Best Day of the Week

Watch a Romance Flick (With 30 Recommendations!)

Rom Com Movie List

We indulge in romantic movies all year, but February is peak season. It’s the month of love, so we’re especially in the mood to watch a meet-cute go down. Aren’t you? There’s nothing better than watching two beautiful people lock eyes for the first time and realize they have the hots for each other – while we’re eating chocolate and drinking wine or a cocktail on our couches at home obvi.


So, we’ve put together our thirty favourite romantic movies of all time – more than one for every day in February – to make it easy for you to dive right in to a binge watching session. Plus, we created our very own Rom Com Bingo to add an extra layer of fun to your movie watching experience, because we got you. We’re all about fun times.

Here’s our list. Let us know which ones we missed in the comments because we know you’ll have opinions.

Classic Romance

A Room with a View (1985)

Maybe you haven’t heard of this one but it’s the most beautiful love story. Set in the early 1900’s, George Emerson, (Julian Sands) and Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) meet on vacation in Florence when George offers Lucy and her chaperone his hotel room (which has a great view). The sexual chemistry between these two is electric right away but obviously it’s just a vacation fling. So Lucy goes back to England and gets engaged to this other dingdong (Daniel Day Lewis) only to find that George has just moved to her town with his Dad, holy shit! Trust me. You want to snuggle up on the couch with a cozy blanket and get into this one. 

Chocolat (2000)

*Disclaimer: Do not watch this movie without chocolate next to you. The whole movie centers around a woman (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter who move to a small town in France and open up a chocolate shop, which stirs up the towns rigid views of morality. There are a shit ton of close up shots of chocolate throughout the whole movie. Also Johnny Depp is in it and he plays this cool pirate kind of guy (typical) who rolls into town and shakes things up a bit. It’s just fun and somewhat mystical and an easy watch any day of the week. – Alyssa 

The Laugh Out Loud’s

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

A devastated Peter, (Jason Segell) takes a Hawaiian vacation to grieve his recent breakup but ends up bumping into his ex, Sarah Marshall (Kristin Bell) and her new beau Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) at the resort. The whole thing is just awkward and hilarious. Jason Segell is fearless in it and he brings all the laughs. I mean, full frontal in the first five minutes?! He literally had me in tears during his Dracula Musical and I have to admit I kind of fell in love with him a little bit in the midst of it all. Mila Kunis plays the other leading lady in the movie and she’s also just really cute and likeable. This is one of those rom coms where you will actually laugh out loud. -Alyssa

The Wedding Singer (1998)

This is one of my fave Adam Sandler flicks of all time. Set in the 80’s, Robbie, (Adam Sandler) a mediocre wedding singer, and Julia, (Drew Barrymore) a waitress, are both engaged but to the wrong people! The whole movie you just know they’re meant to be together and watch as they fight their own desires, not to mention Julia’s super annoying fiance, Glenn Guglia (Matthew Glave). Drew Barrymore is absolutely adorable in this film and the soundtrack is killer. All the usual Happy Madison gang make their appearances and the 80’s references are the absolute best.  – Alyssa

The Blockbusters

Crazy Rich Asians (2019)

Crazy Rich Asians was the biggest rom com of 2019 for a reason – it’s damn good. Based on the equally successful novel, the film follows Rachel, an economics professor, as she heads to Singapore to meet her boyfriend Nick’s family. However, she is shaken up when she learns that Nick belongs to one of the richest families in the country. It’s a delightful ride that reminiscent of Princess Diaries and Pretty Woman, yet entirely original due to the film’s large ensemble of characters. The film strays slightly from the book in parts, including the addition of a pivotal scene taking place at a mahjong table that (if you’re like me) will make you ugly cry. – Vanessa

The Big Sick (2017)

This movie came just around the time that the rom com genre was having a resurgence, and basically it set a new standard. It’s sweet, funny and authentic – probably because it’s written by real-life couple Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon and chronicles how they fell in love. The premise: Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family’s expectations, and his true feelings. My favourite parts of the entire film are Kumail’s interactions with Emily’s parents, played by Ray Romano and Holly Hunter – who are brilliant in it. – Vanessa

