Film Favorites

There was a great post yesterday on AAR about romantic comedies of the film rather than the book variety.

I’m fairly picky about my romantic comedies. I’ll watch just about anything, but very few have made it to the watch and re-watch stage. Here are some of my go to movies:

How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days

The banter. Oh, the banter. Not to mention the soundtrack.

10 Things I Hate About You

a) Shakespeare. b) Can we just say, “I love you, baby….” If you’ve seen the movie, you know what I’m talking about.

You’ve Got Mail

Set in my beloved New York, about bookstores, and with great chemistry. Le sigh.

While You Were Sleeping

I’ve always had a bit of a Bill Pullman thing. Not to mention that the comic side characters are brilliantly comic.

Sabrina

The old one with Audrey Hepburn– accept no substitutes!

The Philadelphia Story

I debated about whether this one really fell in the comedy camp, since it has some more serious undertones– but I love it too much not to include.

What are your favorite romantic comedies?

49 Comments

  1. Jane F on November 3, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Great selection! many of my favorites are in there.

    I always say 10 Things I Hate About You got me through high school.

    Other favorites are: Danny Deckchair – zany but excellent and (I’m on the fence about this one) Kate and Leopold but it’s got New York, Hugh Jackman and knee breeches.

  2. Pam on November 3, 2011 at 9:43 am

    Oh, Ten Things I Hate About You…so wonderful. Ditto You’ve Got Mail, the Shop Around the Corner reminds me of the Corner Bookstore on 93rd and Madison.

    To the list I add: Addicted to Love (did someone say banter?), Bridget Jones’s Diary, Kissing Jessica Stein (banter with a lovely heart), and then not sure these count: Cold Comfort Farm, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and The Jane Austen Book Club.

  3. Jessica Mac on November 3, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Love How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days!! Who doesnt love Matthew McConaughey!!?? Another good one with him and Kate Hudson, Fools Gold!

    Monster In Law
    The Ugly Truth
    The Backup Plan
    Bewitched

  4. Erin M on November 3, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Serendipity
    Never Been Kissed
    50 First Dates

  5. Angie on November 3, 2011 at 10:31 am

    I’m old school. Anything with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, It Happened One Night (Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert), Charade, Rear Window and To Catch a Thief (not really romantic comedy but the wit and style just ooze from them) …

  6. Céline on November 3, 2011 at 10:41 am

    I loved How to loose a guy in 10 days to bits, really one of the best romcoms ever!
    You’ve got mail and While you were sleeping also fall into that category. I’ll add The Ugly truth (a bit vulgar but never laughed so much during one single movie).
    There are so much romcoms that I love that it’s hard to pick just a few. Love actually counts as one of them, Bridget Jones…

  7. Céline on November 3, 2011 at 10:43 am

    Oh and recently, I also love Life as we know it starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel… reminded me of a book by Amanda Brown (author of Legally blonde), Family trust!

  8. Lauren Ashley on November 3, 2011 at 10:51 am

    You’ve Got Mail is one of my all time favorites! I mean how can you go wrong with Tom Hanks, bookstores and a mention of Pride & Prejudice? 🙂 but some of my other favorites would have to be 10 Things I Hate About You, Two Weeks Notice (hello Hugh Grant), Pretty Woman, and I know there are so many more!

  9. Shannon on November 3, 2011 at 10:51 am

    The Truth About Cats and Dogs is one of my favorites…own it, can’t get enough of it! Love Serendipity, too. Mor recent favorites are Definitely, Maybe and Made of Honor.

  10. Angie on November 3, 2011 at 10:55 am

    Great list! While You Were Sleeping, You’ve Got Mail, and 10 Things are definitely at the top of my list, along with Love Actually – my favorite CHRISTMASY rom-com!

  11. Christine on November 3, 2011 at 10:57 am

    Valentine’s Day and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton. I’m going to hide in shame now.

