Top 10 2000s Romcoms to add to your Watchlist

"Love Actually" (2003) is a romantic comedy film released in 2003. It was directed and written by Richard Curtis, known for his work on other romantic comedies like "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill." The film has become a beloved holiday classic and features an ensemble cast of talented actors and actresses.

The movie's storyline is set in London and follows several interconnected love stories that unfold in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It weaves together the lives of various characters, exploring their relationships, joys, and heartbreaks. The film showcases different types of love, including romantic love, familial love, and friendship.

Some of the main storylines and characters include:

The newly elected British Prime Minister (played by Hugh Grant) who develops feelings for a young staff member named Natalie (played by Martine McCutcheon).

A recently widowed father (played by Liam Neeson) who tries to support his stepson (played by Thomas Sangster) in his first experience with love.

A married couple, Karen (played by Emma Thompson) and Harry (played by Alan Rickman), whose marriage faces challenges when Harry becomes infatuated with his secretary, Mia (played by Heike Makatsch).

A struggling writer (played by Colin Firth) who falls in love with his Portuguese housekeeper, Aurelia (played by Lúcia Moniz).

A rock star (played by Bill Nighy) trying to make a comeback with a Christmas hit while dealing with his manager and best friend (played by Gregor Fisher).

A young man (played by Andrew Lincoln) secretly in love with his best friend's wife (played by Keira Knightley).

These are just a few of the storylines intertwined in "Love Actually." The film explores various themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of relationships. It has been praised for its heartwarming and feel-good moments, as well as its talented cast and memorable scenes.

"Love Actually" has become a holiday favorite for many viewers around the world and is often revisited during the Christmas season.

"500 Days of Summer" (2009) is a romantic comedy-drama film released in 2009, directed by Marc Webb and written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. The movie stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom Hansen and Zooey Deschanel as Summer Finn.

The story is told in a non-linear narrative, jumping back and forth between different days in the 500-day span of Tom and Summer's relationship. Tom is a romantic young man who works as a greeting card writer, while Summer is a free-spirited woman who does not believe in true love. Despite their differences, they become friends and later enter into a romantic relationship.

The film explores themes of love, heartbreak, and the often unpredictable nature of relationships. Tom becomes infatuated with Summer and envisions a perfect future with her. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that their perceptions of the relationship and their feelings towards each other are not in sync. Summer eventually ends the relationship, breaking Tom's heart and leaving him devastated.

Throughout the film, "500 Days of Summer" challenges traditional romantic tropes and expectations by portraying a realistic and relatable depiction of love and its complexities. The nonlinear storytelling adds depth to the narrative, allowing the audience to witness both the highs and lows of Tom and Summer's journey.

The film received critical acclaim for its originality, writing, and performances, particularly from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. It became a cult classic and resonated with many viewers who appreciated its portrayal of love and relationships in a more authentic and relatable manner.

"The Notebook" (2004) is a romantic drama film released in 2004, directed by Nick Cassavetes. It is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The movie stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in the lead roles, with James Garner and Gena Rowlands playing older versions of the main characters.

Plot summary:

"The Notebook" is a heartwarming and emotionally charged love story that spans several decades. The film begins in a nursing home, where an elderly man named Duke (James Garner) reads a romantic story from his notebook to an elderly woman named Allie (Gena Rowlands), who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The story he reads forms the central narrative of the movie.

The main story takes place in the 1940s. Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) meet one summer in Seabrook Island, South Carolina. Despite their different social backgrounds, they fall deeply in love. However, Allie's affluent parents disapprove of their relationship due to Noah's lack of financial prospects and force her to move away. Noah, heartbroken, writes letters to Allie every day, but her mother intercepts them, so Allie believes Noah has moved on.

Several years pass, and World War II breaks out. Allie becomes a nurse and gets engaged to a successful soldier named Lon Hammond (James Marsden). Just before her wedding, she sees a newspaper article about Noah's acquisition and renovation of an old house he had promised to buy for her. Feeling conflicted, she decides to visit Noah in Seabrook.

When Allie and Noah reunite, their feelings for each other resurface, and they rekindle their romance. However, Allie is still engaged to Lon, and she must choose between her first love, Noah, and her well-established life with Lon.

The story artfully weaves between the present-day scenes of Duke reading the notebook to Allie and the flashbacks portraying the young lovers' emotional journey. The movie explores themes of love, destiny, sacrifice, and the impact of memory on relationships.

