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Some of the best romantic comedies start with chaos: A breakup, a big move, a terrible job loss… Or in Bridget Jones’ highly endearing and relatable case, the character herself.
And yet, somehow, things fall into place with a few messy detours and (minor) disasters.
If you’re in the mood for characters who hit the reset button—intentionally or not—these 7 romcoms deliver laughs, love, and plenty of second-chance energy:
- Under the Tuscan Sun
Nothing like buying a crumbling villa in Italy to distract from a messy divorce.
As far as the themes of change and fresh start go, you cannot not watch Under the Tuscan Sun. It’s heartwarming, funny, and a bit more on the realistic side as far as romances go. (Hint: Watch it for the hot fling and not necessarily the HEA -even though that also comes.)
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that if Raoul Bova is in a movie, I have to check it out. The same goes for Diane Lane of course, but I’m assuming you’re more familiar with the talented and always gorgeous Lane (Unfaithful, Nights in Rodanthe, A Walk on the Moon).
I’ve had a crush on Bova ever since I watched La Finestre di fronte (Facing Windows). My Italian is certainly better because of him.
Based on Frances Mayes’ memoir Under the Tuscan Sun.
Fun fact: Raoul Bova played Sylvie’s old flame Giancarlo for an episode in Emily in Paris. (Season 4).
- La Dolce Villa
This time, our impulsive, cheap Italian villa-buying female main character is young adult Olivia (Maia Reficco), despite the protests and concerns of her father Eric (Scott Foley). Seeing that he can’t change her mind, he helps with the renovations, and in the process, they sort out the issues in their relationship. And we get a nice romance potential for Olivia while Eric falls for the town’s beautiful mayor.
Side effects of the film? In addition to wanting a Scott Foley (Felicity, Scandal) in your life, you will want to move to Italy.
I was tempted to renovate, and I hate renovations with a vengeance!
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
When your ex checks into the same Hawaiian resort… cue disaster. And recovery.
If you like your romcoms clean, stay out of this one. Not because it has sex scenes, but because it features Jason Segel naked. And when Paul Rudd is in a comedy, the language is well…R-rated.
But Forgetting Sarah Marshall is hilarious, adorable, and relatable.
Trying to get over the girl who crushed his heart, he runs off to Hawaii for a vacation. Unfortunately, she happens to pick the same resort for a getaway with her new beau. Hilarities ensue. Luckily for him, he meets gorgeous and friendly Rachel (Mila Kunis), who is so different from his ex in all the best ways.
Bonus: The ex is played by Kristen Bell, a treat for Veronica Mars fans.
- Legally Blonde
Technically a courtroom comedy—but Elle Woods reinventing herself? Iconic.
When the pretty, kind-hearted, shopping-savant sorority darling Elle Woods gets dumped by her Harvard-bound boyfriend for not being serious enough, she sets her eyes on Harvard to get him back.
But once accepted, she realizes what a douche he is and sets out to be the best law student there is. Good karma is awesome, and her new admirer Emmett is a cute, decent, and lovely law TA who will appreciate Elle for exactly who he is.
I know you probably watched Legally Blonde a few times. But it’s never enough, is it?
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown, inspired by her own life.
Bonus: The supporting characters and cast are awesome.
- 10 Things I Hate About You
An awesome modern adaption of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About You (is the ultimate love letter to finding and loving yourself, giving peer pressure the middle finger, and finding love in the most unexpected places – even though there’s some serious plotting going around behind the scenes.
When new high school student Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) falls for popular girl Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), she informs him that she’s not allowed to date until her feminist older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) dates. Unfortunately for Cameron, Kat has sworn off men due to them being idiots and assholes.
Cameron and his new best friend make the perfect plan: Pay handsome rebel Patrick (Heath Ledger) to take her to prom. But things never go exactly as planned as Patrick and Kat start to fall for each other, and Bianca and her crush Joey have a plot of their own.
Is this the best high school-set movie of all time? It’s one of my all-time faves.
Bonus: Allison Janney and Gabrielle Union are in the cast!
- Bridget Jones’s Diary
New year, new diary, same chaotic charm. Bridget is the queen of imperfect progress.
This year, I saw Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy at the cinema and loved it. So to honor this hilariously romantic and chaotic romcom book/movie series, I rewatched the first three films. Can’t choose; I love them all.
The first film starts with Bridget (Renée Zellweger) trying to keep (and fail) New Year’s resolutions while dealing with her crush on her sexy yet dissolute boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). Complicating things is old family friend Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) seemingly cold, reserved, and with extreme disdain for Cleaver.
But as Bridget will soon find out, neither man is exactly what he seems.
Bonus: Based on the best-selling book series by Helen Fielding, the film was co-written by her.
- The Holiday
Because sometimes a house swap and running into a hot stranger that comes with said house is all you need.
Beautiful movie trailer maker Amanda ( Cameron Diaz) is stuck after being cheated on by her boyfriend.
English publishing employee Iris (Kate Winslet) is depressed after seeing her unrequited love get engaged.
Both women end up on a house-swapping website, trading Los Angeles for London.
As they adjust the vastly different lifestyles (country cottage vs. LA mansion with a pool) during Christmas, both run into men from each other’s lives: Iris sparks with Amanda’s friend Miles (Jack Black), and Amanda crushes on Iris’s brother Graham (Jude Law).
But what will happen once the end of their holiday approaches?
Bonus: Iris’ unrequited love is played by Rufus Swell and Cameron Diaz’ ex is Edward Burns. Tiny cameo by Dustin Huffman.
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If you love a “fresh start” story with humor, heart, and maybe a hot surfer (ahem), you might also love A Change Would Do You Good. Janie doesn’t buy a Tuscan villa, but she does escape her old life —with wildly unpredictable results.
What’s your favorite romcom with a “new life, new love” vibe? Movie/novel/TV series… I’m always taking recs!
P.S. Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click and buy, I earn a tiny commission—like, bookmark-sized. It helps keep my bookshelves full and my stories caffeinated. Thanks for supporting my writing habit!
