In the beginning: Romantic comedies, or Rom-Coms, are a Hollywood mainstay. These movies explore the nuances of love in a sympathetic and humorous way, telling stories that are both touching and entertaining. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 romantic comedies of all time, ranging from the classics to the moderns, all of which have maintained their popularity over the years.

Harry and Sally Meet (1989)

In the film, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal play best friends who worry that sexual tension will drive a wedge between them. This delightful and timeless film investigates the subject of whether or not men and women can be friends.

Pretty Woman (1990)

In this film, Julia Roberts plays a prostitute who is engaged for a week to serve as Richard Gere’s escort. This contemporary fairy tale has become a cultural touchstone due to its memorable sequences, which are at once touching and amusing.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

In this touching tale, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan play a widower and his young son who help him find love again after he appears on a radio talk show. Fate and destiny are examined in a humorous and sentimental fashion in this film.

The Princess Bride (1987)

This picture has a significant love element, despite its status as a classic fantasy adventure. The plot follows Buttercup (played by Hilary Swank) and Westley (Cary Elwes), two young people who fall in love despite many challenges. This film is a classic for a reason: it successfully combines comedy, adventure, and romance.

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

In this movie, Renée Zellweger plays the lead role of a career-focused, independently-minded lady in her thirties. The film has become a modern classic in romantic comedies thanks to its humor and charm.

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Hugh Grant plays a man who falls in love with Andie MacDowell’s character after seeing her at four weddings and a funeral in this British comedy-drama film. This film has become a classic because to its clever script and endearing acting.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger as two high school students who fall in love, this adaptation of “The Taming of the Shrew” updates the story for a contemporary audience. This film has become a genre classic thanks to its stellar ensemble cast and enduring score.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

In this modern romantic comedy, a young woman and her boyfriend visit Singapore, where she learns that he hails from a wealthy and powerful family. The film’s success can be attributed to the combination of its groundbreaking all-Asian ensemble and its inspiring narrative.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

In this film, the protagonist, Toula, is a Greek-American woman whose traditional family is horrified when she falls in love with a foreigner. This endearing and sentimental film deftly tackles universal issues like family, culture, and love.

Notting Hill (1999)

This charming romantic comedy stars Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts as a bookstore owner and a Hollywood celebrity, respectively. Notting Hill is an endearing and engaging picture about the transformative power of love thanks to the delightful and funny writing by Richard Curtis and the wonderful chemistry between the film’s stars.

The best romantic comedies go beyond the boundaries of the genre to show us the nuances of love and relationships, despite the stereotype that they are formulaic or predictable. These movies—from the classic When Harry Met Sally… to the more current Crazy Rich Asians—remind us that love is something we all share, something that can make us laugh, weep, and feel closer to one another.