Romantic comedyis the go-to genre for millions of moviegoers around the world. Sure, these movies may no longer be in their golden era, and they may not sell out theaters like they used to, but they are still inspiring us with their convoluted stories in which, regardless of what happens between the leads, love always prevails. Over time, Hollywood has released hit rom-coms that grew into genre classics, starring big stars who, even today, are still considered thekings and queens of romance. Films likeWhen Harry Met Sally,You’ve Got Mail,andMy Best Friend’s Wedding, among many others, are watched over and over again to this day.
Of course, as it happens with all the other genres, rom-coms are not only produced in Hollywood, and throughout the years, several countries around the world have released some of the most wonderful films that encourage us to believe in love. Watchinginternationalrom-coms not only gives us the chance to appreciate the culture of another country and its stars, but it also offers an insight into their sense of humor and their understanding of love. Check out some of the best international rom-coms of all time below.
10Same Love, Same Rain (1999)
Same Love, Same Rainis an Argentine film that, back in 1999, marked the first collaboration between actor Ricardo Darín and renowned director Juan José Campanella. In it, Darín stars as Jorge, a talented Argentinean writer who, due to the economic situation of the country, makes a living by writing love stories for a magazine. His life is turned upside down upon meeting Laura, a waitress aspiring to become an actress, whose boyfriend left for Uruguay and never came back.
A Glimpse of Argentina’s Most Talented Actors
This 1999 film laid the groundwork for Campanella and Darín to deliver acclaimed productions such asSon of the Brideand the Oscar-winning filmThe Secret in Their Eyesa few years later. Besides featuring a charming romance, it’s a terrific opportunity to catch some of Argentina’s most talented actors of the 1990s in action, many of whom are still headlining productions to this day.Rent on Apple TV
9Ready to Mingle (2019)
In the 2019 Mexican rom-com,Ready to Mingle, Cassandra Ciangherotti plays Ana, a woman whose life is turned upside down when the man she was going to marry dumps her. After years and years of embarking on failed romances and determined to get married by her 30s, she decides to enroll in a husband-hunting course that will not only lead to hilarious adventures, but also change the way she sees life.
A Story That Is Both Amusing and Empowering
This film, directed by Luis Javier Henaine, is an empoweringportrait of women friendship, and revolves around an issue that affects many women around the world, so part of the audience will certainly relate to it. It has been praised for its sense of humor, the chemistry between its women characters and its energetic soundtrack, which superbly complements the atmosphere proposed by the director.Stream on Netflix
8Everybody Loves Somebody (2017)
How to Get Away With Murder’s Karla Souza stars inEverybody Loves Somebody, a Mexican film by Catalina Aguilar Mastretta, released in 2017. In it, she plays Clara, a physician who is successful in almost every aspect of her life — except in the love department. After getting an invitation to a family wedding in Mexico, the woman gets a co-worker to pose as her boyfriend, and just as she’s starting to develop feelings for him, her former lover shows up to wreak havoc.
The Importance of Closure
Everybody Loves Somebodyis a charming addition to the rom-com genre that sticks to the classic formula while adding some very interesting twists that keep you glued to the screen until the very end. It also offers a realistic reflection on love and the importance of closure in order to make room for new experiences and emotions.Stream on Hulu
7Heartbreaker (2010)
Heartbreaker
Heartbreakeris aFrench comedy filmby Pascal Chaumeil, released in 2010, with Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis leading the cast. In it, Duris plays Alex, a man who makes a living out of breaking up all kinds of couples, charming women into falling in love with him before vanishing completely. He is eventually hired by a businessman to stop his daughter’s imminent wedding, though this mission proves to be unlike any other when Alex discovers his growing feelings for the woman.
A Masterpiece By Pascal Chaumeil
This 2010 film marked Chaumeil’s feature directorial debut, and it also became his most acclaimed piece of work. Besides performing very well at the box office,Heartbreakerearned rave reviews for Duris' performance in the lead role and his chemistry with Paradis, as well as for its stunning setting and amusing screenplay.Rent on Apple TV
Related:Best Free Rom-Coms on YouTube
6Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963)
Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni star inYesterday, Today and Tomorrow, an Italian film by Vittorio De Sica that won an Academy Award forBest Foreign Language Film. It follows three love stories set in different parts of Italy whose main characters undergo entirely contrasting situations. Loren and Mastroianni portray all the couples in the film, playing a working-class married couple in Naples, a very wealthy couple in Milan and a prostitute and her client in Rome.
