While Richard Curtis' name may not be immediately well known to those in the USA, in the UK, Curtis is a household name. The British screenwriter, producer, and director has been behind some of the biggest romantic comedies of the past few decades, including Bridget Jones' Diary, Love Actually, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Additionally, Curtis was also prominent in the creation of huge British sitcoms including Blackadder, Mr. Bean, and the Vicar of Dibley.
This article will list the 10 best Richard Curtis movies (that he has either produced, written, or directed), according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Love Actually: 64%
Love Actually is one of the most iconic and influential romantic comedies of the past few decades. Set in the build-up to Christmas, the film follows a group of loosely interrelated characters as they try to find love in time for Christmas.
The film features as impressive cast, with Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, and Alan Rickman (to name but a few) all starring. While elements of the film haven't aged particularly well, the film is still hugely popular and is certainly required viewing at Christmas.
Sixty Six: 65%
Set in the summer of 1966 during the peak of England's World Cup fever, Sixty Six follows a 12-year-old boy named Bernie as he prepares for his Bar Mitzvah - the day he becomes a man. However, the importance of this event seems to shrink each day, with his family struggling to maintain their business.
The film features an impressive cast, with Helena Bonham Carter and Eddie Marsan both starring in the film that critics praised for its smart dialogue and powerful performances.
Trash: 66%
Set in an unknown poor country, Trash follows three children as they make a discovery while digging through a local rubbish dump that would eventually lead to them being chased by police.
Starring Rooney Mara and Martin Sheen, Trash received positive reviews from critics, with many praising the film for its intelligent plot that managed to combine humor with action.
About Time: 68%
Directed and written by Richard Curtis, About Time follows a young man named Tim who discovers that he has the ability to travel in time. However, after falling in love with a girl named Mary, a time-travel accident changes the present, meaning the couple didn't meet.
About Time is a sincere and comedic movie about love and time travel, with the plot being made even more compelling by strong performances from Domhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, and Margot Robbie.
War Horse: 74%
Directed by Steven Spielberg, but written by Richard Curtis, War Horse is a powerful drama that follows the friendship between a young man named Albert and a horse named Joey during the horrific First World War.
The movie boasts a strong cast with Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddlestone, David Thewlis, and Emily Watson all starring in this emotional masterpiece from Spielberg.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again: 80%
A sequel to the hugely successful Mamma Mia!, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, improves upon the original by giving fans even more of what they loved about the first movie in the sequel. The film moves between the past and present, showing the influences of past relationships on the present.
As with the first movie, the sequel boasts an impressive cast with Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, and Amanda Seyfried all putting in impressive performances.
Bridget Jones' Diary: 80%
Adapted from the popular novel of the same name by Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones' Diary follows the titular Bridget Jones as she begins to keep a diary in order to reach her life goals. The film follows Bridget as she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle between Hugh Grant's Daniel Cleaver and Colin Firth's Mark Darcy.
The film was hugely popular among audiences and critics, with the movie spawning two sequels and Renée Zellweger receiving an Oscar nomination for her performance as Bridget Jones.
Notting Hill: 83%
Notting Hill is a romantic comedy that shows the relationship and the struggles that come from it between a modest travel book store owner and the world's most famous actress. The film follows William Thacker (Grant) as a chance encounter with Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) changes both of their lives forever.
The film was both a commercial and critical success, with the film's clever and intelligent plot being heightened even further by strong performances from both Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
The Tall Guy: 89%
Released in 1990, the Tall Guy follows a (you guessed it) really tall American comedian who becomes sick of being second fiddle to a British comedian, who vows to walk his own path and forge a successful career.
While the movie may not be particularly well-known, it boasts an impressive cast, with Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson, and Rowan Atkinson all starring.
Four Weddings And A Funeral: 96%
Four Weddings and a Funeral is a British classic. The film cemented Hugh Grant as one of the world's biggest stars and guaranteed him romcom roles for years to come. The film is centered around, as you may have guessed, four weddings and a funeral, with the central linking factor being Charles' (Hugh Grant) romance with Carrie (Andie Macdowell).
The film manages to combine the hilarious (Rowan Atkinson's priest) with the heartbreaking (John Hannah's funeral speech) in a masterful manner. If you've yet to watch, it you really should!