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Best Romantic Comedies

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Greatest Romantic Comedies of All Time

When executed well, the romantic comedy film is a captivating genre that tugs at our emotions while tickling our funny bone. However, the best romantic comedies have a rare mix of comedy, chemistry and tension. There has been some amazing on screen chemistry over the years, such as Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, William Powell and Myrna Loy and more recently Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Chemistry in romantic comedies often can transform a good script into a great movie.

This list of the top romantic comedies is based on the composite ranking of all members that ranked this category at Rankography Top Ten Movies. To discover great romantic comedies that you have not heard of, you should check out the full ranked list of Romantic Comedies.

Another good source, if you like great Romantic Comedies, is this RomCom Facebook Page.

If you want to find other great movies, check out these other lists at Rankography, including Best Comedies or the more specific romance related Romance Movies.

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10. It Happened One Night

Gable and Colbert find Romance on the Open Road

It Happened One Night movie posterIt Happened One Night won the Best Picture Oscar in 1934 largely because of the fantastic romantic chemistry between Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. This romantic comedy is one in a long line of brilliant Frank Capra films with endearing characters and believable backdrops.

Colbert plays Ellie, a pampered socialite who marries a man without her father's blessing. Her father has the wedding annulled and drags Ellie back home against her will. When she escapes, Ellie meets up with Peter Warne (Gable), a newspaperman, who agrees to help her cross the country back to her husband in exchange for a story. However along the way, Ellie and Peter develop a passion of their own ultimately falling in love.

This is a classic film and truly one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time.

Buy this framed Limited Edition poster

If you liked It Happened One Night...

You might also like the classic comedy, His Girl Friday

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9. Roman Holiday

Audrey Hepburn is Delightful as Princess Ann

Romantic comedies Roman HolidayAudrey Hepburn is as lovely and charming as ever in this outstanding romantic comedy. While in Rome on a European tour, Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) fakes an illness to sneak out for a day of anonymous fun. However, an American reporter, Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), recognizes the Princess and closes in for an exclusive. He offers to chaperone her around the town without letting on that he know who she is. Naturally the two fall for each other but along the way there is a lot of good comedic fun.

Few women, if any, had the charming screen presence of Audrey Hepburn. You may not think of Gregory Peck for comedic roles but he does quite admirably in this romantic comedy. The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won 3, including the well deserved Best Actress Oscar for Hepburn. The film has been quite influential and you will see shade of it in many of the romantic comedies that follow.

This is one of the best romantic comedies of all time and an absolutely must see movie for the whole family.

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If you liked Roman Holiday...

You might also like Breakfast at Tiffany's

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8. You've Got Mail (1998)

Hank and Ryan Together Again in this Romantic Comedy

Romantic comedy movie you've got mailTom Hanks and Meg Ryan created great on-screen chemistry in the 1993 blockbuster romantic comedy film, Sleepless in Seattle. Nora Ephron, who directed both films, went back to the well in You've Got Mail to bring Hanks and Ryan together again in this romantic film. While many think of Julia Roberts as the queen of modern romantic comedies, credit really needs to go out to Meg Ryan, who has been in three of the best romantic comedies of our generation, When Harry met Sally, the aforementioned "Seattle" and this film.

Joe Fox (Hanks) runs a bookstore chain that is on the rampage driving small "mom & pop" bookstores out of business. He meets Kathleen Kelly (Ryan) online and they fall for each other. Of course, at the time he does not realize that Kelly is the owner of a small bookstore squarely in his destructive path. The name is a reference to the alert sound that people received when getting email as an America Online (AOL) customer. The film came out at the height of online dating services and before AOL's long, drawn-out demise.

However, what is most ironic about this film is that the ultimate enemy of bookstores was not the bookstore chains, rather both large and small bookstores have been driven nearly into extinction by internet-based services (Amazon and ebooks) -- the same place that these two lovers supposedly meet.

It is a charming romantic film and Hanks and Ryan are once again wonderful together.

Buy an Original movie poster or a replica reprint from this great romantic comedy.

If you like You've Got Mail...

You may also like the its precursor, Sleepless in Seattle

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7. Roxanne (1987)

One of Martin's Best Comedy Films

Roxanne movie poster steve martin Roxanne is a modern-day rendition of the Edmond Rostand play, Cyrano de Bergerac, written in 1897. Steve Martin plays the lead, CD "Charlie" Bales, whose oversized nose can't diminish is beloved spirit. While trying to help a "simple" friend romance Roxanne (Daryl Hannah), a beautiful newcomer to town, Bales falls in love with Roxanne himself.

While Martin historically had been best known for slapstick humor, he brought a sophistication to this role that endures as one of the best examples of the romantic comedy genre. Martin is able to convey both a happy-go-luck spirit while also demonstrating the anguish of unrequited love. Martin's role in Roxanne really demonstrated his comedic ability and led to a string of sophisticated comedy movie blockbusters.

Buy an autographed framed Steve Martin photo

or get a Original limited edition movie poster or a framed replica poster from this funny romantic movie.

If you like Roxanne...

You might also like the romantic comedy classic, The Apartment

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6. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

He Gets the Girl, then Loses Her, then...

500 Days of Summer romantic comedyCritically acclaimed as one of the best films of 2009, (500) Days of Summer is an interesting play on words on a short-lived relationship between Tom Hansen (joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel). In the same vein as Annie Hall, (500) Days follows the short-lived relationship that end with both Tom and Summer in relationships with other people.

