The 30 Most Swoon-Worthy Romantic Comedy Movies of the Last Decade

In the last decade, the romance genre has continued to captivate audiences with a diverse array of heart-fluttering, tear-jerking, and soul-stirring films. 

Romantic comedies, in particular, have experienced a resurgence in recent years, with a focus on diverse plots and casts. As noted in a 2023 article from The Dartmouth, “The romantic comedy, often dubbed rom-com, has been loved and hated by audiences in waves for decades… However, beginning about five years ago and especially following the height of the pandemic, the rom-com has risen from the dead — and it looks slightly different.” ¹

This new wave of romantic films has captivated couples and hopeless romantics alike, offering a much-needed escape and a reminder of the enduring power of love.

1. Her (2013) – A Futuristic Love Story for the Ages

Spike Jonze’s “Her” explores the complexities of love in a world where artificial intelligence has become increasingly human-like. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a haunting performance as a lonely writer who falls for his AI assistant, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. 

2. La La Land (2016) – A Musical Masterpiece

“La La Land” swept audiences off their feet with its dazzling musical numbers and the electric chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Damien Chazelle’s love letter to Los Angeles and the dreamers who inhabit it is a visual feast that will leave you humming its tunes for days.

3. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) – Love Conquers All

David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” is a poignant reminder that love can be found in the most unexpected places. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence shine as two troubled souls who find solace in each other’s company. 

4. Call Me by Your Name (2017) – A Sensual Summer Romance

Set against the stunning backdrop of 1980s Italy, “Call Me by Your Name” is a sensual exploration of first love and self-discovery. Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer’s performances are nothing short of mesmerizing as they navigate the complexities of their forbidden romance.

5. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – Love in the Face of Adversity

Based on John Green’s bestselling novel, “The Fault in Our Stars” is a tearjerker that reminds us of the power of love in the face of adversity. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort’s portrayal of two teenagers battling cancer is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Keep the tissues handy for this one.

6. Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013) – A Passionate Portrait of Love

Abdellatif Kechiche’s “Blue Is the Warmest Colour” is a raw and intimate exploration of a young woman’s sexual awakening. Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos deliver fearless performances as they navigate the highs and lows of their passionate relationship. This film is a testament to the transformative power of love.

7. Carol (2015) – A Forbidden Love in the 1950s

Todd Haynes’ “Carol” is a lush and evocative portrait of forbidden love in 1950s New York. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara’s chemistry is palpable as they navigate the social constraints of their time. This beautifully crafted film is a must-see for any fan of period romance.

8. Moonrise Kingdom (2012) – A Quirky Tale of Young Love

Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” is a whimsical and nostalgic tale of young love set against the backdrop of a New England summer camp. Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward charm as the precocious pre-teens who fall head over heels for each other and run away together.

This quirky gem is a reminder of the innocence and purity of first love.

9. The Big Sick (2017) – Love Knows No Boundaries

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon’s “The Big Sick” is a refreshingly honest and hilarious look at the challenges of intercultural relationships. Based on the couple’s real-life romance, this film explores the complexities of family, tradition, and love with wit and heart.

10. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) – A Groundbreaking Rom-Com

“Crazy Rich Asians” made history as the first major Hollywood film with an all-Asian cast in 25 years. This glitzy and glamorous rom-com follows Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she navigates the treacherous waters of Singapore’s high society and tries to win over her boyfriend’s disapproving mother. 

11. About Time (2013) – A Heartwarming Time Travel Romance

Richard Curtis’ “About Time” is a charming blend of romance, comedy, and fantasy. Domhnall Gleeson stars as a young man who discovers he can travel through time and uses his ability to find love and happiness.

With a stellar cast including Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy, this heartwarming film reminds us to cherish the moments that matter most.

12. The Notebook (2004) – A Tale of Enduring Love

While slightly outside the decade, Nicholas Sparks’ “The Notebook” has become a modern classic in the romance genre.

Set in the 1940s, this heart-wrenching story follows the passionate summer romance between Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams), and how their love endures despite years of separation and obstacles.

13. The Artist (2011) – A Delightful Silent Film Homage

Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Artist” is a delightful homage to the silent film era. This black-and-white romantic comedy follows the relationship between a declining silent film star and a rising young actress as Hollywood transitions to talkies.

Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo’s charming performances make this a must-see for any fan of classic cinema.

14. Blue Valentine (2010) – A Raw & Honest Relationship Drama

Derek Cianfrance’s “Blue Valentine” is a raw and honest portrayal of a relationship’s beginning and end. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams deliver emotionally charged performances as a couple whose marriage is unraveling. 

15. The Shape of Water (2017) – A Magical Interspecies Romance

Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” is a magical and unconventional love story between a mute cleaning woman and an amphibious creature. With stunning visuals and a talented cast led by Sally Hawkins and Richard Jenkins, this enchanting film celebrates the power of love in all its forms.

16. Midnight in Paris (2011) – A Whimsical Time-Traveling Romance

Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” is a charming and nostalgic romantic comedy that follows Gil (Owen Wilson), a screenwriter who mysteriously travels back in time to 1920s Paris each night at midnight.

