Romantic comedies possess an enchanting allure that’s simply irresistible. Even the most hardened souls find themselves captivated by the sheer magic of the finest new rom-com flicks. These delightful films offer a delightful mix of A-list actors, uproarious laughter, and heartwarming conclusions that leave you longing for a taste of love.
What’s truly remarkable is the vibrant range of romantic comedies we’ve witnessed in recent times. Gone are the days when they all felt eerily similar, following a predictable pattern with familiar faces gracing the screen. The likes of Sandra Bullock, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon, and Matthew McConaughey shot to stardom thanks to their success in this genre. However, once-refreshing ideas, such as the race to the airport to declare love before someone boards a plane, eventually grew stale and cliched. Thankfully, present-day romantic comedies have broken free from these conventions, opting for fresh and hilarious approaches to storytelling.
Discover and relish your favorite new romantic comedy movies from this amazing list. Feel free to share any gems we might have overlooked. And don’t forget to return to see how fellow users rank your choices.
1. Palm Springs
In the quirky rom-com Palm Springs, we meet Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti), who are stuck in a time loop, doomed to relive the same day repeatedly. It’s an endless wedding celebration in Palm Springs where these two strangers find themselves forming an unlikely bond. As they navigate this surreal predicament, their characters undergo an evolution against the backdrop of the desert. Comedy and romance blend seamlessly into the narrative, making for an entertaining and heartfelt experience. And guess what? This film’s unique take on the concept of time has even landed it a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 78th Golden Globe Awards.
Released: 2020
Directed by: Max Barbakow
Actors: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J.K. Simmons
2. Holidate
Tired of being alone during holidays, two strangers decide to become each other’s platonic plus-ones for the entire year. Little did they know, their arrangement would lead to the development of genuine emotions.
Fed up with the recurring disappointment of spending holidays solo, these two individuals made a pact. They decided to accompany each other to various events throughout the year, purely as friends. However, things took an unexpected turn as their connection deepened.
What initially began as a convenient arrangement gradually transformed into something more. As they spent time together, sharing experiences and creating memories, genuine feelings started to surface. Both individuals found themselves caught up in a wave of emotions they never anticipated.
It’s a classic tale of two strangers seeking companionship, only to stumble upon love along the way. Despite their initial intentions of remaining platonic, fate had other plans in store for them. As they navigated through the ups and downs of their newfound relationship, they discovered the true meaning of love and companionship.
This heartwarming story reminds us that sometimes, unexpected connections can lead to the most beautiful and fulfilling relationships.
Released: 2020
Directed by: John Whitesell
Actors: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Kristin Chenoweth
3. The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
Two teens develop a budding romance while stuck in an endless time loop.
Released: 2021
Directed by: Ian Samuels
Actors: Kathryn Newton, Kyle Allen, Jermaine Harris
4. Always Be My Maybe
In the lively rom-com, Always Be My Maybe, childhood friends Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) find themselves navigating the ups and downs of love. As they chase their dreams, they are pulled apart by ambition and circumstances. Sasha becomes a renowned chef on the West Coast, while Marcus stays in their hometown working at his father’s air conditioning business.
Years later, a chance encounter brings them back together, reigniting old emotions and leading to hilarious mishaps. Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s diverse food scene, the film takes us on a mouthwatering journey of romance, humor, and culinary artistry.
Always Be My Maybe is a heartwarming exploration of friendship, cultural identity, and the power of second chances.
Released: 2019
Directed by: Nahnatchka Khan
Actors: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Michelle Buteau
5. Long Shot
Fred Flarsky is a talented and free-spirited journalist who always seems to find himself in sticky situations. On the other hand, Charlotte Field is a highly influential woman, known for her intelligence, sophistication, and political achievements. By a stroke of luck, Fred bumps into Charlotte and discovers that she was his babysitter and childhood crush. It’s a surprising twist of fate.
In a spontaneous move, Charlotte decides to run for the presidency. And guess what? Against all odds, she hires Fred as her speechwriter, causing quite a stir among her trusted advisors. They’re not exactly thrilled about this unexpected addition to the team.
Released: 2019
Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Actors: Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, June Diane Raphael
6. Yesterday
In the British romantic comedy, Yesterday, we follow the story of Jack Malik, a struggling singer-songwriter. One day, he wakes up to a strange event – a global blackout. But that’s not the weirdest part. Jack soon realizes that he is the only person in the world who remembers The Beatles! Can you imagine? The world has completely forgotten about one of the greatest rock bands in history.
