The 21 best romantic comedy movies on Netflix
Whether they concern enemies becoming lovers or complicated love triangles, you’ll fall head over heels for these rom-com films currently streaming.
Credit: Netflix/KC Bailey; Netflix (2)
- Romantic comedies come in various forms, from unexpected romances to strong female leads, offering a diverse range of love stories currently streaming on Netflix.
There are so many different ways you can fall in love, and romantic comedies serve to remind us of that. Maybe you're dreaming of an unexpected romance, like in Hit Man (2024). You could also be looking for a plot with strong female leads, such as The Incredible Jessica James (2017) or Voicemails for Isabelle (2026).
Whatever kind of love story you're in the mood for, you'll find your perfect match on our list of the best romantic comedies currently streaming on Netflix, as of October 2026.
01 of 21
13 Going on 30 (2004)
Jennifer Garner as Jenna Rink in '13 Going on 30' Credit: Columbia/Everett
Oh, to be 30 and flirty and thriving. That's what gawky 13-year-old Jenna (Christa B. Allen) wishes for her life in this beloved rom-com, not knowing that her wish is about to come true with a little help from magic wishing dust. She awakens in the body of her 30-year-old self ( Jennifer Garner
), now a fashion magazine editor, but, as she soon discovers, her path to success led to some collateral damage along the way — namely, her best friend and secret admirer, Matty (Mark Ruffalo), to whom she stopped speaking. As Jenna gradually falls in love with Matty, she also goes on a journey of self-discovery and figures out her priorities in life.
What could have been a standard wish-fulfillment teen comedy soars with Garner as the lead. As EW's critic writes
, "She cuts out all traces of adult consciousness, of irony and flirtation and manipulation, reducing herself to a keen, goggle-eyed earnestness that's utterly beguiling." — Kevin Jacobsen
Where to watch 13 Going on 30 : Netflix
Director:Gary Winick
Cast:Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis
02 of 21
About Time (2013)
Domhnall Gleeson as Tim Lake and Rachel McAdams as Mary in 'About Time' Credit: Murray Close/Universal
It's always difficult to reconcile with decisions you've made in the past that you come to regret. Richard Curtis explores these themes in this comedic yet touching dramedy that centers on a British romantic named Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), who learns from his father that the men in their family can travel through time. Tim tries to fix his messy love life with his newfound gift and ultimately meets Mary ( Rachel McAdams ), an American with whom he develops a relationship and desperately tries to keep it from going wrong.
"In About Time ," writes EW's critic , "[Curtis] treats his supernatural hook as casually as possible, to make us believe Yes, that's just what it would be like." — K.J.
Where to watch About Time : Netflix
EW grade:B
Director:Richard Curtis
Cast:Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie
03 of 21
Alex Strangelove (2018)
Daniel Doheny as Alex Truelove and Antonio Marziale as Elliot in 'Alex Strangelove' Credit: Netflix
A coming-of-age rom-com that sees a popular teen wrestle with his sexuality may sound like a familiar narrative, but Alex Strangelove adds its own spin. Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny) lives in an especially progressive and supportive environment for a high school tale, nearly void of the common prejudices against queerness. Still, Alex doesn't know what — or who — he wants, and he has to learn about himself before he can know for sure.
EW's critic praises the film's underlying theme beneath its (occasionally cringey) twists and turns, writing, "It's hard to fault the bigger message here: that we all deserve the right to be true to who we are, even if it takes a few hard turns — and some collateral emotional damage — to get there." — Angela Andaloro
Where to watch Alex Strangelove : Netflix
EW grade:B
Director:Craig Johnson
Cast:Daniel Doheny, Antonio Marziale, Madeline Weinstein, Joanna Adler, William Ragsdale
04 of 21
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Ali Wong as Sasha Tran and Randall Park as Marcus Kim in 'Always Be My Maybe' Credit: Ed Araquel/Netflix
Who says you can't go home again? Ali Wong shines in this romantic comedy about childhood best friends who cross paths as adults after an awkward teenage romance ended badly. Fast forward 16 years, and life has taken celebrity chef Sasha Tran (Wong) and unsuccessful musician Marcus Kim (Randall Park) to some very different places. Much has changed, but their chemistry sure hasn't as the two come face-to-face with their many differences on the road to reconciliation. Throw in a disastrous double date featuring Keanu Reeves playing, well, Keanu Reeves, and you've got yourself a chaotic love triangle unlike any you've seen before. — A.A.
