Valentine’s Day is approaching fast, and what better way to celebrate than watching some good Rom Coms! Romantic comedies are fun, feel-good films that make you believe in true love. This list is the top 5 Rom Coms to watch this Valentine’s Day.
Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman (1990) is a classic rags-to-riches story centered around the unconventional love story between prostitute Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) and rich, self-centered businessman Edward Lewis (Richard Gere). Vivian faces tough situations but her heart of gold prevails and leads her to live a happy life with Edward. This movie also features the timeless and iconic song “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison, which plays as Vivian finally finds herself being accepted by society. Julia Roberts’ elegance and allure while playing Vivian and the emotional and heartwarming final scene of Edward climbing up the “tower” to rescue his “princess” certifies this movie as a classic.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) is a comedic film centered around the absurdities of family and the roadblocks that come with defying tradition. Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is part of a big traditional Greek family who has strong expectations for her to marry a Greek man, but instead, she falls in love with non-Greek school teacher Ian Miller (John Corbett) against her family’s wishes. The film features a plethora of funny one-liners, making this movie very quotable with friends. The journey they take together and the sacrifices they make to be together make this a heartwarming watch for Valentine’s Day.
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Based on Jane Austen’s timeless tale Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) takes the third spot on this list for its dynamic love triangle and hilariously incompetent female lead. Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) is a lonely 31-year-old living in London and looking for love. She ends up torn between two candidates, her promiscuous boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and serious family friend Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). As Bridget explores her connection with the two bachelors, she has to navigate some ridiculous scenarios that will have the audience laughing whilst cringing with secondhand embarrassment for her. This modern spin on a classic tale is a super fun way to spend the night.
The Princess Bride
The fantastical tale of The Princess Bride (1987) combines romance, action, fantasy, and comedy into, arguably, the perfect movie, making it the perfect candidate for number one on this list. Buttercup (Robin Wright) is devastated after her love, Westly (Cary Elwes), leaves her and she hears of his death, leading her to agree to marry Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Buttercup is then kidnapped and must fight her way back to her love, who, through a turn of events, is still alive! The world of The Princess Bride is dashing and romantic, filled with castles, pirates, and even “the cliffs of insanity,” with hilarious jokes sprinkled throughout the film. The lengths these two characters go to for love and the incredible vibes of the movie make this the perfect feel-good film for Valentine’s Day.
When Harry Met Sally
When Harry Met Sally (1989) is a story about the longevity of love and fate. Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) are two perfect strangers when they drive together from college to New York, then go their separate ways. Ten years later, they meet and become friends, but that friendship slowly becomes something more. Harry and Sally have fun and witty banter throughout the film, and the relationship that develops between them is very realistic and relatable. My personal favorite part of this film, the reason it received the number two spot on this list, is the brief cuts from the film to real stories from old happily married couples. These stories are so charming and demonstrate how love can stand the test of time. This story of finding love even when things look bleak is a great watch for Valentines’ Day.