  12. Deanna on November 3, 2011 at 10:58 am

    There are two movies that I absolutely can’t pass by if they are on TV: You’ve Got Mail and Notting Hill. I have watched those two movies dozens of times and my poor husband will walk in on me watching one of them and just groan. If I’m having a bad day, a glass of wine and one of those movies makes it all better.

  13. Alex on November 3, 2011 at 10:59 am

    Great list! My go to movies are the Holiday, Down With Love, Letters to Juliet, the Princess Bride, and I don’t know if it falls into the category but I love Much Ado About Nothing with Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branaugh.

  14. Joey B. on November 3, 2011 at 11:00 am

    I’ll second “The Truth About Cats and Dogs”, “Serendipity”, “Bridget Jones Diary”, “Love Actually” and “Never Been Kissed.”
    Must add to list:
    “Four Weddings and a Funeral”
    “The Wedding Singer”
    “The Holiday”
    “Music and Lyrics”
    “The Wedding Date”

  15. SarahSki on November 3, 2011 at 11:12 am

    I don’t know if I have anything to add that isn’t already here! 🙂 I love Never Been Kissed, Music and Lyrics, and Serendipity for sure.

    Oh! How about “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”? I love those as well. Eternal Sunshine isn’t so much a romcom, but it’s cute.

  16. Ashley on November 3, 2011 at 11:14 am

    While You Are Sleeping is at the top of my list – it’s a holiday tradition. Every year, my sister and I watch it together. It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I see some Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman!

  17. Lizzy on November 3, 2011 at 11:25 am

    I love all the old Doris Day/Rock Hudson comedies, because they’re so campy and the dialogue is always so bawdy (although the plots are always so chaste)

  18. Anya on November 3, 2011 at 11:30 am

    Ok….my favorites are….duh duh duh…..

    The Ugly truth….
    Ever after….
    The Phantom of the Opera…
    Moulin Rouge….
    The Hussars ballad (russian movie)
    Moscow doesn’t believe in tears….
    the list goes on and on!

  19. Sheila on November 3, 2011 at 11:31 am

    I’m not sure if it fits, but Groundhog Day pulls me in every time…anything with Hugh Grant, but especially Love, Actually, and , I may havethe wrong number, but 40 First Dates is really touching.

  20. Sheila on November 3, 2011 at 11:34 am

    Oh, I see it was probably 50 first dates…one can lose track..

  21. Emily on November 3, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    So glad that some others mentioned “It Happened One Night” and “Serendipity”. I’m also going to throw out “The Cutting Edge”. I was obsessed with that movie in high school.

  22. Jessica S. on November 3, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    You’ve Got Mail — when I think I want to live in New York, what I mean is in Meg Ryan’s/Kathleen Kelly’s apartment

    The Wedding Date — a redheaded heroine AND partial Dermot Mulroney nudity!

    Sweet Home Alabama — poor girl, has to choose between Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas #wishihadyourproblemslady

    Notting Hill –dry British humour, London as a backdrop, and an amazing soundtrack

    Roman Holiday (does that count?) — makes me want to tool around Rome on a Vespa with Gregory Peck (swoooooon)

    Love Actually — just a wonderful celebration of love in all forms

    White Christmas — 50s fashion, great music and some of the best one-liners ever

    My Big Fat Greek Wedding — because nothing ruins love like your family

    10 Things I Hate About You — now with 100% more bittersweetness since Heath Ledger’s untimely death

    and THE romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally… — making deli sandwiches even more popular since 1987.

  23. Jessica S. on November 3, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh no your website ate my answer! I had witty asides. Now it only gets the list.

    You’ve Got Mail
    Love Actually
    Sweet Home Alabama
    The Wedding Date
    Notting Hill
    White Christmas
    Roman Holiday
    Breakfast at Tiffany’s
    The Philadelphia Story
    anything with Hepburn and Tracy
    10 Things I Hate About You
    When Harry Met Sally…

    and most of the rest of the ones mentioned.