Where to watch Always Be My Maybe : Netflix
EW grade:B
Director:Nahnatchka Khan
Cast:Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Daniel Dae Kim, Keanu Reeves
05 of 21
Bros (2022)
(From left to right): Justin Covington as Paul, Monica Raymund as Tina, Guillermo Díaz as Edgar, D'Lo as Tom, Becca Blackwell as Lucas, Billy Eichner as Bobby Lieber, Luke Macfarlane as Aaron Shepard, and Symone as Marty in 'Bros' Credit: Universal Pictures
When Bros was released in 2022, it came with the pressure of being one of the first Hollywood studio rom-coms with a mostly out LGBTQ+ cast. Years later, it can best be enjoyed on its own terms, an often hysterical, well-observed examination of modern gay dating. Billy Eichner, who co-wrote the film with director Nicholas Stoller, stars as Bobby, a proudly single, outspoken podcast host who falls in love with a traditionally masculine estate lawyer (Luke Macfarlane). "Make no mistake, Bros is a very gay movie," writes EW's critic . "But it's also one cast very much in the mold of the best kind of [Judd] Apatow [film]: whip-smart, soft at heart, full of bravura free-form character bits and cul-de-sacs." — K.J.
Where to watch Bros : Netflix
EW grade:B+
Director:Nicholas Stoller
Cast:Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane, Guy Branum, Miss Lawrence, Ts Madison
06 of 21
The Half of It (2020)
Leah Lewis as Ellie Chu and Alexxis Lemire as Aster Flores in 'The Half of It' Credit: KC Bailey/Netflix
In a modern retelling of the classic French play Cyrano de Bergerac , Ellie (Leah Lewis) starts ghostwriting love letters for a jock, Paul (Daniel Diemer), in exchange for some much-needed cash. But as she continues to correspond with Paul's dream girl, Aster (Alexxis Lemire), Ellie finds they have a lot in common and wonders if she's actually her better half. Though the romantic tension between Aster and Ellie pushes the film forward, the true heart of this story is the blossoming friendship between Ellie and Paul. He may not be able to write to save his life, but Paul speaks up where it counts, causing an intimate and (somewhat) overlapping love triangle between teens who are just trying to learn what life is all about. — A.A.
Where to watch The Half of It : Netflix
EW grade:B
Director:Alice Wu
Cast:Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Enrique Murciano, Wolfgang Novogratz
07 of 21
Hit Man (2024)
Adria Arjona as Madison Figueroa Masters and Glen Powell as Gary Johnson in 'Hit Man' Credit: Brian Roedel/Netflix
Talk about an unconventional meet-cute. Glen Powell co-wrote and stars in this darkly comedic romantic thriller as Gary Johnson, a mild-mannered college professor who also works with the police, posing as a hitman to bust murder-for-hire clients. He proves adept at his undercover job, but, after a woman named Madison (Adria Arjona) hires Gary to kill her husband, he soon finds himself developing feelings, which complicates matters. Powell delivers his best performance to date as the chameleonic faux-assassin, and his chemistry with Arjona is off-the-charts charming. — K.J.
Where to watch Hit Man : Netflix
Director:Richard Linklater
Cast:Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta
08 of 21
The Incredible Jessica James (2017)
Chris O'Dowd as Boone and Jessica Williams as Jessica James in 'The Incredible Jessica James' Credit: Netflix
Jessica Williams is a relatable force to be reckoned with in her debut lead role. As the uber-confident Jessica James, she's trying to find out what's next in both her work life and her love life, with New York City as the backdrop. However, a blind date throws a wrench in all her plans as she finds herself unexpectedly falling for Boone (Chris O'Dowd), though she's still not quite over her ex, Damon (LaKeith Stanfield).
