Jaz Medina
COURTESY OF J. MEDINA VIA CANVA
Originally published January 23, 2024
Everyone has heard the saying, “There is someone for everyone”. Soulmates are an uncomfortable topic for teenagers, so, it’s time to say hello to a new concept: Rom-com soulmate, the idea that there’s a rom-com out there for you. One that fits your personality, lifestyle, and maybe even love life! Here are the top five rom-coms worth spending your Valentine’s season watching. Take the personality quiz at the end to learn which you are intertwined with!
Netflix’s 2018 movie adaptation of Jenna Han’s "To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before" perfectly encapsulates the cuteness and pureness of teen romance in the media, even if it’s cheesy at times.
The main character Lara Jean has a ritual of writing letters to her crushes without any intention of ever sending them out. Imagine how her life flashed before her eyes when one of her past crushes stood in front of her with a letter confessing her love.
This movie is perfect to watch for those sunny, spring days when the flowers have just bloomed, which is the whole vibe of the movie.
This 1999 modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew" starring the late Heath Ledger shows the consequences of faking love.
Kat Stratford is a sharp and independent high-school girl who is in no hurry to find a boyfriend. Unfortunately, her popular and flirty little sister Bianca is not allowed to date until Kat finds herself one. A devious plan to make someone pretend to fall in love with Kat results in many heart-wrenching moments and comedic scenes.
“...the adaptation has stood the test of time, remaining a much-loved rom-com today.” the Tatler said. From its iconic singing scene to its memorable monologue, "10 Things I Hate About You" is worth your time!
This feel-good, almost fantasy, rom-com starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo does an amazing job of teaching the lesson of identity and staying true to yourself.
The young Jenna desperately wishes to be older after her nightmare 13th birthday was ruined by the popular mean girls. She wakes up as a 30-year-old in the city working as an editor for her favorite magazine. She meets up with her childhood boy best friend and ends up falling for him, unfortunately for her, he is engaged.
Garner does an outstanding job portraying a teenage girl in a woman’s body. A great friends-to-lovers and what-could’ve-been watch. There are so many memorable, entertaining moments in this movie that the thought of even scrolling through your phone never crosses your mind.
Ahhh, the classic love story that starts with a bet. Opposites attract and all that good stuff. "She’s All That" does a fantastic job of capturing the 90’s teenage angst and still holds up as a notable watch.
The movie is about how Zach, the school’s dream boy, is broken up right before the prom. Watching his reputation deteriorate, Zach takes on a dare to make the nerdy, unpopular Laney prom queen.
“She’s All That is so rooted in our cultural understanding of teen movies that a world without it now seems unimaginable,” Refinery29 said. Even with its stereotypical high school cliques and plotline, "She’s All That" shaped teenage rom-coms and remains many’s first thought of a classic teen rom-com.
This 2008 movie introduced an original concept: Always the wedding planner, never planning your own wedding.
Katherine Heigl portrays Jane, a wedding planner, who is in love with her boss. When her little sister Tess comes to town and steals the heart of Jane’s boss with a fake identity, Jane can’t help but rethink her whole life. In the same city is Kevin, a journalist, who is fascinated by Jane’s sob story and sees it as an opportunity to be promoted from writing in the bridal section. The two’s relationship is a bumpy road trip, with many stops.
This is a perfect watch for when you want to go through a whirlwind of emotions.
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