There's nothing like a feature-length chance to fall in love. And there's no better time to see it than right now.
Whether you're preparing a cozy evening for two, having a long-distance hang with friends, or embarking on a private, solo cry over love lost/love won/the state of the planet/etc., romantic comedies are one of our greatest resources for emotional catharsis. Roll into the romance and humor of it all with abandon (and our help). Mashable has combed through every rom-com on Hulu to assess the best of the best for your streaming buck.
Here are the best romantic comedies now on Hulu.
1. Palm Springs
In one of the best movies of 2020, Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti play nihilistic wedding guests who become stuck in a time loop à la Groundhog Day. Stupidly funny and surprisingly sweet, this sci-fi nightmare-meets-rom-com explores a been-there-done-that premise with a fresh approach and two leads you'll fall for instantly. (Fair warning: If you're in the middle of an existential crisis, maybe hold off on this one. Palm Springs isn't your average meet-cute.) — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Palm Springs is streaming on Hulu.
2. Love, Simon
A heartfelt coming-of-age story, Love, Simon follows a closeted teenage boy as he grapples with coming out to his family and community. Nick Robinson is deeply endearing as Simon, who finds himself in a modern epistolary romance (they emailed each other) with an anonymous male classmate. But when another student, Martin, finds their secret correspondence, he threatens to out Simon unless Simon helps Martin win the heart of one of his friends, Abby.
Based on a novel by Becky Albertalli (Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda), Love, Simon is an absolute smash hit across the board. The performances are moving, the script is clever, and the tone deftly marries humor with real emotional depth. This is one you don’t want to miss. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributing Writer
How to watch: Love, Simon is now streaming on Hulu.
3. Crazy Rich Asians
Constance Wu is Rachel Chu, an NYU professor heading off to Singapore to meet her dreamy boyfriend Nick’s (Henry Golding) family for the first time. But there’s a surprise waiting for her when she lands: Nick’s family is one of the richest in Singapore, and his mother (Michelle Yeoh) is determined to make Rachel see that she doesn’t belong in their stratosphere.
Based on the novel by Kevin Kwan and directed by John M. Chu, Crazy Rich Asians made headlines for being the first major Hollywood motion picture to feature an all-Asian cast since 1993’s The Joy Luck Club. What’s more, it’s a fun and energetic watch, with truly astounding visuals of an inconceivable level of wealth. — K.G.
How to watch: Crazy Rich Asians is now streaming on Hulu.
4. Waiting to Exhale
Savannah, Robin, Bernadine, and Gloria are close friends in Phoenix who can’t seem to sort out their love lives. But, thanks to support from each other, over the course of the film, they each find their own kind of happy ending. Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, Wesley Snipes, Gregory Hines, Dennis Haysbert, Wendell Pierce, and more all round out this absolutely stacked cast. Adapted from a Terry McMillan novel and directed by Forest Whitaker, Waiting to Exhale examines the beauty of life’s pains and pleasures in equal measure. — K.G.
How to watch: Waiting to Exhale is now streaming on Hulu.
5. A Knight’s Tale
Hot off the success of the contemporary Shakespearean adaptation 10 Things I Hate About You, Heath Ledger returned to the spotlight in another anachronistic mash-up of love and romance. And it had plenty of action to boot!
Born a humble thatcher's son, Will (Ledger) seems destined to live a life of poverty and no consequence. Well, that is until he masquerades as a knight with a little help from his friends (Alan Tudyk, Mark Addy, and Paul Bettany). Together, they build a legend of a champion, pitching Will into jousting competitions for money and love. Because, of course, amid scenes of horse-striding battle, there's also time for romance with a devastatingly chic princess (Shannyn Sossamon).
Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, A Knight's Tale blends a medieval fable with modern sensibilities, a rockin' soundtrack, and the vibes of a teen comedy with a rousing sports epic. It's an intoxicating blend that's sure to make your heart race and your belly rock with laughter.* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: A Knight’s Tale is streaming on Hulu.
6. The Proposal
The Proposal is a veritable romantic comedy archetype. Sandra Bullock is the no-nonsense boss reviled by her employees. Ryan Reynolds is the pushover personal assistant she bullies into marrying her for a green card (to keep her from being deported back to, ahem, Canada). It’s not just fake dating — it’s a fake marriage, folks! And these two opposites are going to find what they’ve been missing all along has been right under their noses, but only after they bicker themselves into a slew of ridiculous shenanigans, of course.
