These 24 Early 2000s Rom-Coms Are Sleeper Hits
Hollywood had a major thing for romantic comedies in the early-aughts. From 2000 through 2010, we were all gifted with some of the best rom-coms to grace the big screen: think classics like How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, 13 Going On 30, The Proposal, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones' Diary, just to name a few. Will these ever stop being perfect for a re-watch? Absolutely not—but it's worth pointing out that there were a whole bunch of underrated rom-coms from the early 2000's you've probably completely forgotten about by now.
Like the rest of the genre's classics out there, these are funny, full of clichéd meet-cutes, a little bit silly, admittedly kind of corny, and overall adorably sweet. They'll make you laugh, they'll make you cry, they may even send you down a Google spiral to find out what ever happened to Shane West. Whatever the case, these light-hearted films are the perfect antidote to the quarantine blues (or any kind of blues, really). Make yourself a giant bowl(s) of popcorn, get comfy on the couch (where else would you be at this point?), and jump back into 2005 with us.
In A Lot Like Love, Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) and Emily (Amanda Peet) meet on a plane and sparks fly (pun def intended) immediately. But despite the fact that their chemistry is off the charts, these two know that they're wrong for each other. Over the next few years of their lives, they end up meeting and connecting several more times, but, of course, they just can't seem to get it together. stream now
BEYONCé??!? Yes, it's true: Queen Bey will grace your screen when you watch this 2003 throwback. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Darren Hill, a big-time advertising executive who is basically forced to go back to his small town in Atlanta when he loses his job and his life is turned upside down. He ends up leading a church choir while they try to win a gospel competition. Beyoncé plays Lily, his childhood friend—and an incredible singer who might be the key to helping the choir win. *dun dun dunnnn* stream now
In this loose adaption of A Midsummer Night's Dream (turning Shakespeare into rom-com fodder is so fun), Berke Landers (Ben Foster) is a high school student who is determined to get his ex-girlfriend back, even if it means auditioning for the school play just to get closer to her. His best friend's sister Kelly (Kirsten Dunst) helps him get ready for the role...and, in the end, Berke falls for someone else. You'll also notice *chef's kiss* worthy appearances by Mila Kunis, Sisqó, Shane West, Colin Hanks, and Zoe Saldana. stream now
It seems that we've all collectively forgotten that this gem of a movie exists. In The Land Of Women stars Adam Brody as Carter Webb, who moves from Los Angeles to a small town in Michigan to take care of his grandma after going through a breakup. He ends up spending most of his time with the family across the street, a mother (Meg Ryan) and daughters (one played by Kristen Stewart). It wouldn't be a perfect rom-com without Ryan's appearance and a kick-ass soundtrack, and this film has both. stream now
If you need the perfect girl's night movie to watch, make it The Sweetest Thing. Christina (Cameron Diaz), Courtney (Christina Applegate), and Jane (Selma Blair) are three friends who get into a slew of crazy adventures while searching for a man Christina met at a club one night. It's hilarious, cute, and perfectly goofy, and it will make you want to give your BFF a huge hug. stream now
Bride and Prejudice is a Bollywood rom-com take on Pride and Prejudice, and, really, how can you resist that? In the film, Manorama (Nadira Babbar) and Chaman Bakshi (Anupam Kher) search for the perfect husbands for their four daughters—except Lalita (Aishwarya Rai), the oldest daughter, has no interest in an arranged marriage. As she searches for her version of the perfect husband, she ends up meeting her William Darcy (Martin Henderson), and, as you can probably imagine the rest. stream now
Based on the book A Fan's Life by Nick Hornby, Fever Pitch is about Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon), a teacher who is dating Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymoore). Despite the fact that they're basically polar opposites, the two fall in love and things are going great... until Lindsey realizes that Ben is completely obsessed with the Boston Red Sox. Are their different opinions on baseball enough to ruin their relationship? You'll have to watch to find out. stream now
Whatever It Takes has an all-star early 2000s cast that is basically perfect: Shane West, Jody Lyn O'Keefe, James Franco, and Marka Sokoloff. In this teen rom-com, nerdy Ryan (West) is in love with the popular Ashley (O'Keefe), but the feeling is not mutual. Meanwhile, star athlete Chris (Franco) is into Maggie (Sokoloff), who is Ryan's super smart BFF. Ryan and Chris work together to get the girls to fall for them until they realize they're both going after the wrong girl. stream now
Childhood besties Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) become bridezilla enemies when their dream weddings are accidentally scheduled on the same day at the same exact place. Don't worry, they end up living happily ever after. stream now
Like some of the best rom-coms ever, Win A Date With Tad Hamilton! is based on a ridiculous premise: a huge actor, Tad Hamilton (Josh Duhamel), moves to a small town to pursue a girl named Rosalee (Kate Bosworth), although his actions aren't totally innocent. Rosalee's best friend Pete (Topher Grace), who is, incidentally, in love with her, has to try to win her heart from a Hollywood stud. This would literally never happen IRL, but it's certainly fun to watch! stream now
If you loved Gabrielle Union in her other early 2000's hit, Bring It On, then you'll really love her in Deliver Us From Eva. Union plays Eva, who has been in charge of taking care of her younger sisters since their parents died years before. Eva has a weird amount of control over her sisters and happens to be in control of the family trust fund—something her sister's partners are not into. They come up with a plan to set Eva up with Ray Adams (LL Cool J), who happens to be a total player, but things don't go quite as they planned. stream now
On the day they were supposed to get married, Gray Wheeler (Jennifer Garner) attends the funeral of her fiancé, Grady Douglas. The rest of the film is about Gray trying to put her life back together as she deals with the loss of the love of her life. While doing so, she finds comfort in becoming close with his best friends, played by Sam Jaeger, Kevin Smith, and Timothy Olyphant. The subject is a bit heavier than some of the other movies, but it's still sweet. stream now