This romantic comedy uses a non-linear narrative that adds mystery to the storyline and Deschanel convincingly portrays a "free spirit" as she has in several other romantic comedies. The film also boasts an excellent soundtrack with an eclectic mix of old and new music.

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If you liked 500 Days of Summer...

You might also like Yes Man with Zooey and Jim Carrey

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5. Bringing up Baby (1938)

A Classic for the Ages

Bringing up Baby romantic comedy cary grant hepburnIf I had to select one actor that best epitomized the male role in romantic comedies, it would have to be Cary Grant. His sophistication and self-deprecating humor was so "comfortable" that is a joy to watch. Luckily, he left us with a huge library of great films and one of my favorite comedies is Bringing up Baby. Grant and co-star Katherine Hepburn are delicious together.

David Huxley (Grant) is an engaged paleontologist who meets Susan Vance (Hepburn) "by chance" on a golf course. Vance gets Huxley into a series of screwball travails. Grant plays the straight man to Hepburn's crazy persona, with a very unique sense of logic, and the interplay between them is hilarious. Surprisingly the film was a box-office failure, but endures today as a one of the best romantic comedies on many critics' all time favorite lists.

Buy a Framed poster of Baby

If you liked Bringing Up Baby...

You should definitely check out The Philadelphia Story.

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4. Pretty Woman (1990)

Julia Roberts Establishes herself as the Queen of Romantic Comedy

Pretty Woman image Gere Roberts romantic comedyPretty Woman is one of the highest grossing romantic comedies of all time with an estimated worldwide box office of $460 million. What's not to love about this cute 1990s movie; Garry Marshall directs while Richard Gere and America's sweetheart, Julia Roberts develop great romantic chemistry. In addition to its box office success, Pretty Woman is probably one of the most replayed movies account on cable television and may be the most viewed romantic comedy of all time.

It is the story of Edward Lewis (Gere), a successful corporate raider, who hires call-girl Vivian Ward (Roberts), to be his escort for several important social events. The "professional" relationship ultimately leads to romance then love, but of course some twists and turns ensue along the way to keep the laughs flowing.

Popularity is surely a barometer of greatness and given its lasting earning power, Pretty Woman has to be considered one of the greatest romantic comedies ever.

Get an autographed Julia Roberts photo

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If you liked Pretty Woman...

You should check out JR in Mystic Pizza

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3. High Fidelity (2000)

A Romantic Comedy for the Boys

High Fidelity romantic comedy john cusack jack blackHigh Fidelity is one of my favorite comedies of all time and serves as the best example of a bro-mantic comedy (e.g, romcom for men). Unlike most romantic comedies, it does not involve much interaction between the boy and girl but much more soul searching by the boy about the girl he lost and now wants back

What makes this movie special is the brilliant verbal exchanges between the three male leads, Rob Gordon (John Cusack), Barry (Jack Black) and Dick (Todd Luiso) in Rob's record story. This movie launched Jack Black onto his comedic rise and is arguably his best film role. He is hilarious throughout and ends the movie with a big soulful singing performance. I can't remember how many times I have seen this film but there is always room for another viewing.

Buy a signed John Cusack photo from High Fidelity

Buy a framed High Fidelity movie poster

If you like High Fidelity...

You may also like John Cusack's Say Anything

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2. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Crystal and Ryan Make Beautiful Music Together

when harry met sally romantic comedy filmWhen Harry met Sally may be the most copied romantic comedy in history. The 1989 film tells the story of two friends who remain simply friends over a 12 year period until they finally realize they might love each other and ultimately "get together". It explores the question, can a single man and a single woman actually be "just friends. It was groundbreaking in many ways and laid the foundation for many of the top romantic comedies that have followed.

It was a superb team led by Director, Rob Reiner, Billy Crystal as the boy and Meg Ryan as the girl. Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby also add excellent supporting roles. This film is the quintessential romantic comedy and a must see film.

Get a framed photo of Billy Crystal

or buy this Original limited edition movie poster or a framed replica poster from one of the greatest romantic comedies ever.

If you liked When Harry Met Sally...

You might also like Four Weddings and a Funeral

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1. Annie Hall (1977)

Allen and Keaton Start a Long String of Romantic Comedies Together

Annie Hall romantic comedies woody allenAnnie Hall is arguably Woody Allen's best movie. It won four academy awards in 1977, including Best Picture. It is not a traditional romantic comedy because the boy does not end up with the girl in the end, but it is a great story about love and relationships. The semi-autobiographical film follows the neurotic relationship between a comedian and a singer. After they break-up, Allen wants to reconcile and much of the film follows his memories of their tumultuous romantic relationship.

Ultimately, the pair agree meet on good terms and remain friends but the story behind the film is the give and take required to make any relationship work.

Get an autographed Woody Allen photo

or buy this Original limited edition movie poster or a framed replica poster from one of the best romantic comedy movies

If you like Annie Hall...

You might also like Woody Allen's Manhattan

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Romantic Comedy in Hollywood: From Lubitsch to Sturges

Romantic Comedy in Hollywood: From Lubitsch to Sturges

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The triumph of James Harvey's book is its ability to convey the delights of the genre when it was at its best, during the 1930s and '40s.

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