Rom-Coms I Watched Instead of Watching Meaningful, Important Movies from my Watchlist
I love films. I love them so much that I want to study them, and spend the rest of my life making them. Of course, not all movies are the same; some are dark and suspenseful, others are humorous and cheerful. Not to mention the infinite range of film genres, movements, and theories. I like to watch as many movies as I can, but sometimes, at the end of a painfully long day, I have my preferences. Whether it’s rewatching Titanic for the 76th time this week, or watching the entire Shrek saga until 4 am, I am not ashamed to say that, as like everyone, I have my flaws. While my letterboxd watchlist grows each month as I add new films that I have heard about or come across on the internet, sometimes I cannot seem to find any desire in watching meaningful, historic movies. Instead, I watch and re-watch the 2000s-2010s rom-coms, with the same overused storylines; enemy to lover, sex friends, vengeance, makeover, cheating, etc. If you’re anything like me, I specifically wrote this article for you. Here is a list of the 10 ultimate rom-coms to watch over and over again, instead of learning something new, being productive, or broadening our knowledge in film.
Sleeping With Other People (2015)
Sleeping with Other People is an American romantic comedy film directed and written by Leslye Headland. The film stars Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Natasha Lyonne, and Adam Scott, following the story of Jake (Sudeikis), and Lainey (Brie), who, after running into each other twelve years after a one-night stand, attempt to maintain a platonic relationship through a pact, despite their mutual attraction. It’s funny, it’s frank, and the chemistry between Jason Sudekis and Alison Brie is unmatched. This is the perfect comfortable movie to watch after a long day.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Crazy, Stupid, Love is a romantic comedy film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, and written by Dan Fogelman. Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, and Kevin Bacon all appear in this movie, which follows the life of Cal Weaver, a recently divorced man who seeks to rediscover his manhood by navigating through the world of dating. Cal is helped by Jacob Palmer, who teaches him how to be successful with women. This movie is full of surprises and certainly doesn’t belong to the group of rom-coms that use obvious, overused storylines. It includes some pretty iconic scenes, such as the slow-motion scene of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling recreating the famous dirty dancing move. Nothing is more iconic though, than the ending of this movie, which alone makes it worth watching.
Friends with Benefits (2011)
This romantic comedy film directed by Will Gluck, features Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, and Woody Harrelson. The plot revolves around Dylan (played by Timberlake), and Jamie (played by Kunis), as they decide to add sex to their platonic friendship after meeting in New York City. Over time, the two begin to develop deep mutual feelings for each other, only to deny it each time they are together. This is the ultimate sex friends film of the 2010s. It’s so much better than any pretentious rom-com hater would expect. Yes, it’s cliché and predictable, but it’s also funny, fresh, and honest.
No Strings Attached (2011)
This American romantic comedy film was directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Elizabeth Meriwether (creator of New Girl). Starring Jake Johnson and Greta Gerwig, Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher play lifelong friends, Emma and Adam, who decide to have sex and make a pact to have a "no strings attached" relationship, without falling in love with each other. You already know the rest… While this movie, as with many rom-coms, has an obvious destination and may lack character depth and development (i.e. the blandness of Adam’s character), it has easy humor, a captivating storyline, and some of the cutest scenes.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a comedy film directed by Judd Apatow in his directorial debut - later known for Knocked Up (2007), Funny People (2009), or even The King of Staten Island (2020). Fun fact: Steve Carell, who plays Andy in the movie, co-wrote the film’s screenplay with Apatow. Along with Carell, it stars Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, and Seth Rogen.
The movie follows Andy, the titular “40-year-old virgin”, as he lets his colleagues help him lose his virginity. While more of a comedy than a romantic film, this movie features some of the funniest dialogue I have ever heard - and most of it was improvised. So if you want to laugh non-stop for two hours, this is the movie for you.
Love & Other Drugs (2010)
This romantic comedy-drama was directed, produced, and co-written by Edward Zwick, and based on Jamie Reidy's 2005 non-fiction book ‘Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman’. It follows a pharmaceutical salesman Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) as he meets Maggie (Anne Hathaway), a free-spirited woman suffering from Parkinson's disease, leading to a sexual relationship. As Jamie and Maggie become closer, their evolving relationship surprises the two characters when they realize they might be under the influence of the ultimate drug: love. When I re-read the reviews for this movie I found a comment reading; “Jake Gyllenhaal is naked so much in this movie, therefore it is a masterpiece”. I think this makes it not even worth mentioning anything else.
Yes Man (2008)
Yes Man is a comedy film directed by Peyton Reed, and written by Nicholas Stoller, Jarrad Paul, and Andrew Mogel. It features Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel as lead characters. The film, based loosely on the 2005 memoir of the same name by humorist Danny Wallace, follows Cal Allen, a lonely bank loan officer. Cal is convicted to participate in a self-help program based on saying "yes" to "everything”, which ends up giving him new perspectives of how to live. This movie has an innovative concept, it’s uplifting and it’s very entertaining. One of my favorite comfort movies.
How to Be Single (2016)
How to Be Single is an American romantic comedy film directed by Christian Ditter, and based on the novel of the same name by Liz Tuccillo. The film stars a wide range of renowned actors, from Dakota Johnson, to Alison Brie, to Rebel Wilson. How to Be Single isn’t the most helpful, realistic, or meaningful movie, but that’s why I love it. It’s refreshing, funny, and perfect for when you just want to relax and have a good, chilled evening. The main plot focuses on a girl named Alice, played by Dakota Johnson, who decides she needs a break from her long-term boyfriend Josh, after graduating college. She moves out of her town and learns how to adopt a single lifestyle in a romanticized version of New York.
To Watch During the holidays
The Holiday (2006)
The Holiday is a romantic comedy film written, produced, and directed by Nancy Meyers. Filmed in California and England, the movie stars Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, as Iris and Amanda, two women who decide to arrange a home exchange to escape the struggles of being single during the Christmas and holiday season. This film can cure my mental breakdowns more easily than any therapy session will. It’s easy to watch, sweet, and touching.
To Watch on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day (2010)
Valentine's Day is an American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall, and written by Katherine Fugate, Abby Kohn, and Marc Silverstein. The film features an ensemble cast, composed of Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Taylor Lautner, Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts, and Taylor Swift. Valentine’s Day follows a myriad of interconnected stories of people in Los Angeles navigating throughout the day full of experiences such as first dates, commitments, crushes, and connections to old lovers. It’s one of the most well-crafted, cheesiest, and most rewatchable movies ever.