2021 Edition - Best Rom Com, Quirky, Sweet, Funny, Feel Good New Movies
December 23, 2021 6:41 AM Subscribe
It's been a hard year, but I've decided to make it a priority at least one night a week to get all cozy and watch me something good, something that'll keep my interest while I'm lazing on the couch with a warm blanket.
Here's what I have to stream:
Netflix
Amazon Prime
HBO Max
Hulu
Paramount Plus
NO HALLMARKY CHEESY MOVIES. I couldn't bear Virgin River. Loved movies like Peanut Butter Falcon. Loved Our Friend, but I bawled like a baby but still loved it.
I loved the classic and adorable rom coms with Sandra Bullock, Hugh Grant, Tom Hanks, Renee Zellweger, even a few Tom Cruise movies on that list. What are the recent movies of today that echo that feel good, sweet, light-heartedness? Any good British / Irish movies that fit the bill?
Here's what I have to stream:
Netflix
Amazon Prime
HBO Max
Hulu
Paramount Plus
NO HALLMARKY CHEESY MOVIES. I couldn't bear Virgin River. Loved movies like Peanut Butter Falcon. Loved Our Friend, but I bawled like a baby but still loved it.
I loved the classic and adorable rom coms with Sandra Bullock, Hugh Grant, Tom Hanks, Renee Zellweger, even a few Tom Cruise movies on that list. What are the recent movies of today that echo that feel good, sweet, light-heartedness? Any good British / Irish movies that fit the bill?
None of the movies that spring to mind for me are British, alas, but:
Always Be my Maybe with Ali Wing and Randall Park on Netflix is great.
If Christmas themed but better than Hallmark level is ok, I'd encourage you to give Love Hard, also on Netflix, a try.
Crazy Rich Asians has one of the best ensemble casts in a rom com in recent years, in my opinion, and is on HBO Max.
I liked Patrick on Netflix quite a bit, but maybe more for the dog and the houseboat than for the romance.
Finally, I think Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga on Netflix gives me this kind of cozy warm funny vibe, but fair warning, the romance only works in the sense that you want the Rachel McAdams character to end up happy.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:21 AM on December 23, 2021
Always Be my Maybe with Ali Wing and Randall Park on Netflix is great.
If Christmas themed but better than Hallmark level is ok, I'd encourage you to give Love Hard, also on Netflix, a try.
Crazy Rich Asians has one of the best ensemble casts in a rom com in recent years, in my opinion, and is on HBO Max.
I liked Patrick on Netflix quite a bit, but maybe more for the dog and the houseboat than for the romance.
Finally, I think Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga on Netflix gives me this kind of cozy warm funny vibe, but fair warning, the romance only works in the sense that you want the Rachel McAdams character to end up happy.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:21 AM on December 23, 2021
I loved The Edge of Seventeen (netflix) it may be slightly more angsty than you're going for, but it's also sweet and romantic
"Palm Springs" on Hulu is great! A very unique and moving rom-com'
"the Happiest Season" on Hulu
"To all the Boys" trilogy on Netflix
posted by bearette at 8:13 AM on December 23, 2021 [2 favorites]
"Palm Springs" on Hulu is great! A very unique and moving rom-com'
"the Happiest Season" on Hulu
"To all the Boys" trilogy on Netflix
posted by bearette at 8:13 AM on December 23, 2021 [2 favorites]
The TV show “Home for Christmas” on Netflix. Short 25ish minute episodes, 2 seasons so like watching a couple of movies. I watched in Norwegian with subtitles, but it is available dubbed. Quirky characters, lots of snow, you’re rooting for the heroine to find love. Nothing like the cheesy Netflix rom coms out lately.
Set it Up, Let it Snow (movies), and Dash & Lily (TV) on Netflix
Revisit some 90s/00s teen rom coms like She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Prince and Me, Wimbledon (last 3 are on Prime).
