10 Best Rom-Coms of the 2020s, So Far (2024)

Romantic comedy films, also known as rom-coms, are some of the most popular and beloved. From movies like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days to memorable classics like When Harry Met Sally, the rom-com genre has given audiences some of the best movies. And while some might feel rom-coms are too formulaic and predictable, others enjoy these films for these very reasons. Rom-coms are the perfect comfort movies for when viewers want to have a good time, knowing everything's going to end well.

The rom-com genre, for many, peaked during the early 2000s. Films like Love Actually, 50 First Dates, and 13 Going On 30 have stood the test of time and remain as popular as when they first debuted almost twenty years ago. And while some believe the rom-com genre has gone away, the 2020s proved to audiences that romantic comedies are coming back stronger than ever. From modern Shakespeare adaptations to romantic comedies with a fantasy twist, these 2020s rom-coms prove the genre isn't going anywhere.

10 Anyone But You Brought Back the Modern Re-Telling of Shakespeare's Works

Anyone But You

R

Comedy

Romance

Director

Will Gluck

Release Date

December 22, 2023

Cast

Sydney Sweeney , Glen Powell , Alexandra Shipp , Darren Barnet

Writers

Will Gluck , Ilana Wolpert

Runtime

103 minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

Modern re-tellings of Shakespeare's works have been turned into some of the most popular and memorable rom-coms. From 10 Things I Hate About You to Deliver Us From Eva and She's the Man, many late '90s and early 2000s romantic comedy films were inspired by works of William Shakespeare. And Anyone But You brings back the formula, this time with a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

Anyone But You stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as Bea and Ben, two young adults who have their meet-cute at a coffee shop and have an amazing date together. However, a single misunderstanding turns their date sour, and when their paths cross again, they have a hard time putting their past behind them. Anyone But You is the perfect rom-com for those who feel nostalgic about the early 2000s romantic comedies, with a compelling and talented cast, great chemistry between the leads, and the classic, sweet romantic gesture at the end that brings everything together.

9 Palm Springs Is Groundhog Day With a Twist

Palm Springs

R

Comedy

Fantasy

Mystery

Director

Max Barbakow

Release Date

July 10, 2020

Cast

Andy Samberg , Cristin Milioti , J.K. Simmons , Peter Gallagher

Runtime

90 minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

Palm Springs flew under the radar for many. However, this Andy Samberg rom-com turned a well-known fantasy twist into one of the best romantic comedies of recent years. Palm Springs follows Sarah, portrayed by How I Met Your Mother's Cristin Milioti, and Nyles (Samberg), who are at a wedding reception in Palm Springs, where they start flirting before eventually leaving together in search of some privacy. But their night together turns more complicated than anticipated when Nyles is shot with an arrow.

Nyles crawls into a cave, warning Sarah not to follow him. However, Sarah is concerned and goes in behind him anyway. This is where Palm Springs brings in the fantasy elements of the story, as both Nyles and Sarah are now stuck in a time loop. Palm Springs takes a page out of another SNL alumni's rom-com and takes the main elements of Groundhog Day to another level. But unlike Bill Murray's Phil Connors, Andy Samberg's Nyles already knows he's in a time loop when Palm Springs begins, adding a new layer of intrigue to the time loop trope.

Happiest Season

PG-13

Drama

Director

Clea DuVall

Release Date

November 25, 2020

Cast

Kristen Stewart , Mackenzie Davis , Mary Steenburgen , Victor Garber

Runtime

102 minutes

Main Genre

Drama

Happiest Season is one of the best Christmas movies of recent years, with a talented ensemble cast that includes Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, and Daniel Levy. Happiest Season follows Abby (Stewart) and Harper (Davis), who are a couple. Abby is planning to propose to Harper, so when Harper invites Abby to spend Christmas with her family, Abby believes this is the perfect time to introduce herself to Harper's parents before proposing. However, Harper hasn't come out to her family yet, so when they go to spend Christmas with Harper's family, Harper tells them that Abby is just her roommate.

Happiest Season is a semi-autobiographical story of director Clea DuVall's own experience and was the first lesbian Christmas rom-com produced by a major Hollywood studio. And what makes Happiest Season such a fun and beloved rom-com is that it never forgets it's a holiday film just as much as a romantic comedy. The Christmas elements are reminiscent of other Christmas rom-coms like The Holiday and Love Actually, giving Happiest Season a unique and fluffy feeling that sets it apart from other gay love stories in film.

