Throughout the decades, “romantic comedy” has remained one of the most popular movie genres. This type of film combines the sweetness of love with the lightness of humor, making for a perfect date-night watch. Out of the many rom-com movies out there, these five perfectly encapsulate the charm of this genre:
Roman Holiday, 1953: This movie is one of the earliest of its genre, featuring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck—two of the most iconic actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age. The movie follows a princess-in-disguise and a news reporter navigating the city of Rome and getting into all sorts of trouble and silly shenanigans. The film is simple and sweet and it unintentionally inspired a whole subgenre of undercover-princess movies (The Princess Switch, Princess Undercover, Princess Protection Program, etc). Hepburn and Peck showcase their acting abilities, and the ending is nothing short of stunning.
The Princess Bride, 1987: This thrilling story possesses a fairytale-esque element that is hardly ever found in modern day stories. The plot centers around a beautiful maiden from the mid-16th century and her charming farmhand, whom she falls in love with. They hope to get married, but their plan is thwarted by money troubles, quick-sand, evil pirates, and an obnoxious prince in search of a wife. The story has a self-aware, slightly absurdist sense of humor that gives Monty Python a run for their money.
Groundhog Day, 1993: This movie has a unique plot, with a protagonist who, to his horror, is cursed to relive the same drab winter day over and over again. This mystical concept creates a thought-provoking story about how to live your life to the fullest and find meaning in the mundane. Additionally, the loop in time gives the main romance ample time to play out—all within the span of one single day.
Clueless, 1995: This is one of the most iconic teen movies of the 1990s. The story itself is based on the classic 1815 romance novel Emma by Jane Austen, which follows a charmingly haughty young woman as she attempts to find love for herself and her friends (with varying rates of success). Clueless retains Austen’s clever commentary on the dynamics of female friendship, accompanying it with a stylish dose of plaid skirts and slip-dresses.
13 going on 30, 2004: Like Groundhog Day, this story innovatively plays with the concept of time. A discontented middle-school girl suddenly wakes up in the body of her 30-year-old self, as the title suggests. She is faced with the grim reality of what her future will look like if she continues to chase popularity over genuine connection, and she grows to appreciate the kind young man who has loved her through it all. Not only is this story romantic, it also serves as a heartwarming tale of friendship.
Romantic comedies are among the funniest and most loveable movies. If you ever need cheering up, these five delightful films are bound to do the trick.