  24. Farin on November 3, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    Love Actually is my favorite romantic comedy EVER. The conversation between Jamie and Aurelia gets me every time (“It’s my favorite time of day, driving you.” “It’s the saddest part of my day, leaving you.”).

    I also love Under the Tuscan Sun. And can we call Practical Magic a romance, after a fashion? If so, then that’s up there as well.

  25. Bridget Erin on November 3, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    There are so many good ones on this list. I agree with many of them, but my favorites include:
    -Alex and Emma ( I adore Kate Hudson)
    -The Princess Bride
    -Holiday Inn (there are some great lines!)
    -On Moonlight Bay
    -By the Light of the Silvery Moon (these last two are Doris Day and they are lovely)

  26. Cait on November 3, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    Nottingham Hill
    Pride and Prejustice the with Judy Dench
    Love Actually- LOVE
    Legally Blond

  27. Leslie on November 3, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    Shakespeare in Love
    Sense and Sensibility
    Love Actually, anything written by Richard Curtis
    Now, Voyager
    Love in the Afternoon
    Manhattan

  28. Leslie on November 3, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Now, Voyager isn’t very funny, but it is a beautiful love story.

  29. Lucy on November 3, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    I’ll second some of the already mentioned,

    It Happened one night is probably my all time favourite. Also love anything with Cary Grant like Indiscreet or My Favourite Wife, it doesn’t really count as a romantic comedy but Charade with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn is definitely up there.

    Ten Things and Sweet Home Alabama as well and also just love Intolerable Cruelty

  30. Cho on November 3, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    Ten Things I Hate About You: Lauren, you basically said it all. Who doesn’t love the “I love you, baby” scene?!

    He’s Just Not That Into You: Quirky and adorable, with attractive men and entertaining dating advice

    The Holiday: American girl and English girl (played by Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, no less) switch houses and fall in love with charming guys? Yes, please! Plus England in the winter=love.

    Love Actually: All time favourite. Most of my favourite British actors and actresses, it’s hysterical, and the soundtrack is great.

    Confessions of a Shopaholic: It’s cute, okay?!

    Bridget Jones’s Diary: Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and it’s got a Pride and Prejudice basis? Lovely!

  31. SusanN on November 3, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Like so many others, I love the older romcoms. I could watch a Cary Grant movie every day–Bringing Up Baby, The Awful Truth, Holiday, His Girl Friday, My Favorite Wife, Operation Petticoat, That Touch of Mink, Father Goose, To Catch a Thief. . . I’m getting heart palpitations just thinking about them.

    I’ve also had a crush on Fred Astaire my whole life (had a life-size poster of him on the back of my bedroom door when I was a teenager). All of those old dance movies with Ginger, Edward Everett Horton, and Eric Blore were both magical and hilarious at the same time.

    I like so many of the new ones, too. I can’t seem to resist watching You’ve Got Mail every single time it runs on TV, even tho I also own the DVD.

  32. Gina on November 3, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    Oh, such a good topic. When Harry Met Sally, 10 Things I Hate About You, 27 Dresses, Love Actually…

  33. Bren on November 3, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    French Kiss (Kevin Kline is awesome in just about everything he’s in… this one is super cute)

    Bridget Jones’ Diary (the fight scene between the two male love interests? Priceless! And the fact that they are Colin Firth and Hugh Grant make it even better)

    Sabrina (sorry for me it’s all about Harrison Ford… he plays a truly heartless but sexy Linus…and that line at the end in the Paris streets, “Help me… Sabrina Fair. You’re the only one who can.” *faints*)

    The Princess Bride … Just… cuz…

  34. AngelB on November 3, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Well, anything with John Cusack. LOVE LOVE LOVE that man.

