Summary

  • Romantic comedies on HBO Max offer a captivating blend of romance and humor, presenting audiences with accessible and enjoyable movies.
  • Despite the dominance of high-octane action films, romantic comedies on HBO Max highlight the undying need for laughter and love in the cinematic landscape.
  • The best rom-coms on HBO Max, such as "Mystic Pizza" and "(500) Days of Summer", showcase the genre's ability to deliver depth, humor, and relatability to audiences.

Romantic comedies are the easiest movies to watch in the comfort of viewers' own homes, and here are the best romcoms on HBO Max. The allure of romantic comedies has remained consistent over the years, presenting audiences with a captivating blend of romance and humor. The popularity of the genre might have dipped in the big-budget 2010s cinematic landscape, but there has since been a rom-com renaissance with releases such as Ghosted, and No Hard Feelings, and even Pixar's Elemental was essentially a romantic comedy.

While multiplexes might be dominated by high-octane action films, there's still a huge audience for laugh-out-loud romance movies driven by some loveable performances. In the current technology-driven cinematic age, romantic comedies are a testament to the human spirit's undying need for laughter and love. As streaming platforms compete to offer the best content, the best rom-coms on HBO Max are some of the most renowned classics and influential releases that took the genre to places audiences didn't know romantic comedies could go. The best rom-coms on HBO Max are some of the greatest releases the genre has to offer.

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10 Date Night (2010)

Steve Carell wearing his jacket back-to-front in Date Night
Date Night

Release Date
April 9, 2010
Director
Shawn Levy
Cast
Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, Mark Ruffalo, Kristen Wiig, James Franco, Mila Kunis
Runtime
88minutes

Steve Carell and Tina Fey bring to life Phil and Claire Foster, a totally ordinary couple whose lives get completely flipped during their humdrum date night. The couple is pulled into a mistaken identity mishap, which involves corrupt cops and mob bosses. While most rom-coms are about the beginning of couples' relationships, Date Night interestingly focuses on the less-exciting years of a married couple, but it's no less of a romantic comedy. The 2010 film is all about the couple as they reignite their passion and love for one another. Date Night is a great action-oriented romantic comedy too, as the film is full of high-octane car chases and shootouts.

9 Mystic Pizza (1988)

The three female waitresses looking out in Mystic Pizza
  • Release Date: October 21, 1988
  • Director: Donald Petrie
  • Runtime: 104 minutes
  • Cast: Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, Lili Taylor, Vincent D'Onofrio

Set against the backdrop of a quiet Connecticut town, Mystic Pizza explores the idea of love through a number of different lenses, as well as being one of the funniest '80s comedies. The film follows Daisy (Julia Roberts), a waitress at the titular pizza parlor, along with two other waitresses, who are all navigating their tumultuous relationships in their own ways. The role was Roberts' breakthrough that helped her become an iconic Hollywood actress, but the 1988 movie remains one of the actors' greatest releases. As one of the best rom-coms on HBO Max, Mystic Pizza stands as a testament to the genre's ability to deliver depth and humor.

8 Annie Hall (1977)

Woody Allen talks to Diane Keaton on a terrace in Annie Hall
Annie Hall

Release Date
April 20, 1977
Director
Woody Allen
Cast
Paul Simon, Diane Keaton, Carol Kane, Tony Roberts, Woody Allen
Runtime
93 minutes

Annie Hall isn't just a love story but an exploration of modern relationships that's relevant almost 50 years later, as the movie still speaks to audiences who see bits of their own romantic entanglements. The narrative intricacy, such as the split-screen therapy scene, brilliantly captures the differing perceptions in relationships. The film is full of all the musings and humorous observations about dating and love that the filmmaker became known for. Annie Hall earned a ton of accolades, including winning Best Picture at The Academy Awards.

7 Just Wright (2010)

Common and Queen Latifah under an umbrella in Just Wright
  • Release Date: May 14, 2010
  • Director: Sanaa Hamri
  • Runtime: 101 minutes
  • Cast: Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton, Pam Grier, Laz Alonso

Just Wright follows a physical therapist (Queen Latifah) who falls for her NBA star patient (Common). The movie didn't get a positive reception when it was first released, as it sits at just 47% on Rotten Tomatoes. Nevertheless, Just Wright is such an audience pleaser and is full of humor and heart. The movie has a layered narrative that's just as much about professional integrity and personal growth as it is about love, and it offers a refreshing perspective in the rom-com genre. Just Wright is one of the most underrated movies of the 2010s, as Latifah and Common have undeniable chemistry and perfect comedy timing.