7 The Half of It Takes Inspiration From a Classic French Play

The Half of It

PG-13

Romance

Comedy

Drama

Director

Alice Wu

Release Date

May 1, 2020

Cast

Leah Lewis , Daniel Diemer , Alexxis Lemire , Wolfgang Novogratz

Runtime

104 minutes

Main Genre

Romance

The Half of It is loosely based on one of the most popular French plays, Cyrano de Bergerac. Only this time, it's an introverted Chinese-American straight-A high school student named Ellie, who helps Paul, a school jock, win the love of the daughter of the local deacon, Aster. Ellie, played by Leah Lewis, earns money ghostwriting different essays for her classmates. For this reason, Paul believes Ellie can help him win over Aster. Paul asks Ellie to write to Aster pretending to be him, and Ellie agrees, even though she also has an interest in Aster.

The Half of It is a sweet and fun coming-of-age romantic comedy. As Ellie (pretending to be Paul) and Aster bond over their love of art and literature, the ruse becomes more complicated to keep up with since Paul doesn't know much about either of those things. Even though The Half of It might sound like a formulaic teen rom-com, it's the subtle elements of the story that elevate the film. Ellie struggles with her own feelings for Aster, and Paul, who is very religious, struggles to accept Ellie's sexuality. However, The Half of It brings it all together in the end for a story that puts the focus on romance just as much as it does on friendship.

6 Holidate Is Refreshingly Self-Aware About Their Formulaic Nature

Holidate

TV-MA

Comedy

Romance

Director

John Whitesell

Release Date

October 28, 2020

Cast

Emma Roberts , Luke Bracey , Kristin Chenoweth , Frances Fisher

Runtime

104 minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

Holidate follows two strangers, Sloane and Jackson, who have a classic rom-com meet-cute when they are returning the presents they received for Christmas. Both are having a hard time during the holidays and family gatherings, albeit for different reasons, so they agree to be each other's "holidates:" dates for the holidays. Holidate follows Sloane and Jackson as they spend several holidays together throughout the year, growing closer in the process.

Holidate stars Emma Roberts as Sloane and Luke Bracey as Jackson. What makes Holidate stand out is that it knows the "fake relationship" formula has been done multiple times in the rom-com genre, and the self-awareness is refreshing. Holidate might not be a film with a deeper theme or an original story, but that's exactly why Holidate is so great. Audiences know what to expect from the movie and Holidate doesn't disappoint in that sense, giving fans of rom-coms the much-awaited happy ending.

Bros

R

Romance

Director

Nicholas Stoller

Release Date

September 30, 2022

Cast

Billy Eichner , Luke Macfarlane , Ts Madison , Monica Raymund , Guillermo Diaz , Guy Branum , Amanda Bearse , Jim Rash

Writers

Billy Eichner , Nicholas Stoller

Runtime

115 minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

Website

https://www.brosthemovie.com/

Cinematographer

Brandon Trost

Producer

Judd Apatow, Josh Church, Nicholas Stoller

Production Company

Universal Pictures, Apatow Productions, Stoller Global Solutions

Sfx Supervisor

Drew Jiritano

Bros is one of the first romantic comedies produced by a major Hollywood production studio, pushing the envelope of what the rom-com genre is usually known for. Bros follows Bobby, portrayed by Billy on the Street's Billy Eichner, a radio and podcast host who enjoys and prides himself on being single. He meets Aaron, played by Hallmark Channel veteran Luke Macfarlane, and while they initially don't hit it off, things slowly grow between the two. But Bobby and Aaron are like opposites-attract, with very different personalities and different approaches to the gay community.

Bros is a romantic comedy that feels modern, and that sheds light on issues that feel relevant today, like Bobby's struggles to "tone down" his flamboyant personality to fit in. However, Bros is still a rom-com, and while the romance between Bobby and Aaron isn't electric from the start, it grows as they bond and share their insecurities and desires with each other. Bros feels like a breath of fresh air in the rom-com genre and proves that gay love stories can be nuanced while also being fun and heartwarming.

