The romantic comedy genre remained relatively formulaic in the 2010s but also shifted toward raunchier and slightly dramatic material. Films like Crazy Rich Asians and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before have sparked a revival in interest that has carried forward into the 2020s.
There were many other movies released in the decade that viewers loved, with voters on Ranker picking the ones that they felt were a cut above the rest. Now that the 2010s have been over for some time, there’s no doubt that the films voted upon are the prime picks for fans, so it’s worth looking into which movies have been selected as the best ones.
Letters To Juliet (2010) - Stream On Fubo TV
Amanda Seyfried stars as Sophie, a journalist who heads to Europe to find a big scoop. She comes across an older woman, Claire, who’s searching for her one-time romance, and Sophie ends up falling for Claire’s grandson when the two team up to find Claire’s former flame.
Letters to Juliet is a romantic movie that also features an older couple in addition to the primary duo of Claire and Charlie. While the movie didn’t receive critical acclaim, viewers love it for providing feel-good romantic entertainment. It helps that the beautiful European setting serves as the primary backdrop.
No Strings Attached (2011) - Stream On Paramount+
Arguably one of Natalie Portman’s more underrated movies, this romantic comedy plays true to its title. Here, friends Emma and Adam decide to become friends with benefits but end up falling for each other, with Emma’s commitment issues hindering her love for Adam.
No Strings Attached arrived at a time when romantic comedies were becoming more open with their subject matter, so viewers appreciated the frankness of the topic. Still, there are enough classic rom-com tropes to be found here to ensure the film ends on a predictable but happy note.
The Other Woman (2014) - Stream On Fubo TV
Cameron Diaz is among the Hollywood actors fans want to see make a comeback, with the rom-com genre one of her greatest strengths. The Other Woman has her team up with Leslie Mann and Kate Upton as part of three women who plan revenge on the man who’s been dating them all at the same time.
The characters find other love interests over the course of the movie, which largely has the women come up with elaborate ways to expose their unfaithful love interest. Fans generally like how the movie never takes itself seriously and plays the actors’ comedic strengths.
Just Go With It (2011) - Stream On Netflix
A remake of Cactus Flower, Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston’s romantic comedy has the pair put on the act of being husband and wife only to fall in love for real. Just Go with It received negative reviews from critics, but viewers felt the exact opposite and rank it fairly highly.
There’s the usual Adam Sandler slapstick material to be found, yet there’s also the genuine chemistry between Sandler and Aniston to enjoy. A surprisingly hilarious performance from Nicole Kidman as Aniston’s rival also adds another avenue for comedy.
To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2018) - Stream On Netflix
Popular for being a return to the classic, more innocent rom-com style, To All The Boys features a number of likable characters in a heartwarming story. Lara Jean (Lana Condor) is a young girl whose letters to her high school crushes are released, resulting in significant attention toward her and potential love interests.
The film spawned two more sequels that are also based on Jenny Han’s novels, which complete Lara Jean’s story. The original remains the most loved for its uncomplicated story and the freshness of the characters’ personalities. Plus, fans tend to prefer the first movie in the series for kicking things off.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012) - Stream On Netflix
Stream On Netflix
The film that won Jennifer Lawrence an Oscar, Silver Linings Playbook sees her play a young widow, Tiffany, who enters in a partnership with a troubled man, Pat (Bradley Cooper), for a dance competition so that Pat can win back his estranged wife. As expected, Pat and Tiffany begin to have feelings for each other over time.
Silver Linings Playbook is a heartfelt movie that brings in heavy themes of loneliness and depression, yet also has many funny scenes to keep up the romantic comedy aspect of things alive. It’s one of the rare films in the genre that has equal critical acclaim as much as fan support.
Friends With Benefits (2011) - Stream On Peacock
Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis star as Dylan and Jamie, who quickly become friends and pursue a casual relationship, as well. The characters are both averse to romance when the film starts, but come around to the idea after realizing the other person understands them better than anyone else.
The usual rom-com atmosphere is to be found in this movie, although Friends with Benefits does it better by placing a heavier focus on comedy. While the story might sound raunchy, there’s actually more emotional material in the movie that enables the characters to be both relatable and worth following.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) - Stream On HBO Max
Taking the world by storm at the time of release was Crazy Rich Asians, which combines romantic tropes with family-based ones. In the film, Rachel (Constance Wu) visits the hometown of her boyfriend, Nick (Henry Golding), and comes into conflict with Nick’s mother, who disapproves of a foreigner as her son’s love interest.
The culture clash is played for laughs, as Crazy Rich Asians takes a funny route in presenting the backdrop. At its heart, the movie is about true love, as Rachel refuses to be judged for her own broken past and fights for her love for Nick. Fans also loved the many wacky characters that form part of Nick's extended family.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) - Stream On HBO Max
Romantic comedies didn’t put as much effort into carving out characterizations when Crazy, Stupid, Love was released, which is why the film is fondly remembered. Here, every character has a plot that is relevant and ties into the finale, all at the same time.
The main story is about Cal (Steve Carell), who’s recently separated and befriends Jacob (Ryan Goslin), a man who teaches Cal to be a ladies’ man. Problems arise when Jacob falls in love with Hannah (Emma Stone), not realizing she’s Cal’s daughter.
Easy A (2010) - Stream On HBO Max
Emma Stone was put on the map as a leading star with Easy A, a teen romantic comedy centering around the effects of gossip. Stone plays Olive, whose lie about losing her virginity spreads like wildfire around the school that gives her a notorious image. Olive rolls with it until her feelings for Todd (Penn Badgley) get in the way.
Even more than a decade since its release, fans appreciate Easy A’s comedy and subject matter that points out how rumors can have such an adverse effect. Emma Stone established herself as a superb comedic actor, with the movie presenting her with charming and witty material to portray.