Netflix has built out its slate of romantic films, particularly in the young adult book adaptations department, but they can be counted on for a monthly rotation and selection of classic love stories as well. Rom coms are different than romantic dramas, so the below list includes love stories injected with humor.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best romantic comedies on Netflix that range from hilarious romps to tear-jerking dramedies, with plots that involve love letters, catfishing and even time travel. So cozy up and enjoy one of these selections from our list of the best rom-coms currently streaming on Netflix.
“Set It Up” (2018)
Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Colin Powell) are always staying at work way too late because of their intense bosses. When the two meet and begin to argue about who stays later every night, they come up with the plan to matchmake their bosses so that they won’t be chained to working overtime anymore. Some other feelings may or may not develop in the process.
“When We First Met” (2018)
Noah (Adam Devine) meets Avery (Alex Daddario) at a Halloween costume party and immediately falls in love with her, but she doesn’t feel the same way after the night they spend having fun and getting to know each other. Fast forward three years to Avery’s wedding to Ethan (Robbie Amell), and Noah is beside himself with sadness. Luckily, he magically discovers that the photo booth in which he and Avery took pictures the first night they met is somehow a time machine that can transport him back to that night. From there, he does his best to make her fall for him, over and over and over again.
“Kissing Booth,” Trilogy (2018, 2020, 2021)
Also based on books by Beth Reekles, “The Kissing Both” trilogy tells the story of Elle Evans (Joey King), who grew up with the Flynn brothers Lee (Joel Courtney) and Noah (Jacob Elordi). Elle and Lee’s moms were best friends from college, so they become best friends as well, but Elle complicates things when she falls for Noah. One of the rules on Lee and Elle’s lists forbids Elle from being romantically involved with Noah, but forbidden fruit is called forbidden fruit for a reason. A fundraising kissing booth brings Elle to smooch with Noah for the first time, and it helps Lee find his girlfriend as well. Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Marco makes for an interesting love triangle for the second and third films.
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” Trilogy (2018, 2020, 2021)
Based on the bestselling YA books by author Jenny Han, these films are sure to melt your heart. The first book adaptation introduces us to Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), the middle child of three sisters including Margot (Janel Parrish) and Kitty (Anna Cathcart) who live with their widower dad Dr. Covey (Jon Corbett). Lara Jean, a wholesome house mouse who enjoys baking, scrapbooking and watching “Godlen Girls” experiences the chance of a lifetime when the letters that she writes to each of her crushes (without intending to actually mail them) get sent out into the world. Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) the popular lacrosse player with whom Lara Jean had her first kiss, receives his letters and confronts her about it, while her sister’s boyfriend Josh (Israel Broussafd) responds in a more brooding way. Jordan Fisher enters the mix in the second film, and college looms in the third.
“Let It Snow” (2019)
If you’re not ready to leave the holidays just yet, this one’s for you. Luke Snellin’s “Let It Snow” is an adaptation of a novel comprised of three love stories by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle. In the film, the trio of tales becomes interconnected when the town that the young people share gets hit by a major snow storm right before Christmas. Stuart (Shameik Moore) a famous singer trying to fly under the radar for a day meets Julie (Isabela Merced), who treats him like an average normal person because she doesn’t know who Stuart is, and she is also caught up in her own reckoning of getting accepted to Columbia’s school of journalism amidst her mother’s illness. Tobin (Mitchell Hope) has had a crush in his good friend Angie (Kiernan Shipka) for a while now, and Keon (Jacob Batalon) encourages him to shoot his shot this Christmas. Dorrie (Liv Newson) and Addie (Odeya Rush) struggle to be their for each other in their friendship. Everything collides in the yellow waffle house where Keon works, and Christmas miracles abound.
“The Perfect Date” (2019)
Noah Centineo returns to the romantic comedy world alongside Laura Marano in “The Perfect Date.” Centineo plays Brooks Rattigan, who dreams of going to Yale, and makes a plan to save up money by creating an app where strangers can pay him to stand in as their date or boyfriend for any situation. Marano comes in as Celia Lieberman who becomes a close friend of Brooks and who is the complete opposite of his crush Shelby Pace (Camilla Mendes). In the end, Brooks has to discover who he really is versus who he thinks he wants to be, and you won’t be disappointed with his choice.