Seeing this as a golden opportunity, Jack decides to start performing The Beatles’ songs as if they were his own. And guess what? He skyrockets to fame! Suddenly, he’s the hottest thing in the music industry. But this newfound stardom comes at a cost.
Jack’s rise to fame puts a strain on his relationship with Ellie Appleton, his longtime friend and manager. As he navigates the pitfalls of stardom, he starts questioning the true meaning of success. Is it all about fame and fortune, or is there something more to it?
Directed by the talented Danny Boyle and written by the brilliant Richard Curtis, this film gives a fresh twist to the classic story of overnight success. Get ready for a hilarious and heartwarming journey as Jack Malik takes on the music world with the timeless songs of The Beatles.
Released: 2019
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Actors: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon
7. Someone Great
So, here’s the deal: this music journalist just got dumped by her boyfriend of, like, forever. But guess what? She’s not gonna let that bring her down. No way! Instead, she’s rallying her two best friends and they’re gonna have one epic adventure in the Big Apple before she heads off to San Francisco.
I mean, seriously, who needs a lame ex-boyfriend when you’ve got two awesome besties by your side? They’re gonna take New York City by storm and make memories that’ll last a lifetime. And they’re not gonna hold anything back. It’s gonna be outrageous, wild, and totally unforgettable.
Picture this: three fearless ladies hitting up all the coolest spots in NYC. They’re gonna hit up the trendiest bars, dance their hearts out at the hottest clubs, and maybe even crash a few rooftop parties. They’re gonna live it up like there’s no tomorrow because, hey, life’s too short to waste on moping around.
But here’s the thing, this adventure isn’t just about having a good time. It’s about finding themselves, figuring out what they want in life, and embracing new beginnings. It’s a chance for our music journalist to discover her true passion and chase her dreams in San Francisco.
So, get ready for a rollercoaster ride of laughter, tears, and everything in between. This trio is about to redefine the meaning of friendship and show the world that nothing can break their spirit. New York, watch out, because these girls are about to leave their mark on the city that never sleeps.
Released: 2019
Directed by: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Actors: Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, DeWanda Wise
8. Isn’t It Romantic
Meet Natalie, a hardworking architect from New York City. She puts in her best efforts at work, hoping to grab some attention. Unfortunately, she often finds herself doing tasks like fetching coffee and bagels rather than designing the city’s next breathtaking skyscraper.
But hold on tight, because things are about to take a bizarre turn. One day, Natalie becomes the victim of a subway mugging and ends up getting knocked unconscious. And here comes the twist – when she regains consciousness, she finds herself in an entirely different universe. Yep, you read that right.
Now, Natalie has always been a bit skeptical when it comes to matters of the heart. Little did she know that her worst nightmare was about to become a reality. Suddenly, she discovers that she is the leading lady in a genuine, real-life romantic comedy. Cue the shock and disbelief.
So, there you have it. Natalie’s life has taken an unexpected and rather odd turn. Will she embrace the role thrust upon her and find love, or will she find a way to escape this surreal situation? Only time will tell.
Released: 2019
Directed by: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Actors: Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam DeVine
9. Love Hard
So, get this: this L.A. writer was all excited after finding her perfect match on a dating app. She thought she hit the jackpot! But guess what? When she decided to surprise him for Christmas by flying a whopping 3,000 miles, she found out she had been catfished. Can you believe it? What a bummer!
Released: 2021
Directed by: Hernán Jiménez
Actors: Nina Dobrev, Darren Barnet, Jimmy O. Yang
10. Brittany Runs a Marathon
Brittany Runs a Marathon is a hilarious movie from 2019, directed by Paul Downs Colaizzo. It revolves around the story of Brittany Forgler, a 27-year-old gal living in New York who decides to give running a shot to figure out where she’s heading in life.
Released: 2019
Directed by: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Actors: Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar
11. Tall Girl
So, there’s this really tall girl in high school. And get this, she falls for this super good-looking foreign exchange student. I mean, can you say “unexpected”? Anyway, things get even more complicated when she realizes she’s caught in a love triangle. Who knew, right? But here’s the kicker: through all of this, she starts to realize that she’s actually way more than just her height insecurities have made her believe. Pretty eye-opening stuff, if you ask me.
Released: 2019
Directed by: Nzingha Stewart
Actors: Ava Michelle, Griffin Gluck, Luke Eisner