They say the modern rom-com is dead, which is really such a shame because growing up, they were all I loved to watch! And you know what? I’m sure there are many of us who share that same sentiment.

Superhero movies were a rarity and to be honest, were usually quite deep and serious. Walking into a superhero movie back in the day, you’d expect to get your heart ripped out. The rom-coms were there to provide balance to that. They were funny, stylish, and appealed to the normal, average person, even if every main female character was an aspiring journalist in New York City. It’s the daydreamie effect of it, the aura of optimism, that makes it fun to watch. Since when did we stop having fun?

So today, in contrast to my love for tragic romances, I share with you three rom-coms I absolutely adore. What makes a good rom-com is actually, in my opinion, the chemistry between the two main leads. You have nothing if you don’t have two good main leads who people enjoy watching and looking at. They have to be pleasing to the eye, but they also have to be mentally compatible. There has to be something about them that makes the audience want to go on this journey with them for two hours, and then want more!

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson together are just…absolutely, mind-blowingly incredible. The funny thing is, they know it! They know how good they work together on screen and how good their chemistry is. This movie basically set the ball for rom-coms to come, and nearly made Matthew a rom-com guy for life. He was so good in this, people kept wanting to cast him in rom-coms before he pivoted into more serious roles.

The banter, the setup, the humor in this…absolutely incredible. Hardly anything tops this movie.

If you’re hungry for more, which a lot of people were at the time, you can also check out Fool’s Gold. Not as compelling as 10 days, but still a fun watch. Anything to see McConaughey and Hudson on the same screen together, right?

Culpa Mia (2023)

Based off a teen Wattpad story, do not let the origins of this story fool you. Also, don’t let petty reviews fool you, because in reality, anything catered to teen girls will almost always get “hate” which is…a topic that will take all day for me to dive into.

Though Wattpad adaptations usually falter, this one is top-notch. You seriously would’ve never guessed! It’s amazing at all to even watch this gem of a movie in the present day, because they don’t make ’em like this anymore! So big props to Domingo González.

Nicole Wallace and Gabriel Guevara are just amazing together, and they also know it! Friends for years since their SKAM days, and hopefully forever, their chemistry clearly shows in this steamy but action-packed romance set in Los Angeles, but was filmed in Spain. Can’t wait for Culpa Tuya!

Also, make sure to watch this in spanish!

Purple Hearts (2022)

Not entirely sure if this would be considered a “rom com” but I couldn’t resist mentioning it here simply for Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine’s chemistry. Whatever your political views may be, do not let it deter you from this talented duo. They really take you along for a journey filled with music, banter, and tears.

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I find it quite refreshing and a little optimistic that two of these three movies were released within the past five years. Maybe, perhaps there is a chance at saving the romantic comedy after all.