EW's critic celebrates the rom-com for its not-so-delicate balance, writing, "Even when the film falls into indie clichés, Williams keeps things moving with her cleverness and charisma, whether she's chastising man-spreaders on the subway or introducing an as-yet-unborn baby to the fight to dismantle the patriarchy." — A.A.
Where to watch The Incredible Jessica James : Netflix
EW grade:B+
Director:James C. Strouse
Cast:Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, Noël Wells, LaKeith Stanfield, Megan Ketch
09 of 21
The Lost City (2022)
Channing Tatum as Alan Caprison and Sandra Bullock as Loretta Sage in 'The Lost City' Credit: Kimberley French/Paramount
Like Romancing the Stone (1984) for a new generation, this visually arresting adventure comedy is bolstered by the chemistry between its leads. Sandra Bullock stars as Loretta, a romance novelist with a background in archeological research, while Channing Tatum plays her hunky cover model/secret admirer, Alan. After a billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe, having a ball) kidnaps Loretta to help him find a hidden treasure on a remote island, Alan goes on a mission to save her, leading to a chaotic series of events around the jungle. The film is refreshingly unpretentious in its aims, with the chemistry between Bullock and Tatum making us want 10 more movies starring the pair. — K.J.
Where to watch The Lost City : Netflix
EW grade:B
Directors:Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
Cast:Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Brad Pitt
10 of 21
Love Actually (2003)
Hugh Grant as David and Martine McCutcheon as Natalie in 'Love Actually' Credit: Peter Mountain/Universal Studios
Love is all around us, especially, as this film posits, at Christmastime. Hugh Grant , Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Keira Knightley are among the many members of this rom-com's sprawling ensemble, which explores the entanglements of various Londoners, ranging from unrequited romance to revelations of infidelity to unexpected flings. The film gradually reveals how each of their seemingly separate lives is actually interconnected, as the holiday heightens emotions for all involved.
The syrupy sweet script by writer-director Richard Curtis won't be for everyone, but those who give themselves over to the romance and the fantasy of it all — plus those who enjoy some classic British wit — won't be able to resist its charms. — K.J.
Where to watch Love Actually : Netflix
Director:Richard Curtis
Cast:Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley
11 of 21
The Lovebirds (2020)
Issa Rae as Leilani Brooks and Kumail Nanjiani as Jibran in 'The Lovebirds' Credit: Skip Bolen/Netflix
The relationship between Leilani (Issa Rae) and Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) is on its last legs and fading fast when the struggling couple is invited to a dinner party. On their way there, a chance encounter with a criminal changes the course of their night — and their separation. If they want to make it out alive and clear their names, the two will have to work together, but not without throwing a few passive-aggressive jabs at each other in the process.
The Lovebirds gives viewers a different kind of second-chance romance. It's light on the romance and heavy on the antics, making it an honest portrayal of all that can make or break a relationship — romantic or not. — A.A.
Where to watch The Lovebirds : Netflix
EW grade:B
Director:Michael Showalter
Cast:Kumail Nanjiani, Issa Rae, Paul Sparks, Anna Camp, Kyle Bornheimer
12 of 21
People We Meet on Vacation (2026)
Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex in 'People We Meet on Vacation' Credit: Daniel Escale/Netflix
Emily Henry's romance novels have taken the book world by storm since 2020, so it was only inevitable that Hollywood would come calling to adapt her work . People We Meet on Vacation , based on Henry's 2021 novel, is the first of them — and a strong first, at that. The film follows Poppy (Emily Bader), an extroverted adventurer, and Alex ( Tom Blyth ), an introverted homebody, whose friendship slowly blossoms into something more over a series of summer vacations. Essentially a millennial spin on the classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally (1989), People We Meet on Vacation charms through Bader and Blyth's easy chemistry and its loving embrace of the genre's tried-and-true tropes. — K.J.
