Signed, Sealed, Delivered: 14 Romcoms for Everyone

Christyn Refuerzo ‘26

The Notting Hill Travel Book Shop as featured in the 1999 film. Photograph courtesy of Christyn Refuerzo ‘26.

‘Tis the season of the romcom and chick flicks. February, everybody’s favorite month, is the international month of love.

Whether you are hatefully single, confidently independent, or happily or dreadfully in love, here are some of my top picks from a (self-proclaimed) romcom expert for whatever state you might be in this V-Day. Or D-Day. Your pick.

Here are my recommendations for…

The single person who dreads Valentine’s Day and would rather be anywhere else but here: Mamma Mia! (2008)

Dangerous to bisexuals everywhere (if you know, you know), this film set on an island in Greece stars Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried as a mother-daughter duo. Be transported to summer with this jukebox musical, spending days in the sun at the beach, your time in the library so far behind that you can’t even recognize who that person is when you scroll through your camera roll.

A classic comedy that won’t make you feel infinitely more single after viewing but might feed into your delusions that you’re secretly royalty: Princess Diaries (2001)

Who hasn’t wondered if they’re secretly the sole heir to a relatively unknown kingdom in Europe? Return to your childhood and bask in your daydreams for a while with the early 2000s film starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. Although romance isn’t the film’s prominent storyline, there’s just enough if you’re hoping for that extra magic. But even if you’re sick of being single, you can never forget Joe’s iconic line that pertains romantic or otherwise: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

For the person who studied abroad last semester/year and is mourning their lost love abroad: The Holiday (2006)

Whether you’re hoping to start a new life during spring/summer break or desperately missing one of your romantic adventures from study abroad, this holiday romcom starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black is perfect for anyone dreaming of a love that might’ve been. The score by Hans Zimmer alone makes you want to run through the cold air just to see your lost love one more time and cry into their arms. While I can’t promise that you will have a romantic adventure like Diaz and Winslet’s characters did, I can promise that this film might be a lovely salve for all of us victims of unrequited love.

For the friend, never the lover (or more commonly known as “the bridesmaid, never the bride”): 27 Dresses (2008)

If you keep finding yourself as the wingman, helping your friends get into relationships but never seeming to get into one yourself and hopelessly and unrequitedly in love with someone, this film starring Katherine Heigl and marriage-cynic journalist James Marsden might be the perfect romcom for you. Set in New York City with a classic 2000s romcom soundtrack, you’ll immediately feel at home with our main character, whether she’s stress-cleaning her apartment to Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” or drunkenly singing “Bennie and the Jets” in a bar.

For the person who would do ANYTHING to get with their crush: Bottoms (2023)

Are you willing to start a female fight club to get your crush to even glance your way? Look no further than this “satirical” (or “inspirational?”) comedy starring Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott as our favorite (and unpopular) lesbian best friends hoping to hook up with cheerleaders. Some might call their methods extreme, but I respect the drive and their commitment. Plus, who doesn’t love an SLC name drop and kicked-puppy montage to Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated?” And there’s a lesbian for everyone, unlike here.

For that bad habit of an ex you just can’t seem to break: It’s Complicated (2009)

Meryl Streep stars again in a romcom whose main focus is on those over fifty instead of the typical late teens to early thirties with Alec Baldwin and Steven Martin. After having been divorced from Baldwin’s character for nearly a decade, the pair reunite and find themselves in a secret affair. Whether you find yourself unable to break the bad habit that is your ex or you feel that you have no romantic hope anymore, let this film be a reminder that you can break that bad habit and that there’s always some hope – you might just need some patience, too.

For the person who can’t muster up the courage to speak to their crush: The Half of It (2020)

A modern (sapphic!) loose retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, The Half of It is perfect for our shy, writing concentrations – especially if you’re not feeling the fight club option – since you can opt to “help” someone fall for their crush (works best if you’re also crushing on them, too). Put your coursework to good use! Who can say that creative writing concentrations don’t make money now?