There is nothing unpredictable about The Proposal. It hits all the beats. The characters are exactly who you think they are. It’s not really kind to women, in a very 2000s way. But sometimes, a little comforting, mindless, nostalgic indistinguishability from other romantic comedies is exactly what you’re looking for. And for that very specific mood, The Proposal hits just right. — K.G.
How to watch: The Proposal is now streaming on Hulu.
7. The Hating Game
Based on a novel by Sally Thorne, The Hating Game is a sexy rom-com about two coworkers who absolutely can’t stand each other. Up for the same promotion at work and bogged down with endless mind games and power struggles, they begin to suspect their knee-jerk antagonism might be a cover for something else entirely. There’s more going on here than your standard hate-to-love romance. It’s unpredictable, and it’s seductive enough to earn an R rating. But The Hating Game’s greatest strength is that the chemistry between lead actors Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell is off the charts. Here, the yearning, burning glances are simply scintillating. — K.G.
How to watch: The Hating Game is streaming on Hulu.
8. Fire Island
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice gets a modern makeover with Fire Island. Joel Kim Booster reimagines the rom-com of manners as a gay love story set in the eponymous vacation spot. There, a chosen family of gay men and their lesbian den mother (Margaret Cho) revel with sunshine, champagne, and karaoke. But an unexpected buzzkill arrives in the form of a pretentious and posh lawyer (Conrad Ricamora), who seems to sneer at the group's idea of a good time. Despite an awkward introduction, the lawyer and the group's main character (Booster) kick off a promising romance. But can it be more than a summer fling? — K.P.
How to watch: Fire Island is streaming on Hulu.
9. Plus One
Ben King (Jack Quaid) and Alice Mori (Maya Erskine) are old college friends who, in their late twenties, find themselves a couple of the few people in their circles left without partners. With a summer of endless weddings and awkward singles tables ahead of them, Ben and Alice decide to team up as each other’s plus ones and wingmen for the nuptial marathon, accidentally falling for each other along the way.
With a cast full of indie comedy darlings and a funny, grounded script, Plus One is a top-notch rom-com for the modern era. For outrageous hijinks and convenient romance, look elsewhere. This is a sweet, relatable winner that feels about as real as a rom-com can get.* — K.G.
How to watch: Plus One is now streaming on Hulu.
10. Pretty Woman
You haven’t seen Pretty Woman? Big mistake! HUGE!
Julia Roberts is iconic as a Hollywood hooker who charms her way into reserved millionaire Richard Gere’s heart. What starts as a business arrangement (Gere is looking for companionship) blossoms into a romance — though the truth about Julia’s professional history remains an ever-present threat to their happiness.
Roberts became an instant star thanks to her tender and effervescent performance of prostitute with a stronger moral compass than most of the rich socialites she meets. Pretty Woman is a classic for a reason — it’s spirited, it’s fun, and even more, it’s got something to say. — K.G.
How to watch: Pretty Woman is streaming on Hulu.
11. The Spy Who Dumped Me
Long live the action comedy!!! Exciting, ridiculous, and fun, there’s nothing better than a silly adventure with high stakes and lovable characters — and 2018’s The Spy Who Dumped Me is an excellent example of the form.
Audrey (Mila Kunis), bummed because her boyfriend (Justin Theroux) dumped her, decides to burn his possessions with BFF Morgan (a perfect Kate McKinnon). But when he shows up to save his things, Audrey finds her apartment suddenly destroyed in a hailstorm of gunfire. Turns out her ex was in the CIA, and now they’re all in trouble. Directed by Susanna Fogel (Booksmart), The Spy Who Dumped Me is entertaining and exhilarating from start to finish. — K.G.
How to watch: The Spy Who Dumped Me is now streaming on Hulu.
