Tired of the usual rom-coms where girl meets boy and they live happily ever after? They aren't really the kind of movies you'd love to watch if you're... single. No need to be so bitter about love, though! Here, we listed down 10 romance films we're sure you'll end up enjoying whether you're newly, happily, or have always been single. These movies will make for a perfect binge-watching session!
1. My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
One could say that this feels like your typical rom-com, but if you look at it closely, you'll realize that My Best Friend's Wedding actually has its own take on the genre. In fact, it almost makes fun of rom-coms with the way it exaggerates each trope. When her long-time best friend reveals he's getting married, Julianne Porter (Julia Roberts) realizes she's in love with him and decides to win his heart for herself. Her shenanigans don't quite work out the way she expects them to, but she does learn a thing or two about love along the way.
2. Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Blonde is one of those movies that will keep you laughing from start to finish. Sorority girl Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is devastated when her boyfriend, a law student from Harvard, breaks up with her. Determined to prove her worth, she (quite miraculously) makes her way into the prestigious university's law program. You'll be laughing as she struts along the drab hallways in her fabulous outfits and proves that being blonde isn't always a weakness. Next thing you know, you'll be rooting for the unlikely heroine.
3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
In order to move on from his ex-girlfriend (Kristen Bell), Peter (Jason Segel) decides to go on a Hawaiian vacation—only to find out that the very person he's trying to forget is also traveling to the same resort with her new boyfriend (Russell Brand) in tow. The movie—and, of course, Jason's performance—will have you belly laughing from start to finish.
4. 500 Days Of Summer (2009)
500 Days Of Summer follows (in a non-linear fashion) the story of a boy who falls in love with a girl who doesn't believe in love. Tom's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) sincere feelings are lost on the mysterious and quirky Summer (Zooey Deschanel) and their unclear relationship only causes him heartbreak. He struggles to make sense of what went wrong and what he could have done better. The film immediately tells the readers that this isn't a love story, and it really isn't: 500 Days Of Summer unpacks love to reveal both the good and messy parts of it.
5. Flipped (2010)
Adorably charming and innocent, Flipped is a movie even the most bitter people will enjoy watching. Based on a novel of the same name, the film follows a pair of kids living as neighbors. Juli Baker (Madeline Carroll) immediately decides she likes the boy next door and pursues him with all her heart. Bryce (Callan McAuliffe), on the other hand, finds her annoying and avoids her at all costs. The cute and light romance will remind you of simpler times and, perhaps, make you feel a little less bitter about love.
6. About Time (2013)
This film's honesty is almost startling, but it's also funny in its own, quirky way. Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) is 21 years old when he's told he can travel back to the past at will. He moves to London, where he meets and falls in love with Mary (Rachel McAdams). The movie follows him as he uses his powers to win her heart, learning lessons about love and life along the way. It's a pretty romantic film, but its take on love and relationships (even non-romantic ones) is so refreshing, you won't mind watching it.
7. Begin Again (2013)
The film's soundtrack and realistic characters make Begin Again a lovable film, especially for newly single people. When Gretta (Keira Knightley) gets her heart broken by her long-time boyfriend and rising musician Dave (Adam Levine), she decides to pour her songwriting talent into her own songs instead. Disgraced record-label exec Dan (Mark Ruffalo) stumbles upon her singing in a bar and decides to collaborate with her.
8. Obvious Child (2014)
After getting dumped by her boyfriend, stand-up comedian Donna (Jenny Slate) finds herself thrown into the throes of post-breakup blues. After drunkenly delivering a terrible set at a bar, she meets Max (Jake Lacy) and the two instantly hit it off and end up sleeping with each other. Several weeks later, Donna finds out she's pregnant. While the plot reads a lot like several other rom-coms out there, Obvious Child takes it to a completely different track.
9. Trainwreck (2015)
Amy (Amy Schumer) is a heavy-drinking party girl who writes for a men's magazine and sleeps around, keeping in mind the words her father used to tell her when she was a child: Monogamy is not realistic. She interviews successful sports doctor Aaron (Bill Hader) for an article, but something about him compels her to break every rule she's followed so far when it comes to dating (or, more appropriately, not dating). It ticks off a lot a rom-com tropes, but the film's more comedy than romance, so it's a definite must—watch if you're in it for the laughs.
10. How To Be Single (2016)
For obvious reasons, the hit Hollywood film starring Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson had to be included in this list. Alice (Johnson) decides she needs a break from her long-time boyfriend so she can make sure of her feelings for him. However, it doesn't turn out the way she expected it to, so now she's relying on her new co-worker (Rebel) to show her the ins and outs of being single in the city.