Wall-E (2008)

Set in the distant future where planet Earth is so polluted that humans had to evacuate it, a lonely robot (Wall-E) roams the planet solo, and is programmed with the task to dispose of its waste. But life changes for Wall-E when he spots a new, sleek robot (Eve) who was sent to scan the planet for life-form. When gifted a plan from Wall-E, Eve immediately packs up and gets auto-recruited back to spaceship though it doesn’t seem like she wants to leave. Smitten, Wall-E joins her, in hopes of discovering more with her and gaining more purpose to his life. Their adventures have some serious ups and downs that like every Pixar Film, will melt your heart.  – Ray 

Bridget Jones Diary (2001)

32 years old and hella single, Bridget Jones decides to start her year off with a set a resolutions and document her journey in a diary… all to prevent her only major relationship being with a bottle of wine. This witty film is packed with your UK stars; Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Renne Zellwegger (oh wait, she’s American…unbelievable!) As Bridget tries to curb her bad habits of drinking, smoking, and sleeping with the wrong fellas, you can’t help but want to be her best friend. Her sense of humility will help you love yourself more for the progress and downfalls of your life and thats what makes this film so captivating; it’s both a ‘fall in love story’ and a ‘love yourself’ story all in one! -Ray

Set It Up (2019) 

I’m not even ashamed to say that I’ve watched this movie three times since it came out last year. It’s just so cute and funny. Yes, the premise – that two overworked and underpaid assistants come up with a plan to get their bosses off their backs by setting them up with each other – is original and fun, but it’s the casting that really takes this movie to a whole other level. If you’re not shipping Glenn Powell and Zoey Deutch immediately after their first scene together then you’re a goddamn monster. It seems like they’re at an 11 on the fun scale the entire movie, even when they’re supposed to be hating their lives. Yes, the ending is predictable, but you won’t even care because there’s no way you’ll be gunning for a plot twist. – Vanessa

The Hidden Gems

Your Sister’s Sister (2012)

Don’t let the cheesy cover of this movie fool you, this isn’t a traditional rom com. The premise: a man (Mark Duplass, one of my all-time biggest celebrity crushes) beds his best friend’s (Emily Blunt) sister (Rosemarie DeWitt), leading to an unexpected love triangle when his friend arrives the next day – and I can’t give anymore away without ruining it. The majority of the movie takes place in a cottage, and is entirely driven by a razor sharp script and the incredible chemistry between Blunt and Duplass (though who wouldn’t have chemistry with him?!). It’s sweet, engaging and delves into complicated emotions. You will laugh, cry, and fall deeper in love with Mark Duplass. – Vanessa

The One I Love (2014) 

This movie blew my mind. And stayed with me for years. The concept is entirely original, and I can’t even say too much about it without giving it away, but basically it’s about a couple (Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss) whose marriage is crumbling, that have a surreal experience during a weekend getaway at a house recommended by their therapist (Ted Danson). You’ll get invested in the characters and their relationship, and it will leave you on the edge of your seat. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Mark Duplass? It’s no coincidence that he stars in three movies on this list. – Vanessa

Obvious Child (2014)

Obvious Child is the feminist, pro choice rom com this world has always needed. In it, our girl Jenny Slate plays Donna Stern, an immature, newly unemployed comic who must navigate the murky waters of adulthood after her fling with a graduate student (Jake Lacy, who is so, so likeable) results in an unplanned pregnancy. You will most certainly laugh, cry and fall in love with Jenny Slate – that is if you haven’t already. In fact, in my mind, Jenny is my incredibly talented and hilarious friend (Jenny if you’re reading this, what up). We see ourselves in her and are cheering her on the entire movie. – Vanessa