    Better Off Dead
    The Sure Thing
    Journey of Natty Gann
    One Crazy Summer
    Say Anything
    Gross Pointe Blank
    Pushing Tin
    High Fidelity
    America’s Sweethearts
    Serendipity
    Must Love Dogs
    Hot Tub Time Machine

    And that’s just a few!!

    Here are few more that I always watch when it’s on.

    Grease
    16 Candles
    The Proposal
    Don Juan DeMarco
    Benny & June
    Return to Me
    Groundhog Day

  35. Diana Staresinic-Deane on November 3, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    My absolute favorites – the ones I can watch again and again:
    Four Weddings and a Funeral
    Love Actually
    Music & Lyrics
    Pillow Talk
    Sweet Home Alabama

    I thought Love Actually was one of the most beautiful movies. I first saw it weeks after my mom died, and even though a funeral was a big part of the story, there was something so positive and uplifting about the film that I’m glad I watched it when I did.

  36. Julie L on November 3, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    So many of these are great – can you believe I’ve never seen “10 Things…”?

    My favs (in no special order):

    Bridget Jones’s Diary
    Never Been Kissed
    The Wedding Singer
    Pillow Talk
    Sabrina
    You’ve Got Mail
    It Happened One Night
    That Touch of Mink (any Cary movie is on my list)
    The Philadelphia Story
    Working Girl
    Broadcast News

  37. Christy on November 3, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    So many great choices…
    Emma (Gwyneth and Jeremy version)
    Much Ado About Nothing
    You’ve Got Mail
    Sleepless in Seattle
    Roxanne
    My Best Friend’s Wedding
    Failure to Launch
    Princess Bride
    Must Love Dogs
    27 Dresses
    Bridget Jones Diary
    Don’t Tell Her It’s Me (old 80’s flick with Steve Gutenberg)
    Singing in the Rain
    High Society (Think Philedelphia Story with great music)
    Guys and Dolls
    Pillow Talk
    Easter Parade
    White Christmas

  38. Jessica C on November 4, 2011 at 2:52 am

    I LOVE You’ve Got Mail – one of my all-time favourite romantic comedies. Also on my list

    – anything with Audrey Hepburn – especially Sabrina, Roman Holiday and Paris When It Sizzles

    – Love Actually (Bill Nighy is GOLD)

    – Confessions of a Shopaholic

    – Amelie

    – Bride and Prejudice (who doesn’t love a Bollywood version of P&P?)

    – Muriel’s Wedding (classic Aussie film)

    – His Girl Friday

    – Some Like it Hot

    – Crazy Stupid Love (best recent rom-com I’ve seen)

    – 27 Dresses

    – Bridget Jone’s Dairy

    – Clueless

    – Stardust

    Also anything Jane Austen (or Jane Austen based) but NEVER EVER anything based on a Nicholas Sparks novel (not to my taste at all)

  39. Jackie on November 4, 2011 at 3:35 am

    Oh, yes, While You Were Sleeping and You’ve Got Mail along with its counter part Jimmy Stewart Shop Around the Corner. If you love the old ones as I do there is Christmas in Conn. with Barbara Stanwick Then one I have watched over and over is The Wedding Planner–my favorite quote is from that “You smell like sweet red plums and grilled cheese sandwiches, it is entirely too cute.

  40. JoAnn on November 4, 2011 at 7:02 am

    I’m so happy to see someone mentioned 16 Candles. I recently sent the DVD to my two daughters (who are in college). They had a movie night in the dorm and all the girls/guys loved it!
    I would also add The Proposal – makes me laugh and cry! 🙂

  41. HJ on November 4, 2011 at 8:03 am

    I’m surprised that (with your background) you didn’t mention
    Legally Blonde! Love that film. (Bend and… flick!)

    Also:

    Roman Holiday
    Sabrina (both versions)
    10 Things I Hate About You
    (500) Days of Summer (but not really a comedy)
    My Best Friend’s Wedding (Rupert Everett on top form)
    She’s the Man (another Shakespeare-inspired film)
    Clueless (Emma revisited)
    Cheating here, as it’s an old British TV series which I have on DVD:
    Just Good Friends (“Of course he knows what a vegan is, don’t you, Vince?” Vince: “Absolutely, I never missed an episode of Star Trek.”