“Tall Girl” (2019) and “Tall Girl 2” (2022)
Jodi (Ava Michelle) has felt self-conscious about her height ever since she became the tallest girl in her high school. But when a gorgeous foreign exchange student Stig Mohlin (Luke Eisner) arrives, she sees her chance to feel loved. Along for the ride are Jodi’s sister Harper (Sabrina Carpenter) and childhood best friend Jack Dunkleman (Griffin Gluck), as well as mom Helaine (Angela Kinsley). Hilarious and heartfelt, this lighter rom-com will surely put you in a cheesy if not good mood.
“Always Be My Maybe” (2019)
Up and coming celebrity chef Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park), an assistant to his dad who runs a heating business, were close as kids but they lost touch. Everyone suspected they might end up together one day, and that only becomes possible when Sasha’s fiancé Brandon Choi (Daniel Dae Kim) decides he doesn’t want to get married. When Sasha returns home for some peace and quiet, Marcus pops back into her life when his dad’s heating and air service comes to her house, rekindling their friendship and tendency toward more. Keanu Reeves appears as himself in this film, along with Michelle Buteau as Veronica and James Saito as Harry.
“Falling Inn Love” (2019)
Gabriela Diaz (Christina Milian) needs a change after she looses her job and realizes her boyfriend isn’t the one, so she enters a ‘Win an Inn’ contest, which she wins. The drastic change comes when she flies to Auckland, New Zealand to claim her prize. After a slightly embarrassing meet cute with Jake Taylor (Adam Demos) involving a runaway suitcase and some loose underwear, she discovers that her inn isn’t really up to code anymore. Then she asks for help fixing it, and of course it’s Jake who turns out to be the helpful handyman. You can guess where the story goes from here, but that doesn’t make it any less charming.
“Holidate” (2020)
When Sloane (Emma Roberts) meets Jackson (Luke Bracey), she uses her Aunt Susan’s (Kristin Chenoweth) brilliant idea that they be each other’s ‘holidates,’ or dates to every holiday get-together where they would normally show up single. After masquerading around as plus-ones, the two develop real feelings for each other, but are afraid of moving past their platonic holidate status for fear of ruining the friendship. Not to mention, the whole reason they started this thing was to avoid the pressure of a real significant other being introduced to the family over the holidays.
“He’s All That” (2021)
This gender-flipped remake of the 1999 film “She’s All That” finds Addison Rae starring as social media personality Padgett Sawyer, who attempts to give her classmate Cameron Kweller (Tyler Buchanan) a makeover. As she works on his physical appearance, Padgett gets to know Cameron on a personal level too, and after freshly getting dumped by boyfriend Jordan (Peyton Meyer) publicly, the two see where their chemistry leads. Madison Pettis also stars in this film as Alden, and “She’s All That” stars Rachel Leigh Cook and Matthew Lillard also make appearances.
“Love Hard” (2021)
Natalie Bauer (Nina Dobrev) is looking for love in LA, but when she thinks she finally finds it all the way across the country, she flies to the East Coast only to realize she’s been catfished by Josh Lin (Jimmy O. Yang), who used photos of Tag (Darren Barnett) to woo her. To make it up to her, Josh introduces her to Tag, who loves any and every outdoor activity. Natalie grows close to Tag romantically, and even Jimmy, but as a friend. The ensemble includes James Saito, Rebecca Staab, Harry Shum Jr. and Mikaela Hoover.
“Your Place Or Mine” (2023)
Calling all Reese Witherspoon fans! The latest project from Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine production company, “Your Place Or Mine” stars Witherspoon in a romantic comedy role opposite Ashton Kutcher. Written by Aline Brosh McKenna (“The Devil Wears Prada,” “27 Dresses,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), the story follows complete opposites Debbie (Witherspoon) and Peter (Kutcher). Debbie has to be a practical single mom, building a regimen for her son Jack (Wesley Kimmel) who has many allergies and health conditions. Peter can’t commit to a project or a person for more than six months. Debbie and Peter had a one night stand 20 years ago and have stayed friends ever since, so when Debbie’s babysitter cancels last minute before Debbie is supposed to fly to New York to finish her graduate program in accounting, Peter offers to lend her his place and watch Jack instead. Swapping their homes on opposite sides of the country, the two begin to realize that they haven’t told each other everything, and past feelings bubble up like they never left. Plus, books (something Reese knows well), play their own role in the cross-country love story. Jesse Williams plays the handsome Duncan Press editor who completes the love triangle, and Tig Notaro plays the supportive friend who has known the confused couple for the 20 years since they slept together. Steve Zahn appears as Debbie’s googly-eyed gardener. Zoe Chao plays Peter’s sleek ex-girlfriend Minka. Oh, and this one has a great soundtrack.
