Entertainment
The Best Rom Coms On Amazon Prime UK
There’s nothing quite like watching Hugh Grant attempt to jump over a fence to impress Julia Roberts, is there? It’s unexplainable. That feeling of comfort you get from watching two people fall head over heels for one another is a piping hot water bottle to a cold British soul. That's why we gathered the best romcoms on Amazon Prime UK for your streaming pleasure.
It's the Godfather of romantic comedies — Mr Richard Curtis himself — who BBC News credits with coming up with the winning romcom formula in his 1994 blockbuster Four Weddings and a Funeral. Since then, we've seen meet cutes, heavy petting, Gerald Butler's Irish lilt, and more Adam Sandler movies than you can shake a stick at. But in 2012, the well dried up. Cinema goers fell out of love with the romcom formula, and preposterously good looking people with entirely implausible jobs were no longer coming to a cinema near you. Luckily, 2018 came through to save the day, with Crazy Rich Asians and Netflix gems like To All The Boys I Loved Before, Set It Up, and The Kissing Booth putting the romantic comedy genre back where it should be: on top.
Get your fix with our pick of the best romcoms on Amazon Prime UK, updated weekly. Now go and find a voucher for your Domino's delivery.
‘What’s Your Number?’
What’s Your Number? follows the recently single Ally (Anna Faris) as she stumbles upon an alarming Marie Claire article — which claims that women who have had over twenty lovers in their lifetime will have trouble finding a husband in the future. Spooked by the piece, Ally looks back at her past relationships, and promises not to engage with another man until she finds “the one.” However, Ally quickly breaks her own rules, and after a boozy night out on the town, wakes up next to her ex-boss Roger (Chris Evans). — Sam Ramsden
‘The Longest Week’
The Longest Week centres around 40-year-old Conrad (Jason Bateman), who is breezing through a life of privilege and living rent-free in his family’s glamorous New York City hotel. However, Conrad’s life is abruptly turned upside down, and over the course of just one week, loses his home, his inheritance — and, rather unexpectedly, winds up finding love. After moving in with best pal Dylan to get his life back on track, things become even more complicated when Conrad begins to fall for the stunning Beatrice (Olivia Wilde) — who just so happens to be his best mate's girlfriend. — Sam Ramsden
‘Just Friends’
Starring Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris, the 2005 romantic-comedy Just Friends follows a former high school nerd named Chris, who sets out on a quest to get a girlfriend. Now a slick Los Angeles-based music producer, Chris (Reynolds) begins to reconnect with an old friend (and lifelong crush) during a Christmastime visit to his hometown. While on the trip, Chris soon realises he may have found his one true love — but does she feel the same way? — Sam Ramsden
'50 First Dates'
50 First Dates is the classic boy meets girl with a massive twist. Directed by Peter Segal and with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler as the lead characters, this is everything a rom com should be. Henry Roth (Sandler) is your classic commitment-phobe. That is, until he meets Lucy (Barrymore) in a café. They hit it off, but there’s one catch. Lucy has short-term memory loss and forgets who he is everyday. So Henry sets out on making her fall for him everyday of their lives. It’s kind of cheesy and super quirky but 50 First Dates is so feel good you can’t help but love it. — Alice Broster
'Love & Other Drugs'
Anne Hathaway is queen of the rom coms and in Love and Other Drugs she’s arguably at her best. Jamie (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) is a pharmaceutical rep at the forefront of the development of viagra. He’s also a total ladies man. He thinks he can have anything and everything he wants, but then he meets Jamie (Hathaway). But as he tries to get closer to her it becomes clear she’s been hiding the fact that she’s seriously unwell. This film will have you laughing and crying. — Alice Broster
'Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge Of Reason'
There are few rom com heroes quite like Bridget Jones (played by Renee Zellweger). She epitomises all of the hilarious, embarrassing, and amazing things about being single with an awesome group of friends around you. While you can’t knock the first film, Bridget Jones' Diary, The Edge Of Reason sees Bridget's calamitous dating escapades take her all the way to Thailand, where she has to deal with Daniel Cleaver... oh, and being sent to prison. But who comes to save her? I think we all know the answer to that. Silly, hilariously funny, and a true classic, Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason is perfect for any night in. — Alice Broster
