We're suckers for a good ol' romantic comedy! Join Wonderwall.com as we take a look at some of the plethora of stellar rom-coms currently on Netflix, starting with the perfect pick for your Valentine's Day weekend — "To All The Boys: Always and Forever." The latest installment in the "To All The Boys" franchise, the third and final film, hits Netflix on Feb. 12, 2021, with Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky returning to steal our hearts once more. This time, the couple are facing senior year and life after graduation. Keep reading for more rom-coms you should add to your Netflix watchlist, including the first two "To All The Boys" flicks…
If you haven't seen this film, where have you been?! "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" hit Netflix in 2018 and was met with instant — and we mean, instant — praise. The film, which is based on the book series by Jenny Han, tells the story of teenager Lara Jean Covey, a romantic novel aficionado and writer of love letters. When her letters mysteriously get mailed to the boys they're addressed to — including her older sister's ex-boyfriend — Lara devises a plan to mitigate the fallout: She enters a fake relationship with another letter recipient and former crush, Peter Kavinsky. The film stars Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, and if you're anything like us, you became obsessed with these two immediately upon watching it. Then came a sequel…
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In February 2020, Netflix released the sequel "To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" starring Lana Condor, Noah Centineo and Jordan Fisher. It picks up where the first film left off. Just as Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky settle into their relationship, drama ensues after she discovers that she and John Ambrose McClaren — one of the other guys to whom she wrote a letter professing her puppy love as a kid — is back and volunteering at the same retirement home. Watch to see what happens as she questions if she's with the right guy or not.
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The 2018 film "Set It Up" follows the shenanigans of two underpaid assistants in New York City — played by Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell — who plot to romantically set up their terribly demanding bosses in an effort to make their own lives less stressful. But it turns out that's not the only match they make.
OK, hot take — this is one of the better Cinderella story adaptations. "A Cinderella Story" starring Hilary Duff hit theaters back in 2004 and was a hit with tweens and teens alike! The film sees Hilary playing Sam Montgomery, a California teenager who lives with her stepmother and stepsisters following her father's death. Though her home life is terrible, Sam is having a secret AIM relationship with a mystery man… who happens to be none other than the most popular guy in school, Austin Aimes (played by Chad Michael Murray)! What ensues is an adorable pursuit of love and a journey toward self-acceptance.
"The Edge of Seventeen" is a 2016 coming-of-age film about Nadine Franklin (played by Hailee Steinfeld) and her tumultuous relationships with her family and friends. When her best friend begins to date her older brother, Nadine finds herself feeling more dejected than ever before. The film, written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, does an exceptional job depicting the complexities of being a teenager and the unexpected ways you can derive happiness.
Next up? "Holidate," starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey. Emma plays Sloane, a beautiful single and independent woman who's tired of her family's repeated efforts to set her up with men they know when she just wants to be left alone. Luke plays Jackson, a gorgeous Aussie golf pro who's tired of women who want to get super-serious faster than he does. After a chance encounter at a Chicago mall following two separate but miserable Christmas experiences, they make a pact to be each other's "holidate" — first for New Year's Eve, then for the upcoming year's worth of holidays, no strings attached. Things work out great — until they catch feelings.
Everything about this film is a hit! Starring Ali Wong and Randall Park, 2019's "Always Be My Maybe" tells the story of two childhood friends who reconnect 15 years later after having had a major falling out. While their paths have led them in disparate directions, it doesn't take long for these old pals to realize the obvious — that their feelings for each other are stronger than ever.
"Someone Great," which stars Gina Rodriguez, tells the story of Jenny Young — a recently dumped music journalist who enlists the help of her two best friends (played by Brittany Snow and DeWanda Wise) to have the wildest, most memorable last night in New York City before she moves to San Francisco. The 2019 film, which is intercut with flashbacks of Jenna and her ex-boyfriend Nate (played by Lakeith Stanfield), is a refreshing rom-com that both laments the end of a relationship and celebrates the power of independence.
Without love, life is like the seasons with no summer! The 2007 film adaptation of "Hairspray" had every moviegoer singing along, and rightfully so. Set in 1960s Baltimore, "Hairspray" tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (played by Nikki Blonsky), an unpopular teen who lands a coveted spot on "The Corny Collins Show." Tracy's newfound status as a teen sensation stirs up quite the controversy — namely with the reigning queen of the program, Amber Von Tussle — since Tracy doesn't look like the other dancers, grows close to Amber's boyfriend, Link (played by Zac Efron), and advocates for racial integration.
It's hard not to root for childhood friends who realize they might have feelings for one another. Starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin, 2014's "Love, Rosie" tells the story of two best friends who, despite planning to move to America together for college, end up on different paths after Rosie realizes she's pregnant with her then-crush's baby. The film, which takes place over the span of many years, sees our two romantic leads, who — despite living on opposite ends of the world — maintain a connection that defies distance.