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Fact: This one time Vanessa and I were on St. Clair waiting for Alyssa outside a Dollarama and Mark Duplass was walking up behind her and I was too star struck (and stumped on his name) to tell her who was approaching us. By the time I spat out his acting resume, he had already passed us. It sucked. Fact: Mark Duplass is in this movie and it’s why you’ll fall in love with him. This movie will have you truly redefining true love. A cute plot where a magazine follows and interviews a man (our boy Mark Duplass)  who has put an add in a paper for a companion for time travel. Friggin’ time travel! Of course one of the employees from the magazine is the forever adorable and kind of awkwardly personable Aubrey Plaza, and obviously she’s diggin’ him but also, he believes in time travel, and she’s also conflicted because of the story she’s writing…so it’s a big clusterfuck of emotions. It’s like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days except instead of losing brain cells while watching this movie you’ll be rethinking the limits of love, feeling all the good vibes due it’s gorgeous, uprising soundtrack(MD sings on it, we’re swoon) and it’s also laugh out loud funny! Please do the right thing and watch this film. -Ray 

Hits From the 80’s

When Harry Met Sally (1989) 

This is my favourite movies of all time, so if you haven’t seen it then you’re seriously missing out on a classic. The flick chronicles the relationship between Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) over twelve years, proving that sometimes it’s not love at first sight that strongest, but love that develops over time that conquers all. To me, Billy Crystal is not an  attractive man per se, but regardless of how you feel about him sexually, you can’t help but fall in love with him over the course of this movie. And Meg Ryan is someone you’ll always want a happy ending for. Overall, when Harry Met Sally is smart, hilarious and will still be relevant another 30 years from now. – Vanessa

The Princess Bride (1987)

Ok. This one is childish and cheesy but still a good one. This movie is old as hell, and on top of that it’s set in even older times… literally horses, castles, and a damsel in distress.. Fuck, upon looking it up, it’s as old as us, so I guess we’re old as hell. But it’s still a classic. If you’re looking to pick apart a rom-com for a good laugh but also have your heart tingle a little, this ones for you. It’s great to watch in a group because it’s got  elements of (obvie) romance, action, parody and adventure! Starring the babely Cary Elwes (just stare at his bottom lip the whole movie and you’ll get the appeal) and Robin Wright who shortly after scored the role of grown up and strung out Jenny from Forrest Gump. Grab your crew, some snacks, and perhaps a doobie and watch this one… there’s lots to talk about but also make your heart go daaaamn, that’s love. -Ray

Best of the 90’s

Clueless (1995)

This movie is iconic. Alicia Silverstone plays Cher, a rich high school student, who decides to make over the new kid in school,Tai, (Brittany Murphy) along with her friend Dionne (Stacy Dash) but ends up learning a lesson in love along the way. This movie was the first time I ever laid eyes on my dream guy, Paul Rudd, who plays Cher’s ex-step-brother and brainy college student, Josh. It didn’t take me the whole movie to figure out he was a catch! Brittany Murphy is perfect as the naive newbie and Alicia kills it in the role of the ignorant little rich girl with Daddy’s credit card.  I’ve seen this movie a hundred times and I will watch it a hundred more. -Alyssa

Reality Bites (1994)

If you were born in the 80’s you’ve likely seen this gem of a movie. Directed by Ben Stiller, this flick perfectly captures 90s angst. A romantic comedy centred on an aspiring videographer (Winona Ryder) working on a documentary about the lives of her friends, room-mates and herself as they work to find their path in life post-college. And one of those friends is the dashing Ethan Hawke. He plays the guy you hate so much but actually fall madly in love with. The other friends are Janeane Garofolo and Steve Zahn, who are equally lovable and give the movie that extra pizzazz. – Vanessa 

Everafter: A Cinderella Story (1998)