"The Notebook" received widespread acclaim for its tender portrayal of love and strong performances from the lead actors. The film's emotional depth and poignant storytelling have made it a beloved classic among fans of romantic dramas.

"Bridget Jones's Diary" (2001) is a romantic comedy film released in 2001, directed by Sharon Maguire. It is based on the novel of the same name by Helen Fielding and stars Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver.

The movie follows the same general storyline as the novel, focusing on Bridget Jones, a quirky and somewhat clumsy 30-something single woman living in London. She starts keeping a diary to document her thoughts, feelings, and attempts to improve herself and find love.

The main plot of the movie revolves around Bridget's romantic entanglements with her boss, Daniel Cleaver, and the handsome barrister, Mark Darcy. Bridget finds herself caught between these two very different men, both of whom show an interest in her. As the story unfolds, Bridget must navigate the ups and downs of her romantic relationships while also dealing with the expectations of her friends and family.

The film captures Bridget's humorous and relatable journey as she strives to balance her personal and professional life. It touches on themes of self-acceptance, societal pressures, and the complexities of modern dating.

"Bridget Jones's Diary" was a box office success, and Renée Zellweger's portrayal of Bridget Jones earned her widespread acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film's success led to two sequels: "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" (2004) and "Bridget Jones's Baby" (2016), continuing Bridget's entertaining and endearing story.

"Hitch" (2005) is a romantic comedy film released in 2005, directed by Andy Tennant. The movie stars Will Smith as Alex "Hitch" Hitchens, a professional dating consultant who helps men improve their chances of finding love and forming meaningful relationships. He's known as the "Date Doctor."

The plot revolves around Hitch coaching a timid accountant named Albert Brennaman (played by Kevin James) on how to win the heart of a wealthy and beautiful heiress named Allegra Cole (played by Amber Valletta). While Hitch helps others find love, he struggles to develop a successful relationship of his own, leading to humorous and heartwarming situations throughout the film.

As the story unfolds, Hitch meets and falls for a gossip columnist named Sara Melas (played by Eva Mendes), and their interactions add a layer of complexity to the movie's plot. The film explores themes of love, self-confidence, and the challenges of forming connections in the modern dating world.

"Hitch" received positive reviews and was well-received by audiences, becoming a commercial success. Will Smith's charismatic performance and the movie's lighthearted humor contributed to its popularity. It has since become a favorite among fans of romantic comedies.

"Notting Hill" (1999) is a romantic comedy film released in 1999, directed by Roger Michell and written by Richard Curtis. The film stars Julia Roberts as Anna Scott, a famous American actress, and Hugh Grant as William "Will" Thacker, a mild-mannered British bookstore owner.

The story revolves around the chance encounter between Anna and Will when she enters his bookstore in the Notting Hill neighborhood of London. Despite their different backgrounds, they develop a connection and start a romantic relationship. However, the challenges of dating a famous actress and the intrusion of the media into their lives put a strain on their budding romance.

The film explores themes of love, fame, and the struggles of balancing private and public life. It also features a memorable supporting cast, including Rhys Ifans as Will's quirky roommate, Spike, and Hugh Bonneville as Anna's well-meaning but overbearing boyfriend, Jeff.

"Notting Hill" received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing British films of all time. It is known for its witty dialogue, charming performances by the lead actors, and its depiction of the picturesque neighborhood of Notting Hill in London. The movie has since become a beloved classic in the romantic comedy genre.

"13 Going on 30" (2004) is a popular American romantic comedy film released in 2004. The movie was directed by Gary Winick and stars Jennifer Garner as the main character. Here's a brief overview:

The story revolves around a 13-year-old girl named Jenna Rink (played by Christa B. Allen), who desperately wishes to be 30 years old. On her 13th birthday, after a series of embarrassing and disappointing events at her party, Jenna makes a wish to be a grown-up, hoping that her life will be better as an adult.

Miraculously, her wish comes true, and she wakes up the next morning as a 30-year-old woman, portrayed by Jennifer Garner. Confused and disoriented by her transformation, Jenna finds herself in a luxurious New York City apartment, now working for a successful fashion magazine called "Poise," where she had always dreamed of being.

As Jenna navigates her new adult life, she reunites with her childhood best friend, Matt Flamhaff (played by Mark Ruffalo), whom she had alienated in her younger years. Matt is now a photographer and engaged to another woman. As Jenna reconnects with Matt and learns about the person she has become, she realizes that her adult life is not as perfect as she once imagined.

