By Grace Hogsten
Copy Editor
Thanks to Valentine’s Day and the cold weather that makes us all want to curl up and watch a heartwarming movie, mid-February is peak romantic comedy season.
Whether you are in search of a fast-paced watch with lots of laughs or a sweet, more serious flick, there are plenty of movies to choose from. However, with every streaming service offering a host of options, it can be difficult to find a film that fits what you are looking for.
The following five movies were released in the past five years and each feature their own unique tones, tropes, and charms.
“The Perfect Find”
In the wake of a disastrous breakup, Jenna Jones (Gabrielle Union) sets out to renew her career in fashion and sparks a relationship with her boss’s son Eric (Keith Powers) along the way.
According to IndieWire, “‘The Perfect Find’ channels the classic 2000s plotline of the fashion magazine as [the] world’s most glamorous workplace, while also attempting an homage to Black cinema’s rich history.”
With its artistic aesthetic and sincere intimate scenes, this film includes everything we love about romantic comedies. The chemistry between Union and Powers is palpable, and their storyline is well-crafted and engaging.
Go to Netflix to watch what IndieWire dubs “one of the most perfect rom-coms of [2023].”
“Crush”
While hitting an artistic roadblock, high school junior Paige Evans (Rowan Blanchard) feels like she does not have anything figured out. To make matters worse, she still has no idea how to talk to the girl she has been crushing on for years.
When Paige least expects it, a trip to the principal’s office and a promise to try out for the track team turn her life upside down. With the help of her teammate AJ Campos (Auli’i Cravahalo), Paige broadens her horizons and learns more about herself and her friends.
“Crush” has the staying power to be watched and rewatched. According to ScreenRant, “Charming, straightforward, and led by a remarkable cast of talented young actors, ‘Crush’ will surely be a teen romance that gains popularity over time.”
This sweet coming-of-age romance is available to stream on Hulu.
“The Lovebirds”
After four happy years together, Leilani (Issa Rae) and Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) break up on the way to a dinner party. However, after a carjacking implicates them in a murder, the ex-couple embarks on a journey to exonerate themselves and unravel a brewing conspiracy.
Nanjiani and Rae’s talents work in tandem to create a film that seamlessly combines action, comedy, and romance. According to Variety, “the actors generate the kind of connective heat that’s either there or it’s not.”
Between the characters’ banter-filled arguments and near-death experiences, there is never a dull moment. If you are looking for a fast-paced romantic comedy full of action and chemistry, stream “The Lovebirds” on Netflix.
“My Fake Boyfriend”
Andrew (Keiynan Lonsdale) needs a way to get back at his cheating ex-boyfriend, and his unemployed best friend Jake (Dylan Sprouse) needs a project. Jake creates a fake influencer boyfriend for Andrew, and while their plan works at first, things start to go awry when Andrew falls for someone real.
While this film does have some moments where the writing or acting leave something to be desired, it tells a fun, upbeat story about one man’s search for love. Take a break from the seriousness of your everyday life to laugh at this movie’s indulgent silliness and try to guess how Andrew will find his way out of each new mess.
“My Fake Boyfriend” is free to stream with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video.
“Always Be My Maybe”
Childhood best friends Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) fall out after a disastrous high school hookup, but they stumble back into each other’s lives when Sasha, a celebrity chef, returns to their hometown of San Francisco to open up a new restaurant.
As they renew their friendship, Sasha and Marcus realize that they still have more in common than they expected. Nevertheless, spending time together reopens old wounds — they must choose whether they will grow and change together or remain comfortably stagnant apart.
This self-aware second-chance romance pulls at viewer’s heartstrings through earnest, emotional moments and earns its place in the comedy genre thanks to Wong and Park’s comedic talents.
Open your Netflix app and put on this movie for a funny yet meaningful watch.
Studios love pumping out romantic comedies with all types of characters and storylines, so no matter what kind you are in the mood for, there is a movie for you. While celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, you and your friends can cozy up and watch a heartwarming and charming romantic comedy.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Photo Caption: Issa Rae stars in the 2020 romantic comedy “The Lovebirds,” which is available to stream on Netflix.