Laughs and Love: The Best 90s Romantic Comedies
Since the late 1930s, Romantic Comedies (Rom-Coms) have dominated the popular movie scene for decades due to their lighthearted and comedic nature. Some of the most notable and iconic Rom-Coms came from the 90s, and the following list includes the must-watch classic Rom-Coms from this time. In true 90s fashion, I rented DVDs and watched—and rewatched—these memorable films.
Pretty Woman (1990)
Pretty Woman follows the story of Edward (played by Richard Gere), a businessman visiting LA, and Vivian (played by Julia Roberts), an escort he meets while lost in Hollywood. Edward hires Vivian to attend business events with him, and while their arrangement is strictly professional, they end up falling in love. Pretty Woman is one of the quintessential 90s Rom-Coms due to its charming characters and Cinderella-type plot.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Patrick (Heath Ledger) is paid to go out with Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) so that her younger sister can be asked out as well. Unluckily for Patrick, Kat is sharp-tongued and strongly opinionated, she also has zero interest in going out with him. He eventually grows on her and Kat forgives him.
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
After the passing of his wife, Sam (Tom Hanks) and his son Jonah move to Seattle. After Jonah calls into a radio show to find a new wife for his father, Sam finds out and ends up telling his story. A listener, Annie (Meg Ryan), hears Sam’s story and falls for him despite being engaged. She writes Sam a letter and asks him to meet her. Sleepless in Seattle is a timeless love-at-first-sight story and a must-watch!
Notting Hill (1999)
Famous actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) enters a traveler’s bookshop in Notting Hill, England. There she meets the owner, William Thacker (Hugh Grant). He later spills orange juice on her, leading him to invite her to his apartment as a reparation. After several encounters, they fall in love and get married, despite Anna’s engagement to someone else.
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (2003)
Although How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days isn’t technically from the 90s, it still belongs to this list, Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) writes a piece about all the mistakes women make in relationships and chooses a random guy to test her theories on. Ben (Matthew McConaughey) makes a bet for a campaign that he can make any woman fall in love with him. As fate would have it, Ben and Andie end up choosing each other but their plans backfire and they end up falling for each other.
Clueless (1995)
Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) is a fashionista and at the top of her school’s social hierarchy. Cher and her best friend Dionne successfully set up two teachers. Continuing on their matchmaking path, they set up the new girl, Tai, with Cher’s stepbrother Josh (Paul Rudd). Cher ends up developing feelings for Josh and changes the superficial way she acts. With many memorable lines and a classic 90’s style, Clueless remains a beloved coming-of-age story that satirizes high school life and social hierarchies.
