Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and whether you’re planning on curling up with your boo or simply a bowl of popcorn, you sure want to be in a warm and cosy mood. Enter romantic comedies—a staple of an escapist night in. With unrealistic meet-cutes, overly charming characters, and oftentimes happy endings, rom-coms are the perfect films to guarantee a feel-good viewing experience. Often, they have more weight than one might assume. They simply intersperse the deeper moments among those more light-hearted. There’s no harm in a little laughter along with the tears.
As studios are bringing the genre back to the big screen, with releases such as Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s viral Anyone but You and Julia Roberts and George Clooney’s umpteenth collaboration Ticket to Paradise, the rom-com genre proves to be more alive than ever. The upcoming Bridget Jones sequel, Mad About the Boy, shows a return to Hollywood’s rom-com roots, over two decades after the first film premiered.
So, what to watch if you’re looking for a night in? From beloved classics like Notting Hill and When Harry Met Sally to modern hits like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Red, White & Royal Blue, there are a myriad of films to choose from among the big names. However, whether it be forgotten classics or perhaps simply missed releases, there are plenty of underrated rom-coms waiting to be discovered. Here, we round up some of the most underrated rom-coms, guaranteed to get you in the romantic mood just in time for Valentine’s Day.
From a coming-of-age story about young love and heartbreak to a Groundhog Day meets destination wedding flick, something on this list of films is bound to be your cup of tea. So tuck in, fluff your pillows, and make sure your platter of snacks is well within reach. To all the hopeless romantics out there, this one’s for you.
1 / 15
Plus One (2019)
In order to survive a summer of weddings, two friends agree to be each other’s plus one’s to provide much needed support and relief from the romantic festivities. Starring Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine, this heartfelt friends to lovers story is the true definition of a rom-com, equal parts rom and com. While the plot may be predictable, the chemistry between the flawed but ultimately likeable leads is what truly make you want to root for them at the end of the day.
2 / 15
The Lunchbox (2013)
The Lunchbox takes us into the world of Mumbai’s complicated yet effective lunchbox delivery system, where a young housewife and a widower in the big city form an unlikely connection through a little inadvertent mistake. They connect through food and begin exchanging small notes through the daily lunchboxes. Subtlety weaves through the film as it presents an honest story of marriage, family, grief, and ultimately, love.
3 / 15
Oh, Hi! (2025)
Modern dating feels like it’s a tight rope—and Oh,Hi! encapsulates it succinctly. Iris and Isaac, played by Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman, are on a romantic getaway together after seeing each other for four months. Just when things are about to get kinky in the bedroom, Isaac reveals that this hasn’t been a serious relationship all this while, leaving Iris to spiral—and attempt to cuff him down for as long as she can. As hilarious as the the premise is, it’s a stark confrontation of emotional unavailability, an all too familiar thread that runs through today’s dating landscape.
4 / 15
Palm Springs (2020)
Who ever said science fiction and romantic comedies don’t mix? Imagine Groundhog Day meets destination wedding, throw in the comedic geniuses of Andy Samberg and Christian Milioti, and you’ve got a formula for a perfect rom-com. Sarah (Milioti) and Nyles (Samberg) meet at a wedding in Palm Springs. While they bond over their shared disinterest in being there, the little issue of being stuck in a time loop arises and revelations from each reset threaten their budding romance. Entertaining while not neglecting its emotional moments, Palm Springs is a refreshing take on the course of falling in love.
5 / 15
On Your Wedding Day (2018)
With K-dramas flooding our screens in recent years, this lovely Korean film might have gone unnoticed by some. When Woo-yeon receives a wedding invitation from his first love from high school, he can’t help but take a trip down memory lane as a ten-year friendship unravels before our eyes in the form of flashbacks. Young love, heartbreak, inopportune timing and eventual growth—the film presents the real parts of a relationship, without losing its light-hearted charm.
6 / 15
Serendipity (2001)
How can a movie be remotely romantic with their lead characters sharing minimal screen time? Starring a young Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack, Serendipity encapsulates the idea that if things are meant to be, they’ll be. After sharing a magical night, Sara (Beckinsale) and Jon (Cusack) decide to leave it up to fate to bring them back together, or not. As we see the two of them trying to find their way back to one another even years after that eventful night, we can’t help but wonder if sometimes fate has other plans.