Where to watch People We Meet on Vacation : Netflix
Director:Brett Haley
Cast:Emily Bader, Tom Blyth
13 of 21
Set It Up (2018)
Zoey Deutch as Harper Moore and Glen Powell as Charlie Young in 'Set It Up' Credit: Netflix
Overworked assistants Charlie (Glen Powell) and Harper ( Zoey Deutch ) have a corporate meet-cute in their shared office building when they bond over their demanding, miserable bosses: venture capitalist Rick Otis (Taye Diggs) and sports media maven Kirsten Stevens (Lucy Liu). Desperate to make their jobs (and lives) easier, Charlie and Harper hatch a plan to merge their superiors into a happy power couple. But playing matchmaker might be way above their pay grade.
A romantic comedy in the same vein as The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Set It Up is a satisfying take on the feel-good genre, complete with meditations on work lives, love lives, and everything in between. EW's critic hails the film as the "gold standard for the frothy summer rom-com." — A.A.
Where to watch Set It Up : Netflix
EW grade:B
Director:Claire Scanlon
Cast:Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Taye Diggs, Lucy Liu
14 of 21
She's Gotta Have It (1986)
(From left to right): John Canada Terrell as Greer Childs, Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon, and Tommy Redmond Hicks as Jamie Overstreet in 'She's Gotta Have It' Credit: Island Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Spike Lee exploded onto the scene with his 1986 directorial debut. Made for only $175,000, She's Gotta Have It tells the story of Nola (Tracy Camilla Johns), a graphic artist in Brooklyn who juggles relationships with three men. The situation becomes complicated after the men meet and figure out what's happening. Meanwhile, Nola comes to realize the value of her freedom as a sexually liberated person.
Lauded for its depiction of a confident Black woman at a time when Hollywood rarely centered such characters, She's Gotta Have It
proved to be predictive of the kinds of groundbreaking stories Lee would tell in the decades to come. The Oscar-winning filmmaker also adapted the film into a Netflix series in 2017. — K.J.
Where to watch She's Gotta Have It
: Netflix
Director:Spike Lee
Cast:Tracy Camilla Johns, Tommy Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell, Spike Lee, Raye Dowell
15 of 21
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Meg Ryan as Annie Reed, Ross Malinger as Jonah Baldwin, and Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin in 'Sleepless in Seattle' Credit: TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
At once a throwback to the classic swoony rom-coms of Old Hollywood and a modern commentary on them, Sleepless in Seattle has become a comfort film in the years since its release. Tom Hanks stars as Sam, a widower who tells his story of grief to a national radio program, which attracts the attention of Annie (Meg Ryan), a reporter who is unhappily engaged. Through a series of events (mostly put in motion by Sam's plucky young son), Sam and Annie eventually connect. Despite EW's middling rating when it first came out, Sleepless in Seattle proved that even when two leads are separated for most of the film, true rom-com magic can still manifest in the right hands. Nora Ephron directed and co-wrote the film, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. — K.J.
Where to watch Sleepless in Seattle : Netflix
Director:Nora Ephron
Cast:Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger, Rob Reiner
16 of 21
Someone Great (2019)
DeWanda Wise as Erin Kennedy, Gina Rodriguez as Jenny Young, and Brittany Snow as Blair Helms in 'Someone Great' Credit: Netflix
This charming directorial debut by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson proves that break-up movies can make for great rom-coms. Jenny ( Gina Rodriguez ) lands her dream job at Rolling Stone , but it costs her her longtime boyfriend (LaKeith Stanfield). Desperate for a last hurrah in New York City before her big move, the new bachelorette rallies friends Blair (Brittany Snow) and Erin (DeWanda Wise) to help send her off, though it proves to be anything but a clean break.
The misadventures of their big night out inspire each woman to reflect on whether they've been choosing their relationships over themselves. The result is an empowering, modern spin on what's expected from the genre, placing sisterhood and self-love at the center stage. — A.A.
