Romantic comedies have always been a popular and successful genre in cinema, with many dedicated fans. Mostly due to the movies in the genre being easy watches and giving audiences an escape from real-world love while still maintaining a sense of realism. While the genre might not light up the box office as it did in the 1990s, the genre is still going strong, and the 2010s delivered a plethora of heartfelt and hilarious romantic comedies.

Update August 9, 2023: This article has been updated with even more great romantic comedies from the 2010s.

While generally remaining formulaic to the genre, many rom-coms from the decade broke the mold and elevated the genre in new ways. The late 2010s saw a resurgence in the genre. Films like Crazy Rich Asians, To All The Boys I've Loved Before, and Always Be My Maybe showed a wider range of representation, showcasing how anyone could be at the center of these movies. Here are some of the best rom-coms of the 2010s.

15 Something Borrowed (2011)

something borrowed
Alcon Entertainment

While being a flop with critics, Something Borrowed gained a cult following due to the film's realistic outlook on love, friendship, and relationships. Something Borrowed is unlike any other rom-com, showing audiences how messy love can really be, as opposed to the happy endings audiences are usually familiar with. Starring Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin, and John Krasinksi, the film follows a successful attorney who is a loyal, generous friend, and after one drink too many, she wakes up in bed with her long-time crush, who happens to be engaged to her best friend. The film may not be as iconic as other movies on the list, but it certainly is influential in gifting audiences numerous life lessons about hidden love and friendship that we should all follow.

14 Love Rosie (2014)

Love, Rosie
Lionsgate

While this is another clichéd romantic-comedy movie, Lilly Collins and Sam Claflin's engaging performances and believable chemistry make this formulaic rom-com shine above many romantic films of the decade. The story is engaging and beautiful, telling the tale of lifelong best friends who have always had feelings for one another but never had the chance to truly connect. Love Rosie Is a must-watch. While not being a game changer for the genre, the film delivers what it intended to do in a genuinely charming way.

13 Think Like a Man (2012)

A scene from Think Like A Man
Sony Pictures Releasing

Tim Story's Think Like a Man introduces four best friends who think they have everything under control until they realize that their significant others used tips and tricks on them in order to steer their relationships according to their wishes. What follows is a battle between the man and the woman.

Related: Here Are 5 of The Cheesiest Romantic Movies Ever Made

While this movie might fall into the category of a more standard romantic comedy, it still manages to stand out with its incomparable humor. With a talented cast, including Kevin Hart and Taraji P. Henson, the movie is still gaining fans to this day. Think Like a Man is a perfect choice for a comfortable movie night with a ton of laughter, and maybe even has one or the other lesson to teach.

12 Someone Great (2019)

someone-great
Netflix

At the time of its release and even to this day, the romantic comedy Someone Great catches the trend of the times as it reflects important societal developments. Giving space to significant topics such as self-growth, healthy friendships, and the ups and downs of love, this movie has achieved to build a rollercoaster with wonderfully varied emotions reaching from utter heartbreak to genuine joy.

Apart from the entertaining storyline, it is also the cast that ensures a great experience. Gina Rodriguez, DeWanda Wise, and Brittany Snow portray the three best friends, and it is needless to say that they do a marvelous job. Someone Great is a feel-good movie that can be watched at any stage of life and will leave you feeling empowered in any case.

11 Stuck In Love (2013)

lily-collins-stuck-in-love
Informant Media

Before he directed The Faul in Our Stars, Josh Boone made his directorial debut with the underrated romantic comedy Stuck in Love. The movie features an all-star cast that includes Jennifer Connelly, Greg Kinnear, Lily Collins, Logan Lerman, Kirsten Bell, and Nat Wolff. The center of the movie is the relationship between ex-husband and wife, played by Kinnear and Connely, respectively, and their relationship with their kids, Collins and Wolff, and how their divorce impacted their own romantic relationships.

Stuck in Love might feature more dramatic scenes than a traditional rom-com, but it has plenty of heartwarming moments and sweet scenes that make it a must-watch. As the title implies, sometimes the relationship ending doesn't always mean the love goes away.

10 Always Be My Maybe (2016)

Park Wong Always Be My Maybe 2019 Good Universe
Netflix

This hilarious romantic comedy was a hit with critics and audiences alike, with everyone praising Ali Wong and Randal Park's performances and chemistry. Always Be My Maybe doesn't do anything new with the genre and is very formulaic, but with the infectious chemistry, genuine performances, and laugh-out-loud wit, the film manages to stand out in a very crowded genre. Perhaps the standout moment of the movie is the genius and hilarious cameo from the Hollywood legend; Keanu Reeves, playing an over-the-top version of himself, which only adds to the quality of this sweet and genuine rom-com.

9 Bridget Jones's Baby (2016)

Bridget Jones's Baby Review: The Best Date Movie of 2016
Universal Pictures

Bridget Jones's Diary was one of the defining romantic comedies of the 2000s, so it makes sense for the long-awaited third film to be one of the best of the 2010s. Bridget Jones's Baby follows Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) as she finds out she is pregnant but realizes that two people could be the father. It is either her long-time love Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), or her new love Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsy).

The film features the hallmarks one associates with the genre, like misunderstandings and awkward mix-ups, but it also features some incredibly romantic moments that make one's heart take flight. Bridget Jones's Baby is a great final end to this story.

8 Love, Simon (2018)

Love Simon
20th Century Fox

This marks the first of four romantic comedies from 2018 in a row on this list, as there was clearly something in the air that audiences craved from the genre. Love, Simon is very reminiscent of the classic romantic comedies from the great John Hughes. The film is most notable for being the first film by a major Hollywood studio to focus on a gay teenage romance.

