Now Streaming: The Best Romantic Comedies To Fall in Love With

By Tina Charles

“Sleepless in Seattle” 

Any rom-com roundup requires a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan pairing. “Sleepless in Seattle” is arguably their best. In this homage to “An Affair to Remember,” Hanks is a widower whose son goes public to help his dad find love again. Heads up: Hanks and Ryan don’t spend a lot of quality time together. That’s okay. When Sam, the architect, and Annie, the reporter, eventually interact, it’s an incredible meet-cute moment.

Where to stream: Hulu or Prime Video

“Always Be My Maybe” 

Childhood friends Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) go their separate ways after a brief fling during their senior year in high school. They reconnect years later when Sasha is a celebrity chef and Marcus is stuck in slacker mode. Wong and Park give us a couple to root for; Michelle Buteau is a scene stealer, and Keanu Reeves playing a heightened version of Keanu Reeves is priceless.

Where to stream: Netflix

“My Best Friend’s Wedding” 

This isn’t your typical rom-com. It revolves around Julia Roberts’ character, Julianne, making questionable and manipulative moves in the name of love. Ultimately, what brings this one home is the cast chemistry that includes Dermot Mulroney and Cameron Diaz; the fierce friendship between Julianne and her gay BFF, played by Rupert Everett; and the iconic “I Say a Little Prayer” performance.

Where to stream: Prime Video

“Crazy, Stupid, Love”

When Steve Carell’s soon-to-be-divorced dad meets Ryan Gosling’s self-proclaimed player, lessons are learned and lives are changed. The comedy also stars Julianne Moore, Emma Stone and Kevin Bacon and is from the mind of Dan Fogelman, the creator of NBC’s “This is Us.” Best moments: the “Dirty Dancing” interlude and the backyard fight scene.

Where to stream: Prime Video

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding“

The struggle is real for Toula (Nia Vardalos). The frumpy 30-year-old toils at her family’s Greek restaurant. When she finally breaks out of her rut, she meets the man of her dreams (John Corbett). One problem: He isn’t Greek. Let the culture clash ensue. Vardalos’ indie flick earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Where to stream: Hulu or Amazon Prime Video

“How Stella Got Her Groove Back”

A 40-year-old stockbroker (Angela Bassett) takes a trip to Jamaica and falls in love with an island native (Taye Diggs) half her age. “Stella” is a romantic comedy/drama hybrid. Serious elements are at play here, but what’s worth the admission price is the gorgeousness of Montego Bay and the beauty of Bassett and Diggs, who makes his film debut.

Where to stream: Prime Video

“Notting Hill”

Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant play American superstar Anna Scott and average Brit bookshop owner William Thacker. Only in this world is Grant an average guy. That aside, Thacker is adorably charming while Anna positively glows through the entire two-hour film. The fact they come from different worlds is moot. In the end, it’s simply about a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her.

Where to stream: Prime Video

“While You Were Sleeping”

Sandra Bullock deserves all the love for killing it as Lucy, a lonely Chicago token collector. Lucy saves her crush from certain death and, in the process, stumbles onto a new family and potential soulmate. Too bad it’s based on a big lie. Bonus points go to Bill Pullman: In “Sleepless in Seattle,” he played Meg Ryan’s dull boyfriend. Here, he shines alongside Bullock. Redemption!

Where to stream: Disney+ or Prime Video

“The Big Sick”

It’s wonderful to see Kumail Nanjiani break out of HBO’s “Silicon Valley” to lead a movie. “The Big Sick” is based on his life, specifically his relationship with real-life partner Emily V. Gordon. In fact, the married duo co-wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay, which deals with the pressures his Pakistani parents place on him and her shocking illness. Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano co-star.

Where to stream: Prime Video

“Love, Simon”

A teenager (Nick Robinson) is afraid to tell his friends and family he’s gay. An anonymous classmate he’s connected with online is the only one who knows. Simon’s mission: track down the identity of the mystery guy he’s fallen in love with before his world falls apart. Don’t miss the uplifting ferris wheel ending, Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel as Simon’s parents or “Love, Victor,” the Hulu series this movie spawned.

Where to stream: Hulu or Prime Video

Program availability may have changed and is subject to change. Streaming services may require a subscription and sometimes an additional fee.

How Stella Got Her Groove Back.

A 40-year-old stockbroker (Angela Bassett) takes a trip to Jamaica and falls in love with an island native (Taye Diggs) half her age. “Stella” is a romantic comedy/drama hybrid. Serious elements are at play here, but what’s worth the admission price is the gorgeousness of Montego Bay and the beauty of Bassett and Diggs, who makes his film debut.

Stream it on HBO Max

Notting Hill

Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant play American superstar Anna Scott and average Brit bookshop owner William Thacker. Only in this world is Grant an average guy. That aside, Thacker is adorably charming while Anna positively glows through the entire two-hour film. The fact they come from different worlds is moot. In the end, it’s simply about a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her.

Stream it on HBO Max and Hulu with HBO Max add-on

While You Were Sleeping

Sandra Bullock deserves all the love for killing it as Lucy, a lonely Chicago token collector. Lucy saves her crush from certain death and, in the process, stumbles onto a new family and potential soulmate. Too bad it’s based on a big lie. Bonus points go to Bill Pullman. In “Sleepless in Seattle”, he played Meg Ryan’s dull boyfriend. Here he shines alongside Bullock. Redemption!

Stream it on Disney+

10 Things I Hate about You

An overprotective dad makes it known his popular daughter can’t date until her buzzkill of a big sis does first. Based on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew”, the main draw is the heat Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger generate as Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona. Best scene: Ledger’s bad boy adorkably serenades Kat from the bleachers.

Stream it on Disney+

The Big Sick

It’s wonderful to see Kumail Nanjiani break out of HBO’s “Silicon Valley” to lead a movie. “The Big Sick” is based on his life, specifically his relationship with real-life partner, Emily V. Gordon. In fact, the married duo co-wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay, which deals with the pressures his Pakistani parents place on him and her shock illness. Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano co-star.

Stream it on Amazon Prime

Love, Simon.

A teenager’s (Nick Robinson) afraid to tell his friends and family he’s gay.  An anonymous classmate he’s connected with online is the only one who knows. Simon’s mission: track down the identity of the mystery guy he’s fallen in love with before his world falls apart. Don’t miss the uplifting ferris wheel ending, Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel as Simon’s parents or “Love, Victor”, the Hulu series this movie spawned.

Stream it on Amazon Prime

Crazy Rich Asians

Consider “Crazy Rich Asians” an instant classic for the amazing cast, relatable story, and beautiful locales alone. Released in 2019, it’s based on Kevin Kwan’s hit series of books. The blockbuster focuses on Chinese-American economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) who’s introduced to her boyfriend’s (Henry Golding) super wealthy existence when they travel to his home in Singapore for a wedding. Let’s just say she’s not prepared.

Stream it on Amazon Prime

Many of the rom-coms on this list are also available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime. There are plenty of choices out there, so why not fall in love with romantic comedies for the first time or all over again.