4 I Want You Back Brings Two Iconic Comedy Actors Together

I Want You Back

I Want You Back stars It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Charlie Day as Peter, who has just been dumped by his long-time girlfriend Anne. Peter then meets Emma, portrayed by Parks and Recreation's Jenny Slate, who has also been recently dumped by her boyfriend, Noah. Peter and Emma have their classic rom-com meet-cute and become friends before eventually coming up with a plan to win back their exes.

I Want You Back is another 2020s rom-com that brings back a classic trope in the genre. As Peter and Emma help each other win back their respective exes, the two grow closer and bond over their own personal struggles and ambitions. However, I Want You Back is a rom-com that might subvert expectations, providing a welcomed twist to the formulaic trope that makes I Want You Back stand out as a fun and unpredictable rom-com.

Love Hard

Love Hard follows Natalie, a dating column writer who has been talking to Josh Lin through a dating app. After having several disastrous dates through the app, Natalie is surprised by the bond she develops with Josh, so she decides to travel to Josh's hometown to surprise him for Christmas. However, things take a turn when Natalie realizes she's been catfished.

Love Hard moves into more classic rom-com territory after the initial revelation. After finding out the guy in the picture isn't Josh, Natalie is understandably upset. But the guy Josh used for his pictures on the dating app is Josh's childhood friend, Tag, so he agrees to set up Natalie on a date with Tag so long as Natalie pretends to be Josh's girlfriend for the holidays. Love Hard stands out for the captivating performances of the cast, led by The Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev as Natalie and stand-up comedian Jimmy O. Yang as Josh. Love Hard might not go too deep into the characters' backstories or motivations, but the sweet and fun moments between the leads are what make Love Hard such a fun rom-com.

2 Fire Island Is Pride and Prejudice With a Twist

Fire Island

R

Director

Andrew Ahn

Release Date

June 3, 2022

Cast

Joel Kim Booster , Bowen Yang , Margaret Cho , Conrad Ricamora

Runtime

105 minutes

Main Genre

Romantic Comedy

Fire Island is a romantic comedy film that takes inspiration from Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, with a modern twist. Fire Island follows a group of gay friends who travel on vacation to Fire Island, something they do every year. They stay for a week at the same house every year. Only this time, their "housemother," Erin, reveals she has to sell the house.

Fire Island follows the ensemble cast and the romance and drama growing between them during their week at Fire Island. Joel Kim Booster as Noah, based on Pride and Prejudice's Elizabeth Bennet. SNL's Bowen Yang stars as Howie, partially based on Jane Bennet. Conrad Ricamora is Will, who is based on the iconic Mr. Darcy. James Scully plays Charlie, based on Charles Bingley. While audiences don't need to read Pride and Prejudice before watching Fire Island, those who have will have a fun time finding the parallels between the classic characters and the modern version.

1 Emma Creates Its Own Version of Jane Austen's Classic

Emma.

PG

Comedy

Drama

Romance

In 1800s England, a well meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends.

Director

Autumn de Wilde

Release Date

March 6, 2020

Cast

Anya Taylor-Joy , Johnny Flynn , Mia Goth , Josh O'Connor , Callum Turner , Miranda Hart , Bill Nighy , Rupert Graves , Gemma Whelan , Amber Anderson

Runtime

2 hours 4 minutes

Emma is an adaptation of one of Jane Austen's most popular novels, also titled Emma. This Jane Austen novel was also the basis for the iconic '90s teen movie Clueless. However, Emma adapts Jane Austen's story more faithfully, even if it gives the story its own spin. This rom-com is set in Regency-era England and follows the titular Emma, who loves to meddle in other people's love lives. However, she has a knack for making matters worse.

Emma is a fun adaptation of a classic rom-com novel, with a talented ensemble cast that includes Anya Taylor-Joy as the titular Emma, Johnny Flynn as Mr. Knightley, and Mia Goth as Harriet, Emma's companion. Emma tries to set up Harriet with the local vicar, but instead, Harriet seems to fall for Mr. Knightley. But things get more complicated when Emma herself falls for Mr. Knightley as well. Emma might not be the most loyal adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel, but the charm and chemistry between the cast make Emma a rom-com worth watching, even for fans of the book.