The best cheesy movies I’ve liked are The Christmas Switch (there’s 3 now), and The Kissing Booth.
posted by Bunglegirl at 8:24 AM on December 23, 2021 [4 favorites]
Set it Up, Let it Snow (movies), and Dash & Lily (TV) on Netflix
Revisit some 90s/00s teen rom coms like She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Prince and Me, Wimbledon (last 3 are on Prime).
The best cheesy movies I’ve liked are The Christmas Switch (there’s 3 now), and The Kissing Booth.
posted by Bunglegirl at 8:24 AM on December 23, 2021 [4 favorites]
"The Half of It" is a really wonderful low-key rom com by Alice Wu. On Netflix.
posted by minervous at 8:34 AM on December 23, 2021 [12 favorites]
posted by minervous at 8:34 AM on December 23, 2021 [12 favorites]
The Speed Cubers on Netflix is a half hour documentary about kids doing Rubik's cubes really fast and it was the sweetest thing I watched this year. Great friendships, great family relationships, definitely make me cry.
Seconding The To All The Boys I've Loved Before and Always Be My Maybe.
posted by carolr at 8:46 AM on December 23, 2021 [2 favorites]
Seconding The To All The Boys I've Loved Before and Always Be My Maybe.
posted by carolr at 8:46 AM on December 23, 2021 [2 favorites]
My 17 year old daughter had our family watch the Half of It and, yeah, really great and sweet but not cheesy at all. A+.
posted by freecellwizard at 9:04 AM on December 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by freecellwizard at 9:04 AM on December 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
"A Castle For Christmas" movie on Netflix was enjoyable for wife and me. Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes in Scotland. A cut above most xmas movies.
posted by davidmsc at 9:11 AM on December 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by davidmsc at 9:11 AM on December 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
Another one that's not a movie (it's a short series - bingeable over a night or two) but ticks the rom-com/winter boxes: Starstruck on HBO Max. Adorable.
I've also heard good things about Single All The Way on Netflix but haven't seen it yet.
posted by mskyle at 9:21 AM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
I've also heard good things about Single All The Way on Netflix but haven't seen it yet.
posted by mskyle at 9:21 AM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: OP here - clarifying that I'm NOT looking for Christmas-themed movies, and I do not want cheesy movies. Just fairly recent, feel good, sweet, quirky movies or docs are fine too. Thanks!
posted by HeyAllie at 10:10 AM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by HeyAllie at 10:10 AM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
If you haven’t seen it yet, definitely Unicorn Store
Barb and Star go to Vista del Mar
Valley Girl (the 2020 remake)
Vampires vs The Bronx
On the more quirky end: I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore (it’s a dark comedy; similar style of humour as the recent Dirk Gently series, which is also on Netflix)
Reminiscent of British period films, all ends well: The English Game, Age of Adeline
Plucky heroines and/or teen but good: seconding most of the recommendations above (it’s been a good couple years for girl coming of age movies or decent teen movies and tv in general): Mixtape, Enola Holmes, Love and Monsters, A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting; and both Stardust and the recent Cinderella with Billy Porter was tolerable and cute
Animated: Vivo, The Willoughbys
Anime with the sort of Miyazaki feel-good feel: A Whisker Away, The Cat Returns, From Up On Poppy Hill, The Way of the Househusband (series of short episodes)
If foreign language tv is fine, High Seas will keep you well entertained for quite a few hours
posted by eviemath at 10:51 AM on December 23, 2021 [4 favorites]
Barb and Star go to Vista del Mar
Valley Girl (the 2020 remake)
Vampires vs The Bronx
On the more quirky end: I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore (it’s a dark comedy; similar style of humour as the recent Dirk Gently series, which is also on Netflix)
Reminiscent of British period films, all ends well: The English Game, Age of Adeline
Plucky heroines and/or teen but good: seconding most of the recommendations above (it’s been a good couple years for girl coming of age movies or decent teen movies and tv in general): Mixtape, Enola Holmes, Love and Monsters, A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting; and both Stardust and the recent Cinderella with Billy Porter was tolerable and cute
Animated: Vivo, The Willoughbys
Anime with the sort of Miyazaki feel-good feel: A Whisker Away, The Cat Returns, From Up On Poppy Hill, The Way of the Househusband (series of short episodes)
If foreign language tv is fine, High Seas will keep you well entertained for quite a few hours
posted by eviemath at 10:51 AM on December 23, 2021 [4 favorites]
They Came Together is a rom-com that somewhat skewers rom-coms.
Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd star - I think it's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.
The trailer should give you an idea if it's up your alley.
posted by Twicketface at 11:24 AM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd star - I think it's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.
The trailer should give you an idea if it's up your alley.
posted by Twicketface at 11:24 AM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
Not a recent one, but: My favorite rom/com that no one remembers is The MatchMaker with Janeane Garofalo from 1997. If it didn't make it onto your radar the year it came out, chances are it slipped you by. It shows up on various streaming services all the time, but you have to go searching for it.
posted by haplesschild at 2:31 PM on December 23, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by haplesschild at 2:31 PM on December 23, 2021 [4 favorites]
Seconding Starstruck on HBO. It’s a show, but if you binge it very much feels like a movie. Your question could have been written by me—cozy rom con, no hallmark nonsense—and I loved it.
And on preview—yes to The Matchmaker! Very under the radar. Also Year of the Comet if you can find it anywhere.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 2:33 PM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
And on preview—yes to The Matchmaker! Very under the radar. Also Year of the Comet if you can find it anywhere.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 2:33 PM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
And on Hulu, another show that feels movie-ish if binged—GameFace. Also set in London like Starstruck.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 2:35 PM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 2:35 PM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
I usually hate this genre, but I’ve been in a mood lately. I would recommend Plus One. I gave it five stars.
posted by iamkimiam at 4:06 PM on December 23, 2021
posted by iamkimiam at 4:06 PM on December 23, 2021
Nthing The Matchmaker.
Try The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. It is a comedy and a romance, though it also has bittersweet/sad elements. We've watched it repeatedly this year.
posted by gudrun at 7:28 PM on December 23, 2021
Try The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. It is a comedy and a romance, though it also has bittersweet/sad elements. We've watched it repeatedly this year.
posted by gudrun at 7:28 PM on December 23, 2021
I enjoyed The Broken Hearts Gallery! Though it looks like it's only available on Amazon to rent or through the Starz add-on. But I found it pretty sweet and charming.
Also seconding Plus One - I liked that as well!
posted by yeahyeahrealcute at 9:22 PM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
Also seconding Plus One - I liked that as well!
posted by yeahyeahrealcute at 9:22 PM on December 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
Even though you said fairly recent- I too came here to recommend The Matchmaker. Also seconding HBO’s Starstruck, which is a rom-com, just in tv show format. Palm Springs on Hulu, Crazy Rich Asians on Hulu (if you haven’t seen it already- or even if you have), Always Be My Maybe (Netflix), Long Shot, and of you haven’t seen it...may I suggest two tv series- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Dark Rom -Com with Amazing music) and Jane The Virgin (Tongue very much in cheek addictive Telenovela), both on Netflix.
Oh, and if you haven’t seen it, Sandra Bullock has a new rom-com coming out with Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, and Brad Pitt called The Lost City in March of next year.
posted by Champagne Supernova at 10:18 PM on December 23, 2021
Oh, and if you haven’t seen it, Sandra Bullock has a new rom-com coming out with Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, and Brad Pitt called The Lost City in March of next year.
posted by Champagne Supernova at 10:18 PM on December 23, 2021
The Mostly Unseen film Dean Spanley, which has amazing acting but two big buts--an excruciatingly slow start, plus the Rom is between a boy and his dog.
posted by diodotos at 1:23 PM on December 25, 2021
posted by diodotos at 1:23 PM on December 25, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Nickel at 7:01 AM on December 23, 2021 [5 favorites]