We can all agree that rom-coms are essential to Valentine’s Day, so we decided to rank our five favorites based on six categories: romance quality, comedy quality, soundtrack, characters, outfits and quotability. Here are five of the best rom-coms out there!
5. Clueless
Romance Quality: 4/10
Comedy Quality: 7/10
Soundtrack: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Outfits: 9/10
Quotability: 7/10
Overall: 7/10
Clueless is a timeless movie full of amazing outfits and characters and a decent soundtrack. Inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, Cher, the main character, and her best friend Dionne befriend the new girl at school, Tai. While the romance is noticeably strange because of Cher’s relationship with her former step-brother, the comedy in Clueless is exceptional. Cher, Dione and Tai crack some amazing jokes, sometimes without trying. The songs in the film have a mostly retro-futuristic feeling, and our favorite song, “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead, diverges from the upbeat theme but still fits the film. The main girls are three-dimensional, entertaining characters, but the other characters in the movie are flat in comparison. The outfits in the movie are recognizable and fashionable. Cher has several iconic outfits in the film, our favorite being her yellow plaid set. The sarcasm makes for some amazing quotes! Our favorite is Cher’s classic “As if!”
4. Sweet Home Alabama
Romance Quality: 8/10
Comedy Quality: 6/10
Soundtrack: 6/10
Characters: 8/10
Outfits: 8/10
Quoteablaility: 7/10
Overall: 7.2/10
Sweet Home Alabama is the perfect combination of Southern charm and city bustle. Melanie faces a dilemma when she develops feelings for her high school sweetheart, Jake, during a trip to her hometown, despite being engaged to the mayor of New York City’s son. Jake and Melanie have great chemistry and their jokes and banter flow nicely together. The soundtrack goes well with the movie, but there isn’t much variety. Our favorite song from the soundtrack is “Now That I Know” by Shannon McNally. The main characters’ personalities work well together, and the contrast between the city and country allows for great conversations. Melanie’s outfits vary from her fancy dresses in New York to her plaid button-downs in Alabama. Our favorite outfit is the sleek black dress Melanie wears in the movie’s cover photo. The movie’s quotes aren’t very recognizable, but there are a few good lines here and there. Sweet Home Alabama is the perfect movie if you’re looking for something charming and sweet for your Valentine’s Day!
3. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Romance Quality: 10/10
Comedy Quality: 6/10
Soundtrack: 9/10
Characters: 7/10
Outfits: 5/10
Quoteablaility: 7/10
Overall: 7.3/10
If you are looking for a modern rom-com that encapsulates the best parts of the genre, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a good option. When her sister sends out five secret love letters to boys Lara Jean knew in the past, Lara Jean thinks it will be the end of her life as she knows it. However, when Peter, one of the recipients, realizes dating Lara Jean could help him get back at his ex-girlfriend, he and Lara Jean create a fake-dating scheme. The romance between Lara Jean and Peter is wholesome and cute. The movie’s comedy occasionally falls flat, and some characters are annoying, but Chrissy, Lara Jean’s best friend, and Kitty, Lara Jean’s younger sister, have some great one-liners. The soundtrack fits the movie and main relationship well. Our favorite song is “Lovers” by Anna of the North. However, the outfits in this movie are peculiar. For example, Lara Jean has a proclivity for layering and patterns. Our favorite outfit is Lara Jean’s classy red dress from the beginning of the movie. The movie is perfect for anyone looking for a witty flick.
2. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Romance Quality: 8/10
Comedy Quality: 7/10
Soundtrack: 9/10
Characters: 7/10
Outfits: 9/10
Quoteablaility: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
In How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days, journalist Andie Anderson and advertising executive Benjamin Barry have to fulfill job assignments by entering into a relationship with each other, though their ulterior motives wreak havoc. The movie’s romance is the perfect combination of frustrating and bittersweet. Andie’s fake personality makes us cringe and laugh, and the singing performance in the movie is pristine! We also loved the witty comments between Andie and Ben. “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon is the most iconic song on the soundtrack and our favorite. The side characters in the film are noticeably underdeveloped, but Andie and Ben are well executed characters. Andie’s casually cool personality and Ben’s laid back, patient disposition set the movie up for success. The outfits in the film match the personalities of the characters. Obviously, our favorite outfit is Andie’s iconic yellow dress. Our favorite quote displays the two characters’ contrasts: Ben: “You’re already falling in love with me.”/Andie: ‘I’m gonna make you wish you were dead.” This heartwarming rom-com is certainly worth a watch.
1. 10 Things I Hate About You
Romance Quality: 10/10
Comedy Quality: 7/10
Soundtrack: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Outfits: 10/10
Quoteablaility: 10/10
Overall: 9.3/10
10 Things I Hate About You is THE best rom-com for this Valentine’s Day Season. Based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, the movie follows two sisters, Bianca and Kat, in their relationships. The romance between Kat and classmate Patrick executes the perfect enemies-to-lovers storyline, and Bianca and her “French tutor,” Cameron, have an equally good friends-to-lovers arc. The banter between Kat and the other characters carries the movie’s comedic value. The soundtrack has variety, yet the songs work together to enhance the movie’s edgy and sweet themes. Artists featured in the film include the Notorious B.I.G., The Cardigans and Joan Jet & the Blackhearts. Kat and Bianca have beautiful character development. Though Bianca appears superficial and Kat seems tempestuous, by the end of the movie we recognize the layers of these characters. The outfits in this movie are fantastic. Kat’s edgier, dark style contrasts the pinks and light blues worn by Bianca. Our favorite outfit isKat’s blouse and silk skirt from the iconic poem scene. The movie’s lines are also amazing. Kat and Patrick’s sarcasm make the quotes in this movie recognizable and funny. Our favorite line isKat’s iconic poem: “But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.”