12. Crush
The most refreshing thing about this queer rom-com is that all the characters are super queer. This isn't a coming-out story about the one queer girl at her high school or the shy lesbian who's secretly crushing on the cool, unattainable straight girl — relatable, yes, but we’ve done it. Crush follows a playful (if predictable) love triangle in which very-out Paige (Rowan Blanchard) desperately tries to lock down her longtime crush Gabriella (Isabella Ferreira), the popular girl (guess what, she's queer!), while drumming up a sweet connection with Gabi's twin sister (Auli'i Cravalho), an introverted bi skater-girl type. The flirting is a little elementary at times, but the short-and-sweet Crush excels at showing young queer people being themselves and getting a sappy love story to call their own.* — Oliver Whitney, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Crush is streaming on Hulu.
13. (500) Days of Summer
Sometime in the 2000s, romantic comedies stopped trying to be funny and started trying to say something meaningful, none more overtly so than (500) Days of Summer. This indie darling breaks from rom-com formula to tell a nonlinear story of a relationship coming together and falling apart. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's sincerity is palpable, and Zooey Deschanel, as the object of his affection, is a quirky girl so quirky she single-handedly ushered in a new era of messy bangs for millions of women everywhere. With unexpected touches of surrealism and a stellar supporting cast, (500) Days of Summer is a love story that hits you right in the gut. — K.G.
How to watch: (500) Days of Summer is now streaming on Hulu.
14. How Stella Got Her Groove Back
As promised in the title, this is a movie about a woman named Stella (Angela Bassett) getting her groove back. A single mother in a relationship desert, Stella takes a trip to Jamaica to break out of her rut. There, she luxuriates in the scenic views of the tropical island, as well as the scenic views of a young, hot Taye Diggs. Based on the Terry McMillan novel, How Stella Got Her Groove Back is a warm, breezy story about how hard it can be to make space for love. — K.G.
How to watch: How Stella Got Her Groove Back is now streaming on Hulu.
15. Warm Bodies
Whoever says romantic comedies can’t also be zombie thrillers just hasn’t seen Warm Bodies yet. Nicholas Hoult is a zombie who lives in an abandoned airport and spends his time consuming human flesh so he can experience the memories of his victims before they die. But when he sees Teresa Palmer, everything changes. He doesn’t want to eat her. He wants to protect her. The more time he spends in her company, the more human he feels. His heart begins to beat, and slowly, he even regains the ability to speak. Now the misfit pair must not only save themselves from the hordes of zombies they’re surrounded by, they must also find a way to share the discovery that zombie-ism might be reversible.
Written and directed by Jonathan Levine, and adapted from Isaac Marion’s novels, Warm Bodies is both romantic and gory, touching and irreverent. Straddling multiple genres with confidence and style, it's a captivating and utterly unique love story that you won’t forget anytime soon. — K.G.
How to watch: Warm Bodies is now streaming on Hulu.
16. I'm Your Man
Want an edge of sci-fi to your romance? Then you've got to watch this 2021 gem, which was German's entry for the Best International Feature Oscar. Maren Eggert stars as a scientist tasked with testing out a robot companion to see how convincingly human it might be. Tom (Dan Stevens) is handsome, attentive, and loves to dance. He's designed to say the right thing and anticipate every need. The idea is seductive, but this deeply rational (and a bit cynical) woman isn't so eager to fall for a robo-boy toy whose beating heart is an aim-to-please algorithm. Can real love bloom between (wo)man and machine? And what would that even mean!? Find out with I'm Your Man. — K.P.
How to watch: I'm Your Man is streaming on Hulu.
17. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are Lorelei and Dorothy, American showgirls (and best friends!) on their way to France, paid for by Lorelei’s rich fiancé Gus. Gus warns them that his father is looking for any excuse to forbid their marriage, so they must make sure not to get into any trouble. Unfortunately, trouble is waiting for them in the form of a private investigator, an owner of a diamond mine, and the entire male contingent of the American Olympic team.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a bubby, technicolor musical with sensational costumes and even more spectacular dance numbers. It’s an absolute romp, with a steadfast female friendship burning brightly at its core. — K.G.
How to watch: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is now streaming on Hulu.
18. What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Written by Jemima Khan and directed by Shekhar Kapur, What’s Love Got to Do with It? is a touching British romantic comedy-drama about modern arranged marriages. Zoe (Lily James), a documentary filmmaker, decides to record the process of her childhood friend Kaz (Shazad Latif) embarking on an assisted marriage facilitated by his Pakistani family and community. As the wedding day approaches, Zoe has more and more trouble accepting why Kaz would marry someone he doesn’t know, while Kaz finds himself having difficulty reconciling his responsibility to his family with his own deeper feelings.
