40 Rom-Coms on Netflix That'll Make You Laugh and Cry (and Maybe Both)
During the summer of 2018, Netflix distributed 11 romantic comedies—yes, 11—branding the moment the “Summer of Love.” The release flurry was a calculated gamble for the streaming giant. Film industry shifts, such as a decline in mid-budget movies (where Hollywood rom-coms generally sit) and the migration of the genre to TV, meant rom-com audiences were generally up for grabs.
With the help of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Kissing Booth, Netflix’s summer of love soon ushered in a rom-com revival. Over 80 million subscribers watched one of the 11 films and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before became Netflix’s most viewed original film ever at the time.
Netflix has since repeated the formula—lower budget films with little-known actors, appealing to younger streamers—again and again and again. The summer of love is now love forever. Not to mention, it's also created rom-com shows, staying true to its binge model for hopeless romantics. The streaming service has made itself a home for the rom-com genre, both in its originals and in hosting rom-com classics of the pre-streaming days. If you're looking for the a good laugh, a good cry, or a little bit of both, Netflix is the best platform for it.
While this success is good news for casual rom-com fans, it’s made it more difficult to sift through the streaming site for rom-coms not produced by the Netflix factory. So we've sorted through the new, the classic, the Netflix-produced, and the old guard. Here are the 40 best rom-coms to stream now.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
It's the reason for the Netflix rom-com revolution, and for good reason. The film abides by rom-com conventions but manages to feel younger and fresher. TATBILB also introduced Netflix's genre stars: Noah Centineo and Lana Condor.
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
One salutary result of the revolution is Netflix's willingness to break up the traditional white-girl-meets-white-boy variety of the genre. Comedians Ali Wong and Randall Park don't reinvent the rom-com form, but they make it more widely watchable again.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Three friends set off on a road trip with romantic detours, awkwardness, and more than a few hilarious moments. It's also got a banging soundtrack.
The Half of It (2020)
Though set up as a classic falling-in-love-with-the-friend flick, the film twists in more realistic and heart-wrenching ways.
The Incredible Jessica James (2017)
Maybe not the most unexpected rom-com entry (let's be honest, the genre doesn't often move beyond expectancy), but, nonetheless, a fun, quick film featuring some amazing actors.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Silver Linings won't rewrite the rom-com plot playbook, but it will execute the hell out of its gameplan—and its genre-straddling tone.
The Kissing Booth (2018)
Another major entry in Netflix’s summer of love, The Kissing Booth is a solid bet for rom-com night. It skews pretty young, though, so don't expect anything particularly serious.
Love in a Puff (2010)
A Hong Kong film about two lovers who meet over during a smoke break, Love in a Puff is down to earth in the most shoe-stomping-out-a-ciggie way possible.
Set It Up (2018)
Hoping to get their bosses of their backs, two assistants conspire to play matchmaker. It's a formula film done right.
Someone Great (2019)
More of an anti-rom com, the film follows a woman fresh off a breakout and on her last night in NYC before a big move. Relationships are great, but never forget your friends.
Ali’s Wedding (2017)
An arranged marriage. A secret love. Family expectations. Hilarity. Chaos. It's simply universal.
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Another Julia Roberts '90s genre entry is the polarizing My Best Friend's Wedding, which you’ll either love or hate and feel absolutely nothing in between. Consider it a relationship test for you and your partner’s cinema opinions.
Catching Feelings (2017)
Maybe slow-moving for some, but this South African romance/drama/unexpected comedy is worth the watch for something new in the genre.
Sobat Ambyar (2021)
Translated as The Heartbreak Club, this Indonesian musical rom-com is fun and colorful and will help shakeup your monotonous watchlist.
PK (2014)
PK is simply delightful. A story about an alien making his way on earth acts also as a social satire.
The Lovebirds (2020)
Finally, some action romantic comedy. Though Kumail Nanjiani's finest rom-com will forever be The Big Sick, Lovebirds makes for some easy date-night viewing.
I Am Not an Easy Man (2018)
A french cosmic revenge film featuring a chauvinist and a world suddenly run only by women. A little too on the nose occasionally, but still a sharp social comedy.
Let It Snow (2019)
The holiday rom-com is a pretty stuffed sub-genre. Still, Let It Snow embraces the conventions and delivers a fun ride.
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