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10 must-see romcoms to (re)watch
Guilty pleasure or not, romantic comedies are among the comforting films we love to watch after a long day. Numéro has selected ten must-watch romcoms, from the cult Notting Hill to the hilarious Crazy, Stupid, Love, the poignant Silver Linings Playbook, the daring Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, and the moving Past Lives.
The most uncommon: Différente starring Jehnny Beth
Few romantic comedies deal subtly with illness, mental health, or disability, which is why Différente (“Different“) stands out. Coming out on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, the film tells the story of the endearing Katia (Jehnny Beth, the musician, rock singer, and actress seen in Anatomy of a Fall), a librarian who struggles to communicate with those around her, including her boyfriend (Thibaut Evrard).
While researching an article on autism, she discovers she herself is on the spectrum – a revelation that sheds light on her chaotic relationships. This news deeply affects her romance with a tender, attentive, and highly sociable carpenter, who initially struggles to accept her diagnosis.
Director Lola Doillon succeeds in capturing the emotional complexity of relationships shaped by difference. The couple ultimately finds their way, far from conventional love stories. A delicately crafted film that steers clear of clichés.
Différente by Lola Doillon, in cinemas on June 11th, 2025.
The most moving: Past Lives starring Greta Lee
Released in December 2023, Past Lives by Celine Song is one of those films that leaves an indelible mark on you. More of a drama than a comedy, the film tells the story of childhood friends (and sweethearts) reuniting. He lives in South Korea, she is in New York. Nearly twenty years after parting ways, they spend a weekend together. Nora Moon (the brilliant Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) revisit their youthful memories, which sharply contrast with the stark realities of their present lives. Poetic and tender, the feature film, nominated for a Golden Globe in 2024, resonates with anyone who has ever grappled with love and memories. It sweeps viewers into a whirlwind of emotion, culminating in a powerful, unforgettable finale.
Past Lives (2023) by Celine Song, starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. Available for rent on Prime Video and Canal VOD.
The most Hollywood-like: Notting Hill with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant
Loved by romcom fans and skeptics alike, Notting Hill is a classic of this genre. Its success is largely due to the iconic duo Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, both titans of romantic comedies in the late-1990s. Their filmographies include hits like Pretty Woman (1990), Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), and My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997). Nevertheless, Nothing Hill stands out for its charming plot, set against the rainy backdrop of London. There, a lonely bookstore owner accidentally spills coffee on a Hollywood star and the latter ends up hiding out in his flat from the paparazzi… and never quite leaves.
Notting Hill (1999), directed by Roger Michell, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Available on Netflix, MyCanal, and Prime Video.
The most heartbreaking: One Day with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess
A staple of the romcom genre, Anne Hathaway delivers one of her most moving performances in One Day. Released in 2011 and adapted from the eponymous novel, the film spans twenty years, chronicling the arguments and reunions of two college friends who never quite manage to admit their love for each other, or at least that they once felt something. Plot twists and life-changing events mark each year with events that sometimes pull them apart and other times draw them closer. A deeply romantic film, but above all, a heartbreaking one. We strongly suggest having a box (or two) of tissues on hand while watching it.
One Day (2011), directed by Lone Scherfig, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. Available to rent on MyCanal and Apple TV+.
The funniest: Crazy, Stupid, Love with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling
While Steve Carell was shining in the offbeat series The Office (2005–2013) at the time, he also nailed the romantic comedy genre in Crazy, Stupid, Love, which brings a hefty dose of humor to the formula. Alongside Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, and Julianne Moore, he plays a happy family man whose world is turned upside down when he finds out his wife is cheating and wants a divorce. What follows is a string of hilarious and awkward situations as he learns to navigate single life again, with the help of a womanizer who ends up dating his daughter… A film that stands out from the typical rom-com stereotype.
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Steve Carell, and Julianne Moore. Available on MyCanal and Prime Video.
The most iconic: When Harry Met Sally… starring Meg Ryan
More than thirty years after its release, this film hasn’t aged a bit. It is likely thanks to its sharp dialogues and irresistible leads. When Harry Met Sally… traces the evolution of a friendship that gradually blossoms into love. This appealing, timeless formula is peppered with monologues about unspoken feelings and the impossibility of male-female friendships… In short, When Harry Met Sally… has all the ingredients of a perfect romantic comedy, one we love to revisit time and time again, both for Meg Ryan’s endearing charm and Billy Crystal’s casual charisma.
When Harry Met Sally… (1989), directed by Rob Reiner, starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. Available on Prime Video.
The most comforting: The Holiday with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz
Whether it is for Jude Law’s irresistible charm with his glasses on, Cameron Diaz’s energy, or Kate Winslet’s moving sincerity, The Holiday is one of those iconic, feel-good films. Plus, it is often aired during the holiday season, but remains perfect at any time of year. The whimsical plot follows two women from different countries and social backgrounds who swap homes for the holidays. One, a heartbroken, successful Hollywood producer (played by Cameron Diaz), ends up in a cozy cottage in the British countryside. The other, a journalist dealing with unrequited love, lands in a luxurious villa on the Californian coast. Each one of them meets a man completely different from what they’ve known and discovers a new perspective on life.
The Holiday (2006), directed by Nancy Meyers, starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black. Available on MyCanal and Prime Video.
The most original: Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence
Silver Linings Playbook is far from your typical romantic comedy. The protagonist (Bradley Cooper) is bipolar, while the heroine (Jennifer Lawrence) is dealing with depression after the death of her husband. They meet as each one tries to rebuild their lives despite their emotional struggles. A shaky ground to build a relationship, which could implode at any moment. However, they manage to make a fresh start together, while training for a dance competition. An unconventional love story that earned the film several Oscar nominations in 2013, including Best Picture and Best Actress, which was awarded to the phenomenal Jennifer Lawrence.
Silver Linings Playbook (2011), directed by David O. Russell, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. Available on MyCanal and Prime Video.
The sexiest: Good Luck to You, Leo Grande with Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack
Released two years ago, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande contains all the elements of a great romcom, though it doesn’t quite follow the usual formula. Breaking taboos around sexuality, especially that of women over 40, the film directed by Sophie Hyde features the free Emma Thompson at the peak of her acting prowess. Her character sets out to reclaim her body and, for the first time in her life, has… an orgasm. As a former religious education teacher and a widow for several years, she has never explored her sexuality, as she was trapped in a conventional, repressive relationship. So, she hires a male escort, played by the undeniably sexy Daryl McCormack, and a deeper connection based on mutual trust begins to unfold. A bold romantic comedy without a fairy-tale ending that is delightful to watch.
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022), directed by Sophie Hyde, starring Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack. Available to rent on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
The most 1990s-inspired: Reality Bites with Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke
In the mid-1990s, the young Winona Ryder tried her hands at a more conventional genre than those she was known for in Tim Burton’s films: romantic comedy. Radiant as ever, she embodies a college student who dreams of becoming a documentary filmmaker. She soon starts a relationship with a producer from a major American TV network who promises her the world… A relationship her best friend, played by the irresistibly charming Ethan Hawke, disapproves of, fueled by unspoken jealousy. A classic from-friends-to-lovers tale that was all the rage in the late 1990s and still hits the mark today.
Reality Bites (1995), directed by Ben Stiller, starring Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke. Available to rent on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
