The art of romance is an ever-changing one—at least when it comes to movie trends. A few years ago, romantic movies were weighted down by drama and grief. Remember when Anne Hathaway got hit by that bus in One Day? Tough times. But for now, those days are gone. The best romantic films of 2019 are full of big laughs and the rom-com vibes that have been absent until lately. So when you’re looking for a romantic movie in 2019, get ready to laugh because they’re coming in hot.
7. Isn’t It Romantic
Following all the rules of the standard rom com, Rebel Wilson plays a woman who despises a rom com. Imagine her surprise when she wakes up after getting knocked out to discover that her world has turned into just that. But in the process of existing in her living hell, she’s also reminded that maybe it’s teaching her something she’s been missing all along.
6. Photograph
Everyone knows the struggle of being pressured by your family. In Photograph, a young man is pushed into finding a wife by his conservative grandmother, but with no solid prospects, an Indian man convinces a stranger to stand in as his fiancée, though neither of them expected to find a real connection with each other.
5. Gloria Bell
A bit more on the serious side, Gloria Bell stars a stunning Julianne Moore as a divorcée named Gloria making the most of her post-marital life. But in all her venture out into the LA nightlife, she eventually finds John Turturro’s character, who shakes up what the next stage in Gloria’s life was supposed to look like.
4. Yesterday
Sure, at first glance, Yesterday is a love letter to the Beatles, but inside, Jack Malik’s newfound success is also complicated by the clear romantic connection he shares with his childhood friend. But when Jack’s career takes off, he finds himself torn between a life of fame or a life of love. (As the Beatles once said… love is all you need.)
3. Long Shot
Nothing is more unlikely than finding out your old babysitter is Secretary of State and also planning a run for the United States presidency, but hey, movies aren’t always about being realistic. What makes Long Shot work so well is the strangely palpable chemistry between Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron. He’s still the stoner movie guy, but damn if Seth Rogen doesn’t know his way around a rom com.
2. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
A treat for those who enjoy a good non-English language film, the feature follows Sweety Chaudhary, a lesbian who struggles to come out to her Punjabi family. Fun fact: it’s also the first Bollywood film to feature a lesbian relationship!
1. Always Be My Maybe
Everyone has an old flame that floats into their minds every so often, but rarely do you get the chance to consider rekindling that relationship. In Always Be My Maybe, Ali Wong and Randall Park unite as one of the most charming couples of the year. Wong plays Sasha, a successful chef, while March (Park) is still jamming out with his hip-hop rock band from high school. That doesn’t particularly get in the way though when the two reunite…