No plot breakdown is necessary here, because it’s a variant of Cinderella!  So be prepared for all that cheesy goodness that comes with a good ole fairy tale. Drew Barrymore is charming as always, playing the oh so mistreated Danielle (she’s our Cinderella) who manages to climb her way to the top. If Cinderella was a real life story, you’d hope it would go down this way. Also Angelica Huston plays her evil stepmother. Guys, IMDB Angelica Huston, she is almost ALWAYS a witch, an evil villain, or idk MORTICIA ADDAMS…talk about perfect casting. A classic rags-to- riches story, and that’s why it made my list, it’s the oldest trick in the book for a good love story. -Ray

True Romance (1993)

This movie makes you ask the question; How deep is your love? They’re love runs real deep; Clarence (Christian Slater) and Alabama (Patricia Arquette) push their love to all limits, with their PDA, Bonnie and Clyde vibes, and TRUE Romance from the moment they meet! It’s an action love story that truly exudes sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. Stacked with an all star cast; Gary Oldam, Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper and a very stoned Brad Pitt, you won’t be disappointed. This movie is one of my favourites of all time, so a spoiler free summary of the story goes as follows… A call girl (Alabama) get hired for (Clarance) on his birthday and they quickly end up having the best date together and immediately fall in love. With Alabama’s pimp looking out for her, things quickly escalate, a huge fight turns into a battle that’ll change their life forever… they are officially on the run. Watch the two of them and their quick, but thick love unfold in this SO COOL Tarantino written film. – Ray

Pretty Woman (1990)

Obviously this movie made the cut. It’s the ultimate Cinderella story. Edward,(Richard Gere) a wealthy businessman, needs and escort for several social events and hires Vivian, (Julia Roberts) a prostitute to do the job, only to fall in love along the way. Julia Roberts is pure perfection in this film. There are so many iconic scenes, iconic lines. It makes you feel good. I don’t even care for Richard Gere all that much, but I LOVE him in this movie. Definitely another flick I could watch again and again and never get tired of.

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

I friggin love this movie! Lucy, (Sandra Bullock) saves Peter’s life (Peter Gallagher) after he falls onto the subway tracks. Only then, Peter falls into a coma and somehow his entire family ends up thinking Sandy is his fiancee! For whatever personal reasons she doesn’t tell them she’s not, even when she starts falling for Peter’s sexy brother, Jack (Bill Pullman). Yes, I think Bill Pullman is sexy. This movie is so cute and Sandy and Bill are so great together and it takes place at Christmastime which is also nice. This is definitely part of my annual repertoire.   

The French Films (They Really Know Their Romance)

Love Me if You Dare (Jeux d’enfants) (2003)

The French sure know how to tell a love story. Best friends Julien (Guillaume Canet) and Sophie (Marion Cotillard) continue an odd game they started playing as children – a fearless competition to outdo one another. As the pranks become more and more dangerous, the pair realize that the game is a way of hiding their true feelings for each other. The chemistry in this movie is great – maybe because the two became a real-life couple after filming this movie and are still together to this day. The ending is insane, and only something that couple be devised by the French, who are oh-so-original – Vanessa

Amélie (2001)

Be for warned; If you watch this film you may cut impromptu bangs. Personally, I’ve seen this movie just over ten times and had to space out watching it because 10/10 times I’ve gotten my bangs cut. Amelie is perfect. You want to be her. At least I do. She’s kind, cute and truly should be pictured the dictionary definition of je ne sais quoi… not just because she’s French. The movie’s appeal has a lot to do with its crazy, and almost whimsical tone as Amélie tries to improve the lives of the people around her in the strangest ways. To name a few, she randomly links arms with a visually impaired person walking down the street and whispers in his ear all the sites around them as they take their stroll, she snatches her father’s favourite garden gnome and snaps pics of it in different geographic locations to encourage him to travel… and then theres of crouse her own love interest (which I wont get into, because no spoilers here, but its pretty adorbs.) Fill your heart with this feel good movie, it celebrates love in its many forms not just romantic loves! -Ray