I t's not every day that you find out you have the ability to travel through time! When Tim Lake finds out from his father that the men in his family have the peculiar gift of time travel, he uses it as an opportunity to cunningly find love. He succeeds in doing so, but when he comes to realize that time travel isn't the solution for ordinary life, he begins to panic. 2013's "About Time," which stars Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams, is an entertaining, refreshing take on a traditional rom-com. Also, it's a Richard Curtis film, so you know it'll be worthwhile!
Another time-traveling rom-com! Starring Adam Devine and Alexandra Daddario, 2018's "When We First Met" chronicles a man's time-bending pursuit of the girl of his dreams. After spending a magical, romantic night with Avery Martin only to be put in the friendzone, Noah Ashby does everything in his power to win her over — even if it means repeatedly reliving that same fateful night!
"Something's Gotta Give" is one of those rom-coms you never realized you needed and now can't seem to live without! The film tells the story of Harry Sanborn, an aging womanizer who, while on vacation with his significantly younger girlfriend, ends up meeting her mother, Erica Barry. As if things weren't awkward enough, after Harry suffers a heart attack, he's forced on bedrest at his girlfriend's mother's home. There, he finds himself slowly falling for a woman his own age — who is, frankly, way out of his league. The 2003 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton (who earned a best actress Oscar nod for her performance) is a truly endearing rom-com that unfolds in equally sweet and hilarious ways.
In 2018's "Alex Strangelove," high schooler Alex Truelove plans on losing his virginity to his girlfriend, but after meeting handsome and openly gay Elliott, he begins to question his own sexuality. The movie starring Daniel Doheny and Antonio Marziale is an awkwardly endearing coming-of-age film that highlights the complexities of identity and emphasizes the importance of self and sexual acceptance.
Ahh, the internet's boyfriend is back at it again! The 2018 movie "The Perfect Date" tells the story of resourceful high school student Brooks Rattigan (played by Noah Centineo), who creates an app that offers his services as "the perfect date" for any required occasion. His first date is with Celia Lieberman (played by Laura Marano) — his classmate's cousin who's in dire need of his services. While on his date with Celia, Brooks meets the beautiful and popular Shelby (played by Camila Mendes) and soon makes it his goal to become the object of her affection. Except as bonds deepen and feelings develop, Brooks' seemingly foolproof plan to make money for college begins to unravel as quickly as it began.
Friendship pacts — they're a complicated thing, especially when you break them. "The Kissing Booth" charts the forbidden romance between Elle Evans and her best friend's older brother, Noah Flynn, after the two unknowingly lock lips at a carnival kissing booth. All is well until Elle's best friend finds out about the two of them! The film stars former real-life couple Joey King and Jacob Elordi, who met and started dating while shooting the 2018 movie. A sequel was released in July 2020.
The 2005 rom-com "Hitch" tells the story of Alex "Hitch" Hitchens (played by Will Smith), a dating coach who's hired to help a geeky financial consultant land the girl of his dreams. What seems like a typical task for the confident dating doctor quickly turns complicated when he falls for a workaholic tabloid writer (played by Eva Mendes) who has motivations of her own.
2019's "Falling Inn Love" stars Christina Milian and Adam Demos and tells the story of two strangers who fall for one another in the most peculiar of circumstances. What starts off as a 50-50 partnership turns into a full-fledged romance between a San Francisco-based designer who wins a fixer upper inn in a contest and the New Zealand-based restoration expert she enlists to help her renovate it.
"The Incredible Jessica James" is a 2017 film that tells the story of New York City playwright Jessica, who struggles to move on from a recent breakup. When she's set up on a blind date with a man named Boone, the pair quickly realize they're more similar than not — they're both grieving the end of relationships. The movie, which stars Jessica Williams and Chris O'Dowd, quirkily explores the unlikely bond between two individuals who work through their grief together.
"Heartbreakers" follows the artful lives of Angela Nardino and Page Conners — a deceptive mother-daughter duo who've mastered the ability to con successful, wealthy men out of millions of dollars. However, after meeting two men they both respectively develop feelings for, their con-artist way of life becomes threatened. Starring '90s sensations Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sigourney Weaver, this 2001 flick is the throwback rom-com you need in your life.
Starring Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis, the 2015 film "Sleeping with Other People" follows the trials and tribulations of Lainey and Jake — two strangers who run into each other 12 years after having a one-night stand. While the pair increasingly spend time together, they attempt to remain platonic despite their developing feelings and lingering attraction to one another.
"Her" tells the story of Theodore Twombly — a soulful, reclusive personal-letter writer (played by Joaquin Phoenix) who develops a relationship with "Samantha" (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), an intuitive artificial intelligence entity. What initially seems like a peculiar friendship turns into an intimate bond between Theodore and Samantha. Exploring the complexities of intimacy in an increasingly technological world, the 2014 film, which won a best original screenplay Oscar, is a love story for the ages.