6 13 Going On 30 (2004)

Jennifer Garner dancing on bed in 13 going on 30
13 Going on 30

Release Date
April 23, 2004
Director
Gary Winick
Cast
Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Brie Larson
Runtime
98minutes

13 Going on 30 isn't exactly the most original movie, as the 2004 release is yet another body-swap film, but the movie is certainly one of the most creative and a fun take on the tried-and-true concept. The movie sees the 13-year-old Jenna (Jennifer Garner) trapped in a 30-year-old's body. almost like a 21st-century take on Big. 13 Going On 30 is a heartfelt treat, as scenes like the iconic "Thriller" dance are more than just comedic bits; they're reminders of the joys of youth and the pressures of adulthood. However, while the movie is touching and hilarious, Ryan Reynolds thinks 13 Going on 30 2 would be a horror.

5 (500) Days Of Summer (2009)

Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel together in an elevator in 500 Days of Summer
500 Days of Summer

Release Date
August 7, 2009
Director
Marc Webb
Cast
Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Chloe Grace Moretz, Matthew Gray Gubler, Geoffrey Arend, Clark Gregg
Runtime
95 minutes

(500) Days of Summer's beauty lies in its honest deconstruction of a modern relationship. The nonlinear narrative, especially the "Expectations vs. Reality" split-screen sequence, which depicts how a suitor expects a date will go alongside the crushing reality, provides a poignant and darkly comedic commentary on love's unpredictability. Rather than presenting a fairytale romance, (500) Days of Summer delves into the more realistic ups and downs of relationships and is gruelingly relatable. While the 2009 film is technically a romantic comedy, it could easily be considered an anti-rom-com.

4 My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Toula and Ian in their wedding attire, driving away after the event in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
  • Release Date: April 19, 2002
  • Director: Joel Zwick
  • Runtime: 95 minutes
  • Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Joey Fatone

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a delightful exploration of cultural clashes, as the 2002 phenomenal hit explores love between two seemingly incompatible worlds. There's comedy in the cultural misunderstandings, as the movie follows Toula, who is marrying a non-Greek man, and her family struggles to accept him into the family. The movie was a sleeper hit, as it never had a shockingly great weekend in theaters, but through word of mouth, the film managed to stay in theaters for months. As a result, it was a box-office hit, spawned two sequels, and there might even be a My Big Fat Greek Wedding 4 at some point.

3 Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling in a bar in Crazy Stupid Love.
Crazy Stupid Love

Release Date
June 19, 2011
Director
John Requa
Cast
Ryan Gosling, Lio Tipton, Emma Stone, Steve Carell
Runtime
118minutes

Of all the Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone movies, Crazy Stupid Love is easily the most entertaining. However, the two movie stars aren't the sole focus of the 2011 movie, and the film has a great ensemble cast that includes Steve Carell and Julianne More. Crazy Stupid Love expertly covers every phase of relationships and feelings, such as childhood crushes, young love, and finding ways to reignite the flame after being married for decades. The hilarious scene in the backyard, when all the different narratives combine, is one of the most show-stopping and greatest reveals of the 2010s.

2 Knocked Up (2007)

Katherine Heigl screaming in Knocked Up
Knocked Up

Release Date
June 1, 2007
Director
Judd Apatow
Cast
Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Jay Baruchel, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann
Runtime
129 minutes

Knocked Up is about an unexpected pregnancy after a one-night stand, which sets the stage for a very authentic and realistic romantic comedy compared to the luxurious countless vacation-based rom-coms. Instead of a tall, dark, handsome, and wealthy businessman, Alison (Katherine Heigl) has a one-night stand with a deadbeat stoner (Seth Rogen) with no inhibitions. The movie strikes a balance between the comedic elements, such as the debate about baby names, and the more somber reality of unexpected parenthood. The 2007 release blends humor with real-life challenges, and as a result, Knocked Up is Judd Apatow's best movie and one of the best rom-coms on HBO Max.

1 Some Like It Hot (1959)

Two men dressed as women in Some Like it Hot
  • Release Date: March 29, 1959
  • Director: Billy Wilder
  • Runtime: 121 minutes
  • Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft

Some Like It Hot is a timeless comedy masterpiece, not just for its humor but for its commentary on gender and society. The movie follows two musicians on the run from the mob, and they decide to disguise themselves as women and join an all-female traveling band. That's when they fall in love with the band's singer, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe). The film is endlessly funny as the two musicians attempt to seduce Sugar while still maintaining their female aliases. The intricacies of the double deception as the musicians take on more disguises, such as faux millionaires, lead to comedic brilliance, and it's undoubtedly one of the best romcoms on HBO Max.