'Easy A'
You’re never too old for a high school drama and Easy A proves that it doesn’t matter when you graduated, the highs and lows of teenhood are still just as fascinating as when you were living them. Olive (played by Emma Stone) is a relative nobody. She’s clean cut, well behaved, and hasn’t stepped a foot out of line once. That is until someone starts a rumour about her that doesn’t only make her pretty infamous in the school corridors, it elevates her social standing monumentally. But infamy always comes at a price. — Alice Broster
'The Five Year Engagement'
As individuals, Emily Blunt and Jason Segel are very funny people. Together, they are a match made in rom com heaven, and The Five Year Engagement proves it. As much as you may avoid it, it’s hard to ignore the expectations that society throws at you. After a year of dating Tom (Segel) proposes to his girlfriend Violet (Blunt). It seems the tough part is over after she says yes, but this marks the beginning of a dramatic, tumultuous, hilarious few years that will see them pushed further and further from walking down the aisle and saying “I do.”— Alice Broster
'Bride Wars'
In Bride Wars, Emma (played by Anne Hathaway) and Liv (played by Kate Hudson) are the best of friends. They’re closer than close and have shared all of their dreams of their wedding days with each other. So, when there’s a mix up in scheduling and neither of them will compromise, a mortal battle down the aisle begins. From fake tan sabotage to a particularly embarrassing slide show, it’s a battle to the end. But will friendship win out? — Alice Broster
'Rumour Has It...'
You know anything Jennifer Aniston touches is going to turn into feel-good comedy gold. Rumour Has It... has it all, and if you’re a fan of high drama, a good laugh, and family feuds, this is the film for you. Sarah (Aniston) learns, with the help of long term boyfriend Jeff (played by Mark Ruffalo), that her life is based on a book. But the book is The Graduate. Through questioning her grandmother (played by the iconic Shirley Maclaine) and coming face to face with the man at the centre of the tale, she tries to work out where she belongs. — Alice Broster
'The Lucky One'
The Lucky One was one of Zac Efron's first big projects after leaving his Disney High School Musical days behind him. "Being a young actor in the space that I am in right now, in sort of this transition phase, I'm very director-driven," Efron told Digital Spy of his decision to collaborate with Scott Hicks on this Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook) adaptation. The movie sees Efron play a Marine on active service who is saved by a photograph of Beth, played by Taylor Schilling. Believing that she is his lucky charm, he tracks her down in Louisiana and romance ensues. A little light on the comedy side of the rom-com formula, this is the perfect weepy hangover gem. — Alice Broster
‘Music & Lyrics’
In Music and Lyrics Hugh Grant proves once again why he might be one of the best leading men in rom coms of all time. He takes on the role of Alex, a singer who’s a little bit past his sell by date. When he’s tasked with writing a song for the next rising star he’s a little stuck for inspiration. However, Sophie (played by Drew Barrymore) helps him find his spark and his words again. If you’re in need of a giggle and go weak at the knees for Grant’s undeniable charm, then Music and Lyrics is for you. — Alice Broster
‘About Time’
Domhnall Gleeson, Bill Nighy, and Rachel McAdams team up to make one of the cutest rom coms out there in About Time. At 21, Tim Lake (Gleeson) realises he can travel in time, a gift he inherited from his dad (Nighy.) While he can’t change world history, he can make his own life better, so he sets about on getting a girlfriend. Once in love, Tim crafts the perfect proposal, dream wedding, and ideal life but there’s only so far that time travel can get you before you have to start living in the moment. — Alice Broster
'The Love Punch'
The Love Punch starts where most rom coms don’t go, with divorce. Richard (played by Pierce Brosnan) and Kate (Emma Thompson) are happily divorced. As Richard edges towards retirement, a problem arises. As his company is under investigation it becomes clear that all its assets are frozen, including Richard's pension. Setting their differences to one side the pair team up to save the money that they’ve waited so long to enjoy. What starts as the pursuit for a comfortable retirement ends up in an international wild goose chase. — Alice Broster
'Chalet Girl'
