Yahoo LifestyleNetflix's Best Rom-Coms Will Make You Feel the Love
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Netflix's Best Rom-Coms Will Make You Feel the Love
There's something so comforting about watching a romantic comedy. You almost always know how the movie is going to end — with the couple falling in love and riding off into the proverbial sunset — and yet it's still fun to watch that couple's journey to love. And since Netflix has some of the best rom-coms available now, there are a number of go-to romantic movies at your literal fingertips. Among the true crime documentaries and the reality dating shows, Netflix has produced several critically acclaimed, heartwarming, and hilarious romance films over the years.
Watching a love story isn't just entertaining, it can actually alter our bodies and minds. According to Southern Living, neuroscientists at Princeton University found that when we see these characters and stories brought to life on screen, our "love hormone," aka oxytocin levels, can increase. And TIME reported that a small study of students at Heriot Watt University found that people who watched romantic comedies were more likely to believe in things like fate and destiny. Ultimately, as counseling and psychotherapy fellow Phillip Hodson told TIME, the sense of idealism in romantic comedies can help us navigate our own romantic pitfalls. "We all need hope in our lives," he said. "And Hollywood trades on hope."
If you need a little extra hope in your life right now, check out one (or more) of these 31 rom com films, available on Netflix now. There's a little something for everyone, including classic '90s rom-coms, romance films with a side of crime drama, sweet teen love stories, touching LGBTQ+ romances, and so much more. You're sure to fall in love with all of them.
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'My Best Friend's Wedding'
This Julia Roberts classic follows what happens when her character's best friend gets engaged, and she realizes that she's been in love with him all along. Never will you root so hard for a groom to leave his bride at the altar.
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'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'
Lara Jean writes love letters to the boys she has crushes on, but she has no intention of ever mailing them. However, they find their way around her school, causing all kinds of hijinks.
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'50 First Dates'
Drew Barrymore plays a woman whose memory resets every night, so Adam Sandler's character has to be extra creative to woo her in day after day after day.
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'The Prince & Me'
Julia Stiles plays a regular American girl whose life is turned upside down when Denmark's heir to the throne falls for her. It's like a prequel to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's marriage.
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'Silver Linings Playbook'
This film won Jennifer Lawrence an Oscar for Best Actress. She stars alongside Bradley Cooper as two dysfunctional adults grow closer when they enter a dance competition together.
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'Someone Great'
When Jenny gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend, she decides to have a fun night on the town with her besties to help her move on. This rom com is a wonderful reminder that some of the most meaningful relationships are the ones we have with our friends.
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'The Wedding Planner'
J. Lo is always the wedding planner, never the bride, in this rom-com. But when she starts to fall for the groom (played by Matthew McConaughey) of the wedding she's planning, things get complicated quickly.
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'Pride & Prejudice'
Jane Austen's classic tale is brought to life by Keira Knightley in this sweeping 19th century love story. It doesn't get much more romantic than this.
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'Always Be My Maybe'
Comedian Ali Wong and Fresh Off the Boat star Randall Park play platonic friends, Sasha and Marcus. But when they reconnect after 15 years, they see each other in a new light.
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'The Notebook'
This Nicholas Sparks story is heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. This film also led to the short-lived but epic real life romance between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, in case you're wondering how palpable their on-screen chemistry is.
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'The Kissing Booth'
Elle is best friends with Lee and they tell each other everything. The only problem? She hasn't shared her biggest secret: she's in love with his brother.
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'Valentine's Day'
This star-studded film follows intertwining love stories taking place on Valentine's Day. Some of the notable cast members include Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Patrick Dempsey, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, and many, many more.
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'The Half of It'
Ellie agrees to help a jock write love letters for his crush. But in the course of helping him out, Ellie falls for the same girl.
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'The Lovebirds'
Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae play a couple who just want a nice date night, but they accidentally get embroiled in a murder mystery. This rom-com really leans on the comedy side of things, and is sure to make you laugh.
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'Sleepover'
This is the perfect teen rom-com story. A group of girls engage in a scavenger hunt to try to win the most popular lunch table at school. But the hunt may just lead one of them to love.
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'Mr. Right'
Anna Kendrick is her best quirky self in this rom-com. She falls for an actual assassin — but don't worry, he only takes out the bad guys — and soon she realizes she has a knack for the gig, too.
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'Set It Up'
Two assistants decide to set their bosses up so that they won't always be at the office — but the real love connection is between the two matchmakers.
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'The Prom'
A high schooler in Indiana just wants to go to prom with her girlfriend, but her conservative town is against it. Fortunately, a group of broadway stars is about to come to her rescue.
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'Let It Snow'
When a big storm hits a small town, a group of high schoolers have to come together — which leads to more than one love connection.
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'Nappily Ever After'
When Violet hits a snag in her romantic life, she sets off on a self-discovery journey that's just as inspiring to everyone watching.
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'Alex Strangelove'
High school senior Alex is happily dating his girlfriend Claire. But when he meets handsome Elliot, Alex realizes his sexual identity may not be as clear as he thought.
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'About Time'
This movie will have you laughing hysterically one minute, then ugly-crying the next. When he turns 21, socially awkward Tim learns that he has the ability to rewind time. And with great power comes... the chance to date the girl of his dreams, no matter how many tries it takes to get right.
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'Easy A'
Emma Stone is never not hilarious and charming, and viewers get the best of both worlds in this rom-com about a goody two-shoes high school student who wants to gain a reputation for being bad.
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'The Incredible Jessica James'
The Daily Show's Jessica Williams stars in this quirky rom-com. She plays aspiring playwright Jessica James, who may find love when she's least expecting it — after going through a bad breakup.
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'Runaway Bride'
Another Julia Roberts classic, Runaway Bride is exactly as it sounds — a movie about a woman who makes a reputation for herself by leaving men at the altar. Will she finally meet her match and actually make it down the aisle to say I do?
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'What a Girl Wants'
Amanda Bynes stars in this film as a typical American girl who decides to reconnect with her father — only to find out that he's running for Prime Minister of England. And just as she forges a relationship with her dad, she also finds love with a charming British musician.
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'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'
In this Christmas Carol adaptation, Matthew McConaughey's playboy character is visited by the ghosts of his relationships gone wrong. The hope is that he'll finally learn the true meaning of love. Then, and only then, can he try to make things work with his childhood sweetheart, played by Jennifer Garner.
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'She's Gotta Have It'
The Spike Lee classic follows the story of a woman and the three men she's seeing. Which one (if any) is her true prince charming? Watch and find out.
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'Morning Glory'
Rachel McAdams plays an upbeat morning show producer dealing with troublesome co-anchors while balancing a budding relationship with another producer. It's the perfect kind of messy that makes for a great romantic comedy.
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'Love, Guaranteed'
If you're a fan of Hallmark movies, check this one out. It follows a lawyer and a perpetually single man who team up to sue a dating app for failing to provide love. The catch? They may just find that love along the way.
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'17 Again'
In what is perhaps Zac Efron's best role, he plays the younger version of a middle age man who's going nowhere in life. When he magically becomes 17 again, he'll have a chance to fix his mistakes and maybe even win his wife over just in time to stop their divorce.
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You'll fall in love with these romantic comedies, now streaming on Netflix.
