For whatever reason, this has been a weekend when people have commented on the movies on my bookshelf. Although my Netflix queue is fairly diverse, the movies I own are the kinds of movies I’d want to watch when I’m too lazy to go and rent something, when there are no red envelopes sitting on top of my TV. They are overwhelmingly romantic, likely to involve dance scenes and/or cute guys and/or at least one Christmas scene, and…well, cheesy. I respect people who can own it.
Playing in the background right now? When Harry Met Sally. Always makes me giggle. As my sister said today, “This movie is so perfect. A movie that can make me want Billy Crystal? Quite the feat.”
So, as a bit of a Ryan Gosling follow-up, I’ll confess that I’ve been waiting patiently for Crazy, Stupid, Love. to come out on DVD, with high hopes for a legit romantic comedy for once (despite the stupid punctuation and name I can never seem to remember). It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a killer romantic comedy – smart enough to make you forget just how unrealistic/cheesy/over the top they can be. Or enough of a guilty pleasure that you’ll willingly suspend all disbelief. We all want a little romance and a little comedy in our lives, right? And even more on rainy fall days.
I love it when people list recommendations. And I’m in need of some, since I’m in rom-com withdrawal lately. So, in no particular order, a list of key romantic comedies:
Before Sunrise+
Before Sunset
Love Actually*+<
Bridget Jones’s Diary*+<
The Holiday*+<
Maid in Manhattan*
10 Things I Hate About You+<
Love and Basketball (comedy? not sure. still love it.)+<
Mamma Mia!+
Sixteen Candles+<
Princess Bride<
Sleepless in Seattle*
Notting Hill<
My Big Fat Greek Wedding+
Dirty Dancing+
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights*+<
Serendipity*+
Say Anything
He’s Just Not That Into You<
When Harry Met Sally*+<(here you go, Billy!)
Two Weeks’ Notice+
Brown Sugar+<
The American President+
Kate and Leopold+
Away We Go<
While You Were Sleeping*+
Knocked Up +
Father of the Bride (I have to confess a preference for Part 2)
Sex and the City (the original, part 2 was atrocious)<
13 Going on 30 +
My Best Friend’s Wedding+<
You’ve Got Mail*
*includes Christmas scene
+ includes dance scene
< includes particularly hot guy
*+< Ultimate Romantic Comedy
Any favorites I’ve forgotten? Any recent rom-coms make your list?
I like writing, photography, reading, music, design, typography, paper products, days in the seventies and sparkly snow, Spanish wine and cans of PBR. I spent a year in Córdoba, Spain, working as a 
I’m so jealous that you can own your “guilty” pleasures. Although I myself am a sucker for “Sleepless in Seattle,” I don’t readily admit it (except that I JUST did).
In any case, I was going to suggest “Amélie” as a romantic COMEDY, then I realized that it isn’t one! Nor is the adaptation of “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” I think this says something more about my movie tastes…
Actually, Time Traveler’s Wife and Amélie were both on my short list (along with some gems like High Fidelity….and Save the Last Dance) before realizing that they aren’t exactly comedies. So I hear you!
Oh, and I haven’t even begun with the (guilty?) pleasures. Katy Perry, anyone?
Don’t forget ONLY YOU! It’s great, and has terrific settings throughout Italy!
I don’t think I’ve seen it. (amazing)
Adding it to my Netflix queue! Thanks for stopping by, Heather!
I think you have managed to include all of my favourites. That’s the great thing about winter right? a cold sunday afternoon watching the holiday, you’ve got mail and serendipity back to back…..heaven : )
How about “Wedding Planner”?
good call, mama.
Oooh, you should add Midnight in Paris to the list. Something Borrowed. P.S. I Love You (aah this one is probably too sad!) .Oh, and Bridesmaid. The last one is more dramedy than a romedy – but it’s a must watch on my list.
I really enjoyed Crazy, Stupid, Love.
But what really started my unhealthy obsession of Ryan Gosling is Drive – and the Ides of March. Either of them is a light romantic comedy – but they are fantastic movies!
BUT of course, you probably knew that from my comment on the FRG post lol.
awesome list!! i love anything by Doris Day too – retro fun!!
I have SEVERAL to add:
So I realized my list is more comedy than romance, but some of them have both…
80s Rom-Coms:
16 Candles
The Breakfast Club
Better Off Dead (Ricky is the bomb)
Princess Bride
90s
Clueless (not as traditional a romance, I know, but…)
She’s All That (yeah, I went there)
Muriel’s Wedding
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Pretty Woman (though not one of my favorites, it is a classic)
Runaway Bride (similar sentiments)
2000s
A Lot Like Love (this is probably one of my favorites- Amanda Peete and Ashton Kutcher. It wasn’t a huge hit, but it is in my book! Really good if you haven’t seen it- add it to your queue stat).
Oceans 11 (drama? action? romance? comedy? check check check check)
Something’s Gotta Give
Family Stone (definitely has laughs, love, AND CHRISTMAS!)
The Proposal (surprised at how much I liked it…)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
I LOVE this list. I want to watch them all. Now. You’ve reminded me of some great movies I’d forgotten about! 🙂
Great list! I would add 500 Days of Summer, and I totally agree with Morgan about Clueless. That is one of my all time favorites that I finally bought on DVD recently (I had the VHS and no VCR anymore).
I actually re-watched 16 Candles with a few friends recently (they were guys, too), and we were all fairly appalled by how offensive it was, and surprised that we hadn’t noticed it earlier. The worst is when Jake gives permission to someone he has just met to rape his drunk girlfriend. And he’s supposed to be a great guy?
Hey Julia – Thanks for stopping by! Clueless really is so underrated.
I watched 16 Candles not too long ago and had a similar response – honestly, it didn’t turn me off to a long time favorite (kind of like when you realize the Little Mermaid becomes a different being and leaves everything for a man but you still sing along to Part of Your World…ahem) so much as it made me realize how much “acceptable” social interaction has changed in the past two decades. In a way, it felt like a little victory – we’re making some progress!
Revisiting this list, and we definitely forgot some of these key ones, but there are also a few newer ones that can be added:
-Sixteen Candles+<
-The Family Stone*+<
-Hitch+
-He's Just Not That Into You<
-Something's Gotta Give
-About A Boy
-Sweet Home Alabama+<
-About Time<
-Crazy Stupid Love (can now officially be added!)<
-The Princess Bride<
Remember how fun making this list in your old living room was?
(Though the fact that I can only think of 2 good rom-coms that have come out in the last 5 years is so sad)