7 / 15
Saving Face (2004)
A classic in Asian queer cinema, Saving Face is an atypical romantic comedy that centres around a mother and daughter, each battling their own relationship troubles. Wil, a young American surgeon, is a lesbian but remains closeted to her family. When her mother comes to live with her after a mishap of her own, friction arises between the two contrasting lifestyles and mindsets. The film delicately presents the intricacies of the immigrant experience—of not speaking the same language, literally and metaphorically. Deep down, the film presents a heartfelt story about family, a much-welcomed twist on the traditional rom-com.
8 / 15
Priceless (2006)
In true French fashion, this rom-com revolves around a case of mistaken identity. Irene (Audrey Tautou), a young woman who seduces rich men into paying for her expensive lifestyle, mistakes Jean (Gad Elmaleh) for a rich bachelor, who instead is a hotel waiter. A series of unexpected events unfold in classic French humour when Irene discovers the truth, though Jean isn’t ready to let her go just yet. With breathtaking views of the south of France—beaches, cliffs, and luxurious hotels galore—Priceless guarantees a feast for the eyes.
9 / 15
Runaway Bride (1999)
While many would instantly link the names of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere to the iconic Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride proves to be an underrated collaboration between the two. Maggie (Roberts) is a serial commitment-phobic small-town girl who has left several men at the altar. When Ike (Gere), a hot-shot New York columnist, carelessly publishes her story without fact-checking, his editor fires him, inciting him to get to the bottom of the story by paying the town a visit, where he inevitably crosses paths with Maggie.
10 / 15
Love in the Big City (2024)
Based on the acclaimed novel by Sang Young Park, Love in the Big City centres around the unlikely friendship of two social misfits—Jae-hee, a free-spirited girl who doesn’t fit in with the typical Korean crowd, and Heung-soo, a closeted gay man determined to keep his secret hidden. They navigate the complexities of modern life and romance in Seoul, finding comfort and refuge in each other. The film shows that love comes in all forms, and the love between Jae-hee and Heung-soo is truly the kind that comes once in a lifetime. Expect tears and laughter within the span of minutes—it’s an emotional rollercoaster at times, but one you would miss the moment it’s over.
11 / 15
Definitely Maybe (2008)
Who would’ve thought skills of deduction would come in handy when watching a romantic comedy? Will Hayes, a political consultant going through a divorce, is suddenly questioned by his 10 year old daughter Maya about his past relationships. While acquiescing to telling her the stories of his past loves, he insists on changing the names and letting her deduce which one he eventually got married to. The audience joins in on the game as we embark along a trip down memory lane. Starring a pre-Deadpool Ryan Reynolds and young Abigail Breslin, Definitely Maybe is charming, adorable, and overall just fun—a romantic comedy to the tee.
12 / 15
Congrats My Ex! (2023)
This Thai-Indian romantic comedy follows Risa, a wedding planner who finds herself planning the wedding of her ex. But things take a turn for the worse when she has to employ the help of another ex of hers, adding fuel to the flames. With the tropes of fake dating and enemies-to-lovers, along with a couple goofball mishaps here and there, this laugh-out-loud romp ensures entertainment, even if you don’t necessarily buy into the hijinks. The film also combines the vibrant colours of the two cultures, with even a large Bollywood dance number thrown in the middle of the wedding reception.
13 / 15
You Are the Apple of My Eye (2011)
The heart-fluttering butterflies of young love are impossible to ignore. In this Taiwanese coming-of-age rom-com, the ups and downs of young love are pushed to the foreground as a group of friends chase after honour student Chia-Yi, while nonchalant bad boy Ko-Teng finds himself inevitably falling for her charms as the distance between them closes. It’s an honest and accurate portrayal of youth, exploring the ubiquitous sentiment of: what if?
14 / 15
Something from Tiffany’s (2022)
A playful spin on the Audrey Hepburn classic, Something from Tiffany’s centres around a simple misunderstanding that only grows bigger with time. Spot the iconic Tiffany blue playing a small yet significant role in the film, as an engagement ring meant for someone else leads to a snowball of events. Set against the backdrop of New York at Christmas, holiday lights and spirits high, this film is bound to get you in the cosy mood.
15 / 15
The Lovebirds (2020)
Starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae, The Lovebirds is a rom-com with an action twist. The two leads find themselves on the run as they are embroiled in a bizarre murder mystery, while simultaneously navigating the breakdown of their long-term relationship. The self-aware humour, which could come off as trite, is done well, with credit to Nanjiani and Rae’s natural chemistry and impeccable comedic timing. The Lovebirds doesn’t pretend to be what it’s not: its wacky premise coupled with witty dialogue and physical comedy promises only a fun time.
