The 5 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time

There’s something about romantic comedies that never gets old. Whether it’s the swoon-worthy moments, the hilarious misunderstandings, or the sheer comfort of knowing love will (mostly) win in the end, rom-coms are my cinematic happy place. And while there are plenty of contenders in the genre, a few films stand above the rest—at least in my book. So, grab some popcorn and your favorite cozy blanket, because here are my top five romantic comedies of all time.

The gold standard of romantic comedies. Written by the legendary Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally isn’t just a rom-com—it’s the rom-com. It asks the age-old question: Can men and women ever just be friends? Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal’s chemistry is effortless, the dialogue is razor-sharp, and don’t even get me started on the Katz’s Deli scene. This film doesn’t rely on over-the-top rom-com clichés; instead, it feels real, grounded, and perfectly paced. Every rewatch just reaffirms why this is the blueprint for the genre.

Kate Hudson. Matthew McConaughey. Yellow dress. This movie is pure chaotic perfection, featuring one of the best “enemies-to-lovers” arcs in rom-com history. Watching Andie (Hudson) try to be the worst girlfriend imaginable—while Benjamin (McConaughey) tries to win her over—is hilarious, ridiculous, and somehow still romantic. The whole thing is completely unhinged, but in the best way possible. And let’s be real, no one else could’ve pulled off that frost yourself marketing campaign like these two.

If you don’t immediately smile when you hear Love is a Battlefield, did you even grow up in the early 2000s? 13 Going on 30 is a perfect blend of romance, nostalgia, and wish-fulfillment fantasy. Jennifer Garner is absolutely adorable as Jenna, a 13-year-old who suddenly wakes up in her 30-year-old self’s body, and Mark Ruffalo as Matty is peak rom-com love interest material. The Thriller dance scene? Iconic. The pink dream house? Unforgettable. And that ending? Pure magic. This movie is like a warm hug, and I will never not love it.

Unconventional? Yes. Still one of the best? Absolutely. 500 Days of Summer flips the traditional rom-com structure on its head, giving us a nonlinear look at a relationship that was never meant to be. It’s romantic, heartbreaking, and beautifully told, capturing the highs and lows of falling in love with someone who doesn’t quite feel the same way. Zooey Deschanel’s Summer is the ultimate manic pixie dream girl (for better or worse), and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Tom is painfully relatable in all his hopeful naivety. It may not have the fairytale ending of a typical rom-com, but that’s exactly why it works.

If there’s one rom-com heroine I’ll always root for, it’s Bridget Jones. She’s messy, hilarious, and deeply relatable in ways that make this film feel timeless. Bridget Jones’s Diary is basically Pride and Prejudice for the modern age, complete with an awkward love triangle, diary entries that are equal parts embarrassing and endearing, and a scene where Colin Firth fights Hugh Grant in the most hilariously uncoordinated brawl ever put to screen. It’s fun, it’s romantic, and it reminds us all that sometimes, love is about finding someone who likes you just as you are.

Romantic comedies aren’t just movies—they’re comfort food for the soul. Whether you’re in the mood for something witty, nostalgic, chaotic, or bittersweet, these five films deliver every time. So, if you’re ever stuck on what to watch, trust me: you can’t go wrong with any of these. Now, I’m off to rewatch When Harry Met Sally for the hundredth time—because honestly, is there ever a bad time for that?

Back in the ‘80s, Saturday mornings were sacred. It was the one time of the week kids had the TV all to themselves. No parents yelling about chores or bills, no news anchors going on about politic. Just pure kid fun in the form of cartoons. These weren’t just any cartoons either; these were shows so epic, they made waking up early on a weekend feel worth it. If you were lucky, you’d grab a bowl of your favorite sugary cereal, plop down in front of the TV, and let the magic happen.

In the ‘80s Saturday morning cartoons had it all! Action, comedy, and sometimes a random PSA about how not to be a jerk to your friends. They had characters you wished you could be, like a sword-wielding hero or a cool mutant turtle with ninja skills. The stories were wild, the animation was colorful (for the time), and the theme songs? Certified bangers. Seriously, some of those intros still live rent-free in my head decades later.

The best part? These Saturday morning cartoons shows had no shame in being completely over the top. They’d mix robots with dinosaurs, throw in some aliens, and add a plot about saving the planet for good measure. But that’s what made them awesome, they were ridiculous, and we loved them for it. Even now, thinking about those Saturday mornings hits me with a wave of nostalgia so strong I can almost taste the Cap’n Crunch.

He-Man wasn’t just jacked—he was the guy. Fighting Skeletor in a world of magic and monsters, He-Man made you believe yelling “By the power of Grayskull!” could fix anything. The show was cheesy but in the best way.

Robots turning into cars, planes, and everything else? Genius. Optimus Prime was the dad you always wanted, and Megatron made being bad look cool. It was the ultimate battle of good versus evil with explosions.

Four mutant turtles trained in martial arts by a giant rat? Sure, why not! They ate pizza, kicked butt, and had catchphrases like “Cowabunga!” What’s not to love?

Lion-O and the gang brought a mix of sci-fi and fantasy to your screen. With their epic battles and that wild “ThunderCats, ho!” battle cry, they had you hooked. Plus, Snarf was everyone’s weird little sidekick.

“Knowing is half the battle!” If you watched G.I. Joe, you probably still say that line. The team of elite soldiers fought Cobra and taught life lessons at the same time. A true classic.