As he rubs shoulders with literary giants and falls for a woman from the past (Marion Cotillard), Gil must reconcile his romantic notions of a golden age with the realities of his present life.

17. Amour (2012) – A Poignant Portrait of Enduring Love

Michael Haneke’s “Amour” is a poignant and unflinching portrait of an elderly couple’s enduring love in the face of illness and mortality.

Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva deliver heartbreaking performances in this intimate and deeply moving French-language film.

18. Mud (2012) – A Coming-of-Age Tale with a Romantic Twist

Jeff Nichols’ “Mud” is a coming-of-age story with a romantic twist. Two young boys befriend a fugitive (Matthew McConaughey) hiding on an island in the Mississippi River and help him reconnect with his long-lost love (Reese Witherspoon). 

19. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) – A Poetic Love Story amidst Injustice

Based on James Baldwin’s novel, Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk” is a lyrical and powerful love story set in 1970s Harlem. The film follows Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James), a young couple torn apart when Fonny is falsely accused of a crime.

As Tish fights to prove Fonny’s innocence while pregnant with their child, their unwavering love becomes a beacon of hope against systemic injustice.

20. Brooklyn (2015) – Charming Period Romance

John Crowley’s “Brooklyn” is a charming period romance about a young Irish immigrant (Saoirse Ronan) torn between her new life in 1950s New York and her hometown in Ireland.

With a stellar cast including Emory Cohen and Domhnall Gleeson, this beautifully crafted film captures the bittersweet experience of leaving home and finding love in a new land.

21. The Theory of Everything (2014) – A Heartwarming Biopic Romance

James Marsh’s “The Theory of Everything” is a heartwarming biopic about the relationship between renowned physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his wife Jane (Felicity Jones).

This beautifully acted film chronicles their enduring love as they face the challenges of Hawking’s ALS diagnosis together.

22. The Spectacular Now (2013) – A Poignant Coming-of-Age Romance

“The Spectacular Now” is a poignant coming-of-age romance about a charming but aimless high school senior (Miles Teller) who falls for a kind-hearted “nice girl” (Shailene Woodley).

Director James Ponsoldt delivers an emotionally honest portrait of young love with authentic, nuanced performances from its talented leads.

23. Like Crazy (2011) – A Bittersweet Long-Distance Love Story

Drake Doremus’ “Like Crazy” is a bittersweet romance about the joys and challenges of long-distance love.

Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones star as college students who fall deeply in love but struggle to maintain their relationship when visa issues keep them apart. 

24. The Lobster (2015) – Unconventional Dystopian Romance

Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Lobster” is an unconventional dystopian romance set in a world where single people are transformed into animals if they fail to find a mate. Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz star as two loners who form a forbidden bond in this darkly comedic and thought-provoking exploration of love and relationships.

25. The Handmaiden (2016) – A Sensual & Twisty Period Romance

Park Chan-wook’s “The Handmaiden” is a sensual and twisty period romance set in 1930s Korea. This visually stunning adaptation of Sarah Waters’ novel “Fingersmith” follows a young pickpocket who becomes entangled in an elaborate con involving a wealthy heiress. 

26. The Light Between Oceans (2016) – A Heart-Wrenching Period Drama

Derek Cianfrance’s “The Light Between Oceans” is a heart-wrenching period drama about a lighthouse keeper (Michael Fassbender) and his wife (Alicia Vikander) who raise a baby they rescue from a drifting rowboat.

As the child’s true parentage comes to light, the couple faces an agonizing moral dilemma. 

27. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (2014) – An Inventive Relationship Study

Ned Benson’s “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” is an inventive relationship drama that explores the dissolution of a marriage from both the husband’s (James McAvoy) and wife’s (Jessica Chastain) perspectives in two separate films (“Him” and “Her”). 

This ambitious project, which was combined into a single film (“Them”) for wide release, offers a fascinating, multi-faceted look at love and loss with raw, vulnerable performances from its leads.

28. Enough Said (2013) – Charming Second-Chance Romance

Nicole Holofcener’s “Enough Said” is a charming second-chance romance about a divorced massage therapist (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who starts dating a sweet but slovenly man (James Gandolfini), only to discover he’s the ex-husband of her new friend (Catherine Keener). 

29. Beginners (2010) – A Quirky & Touching Intergenerational Love Story

Mike Mills’ semi-autobiographical “Beginners” tells the quirky and touching story of a young man (Ewan McGregor) grappling with his elderly father’s (Christopher Plummer) revelation that he’s gay and terminal cancer diagnosis, while also falling in love with a charming French actress (Mélanie Laurent). 

Plummer won a Supporting Actor Oscar for his moving performance in this unique and deeply personal film about love, loss, and self-discovery at any age.

30. Loving (2016) – A Quiet and Powerful Civil Rights Era Romance

Jeff Nichols’ “Loving” is a quiet yet powerful drama about the real-life interracial couple (Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton) whose landmark Supreme Court case struck down laws against mixed-race marriage in 1960s Virginia. With its understated performances and beautiful cinematography, this inspiring film celebrates the simple love story at the heart of a historic civil rights battle.

Source:
1. The Dartmouth