Joey Magidson
Earlier this week, a portion of the internet blew up with controversy (isn’t that always the way with Film Twitter?), one surrounding a certain list. The list in question surrounded the best romantic comedies of all time. Now, you can agree or disagree with inclusions or exclusions on a ranking, but something that irked so many people actually caught my eye. The article seemed to skew shockingly modern, especially considering how long the rom-com genre has existed. So, rather than cursing the dark, I decided to light a candle. In short order, I came up with a list of my own, making sure to include as many decades as possible. Today, I’m sharing that with you!
Below, I’ve listed some of my favorite romantic comedies. What I did, to make this a little unique, was categorize them by decade. That way, you can see not just a wide range of eras, but styles as well. While my list does veer modern, as many of mine do, seeing how few rom-com lists make room for the classics had me making sure I didn’t exclude older titles, especially since something Yours, Mine, and Ours is an all-time favorite. So, obviously enjoy the list, and find a few to watch, but definitely open yourself up to some of the older titles you haven’t seen, not just the newer ones…
Here now are my picks for the best romantic comedies of each decade, going back as far as I was comfortable with:
2020’s
Palm Springs
2010’s
About Time
The Big Sick
Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Long Shot
Love and Other Drugs
Silver Linings Playbook
Sleeping with Other People
What If
2000’s
(500) Days of Summer
Bridget Jones’ Diary
Elizabethtown
Failure to Launch
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Garden State
The Girl Next Door
High Fidelity
Jersey Girl
Love Actually
Something’s Gotta Give
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
1990’s
10 Things I Hate About You
As Good As It Gets
Blast From the Past
Chasing Amy
Doc Hollywood
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Groundhog Day
It Could Happen to You
Jerry Maguire
Notting Hill
Pretty Woman
Sleepless in Seattle
There’s Something About Mary
The Wedding Singer
1980’s
Bull Durham
Moonstruck
Peggy Sue Got Married
The Princess Bride
Say Anything
The Secret of My Success
Splash
When Harry Met Sally
1970’s
Annie Hall
The Goodbye Girl
Harold and Maude
1960’s
The Apartment
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Yours, Mine, and Ours
1950’s
Pillow Talk
Roman Holiday
Singin’ in the Rain
Some Like it Hot
1940’s
Adam’s Rib
His Girl Friday
The Philadelphia Story
1930’s
Bringing Up Baby
City Lights
It Happened One Night
What are your favorite romantic comedies? Let us know!
I think one of the reasons why that list irked so many people was because that genre is one of the few where skewing exclusively modern is totally inexcusable. The romantic comedy enjoyed its golden age during the 30’s and 40’s, with even its mid-tier classics blowing all but a small handful of romcoms made in the last fifty years out of the water.
Many of the most complex, densely-structured thrillers of the 21st century lauded by Film Twitter are nowhere near as clever or well-written as The Lady Eve.
Very true, and while I didn’t include several classics, I do think I proved the point of being fully capable of loving the new stuff, while not ignoring the incredible work that came before.
This isn’t a complete list but it’s decent one.
1930’s
City Lights
My Man Godfrey
Bringing up Baby
Ninotchka
1940’s
The Philadelphia Story
The More the Merrier
Talk of the Town
1950’s
Born Yesterday
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
How To Merry A Millionaire
Sabrina
The Solid Gold Cadillac
Some Like It Hot
Bell , Book and Candle
Lady and The Tramp
1960’s
The Apartment
Father Goose
Prudence and the Pill
1970’s
What’s up Doc
High Anxiety
1980’s
Victor/ Victoria
The Princess Bride
Moonstruck
Baby Boom
1990’s
Emma
Shakespeare In Love
2000’s
Chocolat
Amelie
Down With Love
View From The Top
No Reservations
A Good Year
Julie and Julia
2010’’s
Beginners
Frances Ha
The 2010’s and 2020’s lacking I either haven’t watched enough or liked enough of the genre . I hope to catch up . I tried not to overlap too much and stay with mostly romantic comedies.
Some strong other options there. Kudos.