Less happy and silly and a bit more introspective and serious, The Last Kiss is about four friends (Zach Braff, Casey Affleck, Michael Weston, and Eric Christian Olsen) who are turning 30 and basically freaking out about it (who can't relate?). Michael (Braff) is having a tough time dealing with being a father and an adult, and ends up turning to another woman, Kim (Rachel Bilson), for some help. Yikes? Yup. stream now
Down With Love features a classic rom-com trope: two people who kind of hate each other end up accidentally falling in love. It takes place in 1962, when feminist writer Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) writes a best-selling book about why love isn't worth it and encourages women to avoid serious relationships and enjoy independence and casual flings instead (okay, we stan!). Writer Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor) hates her message, and has a plan to show she's a fraud by making her fall in love with him. What could go wrong? stream now
Back when he was one of the biggest stand-up comedians out there, Dane Cook starred in Good Luck Chuck alongside Jessica Alba, and it is truly a gem. Cook plays Charlie Kagan, a dentist with horrible luck who is just trying to find the love of his life. The only problem? Every women he breaks up with immediately meets their soul-mate after dating him, and he becomes known as a good luck charm for women to use. It's not until he meets Cam (Alba) that he tries to find a way to break the curse. stream now
Robin Williams, John Krasinski, and Mandy Moore? How could you miss out on this one? In License To Wed, newly engaged couple Sadie (Moore) and Ben (Krasinski) are trying to plan their dream wedding...but Reverend Frank (Williams) makes them get through his tough marriage prep course first. Through all the hijinks, Sadie and Ben have to decide if they're really meant to be together. stream now
Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo together in a rom-com?! How could you not want to watch this one, you know? Just Like Heaven has a crazy plot that weirdly...works? Ruffalo plays David, a recently widowed architect who has just moved into a new apartment in San Francisco. Here's the problem: it's being haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth (Witherspoon), who can't remember much about her life and is convinced she's actually alive. Does David fall in love with a ghost? Yes. Yes he does. stream now
Shanté Smith (Vivica A. Fox) is the woman all of her friends go to for guy advice because she seems to know it all. But when Shanté's boyfriend Keith (Morris Chestnut) starts to stray, she's forced to figure out how to control the man in her life. 'Kay, fine. The plot definitely didn't age that well, but it is still entertaining. stream now
Serious career woman Joy McNally (Diaz) meets playboy Jack Fuller (Kutcher) during a vacation in Vegas, and after a drunken night out, the two realize they got married (as one does in Vegas). Of course, the two aren't able to get an annulment, so instead, they just... try to make their marriage work? stream now
In No Reservations, Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is a famous chef who also happens to be total boss with a type-A personality. She becomes the guardian of her niece (Abigail Breslin), and also starts a feud with her new sous-chef, Nicholas (Aaron Eckhart)...and of course, Kate and Nicholas end up falling for each other despite all of the bad feelings. It wouldn't be a true rom-com without an improbable romance! stream now
Lindsay Lohan plays Ashley, the luckiest woman in the world: she's got the clothes, the friends, and the social calendar to prove it. But then Ashley kisses Jake (Chris Pine) at a costume party, and her good fortune turns into the worst luck ever. As she tries to get her good luck back, things begin to heat up with Jake... and yes, this is just as silly as it sounds (still worth watching though!). stream now
Nineties rom-com queen Meg Ryan stars in Kate & Leopold as Kate, a modern-day executive who is only interested in her career. Meanwhile, there's Leopold (Hugh Jackman), a charming Duke from the late 1800s who doesn't believe in love. A rip in time catapults Leopold into the 21st century with Kate, and the two end up in a relationship. stream now
In Made of Honor, Patrick Dempsey plays Tom, a serial dater who avoids commitment like the plague. It's not until his BFF Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) is about to get married that he realizes, unfortunately, he's in love with her. Hannah asks him to be part of her bridal party, and he begins to do anything he can to stop the wedding. And yes, this movie sounds just like My Best Friend's Wedding. stream now
Ben Stiller plays Eddie, a man who has a little fling with the beautiful Lila (Malin Akerman)... a little fling that ends in a quick and rushed marriage. It's only after they're married that Eddie realizes he's made a huge mistake and Lila isn't the woman he thought she was at all. Eddie falls for Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), and struggles to end things with his wife. It's definitely a wild ride! stream now
These 24 Early 2000s Rom-Coms Are Sleeper Hits
Hollywood had a major thing for romantic comedies in the early-aughts. From 2000 through 2010, we were all gifted with some of the best rom-coms to grace the big screen: think classics like How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, 13 Going On 30, The Proposal, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones' Diary, just to name a few. Will these ever stop being perfect for a re-watch? Absolutely not—but it's worth pointing out that there were a whole bunch of underrated rom-coms from the early 2000's you've probably completely forgotten about by now.
Like the rest of the genre's classics out there, these are funny, full of clichéd meet-cutes, a little bit silly, admittedly kind of corny, and overall adorably sweet. They'll make you laugh, they'll make you cry, they may even send you down a Google spiral to find out what ever happened to Shane West. Whatever the case, these light-hearted films are the perfect antidote to the quarantine blues (or any kind of blues, really). Make yourself a giant bowl(s) of popcorn, get comfy on the couch (where else would you be at this point?), and jump back into 2005 with us.
The Sweetest Thing is my Casablanca.
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