Where to watch Someone Great : Netflix
EW grade:B+
Director:Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Cast:Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, DeWanda Wise, LaKeith Stanfield, Peter Vack
17 of 21
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Jack Nicholson as Harry Sanborn and Diane Keaton as Erica Barry in 'Something's Gotta Give' Credit: Columbia/Everett
The star-studded cast of this Nancy Meyers rom-com compares to no other. Meyers wrote the part of womanizing Harry Sanborn for Jack Nicholson , and it shows. His comedic, wildly irresponsible persona meets its match with Diane Keaton as the successful and stern writer Erica Barry. The only problem? He's dating her daughter, Marin (Amanda Peet)…at least, until a health emergency pulls Dr. Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves) into the mix, turning this love triangle into a dizzying square. Unlikely romances are at the heart of this film, which follows Harry and Erica as they explore dating, both within their generation and outside of it. — A.A.
Where to watch Something's Gotta Give : Netflix
Director:Nancy Meyers
Cast:Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet
18 of 21
Take This Waltz (2011)
Michelle Williams as Margot and Seth Rogen as Lou in 'Take This Waltz' Credit: Michael Gibson/Magnolia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
The complications of love are explored with great sensitivity in this bittersweet indie dramedy from writer-director Sarah Polley. Margot ( Michelle Williams ) and Lou ( Seth Rogen ) are a Toronto couple whose marriage has grown uneventful. Margot meets a rickshaw driver (Luke Kirby) with whom she has an instant connection, leading to unexpected feelings. While being with Lou is comfortable, Margot must decide whether to act on her urges and fundamentally shake up her life. — K.J.
Where to watch Take This Waltz : Netflix
Director:Sarah Polley
Cast:Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby, Sarah Silverman
19 of 21
To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)
Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky and Lana Condor as Lara Jean Song-Covey in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Credit: Netflix
One of the better teen rom-coms for the modern age, To All the Boys I've Loved Before follows Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), a high schooler who secretly pens love letters to crushes but never sends them. Her younger sister finds them stashed away and decides to mail them herself, leading to a fair share of awkward situations. To prevent her current crush from initiating yet another cringey confrontation, she impulsively kisses one of her former crushes (Noah Centineo), which proves to be the catalyst for an ever-evolving relationship. To All the Boys I've Loved Before was very well-received, with EW's critic calling it "breezy and charming." — K.J.
Where to watch To All the Boys I've Loved Before : Netflix
EW grade:B
Director:Susan Johnson
Cast:Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, John Corbett
20 of 21
Voicemails for Isabelle (2026)
Nick Robinson as Wes and Zoey Deutch as Jill Shaw in 'Voicemails for Isabelle' Credit: Diyah Pera/Netflix
With a concept made in rom-com heaven — a grieving woman (Zoey Deutch) leaving voicemails for her deceased sister is unaware her sister's number has been reassigned to a man ( Nick Robinson ) who starts to fall in love with her — you're already halfway there. Luckily, this romantic dramedy executes on the cleverness of its premise, delivering a poignant, winning love story that tackles themes of grief and trust with a sensitive touch. Deutch and Robinson, real-life friends who grew up together , have a natural chemistry that makes you root for them to be together, even through some thornier moments. — K.J.
Where to watch Voicemails for Isabelle : Netflix
Director:Leah McKendrick
Cast:Zoey Deutch, Nick Robinson, Ciara Bravo, Harry Shum Jr., Lukas Gage
21 of 21
Your Monster (2024)
Tommy Dewey as Monster and Melissa Barrera as Laura Franco in 'Your Monster' Credit: Vertical
Part monster movie, part quirky rom-com, this underseen horror comedy allows Melissa Barrera to continue to flex her scream-queen muscles. The Scream (2022) alum stars as Laura, an actress still reeling from breaking up with her boyfriend as well as her recent cancer diagnosis. After returning to her childhood home, she discovers a beastly monster in her closet, whom she's initially terrified of but soon develops a strange relationship with. And just when you think the film is verging too much outside the horror realm, then comes the ending to reinforce its place on this list. — K.J.
Where to watch Your Monster : Netflix
Director:Caroline Lindy
Cast:Melissa Barrera, Tommy Dewey, Edmund Donovan, Kayla Foster, Meghann Fahy
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