For the people who would rather spend Valentine’s Day with their friends instead of with a romantic partner: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

Sometimes, you just need to be with old faithful during this holiday season – your best friends. Starring Alexis Bledel, America Ferreira, Blake Lively and Amber Tamblyn, these four girls have been friends since before birth and find out that they miraculously all fit the same pair of jeans. Imagine sending a pair of jeans instead of a postcard during summer vacation. Oh, and be ready for yet another fantastic, tear-jerking performance from America Ferreira.

For the person who prioritizes their career or is in their “academic weapon” era: The Proposal (2009)

Rather have a 4.0 GPA or that spring internship over a romantic partner? Not only do I highly respect you, but I’d also consider checking out Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds’ 2009 romcom The Proposal. Bullock’s character is about to be deported to Canada, and in a ploy to remain the cutthroat editor-in-chief of her book publishing company, she engages in a fake relationship with Reynolds’ character, her assistant. Stay stone cold, everyone, because people come and go but a career is forever.

If you dream of having a meet-cute at a farmer’s market, bookstore, or a cute stranger spilling coffee on your shirt: Notting Hill (1999)

If you have a recurring fantasy that a British stranger will spill coffee on you while you’re strolling through a little farmer’s market on the outskirts of London, Notting Hill is the romcom for you. Starring Julia Roberts as a famous American actress and glasses-wearing Hugh Grant as owner of a travel bookshop, the film follows the pair as they fall in love in a fairy-tale-like story and setting of posh London. Never forget that you too are “just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” 

If you’re stuck in the throes of online dating and you’re afraid of falling in love with the person you’re talking to or you’re hoping to fall back in love with New York: You’ve Got Mail (1998)

 Before the days of Hinge, Tinder and Bumble were the days of email and instant messaging. Over thirty and wanted to meet someone? Meet AOL chat rooms, which is how our two protagonists, played by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, initially find one another in this cult classic. However, while they both fall for their digital selves, their real-life selves hate one another. Ryan’s character runs a small bookshop “around the corner” and Hanks’ character is the inheritor of a massive book-selling corporation (like Barnes and Noble, but not officially). So whether you’re finding yourself dreading your next date or so excited you can barely speak, just remember that at least you don’t have to wait five minutes just to turn on the internet. 

If you’re in a complicated situationship or can’t seem to find yourself out of the dreaded friend zone: Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Whether you’re suffering through the horrid back and forth of a complicated situationship or a seemingly permanent resident of the friend zone, Ali Wong and Randall Park’s characters have been through it all. From childhood friends to an awkward teenage fling to not speaking for sixteen years, these two know tension like it’s the back of their hand. And don’t worry, you’ll make it through eventually – maybe you just need some time. And some home cooking. 

If you’re tired of modern dating and want to go so traditional that longing glances count as scandalous: Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Whether or not you’re a fan of this film as an adaptation of Austen’s novel, we all have to agree on one thing: it’s a damn good period romance. With Darcy’s Hand Flex™, the hateful but longing glances across the room and Darcy and Elizabeth’s tension, you’ll be wishing that you were on the receiving end of Darcy’s swoony confession in the rain, despite his wording being… harsher than one might expect in a love confession (read: insulting). Starring Matthew Macfayden and Kiera Knightley as our dear Darcy and Elizabeth, this romcom will have you swept off your feet in no time. 

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth it to ruin the friendship: When Harry Met Sally (1989)

We’ve all thought at some point in our lives, What if? In this classic 1989 romcom, When Harry Met Sally explores the conundrum of the “guy/girl best friend.” Though the film’s views on it are relatively outdated, I believe that this can apply to any friendship. But before you get on a hill and tell your best friend, “It’s no use, Jo; we’ve got to have it out!”, you might want to test the waters first and watch When Harry Met Sally. Either you’ll be glad you never ruined the friendship or you will have realized that when “you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of the life to start as soon as possible.”