    I also love the old Clark Cable films, and the Doris Day ones too.

  42. Anne on November 4, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Okay, I really like many of the choices so far (Music and Lyrics where Hugh Grant embraces the smarm; The Holiday esp. when Jack Black sings in the Blockbuster; You’ve Got Mail which makes everyone fall in love with NYC; When Harry Met Sally which taught some of us men and women can never be friends; Love Actually which manages to be beautiful and silly and sweet all at the same time; Bridget Jones’ Diary where the girl gets the guy despite clumsiness and an awkward reindeer jumper; 10 Things, which takes what’s icky about Taming and turns it on its head – girl power!) but c’mon people…

    PRETTY WOMAN!

    It kinda defines the genre. Julia Roberts is charming and beautiful and even a little strong by the end. Richard Gere is our alpha male with a gooey center, and Jason Alexander is the guy we love to hate. Plus there’s divot stomping and an opera that’s so good you pee in your pants (or you like better than Pirates of Penzance).

  43. AngelB on November 4, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    ooo…totally forgot one. Victor/Victoria. It’s hilarious!!! Plus I’m a sucker for James Garner too. As Maverick, as Rockford, with Doris Day, with Sally Fields, with Julie Andrews. In the Notebook. He rocks.

    PS..Anne – no on Pretty Woman. 1) the hooker thing and 2) I saw it in Cali during the “preview” process right after the whole Richard Gere/gerbil thing may/may not have happened. That put a whole new spin on that movie that I’ll never recover from. haha

  44. JoAnn on November 5, 2011 at 8:42 am

    I say yes on Pretty Woman…love can happen to anyone!!

  45. Rachel Nicole on November 5, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Your list is all the same as mine, Lauren! The Philadelphia Story is one of my faves of all time, and I hope you’ve seen The Shop Around the Corner–You’ve Got Mail was based on it and it’s got Jimmy Stewart, too, and it’s so much more romantic. And 10 Things came out while I was in high school–I was the EXACT right demographic for it! And I do know what you’re talking about, Lauren–one of the best on-screen serenades EVER!

    TOTALLY agree with the Audrey Hepburn mentions, as well as Pillow Talk. The second Doris Day/Rock Hudson rom-com Lover Come Back is even better! And The Princess Bride isn’t just a great romance and comedy–it’s one of the best films ever PERIOD.

    Of recent years, I would add When in Rome–SO romantic and the supporting cast is FULL of comedic actors doing what they do best.

    Also, did anyone mention The Cutting Edge? SUCH a great mix of romantic, funny, and (believe it or not) sports, with the figure skating. (Toe pick!)

  46. Amy N. on November 6, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    “Return to Me” and “The Cutting Edge” AND Doris Day get my vote.

  47. Jenny on November 6, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    North and South starring Richard Armitage. Colin Firth’s got nothing on Armitage. Nothing.
    Not to mention the rest of the Gaskell movie collection. Those are some of my favorite rewatches EVER in the romantic comedy genre. Watch them. Now. Do it.
    While You Were Sleeping and Sleepless in Seattle are two classics for me.
    🙂

  48. Thomas Colman on December 14, 2011 at 3:48 am

    You completed some fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found the majority of folks will go along with with your blog.

  49. kadıköy kurye on March 7, 2015 at 10:16 am

    Oh, yes, While You Were Sleeping and You’ve Got Mail along with its counter part Jimmy Stewart Shop Around the Corner. If you love the old ones as I do there is Christmas in Conn. with Barbara Stanwick Then one I have watched over and over is The Wedding Planner–my favorite quote is from that “You smell like sweet red plums and grilled cheese sandwiches, it is entirely too cute.

Leave a Comment