The film explores themes of growing up, the challenges of adulthood, the value of friendship, and the importance of staying true to oneself. Jenna's journey takes her through a self-discovery process, where she learns to make better choices and appreciate the people and relationships that truly matter.

"13 Going on 30" received positive reviews from audiences and critics alike for its nostalgic charm, Jennifer Garner's performance, and its heartwarming storyline. It became a popular movie in the rom-com genre and continues to be remembered fondly by many viewers.

"The Holiday" (2006) is a romantic comedy film released in 2006. It was directed by Nancy Meyers and features an ensemble cast, including Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black.

The plot revolves around two women, Iris (played by Kate Winslet) and Amanda (played by Cameron Diaz), who are both dealing with romantic troubles. Iris, a British woman, is in love with a man who is engaged to someone else, while Amanda, an American, discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her.

Feeling the need for a change of scenery, they both decide to swap homes for the Christmas holiday. Amanda travels to England and stays at Iris's cozy cottage, while Iris ventures to Los Angeles to stay in Amanda's luxurious mansion. As they settle into their new surroundings, both women encounter unexpected romantic interests.

Iris forms a connection with Amanda's brother, Graham (played by Jude Law), a single father, and composer, while Amanda meets Iris's charming neighbor, Miles (played by Jack Black), a film composer.

Throughout the holiday season, the two women navigate their newfound romances, personal growth, and self-discovery. It's a heartwarming and entertaining film that explores love, friendship, and the joy of taking chances.

"The Holiday" has become a favorite among fans of romantic comedies due to its delightful cast, charming story, and beautiful locations.

"Wedding Crashers" (2005) is a comedy film released in 2005, directed by David Dobkin and starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn in the lead roles. The film also features Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, Christopher Walken, and Bradley Cooper in supporting roles.

The story revolves around John Beckwith (played by Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (played by Vince Vaughn), two best friends who are avid wedding crashers. They have mastered the art of blending in at weddings, pretending to be distant relatives or old friends, and taking advantage of the free food, drinks, and the opportunity to meet single women. Their philosophy is to use weddings as a prime hunting ground for romantic encounters without any commitment.

Everything changes when they crash the wedding of Treasury Secretary William Cleary's (played by Christopher Walken) daughter, where John becomes smitten with Claire Cleary (played by Rachel McAdams), while Jeremy finds himself drawn to Gloria Cleary (played by Isla Fisher), Claire's wild and eccentric sister.

As John and Jeremy become more deeply involved with the Cleary family, their web of lies becomes increasingly complicated. John struggles to maintain a genuine relationship with Claire while hiding his initial intentions, while Jeremy deals with Gloria's possessive and aggressive behavior. Along the way, secrets are revealed, and the duo faces challenges that test the authenticity of their connections.

"Wedding Crashers" is known for its raunchy humor, witty banter, and memorable performances by the lead actors. It received positive reviews from both critics and audiences and became a commercial success at the box office. The film's blend of comedy and romance made it a popular choice among viewers and contributed to its lasting popularity over the years.

"27 Dresses" (2007) is a romantic comedy film released in 2008, directed by Anne Fletcher and starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden. The film follows the story of Jane Nichols (played by Katherine Heigl), a young woman who has served as a bridesmaid 27 times for various friends and acquaintances.

Jane is a selfless and kind-hearted woman who has always been there to support her friends on their big day, but secretly longs for her own happily-ever-after. She has been harboring a crush on her boss, George (played by Edward Burns), who happens to be oblivious to her feelings.

Jane's life takes a turn when her younger sister, Tess (played by Malin Åkerman), comes to town and immediately catches George's attention. George and Tess start dating, and Jane finds herself torn between her loyalty to her sister and her suppressed feelings for George.

Amidst the chaos, Jane meets Kevin Doyle (played by James Marsden), a cynical and sarcastic wedding columnist, who becomes intrigued by her story. As Jane continues to grapple with her feelings and her role as a bridesmaid in Tess's upcoming wedding, she and Kevin form an unexpected connection.

Throughout the film, Jane navigates the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery, leading to a series of humorous and heartwarming moments. "27 Dresses" explores themes of identity, personal sacrifice, and the pursuit of happiness.

The film received mixed reviews from critics but was well-received by audiences, becoming a commercial success. Its lighthearted and entertaining nature made it a popular choice among fans of romantic comedies.