This year has been all about romcoms, from The Fall Guy, Anyone But You, and The Idea of You, no further proof is needed that they are back and better than ever, almost.
While the very first romcom was released in 1924, it wasn’t until the 90s that they really had their moment, and oh boy, was it a moment.
Known as the ‘golden age’ of the rom-com genre, the ’90s and early 00s saw many of us mark in our calendars that Fridays were for going to the video store and curling up on the couch watching a film that would no doubt leave us with a heart three sizes bigger.
There were the classics like Pretty Woman, Clueless and 10 Things I Hate About You, all of which dominated the box office but were later found to have some rather problematic storylines.
Julia Roberts’ 1990 film, for example, has been criticised in recent years for its portrayal of sex workers and the power dynamic between Julia’s character, Vivian, and Richard Gere’s character, Edward.
As for Clueless, it was pointed out much later that the romance between Alicia Silverstone’s character, Cher and Paul Rudd’s character, Josh, was illegal as Cher was 16 and classed as a minor, while Josh was 18.
And the Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger-fronted film 10 Things I Hate About You, has been called out for misogynistic themes and for depicting physical and psychological abuse.
But, it’s not all societal politics. A lot of favourites stood the test of time, including Four Weddings and a Funeral. So, if you’re looking for movie inspiration this weekend, look no further than this article.
Here are 7 romcoms we still love – and that stood the test of time 30 years on:
You’ve Got Mail
If you love Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan and a love story with a twist, this film may just be for you. Surprisingly similar to the dating landscape today, the story follows two singles who meet online and spark up a romance.
Completely unaware of what each other’s real name is and what they look like, the pair have no idea they actually have met, but unlike online, in real life, they aren’t friends, they are rivals.
Tom’s character, Joe, owns a major bookstore chain, while Meg’s character, Kathleen, owns her own small bookstore. When they finally take their romance offline, will their love story continue?
We’d hate to spoil the ending, so we’ll leave it there, but we will tell you that the 26-year-old film still has a 70% Rotten Tomatoes rating, so it’s definitely worth a watch.
The Preacher’s Wife
With Christmas fast approaching, it feels only right to sit down and watch the 1996 film.
Starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington, the story follows Courtney B. Vance’s character, Reverend Henry Biggs as he navigates the difficulties of a struggling church, his failing marriage and a decision about whether to sell Church land or not.
Thankfully, he doesn’t have to do it alone. With the help of God, or rather, an angel (Denzel) sent by God, Henry receives the support he needs. That is, until he realises his angel is slowly falling in love with his wife. What happens next? You’ll find out about an hour and a half through the film.
While the film underperformed in the eyes of the studio, it was still considered a moderate box office success and holds a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
French Kiss
Full of cheeky quips, lighthearted banter and onscreen chemistry so good you’ll be thinking about it for years, the 1995 film French Kiss definitely deserves a spot on our list.
The film, which holds an average four-star rating on Google and Amazon, follows Kate, played by Meg, as she travels to Paris to win back her estranged ex-fiance, Charlie, played by Timothy Hutton, who has fallen in love with another woman.
Before you roll your eyes, the story doesn’t stop there. Kate is befriended by a thief named Luc, played by Kevin Kline, who hides a stolen necklace in her bag and stays close to her to get it back.
The pair eventually fall in love, but a miscommunication tears them apart. Will they end up together? Or does their love story end? You won’t have to wait long to find out, as the film is just under two hours long.
Notting Hill
‘I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.’
It’s one of the most famous lines in the cinematic universe, and you might have thought it was a great thing to say to that unattainable lover in your 20s. The jury is still out on that one, but we do know it is a great way to summarise the 1999 film.
Following Julia Roberts, who stars as Anna Scott, the most famous actress in the world and Hugh Grant, who plays William Thacker, an everyday London bloke, the film takes place after a chance encounter sees the unlikely pair spark up a romance, but it’s not smooth sailing. With her based in Beverly Hills and him in Notting Hill, plus their very different lives, can they make it work?
You won’t know until you watch the film; what you can know, though, is that at the time of its release, it was the highest-grossing British film, generating $364 million (£276.4m) at the global box office. It also holds an 84% Rotten Tomatoes rating, with many calling it one of the ‘best’ films in the romcom genre.
The Best Man
A wedding without drama? Sounds boring, we prefer a wedding with a sprinkle of chaos which is exactly what happens in the 1999 film, The Best Man.
Featuring Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, and Morris Chestnut, the two-hour movie follows the wedding weekend of Lance, played by Morris, and Mia, played by Monica Calhoun.
While everything seems to be going according to plan, things soon take a turn when author Harper, played by Taye, realises an advanced copy of his book, which is based on his friends, starts circulating around the group and features a chapter about his secret rendezvous with the bride.
The film deserves a spot on not only our list but also yours. If not for its 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, then at least for being considered groundbreaking for its depiction of educated, successful African Americans living ordinary lives.
Sliding Doors
If you’re looking for a London-based film with a bit of a twist, romance, and comedy, welcome. Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, was a box office success upon its release in 1998 and is still widely considered one of the best films Gwyneth has made.
Following Helen, a public relations employee who was just fired from her job, she misses her train home, is victim to an attempted mugging thus missing the moment her boyfriend’s secret mistress leaves their home, or does she?
Thanks to a parallel universe, Sliding Doors tells two stories. The other storyline shows Helen getting on the train, uncovering her boyfriend’s infidelity, and meeting a new man with whom she quickly falls in love but disaster strikes and she finds out he is married.
All is not what it seems, though, and she has more to uncover, so do they end up together? While a bit funny and heartwarming, ultimately this film is the perfect example of how life can change in a matter of moments.
Four Weddings and a Funeral
In the essence of saving the best for last, allow us to (re)introduce you to Four Weddings and a Funeral. The 1994 film was made in just six weeks and, much to the surprise of studios, became an unexpected success.
Grossing $245.7m (£186.5m) at the box office worldwide, it was also the highest-grossing British film in history at the time and received multiple awards, including the Bafta for best film and two Academy Award nominations.
The film, which holds a 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating, follows Charles, played by Hugh, as he attends four weddings and a funeral, all the while falling in love with the charismatic but taken Carrie, played by Andie MacDowell.
It’s a will-they-won’t-they trope and one that has a-
You thought you had us there, didn’t you? No chance; this is a spoiler-free article, so the only way to know the ending is to watch the film or Google it. But we would highly recommend watching it.
Happy romcom-ing.
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