The 7 Best Romantic Comedies Ever, According to Rotten Tomatoes

There are plenty of romantic comedies, or rom-coms, out there, but some have come along to change the genre. They’re the films that resonate with people years after they’ve debuted to join the ranks of the best romantic comedies of all time. Ahead, learn which 10 films have been deemed the best romantic comedies of all time by Rotten Tomatoes.

7. ‘The Lady Eve’

1941’s The Lady Eve tells the story of Jean, a con artist, played by Barbara Stanwyck, who targets Charles (Henry Fonda) for his millions. Throughout the course of her scheme, Stanwyck’s character falls for her mark. According to Rotten Tomatoes, The Lady Eve has “inspired countless battle-of-the-sexes comedies.” Rent the classic film on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99. 

6. ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

A standout on the list — spoiler: it’s among the two modern movies on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the best romantic comedies — Crazy Rich Asians follows Rachel (Constance Wu) as she travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick (Henry Golding), only to discover his family is extremely wealthy.

Based on the novel by the same name from author, Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians won a Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy.

5. ‘My Man Godfrey’

Another film from the 1930s to make Rotten Tomatoes’ list, My Man Godfrey stars Carole Lombard and William Powell. Lombard plays a wealthy socialite who hires Powell’s character as a butler. Stream My Man Godfrey on Amazon Prime Video for free with a subscription. 

4. ‘Roman Holiday’

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck star in Roman Holiday where Hepburn’s character, a princess taking a break from her busy schedule, meets a reporter (Peck).

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in 'Roman Holiday'
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in ‘Roman Holiday’ | Paramount Pictures/Courtesy of Getty Images

When the journalist discovers her true identity, he promises his editor an exclusive interview but gets more than he bargained for when he falls in love with her. This one’s a must-watch for Hepburn and fashion fans alike. Rent the 1953 film on Amazon Prime Video for $2.99.

3. ‘The Philadelphia Story’

Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart star in George Cukor’s 1940 film, The Philadelphia Story, where they give “radiant performances.” Hepburn plays a woman who has feelings for three men who must decide who she wants to be with. Rent the classic for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video.

2. ‘The Big Sick’

Based on a true story, Michael Showalter’s film, The Big Sick, took the No. 2 spot on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the best romantic comedies of all time. Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, and Ray Romano star in the 2017 movie that has equal parts laughs and tears. Watch The Big Sick on Amazon Prime Video.

1. ‘It Happened One Night’

“Unsurpassed by the countless romantic comedies it has inspired,” Frank Capra’s film, It Happened One Night, starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, is the cream of the romantic comedy crop, according to Rotten Tomatoes. In the 1934 classic, an heiress (Colbert) jumps ship after hastily marrying a man, only to fall in love with a newspaper reporter (Gable). Rent It Happened One Night is available for $2.99 on Amazon Prime Video.