The RomComs I Met On Vacation

This year is on a roll with top-notch romances. You guys should know by now that I'll watch any kind of romance. From Bridgerton to Buccaneers to The Vampire Diaries, I've seen it all. I've had opinions. I was on the bandwagon for The Summer I Turned Pretty for way too long. #teambonrad. I mean, I even watched the romance movie with Victoria Justice in it, and that one was... bad.

My best friend and I have a tradition of watching really shitty rom-coms over the years, and I have very successfully curated the worst list of movie recommendations for her. This year, however, things were different. TikTok recs finally threw me a winner, and I brought People We Meet On Vacation to the movie night list. Let me tell you, my best friend loved it. Absolutely, unequivocally, loved it.

In fact, she loved it so much that she proclaimed very confidently that it made her list of top 10 rom-coms. Which, obviously, got me thinking.

Does People We Meet On Vacation make it to my top 10 list of best rom-coms?

I'm the obnoxious type of person who will vehemently claim that I am not a rom-com kind of person, and then also have seen the vast majority of them, if not more. I know, the hypocrisy is real. This article, I think, is a breaking of yet another cycle (I'm growing, guys). I'll finally admit it: rom-coms give me life, especially on those long, sad kinds of days where you need a small pick-me-up. What can I say? I'm a romantic at heart.

Anyways, I came to this realization when I started trying to narrow down my own personal list. It was hard. There are a lot of really good ones, and really bad ones, out there. I also realized that what constitutes a rom-com is also pretty flexible– I mean, Emma was on my list for a while before I had to– very sadly– cut it out. I still want to include it on this list, but the period piece category took precedence over the romantic and comedic ones. There's a few other really good ones that I wanted on the list, but ultimately cut out for reasons that both you and I will never truly know.

So, here's my judgment:

#10. When Harry Met Sally

Okay, okay, I'll admit it, I watched this one literally last night. Mostly because I was told that I'm not a real rom-com connoisseur otherwise.

It was good. Harry (Billy Crystal) was obnoxious af, and Sally (Meg Ryan) was nearly unbearable at first, but the movie finds its pacing quick. What I really liked about this movie was that it untangles the stereotypes it introduces earlier in the film; Harry is this over-the-top entitled asshole, Sally is this uptight, frigid know-it-all. The two butt heads, at first but overtime an actual friendship forms.

The movie does an incredible job of creating a friendship between the two. There is something slow and steady about the way that love forms; more than the passion of it all, the story relies on companionship and trust, which is underrated in my opinion. I feel like the only reason this didn't make it higher up on the list is because I just didn't believe the chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. I don't know, something about their performance made me feel like they knew they were acting. Also, a lot of the dialogue was so on the nose that it felt jarring at times, or for the sake of getting those one liners in, you know?

Rewatchable: 3/10

Chemistry: 5/10

#9. About Time

About Time never even reached my radar till late in life, but boy am I glad to have seen it. This was an unexpectedly good movie. I don't know why the cover picture never sold me, but like, yeah, this is definitely a rare gem.

I think what really works is the snappy dialogue and the simplicity of the characters. It's not that the characters are trope heavy or anything, they are actually, refreshingly, quite the opposite– the movie deviates from the usual rom-com storyline and adds its own unique twist to it. In addition to the time-travelling part of it all, the movie really delves into Tim's relationship with his father. I'm not saying the father-son plot was the best choice; arguably, there were way too many themes knotted up in this story, but it did work to add more depth to Tim. I felt like I could understand his choices and motivations. It's also one of the few rom-coms that actually managed to make me laugh and cry, so props to that.

Rewatchable: 5/10

Chemistry: 7/10

#8. 13 Going on 30

I watched this movie for the first time when I also happened to be thirteen-years-old, in eighth grade. I thought it was such a vibe. Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo felt like the oddest couple, but it worked. The movie has charm. It is endearing. The relationship between Jenna and Matt builds quite organically. Also, it's a friends to lovers scenario, which I think is always a winning trope.

Although the premise is weird, I think the playfulness and innocence that Jennifer Garner brings to the screen is magic. What I think stands out the most about this movie is that it maintains a healthy balance between a young girl finding herself, and the relationship that's been waiting for her all along. At the core of it all, Jenna's friendship with Matt is what matters.

Rewatchable: 5/10

Chemistry: 8/10

#7. Notting Hill

Young Hugh Grant who loves books? Count. Me. In!

I think it's pretty clear why I like this movie. It's romantic and cliche, but something, very much like the title cover itself, is gentle and soothing. Not much happens in this movie and I think that is what makes it perfect. Two people meet, connect, and fall in love. What more could you want?

Also, don't get me started on the time transition; Hugh Grant's walk through the seasons is just poetic art. I might argue that it's as impactful and artistic as the Pride and Prejudice one where Keira Knightley spins around on the swing.

