10 Best Romantic Comedies of the Past 10 Years

Have you ever wanted to know what it takes to create your own romantic comedy? In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the best romantic comedies of the past 10 years and how they utilize different elements of filmmaking.

 

What makes a great romantic comedy? Is it the script, the acting, the directing or the chemistry between the lead actors? In our opinion, it’s all of those things and more! While most audiences remain captivated by the developing love story on-screen, we can sometimes forget about all of the elements that shape the film. These include things like clever screenwriting and production design. In this blog post, we’ll look at 10 great romantic comedies from the past decade and how they utilize different aspects of filmmaking. These are movies that new filmmakers should watch to get a better understanding of the beloved genre.

 

 

1. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This Oscar-winning film shows us the importance of understanding the emotional complexity of your characters and knowing how to convey those emotions through dialogue and action. Both characters of Pat and Tiffany are broken people who have experienced significant difficulties in their lives. As they come together to find love and happiness, they are also forced to confront their own personal struggles. This tough emotional journey allows the viewers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. With this in mind, Silver Linings Playbook makes an excellent film for storytellers looking to create rich characters with complex emotions.

 

 

2. La La Land (2016)

This memorable film is a tribute to the art of filmmaking and to the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood. For starters, La La Land features some truly stunning cinematography. The film is shot in beautiful, vibrant colors that capture the magic and romance of Los Angeles. This creates a visually stunning backdrop for the film’s main characters, Mia and Sebastian. In particular, the cinematography draws on many classic techniques from classic musicals and old-school Hollywood films. For example, there are many wide shots with sweeping camera movements that give a sense of grandiosity. An example of this can be found in scenes like Sebastian’s jazz club performance. These shots help to create an immersive experience, making viewers feel like they are right there alongside Mia and Sebastian in their romantic adventures!

 

 

3. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

It is crucial to understand the role that production design plays in shaping the look and feel of a movie. In Crazy Rich Asians, production designers had to create a world that accurately reflected the extravagant lifestyle of its characters. In addition, they also had to set the stage for a romantic story about cultural barriers and financial inequality. Production designers on this film used a number of different techniques to achieve this goal. For example, they worked closely with costume designers to create outfits that would reflect the wealth, style and cultural background of each character. They also consulted with set designers to create lavish spaces that portrayed both the beauty and high society in Singapore.

 

 

4. Love, Simon (2018) 

Through its compelling characters and thought-provoking themes, Love, Simon pushes beyond convention and tells a story that reflects the diversity of the human experience. The film encourages aspiring filmmakers to embrace complexity in their storytelling while seeking to connect with a wide range of audiences. An example of how Love, Simon ignores conventions is the character of Simon himself! Simon’s character breaks stereotypes about what it means to be gay. He is not flamboyant or overly sexualized, and his struggles with coming out are portrayed in a nuanced way that avoids oversimplifying his experience. By challenging these conventions, the film Love, Simon inspires young creators to explore new perspectives and tell more diverse stories.

 

 

5. The Big Sick (2018)

The award-winning screenplay for The Big Sick received praise for its honest exploration of modern relationships and cross-cultural dynamics. The screenplay was written by husband and wife duo Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, which helped to elevate the overall chemistry and authenticity of the film’s main characters. The script tackles issues like family expectations, cultural clashes, and illness with a nuanced understanding that resonated with all audiences. The Big Sick went on to become a critical and commercial success, cementing the script as one of the most accomplished in recent memory. Through this tale of love, loss and perseverance, the screenplay shines a light on universal themes of family, identity, and connection.

 

 

6. Warm Bodies (2013)

In this film we see a romantic comedy blended with a zombie flick. This unique blend of very different genres allowed the filmmakers to play with elements and events such as gory zombie transformations and romantic encounters.

This blending of genres also offers opportunities for greater creativity on the part of both filmmakers and cinematographers. By juxtaposing the lighthearted tone of a romantic comedy with the gruesome world of zombies, cinematographers can utilize different lighting and camera angles to capture both the beauty and terror of the relationship. Additionally, the slow-moving shots of the characters help to build tension and convey an intimate connection between the zombie hero and his human love interest. These techniques evoke elements of a traditional horror movie as well as a romantic comedy. Ultimately, this allowed the director to create an intriguing blend that is both fun and engaging for audiences to watch.

 

 

7. Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

The casting choices in Isn’t It Romantic proved to be critical to the success of the film. When it came to the role of Sasha, the plus-size love interest in the movie, Rebel Wilson’s unique brand of humor and her relatable character was a perfect fit. As a plus-sized actress at the time of production, they were able to create an authentic representation of plus-size women in romantic comedies. Their choice helped to make Isn’t It Romantic one of the first movies to feature a plus-size woman as the lead. This step ultimately helped to pave the way for more inclusive casting decisions in Hollywood.

 

 

8. The Best Man Holiday (2013)

Casting directors need to consider a number of factors when choosing the right cast members for a film. First and foremost, they must take into account the chemistry between the performers, as well as the actors’ individual strengths. Each actor should bring something unique to their role, such as comedic timing or dramatic intensity. The cast of The Best Man Holiday is an incredible mix of actors whose individual strengths lend themselves perfectly to the film. For example, Taye Diggs brings his presence and charismatic charm to his role as Harper. Secondly, Nia Long brings depth and vulnerability to her character that helps to set up one of the film’s most emotional moments. At the same time, Sanaa Lathan shines as the quick-witted and independent Robin, while Terrence Howard adds the perfect amount of intensity.

 

 

9. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

The cast of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is one of the many reasons why this film has become such a smash hit among viewers. Lana Condor brings a unique, nerdy energy to her role as Lara Jean, and Noah Centineo perfectly captures the cool confidence of high school heartthrob Peter Kavinsky. Together, these two leads create a dynamic on screen that is charming and relatable, making them the perfect couple for audiences to cheer on. With its engaging plot and lovable characters, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has become one of the most beloved films on Netflix, cementing its status as a modern teen rom-com classic.

 

 

10. Trainwreck (2015)

One of the challenges that comes with writing a film like Trainwreck is finding ways to subvert the common tropes of mainstream cinema while staying true to Schumer’s raunchy humor. In this film, the central character pushes against gender stereotypes in a way that is both unexpected and relatable. This combination of unconventional storytelling paired with conventional subject matter is what makes Trainwreck an engaging film for aspiring screenwriters. Learning how to write for a film like Trainwreck can help you craft more eccentric stories and will develop your skills as a screenwriter.

 

In order to make a great romantic comedy, it’s important to remember that it’s not just about the love story. It’s also about the different elements of filmmaking that come together to create an enjoyable and memorable experience for viewers. By studying some of the best examples of romantic comedies from recent years, we can see how the genre has changed over time. Aspiring screenwriters can watch these modern rom-coms to learn about what works for the genre and what doesn’t work, helping future filmmakers to create the next generation of beloved rom-coms for audiences to enjoy.

 

 

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