The Best Romantic Comedies of All Time

Romantic comedy movies (better known as RomComs) can bring warmth to the spirit even in the depths of winter — and of course are required viewing for Valentine’s Day! Here are the top RomComs of all time.

1. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (1989)

This classic was directed by Rob Reiner and stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as Harry Burns and Sally Albright. The two first meet in Chicago after college graduation and then share a ride to New York City. Through a series of chance encounters over the years, they eventually start to fall in love. The lunch scene, filmed at the Big Apple’s famed Katz’s Delicatessen, is one for the ages! Find out where to stream it here.

2. MOONSTRUCK (1987)

What would Valentine’s Day be without this flick? It stars Cher as Loretta Castorini, a 37-year-old widow living at home with her parents and grandfather in Brooklyn, who accepts a proposal from her boyfriend but finds herself falling for his younger brother. Plot twists, pasts, futures and romance all perfectly enmesh, thanks to Cher’s stunning performance, along with that of a great supporting cast that includes Nicholas Cage, Danny Aiello and Olympia Dukakis. The film received six nominations at the 60th Academy Awards^®, with Cher bringing home the Best Actress Award. Find out where to stream it here.

3. YOU’VE GOT MAIL (1998)

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star in this tale of an online romance where the two parties share no information about their personal lives. The twist is that the burgeoning couple are actually business rivals. They eventually meet but don’t discover their real connection until it finally reveals itself through an email exchange. You have to watch it to find out the rest! Find out where to stream it here.

4. SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1993)

Yes, it’s another RomCom with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan but the resemblance ends there. In this uplifting story, Annie Reed (Ryan) is a journalist who, although engaged, becomes interested in recently widowed architect Sam Baldwin, played by Hanks. Having just moved to Seattle with his son, Baldwin gets on a talk radio show to discuss his feelings, which leads Reed to fall for him. Find out where to stream it here.

5. PRETTY WOMAN (1990)

This big budget film centers on escort Vivian Ward, played by Julia Roberts, as she crosses paths with Edward Lewis, a powerful corporate raider from New York, played by Richard Gere. One night during a business trip, Lewis mistakenly drives into Hollywood’s red-light district, where he meets Ward, who shows him how to operate the manual transmission shift of his sports car. Despite the differences in their lifestyles, the two end up together. Find out where to stream it here.

6. COMING TO AMERICA (1988)

Directed by John Landis, Coming to America showcases the many talents of Eddie Murphy, who created the story and also stars as crown prince Akeem Joffer of the fictional African nation of Zamunda. Seeking an escape from his upper-class life and upcoming arranged marriage, he and his best friend/personal aide Semmi, played by Arsenio Hall, travel to Queens, New York where they take jobs in a fast food restaurant and rent a tenement apartment. In search of an independent woman, Joffer eventually finds love with Lisa McDowell (Shari Headly), with whom sparks begin to ignite. Find out where to stream it here.

7. ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953)

This black and white classic stars Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, and would net Hepburn an Academy Award for Best Actress. She plays Crown Princess Ann, who while touring Rome away from her duties, takes a sedative from her doctor and falls asleep on a bench. American reporter Joe Bradley, played by Peck, finds her and takes her back to his apartment for safety. Needless to say, romance ensues! Find out where to stream it here.

8. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)

Yes, it may have been filmed 90 years ago (!), but this endearing film, directed by Frank Capra (who also gave us the holiday chestnut It’s A Wonderful Life), still delivers romance and laughs aplenty. Here, Clark Gable plays Peter Warne, a rough reporter who runs across spoiled heiress Ellen “Ellie” Andrews on a Greyhound bus to New York City, who is running away from her tycoon father in Florida. Warne recognizes who she is and offers to help reunite her with her new husband in exchange for a story. Snappy patter, adventure and, of course, love follows. Find out where to stream it here.

9. ANNIE HALL (1977)

Woody Allen stars as comedian Alvy Singer as we follow the ups and downs of his romantic relationship with quirky nightclub singer Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). The film brilliantly challenges stereotypes, contrasting the cities of New York and Los Angeles while exploring Jewish identity and other elements of psychology. It won four Academy Awards, including two for Allen as Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, and one for Keaton as Best Actress. Find out where to stream it here.

10. BULL DURHAM (1988)

Mixing sports with romance? It may seem improbable, but Bull Durham manages to pull it off. Based on the real-life minor league baseball experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton, Kevin Costner stars as “Crash” Davis, a seasoned AAA catcher who is tasked with teaching and guiding pitcher Ebby Calvin Laloosh (Tim Robbins). Baseball groupie Annie Savoy, played by Susan Sarandon, eventually finds herself being romantically drawn away from Laloosh to Davis — and the story of that journey is both hilarious and heartwarming. Find out where to stream it here.