Recently I read the book Better Than the Movies and I really liked that book. It was so cute and funny and Lynn Painter is becoming one of my favorite authors right now. The book is about a girl who has a crush on a boy and with the help of her annoying neighbor she is trying to make him fall in love with her. The main character also loves romantic movies and every chapter starts with a quote from a famous rom-com movie in other parts of the book, they mention rom-com movies. So I thought it would be fun to create a list with all of the movies (including a few that are not rom-com movies) that have been named in Better Than The Movies.
Better Than The Movies – Movie List
- Notting Hill: This is a charming romantic comedy film set in London, telling the story of a bookstore owner who falls in love with a famous actress. It’s a heartwarming tale of unexpected romance, cultural clashes, and the magic of love found in unlikely places.
- Bridget Jones Diary: A humorous tale of a British woman in her thirties navigating the ups and downs of love, career, and self-discovery, all chronicled in her candid and witty diary entries.
- Sweet Home Alabama: A charming rom-com about a New York fashion designer who returns to her small hometown in Alabama to finalize her divorce from her high school sweetheart, only to rediscover her roots and rekindle old flames.
- When Harry Met Sally: A romantic comedy exploring whether men and women can be just friends, following Harry and Sally’s evolving relationship over the years.
- Kate & Leopold: A romantic fantasy film where a modern-day woman falls in love with a charming 19th-century duke, who mysteriously time-travels to contemporary New York City, leading to a delightful and unconventional romance across different eras.
- You’ve Got Mail: A delightful romantic comedy revolving around two rival bookstore owners who unknowingly fall in love with each other through anonymous email correspondence, despite their real-life animosity.
- The Ugly Truth: A hilarious romantic comedy about a TV producer who clashes with a chauvinistic morning show host, leading to a bet where he tries to prove his cynical views on relationships wrong by coaching her in matters of love, resulting in unexpected sparks and revelations.
- 10 Things I hate about you: A modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” set in a high school, where a rebellious teenage girl’s life is turned upside down when her younger sister can’t date unless she does. A charming romance ensues as she reluctantly falls for the boy hired to woo her.
- Pretty Woman: A classic romantic comedy where a wealthy businessman hires a charming prostitute to accompany him to social events, but their relationship deepens unexpectedly as they discover a genuine connection and love blossoms against the backdrop of glamorous Beverly Hills.
- Romeo & Juliet: Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy about two young lovers from feuding families in Verona, whose passionate romance leads to a series of tragic events, ultimately resulting in their untimely deaths, but also serving as a testament to the power of love and its ability to transcend societal barriers.
- The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece set in the roaring 1920s, depicting the glamorous and decadent lifestyle of Long Island’s elite, through the eyes of narrator Nick Carraway. The story revolves around the enigmatic Jay Gatsby, his obsession with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, and the themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream, ultimately culminating in tragedy and disillusionment.
- Two Weeks Notice: A romantic comedy about a dedicated lawyer who resigns from her job as the right-hand woman to a charming but irresponsible billionaire. Their professional relationship turns personal as they navigate the challenges of love and work, learning valuable lessons about themselves and each other along the way.
- Love Actually: A heartwarming ensemble romantic comedy that follows the interconnected lives of various characters in the weeks leading up to Christmas in London. The film explores themes of love, friendship, and family through a series of intertwining storylines, showcasing the different facets of romantic relationships and the magic of the holiday season.
- The Sandlot: A coming-of-age sports comedy that follows a group of young boys in the summer of 1962 as they bond over their love for baseball and navigate the adventures and misadventures of childhood. Their friendship is tested when they face off against a legendary neighborhood dog guarding a prized baseball signed by Babe Ruth, leading to a series of memorable and heartwarming moments.
- The Notebook: A poignant romantic drama based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel, telling the story of a young couple from vastly different backgrounds who fall deeply in love one summer in the 1940s. Despite societal pressures and family objections, their passionate bond endures through the years, even as they face challenges of separation, memory loss, and heartbreak.
- Long Shot: A romantic comedy about an unlikely pair: a journalist and a politician who used to babysit her. When she becomes his speechwriter as he runs for president, their professional relationship evolves into a romantic one, despite the odds and their differing personalities, creating a humorous and heartwarming tale of love and politics.
- Pillow Talk: A classic romantic comedy starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson, where two neighbors share a party line telephone and develop an antagonistic relationship until they meet in person and sparks fly. Misunderstandings and comedic situations ensue as they navigate the complexities of love and romance in the bustling city of New York.
