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In a way, we’ve evolved past the romantic comedy. It can take multiple forms—escape movie or girl’s night out; coming of age stories and political comedies. Essentially, with the reinvention of the rom com in recent years, the rules have changed and we’re sitting in a new place that makes the list of the below ten movies worth paying attention to. Hell, even Daenerys Targaryen is getting in on the game, even if its sans a couple of dragons. But don’t expect the romantic comedies that you know from year’s past (unless you’re expecting What Women Want, in which case, we have a pretty close alternative). Nope, the features that fall under the umbrella of romantic comedy take the genre to a new place, and it’s not half bad, guys.
The below 10 movies are the roundup of the best of this year, but that’s by no means the end of the list. With a couple more months of 2019 left, there’s still a chance for a late entry (which is why we’ve gone ahead and thrown in Last Christmas here because, come on). There’s a bit of something for everyone—even those who refuse to go to the theater (i.e, Netflix).
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Booksmart
Real talk: Booksmart is the best romantic comedy of the year. Not only is the friendship between Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever intoxicatingly charming, but the film features that awkward fumbling that comes along with being infatuated with a high school love. Bonus points for a sweet lesbian storyline and capturing that painfully familiar feeling of misjudging love. Booksmart is the comedy to beat this year.
Long Shot
Nothing is more unlikely than finding out your old babysitter is Secretary of State and also planning a run for the United States presidency, but hey, movies aren’t always about being realistic. What makes Long Shot work so well is the strangely palpable chemistry between Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron. He’s still the stoner movie guy, but damn if Seth Rogen doesn’t know his way around a rom com.
Where’d You Go Bernadette?
Based on a book of the same name, Cate Blanchett takes on the lighter role of a woman who is defined by her role as a wife and mother until she decides that she wants to spice up her life in the same way she experienced years ago, whens she was a preeminent architect. What follows is an escape from her humdrum life and an exploration that takes Bernadette and the ones who care about her on a search for life’s biggest surprises. Also, you get Kristen Wiig in a movie again, so it’s worth it.
Someone Great
Starring Gina Rodriguez, Netflix has established a reputation for producing romantic comedies that make you feel good. Are they particularly going to nab any major awards? No. But damn if it’s not fun to watch while you polish off a bottle of wine. After getting the job she always hoped for, Jenny (Rodriguez) has to leave New York and her boyfriend isn’t coming with her. What results is a girls-night-out trip, featuring Britney Snow, Questlove, and RuPaul.
Always Be My Maybe
Everyone has an old flame that floats into their minds every so often, but rarely do you get the chance to consider rekindling that relationship. In Always Be My Maybe, Ali Wong and Randall Park unite as one of the most charming couples of the year. Wong plays Sasha, a successful chef, while March (Park) is still jamming out with his hip-hop rock band from high school. That doesn’t particularly get in the way though when the two reunite…
Murder Mystery
Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler in a romantic comedy-mystery? Game on. The two play an NYC-based couple who get invited on the worst yacht ever when a murder breaks out. What results is the fanciest game of clue in modern memory, very reminiscent of the books Aniston’s character reads. But spoiler: a little bit of death can actually help heal a stale relationship.
Yesterday
Yesterday was one of those sleeper summer films that got a bit lost in the shuffle, but it doesn’t mean that it’s any less charming or not worth your time. When a global power outage ends, no one in the world can remember the Beatles or any of their music—save one guy who then makes it his mission to communicate their work to the world. But when his mission launches him into stardom, he’s pushed to decide if love or fame is more important. (Listen to the song, my man. Love is all you need.)
What Men Want
Out earlier this year, Taraji P. Henson’s gender-swapped version of What Women Want may not go into the rom com canon, but she gives it her all. After getting knocked out, Henson’s character wakes up with the ability to read men’s minds. That’s not always the gift you think it is though. A bit of comedy and romance makes it one of the easiest watches of 2019.
Isn’t it Romantic
Isn’t it Romantic attempted to skewer the hallmarks of romantic comedies while folding in a story of its own. When a woman gets knocked out (this is a recurring thing, y’all), she wakes up to find that she’s in her greatest nightmare: she’s trapped in a rom com of her own. The good news is that by the end of the story, she’s come to realize that the greatest love story of her life is the journey that she takes to love herself. Do you get it?
Last Christmas
Still a ways from being out, Last Christmas is the Christmas rom com you didn’t know you needed this year. With Daenerys Targaryen in her rearview, Emilia Clarke stars along with Henry Golding as an elf at a Christmas shop who is disenchanted with the holiday season. Under the thumb of her delightfully campy mother (Emma Thompson) and Christmas shop boss (Michelle Yeoh), Clarke is tasked with finding a reason to appreciate the season and find love in her life again.
Justin Kirkland is a writer for Esquire, where he focuses on entertainment, television, and pop culture.
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