A serenade in front of a plane full of people. A deck of poster cards bearing a declaration of love. A boombox blasting your favourite song. Who says love is dead? Get into your comfiest PJs, fire up the popcorn maker and stick on a face mask because you’re about to have the greatest night-in of your life! Keep reading for a list of the best rom-coms for your next girls’ night.

45. 16 Candles (1984)

My rating: 6/10

Watch it for: Molly Ringwald in one of her most iconic roles. Although it’s from the ‘80s, it still accurately portrays teen issues like body image, first love, familial discord, teenage drinking and anxiety. Who doesn’t love a teen movie?

44. She’s All That (1999)

My rating: 6/10

Watch it for: Baby Usher, Anna Paquin, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Paul Walker. This was one of the most popular teen films of the late ’90s. Watch it and find out why!

43. Splash (1984)

My rating: 6/10

Watch it for: The plot. Tom Hanks is in love with a mermaid. Need I say more? Best rom-com idea ever.

42. 10 Things Hate About You (1999)

My rating: 6/10

Watch it for: A fun take on The Taming of The Shrew and Heath Ledger’s vocal debut. The themes of sisterhood, love and finding yourself may also strike a chord. Tres bien.

41. The Wedding Planner (2001)

My rating: 6/10

Watch it for: Matthew McConaughey as a doctor with glasses. Not really a love story I can approve of, but there’s a fun dynamic between him and Jennifer Lopez.

40. Moonstruck (1987)

My rating: 6/10

Watch it for: Nicholas Cage. You’ll never see him rougher than he is in this movie. Also, he’s in love with Cher. If you liked My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you’ll like this too!

39. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

My rating: 6/10

Watch it for: A sweet southern romance. Sometimes the best things in life are the ones you left behind. Reece Witherspoon and Josh Lucas are electric.

38. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

My rating: 7/10

Watch it for: PG romance in a sex-obsessed world. Sometimes it’s nice to keep things modest. Jump on Netflix and watch this now! One of the best rom-coms for teens on this list.

37. 27 Dresses (2008)

My rating: 7/10

Watch it for: Classic Heigl. What happens when your sister gets engaged to the boss you’ve been in love with for years? Plan their wedding, of course! James Marsden co-stars.

36. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

My rating: 7/10

Watch it for: The most perfect romantic pairing in cinematic history. Arguably the best Hudson/ McConaughey movie and a noughties classic.

35. The Lake House (2006)

My rating: 7/10

Watch it for: Something a bit more serious. Technically, this isn’t a rom-com, but it’s a damn good romantic movie. Don’t believe me? Has Sandra Bullock ever made a bad movie? The answer is no.

34. Bride and Prejudice (2004)

My rating: 7/10

Watch it for: The cobra dance scene. Honestly, I laughed my head off at it when I first saw it. Never has a sister been more embarrassing in recent memory. A very interesting adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

33. Maid in Manhattan (2002)

My rating: 7/10

Watch it for: All the feels. The cast and the story are perfection. It’s a bit unrealistic, but so what? Maid in Manhattan is a really nice film.

32. Just Like Heaven (2005)

My rating: 7/10

Watch it for: What should be an impossible romance, but isn’t. Reece Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo prove that love can fix anything. Jon Heder of Napoleon Dynamite also makes an appearance as a psychic.

31. Say Anything (1989)

My rating: 7.5/10

Watch it for: The boombox scene. Everyone knows it, but have you seen it in context? John Cusack has literally not aged!

30. 13 Going on 30 (2004)

My rating: 7.5/10

Watch it for: ‘80s nostalgia and a fairy tale plot. After a humiliating birthday party, 13-year-old Jenna makes a wish and wakes up as a successful 30-year-old magazine editor. Little does she know, being an adult has its own set of problems. Cast includes Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo and Judy Greer.

29. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

My rating: 7.5/10

Watch it for: Tips on how not to deal with unrequited love. Julia Roberts leads an all-star cast in this classic ‘90s rom-com about a woman who tries to break up her bestie’s wedding.

28. Hitch (2005)

My rating: 7.5/10

Watch it for: The charming relationship between Will Smith and Kevin James. Ever thought you had an impossible crush? Alex Hitchens is tasked with setting up an overweight investment banker with a celebrity. There’s lots to love in this rom-com.

27. Love, Actually (2003)

My rating: 7.5/10

Watch it for: Variety. This modern classic follows multiple characters dealing with their own romantic issues in the lead up to Christmas. From young love to the unrequited kind, we find out what love’s all about and why it’s worth the fuss.

26. Pillow Talk (1959)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: Dorris Day’s revenge renovation. I mean, what else is there to do when you find out your love interest is a lying sleaze? This rom-com actually holds up quite well.

25. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: The beautiful romance between Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. Yes, another Sandra Bullock movie. It also co-stars Peter Boyle, the snarky grandpa from Everybody Loves Raymond.

24. Never Been Kissed (1999)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: Drew Barrymore in one of her best roles. Did you have a tough time in high-school? Imagine if you could do it all again. That’s what this lovable film’s all about.

