By Olivia Daly and Grace Sukari
In light of Valentine's Day, and the fact that Rom-Coms are the best genre, we have compiled a very thorough list of the most iconic, well-discussed Rom-Coms, and have picked them apart. If you’re feeling extra single on February 14th, then this list will recommend you the best kind of company.
(Disclaimer: These are just our opinions and this isn't a serious article, so please enjoy!)
*spoiler alert*
10 Things I Hate About You
Age Rating 14+
Rating: 8/10
Pros:
A classic, everyone knows and loves this movie.
OG enemies to lovers trope, very popular amongst Gen Z.
Heath Ledger. Enough said.
Kat Stratford shaped our teenage feminist selves.
Cons:
Bianca = lowkey icky.
Patrick's initial motives were bad… (paid to date Kat 🙁).
When Harry Met Sally
Age Rating 16+
Rating: 9/10
Pros:
Literally invented our favourite trope: right person, wrong time.
Had us on the edge of our seats the entire movie.
Melted our hearts, especially the NYE scene.
Perfect balance between wittiness and emotion.
Cons:
Cringed a bit when she confessed her love on the phone.
Ended too quickly. WE WANTED MORE OF THEM AS A COUPLE.
Harry gave us the ick during the first impressions of each other.
DO NOT WATCH IT WITH YOUR PARENTS - the breakfast scene (if you know, you know).
A Cinderella Story
Age Rating 7+
Rating: 9/10
Pros:
Hilary Duff. Chad Michael Murray. Jennifer Coolidge. ICONS.
Step-sisters got what they deserved 👏.
Is an iconic childhood movie. A staple, feel-good classic.
Predictable and cliche in the best way possible.
Cons:
Gets repetitive after you’ve watched it 100 times.
The Kissing Booth
Age Rating 14+
Rating: -300/10
Pros:
The relief felt when it finally ended.
Cons:
Horrific acting.
A trainwreck of a plot.
The unsanitary nature of the actual ‘Kissing Booth’, not to mention the blatant issues with the concept.
Predictable.
The running scene is the biggest ick in cinema history.
Noah gave us trauma.
Offensive to the ‘Rom-Com’ genre.
Bridget Jones’ Diary
Age Rating 16+
Rating: 7.5/10
Pros:
Had us in hysterics, actually the funniest movie ever.
Bridget is an actual queen and lives the perfect life - apartment in London, hilarious best friends, and two guys fighting over her. SIGN ME UP.
Colin Firth. Again, enough said.
Cons:
More comedy than romance.
HATED THE MALE LOVE INTERESTS. NOPE, DISGUSTING.
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Age Rating 16+
Rating: 13/10
Pros:
One of Liv’s favourite movies of all time - no explanation needed.
Literally the perfect combination of funny, romance and a little bit of sadness.
Hugh Grant? Hello?
SO SAD. But that's why we love it.
Again a CLASSIC.
The relationships in this movie are the best of all time.
Cons:
None? And we stand by this.
Clueless
Age Rating 13+
Rating: 10/10
Pros:
Iconic catchphrases that have single-handedly shaped Gen Z.
Her closet, her car, her clothes.
THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. We love a queen who matures <3.
Paul Rudd? Are you kidding me?
Reimagination of Jane Austen's novel. (Magaret Atwood who?)
Cons:
Fell in love with her step-brother? (Borderline illegal).
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Age Rating 13+
Rating: 2/10
Pros:
Interesting concept - keyword: ‘Interesting’.
Cons:
Noah Scented Mayo
The men throughout this movie.
The main character is a major pick me. Sorry, why is she in love with her sister's ex?
Younger sister is really annoying, didn’t add anything to the plot tbh.
Acting was mediocre.
Grease
Age Rating 12+
Rating: 8/10
Pros:
John Travolta. Olivia Newton-John. LEGENDS.
THE SONGS GAVE US CHILLS AND THEY’RE MULTIPLYING.
Iconic clothes, 50’s fashion vibes.
Will always be a timeless Rom-Com.
Cons:
Of its time - lowkey misogynistic.
No plot really.