An (incomplete) list of underrated rom coms you need to watch this weekend

Romantic comedies might be going through a bit of an identity crisis.

There have been thoughtful discussions about mid-budget movies (where most rom coms fall) going by the wayside in the streaming era, resulting in cinema’s seeming abandonment of the genre.

But it’s not that rom coms aren’t being made. Just within the last few years we had Anyone But You (2024), Rye Lane (2023), Red, White & Royal Blue (2023), and Palm Springs (2020). There could even be an argument that this year’s Oscar Best Picture winner, Anora, is a rom com. When Harry Met Sally’s Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal did present the Best Picture award, after all.

Has the genre changed?

The genre has gone through many phases, from the screwball comedies of the 1930s that leaned into the outlandish, to the wistful romances of the 50s, to the edgy genre deconstruction of the 70s, to the rom com classics of the 80s and 90s, said Esther Zuckerman, entertainment journalist and author of Falling in Love at the Movies: Rom-Coms from the Screwball Era to Today. She joined guest host Austin Cross on LAist’s daily news program, AirTalk.

“ And now rom coms are sort of once again trying to figure out what they are,” she said. “There are still some great ones coming out, but it’s a little bit of an interesting time for the genre.”

From the obscure, to the unconventional, to the ones hiding in plain sight waiting to sweep you off your feet, these are the underrated rom coms worth checking out, according to AirTalk listeners.

A classic ready for its meet-cute

Harold and Maude (1971)

An unconventional pairing of on-screen lovers, Harold (Bud Cort), a young man obsessed with death, meets Maude (Ruth Gordon), an 80-year-old woman, at a stranger’s funeral. Their friendship turns to love as they chase adventure together.

“A very tender story about two odd people who fall in love. And it’s a cult classic,” said Carmen from Monterey Hills.

“It goes a lot deeper than just romantic love. And it has a phenomenal soundtrack,” said Mark from Orange.

Love Story (1970)

More of a straight up romance than a comedy, Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal play star-crossed lovers whose different economic backgrounds cause obstacles and strife. The film’s enduring tagline, “love means never having to say you’re sorry,” solidifies its classic status.

“ It was my parents date night flick in the 70s,” said Suraya from Eagle Rock. “So I grew up hearing them share how much they loved this movie, how much they cried.”

Crossing Delancey (1988)

This one's an 80s rom com that may have slipped under the radar, eclipsed by larger releases of the time. Amy Irving stars as a New York bookshop employee whose grandmother pushes her to find love through a Jewish matchmaker. She and her main suitor, played by Peter Riegert, get into quite the pickle.

“[It] is a real gem and maybe the only rom com I recommend,” said Hilary from Highland Park. “Who doesn't love a movie about a humble pickle vendor trying to woo an intellectual bookshop worker? Special shout-out to The Roches who provide multiple amazing songs to the soundtrack.”

How to Steal a Million (1966)

Maybe a lesser talked about Audrey Hepburn film, the daughter of an art forger and a cat burglar (Peter O’Toole) team up to steal a statue from a museum. Is their love real, or just another long con?

“ There's lots of physical comedy. It's very, very funny and very charming,” said Anne from Palm Desert. “And of course, Audrey Hepburn, her clothes are just phenomenal.”

It Happened One Night (1934)

As screwball as screwball comedies get, this film stars Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in one of the most celebrated rom coms from the 1930s era. Colbert plays a newly-wed just trying to get back to her husband but Gable, a news reporter, gets in her way.

“ It holds up incredibly well,” said Curtis from Culver City. “It really kind of set the template for romantic comedies. It feels very, very modern. It's a classic and it is well known, but it's not seen as much as it could be and should be.”

Familiar faces in unlikely places

Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

Perhaps a precursor to the more fondly remembered You've Got Mail, this rom com also has Meg Ryan opposite Tom Hanks. Hanks plays a terminally ill man who goes on an adventure to live life to fullest before his time is up. On the way, he meets a cast of characters, many of them played by Ryan.

“It is unique because Meg Ryan plays three different roles,” said Robbie from Pasadena. “It is so random, but it works!”

Long Shot (2019)

A more recent entry into the genre. Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron are an unexpected match, but that’s by design as the two play an unlikely couple: Theron, an ambitious diplomat running for president and Rogen, a scrappy journalist prone to trouble.

“ It's so hilarious,” said Allegra from Encino. "I mean, who would ever think Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron as love interests, but the chemistry is so good.”

Once Around (1991)

Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfus star in this romance turned family drama. Hunter’s character begins a relationship with an older charismatic salesman (played by Dreyfus) to Hunter’s parents’ disapproval.

“It takes some unique turns and has some interesting ideas about not liking someone initially and then coming around in the end,” said D.P. from the Crenshaw District.

The Sweetest Thing (2002)

Cameron Diaz is no stranger to the rom com, but besides The Holiday, her name is seldom mentioned when discussing some of the genre’s beloved leads. In this film, Diaz’s character goes on a road trip to track down a man she met at a bar (played by Thomas Jane) not wanting to miss a chance at love.

“The cast was great with Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, Selma Blair, and Jason Bateman,” said Eddie from Palm Desert. “It was a more mature movie but it was so well done and very ahead of its time.”

For a bit of the fantastical

About Time (2013)

Another notch in writer-director Richard Curtis’ rom com belt (he also wrote Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral). Domhnall Gleeson’s character has the ability to travel through time and decides to use this newfound power to find love. Enter Rachel McAdams. Gleeson leverages his gift to change and intercept possible derailments to their relationship.

“ It's such an unconventional Rom Com in a way,” said Colton from Silver Lake. “It does have the traditional man, woman, love story, but then it morphs into a family love story, and it turns into this love story about a father and a son.”

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

If it was your last few weeks on Earth, who would you spend them with? Steve Carell and Kiera Knightly opt to spend their last days together in a car racing against an asteroid. Why? So Carell can find his long lost love. But isn't it more about the journey, than the destination?

“ It's happening with the backdrop of the world ending in a matter of days or weeks,” said Samantha from Sherman Oaks. “And so they develop a friendship, they have really good chemistry, and they both are motivated to solve kind of age-old problems within their families. It's just a beautiful, touching film.”

A rom com by any other name

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Wes Anderson’s films are a genre in themselves, and while Moonrise Kingdom may come to mind as the more obvious Anderson rom com, The Royal Tenenbaums’ central characters are full of heart.

“Such a quirky film with interesting relationships,” said Jenny from Silver Lake. “Certainly, Gene Hackman's character made past mistakes in his marriage, but when he said “You’re true blue” to Angelica Huston (his ex-wife in the film), it was so romantic.

So, I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)

Leave it to Mike Myers to star in a film that satirizes the rom com. Myers plays a comedian who meets the woman of his dreams (Nancy Travis), but then starts to suspect she may be a serial killer.

“Mike Myers I believe is at his funniest,” said Christina from Indian Wells. “It’s just a delightful development of a romance against someone’s wishes. Also, it’s a great love story about the San Francisco Bay Area.”

“It’s just so nostalgic and reminds me of when I was dating and trying to find the perfect partner,” said Steven from Glendale.