Being a smash hit with critics, Love, Simon has become a beloved classic rom-com. Critics praised the movie for its diverse and talented cast, comedy, big heart, and revolutionary normalcy. Love, Simon was nominated for many awards, with Nick Robinson taking many of the nominations for his performance as Simon. The film was so popular that Hulu released a spin-off series in 2020 set in the same universe; Love, Viktor.

7 To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

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Netflix

Based on the book series of the same name, To All The Boys I've Loved Before delivers a delightful, sweet, and heartfelt teenage romance. The film was a critical success, with the consensus of reviews praising the cast and lighthearted nature of the film for being a fun teenage romance, which exceeds in what it intended to do.

While sticking to the traditional rom-com formula and feeling very cheesy, the film manages to exceed all expectations and succeeds in feeling unique and fresh. Using all the traditional tropes in the genre and perfecting each and every element, the film set the standard even higher for what we expect in a great rom-com.

6 Set It Up (2018)

A scene from Set it Up
Treehouse Pictures

Set It Up has the answer to the question of what would happen if two assistants want to have more freedom in their jobs and their bosses are a potential love match. Without a doubt, the two workaholics, Zoe Deutch's Harper, and Glen Powell's Charlie, would do anything to impress their bosses, but they realize that they are slowly but surely annoyed by the workload.

When it eventually comes to climbing their own career ladder from assistant to a higher position, they are willing to go above and beyond. If that includes stepping into the role of Cupid, then so be it. The only problem is that their concocted plan not only changes the lives of their bosses but also their own. Set It Up is a light-hearted approach to romantic comedies and will certainly evoke far more than one smirk.

5 Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Crazy Rich Asians
Warner Bros.

Crazy Rich Asians, was the first major Hollywood movie where the majority of the cast is of Chinese descent since Joy Luck Club in 1999. This movie opened a doorway for more Asian representation in Hollywood, paving the way for beloved movies like Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings and Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Crazy Rich Asians was released to huge success, with many praising the all-star cast, the costume design, and the style, and for being incredibly influential for taking a huge step forward for representation in Hollywood. The film feels instantly timeless, with it taking much inspiration from the classic rom-com formula. Crazy Rich Asians is regarded as one of the best in the genre.

4 The F Word/What If (2014)

What if
Entertainment One

Not the first time you will see Zoe Kazan on this list. Released in some countries as The F Word and others as What If, the film features Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan as two people who decide to form a friendship, although feelings start to occur despite Kazan's character being in a relationship. In addition to Radcliffe and Kazan, the film also features incredible supporting performances by Adam Driver, Mackenzie Davis, and Rafe Spall.

Related: Predictable Romantic Comedies You Can't Help But Love

What If is a charming romantic comedy that truly does play like a modern-day When Harry Met Sally. It tackles the complications of falling for someone who is in a relationship and features some incredible laugh-out-loud moments mixed alongside genuinely sweet, touching scenes.

3 The Big Sick (2017)

Kumail and Emily from The Big Sick.
Amazon Studios
Lionsgate

The second movie on this list to feature Zoe Kazan. Based on the true romantic story of comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick tells a sweet, heartwarming, and emotionally romantic story that will make you laugh, cry, and fill your heart with warmth. The film was a critical success, with the majority praising the performances of the whole cast and the film's hilarious and heartbreaking story.

The script was expertly written by lead star Kumail Nanjiani alongside wife Emily V. Gordon, giving the film a sense of realism and much-appreciated emotion and comedy. The film's cross-culture themes and lovable leads prove that the traditional rom-com formula still has many fresh angles left to explore. The Big Sick was nominated for numerous awards back in 2018, taking home the "Best Comedy Film" award at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

2 Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

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Carousel Productions

As perhaps the funniest movie on this list, this laugh-out-loud comedy doesn't draw away from its emotion and heart, still telling a story grounded in reality while still giving audiences hope about true love. The film's comedy and heart are elevated by its star-studded cast. Starring the likes of Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, and Kevin Bacon, Crazy, Stupid, Love won the award for "Outstanding Achievement in Casting For a Big Budget Motion Picture" at the Casting Society America Awards. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of this light-hearted hilarious rom-com is the iconic twist at the end of the film. The twist is equally hilarious and shocking, and it's a moment you won't see coming but will make total sense by the time you finish this film.

1 Easy A (2010)

Emma Stone in Easy A
Sony Pictures Releasing
 

As an homage to classic '80s movies such as Say Anything and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Easy A delivers a funny, engaging comedy that redefines classic tropes of the genre. The film draws much inspiration from director John Hughes and his classic '80s flicks, with Emma Stone even saying in the film "no, John Hughes did not direct my life". Emma Stone delivers a hilarious, confident, witty, and charming performance in the lead role, with the actress being nominated for numerous awards, and taking home the award for "Best Comedic Performance" at the MTV Movie Awards. Her role in the film was a milestone for the actress' career, being a breakout role for the star and giving her the acclaim she deserved.

Instead of following a traditional rom-com formula, Easy A instead fits in between the teen romantic-comedy genre and the sex comedy genre. The romance aspects are still prevalent, but instead, get sidelined for a story and satire about teens' obsession with virginity. Easy A is a thought-provoking comedy with genius writing and hilarious satire, providing audiences with a new but relevant outlook on teen romance. The film was also nominated for many awards, winning "Best Comedy Film" at the Critics Choice Awards.