23. Trainwreck (2015)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: Amy Schumer’s screenwriting debut. There are some R-rated moments, but it’s a modern take on the genre that combines Schumer’s classic humour with the best rom-com elements we all know and love.

22. Waitress (2007)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion’s sweet romance. A bit of an unusual plot for a rom-com, but it’s since become a Broadway hit with music by Sara Bareilles so it must have done something right!

21. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: The most colourful rom-com you’ll ever see. With filming shot at locations in London, New York, Singapore, Providenciales and more, if you don’t love the plot, you’re sure to get inspiration for your next holiday!

20. The Princess Bride (1987)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: Your movie bucket list. This is an iconic film. If you don’t know the story of Westley and Buttercup and the band of misfits they befriend, you must watch this film immediately, if only for the quotes.

19. Notting Hill (1999)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: A bookshop romance that doesn’t end in murder. Everyone’s been raving about the Netflix show, You, but for something more tasteful, try Notting Hill.

18. Emma (1996)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: Gwyneth Paltrow as you’ve never seen her before – a spoiled 1800s heiress who sets up the singles in her local English village, with little thought to the consequences. A classic.

17. Pride and Prejudice (2005)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: A faithful adaptation that you can watch in two hours. Yes, the ‘90s mini-series starring Colin Firth will probably always be the model upon which all else are judged, but Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen do just fine.

16. Overboard (1987)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: Laughs. Is it ethical? No. Do you laugh anyway? Yes. This real-life couple ooze chemistry in this heart-warming film. One of the best rom-coms of the ‘80s.

15. P.S. I Love You (2007)

My rating: 8/10

Watch it for: A bit of a cry. Probably the saddest movie on this list, but still worth a watch. Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler prove that love lasts forever. Bring tissues!

14. Midnight in Paris (2011)

My rating: 8.5/10

Watch it for: A quirky rom-com set in Paris. This list would be incomplete without the city of love. A surprising rom-com starring Owen Wilson that encourages us to be content where we are.

13. Clueless (1995)

My rating: 9/10

Watch it for: The one-liners. If you loved, Emma, you’ll probably enjoy this ‘90s take on Austen’s classic matchmaking tale. There’s also a great cast of young Hollywood stars such as Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd and Brekin Meyer.

12. The Holiday (2006)

My rating: 9/10

Watch it for: The all-star cast whose love lives you can’t get enough of. It’s also written by the Queen of Rom-Com, Nancy Meyers. What more do you need to know?

11. The Proposal (2009)

My rating: 9/10

Watch it for: Sandra Bullock as you’ve never seen her before. Hardworking boy meets highly-strung girl. Boy becomes girl’s assistant. Girl blackmails boy so she doesn’t get deported. What could go wrong?

10. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

My rating: 9/10

Watch it for: Faith in love. When his childhood sweetheart reveals her infidelity, Cal suddenly has to face dating in his 40s. Befriended and guided by local ladies’ man, Jacob, he might just be able to get his groove back. A heart-centred and well-acted rom-com.

9. Some Like It Hot (1959)

My rating: 9/10

Watch it for: The final line and Marilyn Monroe’s greatest role. Set during 1929, the mafia element, prohibition, classic jazz and winks to the impending stock market crash only make this farce all the more brilliant.

8. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

My rating: 9/10

Watch it for: Meg Ryan at her finest. When Harry Met Sally sets out to answer the timeless question: Can men and women ever just be friends? Spoiler: No, they can’t.

7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

My rating: 9/10

Watch it for: Something a little different. This is a film about literally erasing an ex from your mind. Though loss can be painful, it begs you to consider whether you’d do it all again. A thoughtful sci-fi rom-com.

6. He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)

My rating: 9/10

Watch it for: Ginnifer Goodwin, whose character we’ve all been at some point in our lives. You’d never believe a self-help book about dating could be adapted for the big screen, but somehow Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein managed it. This box office hit grossed over $84 million worldwide!

5. Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

My rating: 10/10

Watch it for: Diane Keaton’s crying montage and a fresh take on the genre. Who says romance is for the young? Keaton plays a divorced playwright who falls for her daughter’s older boyfriend while being pursued by the local doctor.

4. The Wedding Singer (1998)

My rating: 10/10

Watch it for: Adam Sandler singing Somebody Kill Me Please. Sandler has a great voice, and when his romantic interest is Drew Barrymore, how could this movie not be a success?

3. About Time (2013)

My rating: 10/10

Watch it for: Time-travel romance. Probably one of the most underrated rom-coms out there. A beautiful, heartbreaking film co-starring Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy.

2. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)

My rating: 10/10

Watch it for: Laughs, a killer soundtrack and to restore your faith in true love. This oh-so relatable rom-com is probably the most successful adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and one of the best rom-coms of all time!

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

My rating: 10/10

Watch it for: Aunt Voula. There are many fantastic quotes in this movie, and most of them come from Aunt Voula. Strap yourself in for a rom-com about loud families, taking control of your life and breaking from tradition.

Whether you’re an Austen fan or more of a modernist, there’s something romantic for everyone on this list. Treat yo’self with the best rom-coms around and make your next girls’ night a night to remember.

Have I missed your favourite? Add it to the comments below.

Have a wonderful week!

Grace x