Captivating, compassionate, and substantial, What’s Love Got to Do with It? is a truly lovely watch. Most of the comedy here comes from Emma Thompson’s performance as Zoe’s delightfully daffy mother, which is almost worth the watch alone. — K.G.
How to watch: What’s Love Got to Do with It? is now streaming on Hulu.
19. 27 Dresses
Sometimes you don’t really want to think while you’re watching a movie. You want to let a wave of genre tropes wash over you, mindless, depth-less, free. For these moments, 27 Dresses is the movie for you. Jane (Katherine Heigl) is a hopeless romantic who has been a bridesmaid a whopping 27 times. Kevin (James Marsden) is a cynical newspaper reporter who doesn’t really understand the appeal of marriage. Do you think these two will find a way to cross the ideological divide between them while he writes a piece about her bridesmaid record? Oh you bet they will, and they’ll sing a little Elton John along the way.
Written by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada; Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), 27 Dresses has everything you want from a romantic comedy: charismatic leads, a bubbly tone, and Judy Greer as the BFF. — K.G.
How to watch: 27 Dresses is now streaming on Hulu.
20. Rye Lane
Among the most winsome movies of Sundance 2023 is this South London-set romantic comedy. Directed by Raine Allen Miller, Rye Lane stars David Jonsson (Industry) and Vivian Oparah (Class) as heartbroken twentysomethings who fatefully cross paths and might just tumble into new love. A humbling beginning with a bathroom meet-not-so-cute swiftly spins into a happenstance first date full of fun, banter, surprises, and a wee bit of breaking and entering. (Hey, breakups get messy.)
Painted in saturated colors, paced like a dance party, and brought to life by a kinetic ensemble cast, Rye Lane is a pure pleasure to watch. But it's Jonsson and Oparah, with their killer comedic timing and off-the-charts chemistry, that make this movie soar.* — K.P.
How to watch: Rye Lane is now streaming on Hulu.
21. Under the Tuscan Sun
After a traumatic divorce, Frances (Diane Lane) goes on a vacation in Italy hoping to snap out of her gloom. The hills of Tuscany speak so deeply to her heart, she ends up buying a fixer-upper villa and tries to build a whole new life for herself. This is a movie that firmly believes love finds you right when you stop looking for it.
Diane Lane is perfect as a gloomy divorcée in need of a fresh start; Sandra Oh shines as her pregnant best friend; and Raoul Bova is dreamy as her Italian crush. Under the Tuscan Sun is a fluffy rom-com for an older audience; its characters have been tossed around by life a bit, and the only remedy is a scenic landscape and a lot of wine. — K.G.
How to watch: Under the Tuscan Sun is now streaming on Hulu.
22. Crazy Stupid Love
Crazy Stupid Love follows multiple interweaving storylines, all looking at love and relationships from different angles. First, is Cal (Steve Carrell), a newly separated father seeking dating advice from womanizer Jacob (Ryan Gosling). Jacob, meanwhile, is finding most of his normal tricks don’t work on Hannah (Emma Stone), an ambitious law school graduate. At the same time, Cal’s 13-year-old son is nursing a serious crush on his babysitter Jessica (Lio Tipton), who herself is in love with Cal. It’s a spider’s web of longing, confusing for its victims, but captivating for its audience. — K.G.
How to watch: Crazy Stupid Love is now streaming on Hulu.
23. Happiest Season
Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis star in this sapphic rom-com co-written and directed by Clea DuVall. But rather than it being a charming tale of falling in love, this is a rocking Christmas-set comedy about the drama of meeting the parents. When metropolitan Abby (Stewart) accompanies her girlfriend Harper (Davis) home for the holidays, she not only meets kooky family members and a smoking hot ex (Aubrey Plaza), but also discovers her lover is closeted. Can this couple have a happy holiday under these conditions? Hijinks, drag queens, and Dan Levy will ensue. — K.P.
How to watch: Happiest Season is now streaming on Hulu.
UPDATE: Feb. 8, 2024, 5:31 p.m. EST This post has been updated to reflect the current selection available on Hulu.
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