Rom-coms are on the rise again. For years it seemed that studios weren't producing as many romantic comedies as they used to, but the success of recent movies like Marry Me and The Lost City makes it clear that people do still crave romance and laughter.
Even many of Netflix's rom coms like Set It Up and To All The Boys I've Loved Before were very successful, but not all rom-coms can convince the critics. Or perhaps critics sometimes forget that the goal of a romantic comedy is primarily to entertain.
Mamma Mia! (2008) - 55%
Mamma Mia! has a shockingly low score, considering how feel-good it is. Critics cite its "irrelevant story," "tacky," and "sea of clichés," but this is a movie that is simply meant to be enjoyed and not analyzed to perfection.
It's fun, it's summery, and the ABBA songs make it seem vaguely nostalgic. The story really isn't that realistic, but the audience surely doesn't expect everything in movies to be realistic. There are solid performances by Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep and some amazingly funny moments between Sophie and her (spoiler alert) three possible fathers.
Holidate (2020) - 43%
Holidate is a perfect movie to watch snuggled into the sofa in the winter with a cup of cocoa and hopefully a significant other. The premise of the movie might not be the most believable, but everyone has at some point faced the pressure of their family date.
The main actors have great chemistry, and there is a hilarious moment for every cringe-worthy one. It also highlights the insane expectations and demands from family members for everyone to be in a relationship. This was one of the best Netflix Christmas movies on Netflix in the holiday season of 2021 and is sure to be re-watched every year in the future.
Letters To Juliet (2010) - 42%
It seems Amanda Seyfried's romantic comedies get a very harsh judgment, as Letters To Juliet is another one with a poor rating. However, this is one of those ultimate feel-good movies. There are beautiful Italian landscapes, sunshine shots, road trips, and a charming grandson with a British accent involved.
As Sophie helps Claire find her long-lost love, this movie says it is never too late to find love or to take chances in life. It reminds Sophie she doesn't want to be stuck in her life, and she makes drastic changes to prevent that. It makes the audience feel like they should take a chance as well.
The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement (2004) - 26%
It's not often that powerhouse actors like Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway are critically panned, but The Princess Bride 2 didn't click with critics. As far as sequels go, this one is surprisingly well-made and involves one of the fan-favorite movie tropes - enemies to lovers.
As Mia fights between the duty to the throne and the duty she feels to her heart, there are some amazing moments like Queen Clarisse surfing on a mattress and Mia losing her wooden leg while riding a horse. It's both an enjoyable and entertaining movie that hits the right balance between romance and comedy.
John Tucker Must Die (2006) - 27%
John Tucker Must Die seems to embrace every teenage, high-school rom-com clichés, but it gains a certain sense of charm by owning what it is. The story itself is quite witty as girls from different social circles band together to get back at the boy that is treating them all poorly.
The cast itself has good chemistry and there are definitely beginnings of rich careers like Sophia Bush and Penn Badgley. At the end of the day, the movie is funny and romantic, and it has a happy ending, which is what it aims to deliver.
Confessions Of A Shopaholic (2009) - 27%
Dealing with money is exhausting for everyone, and one of the most dangerous things as an adult is being given credit cards and unlimited spending privileges. There are so many things to buy and so many things that society convinces everyone they need to own. And that's exactly the problem of Rebecca Bloomwood.
Ironically, when denied to opportunity to work in fashion, Rebecca ends up writing a finance column in a magazine, and despite being like fish out of water, she manages to write them so interesting, understandable, and relatable that she becomes a huge hit, even though she has no idea how to clean up her personal finances. Isla Fisher delivers a hilarious performance, and there is a surprising amount of pathos in this consumerism-centered story.
Leap Year (2010) - 23%
This movie actually has something that many romantic comedies lack, which is an original premise that hasn't been done a hundred times, even though critics still said the plot is clichéd and recycled. Regardless, Amy Adams gives a memorably emotive performance that's worth the price of admission.
The story follows Anna from Boston who follows her boyfriend to Ireland, because of a tradition where on the 29th of February on a leap year, a woman can propose to a man. A long, at times hard, but hilarious journey later, she realizes some hard truths and makes a complete U-turn in her life. It's a rather lovely story, accompanied by the hilarious incidents Anna gets into due to her clumsiness.
Coyote Ugly (2000) - 23%
Coyote Ugly doesn't tackle any deep, philosophical themes, but it succeeds in delivering a feel-good story that's fun to watch without dedicating too much thought. The story, about a small-town girl chasing her dreams in a big city, is straightforward but flows well.
Though there were criticisms around the movie's release about the leading performances, but the cast showed good chemistry in their timing, the fashion made everyone nostalgic, and the soundtrack was by far one of the best. This movie is one of the more iconic staples of many people growing up in the early 2000s.
Bride Wars (2009) - 11%
Admittedly, this movie does have a feminism issue, as it pits two best friends against each other in search of their perfect wedding, but the does lead to hilarious sabotage-related hijinx. This movie also isn't afraid to deal with friendships and relationships in a more serious, emotional way than many light comedies.
It's also a relatable story - everyone sometimes loses their way when they keep their eyes too close to the prize and forget about what's truly important. So yes, this is a clichéd, predictable rom-com, but sometimes a familiar story with a good message that doesn't try to reinvent the wheel is exactly what people need.
Practical Magic (1998) - 21%
Practical Magic tells a story based on bonds of sisterhood and family, though there's certainly plenty of romance as well. The movie follows two sisters from a witch family and chronicles their struggles as they find their own way in the world.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman show great timing and chemistry in their scenes together, and the picturesque scenery makes for a beautiful backdrop to the narrative. Combine this with a pair of hilarious witch aunts delivering iconic quotes and the result is a charming romantic comedy that's perfect for days when leaves start to turn red.