Grant's MO is always to be slightly pretentious and obnoxious, but I don't know, I think the yearning wins in this movie. Him pining after the mega-famous movie star Julia Roberts is just so pure that you can't help but want him to win.

Rewatchable: 6/10

Chemistry: 6/10

#6. Bridget Jones' Diary

I feel like liking this one is controversial. Some people really loved it; others hated it. I think it's because it's so over the top with its self-deprecating humour. I mean, it's a modern take on Pride and Prejudice, so like yes, obviously, I was a fan of it.

Bridget really leans into the clumsy, not-like-other-girls trope. It can be a bit much, but I think that's kind of the point. There's also a lot of slapstick comedy that doesn't really add anything to the plot or characters, but I still personally find the movie a lot of fun to watch. Broody Colin Firth is always welcome!

Rewatchable: 7/10

Chemistry: 7/10

#5. People We Meet On Vacation

Yes, that is how much I liked it. I mean, Tom Blyth didn't deviate much from his Pres. Snow persona (other than the fact that he was not a blood-hungry dictator in the making), but the low emotional expression and monotonous delivery of the lines was nearly the same. But all jokes aside, yeah, this movie slapped. There are few characters who I think can really emote with their eyes, and both Blyth and Emily Bader proved their capabilities in doing so.

I believed the pining. Their friendship felt real and believeable, something I had a hard time with in When Harry Met Sally. Although the ending (specifically the confrontation at the wedding) felt a bit contrived, the rest of the movie flowed well. It's actually quite similar to When Harry Met Sally; both Alex (Tom Bltyh) and Poppy (Emily Bader) begin as stereotypes. Poppy is this carefree, manic-pixie-dream-girl whereas Alex is the uptight, traditional no nonsense kind of guy. Both butt heads. Over the years, though, their friendship develops and then it follows the typical will-they-won't-they format.

Rewatchable: 9/10

Chemistry: 8/10

#4. Easy A

Emma Stone is so good in this. This movie is witty, fun, and weirdly empowering. The "Pocket Full of Sunshine" bit feels like it should get old fast but it doesn't. With its stacked cast and impeccable script, the movie never feels redundant or dragging. Even Amanda Bynes, as the hyper-vigilant Christian worshipper, steals the screen despite having such a minimal role in the movie. I think it's also pretty cool that the main romance happens on the back burner; it is the b-plot of the movie, barely even making it on screen until like the very very end. Yet, you still root for Olive (Emma Stone) and Todd (Penn Badgley) to get together.

Is it problematic? Lowkey, yeah, but it's a fresh divergence from the typical rom-com tropes. In that, it's literally our Scarlet A fighting for her reputation back. It's one of the few movies that I think has really wholesome messaging!

Rewatchable: 1000/10

Chemistry: 7/10

#3. The Proposal

This is by far one of the best romcoms I've ever seen. I go back to watch it on a yearly basis, at this point and never get tired of watching it. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds kill it. Betty White's in it. It is such a nice escape from the seriousness of life. Also, finding love in the publishing industry? That's a bookworm's dream.

The chemistry between Margaret (Sandra Bullock) and Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) is sizzling and fun. I mean, it is the perfect enemies to lovers. Tropey and cliche? Hell yeah, but I never mind it because every person in the cast looks like they are having the time of their lives playing their character. It is perfectly unserious and fun. Doesn't matter time or day, or how many times I've seen it, the movie manages to consistently make me smile.

Rewatchable: 10,000/10

Chemistry: 9/10

#2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

I loved this movie. It was wholesome, relatable, and fun. From the endless torrent of her aunts and uncles complaining about her love life, to the whole Windex bit, this movie spoke to my soul. Toula's awkwardness was palpable but not in a bad way; I just felt weirdly seen in terms of how much she overthought everything.

There is something uniquely comforting about Toula navigating her romantic life while managing her big family. I think what really resonated with me about this movie was just how family oriented it was. I don't think that you see that a lot in romantic films in general, but it was nice to see that a big part of her identity came from her family.

Rewatchable: 100,000,000/10

Chemistry: 10/10

#1. 10 Things I Hate About You

Guys. I feel like I shouldn't even need to say why this movie is so good. An adaptation of Taming of the Shrew, Heath Ledger's singing in it. We got the girl who is super angsty and basically a misandrist (joking, joking); we got bad boy Heath Ledger. Both of them clash and then fall desperately in love with one another. The pining, the poetry. *chef's kiss*.

I admit it, some of the lines make me cringe, and the tabletop dance scene (can you believe it was the reason Julia Stiles was cast for Save The Last Dance? Me neither.) makes me want to bury myself in second hand embarrassment, but it's still a timeless gem.

Rewatchable: 100,000,000,000,000/10

Chemistry: 10/10

There are a few more movies that I really wanted to include, Musica being one of them. Maybe I'll make another list. Who knows?

Agree or disagree? Put your thoughts in the comments.