Has the depiction of relationships on this season’s Love Island got you feeling a little down about the state of modern romance? Are you tired of swiping and scrolling without ever finding, desperate to be reminded of a more fairytale way of doing things?
If you’d like to peer into a screen and see romantic tales of a more old-school bent, of the ups and downs of relationships as Hollywood (rather than ITV2) intended it, then you’ve come to the right place…
No, not Hollywood, the cinema, or Netflix. But rather, here, at IDEAL, and our favourite rom-coms of the 21st Century so far.
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (2003)
In a competition to prove their point (hey, isn’t that just life these days), magazine writer Andie and advertising executive Benjamin fall into each other’s plans with little anticipation of what might happen next.
As Andie attempts to justify how to lose a guy in 10 days by impersonating her friend’s needy behaviour, Benjamin aims to prove to his boss that he can make any woman fall in love with him.
With two forces only pushing each other closer together, their chances of escaping one another are slim. Starring Matthew McConaughey (we could listen to his voice forever!) and Kate Hudson, this 2003 romcom is certainly not one to be missed and almost 20 years later, is still considered a timeless classic.
What Happens In Vegas (2008)
Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher take centre stage in one of the most hilariously witty rom-coms of the 2000s. When Jack (Kutcher) and Joy (Diaz) both face personal problems in their home city, their friends convince them that the perfect escape from reality is Sin City.
When the pair meet one another in an unusual hotel room switch-up, they decide to take on a night in the city together and end up…tying the knot! However, divorce for these strangers isn’t as easy as it may seem, especially when they hit a 3-million-dollar jackpot together!
Make sure that you play this hit on the big screen for a more cinematic experience. Click here for TV wall mounting services, and here to read more about how to create your own cinema at home.
Marry Me (2022)
When two popstars (perhaps not quite as relatable as we promised, this one) plan to have an onstage marriage after the success of their latest hit, events don’t quite go according to plan.
Kat (played by Jennifer Lopez) discovers, at the ceremony, in front of a large-scale audience, that her fiancé, Bastian, has been having an affair with her assistant. She then notices a man in the crowd holding a sign with the name of their hit “marry me.” Straight away, she takes him up on the offer.
Charlie, a divorced maths teacher, with a young daughter, suddenly becomes married to a superstar. Can the pair keep up the act for the world to see or will their ‘marriage’ flunk? Check out this newly released hit to find out!
Bride Wars (2009)
Kate Hudson stars in yet another one of our favourite romantic films of the 2000s alongside co-star Anne Hathaway as the pair portray the role of two childhood best friends who are longing for their special day…their wedding day, of course!
When the time finally approaches and their dream men pop the question, the planning begins. What they don’t anticipate is for their big day to end up being booked at the same venue…on the same day!
Instead of replanning, these two chose chaos and sabotaging instead of attempting to rectify the problem. For some hilarious viewing, be sure to tune into this 2009 favourite.
Holidate (2020)
Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey star in the Holidate, as two young adults who struggle to make a relationship work. As Sloane’s (Roberts) mother constantly gets on at her about her single status, when she bumps into Jackson (Bracey) unexpectedly, she agrees to become his holiday date in the hope that her mother will get off her back.
As the pair are attempting to avoid commitment, they end up constantly in denial about their feelings for one another. However, over time, they realise that they may actually be meant to be.
Friends With Benefits (2011)
Platonic love is the pinnacle of one of our favourite rom-coms of the 2000s as Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake star as two work friends who attempt to highlight the idea of a friend with benefits status with no feelings involved.
As they both attempt to date other people while hooking up with each other in between, it is clear that this platonic friendship could potentially go downhill. However, with work motives involved, that may not be an option. Kunis and Timberlake both play a considerable role in making this film a hilarious yet touching masterpiece.
That Awkward Moment (2014)
A movie starring Zac Efron, Michael B Jordan, and Miles Teller…shall we say anymore, or have we got you hooked already? Efron plays the role of Jason, a young man who can never make it past the dating stage as he fears commitment.
When his two friends, one of which was married, end up single, the three singletons agree to focus on their friendship and stay single with one another. However, when they all fall back into a situationship with a female, how will they be able to keep the secret from one another or more importantly keep their connection with their partner?
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
One of the most popular Netflix Original Trilogy we have seen yet also happens to be one of the best rom-coms of the 2000s. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before was so much of a hit when it was released in 2018 that there were a further two films created starring young and talented actors, Lana Condor and Noah Centineo.
At the beginning of the film, Lana’s character, Lara Jean, reveals that she has five current and former love interests. She has written a love letter to each of them and carefully stored them in her closet. But what happens when her mischievous little sister gets her hands on them?
Destination Wedding (2018)
Winona and Keanu have worked on four movies together; ‘Dracula’, ‘A Scanner Darkly’, ‘The Private Lives of Pippa Lee’ and ‘Destination Wedding.’ All have been great, but it’s the latter we’re here to talk about today. A normal romantic movie this ain’t, a satirical romantic this is.
Winona and Keanu play two very unpleasant and miserable characters, Lindsay and Frank, who are guests at a (you got it) destination wedding. Despite their bickering and terrible personalities, over the course of the weekend, they develop a fondness for each other. Will they end up together or not is the question?.
This is a must-watch cynical romantic comedy.
All romanced out? Check out our favourite documentaries on Netflix right now.