whole “we complete each other” thing, but it’s a love story with heart, smartly written and beautifully executed by a talented cast.

 

1. Dirty Dancing (1987) 

“Nobody puts baby in a corner.” Damn straight. What is it about dancing and falling in love that makes us swoon so darn much? I don’t know and I don’t care. All I know is Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, despite their behind the scenes animosity, created an iconic film for the ages. It’s sold over 10 million video copies and is the number one most watched movie by women—beating out even Pretty Woman. While you could argue it’s more of a drama than a comedy, the film has enough comic moments to keep it on this list and make it the number one flick for romance, comedy AND a drama-filled night of love at home.

 

Honorable Mention

The Truth About Cats and Dogs (1996)

This quirky rom-com tends to be forgotten amidst the classics, but it shouldn’t be. Janeane Garofalo’s turn as the smart, but less attractive friend to the tall, legs for miles Uma Thurman, is a sharp performance that has audiences rooting for her from the start. Abby (Garofalo) and Noelle (Thurman) both fall for the same man in this Cyrano de Bergerac style flick and it seems their friendship is ruined. But love prevails and Abby gets the guy, while mending ties with Noelle. It’s a funny, smart take on love that is a date night must-see.