Romantic comedies are one of the coveted genres of the movie world. Sitting down and putting on a light-hearted, wholesome comedy with a semi-sweet romance to drive the plot is, arguably, the best way to relax after a stressful day. But, there are a ton of movies in this genre that some people haven’t heard of but still deserve some much-needed love. Here are ten “diamonds in the rough” of the rom-com world.
“Crazy, Stupid Love” (2011)
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Steve Carell
Recent divorcee Cal (Carell) navigates the world of middle-aged dating and meets a young playboy Jacob (Gosling) who helps him get back on his feet. It also follows the lives of Cal’s wife and children as they go through this tough time. This may seem like a very sad drama but trust me, it is comedy gold.
“Getting that Girl” (2011)
Starring: Escher Holloway, Gia Mantegna, Lucas Elliot Elberl
Set in a California high school, this indie gem lets you watch this unexpected love story develop between stoner Andy (Holloway) and new girl Mandy (Mantegna). This underground love story really captures the essence of what it’s like to date in today’s culture and shows the truth of what new relationships can be like in this generation, without all the Hollywood fluff. A light-hearted comedy that makes you feel like the characters are your friends, sit down and soak up this endearing love story.
“What’s Your Number?” (2011)
Starring: Anna Faris, Chris Evans, Ari Graynor
Ally Darling (Faris) is struggling to find true love and a date to her sister’s wedding. After realizing she has 19 past lovers, she vows not to sleep with another man until she is sure he is the one. As she takes a path down memory lane with her neighbor (Evans), she not only finds a date to the wedding, but also finds herself along the way. This sexually-confident firecracker pushes the envelope of how a woman is supposed to act and how she wants to be. It begs the question, what’s your number and why should it matter?
“Just Friends” (2005)
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart
When Chris Brander (Reynolds) returns home for the holidays, he’s on a mission to prove to his hometown bullies that he’s not the overweight loser he used to be. In a quick turn of events, he tries to win the heart of his high school crush (Smart). This movie is for anyone who has been stuck in the “friendzone” and for anyone who prays to get out of it. As anyone who returns home for the holidays knows, craziness can ensue, but this movie definitely pushes that bar to the extreme for comedic success and it scores.
“A Few Best Men” (2011)
Starring: Laura Brent, Xavier Samuel, Kris Marshall
This international comedy on Netflix follows the days leading up to a spontaneous wedding. The groom, David (Samuel), and his best mates try to get through the over-the-top stressful wedding despite all the craziness. With some odd characters and a Ram, nothing but comedy legends are born in this outrageous Australian-based rom-com.
“Mr. Right” (2015)
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Sam Rockwell, Tim Roth
Free-spirit Martha (Kendrick) falls for the perfect guy (Rockwell) after a one night stand and the feelings are reciprocated. One problem: he’s a hitman with a twisted sense of humor. As the so-called Mr. Right shoots away bad guys and tap-dances into Martha’s heart, we get a full dose of comedy in this unique love story.
“Chasing Amy” (1997)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee
Holden (Affleck) and his friend Banky (Lee) are comic book artists from New Jersey. On one night out with some friends after a comic-con in New York, Holden meets Alyssa (Adams) who happens to be his dream girl, but she’s a lesbian. This movie breaks down the barriers of sex, love and friendship in a world with some comedic genius that is so pure, it’s almost too real.
“The Ugly Truth” (2009)
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler
Abby (Heigel), a conservative television producer of a morning show, meets the misogynistic personality behind the network’s new segment “The Ugly Truth,” Mike Chadway (Butler). Turns out, she will be running this new segment. As these two strong personalities collide, hilarity ensues as Mike tries to help Abby in her own love life.
“Just Go With It” (2011)
Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston
Plastic Surgeon Danny (Sandler) foolishly tells his girlfriend a white lie which leads him and his assistant (Aniston) to orchestrate an elaborate scheme to fool his girlfriend and have fun as a “family” on an Hawaii vacation in the process. Any Adam Sandler movie is a good pick for a night in, especially this comedy which perfectly blends drama and family fun all into one.
“Ten Inch Hero” (2007)
Starring: Elisabeth Harnois, Clea DuVall, Sean Patrick Flanery
A struggling artist Piper (Harnois) gets a summer job at a beachside sandwich shop. There, she finds a bundle of oddball friends who are all having their own experiences of being unlucky in love. As the days turn to months, this movie asks all the right questions with some funny escapades and some serious undertones along the way.
