Romantic comedies have long been a cultural classic in Hollywood. In the last few years, these films have been disfavorable for production executives and don’t receive the same love they once did- until a recent surge in popularity online. As streaming services gained rights for rom-com classics such as When Harry Met Sally the internet watched in glee. And so did I. I’ve always loved romantic comedies (I’ve seen +50) but writer Nora Ephron’s pen is unmatched. Nora Ephron wrote the beloved aforementioned When Harry Met Sally along with Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail. All star Meg Ryan and all of which are written by a woman. Romcoms are historically one of the few places in the film where women have triumphed, beginning in the first talking picture comedies where women were given the witty responses as heroes and the new main drivers of these films within “Screwball comedies” in the 30s and 40s. This continued through comedy tropes to the romcoms we recognize within pop culture now. For anyone who loves a cheesy 90-minute chick-flick as much as I do- Nora Ephron’s catalog is a must-see for something more personable.

How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
By: Audrey Harris
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is one of the most iconic Romantic Comedies of all time. Starring two expert rom-com actors, Matthew McConaughey, and Kate Hudson, this film kept me engaged from beginning to end. It follows magazine columnist, Andie, who is writing a story on how to make a leave you in 10 days and advertiser, Ben, who has made a bet that he can get a girl to fall in love with him in 10 days. When they meet, their plans clash, causing a series of audience laugh-out-loud moments. Recently, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days has gotten popular all over TikTok and fans obsess over Andie’s iconic yellow party dress and her rendition of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain.” The charming Matthew McConaughey never fails to be so drop dead gorgeous, and his chemistry with Kate Hudson makes this film close to perfection. I have seen this movie more times than I can count and each time it has made me laugh, cry, and cringe uncontrollably.
The director, Donald Petrie, did a wonderful job keeping my eyes glued to the screen and the heartwarming story of Andie and Ben keeps me coming back over and over.

Valentines Day (2010)
By: Owen Baxter
Full of Rom-Com cliches and plenty of cheesy lines, Valentine’s Day tells the tale of over a dozen character’s love lives, all taking place on the most romantic day of the year. It’s got an all-star cast, featuring Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, along with countless others. It also features a guest appearance from Taylor Swift. However, the acting seems to fall short of the ability of its A-List roster, as some line delivery is questionable, and the writing feels a little dull at times. But, a connection between every character slowly builds, and the occasional plot twist keeps the movie fresh. There’s an abundance of heartwarming moments, especially in the climax of the movie, but the film has enough self-awareness to stay within its comedic genre, as it cracks plenty of jokes and contains quirks that provoke a laugh every once and a while. Overall, what it lacks in acting potential and screenplay, Valentine’s Day makes up for in charm and simplicity. If you’re looking for an endearingly amusing movie this Valentine’s Day, this 2010 flick might prove fulfilling.

Juno (2007)
By: Alyx King
Juno is a 2007 romantic-comedy starring Elliot Page as the film’s namesake, a 16-year-old girl who recently lost her virginity. The movie opens with a brief prologue followed by a beautifully creative and utterly stunning series of opening credits. Then we get the first set of witty dialogue, leading up to and following Juno MacGuff taking a pregnancy test.
Can you guess what the result is?
What follows is Juno’s journey with her pregnancy, weighing her options from abortion to adoption, facing all the social troubles that come with being a pregnant high school junior.
Juno is a masterpiece. It’s funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking all at the same time. There’s no end to the clever witticisms where they belong, but the film also doesn’t try too hard. It’s wonderfully paced, with plenty of emotional scenes to give you a break from the laughter. I cry every time I watch this movie.
All in all, Juno is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys comedies, romance films, or dramas.