The romantic comedy genre has its greatest hits — those massively successful and emotionally enduring titles that didn’t just make stars but icons (looking at you, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock), the kind of funny, flirty flicks you watch over and over again, year after year.
But for every “Pretty Woman,” “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and “When Harry Met Sally,” there are equally delightful rom-coms that might not be as widely well-known as their brand-name counterparts but are just as endearing, just as amusing and just as worth a watch.
‘Somebody I Used to Know’
After the reality show that she produces gets cancelled, workaholic TV executive Ally (Alison Brie) decides to leave her Los Angeles life and spend her unemployment visiting her mother (Julie Hagerty) in her hometown of Leavenworth, Washington. Revisiting the places of her past, however, has Ally reminiscing about her first love Sean (Jay Ellis) — who is just days away from tying the knot to his fiancée, Cassidy (Kiersey Clemons) — and questioning the person she’s become.
Directed by Brie’s real-life husband, Dave Franco, from a screenplay co-written by the two spouses, “Somebody I Used to Know” was praised by critics as “a funny, uniquely nuanced rom-com with some interesting things to say,” per Rotten Tomatoes. Along with Brie and Ellis, the cast also sees enjoyable supporting work from the likes of Amy Sedaris, Haley Joel Osment and Brie’s “Community” pal Danny Pudi.
Watch “Somebody I Used to Know” on Prime Video now
‘P.S. I Love You’
Based on the 2004 Cecelia Ahern novel of the same name, this 2007 romantic comedy from Richard LaGravenese is more wistful than you might expect from the traditionally feel-good genre, but it’s still packed with plenty of silly and swoon-worthy moments. Hilary Swank plays Holly Kennedy, a young widow who tragically lost the love of her life, Irish husband Gerry (Gerard Butler), to a brain tumor after a decade together.
Despite the devastating loss, Gerry is still looking out for his beloved bride from the afterlife: He leaves her 10 meaningful messages (all ending with “P.S. I love you,” naturally) that he arranged to have delivered to her after his death to encourage his wife to keep on living. One message takes Holly and her best friends Denise (Lisa Kudrow) and Sharon (Gina Gershon) to Gerry’s hometown in the Irish countryside, where Holly makes an unexpected connection with an old friend (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) of her late husband.
Watch “P.S. I Love You” on Prime Video now
‘Imagine Me & You’
Even in the world of queer films, sapphic rom-coms remain few and far between, though there are definitely some bigger-name titles in the WLW bunch (“But I’m a Cheerleader,” “Happiest Season,” etc). But this lovely yet lesser-known 2005 LGBTQ rom-com should be included in those top-rate ranks.
Piper Perabo stars as Rachel, a young bride who is happily set to marry her longtime love, Heck (Matthew Goode), in Northern London. However, things take an unexpected turn at her wedding, when she shares a love-at-first-sight moment with the wedding florist, Luce (Lena Headey), who was hired by her mother.
Uncomfortably finding herself in the middle of a secret love triangle, Rachel must contend not only with her burgeoning connection with Luce but also with her queer identity and sexual awakening. Thankfully, things wrap up in a warm and fuzzy way, just as all good rom-coms do.
Watch “Imagine Me & You” on Prime Video now
‘Anything’s Possible’
Whether you’re actively Gen Z or your coming-of-age days are nostalgically in the past, this 2022 teen rom-com delightfully recounts the giddy joys and growing pains of young love.
Directed by Billy Porter and written by Ximena García Lecuona, “Anything’s Possible” follows Kelsa (Eva Reign), a confident trans girl navigating her final year of high school. When she’s partnered with hunky schoolmate Khal (Abubakr Ali) in art class, the teens develop a mutual attraction and embark on a sweet budding romance. However, the realities of their relationship — including classmates’ homophobic and transphobic opinions — threaten to get in the way of their tender bond.
On Rotten Tomatoes, where the rom-com has a solid 86% approval rating, the site’s critical consensus praises: “Confidently helmed by debuting director Billy Porter, ‘Anything’s Possible’ is a smart, warm-hearted teen rom-com with a powerfully inclusive spin.”
Watch “Anything’s Possible” on Prime Video now
‘Music and Lyrics’
Both Hugh Grant and Draw Barrymore are undeniable rom-com royalty, but their joint big-screen effort — the 2007 musical comedy “Music and Lyrics” — is far less famous than any of the actors’ iconic individual projects (“Notting Hill” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral” for him, “The Wedding Singer” and “Never Been Kissed” for her.) But the Marc Lawrence-directed romantic comedy, which sees Grant as washed-up pop star Alex Fletcher and Barrymore as his quirky plant-sitter Sophie Fisher, is an unassumingly charming watch, powered by the comedic timing and considerable chemistry of its two famous leads.
Unexpectedly teaming up, Alex and Sophie have the arduous task of composing a chart-topping hit for rising pop diva Cora Corman (Haley Bennett) in only 48 hours. Along the way, of course, the pair realize that their connection extends far beyond the piano — could they make beautiful music together in real life, too? Come for the sweet romance, stay for the earworm original songs like “Way Back Into Love” and “Pop! Goes My Heart.”
Watch “Music and Lyrics” on Prime Video now
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