By Elahe Izadi
The Washington Post
The advent of Netflix’s hyper-specific movie genres (what did we ever do without “dramas featuring a strong female lead”?) have rendered “romantic comedy” a useless label. Yes, there is love and laughter, but how raunchy is the movie? Are the actors all teenagers? Does watching it require suspending belief in the laws of space and time? Are sports involved?
Here’s a breakdown of the different kinds of romantic comedies out there, with our picks for the top movies emblematic of the categories.
Raunch coms
There’s a bit of sappiness and romantic drama but also plenty of jokes about genitalia and flatulence — you know, the stuff of life. This kind of approach has seen a reemergence in recent years, thanks to moviemaking machine Judd Apatow.
“There’s Something About Mary” (1998)
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008)
“Trainwreck” (2015)
Best friends with benefits
Being stuck in the “friend zone” is a tale as old as time. Here, varying approaches on how to cope when discovering your soul mate has been right in front of you the whole time.
“When Harry Met Sally” (1989)
“Brown Sugar” (2002)
“Just Friends” (2005)
Sports rom-coms
All’s fair in love and athletic competitions. Prior sports knowledge not required.
“Fever Pitch” (2005)
“Bend It Like Beckham” (2002)
“Bull Durham” (1988)
Old-school literary inspiration
If someone accuses you of watching a shallow, lowbrow movie, kindly remind them that rom-coms are basically the William Shakespeare plays and Jane Austen novels of today.
“Clueless” (1995) (Austen’s “Emma”)
“She’s the Man” (2006) (Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”)
“Roxanne” (1987) (Edmond Rostand’s “Cyrano de Bergerac”)
Metaphysically impossible premise
Love can be complicated enough, but imagine how much more so when body-swapping, or time travel are on the table. These movies require buying into an absurd premise, which serves as a vehicle to universal relationship dynamics.
“Groundhog Day” (1993)
“13 Going on 30” (2004)
“Splash” (1984)
Oh good, a wedding
Nothing like watching two individuals commit themselves totally and completely to each other forever to get you thinking, “Hey, I’m lonely!”
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002)
“Runaway Bride” (1999)
“Bridesmaids” (2011)
Love triangles
Congratulations, you’ve managed to find another human being whom you’re attracted to and love being around. Now, imagine you’ve found two or more such precious creatures. Decisions!
“Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001)
“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)
“Mamma Mia” (2008)
Pregnancy
Procreation is a classic comedic foible and often involves another human being of the opposite sex. Just the kind of chemistry needed for a rom-com complication.
“Knocked Up” (2007)
“Nine Months” (1995)
“Fools Rush In” (1997)
Can she have it all?
It’s the modern debate for the modern woman: How do you balance leaning in, climbing ladders and shattering glass ceilings while also standing in a ready position to fall head over heels in love? It’s a question for physicists and screenwriters.
“The Devil Wears Prada” (2006)
“The Proposal” (2009)
“The Wedding Planner” (2001)
Type-A girl, Type-B guy
She’s uptight, because the patriarchy. He’s laid-back because he gets a full night’s sleep. They can’t stand each other and also can’t be without each other.
“Something New” (2006)
“Sweet Home Alabama” (2002)
“The Ugly Truth” (2009)
Ensemble
Why watch just two people fall in and out of love for an hour and a half when you can watch six of them? It’s a more efficient way to consume a rom-com.
“Love Actually” (2003)
“Think Like a Man” (2012)
“He’s Just Not That Into You” (2009)
Teen
You’re young and in love (well, do you really know what it means to be in love when you’re not old enough to vote? We have our doubts.) These coming-of-age tales can make you feel nostalgic for a high school experience you never really had.
“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
“Pretty in Pink” (1986)
“Can’t Hardly Wait” (1998)
Older love
Oh, look, a full-grown adult with a plethora of life experiences and self-awareness has fallen in love. Surely something entertaining will come of this.
“Something’s Gotta Give” (2003)
“It’s Complicated” (2009)
“Grumpy Old Men” (1993)
Classics
Rom-coms existed before the 1980s, and they were actually pretty good, despite the absence of Meg Ryan.
“Pillow Talk” (1959)
“Annie Hall” (1977)
“The Philadelphia Story” (1940)
Man-child
When delayed adolescence lasts decades.
“About a Boy” (2002)
“Failure to Launch” (2006)
“Cyrus” (2010)
Based on outdated technology
Once upon a time, people communicated via dial-up internet, handwritten letters, pagers and bulky cellphones with antennas. These movies function almost as little time capsules.
“You’ve Got Mail” (1998)
“Sleepless in Seattle” (1993)
“One Fine Day” (1996)
Makeovers
You’ve got a killer personality, but your love interest just can’t see past what you’ve got going on in the face and body regions. Typically, all you need to do is remove your glasses, wear less clothing and boom: total transformation. Sometimes you also have to crack open a book.
“She’s All That” (1999)
“Legally Blonde” (2001)
“The Princess Diaries” (2001)
Mistaken identity
Little lies are difficult to maintain, so imagine trying to keep up a mistaken-identity ruse. These movies can make you apprehensive about meeting anyone new and trusting they are who they claim to be. Maybe get a look at their driver’s license.
“Coming to America” (1988)
“The Truth About Cats & Dogs” (1996)
“Tootsie” (1982)
Action rom-coms
Guns, car chases and explosions can really do wonders for a relationship.
“This Means War” (2012)
“The Bounty Hunter” (2010)
“Mr. &Mrs. Smith” (2005)
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