- She’s all that: A teen romantic comedy where a high school jock makes a bet to transform a quirky, artsy girl into the prom queen, only to find himself falling for her genuine personality along the way. Full of humor, heart, and memorable ’90s moments, it’s a modern retelling of the classic “Pygmalion” story with a high school twist.
- 500 Days of Summer: A nonlinear romantic comedy-drama that chronicles the 500 days of a relationship between Tom and Summer. Through Tom’s perspective, the film explores the highs and lows of love, expectations, and reality, offering a nuanced portrayal of modern romance and the complexities of human emotions.
- Gone With the Wind: A sweeping epic set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, following the life of Scarlett O’Hara, a headstrong Southern belle, and her tumultuous relationship with the dashing Rhett Butler. Against the backdrop of war, Scarlett’s journey is one of survival, resilience, and love, as she navigates through changing fortunes and societal upheavals.
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: A visually inventive action-comedy that follows Scott Pilgrim as he battles his girlfriend Ramona Flowers’ seven evil exes in order to win her heart. Filled with quirky humor, video game references, and stylized fight scenes, the film explores themes of love, self-discovery, and personal growth in a hyper-stylized, comic book-inspired world.
- Remember the Titans: Based on a true story, this inspirational sports drama follows the integration of a high school football team in Virginia during the early 1970s. Through the leadership of Coach Herman Boone, the team overcomes racial tensions and personal differences to unite and achieve success on the field, teaching valuable lessons about teamwork, respect, and perseverance along the way.
- Gone Girl: A gripping psychological thriller based on Gillian Flynn’s novel, where the sudden disappearance of Amy Dunne triggers a media frenzy and a police investigation, with her husband Nick as the prime suspect. As secrets are revealed and perceptions shift, the film delves into the complexities of marriage, deception, and the manipulation of truth, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion.
- The hangover: A raucous comedy following a group of friends who wake up in Las Vegas with no memory of the previous night and must retrace their steps to find the groom missing from their bachelor party. As they encounter wild escapades and bizarre situations, the film unfolds as a hilarious and unpredictable adventure filled with outrageous humor and unexpected twists.
- American Pie: A classic coming-of-age comedy centered around a group of high school friends who make a pact to lose their virginity before graduation. Filled with awkward and outrageous moments, the film explores themes of friendship, love, and the trials and tribulations of adolescence in a humorous and relatable way.
- Miss Congeniality: A lighthearted comedy where an FBI agent, Gracie Hart, goes undercover as a contestant in the Miss United States beauty pageant to thwart a potential terrorist threat. As she navigates the world of pageantry, Gracie undergoes a transformation both externally and internally, learning valuable lessons about confidence, self-acceptance, and the true meaning of beauty along the way.
- The Wedding Date: A romantic comedy about a single woman who hires a male escort to accompany her to her sister’s wedding in order to make her ex-fiancé jealous. As they navigate the complexities of their arrangement, unexpected feelings develop, leading to humorous and heartwarming moments as they confront their pasts and contemplate their future together.
- 27 Dresses: A romantic comedy about a perennial bridesmaid who has served as a bridesmaid in 27 weddings but struggles to find love herself. Her life takes a twist when she meets a cynical journalist who is covering wedding stories and begins to reassess her own romantic aspirations. Full of humor, romance, and self-discovery, the film explores themes of friendship, love, and personal fulfillment.
- Pride & Prejudice: Jane Austen’s beloved novel adapted into various films, including a 2005 version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Set in early 19th-century England, it follows the tumultuous relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, characterized by misunderstandings, societal expectations, and the gradual overcoming of pride and prejudice on both sides. The story beautifully captures themes of love, class, and personal growth in the Regency era.
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: A romantic comedy where a journalist, Andie, bets she can make a man fall in love with her and then drive him away in 10 days, while the man, Ben, makes a bet that he can make any woman fall in love with him in the same time frame. As they both manipulate each other for their respective articles, they unexpectedly develop genuine feelings, leading to humorous and heartfelt moments as they navigate their relationship.
- My best friend’s wedding: A romantic comedy where a woman realizes she’s in love with her longtime best friend when he announces he’s getting married to someone else. Determined to win him back, she schemes to break up the wedding, only to discover her own feelings and priorities in the process. Filled with humor, heartache, and memorable musical moments, the film explores themes of friendship, love, and the complexities of romantic relationships.
- He’s just not that into you: A romantic comedy-drama that intertwines the lives of several characters as they navigate the complexities of modern relationships. Based on the self-help book of the same name, the film explores themes of love, communication, and self-worth through various interconnected storylines, offering insights into the realities and illusions of romance in the digital age.