Chalet Girl is the feel-good movie that will have you wanting to book tickets to the snow-covered mountains ASAP. Kim Matthews (played by Felicity Jones) is the former champion skateboarder with a conundrum as to what she should do with her life. Between looking after her dad and working in a fast food restaurant, she isn’t happy. When an opportunity to cater in the Alps arises, she can’t say no. With unlikely friendships, snowboarding galore, and a flourishing romance that will make you feel like a teenager again, Chalet Girl is the perfect film to accompany a girl's night in with lots of wine. — Alice Broster
'Wild Child'
Before Noah Centineo was king of the teen rom com, there was Alex Pettier. If Notting Hill, The Holiday, and Parent Trap have taught us anything, there's nothing we movie goers love more than watching an American’s learn to live among some well-to-do Brits? In Wild Child, Malibu girl Poppy is dumped into the poshest-looking boarding school ever as punishment from her father and, you guessed it, struggles to understand the way of life there. Eventually she (spoiler alert) falls in love with the headteacher’s son, all while making some friends along the way. It’s pure teenage cheese and, of course, features a lacrosse stick or two. — Niellah Arboine
'Angus Thongs And Perfect Snogging'
I truly believe Angus Thongs And Perfect Snogging is one the best British coming-of-age rom coms of our time. Directed by Gurinder Chatham, who gave the world Bend It Like Beckham, this film follows angsty Georgia and her group of misfit friends trying to find love and navigate teen life. Yes, lots of the references are outdated, and it’s nowhere near passing the Bechdel test, but it's the utter teen girl cringey-ness that makes the film so superb. — Niellah Arboine
'Love Actually'
Forget scouring the telly or cursing Netflix for not having this Christmas classic on their roster, because Amazon has listened and you can now stream Love Actually as much as you like. Whether it’s the festive season or not, this is one of those classic’s that still hits the same spot if you’re watching it in the height of summer.
With an ensemble cast that has yet to be beaten by any other rom-com, Love Actually is ready and waiting. Just remember to grab some tissues. — Sophie McEvoy
'The Holiday'
Okay, The Holiday is another rom com set around the Christmas period, but love knows no bounds and the romance blossoming between these two unlikely couples is heartwarming all-year-round. A precursor to Airbnb, a home exchange is arranged between Iris (played by Kate Winslet) in the UK and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) in the U.S. during the holidays to recover from recent heartbreak. Little do they know that “the one” is just around the corner, in the form of Miles (Jack Black) and Graham (Jude Law). While their meet-cutes are a little too perfect, there’s no harm in imagining it totally happening in real life. Right? — Sophie McEvoy
'What Happens In Vegas'
As the title suggests, What Happens In Vegas centres around a wild night in Sin City, in which two worse-for-wear revellers (played by Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher) wind up getting hitched. During their night of debauchery, the newlyweds also win a huge jackpot prize, which leads to a brutal battle for the cash in question. Despite their initial aversion to one another, the unlikely duo are forced to live together for legal reasons, and, as you might have guessed, love between the pair begins to blossom. — Sam Ramsden
'No Strings Attached'
With Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman at the helm, No Strings Attached follows the story of a couple who set up a supposedly perfect arrangement, by vowing to keep their relationship strictly physical. However, mixing sex and friendship might not have been the greatest of ideas, and the situation becomes a lot more difficult than they anticipated. As you might've predicted, it isn't long before both parties wind up wanting something a but deeper. With a complete with an A-list cast (including Greta Gerwig in one of her first big acting roles), this brilliant 2011 romcom should definitely find itself atop your must-watch list. — Sam Ramsden
'Mr. & Mrs. Smith'
Breaking tradition with most in its genre, Mr. & Mrs. Smith features just as much action as it does romance and comedy. The 2005 film, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, follows the story of a suburban couple whose marriage is becoming increasingly stale. However, the pair harbour some exciting secrets of their own, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a lot more in common than previously thought.
Now, I know this film is perhaps better known for its infamous behind-the-scenes drama than box office success, but that shouldn't take away from what is a genuinely thrilling romantic flick. — Sam Ramsden
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