Great Performances and Breathtaking Landscapes
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrowwas highly acclaimed, more than anything else, for the wonderful work of Loren and Mastroianni in the lead roles. Plus, the fact that it was filmed throughout Italy not only made for a visually stunning production, but also captured the essence of each chosen location to perfection.Stream on Tubi
5Romantics Anonymous (2010)
France / Belgium
Romantics Anonymousis a French-Belgian film by Jean-Pierre Améris released in 2010, starring Benoît Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carré. It follows Angélique, a talented chocolatier, who suffers from social anxiety and attends a support group for people like her. When her employer dies, she is hired by the owner of a chocolate shop on the verge of closing, who, just like her, suffers from social anxiety. As the two try their best to save the company, their romantic feelings rise to the surface, leading to a very awkward relationship.
The Ultimate Feel-Good Rom-Com
Romantics Anonymousis a feel-good movie with a totally charming story that can compete with every Hollywood rom-com classic. In addition to inspiring a London theatrical production, the film received high praise for the performances of its leads, its highly inventive screenplay and its delightful soundtrack.Stream on Tubi
Related:15 Rom-Coms Where The Leads Had No Chemistry
4A Boyfriend for My Wife (2008)
2008 marked the premiere ofA Boyfriend for My Wife, one of Argentina’s most emblematic rom-coms. This Juan Taratuto film, starring Adrián Suar and Valeria Bertuccelli, follows Tenso, a man who has long beenthinking of divorcinghis bitter wife, but is unable to do so. Determined to put an end to the relationship, he hires a professional to make his wife fall in love with him in order to make her dump him, which is about to make Tenso reconsider his feelings towards his wife.
A Box-Office Hit That Spawned Remakes All Over the World
A Boyfriend for My Wifeis an iconic Argentine film widely acclaimed for its clever script and the performance of Suar and Bertuccelli in the lead roles. It was a watershed in the country’s cinema, and some of its quotes were turned into well-known sayings that are still relevant to this day. Besides becoming the highest-grossing film of its year of release, the production inspired the development of many remakes around the world, in countries such as Mexico, Chile, Italy, and Korea.
3The Wedding Banquet (1993)
The Wedding Banquetis a Taiwanese film directed by Ang Lee and starring Winston Chao and May Chin. It follows a Taiwanese immigrant who lives with his boyfriend in New York City while hiding from his parents, who expect him to marry a woman soon. To get them off his back, the man arranges a fake marriage to a Chinese woman in need of a green card, though the scheme is turned upside down when his parents unexpectedly arrive to help him plan the wedding.
A Hilarious Rom-Com with Great Reviews
Ang Lee’s filmperformed very well at the box office and earned great reviews, landing itself nominations for both the Oscars and the Golden Globes. Among the most acclaimed features of the film are the work of the lead actors and its ability to immerse in deep issues such as identity and sexuality while maintaining its humor.Rent on Vudu
2My Sassy Girl (2001)
South Korea
The South Korean filmMy Sassy Girlhit theaters in 2001 and became a box-office hit mirrored worldwide. This film by Kwak Jae-yong, inspired by a series of blog posts, stars Jun Ji-hyun and Cha Tae-hyun and follows the peculiar relationship of a young college student and a rather quirky young girl who is quite difficult to love.
Bringing South Korean Rom-Coms to the World
My Sassy Girlwas highly praised for its unique story, the chemistry of the lead actors, and its reflections on love and romantic relationships. Following its release, it became the highest-grossing comedy in South Korean history, prompting the development of a sequel and remakes around the world, most notably the American movie of the same name starring Elisha Cuthbert and Jesse Bradford.Not Currently Available to Stream or Purchase
1Amélie (2001)
Audrey Tautou stars inAmélie, one of the mostsuccessful French filmsever made. This 2001 production, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, introduces Amélie, an introverted but imaginative waitress who, having returned a childhood treasure to the man who formerly occupied her apartment, sets out on a mission to improve the lives of all those around her, a task that will forever change her life.
A Charming Film That Became a World Hit
Amélieis a one-of-a-kind movie with a fascinating visual aesthetic. Following its release, it was widely acclaimed for Tautou’s performance in the title role, its direction, and its soundtrack, among many other aspects. It quickly grew into a world-acclaimed production that not only enjoyed an excellent box-office performance, but also scored five Academy Award nominations and many other accolades.Rent on Apple TV