Quirky Faves

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

There’s no mistaking this movie for a Wes Anderson film, from the split screens to the slight camera tilting it has his style painted all over it! Set in the mid-1960s in an island off the New England coast, the story is of Sam and Suzy, two outcasted, pubescent kids who find companionship and first love in one another and how they manage to run-away together. Sam, a member of the Khaki Scouts sneaks past his fellow scouts and Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) to meet with Suzy. Not too far from the campgrounds Suzy sneaks out of her buzzing home (her parents being Frances McDormand and Bill Murray), to meet with Sam. With only Sam’s impressive camping skills and Suzy’s suitcase full of children’s books, the two lovebirds hit the wilderness together. But there’s a hurricane on its way and a local search party is turning its town upside down to find them… which unveils a whole lot more than expected.. This film, like many other Anderson films will take you to a whole different world! Also, Bruce Willis is in this and he’s looking hella hot, so there’s my easy sell!  -Ray

The Shape of Water (2018)

Winner of best Motion Picture of the Year at the Academy Awards (2018) alongside 3 other Academy Awards including Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Best Achievement in Production Design, and Best Achievement in Directing, you’ve gotta know this one is a goodie. But if 4 Academy Awards don’t convince you, maybe my words will. This movie is so beautiful you could easily watch it on mute… and that was done on purpose. The main character, Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is a young janitor of a secret lab that is a mute. Her inability to speak has her in a position of being in earshot of top secret information of a mutant sea-creature that she eventually develops feelings for. Yes. This movie goes there, it gets hella weird, but yet maintains enough clarity of right and wrong to make all of it passable. A mashup between Romeo and Juliet and King Kong, lets your mind get swirly and taken on a fantastical journey written by Guillermo Del Toro. -Ray

Shopgirl (2005)

Centered on the idea of the value we place on having a comfortable life versus the prospect of true love, Shopgirl is a film adaptation of Steve Martin’s novel of the same name. It chronicles a complex love triangle between a bored salesgirl (Claire Danes), a wealthy businessman (Steve Martin) and an aimless young man (Jason Schwartzman). This movie will make you feel things about love. First off, Jason Schwartzman is a version of a man we all dated at some point in our early 20’s – who seems hopeless but is also endearing and Steve Martin is the perfect representation of the idea of being “swept off your feet.” But who will prevail? – Vanessa

Beginners (2010)

I love Christopher Plummer more than I love Ewan McGreggor – there, I said it. And Plummer is a lot of what makes this movie a home run for me. Him and the adorable dog that gets just about as much screen time. The premise: a young man (Ewan McGregor) is rocked by two announcements from his elderly father (Christopher Plummer): that he has terminal cancer and that he has a young male lover. And this happens simultaneously while he is also falling in love with the beautiful Melanie Laurent. The casting is a recipe for success, and the script is equally wonderful. I cannot recommend this movie enough. – Vanessa

Romance + Dance (The Best Combo)

Dirty Dancing (1987)

This movie gives me all the feels. Frances “Baby” Houseman, (Jennifer Grey) is spending the summer with her family at a Catskill Mountains Resort when she meets sexy dance instructor Johnny Castle, (Patrick Swayze) who did I mention is super sexy? The whole movie is about Baby helping out Johnny’s dance partner by filling in for her in a recital but it turns into this whole sexy dancing love story. The chemistry between these two is on fire. If you’ve never seen this movie you’re depriving yourself of movie making magic. -Alyssa

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

This early Baz Luhrmann flick centers on Ballroom Dancer, Scott Hastings, who decides to risk his dancing career by going rogue and taking on a novice dancer, Fran, (Tara Morris) to be his partner. Kind of like a ballroom version of Dirty Dancing but quirkier and Australian. The lead character, Fran, really ropes me in from the beginning as the meek little ugly duckling and I can’t help but root for her throughout the movie as she blossoms into a beautiful swan. (Scott Hastings ain’t so bad either.) Definitely an undercover film that’s worth a watch. -Alyssa

Don’t worry, we also have a cocktail for you. We call this one Kiss From a Rosé, because (you guessed it), there’s rosé in it. This gorgeous bevy is actually super simple to make, especially in a big batch for friends. Grab the recipe here.

 

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