16 Rom-Coms That Illustrate Timeless Truths About Love

The rom-com gets a bad rap. It’s been criticized as unrealistic, as wish fulfillment, and as stereotypes strung together like Christmas lights. But I think there’s a reason we keep coming back to the rom-com – for decades, I might add – and it’s not just because we see a story we wish were true. Maybe we love rom-coms because they tell us the truth about the romance and fulfillment found in true love.

Looking to reaffirm your belief in true love and all the good things to come from it? Here are a few rom-coms to visit and revisit to remind yourself why falling in love is simply the best.

When Harry Met Sally – Sometimes Friendship Is Just the Beginning

Rob Reiner’s classic film When Harry Met Sally, which ushered in Meg Ryan’s dominance of the rom-com genre, is as poignant today as the day it was released. The sardonic Harry and the optimistic Sally begin their acquaintance with an argument over whether men and women can really ever be “just friends.” But as their relationship changes and evolves over time, we begin to see that maybe that isn’t the right question at all. Maybe, at least for Harry and Sally, friendship is only the beginning of something beautiful.

Game Night – Marriage Is When the Fun Really Starts

Okay, maybe this one isn’t exactly a rom-com, but it’s one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen and it’s surprisingly romantic. Max and Annie Davis love playing any kind of game – it’s how they met and fell in love. But when they start a new, interactive role-playing game with their crew of board game friends, Max and Annie have to face the really dangerous question of the night: Are they ready for children?

About Time – Being Radically Present Is Crucial for True Happiness

When Tim Lake is a young man, his father sits him down and reveals the family secret: All the men in their family can travel in time. Navigating the trials of young adulthood, Tim uses his ability to try to win the girl of his dreams and to keep his friends and family happy. But Tim slowly learns that changing the past doesn’t come without consequences, and the best secret to happiness is to be completely present in the moment.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day – The Course of True Love Doesn’t Run Smooth without Friends

Miss Pettigrew wasn’t exactly hired to help young actress Delysia Lafosse, but once she arrives she sees how desperately the young American needs her. Delysia helps Miss Pettigrew loosen up, and Miss Pettigrew helps Delysia slowly unravel the tangled web of her love life. Ultimately, there’s true love intended for each woman – but they only find it with the help of their friendship.

17 Again – Divorce Isn’t the Answer to Unhappiness

I think this movie is way underrated. Zac Efron does a fantastic job as Mike, a discontented and soon-to-be divorced man who is given the chance to return to his glory days as a high schooler. But Mike can’t turn off how much his children still need him to help them, and he also can’t stop the way he feels about his wife, Scarlet. Are there some awkward moments in this one? You bet. But this story gets one thing very right: Divorce isn’t always the answer to unhappiness.

Hitch – Compatibility Is More Than a List of To-Dos

Known as “Hitch,” Alex Hitchens calls himself a date doctor and has made it his mission in life to help men win the girls who otherwise wouldn’t give them the time of day. When he starts to develop feelings of his own, though, Hitch’s life begins to spin out of control. Eventually, Hitch learns that compatibility isn’t a to-do list he can teach men to cross off and that all he needs to do is help men have the confidence to be their best selves.

13 Going on 30 - Your Femininity Is Your Greatest Gift

Jenna Rink hates being 13, so she wishes to be 30 years old. Her wish is granted, and she wakes up in a world where she’s successful at work but estranged from her parents and her best friend Matty. Reconnecting with Matty in an attempt to fix her life, the two begin to pick up the relationship that never got a chance to bloom in middle school. The most surprising? As Jenna becomes her most feminine self, not only does she begin to win Matty back, but she also becomes even more successful at work as well.

The More the Merrier – Being Set Up Is Romantic Too

We get so used to iconic meet-cutes that sometimes we can forget that being set up is romantic too. Wily old gentleman Benjamin is subletting half of lonely Connie’s apartment during World War II. But when he meets young soldier Joe looking for short-term housing, Benjamin decides he’s found the perfect match for Connie – and proceeds to match the pair up in wild and wacky ways.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days – He Wants You To Achieve Your Dreams

This almost Shakespearean comedy of innocent deceptions follows Andie and Ben, who each begin dating the other for ulterior reasons. He asks her out on a bet, and she says yes for a news article she has to write. But the sparks fly, and Andie can’t seem to get Ben to break up with her no matter what she tries. What makes it harder for Andie, though, is the way that Ben seems to really see her and to want her dreams for herself to become a reality.

Sweet Home Alabama – True Love Means He Knows the Real You

Melanie is a big-shot designer in New York City, recently engaged to a kind and wealthy rising politician named Andrew. There’s just one problem – Melanie’s actually married, and she needs to get a divorce. Traveling back to her hometown in Alabama, which she abandoned years ago, Melanie tries to convince her husband Jake to give her a divorce. But Melanie discovers that even she couldn’t get rid of her Southern spirit, and she begins to wonder – is Andrew the man who really knows her the best?

Return to Me – Falling in Love Again Is Romantic Too

Warning: This movie begins super sad, so bring a tissue box. Bob loses the love of his life Elizabeth in a tragic accident, and he becomes a shell of the man he once was. Grace is living her life normally for the first time since she received a heart transplant. They meet by accident, and sparks immediately fly. But will it actually be possible for Bob to find happiness again? Return to Me is about undying love and new love at the same time. *sigh*

Sabrina – You Need To Know Yourself Before You Find Love

Her whole life, Sabrina Fairchild has looked on at the wealthy Larrabee family and pined over the younger son, David. Sabrina’s father is worried about her, so he sends her to Paris to find herself. When Sabrina returns, she is captivating and confident, and she catches the eye of the handsome David, who is supposed to be getting married. Desperate to keep the marriage afloat, David’s brother Linus steps in to try to distract Sabrina – but finds himself falling for her in the meantime.

While You Were Sleeping – You Marry a Family, Not Just a Man

You fall in love with a person, but that person typically brings a family along with them. Lucy has been alone much of her life, and she pines for Peter, a handsome stranger she sees at work every day. Lucy saves Peter’s life after someone pushes him on the train tracks, and when Peter’s family arrives at the hospital, they are led to believe that Peter and Lucy are engaged. Peter’s family then takes Lucy in for the holidays, where she meets Peter’s brother, Jack. Can Lucy find her true love without estranging the family that has taken her in?

How To Marry a Millionaire – You Can’t Buy Love

It’s a simple fact, but it bears repeating: Money can’t buy you love. This classic rom-com follows three models who rent an expensive apartment for a few months with one goal: To find and marry a wealthy man. But love has a way of its own, and each girl slowly finds herself a man who may be the exact opposite of what she’s looking for yet perfectly perfect for her.

50 First Dates – When You’re in Love, Every Day Feels Like the First

What if you went on a perfect date with the person of your dreams, but when they woke up in the morning, they had no memory of you? That’s what happens to Henry after a perfect day with Lucy. She has amnesia and forgets him every morning when she wakes up. So Henry decides to win Lucy’s heart every day, and in the process, he begins to learn what true love really is.

Clueless – Sometimes, We See What Everyone Needs…But Us

This modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma is one of the few Austen reimaginings that make me happy. Cher has a perfect life, so she decides to help the hapless girl in school find the perfect mate. But Cher’s matchmaking kickstarts drama that will affect the whole school – and even her handsome ex-step-brother Josh. Sometimes, the matchmaker can see sparks flying everywhere, except for herself.